Reviews

TV Review: MASTERS OF THE AIR (Apple TV+) Part 9 and Final Thoughts

Posted: March 18, 2024 at 9:03 am   /   Television, Television Reviews

With the release of Part Nine, the official run of Masters of the Air has been completed. It’s been a hell of a roller-coaster, for mostly good reasons. I don’t want to spoil what happens to the remaining cast, so I’m going to do more of an overview of the highlights and lowlights. When The […]

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Movie Review: Arthur the King, starring Mark Wahlberg, Bear Grylls

Posted: March 13, 2024 at 8:32 am   /   Film, Movie Reviews, Reviews

Arthur the King is one of those feel-good movies.  The film, which is based on a true story, tells the remarkable tale of a Mikael Lindnord’s bond with stray dog, Arthur. Lindnord’s 2016 memoir is the basis for the film, starring Mark Wahlberg.  Wahlberg, as usual, turns in a strong and quite believable performance as Mikael, […]

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TV Review: MASTERS OF THE AIR (Ep. 8) on Apple TV+

Posted: March 8, 2024 at 8:00 am   /   Television, Television Reviews

D-Day. As the 100th regroups, it becomes pretty clear their focus is on the Allied invasion of Europe at Normandy. Crosby, or Croz, is preparing flight plans for roughly 200 different missions as he pops pills and chugs coffee in an effort to stay awake for 72 straight hours before June 6. Inevitably, the lack […]

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Review: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Performs “Brahms X Radiohead” With Composer/Conductor Steve Hackman

Posted: March 6, 2024 at 6:47 pm   /   Live Theater, Live Theater Reviews

As classical music looks to connect with younger audiences, the programming offered by many of symphonies is adapting. While the classics of Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, and their ilk remain standard in symphonic repertoires, the works of these masters now are nestled amongst film scores, themed concerts, and rock music. This synthesis of rock and classical […]

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TV Review: MASTERS OF THE AIR (Ep. 7) on Apple TV+

Posted: March 1, 2024 at 7:25 am   /   Television, Television Reviews

“I’m not dead yet.” – Major Gale Cleven, probably Quick word of warning, cat/animal lovers may want to skip the first five minutes or so of this episode. It had to be a tremendous boost of morale to both Cleven and Egan to see each other in Stalag Luft III, along with several other members […]

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Theater Review: COMPANY at the Fabulous Fox Theatre

Posted: February 29, 2024 at 10:23 am   /   Live Theater, Live Theater Reviews

Growing older can make anyone contemplate their place in life. But in Company, turning 35 causes the protagonist, Bobbie, to evaluate the relationships, friendships, and societal norms surrounding her. Featuring Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award-winning music and lyrics, the national tour explores marriage, loneliness, connection, and the human experience. The musical is thoroughly Sondheim – complex […]

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TV Review: MASTERS OF THE AIR (Ep. 6) on Apple TV+

Posted: February 23, 2024 at 12:55 pm   /   Television, Television Reviews

Part Six begins in the aftermath of Part Five, showing three very different outcomes for members of the 100th. It’s a change of pace from Five, as there isn’t any aerial combat and the action on the ground is relatively limited. Major Egan, whose plane was shot down, is seen attempting to find food and […]

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Movie Review: DUNE: PART TWO Starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh

Posted: February 22, 2024 at 7:00 pm   /   Movie Reviews, Film

Someone get me a Dune popcorn bucket. Oh, that has nothing to do with my review; they just didn’t have any at the screening I attended. Thanks to his seminal work in the last 11-12 years, director Denis Villeneuve has established himself as one of the top directors of his generation. If you look at […]

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Theater Review: Fascism, Physics, and Friendships Collide in COPENHAGEN

Posted: February 20, 2024 at 3:01 pm   /   Live Theater, Live Theater Reviews

From physics to physical confrontation, the St. Louis Actors Studio production of Copenhagen delivers tense drama, political intrigue, and plenty of existential dread. Focusing on the story, director Wayne Saloman’s minimalist staging allows the actors to bring the intensity, making this a must-see production. Set against the backdrop of occupied Denmark, Copenhagen uses nonlinear time to chronicle the friendship between […]

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TV Review: MASTERS OF THE AIR (Ep. 5) on Apple TV+

Posted: February 16, 2024 at 6:29 am   /   Television, Television Reviews

At this point, halfway through the series, Masters of the Air has established a bit of a formula for its episodes. Roughly a third to a half of the episode focuses on the current bombing mission for the 100th, and the other two-thirds deal with the aftermath as well as the preparation for the next […]

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