Thursday, October 27, 2011

History Detectives and Random Thoughts

So begins my first blog.  This will contain some things that hopefully you will find interesting, thought provoking or maybe weird.  Anyway here goes!
History Detectives- I find myself interested in more and more programs on PBS.  I am afraid that this is putting me in an age demographic that I would rather not contemplate.  However, History Detectives is a fabulous show.  The show opens with a teaser about the three or four items that they are going to research.  The introduction showing the Historians and experts has the theme of “Watching the Detectives” by Elvis Costello from his 1977 album “My Aim Is True”.  It really goes well with the show despite being written many years prior.
The show is sort of like Antiques Roadshow but with a twist.  The items value is not presented but instead the history of the item is painstakingly researched.  I love history and every episode teaches me something about history that I didn’t know.  The premise is that someone will have an item and a story that they will ask the History Defective to authenticate.  An example from one episode was a person had a piece of what he believed to be part of Amelia Earhart’s plane from her ill fated voyage.  Turns out that the plane crashed during one of its stops along the journey and it was determined that the piece did in fact come from her plane.  One segment had a diary from a World War II pilot but it was incomplete.  Did the pilot make it?  How did it end up with someone else?  The owner wanted to give it back to the pilot’s family.  The story ends with a tear jerking conclusion that would make Walt Disney proud.
Halloween Movie
Looking for a good Halloween movie to watch?  I could give you a hundred movies but in keeping with the theme this is a little different.  I am actually going to recommend a Miami Vice Episode.  Now before you think I have lost my mind give this one a try.  The title is “Shadow in the Dark”.  It is from Season 3 episode 6 and yes I am a geek.  Now this is unlike any of the other Vice episodes.  The episode is about tracking down a stalker that, based on clues, is slowly working his way to murder.  The episode was written by Chuck Adamson whose real life experiences were the basis for the movie "Heat", starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino and was naturally directed by Michael Mann.  It certainly has an 80’s feel and some of it is a bit goofy but there is some great cinematography in this episode and it is definitely creepy.  Check it out at http://www.hulu.com/watch/51373/miami-vice-shadow-in-the-dark
Random Thoughts
Have you noticed?  The Scott Pilgram Vs. The World song “Garbage Truck” can now be heard in one of the Captain Morgan commercials.  Awesome song written by Beck!
Notable recent deaths- Everyone on the planet knows about the loss of Steve Jobs but how about these?
George Baker (actor) -- Pneumonia/stroke. Died October 7, 2011. Born April 1, 1931. He played Tiberius in I, Claudius .  This was a series on PBS (Oh boy..here I go again) that was excellent and told the history of the Roman Emperors from Augustus to Claudius.  Interesting story about Tiberius.  He was presumed to be dead but when his successor and Great Nephew, Caligula, entered the room he found that Tiberius was still barely alive.  So he did what any Roman Emperor family member would do and smothered Tiberius with a Pillow.  Excellent!
Diane Cilento (Actress) --Died October 6, 2011. Born October 5, 1933. Oscar-nominated for Tom Jones, married to Sean Connery for eleven years.
New to Netflix  Instant Stream:
Meet Joe Black (I love this movie but it is sad)- Starring: Brad PItt, Anthony Hopkins
Super Troopers-Starring:  Jay Chandrasekhar, Paul Soter
Tron Legacy-Starring: Garrett Hedlund, Jeff Bridges, Olivia Wilde
Breakfast at Tiffany’s-Starring: Audrey Hepburn
An Officer and a Gentleman-Starring: Richard Gere, Debra Winger
You Got Served- Starring: People I have never heard about.
Case 39- Starring: Renee Zellweger
Disappearance of Alice Creed- Starring: Gemma Arterton, Eddie Marsan
Casino Jack- Starring: Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper
The Ward- Starring: Amber Heard
Red State- Starring: John Goodman, Melissa Leo
Paranormal Activity 2- Starring: Ghosts Apparently

Final Quote
I will finish with this quote:
“A mind always employed is always happy.  This is the true secret, the grand recipe, for felicity.” – Thomas Jefferson
Be careful out there!  Peace!