Monthly Archives: July 2021

This Must Be the Place

My watch partner, for the most part, rejects any suggestion that dates more than 3 or 4 years old. So, I made sure to show her the trailer before she could see the release date of 2011. After watching the trailer she gave it the thumbs up quickly, based on the fact that it looks strange and morose. As for myself, I was trying to remember what I was doing in 2011 that made me so busy that this one got by unnoticed.

Sean Penn as Cheyenne

Cheyenne is a retired pop star known for his Goth stylings and sad, dark, lyrics. He appears stuck in a time-warp, never evolving beyond the dark fashion of his bygone pop star ways. However, this person isn’t just fashionably dark. As the story unfolds Cheyenne reveals the depth of his angst, which is rooted in a dysfunctional relationship with his father, alienation from his Jewish heritage, and the burden of guilt that followed in the aftermath of teenage suicides that were popularly attributed to the influence of his art.

Cheyenne is ripe, and long overdue, for redemption, and coming of age. The death of his unloving father leaves him with a strange inheritance that leads to go on a grim quest, which sets the stage for peculiar places and experiences.

There are some pleasant surprises in this production. There is the performance by Francis McDormand as Jane, Cheyenne’s faithful wife of thirty five years. Also there is Judd Hirsch as Mordecai Midler, the legendary Nazi hunter. This film also features David Byrne, as himself, who plays the role of fellow musician, and an old friend to Cheyenne.

For some light comedy, and introspective themes, this is good entertainment. You should check it out.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1440345/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Star Trek Voyager: Riddles

I was a Star Trek Voyager watcher during the ’90s. Back then I had a modest CRT television that might have weighed nearly a hundred pounds. At that time you had to be in front of your television at the appointed time on the appointed day of the week if you wanted to see your favorite show. Although I enjoyed Voyager in the ’90s, I never really became a fan until I could watch all the episodes in order online.

Last night, somewhat randomly, chose to watch Episode 6 of season 6, “Riddles.” I had forgotten about this one.

In this episode the stoic Vulcan, Mr. Tuvok, is assaulted by a cloaked intruder, inflicting brain damage, and is struck with traumatic amnesia. The jovial Talaxian, Mr. Neelix, takes on the challenge to help rehabilitate Mr. Tuvok.

Ethan Phillips as Mr. Neelix and Tim Russ as Mr. Tuvok

The Vulcan character represents the ultimate form of composure under pressure. As a matter of principal a Vulcan resolves conflict with well considered logic and never surrenders to the whims of emotion. But Star Trek fans know that the beneath the facade of stoicism is an undercurrent of emotion and passion, as potent as, or more than any human. The Vulcan characters are usually the favorite among the introvert fans, and we watch ever so carefully to see a glimmer of emotional reaction as they face the pressures of being a Starfleet Officer.

When Mr. Tuvok’s memory is wiped out he becomes a clean slate. Suddenly wiped away are all the years of accomplished experience as a Starfleet science officer, and all the years of focused study and meditation in the disciplines of Vulcan logic. Tuvok becomes like a child, vulnerable, afraid, and curious.

Mr. Neelix, compelled by is unquenchable sense of compassion and a long standing sense of admiration for his Vulcan colleague, sets to the task of becoming a rehabilitation coach. But he finds the challenges of trying to help Mr. Tuvok restore himself to his former being are fraught with disappointment.

This is a story about identity, friendship, respect, and hope.

If you don’t remember watching this episode in the ’90s, or again in the ’00s, then I recommend you take another look. Check it out.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708964/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1