The Penguin

The Penguin: I received this on DVD for Christmas.  I enjoyed it.  It's not even close to a superhero - villain tale.  This is all about The Penguin and what he does in Gotham's underworld which pits him against the Falcone family.  In the same vane as The Batman, it's very gritty and dark though with a different take.  If you are at all interested, give it watch.

The Madison

The Madison:  While my pop picked this one as our next watch, we both really enjoyed it.  Excellent writing and acting.  Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer headline this cast and it's just a good watch.  While written by Taylor Sheridan, who heads the Yellowstone family of shows and others, this series is just the opposite.  While the language is similar at times, it's not action centric.  And right or wrong I've likened it to a "chick flick".  Just a good story.  It's not a long season with only six episodes.  Season 2 has already been shot and season 3 has been picked up, so we have those to look forward to.

Dutton Ranch

Dutton Ranch is a good show.   Having seen and enjoyed Yellowstone, I knew what I was getting into.  No matter where Beth and Rip go, peace isn't an option.  Things start off rocky right off the bat for the two and I can't say it gets better for them.  That said, the chaos isn't of their doing.  Now how they handle the chaos is what we've grown to know and love about the pair.  Me and pop enjoyed the show.  If you liked Yellowstone, I think you'll like Dutton Ranch.

Marshals Season 1

Marshals:  Pop and I finished season 1 and enjoyed it. It's a Yellowstone spinoff but it's not like it in many ways.  Not near as much violence, cursing and romantic moments.  It feels more like a classic television show, and it was aired on CBS.  The show follows Kayce Dutton as he becomes a US Marshall in Montana.  Since he can stay at home while working with the team, there's plenty of same issues seen in Yellowstone.  But being a US Marshal, it takes on a new look with new team members while bringing back some Yellowstone veterans.  The series really develops the different characters while working cases that fall their way.  It's a good watch.  I liked it.  

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones:  Finally got to watch this one which I did with a Blu-ray set I purchased.  I thought I'd enjoy it and I really did.  So much drama, chaos, and surprises all played out so well over eight seasons.  Whatever you've heard about the series is probably true.  I really appreciated was how there were so many surprises.  Or shocks?  Trauma?  You never knew what was just around the corner.  

The beginning is a lot to take in.  So much to learn but it's all paid off in short order as you settle in for a great uncomfortable watch.  So many amazing characters, storylines and actors and actresses.  Over the eight seasons so much is developed to help get us to the end.  There's been criticism about the final season which I had heard way back in 2019 when it all ended.  I get it.  There are plenty good moments in season eight, but the ending is soft.  I won't give away major plot points, but it felt disjointed and some of the plot choices were questionable.  I understand the writer, George R. R. Martin, hadn't written anything past what we see in season 7.  A shame as you'd have to assume it'd land better.  One thing it is, is it isn't for the faint of heart.  The violence, language and sexuality are something that will turn some off of the series. 

That all said, it was a great series and deserves all the accolades it received.  I really looked forward to seeing how plots played out and was rarely disappointed.  It's one of the few series I think I'd enjoy taking in a second time, knowing what is to come and better understanding what I'm watching.  I won't ever have time to do that, but I'd do it if I could.  There are two spin-offs which I'm sure I'll watch at some point.  Always curious what others think of the series.

Yellowstone 1923 (2022-2025)

1923 is another Yellowstone prequel saga pop and I watched.  Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford headline the cast and they both do a great job as matriarch and patriarch of the Duttons in this series.  It ran two seasons (15 episodes) and was very enjoyable.  As with the main Yellowstone series, this one centers around the Duttons trying to protect their land, their family and their way of life.  A little trepidation over some of the spicy scenes especially in season 2 but otherwise no complaints.  Really good characters and a good buildup that starts from the first episode and reaches a head in the final episode.

Alexandra (Alex) and Spencer are two of the main characters and have a major story arc in the series.  Hard not to like these two.

Yellowstone Television Series (2018-2024)

Pop and I finished the Yellowstone series last year.  We enjoyed it.  The series centers around the Dutton family who owns the Yellowstone ranch and have to fight external forces who want to take their land and their way of life.  It's hard not to side with them no matter how brutal they are in the defense of their land.  Wyoming is beautiful and who doesn't dream of doing something so simple as raise cattle and be left alone to enjoy life in such a setting.  

