[Genuine Realist]

[quote="Genuine Realist" pid='349449' dateline='1648671827']

Back a few years ago, Kareem was the only commentator who noticed that Donald Sterling (in an essay that roundly condemned Sterling's racism) was also the victim of a felonious violation of privacy - this at the height of the NSA insanity. He has a lot of common sense.

BTW, it's more and more apparent that Smith did irrevocable harm to himself.  Humpty Dumpty.

"Irrevocable" is an extreme word and I suspect misplaced.  Americans are by and large a very forgiving people.

I don't think forgiveness is the applicable concept. 

I just don't see audiences watching Smith in one of these cheerful, good-natured roles in which he has specialized (e.g, Men In Black, one of the really great pieces of entertainment Hollywood has done) and being able to suspend its disbelief. 

Some of the great actors (Tom Hanks in Road to Perdition or Catch Me If You Can, Jimmy Stewart in the Anthony Mann westerns or Vertigo) can cross lines. But Smith is a personality type, has been selling the Fresh Prince of Belair persona for two decades, with great success, and that is now blown to smithereens.

The analogy to Bill Cosby comes to mind. It's not that bad a comparison. Cosby's crimes are much more serious, of course, but not nearly so publicly shockiing.

[Genuine Realist]

[quote="Genuine Realist" pid='349449' dateline='1648671827']

Back a few years ago, Kareem was the only commentator who noticed that Donald Sterling (in an essay that roundly condemned Sterling's racism) was also the victim of a felonious violation of privacy - this at the height of the NSA insanity. He has a lot of common sense.

BTW, it's more and more apparent that Smith did irrevocable harm to himself.  Humpty Dumpty.

"Irrevocable" is an extreme word and I suspect misplaced.  Americans are by and large a very forgiving people.

I don't think forgiveness is the applicable concept. 

I just don't see audiences watching Smith in one of these cheerful, good-natured roles in which he has specialized (e.g, Men In Black, one of the really great pieces of entertainment Hollywood has done) and being able to suspend its disbelief. 

Some of the great actors (Tom Hanks in Road to Perdition or Catch Me If You Can, Jimmy Stewart in the Anthony Mann westerns or Vertigo) can cross lines. But Smith is a personality type, has been selling the Fresh Prince of Belair persona for two decades, with great success, and that is now blown to smithereens.

The analogy to Bill Cosby comes to mind. It's not that bad a comparison. Cosby's crimes are much more serious, of course, but not nearly so publicly shockiing.

[oldalum]

Smith could nicely round out his career with these remakes. There's also "The Slap" (1975); "Slapface" (2021); "Slapped! The Movie" (2018); "Bitch Slap" (2009); "Slap Her . . . She's French" (2002); "He Who Gets Slapped" (1924) . . . well, I guess the last one is more of a Rock vehicle.

[oldalum]

Smith could nicely round out his career with these remakes. There's also "The Slap" (1975); "Slapface" (2021); "Slapped! The Movie" (2018); "Bitch Slap" (2009); "Slap Her . . . She's French" (2002); "He Who Gets Slapped" (1924) . . . well, I guess the last one is more of a Rock vehicle.

[Mick]

Lex, in Hollywood when a "cool" director like Terence Malick makes a picture that nobody can figure out the mass of "cool" people in the industry touts it because anybody "cool" can't admit how crappy the picture really is and thus would be drummed out of the "cool" group.

I agree that it was a mess but then again I'm not cool. I still can't figure out what the hell "Last Year at Marienbad" was about but I bet I'm not alone.

I did like "The Thin Red Line." Combat is real and he absolutely got it. I give him a pass on the dreamlike flashbacks. But the picture is an anomaly in his career IMO.

That is a terrific explanation. I watched about 45 minutes, turned to my friend and said “I’m obviously not smart enough for this.” We turned it off.

---

Remakes suck. Why remake All the King's Men? West Side Story? Invasion of the Body Snatchers? Deep Throat 2? Magnificent Seven (I know Kurosawa made the original)?

You just can't remake classics. Slap Shot? Hoosiers? Citizen Kane? Give me a break.

