Eastwood turns 90

Actor/director Clint Eastwood turns 90 today and his filmography covers nearly seven decades of films and TV. I grew up watching reruns of Rawhide and later his spaghetti westerns like A Fistful of Dollars and their followups. He was the avenger cop in Dirty Harry over five films with his signature line. "Do you feel lucky?" No one can forget his iconic moment in Where Eagles Dare as he straps on two machine guns. When he began to direct, one of his earliest films, The Outlaw Josey Wales, proclaimed him a talent behind the camera through Oscar winning films Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby.  He never completely left acting, scoring in some gems along the way like In the Line of Fire. He would try drama, comedy, (even a musical like Paint Your Wagon) and war films, but his westerns were memorable. From early work as an extra on Tarantula (below) through his stardom rivaling those of Sean Connery and John Wayne to industry darling with no signs of retiring (his mom lived to 97), it's quite a career. My first Eastwood film in a theater was The Gauntlet, and I was hooked.

Funny Guy

Veteran comedian Fred Willard dies at 86. This  actor appeared in an enormous number of TV shows like Modern Family and Everybody Loves Raymond. He had significant roles in the Christopher Guest film comedies like This Is Spinal Tap and especially Best in Show where he improvised outrageous commentary during a dog show. Many will remember him as the harried director in the Anchorman films.  

A Novel Approach

The season 7 ender for The Blacklist was partially shot before shutting down for the pandemic, but the producers finished the episode with realistic animation giving the show a unique look like a graphic novel. It worked but was a novel approach. I would not mind after the show ends to have an action show like this continue in this style. It allows it to expand the scope beyond budgetary limitations. Good job.

Comedy Couple Rules the Airwaves

Comedian Jerry Stiller passed away at 92. Together with his late wife, Anne Meara, they were Stiller and Meara, the most popular comedy couple of the sixties and seventies, ruling shows like Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson. Their careers often crisscrossed theater, TV and films. They had two kids including Ben Stiller. I cannot help thinking they are now together somewhere bickering, bantering and loving each other.

SNL and Dreams

 SNL had another At Home episode which served as its season ender. This time the technical production was even more polished and while it was your typical mixed bag, there were highlights (a terrific Masterclass parody and a nice reunion of Boys II Men) capped off by a segment titled Dreams, a standout.

Cameo guests like Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, and Martin Short were led by Kristen Wiig, and the show kept Mother's Day in its theme. Come September, I could watch more of these creative, home edition shows, but like that last segment, dream of this talented cast interacting again. Thanks for entertaining us, SNL.

A New Normal

Never knew Zoom til recently. Ironic if not for the internet, it'd be tough going for entertainment. The absence of theatrical movies is telling, and now, TV shows are starting to cut short their seasons with pseudo finales (at least Westworld has its actual finale tonight) while a few late night and special events shows are being done Zoom style with a noticeable lack of a live audience response; such are the times. Even commercials seem different as they reflect stay at home. Sports networks are victims of no sporting events. That's never ever happened like that before, ever. Not 9/11, not World War Ii, not The Depression. Nada. This would have been Kentucky Derby weekend. Ah, the new normal-for now.