Bloodline

Ho. Ly. Smokes. This Netflix Original about a screwed-up family who owns a resort in the Florida Keys was pretty damn awesome. I had to fight off the urge to binge watch because it was compelling stuff. I really need to visit the Keys.

Poldark

This is a miniseries based on a famous series of books about this British guy who almost gets killed during the Revolutionary War and comes back to find an England far different from the one he left. It has a lot of beautiful Cornwall scenery. It was good enough that Gail and I are looking forward to a season 2.

Stop at Nothing

This is the Lance Armstrong documentary that he probably doesn’t want you to see. It’s intense and contains extensive interviews with Tyler Hamilton, Frankie Andreu, Betsy Andreu, Greg LeMond, and the reporter who tried to bust Lance from the get-go (not sure about his name). It’s a deep dive into how insidious this scandal was. Shocking stuff.

Sarah’s Key

I bought this from the ND bookstore on a whim because it’s hard for me to leave bookstores that I visit while on leisure trips without buying something. The first half is a mystery of sorts that splits time between current day France and occupied France during WW2. The second half incorporates some family drama. Alright.

Non-Stop

So yeah, beside Brit period pieces, it seems that trashy Brit thrillers are my thing also. I’m shallow. This was barely okay, but I don’t regret the time I spent with it.

Step Into Liquid

This is a surf documentary that everyone should see. I watched it for the first time over a decade ago before my first trip to Hawaii and I never get sick of it. I love the surf culture, even though I’ve never done it before.

Far from the Madding Crowd

I love watching this kind of movie with Gail because I know it just brings her such joy. Ever since the mid 90s when she roped me into seeing Sense and Sensibility I’ve been a big fan of the Brit period piece. The word that kept popping into my head during this movie was sumptuous. It was well done.

Valdez is Coming

This is a short Elmore Leonard western (232 pages) that I read in a day on the way back from vacation in the Mayan Riviera. It went fast and was a boat load of fun, which made the flight seem really, really short. That’s a great combo. Continue reading →

Burning Angel

This is not the James Lee Burke novel for the uninitiated. It’s complicated, obtuse, and mystical. I’m deep in the series, reading them in order, and I generally liked this one. I found my mind wandering at times, but there were several riveting passages. Continue reading →