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The Killing (2011)
The Killing Season 4: Thank you Netflix
For those hard-core fans of anything AMC puts out this show should be familiar. I'm guessing most of you tuned into Season One, and it's been love/hate ever since. Enough love that Netflix picked up what is now the third attempt at a final season. I personally dug this drama about murder and life's challenges from episode one. Let 's start with a little recap as we get into the meat and potatoes of the final Season 4.
Detective Linden (Mireille Enos), obviously troubled and ready to move on with what ever happened in her past case that may or may not have driven her to the breaking point, is pulled back in by a haunting crime scene one more time. Her replacement, and what turns into new partner, Holder (Joel Kinnaman), is as equally troubled by his demons and so-called friends trying to help his fight. Season 1 does a great job tying in the "demons" of the case, along with the true struggles of a family torn apart by a child's death. No character is without flaws, and the twists tie together nicely. The biggest complaint about Season One was we didn't find out "who killed Rosie Larson". But really... what's wrong with a cliff hanger? Season 2 finds Holder's mistake keeping Linden in town to finish the case, and leaves mayoral candidate Darren Richmond (Billy Campbell) in a wheelchair. Campbell walks a fine line between making you feel sorry for his wife's death and being suspicious enough for you to think he could have done the deed. The intrigue and cover-up goes deep in Season 2; you get a feel for why Linden wanted to step away, her passion for justice borders on insanity. Holder finally reigns in his past and becomes a full-fledged detective, which Kinnaman nails the entire season. As the Larson family finally starts dealing with the issues that led Rosie down her fateful path, coming together in grief they learn the stunning truth that involves Richmond's staff and their own flesh and blood.
Season 3 dives into the case that set Linden off the deep end, bringing her back once again at the plea of Detective Holder to assist her old flame (Elias Koteas) in a string of newly found bodies that tie back to a killer on death row. A young boy caught between his killer's father (Peter Sarsgaard) who may - or may not - repent in time to help Linden and Holder figure out the missing pieces. Sarsgaard is the best part of this season and a personal favorite of mine, outside of the writers not under-selling Enos's beauty for a third season. All the 'did he' or 'didn't he' drama and Linden's sketchy frame of mind brings the season to an end with a shocking twist of who-done-it, and an act of revenge that would have been a perfect series end for me. Now we must find out in season 4 if Holder and Linden can escape the bed they've made.
Now, let's talk Season 4 with as few spoilers as possible. The show stays true to Veena Sud's vision, and in-line with the other seasons - condensed into 6 episodes. Sud's been quoted as having more freedom with the Netflix production time slots being longer, but this season feels rushed. The character ties are still strong, but the mental slips by Linden and a relapse by Holder didn't go as in-depth as in previous seasons; this comes across as a rushed footnote. Bringing back Linden's son, who was nowhere to be seen in Season 3, was mildly out place; and it almost feels like the story unfolds without the detectives, instead of because they figured out the clues. I won't spoil the end. Is Season 4 worth watching? Yes, in the end this is an entertaining series of crime and the imperfect lives we all lead.
P.S. Adding Jewel Staite, even for a little bit, was a WIN for the MoGT ~ E.S. Norton ~ MinistersofGoodTaste.com
The Battered Bastards of Baseball (2014)
Baseball in Portland, Oregon?
I've often said that Baseball was my first love, one of the few constants of my childhood I could drown myself in. It was always a savior in many ways, and I don't think I'm overstating it when I say it helped mold the man I've become to some extent. The attention to detail, artful strategy, and unique grace all wrapped into an athletic game of joy and childhood at heart.
Growing up in what is considered the suburbs of Portland, Oregon in the dawn of the internet, I would wake daily and fire up the classic dial tone of logging onto the world wide web to quickly read over the previous day's box scores and dive into the articles of my favorite baseball writers John Sickles and Rob Neyer (I read my fair share of newspaper box scores); I dreamed of endless conversations with Bill James about what stats made the greatest judge of ball players. Now, if only my home-town could have had a team
. We flirted with the idea a few times, settling for short stints with minor league teams of the Rockies and Padres, and local broadcasts of the neighboring Seattle Mariners with Ken Griffey Jr. in his prime.
