The Poster and Trailer for “The Pitt”: Season 2 are Here!
The Poster and Trailer for The Pitt: Season 2 are Here!
And so it begins.
Season 2 of the Emmy Award-winning Outstanding Drama Series #ThePitt premieres January 8 on HBO Max.
Category: TV
RIP: Rob Reiner
Yesterday Rob Reiner and his wife were found murdered in their Los Angeles home. They had been killed by an assailant using a knife. Their son, Nick has been charged for both murders.
Rob Reiner was the child of Estelle and Carl Reiner. Carl Reiner was an award-winning actor, comedian, author, director and screenwriter. Over his career Mr. Reiner won numerous awards including 11 Prime Time Emmys, a Grammy, the Mark Twain Prize for Amerian Humor and an induction into the Television Hall of Fame.
Rob Reiner decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. He began getting acting roles while still in high school. Juggling his new found acting career with school, Rob Reiner enrolled at the UCLA Film School. Rob Reiner made several television guest appearances on popular shows of the day including Batman, The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle. Rob Reiner also started to appear in feature films. In 1968, Rob Reiner became one of the writers and actors on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
Rob Reiner’s breakout role came when he played Mike Stivik on All in the Family. Over the course of the series Mr. Reiner was nominated for five Emmys (winning two) as well as five Golden Globe nominations. In 1974, Rob Reiner directed the television movie Sonny Boy while still co-starring in All in the Family. After All in the Family ended, Rob Reiner was co-creator of the television comedy The Super. It ran for one season. Mr. Reiner continued to act in guest roles throughout the 1970s.
In 1981, Rob Reiner returned to directing with the segment Tommy Rispoli: A Man and his Music as part of the television movie Likely Stories: Volume 1. Mr. Reiner followed that up by directing This is Spinal Tap. This is Spinal Tap became a huge hit. Rob Reiner then went on a streak. The next six films Rob Reiner directed were The Sure Thing, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery and A Few Good Men. What a run!
Over the course of his career Rob Reiner continued to act, direct, write and produce. Some of the Awards he was nominated for and/or received include:
- 1972 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Television – All in the Family
- 1972 Primetime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy – All in the Family – For playing: “Michael Stivic”.
- 1973 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Television – All in the Family
- 1973 Primetime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy – All in the Family – For playing: “Michael Stivic”.
- 1974 Primetime Emmy Winner for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy – All in the Family – For playing: “Michael Stivic”.
- 1974 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Television – All in the Family
- 1975 Primetime Emmy Nominee for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy – All in the Family – For playing: “Michael Stivic”.
- 1976 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Television – All in the Family
- 1977 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Television – All in the Family
- 1978 Primetime Emmy Winner for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy – All in the Family – For playing: “Michael Stivic”.
- 1987 DGA Nominee for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures – Stand by Me
- 1987 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Director – Motion Picture – Stand by Me
- 1990 DGA Nominee for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures – When Harry Met Sally…
- 1990 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Director – Motion Picture – When Harry Met Sally…
- 1993 Academy Award Nominee for Best Picture – A Few Good Men
- 1993 DGA Nominee for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures – A Few Good Men
- 1993 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Director – Motion Picture – A Few Good Men
- 1993 PGA Nominee for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures – A Few Good Men
- 1996 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Director – Motion Picture – The American President
- 1996 PGA Nominee for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures – The American President
- 1999 Star Awarded on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- 2024 PGA Nominee for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television – Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
- 2024 Primetime Emmy Nominee for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special – Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
- 2024 Primetime Emmy Nominee for Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program – Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
Some of the television projects that feature Rob Reiner acting include: Manhunt; Batman; Hey, Landlord (3 episodes); The Andy Griffith Show; That Girl (3 episodes); The Mothers-In-Law; Gomer Pyle (3 episodes); The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (5 episodes); The Beverly Hillbillies (2 episodes); Room 222; The Partridge Family; Getting Together; The Odd Couple; The Rockford Files; Free Country (5 episodes); More Than Friends; All in the Family (184 episodes); Archie Bunker’s Place (2 episodes); Tall Tales & Legends; It’s Gary Shandling’s Show (4 episodes); Morton & Hayes (6 episodes); A Spinal Tap Reunion; The Larry Sanders Show; Frasier; Curb Your Enthusiasm; The Simpsons; Wizards of Waverly Place; 30 Rock; About a Boy; Happyish (2 episodes); The Comedians; When We Rise; New Girl (11 episodes); Hollywood (3 episodes); The Good Fight (2 episodes); Home Movie: The Princess Bride (3 episodes); The Bear (4 episodes) and Conan o’Brien Needs a Friend.
