October media diet

What the Chicken Knows by Sy Montgomery | Props to this New Hampshire naturalist for milking all the profits out of a larger book she wrote more than a decade ago, “Birdology.” She’s now publishing mini hardcovers of the best chapters and adding a dozen color photos. This one is all about the flocks of chickens she raised over the years. Talented writer and an amusing and informative read. | My AP review.

Memorials by Richard Chizmar | This author co-wrote a couple books with Stephen King and pretty much rips him off with this solo horror tale about 3 college students who decide a good idea for a school project would be visiting roadside memorials where people died. What they don’t grasp until it’s too late for some of them is that the spot where people died is like a veil separating the living and the dead. | My AP review.

Arthur the King - Amazon Prime | Proof that the Algorithm works! This was better than Dog Gone thanks to Mark Wahlberg, but it’s another true canine story of how a mutt in Santo Domingo helped an adventure racing team discover that winning is not the only thing. 

Wolfs — Apple TV | George Clooney and Brad Pitt get paid for reprising Harvey Keitel’s role as a fixer in multiple Tarantino films. Some witty dialogue, but mostly forgettable. 

Slow Horses, S4 — Apple TV | Even when the plot is hard to follow, Gary Oldman and his band of Mi5 cast-offs deliver first-rate performances. 

The English Teacher, S1 - Hulu | I really enjoyed this fresh take on a high school sitcom, but Carey thought it was a tad shrill at times. The main character isn’t always likable, but I thought it was a fairly sensitive, and very humorous, portrayal of what modern teaching must be like. 

Rings of Power, S2 — Amazon Prime | Enjoyed the sweeping views of Middle Earth once again, but found myself disappointed by the prequel nature of this show. Since as viewers we already know Sauron’s ultimate fate, it’s difficult to create any real drama. Hard to cheer for his defeat when you know he’s not getting defeated, yet! 

Industry, S3 — HBO Max | I disagree with the critics who fell all over themselves for this one. No character is likable, they’re all making money in the most amoral ways, and love always loses.

Hadestown — Proctors Theatre | The touring Broadway production of this 2019 Tony-winning musical rolled through Schenectady and sold $30 tickets on Sept. 30 so we snapped up a couple, as did Lincoln and McKenzie. I thought it was fair; not the most captivating story and the lead vocalists didn’t blow me away. But the trombonist in the pit band was the greatest trombonist I’ve ever heard.