I will see the remake of West Side Story.  Loved the original.  .

I did too.  I was really disappointed in the remake.

[Mick]

Lex, in Hollywood when a "cool" director like Terence Malick makes a picture that nobody can figure out the mass of "cool" people in the industry touts it because anybody "cool" can't admit how crappy the picture really is and thus would be drummed out of the "cool" group.

I agree that it was a mess but then again I'm not cool. I still can't figure out what the hell "Last Year at Marienbad" was about but I bet I'm not alone.

I did like "The Thin Red Line." Combat is real and he absolutely got it. I give him a pass on the dreamlike flashbacks. But the picture is an anomaly in his career IMO.

That is a terrific explanation. I watched about 45 minutes, turned to my friend and said “I’m obviously not smart enough for this.” We turned it off.

---

Remakes suck. Why remake All the King's Men? West Side Story? Invasion of the Body Snatchers? Deep Throat 2? Magnificent Seven (I know Kurosawa made the original)?

You just can't remake classics. Slap Shot? Hoosiers? Citizen Kane? Give me a break.

I will see the remake of West Side Story.  Loved the original.  .

I did too.  I was really disappointed in the remake.

[Genuine Realist]

I didn't dislike the West Side Story remake, but found it too heavily weighted. 

It's easy to forget, beyond the sensational score and choreography, that West Side Story is not a particularly good musical. The book is a joke, Tony is a complete stick (no matter who plays him), and the vehicle was never intended as a cultural or social commentary. It was a success d'estime on Broadway in 1957 and lost most of the Tony Awards ,(rightly) to The Music Man (IIRC).

I ultimately decided I preferred the 1961 version, for two reasons - it preserved Robbins' choreography and the young Rita Moreno, who blazed off the screen.

[Genuine Realist]

I didn't dislike the West Side Story remake, but found it too heavily weighted. 

It's easy to forget, beyond the sensational score and choreography, that West Side Story is not a particularly good musical. The book is a joke, Tony is a complete stick (no matter who plays him), and the vehicle was never intended as a cultural or social commentary. It was a success d'estime on Broadway in 1957 and lost most of the Tony Awards ,(rightly) to The Music Man (IIRC).

I ultimately decided I preferred the 1961 version, for two reasons - it preserved Robbins' choreography and the young Rita Moreno, who blazed off the screen.

[Mick]

I didn't dislike the West Side Story remake, but found it too heavily weighted. 

It's easy to forget, beyond the sensational score and choreography, that West Side Story is not a particularly good musical. The book is a joke, Tony is a complete stick (no matter who plays him), and the vehicle was never intended as a cultural or social commentary. It was a success d'estime on Broadway in 1957 and lost most of the Tony Awards ,(rightly) to The Music Man (IIRC).

I ultimately decided I preferred the 1961 version, for two reasons - it preserved Robbins' choreography and the young Rita Moreno, who blazed off the screen.

I didn't like Tamblyn much -- teenagers back then didn't have beer guts -- but I could see why they picked him.  He was an acrobat and a gymnast-- you can see some of his moves in a Western, "The Fastest Gun Alive" where he performed a "shovel dance"...very interesting. He wasn't really a singer, and Tucker Smith (from the Broadway original cast) dubbed some of Riff's lines.  But I really couldn't stand Beymer, who looked like he'd never cocked a fist in his life.  Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno were spectacular. I read that the actress who landed the "Maria" part survived a casting call of 30,000 actors, and she had to audition nine times.  

My aunt used to dance with Tucker Smith, the actor who played "Ice", a role that wasn't in the Broadway play but was created for the movie.  She said he was a really good guy, really liked California (he was from Philadelphia), good conversationalist, etc.

By the way, the cops offered to arrest Will Smith.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/oscars/...4cb4e934a1

[Mick]

I didn't dislike the West Side Story remake, but found it too heavily weighted. 

It's easy to forget, beyond the sensational score and choreography, that West Side Story is not a particularly good musical. The book is a joke, Tony is a complete stick (no matter who plays him), and the vehicle was never intended as a cultural or social commentary. It was a success d'estime on Broadway in 1957 and lost most of the Tony Awards ,(rightly) to The Music Man (IIRC).