Some feature films that Rob Reiner acted in include: Enter Laughing; The Jerk; This is Spinal Tap; Throw Mama From the Train; Postcards from the Edge; Misery; Sleepless in Seattle; Bullets Over Broadway; The First Wives Club; Primary Colors; The Story of Us; The Wolf of Wall Street and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
Some of the television projects that feature Rob Reiner directing include: Sonny Boy; I am Your Child and 8.
Some of the feature films that Rob Reiner directed include: This is Spinal Tap; The Sure Thing; Stand by Me; The Princess Bride; When Harry Met Sally; Misery; A Few Good Men; The American President; Ghosts of Mississippi; The Story of Us; The Bucket List; Flipped; The Magic of Belle Island; LBJ; Albert Brooks: Defending My Life; and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
I probably first saw Rob Reiner acting in Batman. I never missed that show when I was a kid. Of course, I’m sure I saw Mr. Reiner’s guest appearances on The Andy Griffith Show; That Girl; Gomer Pyle; The Beverly Hillbillies; The Partridge Family and The Rockford Files before I ever saw Rob Reiner in his breakout role on All in the Family. He was so good as Archie Bunker’s foil. If the character of Mike Stivik was the only acting role Rob Reiner was known for, it would still make for a great career.
Who could have guessed what a talented director Rob Reiner would become. I would match his first first seven films (This is Spinal Tap; The Sure Thing; Stand by Me; The Princess Bride; When Harry Met Sally; Misery and A Few Good Men) against any other director’s first seven.
By all accounts Rob Reiner was a gentle, kind, humble man loved by anyone who knew him. We need more folks with those qualities.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Rob Reiner’s family, friends and fans.
“Mob War: Philadelphia vs the Mafia” (2025) / Z-View
Mob War: Philadelphia vs the Mafia (2025)
Director: Raissa Botterman
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, became a war zone in the 1990s. Two rival, mafia families fought for control. John Stanfa and Joey Merlino were the crime bosses of each. As the body count rose, the FBI and local cops fought to bring down the crime bosses and their gangs.
This is that story, told by the cops and gangsters that were there.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If you like gangster movies/shows and true life crime you should enjoy Mob War: Philadelphia vs the Mafia.
The series is worth watching just to hear John Veasey. Veasey may not be the brightest guy you’d ever meet, but he’s no doubt one of the toughest. A thief, a tough guy and a killer. Veasey was shot in the head, stabbed and still overpowered his attempted killer. Then he got his revenge.
Mob War: Philadelphia vs the Mafia (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.
RIP: Peter Greene
It was announced that Peter Greene died yesterday. Mr. Greene was 60. No cause of death was given.
Peter Greene ran away from home when he was 15. Mr. Greene didn’t decide on an acting career until he was in his mid-20s. Peter Greene worked in both television and feature films throughout his career. His first television appearance was on the series Hardball. Mr. Greene made his feature film debute in Laws of Gravity. Peter Greene became best known as a character actor, often playing villains.
Some of the television projects that feature Peter Greene include: Hardball; As the World Turns (2 episodes); Black Cat Run; Law & Order; Dead & Deader; The Black Donnelly’s (13 episodes); Life on Mars (2 episodes); Justified; Hawaii 5-0; Chicago P.D. (2 episodes); Still the King (2 episodes); For Life (9 episodes); The Jersey Connection; The Continental and Dope Thief.
