paul-allaer

As Episode 1 of "Eastern Gate" (2025 release from Poland; 6 episodes ranging from 41 to 54 min each)) opens, the opening credits inform us that it is 2021, and a strip of land in northern Poland called the Suwalki Gap, nearby Russia's Kaliningrad, Lithuania and Belarus, is the subject of possible action by Russia. We then go to "28-4-2021" and at a birthday party for a young girl, the Polish Consul in Minsk, Belarus, commits suicide. We have no idea what or why. At this point we are less than 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is a tense spy drama that highlights the enormous tensions in eastern Europe between the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) and Poland on the one hand, and Russia and Belarus on the other hand. The series is set in 2021, 7 years after Russia annexed Crimea and parts of the Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, 1 year before Russia's unprovoked all-out invasion of/war on Ukraine, so this series is quite timely from a geopolitical perspective. Episode 1 sets up the overall story line of how Ewa, a Polish undercover spy, infiltrates the other side. All of it is plot-heavy, so the less said about that, the better. I quite enjoyed it but it takes a while to absorb the many characters and the overall plot. The cast, completely unfamiliar to me, is excellent, none more so that Lena Gora as Ewa. Last but not least, the mini-series photography is an eye-candy from start to finish (not sure which city stands in for Minsk, but it looks beautiful).

"Eastern Gate" started streaming on Max 3-4 weeks ago, and I'm just now catching up on it. So far 4 episodes have been released, with 2 more to come. Can't wait to see how all of this will play out. If you are in the mood for a top-notch foreign spy drama, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

As "Joan Baez: I Am a Noise" (2023 release; 113 min) opens, Baez is singing "Oh Freedom" a cappella in footage from decade ago. We then go to the present, to Baez's home in California, where she talks into the camera about how fame at an early age affected her. She is working with a vocal coach in preparations of her 2018-19 "Fare Thee Well" (supposed farewell) world tour. At this point we are 10 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: the film makers in this documentary reflect on the life and times of Joan Baez, age 79 when this was filmed. But as it turns out, this is not your standard bio-pic. Of course it covers the familiar territory: Joan's family background, getting famous at an early age, her complicated relationship with both her sisters, her liaison with Bob Dylan, her involvement with the civil rights movement and later the anti-Vietnam peace movement, it all is covered. Then in the last 30 minutes, the documentary takes a sharp turn into a direction I did not see coming... I won't spoil of course, just watch! It makes for compelling viewing, that's for sure.

"Joan Baez: I Am a Noise" was released in US theaters in the Fall of 2023, and is now streaming on Hulu, where I saw it the other night. The documentary is currently rated 94% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels a little overly generous to me. I sought out the documentary after recently seeing the excellent Dylan bio-pic "A Complete Unknown", where Baez plays a central role. If you are a fan of either Joan Baez or Bob Dylan, I'd readily suggest you check out "Joan Baez: I Am a Noise", and draw your own conclusion.

As Episode 1 of "Onside: Major League Soccer" (2025 release; 8 episodes ranging from 34 to 46 min) opens, it is the beginning of MLS' 2024 season, and the episode focuses on ne particular game that opening weekend: LA Galaxy vs. Inter Miami. The film makers were seemingly granted unfettered access and we get some behind the scenes glimpses. At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this documentary series is executive-produced by the same team that has brought us "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" and "Breakpoint" (professional tennis). So my expectations were quite high. All 8 episodes can be viewed independently from each other, which is a weak point as there really is no common thread in any of the episodes. Instead each episode focuses on one particular story line. Episode 2 "Hell Is Real" focuses exclusively on the bitter intrastate rivalry between Columbus (one of the founding clubs of MLS) and Cincinnati (which joined MLS in 2019). Full disclosure: I am from Cincinnati and a season ticket holder of FC Cincinnati. After seeing this episode, I had 2 thoughts: (1) the film makers did not show anything about "Hell Is Rea" that I didn't know already, and (2) does anyone outside of Ohio even care about "Hell IS Real"? I kinda doubt it. That is of course a bigger problem for MLS: Even though I absolutely love soccer (I hail originally from Belgium), I never cared about MLS until FCC joined MLS. Bottom line: I frankly expected more of this documentary series. And if this is intended for the "casual" MLS fan, well, I've never met a "casual" MLS fan. If your city has an MLS team, you are likely way into it. But outside of those 30 cities? Nah.

"Onside: Major League Soccer" started streaming on Apple TV this weekend, to coincide with the start of the 2025 season of MLS (its 30th season). If you love soccer, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.