I ultimately decided I preferred the 1961 version, for two reasons - it preserved Robbins' choreography and the young Rita Moreno, who blazed off the screen.

I didn't like Tamblyn much -- teenagers back then didn't have beer guts -- but I could see why they picked him.  He was an acrobat and a gymnast-- you can see some of his moves in a Western, "The Fastest Gun Alive" where he performed a "shovel dance"...very interesting. He wasn't really a singer, and Tucker Smith (from the Broadway original cast) dubbed some of Riff's lines.  But I really couldn't stand Beymer, who looked like he'd never cocked a fist in his life.  Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno were spectacular. I read that the actress who landed the "Maria" part survived a casting call of 30,000 actors, and she had to audition nine times.  

My aunt used to dance with Tucker Smith, the actor who played "Ice", a role that wasn't in the Broadway play but was created for the movie.  She said he was a really good guy, really liked California (he was from Philadelphia), good conversationalist, etc.

By the way, the cops offered to arrest Will Smith.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/oscars/...4cb4e934a1

[Phogge]

Beymer had a part in The Longest Day but then sold out.... and became a cameraman.

[Phogge]

Beymer had a part in The Longest Day but then sold out.... and became a cameraman.

[Mick]

And the decision is in, about 10 days earlier than expected.  The Academy has suspended Will Smith from participating in any event including the Oscars for 10 years.  Smith accepted and respected the decision.

[Mick]

And the decision is in, about 10 days earlier than expected.  The Academy has suspended Will Smith from participating in any event including the Oscars for 10 years.  Smith accepted and respected the decision.

[cardcrimson]

And the decision is in, about 10 days earlier than expected.  The Academy has suspended Will Smith from participating in any event including the Oscars for 10 years.  Smith accepted and respected the decision.

David Rubin, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, tweeted after the announcement:  "And that's how we do it"

[cardcrimson]

And the decision is in, about 10 days earlier than expected.  The Academy has suspended Will Smith from participating in any event including the Oscars for 10 years.  Smith accepted and respected the decision.

David Rubin, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, tweeted after the announcement:  "And that's how we do it"

[Madera86]

just to clarify, Rock did not joke about a woman's medical condition.  he joked about a woman's choice to not wear a wig.  and Smith was laughing until he saw his wife's reaction.

Kareem had insightful take (which I think is here):

https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith...-thing?s=r

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

[Madera86]

just to clarify, Rock did not joke about a woman's medical condition.  he joked about a woman's choice to not wear a wig.  and Smith was laughing until he saw his wife's reaction.

Kareem had insightful take (which I think is here):

https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith...-thing?s=r

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

[martyup]

And the decision is in, about 10 days earlier than expected.  The Academy has suspended Will Smith from participating in any event including the Oscars for 10 years.  Smith accepted and respected the decision.

David Rubin, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, tweeted after the announcement:  "And that's how we do it"

I haven't bothered to watch the Oscars for about 20 years . . . and that's how I do it.

[martyup]

And the decision is in, about 10 days earlier than expected.  The Academy has suspended Will Smith from participating in any event including the Oscars for 10 years.  Smith accepted and respected the decision.

David Rubin, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, tweeted after the announcement:  "And that's how we do it"

I haven't bothered to watch the Oscars for about 20 years . . . and that's how I do it.

[Genuine Realist]

just to clarify, Rock did not joke about a woman's medical condition.  he joked about a woman's choice to not wear a wig.  and Smith was laughing until he saw his wife's reaction.

Kareem had insightful take (which I think is here):

https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith...-thing?s=r

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

That view surprises me. I thought Kareem's take was fairly good. He's emerged in his 70's as a fairly moderate, astute social commentator, whom I kinda like. It's almost not fair, to have that much athletic ability and solid intelligence as well, but there it is. I've taken to subscribing to his blog.