Some of Peter Greene’s feature film appearances include: Laws of Gravity; Clean Shaven; Judgment Night; Pulp Fiction; The Mask; The Usual Suspects; Bang; Under Siege 2: Dark Territory; The Rich Man’s Wife; Blue Streak; Training Day; Scenes of the Crime; Dead Dogs Lie; Under the Influence; The Grasslands; Shanghai Hotel; Turnabout; City of Lies; Body Brokers and Beggarman.
I first became aware of Peter Greene in Pulp Fiction. Mr. Greene was such a great villain. Even in a role with small screen-time, Peter Greene made an impact. My favorite Peter Greene appearance might be in Justified. He appeared with Timothy Olyphant in the very first scene which set the tone of the series. Of course any time Peter Greene appeared on-screen, it brought a smile to my face. I just knew that his character was up to something.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Peter Greene’s family, friends and fans.
“Salem’s Lot” by Sara Deck!
This is one of the best alt posters for Salem’s Lot that I’ve ever seen. Congratulations to Sara Deck!
“Tulsa King”: Season 3 (2025) starring Sylvester Stallone / Z-View
Tulsa King: Season 3 (2025)
Created by: Taylor Sheridan
Directors:
- Jim McKay (Eps. 1-2; 9-10)
- Kevin Dowling (Eps. 3-4)
- Joe Chappelle (Eps. 5-6)
- Guy Ferland (Eps. 7-8)
Teleplay:
- (Ep. 1) Dave Erickson and Sylvester Stallone
- (Ep. 2) Sheri Elwood
- (Ep. 3) Jameel Saleem
- (Ep. 4) Taylor Streitz
- (Ep. 5) Ildy Modrovich and Sylvester Stallone
- (Ep. 6) Joseph Riccobene
- (Ep. 7) Daniel C. Connolly
- (Ep. 8) Nick Jones Jr. & Sylvester Stallone
- (Ep. 9) Daniel C. Connolly & Ildy Modrovich; story by Dave Erickson & Daniel C. Connolly & Ildy Modrovich
- (Ep. 10) Dave Erickson & Sylvester Stallone
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Garrett Hedlund, Dana Delany, Chris Caldovino, McKenna Quigley Harrington, Vincent Piazza, Annabella Sciorra, Dashiell Connery, Justin Garcia-Pruneda, Mike “Cash Flo” Walden, Tatiana Zappardino, Neal McDonough, Robert Patrick, Beau Knapp, Bella Heathcote, Frank Grillo, Kevin Pollak, James Russo, Michael Beach, Juliette Jeffers, Barry Corbin, Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlet Rose Stallone.
Tagline: More Power. More Problems.
The Plot…
In season three…
- Agent Musso of the FBI has a personal vendetta and plans to use Dwight Manfredi to resolve it. If Dwight doesn’t play along, his entire crew will be arrested for the crimes they’ve committed.
- Quiet Ray Renzetti, a senior New York crime boss is pressuring Dwight for a piece of everything that Dwight has going.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Tulsa King was nominated for one 2025 PrimeTime Emmy Award – Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program: Freddie Poole
Robert Patrick is great as Dunmire, a villain you love to hate. Patrick co-starred with Sly Stallone in Cop Land.
As you might have guessed, Tulsa King continues to be one of my current favorite television shows. Bring on season four!
Tulsa King: Season 2 (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Paradise”: Season 2 – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Paradise: Season 2 – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
I enjoyed the first season and will be ready for the second. Deal me in.
An outside world is exposed in the aftermath of season 1, while inside the bunker a new regime emerges! Xavier begins the search for his wife, Teri, outside the bunker forging new alliances and encountering potential threats.
