Gayle Mayberry (gr8hnd)

Forty-eight Hours used to be one of my favorite shows. I was unable to watch for a couple of years and recently returned to watching (or started to) in late 2021. The quality of the newer correspondents is dismal. The most recent episode about Patrick de la Cerda opens with an unnamed correspondent referring to “him and Jessica” twice within the first few minutes. I had to go back and rewatch to make sure a CBS correspondent had actually spoken those words (and the network allowed it). The accompanying musical theme is grating. I miss such juggernauts as Harold Dow on the show.

Dopesick is a beautifully acted, gripping docudrama that shocks because it is based on the truth. The deterioration of lives and communities is heartbreaking to watch. Any violence or adult themes are woven into the drama to advance the story and not for shock value. Michael Keaton is superb as a coal mining town’s beloved doctor (I understand his character is fictional) who becomes caught up personally in the menace of OxyContin after first prescribing it unwittingly for his patients, and then having it prescribed to him after an auto accident. Every character in the drama is fascinating. The Sackler family, especially the head, is the epitome of evil and greed. A truly gripping drama.

One of my all-time favorite movies with a stellar performance by a young Reese Witherspoon along with a near-perfect cast. Sam Waterston is superb as always. Highly recommend.

Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson were such a great pair in the 3 films they made together. This is somewhat of a Cold War Air Force recruiting film with some Hollywood thrown in but the air shots are great, there’s adequate suspense, and there’s a nice backstory of a ball player ultimately choosing country over baseball after first being forced back into service. I could watch this on-screen pair in most any story and enjoy it. Such consummate professionals.