BTW, he's touting the Apple+ series 'Slow Horses', which is pretty good. But, for those of you who don't know, it's based on the first of Mick Herron's Slough House novels, which are superb. They are marred slightly by over-reliance on the British plot, but the character of Jackson Lamb (portrayed by Gary Oldman in the series) is one of the most memorable in recent literature. Well-plotted, funny as hell, all sorts of memorable characters - really great reads.

[Genuine Realist]

just to clarify, Rock did not joke about a woman's medical condition.  he joked about a woman's choice to not wear a wig.  and Smith was laughing until he saw his wife's reaction.

Kareem had insightful take (which I think is here):

https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith...-thing?s=r

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

That view surprises me. I thought Kareem's take was fairly good. He's emerged in his 70's as a fairly moderate, astute social commentator, whom I kinda like. It's almost not fair, to have that much athletic ability and solid intelligence as well, but there it is. I've taken to subscribing to his blog.

BTW, he's touting the Apple+ series 'Slow Horses', which is pretty good. But, for those of you who don't know, it's based on the first of Mick Herron's Slough House novels, which are superb. They are marred slightly by over-reliance on the British plot, but the character of Jackson Lamb (portrayed by Gary Oldman in the series) is one of the most memorable in recent literature. Well-plotted, funny as hell, all sorts of memorable characters - really great reads.

[lex24]

just to clarify, Rock did not joke about a woman's medical condition.  he joked about a woman's choice to not wear a wig.  and Smith was laughing until he saw his wife's reaction.

Kareem had insightful take (which I think is here):

https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith...-thing?s=r

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

That view surprises me. I thought Kareem's take was fairly good. He's emerged in his 70's as a fairly moderate, astute social commentator, whom I kinda like. It's almost not fair, to have that much athletic ability and solid intelligence as well, but there it is. I've taken to subscribing to his blog.

BTW, he's touting the Apple+ series 'Slow Horses', which is pretty good. But, for those of you who don't know, it's based on the first of Mick Herron's Slough House novels, which are superb. They are marred slightly by over-reliance on the British plot, but the character of Jackson Lamb (portrayed by Gary Oldman in the series) is one of the most memorable in recent literature. Well-plotted, funny as hell, all sorts of memorable characters - really great reads.

Watched one and a half episodes of Slow Horses.  Found it kind of boring.  I’ll give it another chance.

I’ve been on a Harlan Coban binge. Read his 11 book Myron Bolitar series.  Coban has some good stuff on TV.  Can’t remember if it’s Apple or Prime.  “The Stranger” is good.  As is “Stay Close” .  I never heard of him before watching those series.  The Bolitar series is fun, albeit admittedly light, reading.

[lex24]

just to clarify, Rock did not joke about a woman's medical condition.  he joked about a woman's choice to not wear a wig.  and Smith was laughing until he saw his wife's reaction.

Kareem had insightful take (which I think is here):

https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith...-thing?s=r

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

That view surprises me. I thought Kareem's take was fairly good. He's emerged in his 70's as a fairly moderate, astute social commentator, whom I kinda like. It's almost not fair, to have that much athletic ability and solid intelligence as well, but there it is. I've taken to subscribing to his blog.

BTW, he's touting the Apple+ series 'Slow Horses', which is pretty good. But, for those of you who don't know, it's based on the first of Mick Herron's Slough House novels, which are superb. They are marred slightly by over-reliance on the British plot, but the character of Jackson Lamb (portrayed by Gary Oldman in the series) is one of the most memorable in recent literature. Well-plotted, funny as hell, all sorts of memorable characters - really great reads.

Watched one and a half episodes of Slow Horses.  Found it kind of boring.  I’ll give it another chance.

I’ve been on a Harlan Coban binge. Read his 11 book Myron Bolitar series.  Coban has some good stuff on TV.  Can’t remember if it’s Apple or Prime.  “The Stranger” is good.  As is “Stay Close” .  I never heard of him before watching those series.  The Bolitar series is fun, albeit admittedly light, reading.

[Genuine Realist]

Kareem had insightful take (which I think is here):

https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith...-thing?s=r

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

That view surprises me. I thought Kareem's take was fairly good. He's emerged in his 70's as a fairly moderate, astute social commentator, whom I kinda like. It's almost not fair, to have that much athletic ability and solid intelligence as well, but there it is. I've taken to subscribing to his blog.