“Last Samurai Standing”: Season 1 (2025) starring Jun’ichi Okada and Hideaki Itô / Z-View
Last Samurai Standing: Season 1 (2025)
Creative Director: Jun’ichi Okada
Directed by:
- Michihito Fujii (eps. 1-2; 6)
- Kento Yamaguchi (ep. 3; 5)
- Toru Yamamoto (ep. 4)
Teleplay by:
- (eps. 1-6) Kento Yamaguchi & Michihito Fujii; based on Last Samurai Standing by Shogo Imamura and drawn by Katsumi Tatsuzawa
Stars: Jun’ichi Okada, Masahiro Higashide, Yûya Endô, Hideaki Itô, Gaku Hamada, Arata Iura and Nobi Nakanishi.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The year is 1878. A cholera epidemic rages through Japan. Shujiro Saga’s baby daughter died from the disease. Now Saga’s wife has fallen ill. Saga is a former samurai. Samurai were outlawed ten years prior. With epidemic raging, survival is hard.
Flyers begin showing up everywhere advertising a martial arts tournament in Kyoto that has a grand prize of ¥100,000. Shujiro Saga sees this as an opportunity for his family and goes.
Martial artists from all over Japan have come to enter the tournament. They are gathered in a fortress-like setting. An official tells them that if they do not want to be in the tournament they are to leave now. They will have 30 seconds to decide. Once in the game, there is no quitting. He begins counting down.
Some people yell out they want to know what the game will be. The official continues to count. Around the perimeter of the fortress armed guards stand ready to fire. The official reaches zero. Soldiers rush out and give each person a numbered tag. They are now participants.
The official says that the tag must stay on their person. If it is away from their body for more than 10 seconds they will be killed. The goal is to pass seven checkpoints on the Tōkaidō Road from Kyoto to Tokyo. They will have one month to arrive in Tokyo. Points will be needed to pass each checkpoint. They earn points by taking other participants tags. They can do this by any means necessary. Anything goes. The official concludes by saying, “The game begins at the end of this countdown… 10…”
When the game begins, it is mass chaos. Nearly 300 martial artists go to war. There are samurai, archers, brutes, knife fighters, and more. Across the way Shujiro Saga sees Futaba Katsuki, a young girl frozen with fear. She will be easy pickins. Saga rushes to her aide.
Kyojin Tsuge recognizes Saga as the former samurai known as The Manslayer. Tsuge says that he has calculated that the points needed to finish in Tokyo allow for up to nine combatants to win. Tsuge proposes that Saga, Futaba and he form an alliance. Saga agrees and they head out.
The giant swordsman Bukotsu Kanjiya who loves to kill wants to end Saga The Manslayer‘s life. Bukotsu has a bloodlust and murders any in his path. Other teams have formed with each plotting to survive.
It will be a long road. Not all will survive.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Last Samurai Standing is based on a 2022 historical fiction graphic novel written by Shogo Imamura and drawn by Katsumi Tatsuzawa. Although the characters and tournament are fiction, real-life historical figures and events add to the backstory.
Junichi Okada who served as producer and stars in the series is a charismatic lead.
Hideaki Itô is awesome and frightening as the giant swordsman.
Last Samurai Standing gets my highest recommendation. Bring on Season 2.
Last Samurai Standing: Season 1 (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Red Eye”: Season 1 (2024) starring Jing Lusi & Richard Armitage / Z-View
Red Eye (2024)
Created by: Peter A Dowling
Directed by:
- Kieron Hawkes (eps. 1-6)
Teleplay by:
- Peter A Dowling (eps. 1-3; 5-6)
- Jingan Young (ep. 4)
Stars: Jing Lusi, Richard Armitage, Lesley Sharp, Jemma Moore, Dan Li, Thomas Chaanhing and Robert Gilbert.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Dr. Matthew Nolan and colleagues have been at a medical conference in Beijing. On their last night there, Nolan meets an attractive woman named Shen Zhào. They end up in a nightclub and from there Nolan’s memory gets hazy.