So close and yet so far.
Baseball never materialized in Portland and probably never will, it's just not how the local community wants to spend it's time in arguably some of the most beautiful summers in the United States. Even as I grew up baseball never left my heart: I took many trips to Seattle to see the greatest player of my generation, Derek Jeter; and while on the road with my job I couldn't even turn down ball games in Milwaukee, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, and countless minor league clubs.
This summer, Chapman Way and Maclain Way - along with actor Kurt Russell - at least for a moment brought baseball back to Portland (and childhood memories to the front of my mind) with the Netflix Documentary, The Battered Bastards of Baseball. An almost tall-tale of Kurt's father, Bing (of Bonanza fame), starting what would become a shining example of how the love of the game wins every time. Bing created what was the only independent baseball club of its time, The Portland Mavericks, a rag-tag group who was sure to fail... and fail in a raging ball of fire in a city that couldn't care less.
They succeeded in ways that may never capture a city or Major league baseball ever again. If you've ever enjoyed watching a game or learning about its history, or if you live in the great city of Portland - this is a must watch for you; even soccer fans of the current team playing in the stadium the Portland Mavericks used to call home will appreciate the passion of the followers from 1973 to 1977. At its core, this father and son tale - mostly told by Kurt - is a heartwarming story of what baseball is all about. Hands down the best baseball movie I've seen since Field of Dreams, go check it out on Netflix.
~ E.S. Norton ~ MinistersofGoodTaste.com
Iron Sky (2012)
Cheesy Nazi's in space
Here at the Ministers of Good Taste we like to shine a light on the hidden/obscure goodies. Today's goody: "Iron Sky, Director's Cut"; a cheesy sci-fi romp that is at the same time awful, and stellar. This movie is very hard to pin down. It's the kind of movie you laugh at, not knowing whether or not you were actually the butt of the last joke-- not really caring either, because this movie is hysterical! Seriously, there are so many 'What the-!?' moments that I seriously lost track.
But what about the story? Well...
Back in 1945 the Nazis retreated to the moon, waiting for the day when they would make their triumphant return. Fast forward to 2018 when a not only ridiculously stupid, but also insane caricature of Sarah Palin as the President (right, like we haven't seen that dozens of times before) sends people to the moon where they discover the Nazi base and set the plot in motion. What begins as an oddly slapstick, 'bumbling American saves the day' plot, quickly turns into B movie sci-fi glory.
Cheesy acting and dialogue?is1 Check.
Drawn out death scenes? Check.
Horrible special effects? Check.
Spectacular special effects? Check.
Wacky costumes? Check.
Hot ladies? Check.
Hot ladies in wacky costumes? Check and check.
Yep, this is definitely a cheesy B movie.
Between the Oval Office having a stuffed and mounted polar bear and other hunting trophies, the Nazi's turning a black man white, the US having a Mars exploration starship named "George W. Bush" armed to the teeth because' Americans have the right to bear arms, and Mars is a red planet, you know?', and a scene where one character gives another a 'Nazi Intercourse Handbook', and.... This movie is just full of humor that'll make you say 'What!?' The characters are likable enough, though a bit annoying at times. The beginning is a tad slow, but the movie definitely picks up as it goes.
If I had to compare it to something, I'd say Dr. Strangelove, though Iron Sky is much less serious. They are definitely in the same family of satire though.
The soundtrack ranges from German Prog to Classic Mad Scientist (kudos on the Classic Mad Scientist btw). In fact, nearly everything in this movie feels classic to some extent. The visual style itself is fantastic; the costumes, the sets, the lighting effects, it's all very well done. If you're a fan of funny movies, you could give it a shot. If you're a fan of B movies, you probably won't be disappointed. If you're a cheesy sci-fi nut, this movie is a 'must-see'. It has its warts, but all in all, I quite enjoyed this film.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I must prepare for the Moon Nazi Invasion.