BTW, he's touting the Apple+ series 'Slow Horses', which is pretty good. But, for those of you who don't know, it's based on the first of Mick Herron's Slough House novels, which are superb. They are marred slightly by over-reliance on the British plot, but the character of Jackson Lamb (portrayed by Gary Oldman in the series) is one of the most memorable in recent literature. Well-plotted, funny as hell, all sorts of memorable characters - really great reads.

Watched one and a half episodes of Slow Horses.  Found it kind of boring.  I’ll give it another chance.

I’ve been on a Harlan Coban binge. Read his 11 book Myron Bolitar series.  Coban has some good stuff on TV.  Can’t remember if it’s Apple or Prime.  “The Stranger” is good.  As is “Stay Close” .  I never heard of him before watching those series.  The Bolitar series is fun, albeit admittedly light, reading.

Read Mick Herron's novels. The show is ok, but the novels are terrific.

[Genuine Realist]

Kareem had insightful take (which I think is here):

https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith...-thing?s=r

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

That view surprises me. I thought Kareem's take was fairly good. He's emerged in his 70's as a fairly moderate, astute social commentator, whom I kinda like. It's almost not fair, to have that much athletic ability and solid intelligence as well, but there it is. I've taken to subscribing to his blog.

BTW, he's touting the Apple+ series 'Slow Horses', which is pretty good. But, for those of you who don't know, it's based on the first of Mick Herron's Slough House novels, which are superb. They are marred slightly by over-reliance on the British plot, but the character of Jackson Lamb (portrayed by Gary Oldman in the series) is one of the most memorable in recent literature. Well-plotted, funny as hell, all sorts of memorable characters - really great reads.

Watched one and a half episodes of Slow Horses.  Found it kind of boring.  I’ll give it another chance.

I’ve been on a Harlan Coban binge. Read his 11 book Myron Bolitar series.  Coban has some good stuff on TV.  Can’t remember if it’s Apple or Prime.  “The Stranger” is good.  As is “Stay Close” .  I never heard of him before watching those series.  The Bolitar series is fun, albeit admittedly light, reading.

Read Mick Herron's novels. The show is ok, but the novels are terrific.

[BostonCard]

Conan signed a deal with Netflix.  The stranger was the first work streaming.

On the subject of spy thrillers, I am looking forward to all the old knives, which came out yesterday (Amazon)


https://youtu.be/6s7NziAetNs

In books, I just found out that LeCarre left one final novel unpublished, and it was finished by his son and published last year.

https://inews.co.uk/culture/books/john-l...ew-1240153

BC

---

Another one for consideration is Tokyo Vice (HBO Max).  It is starting slow, but has promise.

BC

[BostonCard]

Conan signed a deal with Netflix.  The stranger was the first work streaming.

On the subject of spy thrillers, I am looking forward to all the old knives, which came out yesterday (Amazon)


https://youtu.be/6s7NziAetNs

In books, I just found out that LeCarre left one final novel unpublished, and it was finished by his son and published last year.

https://inews.co.uk/culture/books/john-l...ew-1240153

BC

---

Another one for consideration is Tokyo Vice (HBO Max).  It is starting slow, but has promise.

BC

[Mick]

Kareem had insightful take (which I think is here):

https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith...-thing?s=r

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

That view surprises me. I thought Kareem's take was fairly good. He's emerged in his 70's as a fairly moderate, astute social commentator, whom I kinda like. It's almost not fair, to have that much athletic ability and solid intelligence as well, but there it is. I've taken to subscribing to his blog.

BTW, he's touting the Apple+ series 'Slow Horses', which is pretty good. But, for those of you who don't know, it's based on the first of Mick Herron's Slough House novels, which are superb. They are marred slightly by over-reliance on the British plot, but the character of Jackson Lamb (portrayed by Gary Oldman in the series) is one of the most memorable in recent literature. Well-plotted, funny as hell, all sorts of memorable characters - really great reads.

Watched one and a half episodes of Slow Horses.  Found it kind of boring.  I’ll give it another chance.