It's not a series for the faint of heart, but the western appeal and drama easily suck you in.  The characters are easy to like in spite of their ways.  They do a great job giving them each their story whether it's the extend storylines around the family, or the ranch hands or the characters from the local Reservation.  Good series have good characters and good acting and Yellowstone has both. Kevin Costner obviously stands out amongst the cast, but you'll end up invested in the majority of the characters making up this story.  And if you're a guy, you'll want to want to be Rip Wheeler by the time it's over.  And if you're a lady, you'll want your guy to be Rip Wheeler by the end of it.

The 5 seasons of Yellowstone are drama from the start.  There are so many who want their land for their own reasons, and they'll do anything to get it.  That's where it gets "fun".  I recommend Yellowstone but again there is a brutality to the show that may not be for everyone.  

The Yellowstone 1883 television series is one of my favorite series of all-time.  This one isn't as good as that one in my opinion, but again I give Yellowstone my stamp of approval.  I believe it is streaming on Peacock now.  Tomorrow, I'll take a look at Yellowstone 1923.

Bosch (2014-2021) and Bosch: Legacy (2022-2025)

Bosch & Bosch: Legacy:  These series follows LA detective Harry Bosch and those around him.  He's an old school detective.  This is a pretty easy series to watch and easy to like.  Plenty of good characters and storylines.  It's not a big budget show and a bit of a throwback but it's enjoyable.  His partner Jerry Edgar, daughter Maddie and detective Jimmy Robertson stand out to me as favorites.  Pop and I recommend it.

Stranger Things Season 5

 

Stranger Things has come to an end.  I liked the ending and thought it did justice to the series and characters.  I had a friend who saw the final episode in the theater and liked that experience.  I thought the final season was pretty well paced.  There are always a few things here and there you wish they had done differently but overall, I enjoyed it.  

Frasier TV Series (1993–2004)

Frasier:  I did a rewatch of Frazier.  I'd watch some or all of an episode before going to sleep.  I enjoy doing that with comfort watches like this.  Frasier ran 11 seasons and for good reason.  I like to say I've watched the series before including plenty of reruns but there was much of this show that I didn't remember.  Nothing wrong with that.  I enjoyed it all.  It really is a good series.  It feels like awkward moment after awkward moment which makes it fun.  I enjoyed the Niles and Dafney storyline the most as Niles falls for her even though being married.  This eventually leads to them falling for each other.  Lots of fun here.  I'm glad I went back and watched it in its entirety.  I feel like there was much I hadn't seen.  Again, lots of fun.  Not a top 10 all-time for me but this is a series I really like.  I've already started a rewatch of Cheers.  An all-time favorite I'm really enjoying it and will post something once I complete it.

Frontier (2016-2018)

 The Jason Momoa Netflix series Frontier was one I'd wanted to watch for some time.  Momoa plays a half Irish, half native who is at odds with the Hudson Bay Company's fur trade in the late 18th century.  The supporting cast plays a very large part of the series, so Momoa doesn't consume the screen time.  While it falls under action adventure it really pulls at the different storylines and fleshes out the characters.  I enjoyed it but it wasn't quite what I expected.  It definitely feels like there are some plot holes or odd actions and/or decisions by the characters.  I don't want to take away from the series. Nothing is perfect and I was entertained by Frontier.

Joe Pickett

 

Joe Pickett is a television series that ran two seasons on Paramount+.  My pop read the 25 books by CJ Box and really enjoyed them, so we wanted to try this series.  The characters and storylines in the TV series are similar but don't follow the books.  The plot follows a game warden in Wyoming.  Bad things happen and he has to figure them out which plays out throughout the season.  We liked season one.  Season two wasn't as good.  I think they had some good things going overall in the series but there are some characters and plot lines that are over the top which take away from the series.  I'd say take a look at this one if you're looking for something in this genre that's an easy watch, but you can put it low on your priority list.  

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

I did watch The Falcon and the Winter Soldier some time ago, but it looks like I didn't post anything here.  It was good.  The series is set six months after Sam Wilson became Captain America at the end of Avengers: Endgame.  Pretty good character development, plot and we get to see some familiar characters from the Marvel universe.  Sam and Bucky team up.  Fight a global threat.  All the while we see the government's involvement in overseeing heroes and Captain America, specifically.  I'm a huge Falcon fan and while I liked this series, I don't think it wowed folks and I get that.  Baron Zemo, played by Daniel Bruhl, really stood out to me.  I like that character.  I think it's a good watch.  There are six episodes.  I do think the pacing may not be what some would hope for, but it is a good story with good characters.      

