Wonka (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Wonka (2023): Origin story for the chocolate maker. Songs are catchy, but Timothée Chalamet has neither the voice nor the needed madcap twinkle in his eye to carry the movie. There may be a happy ending, but before that it's all Wonka's hardships with slave masters, corrupt police, and an evil chocolate cartel. B-

Apple TV+

POTD: The Alhambra

"Granada's treasure,
Alhambra's timeless allure,
Echoes of glory."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 09 14 Granada

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. It's not just a monument or a building. It's a fortress and a palace and a whole world unto itself. Begun in 1238, "it is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world, in addition to containing notable examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture."

A bonus photo is after the jump.

POTD: The Bishop's Opening

"Cathedral backdrop,
Father and son deep in thought,
Chess pieces in hand."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 09 14 Granada

This photo was taken on the steps of Granada Cathedral in Granada, Spain. It features an unidentified father and son playing chess. A chess beginner's maxim is "develop knights before bishops" but when you are playing literally on the steps of a cathedral, such maxims maybe can be ignored.

A bonus photo is after the jump.

The Gentlemen (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Gentlemen (TV 2024): A Guy Ritchie production. A young English duke inherits his family estate...and the enormous weed business it harbors. He tries to extricate himself and only gets dragged deeper into the criminal world. There are no good guys here, only a lot of unlikeable characters doing unlikeable things. B-

Netflix

Unfrosted (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Unfrosted (2024): Origin story of Pop-Tarts by Jerry Seinfeld, filled with more comedians than "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee." What made that show interesting was the loosely scripted banter. Here, it's all scripted and rehearsed. Jokes are aimed for Baby Boomers but Barbie did it so, so much better. C-

Netflix

Baby Reindeer (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Baby Reindeer (TV 2024): Lonely woman walks into a bar. Bartender takes pity on her, bringing a stalker into his life. Why does it take him six months to go to the police? The sexual abuse he once suffered plays a role. Like slowing down to rubberneck a car accident, I hated myself for watching. Sad. Exploitative. C+

Netflix

A Time for Pigs to Die

Recently, I wrote about "Density versus Sprawl". I was referring to the choice the City of Richardson faces in updating its Comprehensive Plan. In another post, "The Road to Zero Degradation", I identified increased density as part of the solution to the eternal challenge of finding enough money to fix potholes. I said, "Mayor Pro Tem Arefin gets it, saying in a recent City Council meeting, 'We have to have revenue from new sources to get our infrastructure fixes.'"