Nova: Meteor Strike - 8 stars out of 10

Nova: Meteor Strike - 8 stars out of 10

What is the difference between an asteroid, a meteor, and a meteorite?  This fascinating documentary will expand your knowledge of these giant rocks floating in space and the destructive powers they possess under the right circumstances.  In 2013, Russia was struck by the largest meteor since 1908.  This event was an enormous learning opportunity for the science community as the meteor was caught on video from many different angles.  The footage itself is stunning, but it is even more amazing once this event is put into a scientific context.  The destruction caused by the shockwave was brutal and we can only imagine the catastrophe that would have resulted had the meteor remained intact when it impacted Earth.  Even if you are not a science geek, you will get a lot out of this film because the 2013 event made it realistic.  I love the explanation of how the sound waves reverberated around the earth for an entire day after this impact.  “Meteor Strike” documentary plays out like a great disaster film, only we are now the ones at risk of being struck by a meteor.  Scientists did not see the meteor coming and who knows when our planet will spin into the trajectory of a meteor again.

[Pictured: The meteor flies over Russia - It's crazy that this was captured on film!]

The Apartment (1960) - 9 stars out of 10

The Apartment (1960) - 9 stars out of 10
1250th Review

“The Apartment” is one of those classics that soared at the box office, dominated the Oscars, and doesn’t really leave any room for criticism.  As Billy Wilder’s follow-up to “Some Like It Hot,” the film was destined for greatness with Jack Lemmon breathing life into its clever script.  I was a bit surprised at the content considering that this film came out in 1960; however, even though the film’s portrayal of adultery was controversial, let us remember that Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” premiered a day after “The Apartment’s” release.  This is one of the strangest love stories that I have ever seen, but that’s what makes it great.  It avoids predictability, goes to some very dark places, and the unconventional ending leaves us wanting more while creating a satisfying resolution.  Unlike many of our modern “dramedies” that combine comedy and drama into every scene, this film needs to be considered a “comedy and drama.”  The first act is pure comedy while the second act becomes a serious drama with a few moments of comic relief.  It doesn’t seem like it should work but the film seamlessly transitions from one to the other.  The glue that holds the story together is the chemistry between Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.  Even before the love interest is introduced, you want them to end up together.  Their Oscar nominations were well deserved, as well as the Oscar wins for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best B&W Art Direction.  From the leads and strong supporting cast to the script and unexpected surprises, “The Apartment” is a well-rounded film that has stood the test of time and can still catch us by surprise today.

[Pictured: It's truly a joy to watch these two onscreen together]

Steel Magnolias (1989) - 5 stars out of 10

Steel Magnolias (1989) - 5 stars out of 10

“Steel Magnolias” was a decent chick flick but did not even come close to its reputation.  I have long heard that this was THE chick flick but lacked the great love story and comedy that I have come to expect.  I don’t want to discount Julia Roberts’ performance because she delivers a broad spectrum of emotions with veteran poise.  I was disappointed in Sally Field at first, but her subtle start gives her somewhere to grow until she reaches the amazing climax of her performance.  Unfortunately, the rest of the cast falls short.  Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, and Shirley MacLaine were completely underutilized in the story, Daryl Hannah was pretty “eh…” and none of the men left much of an impression.  I do love the southern atmosphere that is captured on-screen.  The story was interesting but the ratio of comedy-to-drama was way too heavy on the drama side.  I am sure that I will really enjoy “Steel Magnolias” next time now that my expectation has been set so low, but I can think of dozens of chick flicks that I would rank higher than this one.

[Pictured: Dolly Parton and Olympia Dukakis have some great one-liners: "If you can't say something nice... sit by me!"]

Nature: Great Zebra Exodus - 6 stars out of 10

Nature: Great Zebra Exodus - 6 stars out of 10

PBS’s Nature series explores the nomadic life of zebras in this surprising documentary.  There are moments that will make zebras your new favorite animal as they play and run, but other moments that will make it hard to look at a zebra in the same way, like when the stallion realizes that one of the new foals is not his.  The documentary also gives some attention to the meerkats that live alongside the zebras in the saltpans of Botswana.  This installment in the Nature series is definitely not as good as “Raccoon Nation” or “My Life As A Turkey,” but it is still educational and contains some amazing shots of African wildlife.  I recommend “Great Zebra Exodus” to any fan of these striped creatures, but be prepared for one of the most brutal scenes that I have experienced in any movie.

[Pictured: As always, the Nature series captures incredible footage]

Space Cowboys - 6 stars out of 10

Space Cowboys - 6 stars out of 10

“Clint Eastwood” and “Science fiction” – these are not terms that are generally equated with each other.  I found it odd for Eastwood to star in a film that takes place in outer space (let alone direct it), but the story works.  Space is merely the setting for this film that is about friendship, redemption, and allows Eastwood to play that irritable character that has become synonymous with his acting.  The story is rather formulaic but it allows the group of veteran actors to shine as they develop their characters.  While I expected more from this cast list, the film offers fine performances by Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, James Garner, and James Cromwell.  My letdown is probably a result of my expectation for this to be a realistic space exploration film in the vein of “Gravity” or “Interstellar.”  As mentioned above, this is for of an old-man buddy movie than a space movie.  It's like "Grumpy Old Men," only with twice as many grumpy old men!  “Space Cowboys” isn’t Eastwood’s finest film but it is certainly entertaining and worth watching. 

[Pictured: It's worth watching just for its 4 leading men!]

Nova: At the Edge of Space - 6 stars out of 10

Nova: At the Edge of Space - 6 stars out of 10

This documentary is a fascinating look at “sprites,” electrical discharges that resembles lightning.  Unlike regular lightning, these bursts shoot upward toward space and are miles tall.  It is fascinating to see this phenomenon and gain an understanding of why it happens, especially since you probably didn’t know it even existed.  “At the Edge of Space” traces the discovery and study of sprites, beginning with the first recorded sighting by a pilot in the 1970’s, moving to the modern understanding of sprites gained from space and airplanes, and ending with the science of how sprites work.  The information is easy to follow and will be interesting to anybody, regardless of your interest in science.  Just wait until you see it in slow motion!

[Pictured: Several of the sprites that are explained in the film]