I’ve been on a Harlan Coban binge. Read his 11 book Myron Bolitar series.  Coban has some good stuff on TV.  Can’t remember if it’s Apple or Prime.  “The Stranger” is good.  As is “Stay Close” .  I never heard of him before watching those series.  The Bolitar series is fun, albeit admittedly light, reading.

Aw, Lex, I knew I liked you.  I've liked Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series since the first book.  Light and fast.  

Other good light summer read authors: Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Steve Hamilton and John Sandford.

[Mick]

Kareem had insightful take (which I think is here):

https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith...-thing?s=r

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

That view surprises me. I thought Kareem's take was fairly good. He's emerged in his 70's as a fairly moderate, astute social commentator, whom I kinda like. It's almost not fair, to have that much athletic ability and solid intelligence as well, but there it is. I've taken to subscribing to his blog.

BTW, he's touting the Apple+ series 'Slow Horses', which is pretty good. But, for those of you who don't know, it's based on the first of Mick Herron's Slough House novels, which are superb. They are marred slightly by over-reliance on the British plot, but the character of Jackson Lamb (portrayed by Gary Oldman in the series) is one of the most memorable in recent literature. Well-plotted, funny as hell, all sorts of memorable characters - really great reads.

Watched one and a half episodes of Slow Horses.  Found it kind of boring.  I’ll give it another chance.

I’ve been on a Harlan Coban binge. Read his 11 book Myron Bolitar series.  Coban has some good stuff on TV.  Can’t remember if it’s Apple or Prime.  “The Stranger” is good.  As is “Stay Close” .  I never heard of him before watching those series.  The Bolitar series is fun, albeit admittedly light, reading.

Aw, Lex, I knew I liked you.  I've liked Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series since the first book.  Light and fast.  

Other good light summer read authors: Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Steve Hamilton and John Sandford.

[lex24]

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

That view surprises me. I thought Kareem's take was fairly good. He's emerged in his 70's as a fairly moderate, astute social commentator, whom I kinda like. It's almost not fair, to have that much athletic ability and solid intelligence as well, but there it is. I've taken to subscribing to his blog.

BTW, he's touting the Apple+ series 'Slow Horses', which is pretty good. But, for those of you who don't know, it's based on the first of Mick Herron's Slough House novels, which are superb. They are marred slightly by over-reliance on the British plot, but the character of Jackson Lamb (portrayed by Gary Oldman in the series) is one of the most memorable in recent literature. Well-plotted, funny as hell, all sorts of memorable characters - really great reads.

Watched one and a half episodes of Slow Horses.  Found it kind of boring.  I’ll give it another chance.

I’ve been on a Harlan Coban binge. Read his 11 book Myron Bolitar series.  Coban has some good stuff on TV.  Can’t remember if it’s Apple or Prime.  “The Stranger” is good.  As is “Stay Close” .  I never heard of him before watching those series.  The Bolitar series is fun, albeit admittedly light, reading.

Aw, Lex, I knew I liked you.  I've liked Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series since the first book.  Light and fast.  

Other good light summer read authors: Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Steve Hamilton and John Sandford.

Read all Connolly’s books. Excellent.

---

Conan signed a deal with Netflix.  The stranger was the first work streaming.

On the subject of spy thrillers, I am looking forward to all the old knives, which came out yesterday (Amazon)


https://youtu.be/6s7NziAetNs

In books, I just found out that LeCarre left one final novel unpublished, and it was finished by his son and published last year.

https://inews.co.uk/culture/books/john-l...ew-1240153

BC

---

Another one for consideration is Tokyo Vice (HBO Max).  It is starting slow, but has promise.

BC

Watch it last night.  Kind of meh.

[lex24]

Really like Kareem's piece.

I wish I could say the same. I agree that Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, but then Kareem supports his conclusion with a bunch of woke nonsense. I just hope Kareem didn't hurt himself in stretching to make a connection between Smith's actions and conservatives.

That view surprises me. I thought Kareem's take was fairly good. He's emerged in his 70's as a fairly moderate, astute social commentator, whom I kinda like. It's almost not fair, to have that much athletic ability and solid intelligence as well, but there it is. I've taken to subscribing to his blog.