~ josephhawkins31 ~ MinistersofGoodTaste.com
Rapture-Palooza (2013)
An Apocalypse comedy that's actually funny?
You've got this backwards: you go up there to get judged, you don't do the judging. An Apocalypse comedy that's actually funny? Anna Kendrick, looking as stunning as she can be, fights the Antichrist, played by Craig Robinson, who apparently was the mayor of Idaho and poisoned everyone in the White House when the ishh hit the fan.
Marry me, Lindsey. Marry me and become the mother of my evil offspring. The movie opens with a sneaky monologue featuring talking locusts and cursing crows - seriously, they're rather mean. Anna's mom returns from the pearly gates after being rejected for judging heaven, asteroids that fall from the sky seem to hunt the remaining living, oh! And her undead neighbor - not the flesh-eating undead kind - but the lawn-mowing kind? Wait. What?
The Antichrist - or Beast, as he insists on being called, delivers his classic, under-sold, cheesy lines (remember Hot Tub Time Machine?); his creepy pickup lines on Kendrick are some of the more classic ones we've heard in years.
Guest appearances by Rob Corddry - who rides the fence between helping fight against and making the case for the Antichrist; Ken Jeong - God, yes, God; and Paul Scheer - a zombie, make for some fun and added laughs. But, Robinson really steals this show: his persistent sleaze ball antics are a riot from start to finish.
Grab some beers, or whatever your um... happy laughter thing is, and kick back with this one. Anna's a babe, the laughs are immature, and it's the classic good vs evil
.. well, sort of.
~ E.S. Norton ~ MinistersofGoodTaste.com
From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (2014)
Eiza Gonzalez does a tasty little snake charming dance
As a fan of the movies - all that blood, guts, bad-assness, and (mmmm) Salma Hayek - I was stoked to see a series. The Gecko brothers are back in action as the series plays in-line with the first film. D.J. Cotrona and Zane Holtz have some big shoes to fill, as does the lovely Eiza Gonzalez playing Santanico Pandemonium. The pilot opens with a little voodoo snake pit and an interesting place for a snake to travel
. Oh, hey look! It's Don Johnson! This is going to be a fun ride! dd2Holtz is far too much fun as the maybe-out-of-his-mind-killer-at-random. The show uses flashbacks and bouncing from story line to story line to keep you paying attention. Now if I have to give you something I don't agree with, it's Fez Wilmer Valderrama playing a semi-badass vamp. He'll always be dumb, lovable Fez. Wait is that Jake Busey looking like Doctor Stu from the Hangover? OK I'm back with this show! Episodes 4 and 5 drag on as an attempt at character development takes place, I found myself wandering into thoughts of where is all the typical blood, guts, and boobs? Then BANG! End of episode 6 we find our characters starting to gather at the Titty Twister, open from dusk till dawn! Parenting tip, never take your underage daughter into a seedy Mexican strip joint.
Alright another Wilmer complaint, does the sun kill him or even require a little SPF? It's kind of hit-and-miss, and the appearance as other thing kind of was out-of-place. Oh no, Holtz is walking down the pedo path
. These two arguing about whether to stay at the strip club reminds me of old drinking days with a certain other Minister, someone always wanted to leave.
Eiza Gonzalez does a tasty little snake charming dance and we are back in action, then she gets hungry - what kind of floor show is this? Busey's back with a strap-on pistol, this keeps getting better. Now we are getting our money's worth of blood! WTF! Chainsaws!!! OK, OK - enough spoilers, the last few episodes get a little strange, and frankly, for some anti-hero brothers on the run from the law finding vampires at a seedy Mexican strip joint, that's saying a bit. Overall the show lived up to well beyond my expectations. I'm looking forward to season 2. It's not The Strain, as vampire shows go, but I will recommend it.
So who's hotter Salma or Eiza? E.S. Norton MinistersofGoodTaste.com