Author Archives: Bob Evans

Streaming Review: The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

Utilizing a 14 day free trial period of the streaming service The Criterion Channel I have spent a few days watching in segments the Best Picture Oscar winner for 1946 The Best Years of Our Lives a drama about the troubles of three services men reintegrating into civilian life after returning home from combat in Word War II. The film is on the long side, two hours and 15 minutes but that is because it does try to take a deeper dive into each of its three main characters’ lives rather than focused on a single protagonists with two possible side kicks.

Dana Andrews plays Fred Derry, a captain in the Army Air Forces who served as a bombardier aboard B-17s over the European theater. Married is a party girl, Virginia Mayo Fred’s marriage is one the rocks and he is unable to find gainful employment while struggling with what we now diagnose as PTSD.

Frederick March plays Al Stephenson a platoon sergeant who finds that his children are more adult that he remembers and he struggles with alcoholism. Al is supported by his wife, Myrna Loy as he finds deep conflict between his job as a banker and sympathies for returning servicemen.

Harold Russel plays Homer Parrish a young man who while serving in the U.S. Navy was grievously injured and had both of his hands amputated. Harold’s amputations are not the product of special effects but reality since the actors lost both hands in a training accident. Homer finds it nearly impossible to return to his old life has be perceives everyone around him focusing on his injuries and he’s unable to emotionally open up to his fiancé played by Cathy O’Donnell.

The film is filled with secondary characters, Al’s daughter Peggy, player by Theresa Wright, who develops strong feelings for married Fred. I think in the movie Peggy is suppose to be 21 or so but the actress was 28 the film was released so that threw me off a bit. Homer has his friends at a local watering hole and Fred’s parents give a glimpse at the life Fred came from before the Army made him an officer.

William Wyler, one of classic Hollywood’s most talented director and also a war veteran, directs the film. He used smaller constructed sets, less suited to sweeping camera movements to help capture the feeling of finding home smaller and more constrained for the returning men.

I found it fascinating how some concepts had already pierced the public as early as 1946. In this movie people express the idea that the next war will be atomic and over in a day and that perhaps the US should have waged war against Communism instead of Fascism, two concepts that I would have taken longer to develop in the post war environment.

Overall this was a gripping story, slightly hampered by the production code, about the struggles people live with after experiencing the horror of war.

Movie Review: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

This will be a spoiler free review.

The Rise of Skywalker is the most disappointing Star Wars film since The Phantom Menace. After the movie finished, I stayed to watch the top line credits. Two people working as a team were credited as the writer with four people working as two teams were listed for story. Frankly I am surprised the writing credits were so brief. The film has such a cobbled together feel with so many disparate elements smashed together lacking any unifying whole that it feels of constant rewrites throughout production.

The movie lacks any sense of serious character arc and none that were established the previous two films in the trilogy. Characters speak and act only to further the thinnest of plot contrivances with all sense of stakes and dangers coming from exaggerated escalations that borrow from earlier films in the franchise.

When The Force Awakens repeated the first film’s beats, I thought that had been a fairly smart move. Returning to the beginning seemed to be a way to clean the slate after the disappointing prequels a way to return and let the audience know that this was going to be Star Wars again and not the laminations of Anakin Skywalker Jedi Stalker. The Last Jedi for all its controversy took bold swings and made firm commitments to interesting themes and characters. At the time there were interviews where people associated with the production stated that Rian Johnson had been given a free hand and that there was no grand outline for the trilogy. I doubted them. I doubted that Disney had spent 4 billion dollars and would let the series simply wing it. After seeing The Rise of Skywalker, I doubt no more.

Not only does this film not build upon anything established in The Last Jedi it uses elements from The Force Awakens as mere hand waving tools to attempt to explain away its own plot holes and deficiencies. The film is a series of action sequences strung together with the barest of plot quests. It feels like a video game where after completing an absurd mission the player is treated to a ‘cut scene’ to explain the threadbare story and the more action and fighting ensues as the next mission is launched. Even this comment does a disservice to many video games which have spent considerably more thought and time on their characters and story than The Rise of Skywalker.

J.J. Abrams having destroyed Star Trek has now repeated himself with the Star Wars universe. Let’s hope that maybe Quentin Tarantino has a Star Warsscript in his back pocket it. It will take something that bold to save the series.