He knows he was in an altercation. He has a stab wound to prove it. Nolan remembers escaping and not much else. He’s glad to arrive back in England after an all-night flight back. His joy is shortlived. Nolan is detained and told he must return to Beijing where he will stand trial for the murder of Shen Zhào. To make matters worse, his colleagues must also return.
MI5 Director-General Madeline Delaney reluctantly agrees to allow Nolan’s extradition, despite his claim of innocence. Agent Hana Li is assigned to escort Nolan back. Nolan is adamant in his claims that he has been set up and he didn’t kill anyone.
When it becomes clear that someone on the plane is planing to murder Nolan before they arrive, Agent Li finds herself wondering who she can trust.
Trapped on a plane heading to Beijing, the bodies begin to pile up. Odds are Nolan and Agent Li will be dead before the plane lands.
Buckle your seatbelts we’re in for a bumpy ride.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Red Eye ramps up the tension with each passing episode. Trust no one.
Red Eye (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Monster: The Ed Gein Story” (2025) starring Charlie Hunnam and Laurie Metcalf / Z-View
Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025)
Created by: Ian Brennan
Directed by:
- Max Winkler (eps. 1-3; 6-8)
- Ian Brennan (eps. 4-5)
Teleplay by:
- (eps. 1-8) Ian Brennan
Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Suzanna Son, Vicky Krieps, Laurie Metcalf, Tom Hollander.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Ed Gein was a murderer and grave robber. In 1957, when a sheriff’s deputy, following up on a missing person’s case went to Gein’s farm he discovered the missing woman’s decapitated body in a shed. The partial corpse was hung upside down and mutilated. In Gein’s house some of what authorities found included:
- Whole human bones and fragments
- A wastebasket made of human skin
- Human skin covering several chairs
- Human skulls mounted on bedposts
- Bowls made from human skulls
- A corset made from a female torso skinned from shoulders to waist
- Leggings made from human leg skin
- Masks made from the skin of female heads
- A victim’s face made into a mask in a paper bag
- A victim’s entire head in a burlap sack
- A victim’s heart in a plastic bag
- A belt made from female human nipples
- A pair of lips on a window shade drawstring
- A lampshade made from the skin of a human face
- more
Gein was determined to be mentally incompetent to stand trial. He was sentenced to a State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, where he lived until his death in 1984. Ed Gein’s murders and depravity inspired the novel (and later movie) Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and more.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Charlie Hunnam is almost unrecognizable as Ed Gein. Kudos to him for taking on such a challenging role. Laurie Metcalf is perfect as Gein’s mother.
I wish Monster: The Ed Gein Story stuck closer to actual events. Liberties are taken that I feel weaken the story. For example, Gein never had a love interest. Gein never chased down and killed lost hunters with a chain saw. Gein never had contact with Christine Jorgensen, an American actress famous for being known as the first transexual widely known in the United States.
Because of these fictional additions, it makes me question things when other real life personalitites, like Anthony Perkins and Alfred Hitchcock show up. I realize Monster: The Ed Gein Story isn’t a documentary. But it is supposed to be Gein’s story and that was creepy enough.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Good Night and Good Luck” (2025) starring George Clooney / Z-View
Good Night, and Good Luck (2025)
Director: Micah Bickham, David Cromer
Screenplay: George Clooney, Grant Heslov
Stars: George Clooney, Mac Brandt, Will Dagger, Christopher Denham, Glenn Fleshler, Joe Forbrich, Jennifer Morris, Michael Nathanson, Andrew Polk, Aaron Roman Weiner and Fran Kranz.
Tagline: We will not walk in fear, one of another
The Plot…
U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy leads investigations into individual citizens’ private lives in an effort to route out communists and get them blacklisted. CBS journalist and broadcaster, Edward R. Murrow, arguably the most popular newsman of his time, takes a stand against McCarthy despite the problems and dangers it could cause him and others around him.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Good Night, and Good Luck first appeared as feature film directed by George Clooney. In the film, Clooney played Fred Friendly. David Strathairn took the role of Edward R. Murrow. Clooney said the reason he didn’t take the lead in the movie was, “Murrow had a gravitas to him that at 42 years old I wasn’t able to pull off”.
