Psych “Scary Sherry: Bianca’s Toast” #1.15 (2007) (TV)

“Wanna split a pineapple?” 19 August 2020

Shawn and Gus agree to help Juliet investigate the apparent suicide of a young sorority sister who may have thrown herself from the window at a supposedly haunted and abandoned asylum.  The girl’s death is eerily similar to one Shawn and Gus witnessed years earlier at the same location.  Meanwhile, Lassiter is forced to work with the world’s worst rookie officer.

I’m slowly working my way through Psych for about the third or fourth time.  I can’t seem to get enough of it.  From Season 1, “Scary Sherry; Bianca’s Toast” just might be my favorite episode.  Why?  Well, first of all, the subject matter appeals to me.  A lot of the horror movie tropes I enjoy are here - a maniac with an axe, a spooky old asylum filled with lit candles, and a ghostly figure.  Add to that Shawn and Gus screaming like little girls at the first sight of something weird, Juliet getting too into her undercover persona, Shannon Woodward in a supporting role, the truth behind one of Santa Barbara’s most notorious urban legends, and the clever title, and you end up with a real winner.  The comedy here is first rate.  For instance, I think I laugh-out-loud everytime I watch the frightened Gus getting trapped all alone in the creepy asylum   Finally, there’s the bit with Lassiter and Detective Goochberg.  Mercedes Ruehl is a riot!  Overall, one of the best.

9/10

Green Acres “Oliver Buys a Farm” #1.1 (1965) (TV)

Only hints at what’s to come, 13 August 2020

If you’re as old as I am, you’ve most likely known the words of the Green Acres theme song all of your life.  The plot in the pilot episode follows those lyrics pretty well.  Oliver wants to farm, while Lisa wants to stay in the city.  They go back and forth, but, ultimately, Oliver wins and Lisa reluctantly agrees to go - at least for 6 months.  

While I feel that the first episode of Green Acres is good and often quite funny, it only hints at the zanniness to come.  Regardless, there’s still a lot here to like.  First, I really like the documentary style presentation.  We see right from the start that Green Acres isn’t a show afraid to break the fourth wall - something that happens with regularity..  Second, we get a chance to meet several of the locals who help make the show so funny.  While my personal favorite, Hank Kimble, isn’t around, we get a chance to see Sam Drucker, Fred Ziffel, Arnold, and a few others.  A lot of the locals weren’t new to TV audiences back in 1965 having appeared on Petticoat Junction for a couple of years, so there’s no time wasted on introductions.  Instead, the locals get a chance to meet newcomer Oliver Wendell Douglas.  Which leads me to number three, we (along with the locals) get a chance to hear one of Mr Douglas’ speeches about the importance of the American farmer.  All we’re missing is the accompanying fyfe that would come later.  Sam and Co’s reaction is a hoot.  

So overall, Oliver Buys a Farm is a nice episode that goes a long way to laying the necessary groundwork.  It might not be as funny as what follows, but still worth a watch if you want to see how Green Acres got its start.

6/10

The Avengers “The Gravediggers” #4.2 (1965) (TV)

Mrs Peel as the damsel in distress, 9 August 2020

After an early warning radar system malfunctions, Steed and Mrs Peel are called in to investigate.  Their only real clue is a dead man and something called the Sir Horace Winslip Hospital for Ailing Railwaymen.  

The Gravediggers is another good one featuring more than a handful of iconic images that any fan won’t soon forget - including an antenna rising out of a grave, Steed’s fight scene on a tiny train, and Mrs Peel literally tied to a railroad track.  The eccentric and very British Sir Horace Winslip (Ronald Fraser)  is one of the series more memorable characters.  Steed and Sir Horace’s luncheon scene on the “train” is frequently very funny.  And I get a kick out of the way the baddie’s dress in full morning clothes to tote a casket back and forth.  Good stuff.  Finally, The Gravediggers benefits from some outstanding supporting actors.  In addition to Fraser, Paul Massie, Wanda Ventham, Caroline Blakiston, and the immediately recognizable, but very young looking, Steven Birkoff all add to the fun.  

8/10

Psych 2: Lassie Come Home (2020) (TV)

I enjoyed it more than the first one, 6 August 2020

After being shot multiple times, Lassiter is convalescing in a swanky hospital when he notices some strange, possibly supernatural, happenings.  Not wanting to go through official channels and have people believe he’s crazy, he calls on Shawn and Gus to unravel the mystery.  Much hilarity ensues.  

In general, sequels never seem to be as good as the first film in a series.  I say “in general”, because in this case, I enjoyed Psych 2 much more than the first Psych movie.  Why?  Well, there are a number of reasons.  First, Psych 2 felt more like the show.  I loved Psych (the series) so anything that gave me that nostalgic feeling is going to be a winner with me.  The first film was a bit overblown, with multiple WWE guest stars.  Psych 2 is much more low-key - like the series.  Second, the comedy seems more natural.  I thought a lot of the comedy in the first movie felt forced.  The natural chemistry between James Roday and Dule HIll is here.  I actually laughed out loud on several occasions.  The bit where Shawn and Gus investigate the Viking bar was hysterical. Admittedly, not all of the humor worked (the foot tickling scene as an example), but most hit the mark.  Third, I suppose I enjoyed Psych 2 more because my expectations weren’t as high.  In all honesty, I probably went into Psych expecting far too much.  Psych 2 was always going to benefit from this.  Whatever the reason, overall, Psych 2’s a winner with me.