My Year In Movies

I have recovered from my hernia repair surgery and will shortly this morning be returning to my day job. Frankly I am happy to do so. Medical leaves are never fun and getting back to work feels like real progress.

As we are nearing the end of the year, I thought I would do a quick look back at all the movies I watched in theaters during 2019. For the entire year I held a membership in AMC Theater’s subscription service A-List which allows for a flat monthly fee up to three movies every week. Using this and counting repeated screenings I went to AMC theaters 42 times during the year and I know of at least three films, Jojo Rabbit, The Good Liar, and Official Secrets, that I watched at other chains, bring my rough count to 45 theatrical screenings in 12 months. This does not count the Sunday trip to a local micro-theater the Digital Gym, which seats 48 people and my friends at SD Film Geeks, have been hosting a year-long once per month festival of Pre-Code movies.

I watched some amazing films this year including Jojo Rabbit, Knives Out, Hotel Mumbai, and others, there were simply fun movies such as Jumanji: The Next Level and Hobbs & Shaw, and a few disappointments including Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

All in all, this was a very good year for film, and I have high expectations for 2020.

Surgical Update

Yesterday, December 18^th, I went into the hospital for a scheduled bit of minor surgery. A hernia repair that would have normally been perform in an outpatient surgical facility but die to my sleep apnea that anesthesiologist insisted on a full hospital operating room.

The surgery went well, and I went home just shortly after noon.

I have to say that this was the most engaged and friendly surgical team I have ever encountered. When I was wheeled into the O.R. each person introduced themselves and their position. My comfort and safety seemed paramount at all time and I never doubted that I was in good care.

Post Op was dull but necessary with concerns well address that my lungs had recovered, and I was in no danger of not getting enough oxygen. My sweetie-wife was there, picked up my medications, and drove me home one I was released.

When they did release me, I started walking out of the recovery room and a nurse said, ‘You can’t walk.’ I looked down at my feet and snarked, ‘clearly, I can.’ But of course, they were meaning I was not *allowed* to walk.

Once home I took a course of pain killers and now I have a week off the day job to recover. Surprisingly sitting up straight and lying flat on my back at the most painful positions. Luckily, I have a recliner chair and that is very comfy. There are times when I am sitting that and feel absolutely no discomfort at all. Then I move and spoil it.

Today I had my first email interview as a tie in to the upcoming release of Vulcan’s Forge. That was a new and novel experience.

The Good News Post

So, there are several bits of new news to share this chilly December morning.

First off: Because I have a minor surgery scheduled this week and then a week off from my day job for recovery that mean I will not be working any more overtime. The money is nice, and I love chipping in and helping out my team at Kaiser Permanente but it’s really nice to get back to a normal schedule that allows for writing.

Second, pivoting of the subject of writing, our favorite local bookstore Mysterious Galaxy is saved! They have new owners and a new location so the store will not have to shutter depriving San Diego book readers, un-employing its staff, or leaving its various book, gaming, and writing groups homeless. Truly this had made this season festive.

And HBO’s Watchmen reached the season one finale and for once I am not disappointed by a project associate with showrunner Damon Lindelof. Quite the contrary, this series was fantastic. Every element plays perfectly in tune with the themes that grounded this version of the story and all the major points and developments were well established. The characters both as written and as performed simply captivated and for those that are the older versions of ones from the sources material managed to be true to their natures while exploring logical and consistent change from the thirty years that had passed. While Angela Abar (Regina Hill) may have been the protagonist of the story Laurie Blake (Jean Smart) took home favorite character prize from this viewer. Where the original graphic novel Watchmen centered thematically on the Cold War and the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation with those ideas and terrors informing not just the plot but the look and feel of the story this Watchmen explored the lingering horror, hate, and trauma of racial injustice and bigotry. Starting off with the slaughter and destruction of ‘Black Wall Street’ in Tulsa Oklahoma in 1921 and ending with crisis from Tulsa that threatens the world, Watchmen 2019 explores justice and the thorny issues confusing that concept with its petty cousin vengeance. Best off the season did not end with a plot cliffhanger. While the final shots left a terribly large question unanswered it did not fail to resolve the essential conflict or theme of the series. If there is never a season two the show is still full resolved and satisfying. Thank you, Mr. Lindelof, I do so hate cliffhangers.

