German Director Made Hollywood Blockbusters

German director Wolfgang Petersen has passed at 81. He broke into Hollywood after his classic war film Das Boot, and never looked back. He specialized in popular blockbuster thriller/ adventures like The NeverEnding Story, Enemy Mine, the great In the Line of Fire, Outbreak, AirForce One, and The Perfect Storm.  But it is for Das Boot that he will be forever revered.

Two Venerable Series Nearing the End

 

Two disparate series are nearing the end of multiple seasons. 

The scifi Westworld on HBO is concluding its fourth season August 14th, and (though a possible fifth and final season may be coming,) it has reinvented itself and been more engaging with what seems to be a stunning apocalyptic climax and the apparent end of several major characters. I suspect they will return somehow, someway, I hope. I have been watching since the first season and liked the original film too.

Better Call Saul on AMC is one of the most successful prequel series ever, and it ends August 15th. I confess to not being a regular viewer of Breaking Bad so I have to go back to catchup. But the last several Saul episodes have been compelling and well written/acted about a corrupt laywer who can't leave well enough alone.

These two shows couldn't be more different; can't wait to see how both series' arcs end. 

The Sweet Girl Next Door

Singer/actress Olivia Newton-John has passed at 73. This British sensation sold over 100 million records dominating the 1970s and 1980s.  She won 4 Grammy Awards and dominated pop and country music charts often with consecutive top songs. Her popularity soared in 1978 when she starred in the screen version of Grease, a blockbuster musical. Even my guilty pleasure, Xanadu, yielded her a number one song, Magic. She was the girl next door who teased a sexy side with the monster hit, Physical.  Despite much personal adversity, she maintained a sweetness that was beloved.

The Primal Thrills of PREY

 

Daniel Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane) co-authored (with Patrick Aison) and directed this splendid prequel in the Predator franchise. It is a nonstop action/horror film that is certain to thrill fans.

In the Northern Great Plains in 1719, a Comanche tribe sends hunters to track and hunt for food. Among them are Taabe and his sister Naru (Amber Midthunder), who yearns to be treated as an equal.  When she notices signs of a large animal, she comes to realize that a terrible creature is hunting big game including humans. With nothing more than primitive weaponry and her skills, Nary must take a bold stand to fight this ‘Predator’ to the death.

This story strips everything down to the bare elements as it essentially pits man (or woman) against nature (or alien), even recalling The Revenant with its beautiful, natural setting.  By slowly revealing the threat like Jaws and Alien, the tension builds and visceral action escalates into a battle for survival, especially when you consider how these hunters are overmatched by the creature’s arsenal.  The film seems to imply this is one of the first ‘Predator’ visits to earth, and fans of the series will appreciate the callbacks of weaponry, hunting rituals, and ‘Easter Eggs’ especially from the first Predator films.   

Placing the film on her shoulders, Midthunder (TV’s Legion) is a standout in a physically demanding role. Her character is groundbreaking in its authenticity to her ethnic background AND as an intelligent role model for action stars in any period.

This film is proof that there is a lot of life in this franchise when placed in the right, creative hands.  There is no doubt that this is the best Predator film since the original. And Amber rocks. (There is end credit animation to note.)

**** of **** stars (for Predator fans)  on Hulu

The Voice of the Dodgers is Silent

 

Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully has passed at 94 after having covered 67 baseball seasons (1950-2016)! He bridged Jackie Robinson and Clayton Kershaw. He witnessed the Brooklyn Dodgers winning their first World Series, Hank Aaron hitting his record setting 715th homerun, Kirk Gibson's off the bench home run in the World Series, Sandy Koufax pitching a perfect game and so much more. The voice of The Dodgers was a peer among the greatest, right up there with Harry Caray and Curt Gowdy. Anyone who loved baseball was soothed by the knowing, intelligent sound of his voice. Even The X Files creator, Chris Carter, named his female lead, Dana Sculley, after his favorite sportscaster. His final broadcast ended with these words, "So this is Vin Scully, wishing you a very pleasant good afternoon, wherever you may be."