Good Night, and Good Luck was the first ever live televised global broadcast of a Broadway play.
It’s ironic how events in the 1950s echo current events.
Good Night, and Good Luck (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Loudermilk” Season 3 (2020) / Z-View
“Loudermilk”: Season 3 (2020)
Created by: Peter Farrelly & Bobby Mort
Teleplay by:
- (eps. 1; 10) Bobby Mort & Peter Farrelly
- (ep. 2) John Jordan & Thomas Jordan
- (ep. 3) Bobby Mort
- (ep. 4) Jackie Flynn, Jimmy Dunn & Peter Farrelly
- (ep. 5) Laura Streicher & Kate Schriver
- (ep. 6) Dave Connaughton & John Trozak
- (ep. 7) Ricky Blitt
- (ep. 8) Danny Smith
- (ep. 9) Yassir Lester & Peter Farrelly
Directed by:
- Bobby Farrelly (eps. 1-3, 5, 7-8, 10)
- Peter Farrelly (eps. 4, 6, 9)
Stars: Ron Livingston, Will Sasso, Anja Savcic, Brian Regan, Jackie Flynn, Timothy Webber,
Ricky Blitt, Tyler Layton-Olson, Viv Leacock, Sam Bob, Laura Mennell and Eric Keenleyside.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Sam Loudermilk was once a popular music critic. Now Sam is a recovering alcoholic and substance-abuse group leader. Sam has a good heart, but an acid tongue. He doesn’t hesitate to give his opinions on the absurd things/people he comes in contact with. Sam’s best friends are his roomate, Ben (also a recovering alcoholic) and the regulars that attend his group sessions.
In season three Sam deals with…
- being forced to “parent” his baby brother
- Ben’s talents as a chef
- Ben starting a food truck
- the legal fallout from golfing with friends from the support group
- the ramifications of an honest review
- Roger getting a courage reward for being himself
- someone using his credit card
- the UNEXPECTED return of…
- making amends for a past wrong
- and more.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I just discovered Loudermilk this year. The series is funny and has heart. The supporting cast is a hoot. If you enjoy a fun 30 minute sitcom, give Loudermilk a shot.
“Loudermilk’: Season 3 (2020) earns 4 of 5 stars.
“Loudermilk”: Season 2 (2018) / Z-View
“Loudermilk: Season 1” (2018)
Created by: Peter Farrelly & Bobby Mort
Teleplay by:
- (eps. 1; 10) Bobby Mort & Peter Farrelly
- (ep. 2) Bobby Mort
- (ep. 3) Jimmy Dunn, Jackie Flynn & Peter Farrelly
- (eps. 4-5) Dave Connaughton & John Trozak
- (ep. 6) Ricky Blitt
- (ep. 7) Danny Smith
- (ep. 8) Kate Schriver & Laura Streicher
- (ep. 9) Jim Freeman & Brian Jarvis
Directed by:
- Peter Farrelly (eps. 1-3)
- Bobby Farrelly (eps. 4-10)
Stars: Ron Livingston, Will Sasso, Anja Savcic, Brian Regan, Jackie Flynn, Timothy Webber,
Ricky Blitt, Tyler Layton-Olson, Viv Leacock, Sam Bob, Laura Mennell and Eric Keenleyside.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Sam Loudermilk was once a popular music critic. Now Sam is a recovering alcoholic and substance-abuse group leader. Sam has a good heart, but an acid tongue. He doesn’t hesitate to give his opinions on the absurd things/people he comes in contact with. Sam’s best friends are his roomate, Ben (also a recovering alcoholic) and the regulars that attend his group sessions.