BTW, he's touting the Apple+ series 'Slow Horses', which is pretty good. But, for those of you who don't know, it's based on the first of Mick Herron's Slough House novels, which are superb. They are marred slightly by over-reliance on the British plot, but the character of Jackson Lamb (portrayed by Gary Oldman in the series) is one of the most memorable in recent literature. Well-plotted, funny as hell, all sorts of memorable characters - really great reads.

Watched one and a half episodes of Slow Horses.  Found it kind of boring.  I’ll give it another chance.

I’ve been on a Harlan Coban binge. Read his 11 book Myron Bolitar series.  Coban has some good stuff on TV.  Can’t remember if it’s Apple or Prime.  “The Stranger” is good.  As is “Stay Close” .  I never heard of him before watching those series.  The Bolitar series is fun, albeit admittedly light, reading.

Aw, Lex, I knew I liked you.  I've liked Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series since the first book.  Light and fast.  

Other good light summer read authors: Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Steve Hamilton and John Sandford.

Read all Connolly’s books. Excellent.

---

Conan signed a deal with Netflix.  The stranger was the first work streaming.

On the subject of spy thrillers, I am looking forward to all the old knives, which came out yesterday (Amazon)


https://youtu.be/6s7NziAetNs

In books, I just found out that LeCarre left one final novel unpublished, and it was finished by his son and published last year.

https://inews.co.uk/culture/books/john-l...ew-1240153

BC

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Another one for consideration is Tokyo Vice (HBO Max).  It is starting slow, but has promise.

BC

Watch it last night.  Kind of meh.

[BostonCard]

Which one did you watch?  All the old knives?

BC

[BostonCard]

Which one did you watch?  All the old knives?

BC

[Phogge]

GR, have you watched "Goliath" on Prime? First season of "Deep State" with Mark Strong on EPIX? Second season sucked.

For comedy I love "Resident Alien" on SciFi.

[Phogge]

GR, have you watched "Goliath" on Prime? First season of "Deep State" with Mark Strong on EPIX? Second season sucked.

For comedy I love "Resident Alien" on SciFi.

[Genuine Realist]

GR, have you watched "Goliath" on Prime? First season of "Deep State" with Mark Strong on EPIX? Second season sucked.

For comedy I love "Resident Alien" on SciFi.

I liked 'Resident Alien', too. The other shows I haven't seen for various irrelevant reasons.

But while we're on recommendations, the most original movie I've seen in many a year - actually, since 'Beetlejuice' - is 'Everything, Everywhere, All at Once,' which is just a wild, funny completely off-the-charts movie. Your opinion of this will interest me, since the technical challenges must have been considerable, even with computers.

If you like Alan Tudyk, though it's been twelve years, 'Tucker and Dale v. Evil' is still a cheerful, on point, very funny send up of elitist cultural prejudices.

[Genuine Realist]

GR, have you watched "Goliath" on Prime? First season of "Deep State" with Mark Strong on EPIX? Second season sucked.

For comedy I love "Resident Alien" on SciFi.

I liked 'Resident Alien', too. The other shows I haven't seen for various irrelevant reasons.

But while we're on recommendations, the most original movie I've seen in many a year - actually, since 'Beetlejuice' - is 'Everything, Everywhere, All at Once,' which is just a wild, funny completely off-the-charts movie. Your opinion of this will interest me, since the technical challenges must have been considerable, even with computers.

If you like Alan Tudyk, though it's been twelve years, 'Tucker and Dale v. Evil' is still a cheerful, on point, very funny send up of elitist cultural prejudices.

[DC 86]

Read all Connolly’s books. Excellent.

So you've watched Bosch on Amazon Prime? very good show, new season drops on May 6th.

Best television for me over the last few years are Taylor Sheridan's shows: Yellowstone and 1883.

[DC 86]

Read all Connolly’s books. Excellent.

So you've watched Bosch on Amazon Prime? very good show, new season drops on May 6th.

Best television for me over the last few years are Taylor Sheridan's shows: Yellowstone and 1883.