The Witcher

The Witcher:  I enjoyed this one.  It has completed three seasons.  It was a slow start but once it got going, I got into it.  I won't go into a lot of detail, but I like the main characters played by Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, and Anya Chalotra.  I know Cavill isn't coming back for season four.  While I like the series I'm not sure if I'll rush back to watch season four which will have Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia.  I liked the series, but I'm probably not as invested as the great fanbase.  Nothing against him, but we'll see.  

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld:  This series was released May 4th in its entirety.  There are six total episodes, with three each dedicated to an Asajj Ventress arc and a Cad Bane arc.  I really enjoyed the Ventress arc.  We quickly see how she's still in the Star Wars universe after dying in the Star Wars: Dark Disciple book (good read).  Her tale here is fun and will be easy to follow with additional stories as she takes a different path in her life.  I won't spoil too much but a jedi does play a big part in this arc.  

Cad Bane's story is much different as we see his origin play out.  It is a good story.  I don't think it's groundbreaking but there are some parts that could still play out at a later time.   I highly recommend this series.  It only runs 1 hour 30 minutes in total time, and it'll feel shorter as it's a fun watch.

Surviving Black Hawk Down

 

Surviving Black Hawk Down: Surviving Black Hawk Down is a documentary from Netflix.  There are three episodes with each being just under an hour long.  We get interviews from both sides of the conflict including the gentlemen who shot much of the actual footage, civilians, Somalian fighters, and US soldiers who were in the operation.  It does a good job providing details you wouldn't otherwise know.  It really makes it real, no matter who's point of view you are listening to.  If anything, I wish there had been more.  It felt like there was much more that could have been explored.  But what was provided in the series was good.  I'm a big fan of the book as well as the movie.  This series is a good complement to both.

Andor Season 2

 Andor: Just wow.  While season 1 was a bit of a slow burn this season they went all in.  I can't recommend Andor enough.  It is one of the best series or movies in the Star Wars universe.  The characters, the story, the pace, scenes, moments.  At first, I was against them releasing three episodes a week, but it really worked.  While watching episode 9 I texted a buddy and said the boss will have find a replacement for me.  I just sent my resume into the Rebellion.  The series will take you right up to Rogue One which is on my re-watchlist for the weekend.  I could drone on and on about who and what I like about this series.  Needless to say, I highly recommend Andor.

Star Wars: Visions

 Visions: The Star Wars Visions series on Disney+ is animated shorts with an emphasis on what I would call anime stylings.  I wasn't really sure this would be my thing, but I really did enjoy the first two seasons.  Each episode is less than 20 minutes and are easy watches.  The storytelling allows you to get into the story quickly and there's such mix of different stories.  You don't know what you will get into.  Below shows you a bit of the differences in art but don't think they are all children themed.  Lots of adult takes on the universe while some do focus on youth.  Season 3 will release in October.  I'm looking forward to it and so glad I finally got on the Visions bandwagon.

American Primeval Netflix Mini-Series

 

American Primeval is a Netflix series that debuted this year.  It's really good.  The series is set in 1857 around the events of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.  There are multiple storylines that are born from that event which centers around the Mormons and their clashes with outside cultures.  While the different stories move forward, the series centers a mother and her son trying to get to her husband.  But as with all the different arcs, nothing is that simple.  American Primeval is violent but well done.  Pop and I enjoyed the show and I highly recommend it.  

Seinfeld Television Series (1989–1998) Rewatch

 Seinfeld: I recently rewatched the Seinfeld series and just wanted to share a few thoughts.  I did this over time and would usually watch an episode prior to going to sleep.  With 172 episodes it took some time, but I found myself looking forward to watching them each night.  I enjoyed Seinfeld when it came out, and I still do today, and that is even after watching reruns for years once it went into syndication.  

Some of my favorite episodes include The Contest, The Comeback, The Hamptons, and The Opposite.  I'm sure I'm forgetting many more.  In my memory, I didn't like the heavily criticized finale when it originally aired (and I don't think I'd seen it since).  I'll say this time around I was fine with it.  Not sure what changed but something did.  There were so many ongoing plot lines and characters that were fun too.  Watching it through and giving each episode my full attention, it was much more enjoyable than just having it on in the background.  It's also easier to catch the nods back to past episodes.  I'm glad I did this.  I really like Seinfeld, and it was really fun to do a rewatch of the entire run.  And I'm on to my next rewatch...