Atari: Game Over

With an hour to kill, I fired up this documentary on Netflix.  I really didn’t care if the cartridges were found, I was more interested in the details of the “crash of the game industry”.  The documentary does a decent job at explaining what happened, but looks more to redeem Howard Warshaw, the creator of the ET Atari game which is often criticized as “The worst videogame ever”.   Warshaw does come out of the film vindicated, albeit annoyingly so as he seems a little tough to root for, and is clearly scarred by the whole ordeal and is very insecure.  The insecurities are covered by an ego akin to Billy Mitchell in a much better documentary “The King of Kong”.  If you’re interested in the subject matter, this film comes recommended given it’s short runtime and production value.

Homeland: Season 3

I adored the first season of Homeland.  I borrowed the DVD's from a friend and was captivated from the start.  I enjoyed it so much, in desperation I watched season 2 via some not so legal streaming sites, where they varied in quality, and "speed", buffering really kills any momentum in any television show, let alone one where you hang on every word like Homeland.  Refusing to watch another season in such low grade quality I decided to wait for it to be on Netflix.  By the time the third season arrived, I was kind of "over it" but recently decided to give it a spin and see if I could recapture some of that magic.


I had to do some reading to put all the pieces together, I was just about 4 years removed from the previous season.  Season 3 was relatively self contained once I was reacquainted with the cliffhanger from last year, so I didn't necessarily require vast knowledge of intricate details in order to get through.  I'd have to say this was the weakest of my 3 seasons of Homeland.  The Dana storyline was so mundane, every time it cut to her I rolled my eyes.  Thankfully half way through the show writers wised up and pretty much wrote her out of the script.  The 2nd half was much more satisfying to the point where I wanted to watch back to back episodes, rather than constantly pressing X on my PS4 to see how much longer some of those earlier episodes were going to drag on.


The season ends nicely, peacefully, and really could have been a series finale.  The show returns for season 4, but I'm not sure I will.  I recommend Season 1 and 2 absolutely, and if you've gone that far, season 3 is not a complete waste of time. 

The Revenant

A rare theatrical release, I was given the choice to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens or The Revenant and I chose The Revenant, must be age.  Can I blame age for the fact that I also chose a bottle of water and raisins for snack?  Okay, they were chocolate covered raisins, but still … ... Anyway, so, The Revenant, a survival/revenge movie.  This was a good movie with some very difficult scenes to watch. the actual bear attack was brutal, but there's another scene that I felt was worse, it had me half covering my eyes, I won't spoil that.  This movie's been nominated for a number of awards, and while I appreciate the movie for its entertainment value, it didn’t’ make me “feel” anything.  Movies that leave me thinking for days are the ones I ultimately view as “the best”, I’ll be surprised if this takes home best picture.  I think Tom Hardy could win best supporting actor, he was great, but I think Leo will get snubbed again this year unless there's a "best grunting" category now.  I’d still recommend The Revenant as it’s much better than most of the repetitive crap out there, it’s just not AAA.   

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

My movie selection is all over the place.  I was priding myself on my selection of Oscar Nom’s and then I decided to watch this.  I was called a TMNT “fan” recently, well, I’m not so much a fan, as I am amused.  To be fanatical about something, I might say, own a t-shirt, collect figures, have a poster, that type of behavior.  I was a little too old for the Turtles in their peak, but I watched a lot of the animated series in the late 80’s and early 90’s as the kids my mom babysat loved them.  Have to say I grew to appreciate them.  I liked the 1990 movie, but failed to see any of the sequels (see, not a fan) and when this showed up on Netflix, after a 12 hour work day, I was ready for some mindless entertainment.  Let’s just say I didn’t hate it.  I didn’t love it, I found the Turtles to look a little creepy, Splinter was just gross, but the film was entertaining in bursts.  It took a little too long for the action to get started, but all in all, I’d have to say it was worth my time (100 minutes).  Do I recommend it?  Not unless there’s some nostalgia there.  I will say this was probably the most I’ve enjoyed of a Will Arnett role since Arrested Development, even if I did think his crush on Megan Fox was bordering inappropriate given their age, but that just might be the dad in me speaking.  Cowabunga!

I prefer the 90's Turtles

Still Alice

A nice movie the wife and I could watch together, that’s what I thought going in.  What a sad affair, and far from your typical “Friday Night Movie”.  Julianne Moore was nominated for “Best Actress” for her role in this film and deservedly so.  A compelling journey of someone suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Borderline scary and has you second guessing yourself and your own memory lapses.  Sad, just sad, but yet, recommend. 

Back In Time

I’ve had this on “My List” on Netflix for some time and finally caught it this past week.  Should have been titled “Waste of Time”.  Wow, they lined up just about everyone you’d ever want associated to a documentary on “Back to the Future” but instead of some in depth stories from the set, concepts, deleted scenes etc. it was filled with fan appreciated that actually had me embarrassed for liking this movie.  This movie is cringe-worthy.  Pass.

Making a Murderer

Perhaps a victim of hype, I went into this series with unimaginable anticipation, the disappointment started from episode 1 where I found myself not particularly rooting for our central character.   Stereotypes aside, this was still considered a grand injustice, and so, my wife and I stuck with it for 10 episodes.  The series definitely picks up, but is far from “edge of your seat” stuff, this is more … lean back and roll your eyes type stuff.  Without spoiling things, there does appear some poor police work and delinquency here, especially when it comes to Brendan Dassey, Steven’s apparent accomplice.  Lots of conspiracy theories have arisen, and that I find even more entertaining than the series itself.  If you watch, remember this, Netflix is in the business of providing compelling entertainment, not public service.   I’m not saying they’re wrong, just consider your source.  I’m not entirely convinced he’s not guilty, but on a jury would never be able to convict him or Brendan.  Recommend.