paul-allaer

As Season 20 of "Deadliest Catch" (2024 release; 19 episodes of 42 min each, except Episode 1, which runs 92 min.) opens, it is "26 hrs. Before Crab Season Opens", and it is "October, Dutch Harbor, Alaska". The various boats are getting ready to ship out. Except that Captain Jake Anderson arrives, only to find that the bank has put a lien on his boat, effectively shutting him out. A mad scramble begins.... At this point we are less than 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: "Deadliest Catch" started airing in 2005, and I was a regular viewer in the early year. Then at some point I kinda lost track of it (a good 10-12 years ago). On a complete whim, I looked up if it was still airing these days, and yes it is. Even better, all 20 seasons to date are available for streaming (commercial-free) on HBO Max. I decided to watch the most recent season, while originally aired in mid-2024, and which overs the Fall, 2023 king crab season. Not only is it the first return of king crab in 3 years, but for the first time since the show started airing in 2005, it is king crab season "derby" style. Now all these years later, there are amazingly still a number of familiar faces from the early years. As I started watching Season 20, it did not take very long to realize that (i) Deadliest Catch feels completely familiar, even when catching up after all these years of not having seen it, and (ii) Deadliest Catch is in essence a soap opera set on ships in the Bering Sea and it remains insanely catchy and binge-worthy. This show remains popular for the very same reason watching a show about sharks or dinosaurs remains popular with the public at large. I just found out that Season 21 will start airing on Discovery starting on August 1. I think I will wait until I can binge it, and without all those TV commercials.

As I mentioned, all prior seasons of "Deadliest Catch" can be streamed, commercial-free, on HBO Max. If you. Like me, were a fan at some point and then lost track of it, or if you have never seen it before, I'd readily suggest you check out Season 20, and draw your own conclusion.

As "Ocean with David Attenborough" (2025 release; 95 min.) opens, David Attenborough gives some introductory remarks on how the ocean is revered and feared, and how today is the greatest era of ocean -exploring. We then switch to the actual footage, which is absolutely top-notch from the get-go. At this point we are less than 10 minutes in the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is the latest nature documentary involving Sir David Attenborough. Now almost 100 years old. The man embodies top-notch nature documentaries, and this latest one doesn't disappoint. On the contrary. The footage is often jaw-dropping. But also this: the problems faces by the ocean (including rampant overfishing and rampant pollution, primarily plastics) get covered extensively. It left me bewildered and angry with humankind in general. Think of all the damage done by humans in just the last 2-300 years, which is less than an eyeblink in earth's 4.5 billon years. Absolutely outrageous and completely preventable.

"Ocean with David Attenborough" started streaming recently on Disney+ and on Hulu, where I caught it the other night. This documentary is currently rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. If you are in the mood for a top-notch nature documentary, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

As "Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story" (2025 release; 88 min.) opens, the movie is opening in US theaters and immediately the lines to get in are never-ending. Spielberg comments: "I thought it would be the end of my career!". It's not long before other talking heads are gushing about Jaws, including James Cameron, Quinten Tarantino, Jordan Peele, Cameron Crowe, J. J. Abrams, and others. At this point we are 10 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is directed by Lauren Bouzereau ("Faye"). He gets the full cooperation of Spielberg and others involved in the making of Jaws. Most notably, a number of the Martha's Vineyard locals that were in the movie reflect on it (including several of the then-kid actors). Most insightful for me is the part that deal with the building of the 3 sharks used in the film, and how all of that operated (or better: "didn't operate 80% of the time", per Spielberg). All of it is super enjoyable and the documentary flies by in no time. As an aide, I grew up in Belgium and I had just turned 15 when I saw Jaws with my parents at a (sold out) movie theater in Brussels. I still remember it like it was yesterday. A collective movie viewing experience unlike any other in my entire life. Unforgettable.

"Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story" started streaming a few days ago. I caught it on Hulu just last night. This documentary is currently rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Whether you lived through the summer of 1975 and saw it then, or you saw it at some point later, I'd readily suggest you check out this documentary, and draw your own conclusion.