Scattered Thoughts

Life continues to be very busy. On this upcoming paycheck I will have 26 hours of overtime clocked so this post will cover a number of subject all very briefly.

I’ve been watching Star Wars from the ’77 film through The Last Jedi in preparation for the new movie next weekend. Of the original trilogy Empireremains the best in terms of character, writing, and filmmaking despite having no real ending. The original ’77 movie is complete but very simple and Jedi is hampered by an overly simple script. Finished The Force Awakens last night and Ford had so much more to do as an actor than he did in Return of the Jedi that even with the repeated beats from the first film this one is much better than Jedi. For me the only parts of Jedi that still holds up is the central heart of the narrative, Luke, Vader, and the Emperor.

Watchmen on HBO continues to amaze but I am still holding my breath to see if it falls apart in the final episode.

I have my next novel outlined but I am holing off starting until after the insane hours slow down.

I have a minor surgery scheduled next week. It will likely mean again another week with perhaps just a single posting.

I have also learned that at this time the plans for an audio edition of my novel Vulcan’s Forge has been placed on hold. So if you want a copy it will be hardback, paperback, or e-book for now.

The UK is leaving the EU and I hope that doesn’t trigger a cascade of economic shocks through the world markets. It also looks to have set up another round of Scotland wanting to break up the UK and if that happens what may happen to Ireland and Whales?

Trump is going to be impeached but it is highly doubtful that he will be removed. No one is coming to save us, it’s on us now. I think the Democrats should not focus on winning back former voters who went for Trump in 2016 but rather get to the polls those who sat it out last time. Attack your enemy where he is weak not where he is strong.

Impeachment Is Coming

Well, despite the many hours of overtime and being scheduled to work a half day tomorrow I am managing this week to make at least this one blog post.

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, announced that the House of Representatives will votes on articles of impeachment for Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America. There is little doubt that the Articles will pass the House forcing the Senate to hold a trial, making this the third Impeachment of a President. Johnson in the post civil war period was impeached but acquitted in the Senate by a single vote and Bill Clinton was impeached after walking arrogantly into a perjury trap and then acquitted by a vote along partisan lines.

Nixon resigned before he could be impeached but expect no such displays from Trump. The most likely result from the House actions will be another partisan acquittal. With trump showing 85 to 90 percent support from GOP voters, who ranked him above Lincoln as a Republican president, no elected GOP official will dare vote against him and risk destruction in the next primary. I think is it also very likely that Senator Mitch McConnel will use whatever procedural tricks are available to him to make the Senate trail as painless as possible for his caucus. It will be an abrogation of their oaths and their duty, but the Republicans of the House will vote against impeachment and those in the Senate will vote for his acquittal. People, including friends of mine, who supported the impeachment of Bill Clinton will find some thin reed of justification to oppose Trump’s or declare themselves ‘agnostic’ on the entire issue.

The facts however are clear.

Trump used the office of the President of the United States of America to pressure a foreign power to damage his political opponent.

The fact that the foreign power ultimately did not deliver the goods is irrelevant.

This is the most clear-cut case for impeachment since Nixon’s orders to his government, his abuse of power, to cover for his own crimes. It is the reason for the powers of impeachment, to hold elected federal officers accountable for their misuse of the power wielded by them.

President Clinton did indeed break the law when he perjured himself will under oath. The fact that he was set up is ugly and speaks of naked partisanship but as an intelligent man and a well trained lawyer he should have recognized that questions about his sexual affairs meant that secret had been broken and he should have spoken the truth as required by law but like a character from a film noir he was crippled by his ego and desire and stepped into the ambush.

Trump was not tricked or trapped; he did not lie about a sexual affair. He actively used the powers of the office he holds for personal political gain. We have reached a terrible day when such abuse will be excused.

Movie Review: Knives Out

Knives Out, written and directed by Rian Johnson, is a return the classic who-done-its of the past. A wealthy patriarch dies after a celebration of his 85th birthday and his entire extended family and staff are loaded motive. Led by a stellar cast Knives Out has been finding fans among audiences and critics alike.