In season two Sam deals with…
- finding a new group meeting space
- Ben returns after marrying Loudermilk’s ex-wife
- Tony, a bookie, starts using the group to take bets
- Mugsy falls off the wagon and shows up to a meeting with a dart in his head
- Ben hits a homeless man’s golf cart and finds himself indebted to the man
- Loudermilk accidentally becomes a social media hit
- New guy tells one group member his deepest secret: he’s still a virgin
- New guy falls for a little person which leads to a love-triangle fight fundraiser
- Claire learns that her dad has died; Sam learns that his dad has died
- Sam’s dad impregnated a waitress in a one-night stand and now Sam has a baby brother
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I just discovered Loudermilk this year. The series is funny and has heart. The supporting cast is a hoot. If you enjoy a fun 30 minute sitcom, give Loudermilk a shot.
“Loudermilk: Season 2” (2018) earns 4 of 5 stars.
“The Twilight Zone” Alt Print by Al Abbazia!
The Twilight Zone is one of my all-time favorite shows. It raised the bar for what good television could be.
Al Abbazia is a fan as well. Abbazia created the poster above. I’m sure it would make Rod Serling proud. It’s cool that my two favorite TZ episodes got the top two spots on Abbazia’s print. You can see more of Al Abbazia’s art here.
“Task” Season One (2025) starring Mark Ruffalo / Z-View
“Task: Season 1” (2017)
Created by: Brad Ingelsby
Teleplay by:
- (eps. 1-3; 7) Brad Ingelsby
- (ep. 4-6) Brad Ingelsby; story by Brad Ingelsby & Dave Obzud
Directed by:
- Jeremiah Zagar (eps. 1-2; 5; 7)
- Salli Richardson Whitfield (eps. 3-4; 6)
Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Emilia Jones, Fabien Frankel, Thuso Mbedu, Silvia Dionicio, Ben Lewis Doherty, Tom Pelphrey, Alison Oliver, Sam Keeley, Martha Plimpton, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Raúl Castillo and Jamie McShane.
Tagline: Every force has its equal.
The Plot…
Tom Brandis hasn’t fully recovered from his wife’s murder at the hands of their adopted son. When a series of violent drug house robberies continue, Tom is called back to duty. Tom will lead a cross-agency task force made up of county Detective Anthony Grasso, State Trooper Lizzie Stover and city detective Aleah Clinton. What Brandis doesn’t know is there is a traitor among them.
The drug houses taken down are run by the Dark Hearts biker gang. The Dark Hearts are notorious for their brutality. Perry Dorazo, the Dark Hearts Chapter President is getting heat because of the robberies. Dorazo wants the thieves caught so he can make an example of them.
Unknown to either Brandis’ task force or the Dark Hearts, the robberies are the work of Robbie Prendergrast and his friend Cliff Broward. Robbie’s wife left him a year ago. Before he started the robberies. Robbie needs the cash to support his two young children as well as his dead brother’s daughter. Robbie and Cliff aren’t criminal masterminds. They’ve been lucky with inside information.
Then their luck runs out.
During a drug house robbery, an unexpected biker shows up. A gunfight ensues. Robbie and Cliff survive. A friend they brought along to assist is killed. So are three Dark Hearts. Robbie and Cliff are about to leave with the cash when the young son of one of the murdered bikers walks in. Refusing to kill a child, they take the kid, the drugs and the cash.
The murders and kidnapping are all over the news. The heat is on Brandis’ task force to resolve the case. The Dark Hearts have made finding Robbie and Cliff top priority. Robbie and Cliff know their time is running out. They need to fence the drugs. They’ll then use the cash to get far away with the kids.
It’s now a race. Will Robbie and Cliff escape? If they Dark Hearts get to them first, they will suffer a slow tortuous death. If the task force captures them, it’ll be prison and the Dark Hearts will still get to them.
The clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Task is well done. It’s got interesting subplots and twists that will keep the viewer on edge.
Mark Ruffalo has never been better. Jamie McShane is always excellent.
I look forward to season 2.
“Task: Season 1” (2025) earns 4 of 5 stars.
