Ultimate Canon Rock

Remote viewing: Some shows I'm currently watching

 Zero Day with Robert De Niro is a political thriller involving hacking of vital US systems, causing massive deaths and injuries. As a former President, De Niro's character is asked by the current resident of the WH to head a committee looking into the situation before it can occur again. A decent thriller but watch it for the star.

Party Hunting on NBC involves a special investigation unit attempting to track down escaped serial killers. These were inmates in a secret government prison where they were kept and interrogated, many had been reported dead or executed prior to this incarceration. Following an explosion and jailbreak, this agency was given authority overriding and local or state law enforcement agencies. We also learn that many leading the investigation have their own agendas and secrets. Better than average network fare. 

Secret Levels is a 15-episode series featuring animated shorts based on existing video games. Not being a gamer, I'm only familiar with a few of these. I'm more knowledgeable of the Warhammer 40K series, as I've read a number of the novels and comics based on the franchise. 

Looking forward to the upcoming Daredevil: Reborn series on Disney+. Appears to occur several years after the previous Netflix Marvel series. 

I'll try to make these posts a bit more frequent, although nerve issues with my right hand does limit the ability to type for long periods. 

Remote Viewing: Slasher - Season 5: Ripper

 The series Slasher is back with its Fifth season. Originally on Netflix, the fourth and current seasons are now on Shudder. The subtitle for this one is Ripper.

In late 19th Century Toronto, a murder of a young woman reminiscent of the Ripper era crimes is committed. Twelve years later a figure in black widow's garb begins committing a series of brutal murders of individuals who may have had something to do with the earlier crime and the coverup and framing of an innocent man. A young police detective assigned to the case is having difficulty trying to convince his superior that he may have evidence, but he is being blocked by the political and social elite of the city.

As with the previous season streamed on Shudder, which dealt with a family turning on each other to inherit a fortune, this series is more brutal and violent than the earlier Netflix episodes. If blood and gore disturb you then I would pass on this.

One of the interesting things about the series is that like American Horror Story actors often return in later seasons playing completely different characters. A villain in one series might return the next as a suspect or innocent victim. For instance, Christopher Jacot (Eureka, Going the Distance) and Paula Brancati (Being Erica, Dark Oracle) have been in every season.

Gory and realistic practical effects really push this over the top. There are some sexual situations implied in the first two episodes, the only ones I've seen.

 

Remote Viewing: Cunk on Earth (2022) British TV series

 In Cunk on Earth, streaming on Netflix, Actress/Writer Diane Morgan portrays Philomena Cunk the narrator/host of a program on world history. Think of the "journalists" on The Daily Show doing their interviews with unsuspecting subjects, who probably don't get the joke.

If the professors and experts that Cunk interviews are in on the joke they do so with perfectly straight faces. For example, Cunk asks an expert on music how Beethoven could have written his symphonies as he was dead in later life. When she is corrected that she must mean 'deaf' Cunk pulls out a note from her producer which says he was dead.

I have had to pause and go back several times per episode since Morgan is just so funny and her complete lack of knowledge or interest in most topics is a delight. There are several running gags and her referencing friends, family, and ex-boyfriends make me smile.

Given all this, it really is a fascinating quick overview of world history. Fair warning, the show is VERY British and perhaps a bit too Liberal for some folks, as the program does take aim at various political, religious, and social topics. The pokes at early Christianity and Islam might really tick off some folks, but I found them LOL funny.

Morgan has played the character previously and even wrote a book, Cunk on Everything. 

Remote Viewing: Skyman (2019)

 Watched Skyman (2013), directed and written by Daniel Myrick, writer of the original Blair Witch Project (1999).

Filmmakers are making a documentary on Carl Merryweather (played by Michael Selle: Get Shorty TV series) who claims to have encountered an alien during a famous UFO sighting 30 years earlier. Carl called the alien Skyman and has been ridiculed by neighbors since. He now believes that he had been recently contacted and told that he will have a second visit on his 40th birthday.

His survivalist father had purchased the location where the sighting occurred when he returned from active duty in Vietnam. He returns there on his birthday weekend with his younger sister and best friend, both of whom have doubts but continue to support him.

Not found footage, but made up of 'archival' news reports, home movies, and the video the 'filmmakers' took in the months leading up to the fateful day.

Well acted for such a low-budget project, if perhaps a bit long at just over 90 minutes. A couple of jump scares, but it's Carl's growing paranoia and events that happen at the campground that keeps you interested.

 

Popcorn For One: Paint (2023)

 Last night's Regal Mystery Movie was Paint (2023) with Owen Wilson. It's not the Bob Ross biopic you might think of when you see the trailers. Obviously, the well-known artist, who had an amazing TV career, was an obvious influence. The film is a sweet Rom-Com with gentle humor.

Carl Nargle (Wilson) had been the #1 figure and best-known feature of a small Vermont PBS station for decades. His landscapes and walks made him a popular personality in the area. However, Carl is also a bit of a womanizer and has slept with almost every woman working at the station. He's also caught in a rut and a new younger artist appears to be taking his place.

Probably not a blockbuster, but this is a nice film that will appeal to an audience looking for light humor and a solid cast. I was surprised to see Ciara Renee (Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow) as Ambrosia, the artist who might be replacing Carl in both his professional and personal life.

Don't get up when the credits start, as there is a funny segment that you may or not get depending on your familiarity with another artist.

Also, I broke down and got a trial sub to Peacock, just so I could binge Poker Face with Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll, Orange is the New Black). Seen the first four episodes and absolutely love it. Lyonne is as good as ever and there are cameos by some actors you just might recognize. A decent mystery series, with Lyonne on the run from gangsters, using her ability to tell when people are lying to solve mysteries along the way across the country.

Remote viewing: Followed (2018)

 Followed (2018) is an American Found Footage film, which takes inspiration from the Hotel Cecil in LA and the story of Elisa Lam who was reputed to have been playing the "Elevator Game" prior to her disappearance and death.

Mike is a well-known vlogger, who is attempting to get a sponsorship for his channel by live streaming in a hotel with a reputation for suicides and at one time being the residence of a serial killer over Halloween weekend. He brings along three friends who have experience with cameras, sound equipment, and editing. Mysterious events begin taking place over the next few days, and some secrets are eventually revealed.

We see the video that Mike and his crew took over the weekend which reveals some things of which they are initially unaware.

As usual, with these types of films, the leader is unlikable and badgers their companions to continue even after things begin to turn and others wish to leave. An unnecessary twist is revealed toward the end and it's actually easy to miss it if you aren't using subtitles.

Better acted than many of this subgenre, but the unlikeability of the main character doesn't make it easy to sympathize with him, even toward the end. I'd only recommend it to folks like me who really enjoy Found Footage. Some violence and gore, with practical effects for the most part.