Well written and with marvelous direct and cinematography the film is treat and another feather in the cap for Johnson who has emerged as an artist with a singular vision. Mysteries are particularly hard to review because they are by their nature built upon twists and turns that the creators hope are to the audiences both surprising and inevitable. Making liberal use of flashbacks and unreliable narrators Johnson keeps the pace quick but plays fair with the audience supply enough information that the films ultimate resolution is something that is reasonable and understandable. Certainly much more than have a dozen characters occupying a single railway carriage.

This film is thoroughly enjoyable and fun and one that I will simply have to see again in the theater.

The Crown: Season 3

I’m shocked how much I have enjoyed the Netflix series The Crown. Never has the drama surrounding the Royal Family been of interest to me and yet when I started episode one season on I watch instantly captivated by the fantastic writing, the rich characters, and view of history that I had never before seen. Now we finally have season three and new cast to re create these characters as they progress into middle age and the new age of intense public scrutiny.

I was a little concerned about a new cast. I understood the need to do the change over, there is only so much that old age make-up can do and if w are to follow the same characters over a fifty year plus arc then that will dictate recasting the parts as the characters age.

My concerns were unfounded.

Of course Olivia Coleman, now an Oscar winning actor, performed magnificently, but she always so perfectly captured the same character as Claire Foy that in my mind when I recall a scene it can b either actor’s voice in my memory. Tobias Menzies, whom I have seen in so many parts that he has become part of the established background of many British shows, is fantastic as Phillip. He lays it differently than Matt Smith and yet I can still seem the same person. Menzies so excels at the quite interior scene conveying massive emotion and turmoil without uttering a sound that it is nearly criminal that the man does get even more work. He manages an evocative performance that is quite unlike anything I have seen from his past projects. Helena Bonham Carter as party girl Princess Margaret is charming and he scenes with Clancy Brown as LBJ are the comedic highlight so far of this season. (I am about 4 episodes in.)

The episode I watched last night that brought in Phillip’s mother was deeply touching and it awakened my missing my own mother. Family is family.

Over all this season holds up the powerful and personal stories that propelled the earlier seasons to well deserved awards.

Movie Review: Ford v Ferrari

I am not a gearhead and have never been particularly entranced by racing movies. Despite that from the first previews I was intrigued and fascinated by the trailers for Ford v Ferrari. The fact that the film was directed by James Mangold who also directed the terrific Logan only heightened my interest and listening the Cinema Junkie’s interview with Mangold only sealed the deal.

Given the subject matter instead of avoiding my local AMC Theater’s AMC Dolby auditorium with the vibration capable recliner I selected it to deliberately enhance the experience.

So how did all this sort out?

Pretty damn well.

Ford v Ferrari is not principally about the racing it is about the people. It is a story concerned with the timeless themes of loyalty, friendship, and the passion that drives people. Centered on the relationship between Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) former racecar driver and La Mans champion and mercurial Ken Miles an uncompromising dedicated British driver with terrible interpersonal skill as they attempt to take an American team from the Ford motor corporation to the winner’s circle at the 24 hours race at Le Mans. Along the way they battle each other, corporate politics, backstabbing, and the cruel equations of physics while challenged by the world’s foremost automotive engineers at Ferrari.

Each man, Shelby and Miles, battles personal demons that threaten to destroy their victory, and each grows out of the conflict, expanding their character and deepening their friendship. Along the way a host of iconic historic characters, Lee Iacocca and Henry Ford II among them both hinder and assist them in the nearly impossible quest. As I stated at the top of this piece I am not a gear head and never had any interest in the mechanical and yet the script and Mangold’s fine direction made it so not only I could follow the technical details and challenges the team face but I understood them well enough that dramatic impact came through when the film left no time for exposition.

For this screening the Dolby at AMC experience worked perfectly. Last year I watched A Quiet Place in the same auditorium and the vibration of the seats disrupted by immersion into that horror film, jolting me back into my reality out of the story’s but here it buried me into the experience, bring me just that much closer to the character’s environment.

Overall this was a great film to watch in the theater and one that even if you have little or no interest in racing you should see.

Robert Mitchell Evans

Literary Saboteur