It was also nice to see Timothy Omundson back as Lassiter.  While it’s obvious he’s not his old self, I applaud the way the writers worked his physical limitations into the film.  Nice move.

I’m not sure how the TV ratings were, but I hope they were good enough for a Psych 3.  I’d love to see more Psych movies for years to come.  

7/10

A Bridge Too Far (1977)

“I’m awfully sorry, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to occupy your house.”  31 July 2020

A Bridge Too Far tells the story of Operation Market Garden - the Allied attempt to gain control of strategically important bridges in Belgium and Holland so they might more easily punch holes in the German lines.  As far as WWII movies go, this one seems to be as, if not more, historically accurate as any you’ll find.  And I think that’s one of the film’s real strengths - it’s not a rah rah war movie.  In this one, just as they did in real life, the Allies fail.  Not something you usually see in a Hollywood film.  There’s also a certain degree of realism in the battle scenes.  The violence is often unrelenting.  People get hurt, they bleed, they suffer, and they die.  Again, something that’s often not seen in the usual sanitized WWII film from this period.  

The film features just about anybody who was anybody (as long as they were male) making movies in 1977.  The cast is huge.  Whether I cared for their characters or not, I found the performances of Michael Caine, Dirk Bogarde, Anthony Hopkins, and  Maximilian Schell particularly enjoyable.  I can’t say the same for Robert Redford (who had too much of a 70s look and vibe) or scene-chewing Elliott Gould.  Neither performance worked for me. 

Finally, as much as I’ve always enjoyed A Bridge Too Far, it’s not perfect.  My biggest complaint is that at 175 minutes, that’s at least a half-hour too long.  Surely there were things and scenes that could have been edited out.  For example, you could cut all scenes featuring James Caan and it wouldn’t change the movie much at all.  Not only do his scenes have little to do with anything else in the movie, his race through the forest where he’s able to elude about half the German army is ludicrous. 

8/10

The Saint “The Golden Journey” #1.10 (1962) (TV)

Simon tours Spain and displays his misogyny along the way,  12 June 2020

Simon is set to be Best Man for one of his closest friends, Jack.  However, he’s not very fond of the bride-to-be, Belinda (Erica Rogers).  She’s a spoiled, selfish, arrogant, entitled brat.  Simon decides she needs to be taught a lesson in humility.  Through some backhanded doings, Simon forces the ill-equipped Belinda to join him on a 100 mile trek through the mountains of Spain, with the wedding location as their destination.

Obviously, I’m not much of a fan of The Golden Journey.  Because of the misogyny on display and the beyond ridiculous, but ultimately predictable plot, this episode doesn’t work for me.  First, to call Simon’s treatment of Belinda cheavanistic and cruel would be a gross understatement.  When he’s not putting her over his knee to spank her (yes, spank her), he’s either pushing or pulling her, yelling at her, and forcibly kissing her.  Sure, she’s a horrible human being, but no one deserves to be treated like that.  Nice going, Simon.  Second, I don’t care how good of a friend the unseen Jack is, why would Simon want to go through all this trouble and bother?  He gives up seven or so days of his life for an uncomfortably long journey with a woman he can’t stand.  It makes absolutely no sense to me.  

One of the few highlights I’ll mention is Erica Rogers.  This is her second appearance in The Saint.  While I didn’t care for either of her characters, as an actress, she’s outstanding.  Even with the mistreatment her character suffers in The Golden Journey, she and Roger Moore have an undeniable screen chemistry.  

4/10

The Saint “The Effete Angler” #1.9 (1962) (TV)

“Waiter! Bring me a double scotch and a large glass of milk . . . mixed!”  11 June 2020

Simon heads to Miami for a fishing vacation.  In no time, he meets Gloria Uckrose (Shirley Eaton).  Gloria tells Simon that, like him, she and her husband are in Miami to fish.  However, after meeting Mr Uckrose, Simon becomes suspicious.  And, he’s proven right when an attempt is made on his life.  Gloria comes to Simon and asks him to run away with her, but can she be trusted? 

I was going to call The Effete Angler an average, routine, 5/10-type episode, but then came the twist.  Was I ever caught off guard!  I’m sure some viewers will have seen it coming, but I didn’t.  It’s nothing that will change your life, but it’s still a nice twist.  The plot is okay, but nothing to write home about.  What the Uckrose’s are actually up to is far less important than Simon figuring it all out.  Other highlights for me include:  (1) Shirley Eaton, obviously.  This was her second appearance in The Saint and I always appreciate seeing her in anything.  For me, she is the epitome of the 60s/early-70s.  (2) Moore’s acting during the scenes where Gloria tries to get Simon to run away with her.  The doubt on his face is perfectly subtle, but gets the point across.  Nice job.  

One last thing, even as a much younger, pre-James Bond man, Roger Moore looks awkward in fight scenes.  I think he’s just too tall and refined looking to realistically pull it off.

6/10