Son of a Critch – TV and Book

On By Rick McIn uncategorized1 Comment

Mark Critch (born May 14, 1974) is a Canadian comedian, actor, and writer.

He is best known for his work on the comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes, initially as a writer and then as a regular cast member beginning in 2003. …

In 2018, Critch announced the release of his early life memoir, Son of a Critch.

I found it hilarious. Funnier than Rick Mercer’s early memoir. Also in Newfoundland.

Next I watched Son of a Critch, a Canadian television comedy series, created by Mark Critch and Tim McAuliffe, based on the book. I watched it for free online, on CBC’s streaming platform, CBC Gem.

11-year-old Mark is growing up in 1980s Newfoundland, where he navigates starting junior high school, making friends, and connecting with the small collection of people in his limited world. Mark is a nerd.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Mark Critch plays Mike Critch, Mark’s father and reporter for radio station VOCM.

Malcolm McDowell plays Patrick “Pop” Critch, Mark’s grandfather.

Season 2 launches January 2023. I’m sure I’ll watch it too.

Son of a Critch is a good addition to the CanCon SitCom genre, easier watching even than Kim’s Convenience and Corner Gas.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

On By Rick McIn books, foodLeave a comment

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly written by American chef Anthony Bourdain, was first published in 2000. …

… the book is both a professional memoir and an unfiltered look at the less glamorous aspects of high-end restaurant kitchens, which he describes as unremittingly intense, unpleasant, hazardous, and staffed by misfits. …

Bourdain has cited George Orwell‘s Down and Out in Paris and London (1933), with its behind-the-scenes examination of the restaurant business in 1920s Paris, as an important influence on the book’s themes and tone. …

In 2005, the book was adapted into a television show of the same name, starring Bradley Cooper as a fictionalized Bourdain. The series was cancelled partway into its first season, and only 13 episodes were produced. …

Very entertaining. Laughs on every page.

Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny

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#14 in the Inspector Gamache series.

Not nearly my favourite.

The plot highly unlikely. That’s often the case for Gamache books, actually.

I did enjoy the book starting -35C in a fierce blizzard. Readers should understand how difficult life is in rural Canada during the winter.

Amazon

Bullet Trail – the movie

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Only 3.8 on Rotten Tomatoes.

But I enjoyed it. Brad Pitt is always good.

I’d call this one an ultra-violent cartoon comedy. Something in the long line of similar concepts going back — for me — to Clockwork Orange (1971).

Pitt is a professional hitman who’s trying to quit.

Unfortunately he accidentally replaced a sick coworker (another hitman) on a Japanese train. And everyone wants to kill him.

It’s fast paced. Never boring. Often entertaining. Good dialogue.

Silly. For sure.

Read a positive review.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Shantaram – season 1

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

Breaking – ‘Shantaram’ Canceled By Apple TV+ After One Season

When I first read Shantaram in 2007, I felt it was my favourite book ever.

The book sequel was poor.

Still — I was psyched to watch a streaming TV adaptation on Apple TV+.

I’ve been waiting for this since 2006. Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton, and Johnny Depp were all lined up at one time or another to play Lin. 

Actually, I feel they did a very good job in adapting the novel. Though the book is better than the TV series, for sure.

Charlie Hunnam was good casting as the lead.

My favourite character in the book is Prabhu. And actor Shubham Saraf does convey the joy of that character.

Vincent Perez is good as Didier. Antonia Desplat very good as Karla Saaranen

Reviews have been mixed.

Some concede it is an ambitious mess.

I would say it was a little too slow for me.

I was sad to hear there will be no season 2.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Slow Horses – book & season 1 TV

On By Rick McIn books, TV1 Comment

Fantastic. 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.

It’s based on the book Slow Horses (2010) by Mick Herron, which I read, as well.

The TV show has already been green-lit for 3 more seasons.

Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb, the head of Slough House, is one of the most interesting characters on TV.

Slovenly, farting and apparently drunk most of the time. There’s a super experienced intelligence officer under the rumpled facade — with a lot of baggage.

Slow Horses is a spy thriller television series based on the “Slough House” series of novels by Mick Herron.  …

Slough House is an administrative purgatory for MI5 service rejects who have bungled their job but somehow have not been outright fired.

Those consigned there are known as “Slow Horses”.

They are expected to endure dull, paper pushing tasks, along with occasional mental abuse from their miserable boss, Jackson Lamb, who expects them to quit out of boredom or frustration. …

Wikipedia

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Boys of Biloxi by John Grisham

On By Rick McIn books1 Comment

The city of Biloxi, Mississippi beachfront lies directly on the Mississippi Sound,

We heard about it during Hurricane Katrina. Biloxi was one of the places most devastated. 53 died there during that storm.

It’s the setting of Grisham’s 2022 book, the Boys of Biloxi.

Classic Grisham, I’d say. Long. It spans decades. Legal wrangling.

I enjoyed the book though some feel it’s not quite up to his highest standards.

Grisham was born in Mississippi. He was a lawyer. Once again, he writes what he knows.

In this one two good friends from Biloxi, both baseball all-stars, become enemies for the rest of their lives.

One goes into the law. The other into crime.

During prohibition, Biloxi had plenty of illegal booze. Prostitution. Gambling. It was called the “poor man’s Riviera.” 

Grisham is a Baptist. And a Democrat. He opposes Capital Punishment, which is a theme in this book.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. A very entertaining interview.