The Day Kennedy Died (2013)

The Day Kennedy Died is a solid summary of the events, eyewitnesses, and emotional impact of JFK's assassination on November 23, 1963, and the day or two that followed. There is no chaff that I could see, just grit and gristle from the police officers, reporters, bystanders, and eyewitnesses to the shooting and ensuing events (using only contemporary film footage). I started watching this before Memorial Day weekend and just finished it now, because on Memorial Day I happened to catch CNN's excellent The Sixties treatment of JFK's assassination and the ensuing Warren Commission report. I give the CNN episode (1 hour) 4.5 stars and this documentary (1.5 hour) 4 stars. (5-31-2017)

The Sentiment of the Flesh (2010)

While I did not find this French film to be exceptionally riveting, The Sentiment of the Flesh held my interest well and never let go, from start to finish. The actors who play the couple fill their roles with verve, if not panache; they deliver their scenes without getting in the way. In short, they tell their story. (As it unfolded, I found myself thinking: OK, this is a French film, so there will be nudity... Check. Sex... Check. Monkey sex... Check.) Aside from that, though, what a story! A medical illustrator in training meets a radiology doctor and discovers that they both have a fetish for anatomy--in particular, hers. They rationalize taking risky measures to "get inside" and "share the secrets" of her body so that they can achieve "total intimacy," despite the moral, ethical, safety, and professional dangers which he ultimately cannot ignore. They speak of love, yet are blind to their compulsions, and in the end, they go as far beyond the pale as the most stalwart viewer's stomach might be able to handle. This is a scene intended to make anyone feel intensely squeamish. While some viewers shy away from unpleasant subjects, or shrink from scenes that are uncomfortable (or even repellent), throughout this film I found myself reflecting on how strong, and even compulsive desire, can lead otherwise rational, professional adults away from reason and into folly and danger. Word to the wise. Enjoy (just do not eat a meal before viewing)! 3.5 stars. (5-30-2017)

Duckman: Seasons 1-2 (1994)

Duckman (starring Jason Alexander) is glib, cantankerous, and shot-from-guns. It is one of the best animated series for adults ever. Duckman is rougher but funnier than The Oblongs (starring Will Ferrell) and The Critic (starring Jon Lovitz), and about as edgy but funnier than the much more polished Archer (starring H. Jon Benjamin). Duckman's rants are literate, florid, and often topical: He lays into anyone and anything, seemingly at random, but often at great depth. His best rants go on for a minute or more, seemingly in the same breath. You have to listen very closely, though I would recommend multiple viewings of personally owned DVD set. Notflix took 8 years to restock this DVD set, which I have been waiting to see in its entirety since it aired in the mid-1990s. Frequent themes include Duckman being ignored and taken for granted by his family, Duckman shredding his ever-so-cute plush-bear office assistants Fluffy and Uranus, Duckman chasing or propositioning anything in a skirt, and more. I seem to remember an edgy scene involving a bunk bed creaking in the dark (that wasn't what you thought). Catch it while you can. Enjoy! 5 stars. (5-30-2017)

Norm MacDonald: Hitler's Dog, Gossip & Trickery (2017)

I remember Norm MacDonald as being funnier than this. Netflux no longer lists his other standup specials, except for Me Doing Standup, which I rate as 3 stars (average, or I like it). Certainly he is droll and witty as Death in Family Guy, which I rate as 5 stars (exceptional, or I love it). This standup special is titled Hitler's Dog, on the premise that at least Hitler's dog would have looked up to him. Big whoop. He ranges around on fairly common standup topics, and that would be the least I would expect. One detracting note, beyond the lack of belly laughs or healthy chuckles, is that he slurs and garbles his delivery now more than ever. As much as I love The Moody Blues, their voices do not have the pop and range they used to deliver, and neither does Norm. Growing older might mean losing one's edge. If Norm is making peace with himself, good for him. He can still make us laugh most of the time. Enjoy! 2.5 stars. (5-30-2017)

SCTV Network 90: Vol. 1 (1981)

Disc 1 explains that SCTV Network 90 is not the original SCTV series on Friday nights, it is a longer 90-minute spinoff, repurposing selected original sketches until enough new material could be created to fill the longer, more family-oriented timeslot on Sunday nights. Unless you are caught up in a haze of nostalgia and think every whiff of comedy here is stellar stuff, I think you have to agree that some of this material is cheesy, leaden, and tone-deaf. But that's OK, because I would rather see an entire series, warts with beauty marks, than a limited selection of sketches that somehow miss the best material that SCTV's loyal fans remember. I'll leave you to determine which parts you think are best, but I enjoyed every flash of genius shown by this comedy troupe. Rick Moranis is 28 years old (but looks 18) and Eugene Levy is around 38 (but looks 28). Andrea Martin is a hoot as Edith Prickley. The hosers on Great White North are pretty lame and can only get better. Enjoy! 2.5 stars. (5-30-2017)