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Reviews
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Serene Squall (2022)
Hopefully this is a one off
I liked parts of this but the parallels between Spock's half human /half Vulcan identity crisis and the captain of the Serene Squall was a bogus comparison which really shouldn't need explaining, except to a very confused screenwriter, apparently. This was an eye rolling episode. Please don't touch this subject again unless you make a more intelligent and nuanced argument, SNW writers.
South Beach (1993)
A missed opportunity by NBC
This show aired in the summer of 1993 and was perfect summertime entertainment. With a good cast, including John Glover, t should have been renewed for a full season, but was canceled. It's impossible to find now, which is a shame, because I'd like to see it again on dvd or streaming.
Ride the High Country (1962)
Well written western story
Traveling through the California gold country, I surprised to go through the town of Coarsegold, the gold camp in the movie. I was surprised it was a real place, and it is a beautiful part of California. This movie works on many different levels , I think, including the use of Biblical passages in the movie. (spoiler?)Look for the Biblical inscription on Isla's mother's grave as the father is praying beside. It seems to hint that the mother may have died a violent death at the hands of her pious husband, but this multi-layered movie leaves that to the viewer to decide. The gun battles are also well directed and very suspenseful. For me though, the most important and satisfying theme of this movie is the concept of redemption, which is beautifully resolved in the story. Thoughtful, emotional, exciting and literate. A great western.
The Law and Jake Wade (1958)
Classic western of good v. bad
Robert Taylor stars as Jake Wade, former outlaw gone straight who must battle his old partner, Richard Widmark as Clint Holister, the leader of a band of outlaws wanting to find stolen bank money, the location of which only Jake Wade knows. Robert Taylor does a competent job in the lead, but Richard Widmark really steals the show as the menacing leader of the gang. The movie is exciting, fast paced and leads to a satisfying climax. Good solid western.