paul-allaer

As "The Bitter Pill" (2024 release; 90 min.) opens, we are reminded that more than 400,000 Americans have died (and continue to die) from opioids. We then get introduced to Paul Farrell Jr., a plaintiffs attorney in Huntington, WV, grounds zero of the opioids crisis that is raging in this country. "This is a war", fumes the mayor of Huntington. At this point we are 10 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is directed by Oscar-nominated documentarian Clay Tweel ("Gleason"). Here he tracks the years-long legal battle started by Paul Ferrell Jr. Against the manufacturers and wholesale distributors of opioids. Ferrell is determined to get to the bottom of it and expose it all. He is not interested in settling the lawsuit. His dogged determination is admirable, frankly heroic, given against whom he is doing battle. As you are watching this, your blood is sure to boil on more than one occasion. Kudos to the film makers who invested YEARS on this documentary.

"The Bitter Pill" was released and seen in 2024 at various film festivals across the country. I just caught it recently when PBS aired it as part of its POV ongoing series (it's now also showing on the PBS channel on YouTube, where I caught it the other night). If you have any interest in how a plaintiffs lawyer took on the opioid manufacturers and distributors, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

As Episode 1 of "Kissinger: An American Experience" (2 episodes of each 83 min.) opens, talking heads are addressing the importance of Henry Kissinger in US foreign politics of the last 50-some years. We then go back to Kissinger's upbringing and youth in a middle class Jewish family in Germany, just as Nazi Germany was happening. Kissinger's family fled to New York in 1938, when Henry was 15 years old... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from veteran documentarian Barak Goodman. Here he and the production team reassess the legacy of Henry Kissinger, a pivotal foreign policy advisor under Presidents Nixon and Ford, and a longtime advisor-in-the-background for decades after that. Kissinger never thought he couldn't solve an issue if he only could get to negotiate with the counterparty (be it the Vietnamese, the Chinese, or whoever) but the reality wasn't that simple, as in particular the Vietnam War proved. It is only fair that these years get more attention than any other time on Kissinger's life. The documentary is even-handed and doesn't shy away from the less than favorable moments in Henry's life (and in fact Henry's son David Kissinger is one of the most quoted talking heads in the movie). I personally found Episode 1 to be the far more interesting episode, as I love origin stories, and the road that young Kissinger took was full of surprises and twists.

"Kissinger: An American Experience" aired on PBS in late October, but it is now also streaming on the PBS channel on YouTube commercial-free, and that is where I caught it the other night. If you are interested in US foreign policy and geopolitics, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

As "Star Trek: Sector 31" (2025 release; 95 min.) opens, young Philippa returns home to the Terra Empire, having survived a brutal competition of some sort with 17 other young adults. Her last task to complete is to poison her family to become the Emperor of the Terra Empire. We then go to the year 2257, and Starfleet is hot on Philippa's heels... At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: I'm sorry but this is an absolutely dreadful movie, not worthy of the "Star Trek" franchise name in any way, shape or form. The story is incomprehensible, if not utter nonsensical. The characters comprising the Starfleet Sector 31 group are literally reminiscent of the Village People (them of "YMCA" fame). How someone thought that this would make a compelling movie is amazing to me. I will be honest: I gave this 45 minutes, and then abandoned. I will never get those 45 minutes of my life back! I am a fan of the original Star Trek TV series and movies and also of The Next Generation TV series and movies. I couldn't find a shred of resemblance, in spirit or otherwise, between those and this "Sector 31".

"Star Trek: Sector 31" was released on Paramount+ in early 2025. I had never heard about it until I stumbled on it the other night, and I thought to myself "Hmmm, why have I not heard about this before?". Well, now I know. This movie is currently rated 20% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and there is good reason for that. Hence I cannot recommend this in good conscience to anyone. Au contraire! Stay far, far away.