Still Rocking A Beeper?

Many of you know I have an unnatural obsession with retro technology. Whether it is the aging television antenna in my attic, my old Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or my vintage iMac collection, I have a fondness for "blast from the past" gadgets.

It is in that spirit that I ponder the pager...or as it was often referred to back in the day, the "beeper."

Bridget and I frequently drive by the ATS "The Beeper People" building at 29th and Harney (near Downtown Omaha). 

Before Americans were tied at the hip to cellphones, my wife had a pager. We were in college at the time. She had it so her family could get ahold of her... or, as was the case with pagers in that era, you'd basically "signal" her. 

It was kinda handy -- especially when she was at work. I could call Bridget's beeper and type in my home number or a special code (I sometimes used 007... it made me feel like a spy). 

After the connection was made, you'd have to wait until she called back (which required being near a phone).

(As I type this it sounds like the electronic equivalent of sending smoke signals).

I can't remember how long Bridget had her pager.

She obtained her first cellphone in 1996. It was one of those foot-long beige bricks that looked like something used to call in artillery fire during World War II. 

I remember when we picked up the phone. Her uncle had us drive out along a desolate stretch of gravel road in western Douglas County. The phone was waiting for Bridget on the front seat of a 1960-something Dodge Dart, parked next to a dreary farmhouse.

(I can only imagine the look on my face at that moment.) 

But enough about that phone... You will be happy to know that pagers are still in use.

According to a 2016 story on Slate, 85 percent of hospitals still use pagers. The devices (in various forms) have been around since the 1950s. In addition, paging networks are apparently more reliable than cellular networks, and have more broadcast power. 

While cellphones and smartphones have cut into sales of pagers, they continue to serve a role in medical, emergency services, and other assorted industries. 

I can't recall the last time I saw someone sporting a pager. 

This scene from Tron: Legacy (where Alan Bradley tells Sam Flynn about a page he received from Sam's father) reminds me of the days when Bridget had a pager, and illustrates how the devices have become something of a humorous footnote in tech history:

"Oh man... Still rocking the pager. Alan, good for you." 

Previous post: Two-Paragraph Tuesday: "Longmire" Arrived Today 

Two-Paragraph Tuesday: "Longmire" Arrived Today

Arriving in my mail today was "Longmire: The Complete Fifth Season" on blu-ray. The "Longmire" season sets, which are produced by the Warner Archive Collection, feature gorgeous transfers illustrating the best the format has to offer (they are near reference quality, in my opinion). That fact means the scenic beauty of New Mexico (which fills in as Wyoming for the series) can be experienced in all its 1080p glory. 

"Longmire" was canceled after its third season by A&E, then resurrected by streaming giant Netflix for three additional seasons (the sixth has yet to air). "Longmire" follows the exploits of Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor). The show is based on the bucolic book series by author Craig Johnson. I've had the opportunity to attend three of Johnson's book signings here in Omaha. It's worth your time to check out the book series and show.

Previous post: "Star Trek: Discovery" Review 

"Star Trek: Discovery" Review

If the chatter on social media is any indication, the new CBS series Star Trek: Discovery is going to be gazed upon from every angle... analyzed and picked down to the finest detail. 

I'm not sure it has to do with the quality of the show itself (it is a handsome production), but more for the fact that viewers are trying to justify the expenditure of $5.99 per month to watch it (the show airs exclusively on CBS streaming platform CBS All Access). 

I found the first two episodes intriguing (I've been a CBS All Access subscriber for a couple years), and am curious to see what unfolds going forward. 

It is difficult to judge the quality of the 17-episode first season based solely on the 84 minutes available, but there were a couple twists that signal Star Trek: Discovery isn't the Trek of old.  

This show is set 10 years prior to the exploits of Kirk, Spock, and Co. 

The pilot episode ("The Vulcan Hello") sets forth with some sinister Klingon-subtitle-mumbo-jumbo about uniting against a common enemy (which we pretty much know will be our heroes in the United Federation of Planets). 

The story then shifts to a desert world where Captain Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) and Lt. Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) are trudging along (in garb that looks like it was yanked from Rey's wardrobe in Star Wars: The Force Awakens) trying to solve the planet's massive drought... as a sandstorm looms.

Both officers serve aboard the Federation starship U.S.S. Shenzhou. We learn that Burnham is a xenoanthropologist (in addition to her first officer duties).

Georgiou and Burnham are able to get the water flowing. And, through some clever signaling by Georgiou, the two are able to avert the storm and beam back aboard the Shenzhou... 

Fade to opening credits...

It should be noted that Star Trek: Discovery -- like a number of these new-breed shows on streaming platforms -- boasts a unique main title sequence. In this instance, the entire structure focuses on animated concept art for the series:

Discovery is told through the eyes of Michael Burnham. Much has been made of the character's first name being "Michael," leading some fans to wonder if she is Star Trek's first transgender character.

The character's name isn't discussed in the first two episodes. 

We do learn her character is an orphaned human who was raised by Sarek (Spock's father) on Vulcan. She was the first human to attend the Vulcan Learning Center and the Vulcan Science Academy. 

The crew of the Shenzhou finds itself at the edge of Federation space as the main narrative gears up. They are tasked with investigating a damaged interstellar relay. 

Burnham theorizes that the relay was damaged in an attempt to attract Federation attention, based on information from science officer Saru. 

The crew soon discovers an "object of unknown origin" which they theorize could have caused the damage, and Burnham straps on a spacesuit to go to learn more.

What Burnham finds is a Klingon vessel of ancient origin. When she lands for analysis, it triggers the vessel, and our hero comes face-to-face with an angry Klingon. 

The Klingon is killed in the ensuing kerfuffle -- which serves as the catalyst for an all-out showdown between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. 

To go any further would reveal too much. It is worth the time to experience "The Vulcan Hello" (episode 1) and "Battle at the Binary Stars" (episode 2) for yourself. 

By the time the first two episodes are complete, a mutiny has been attempted aboard the U.S.S. Shenzhou, main characters are dead, and our protagonist's future is in limbo.

Unlike previous Star Trek iterations, the episodes in Discovery will be serialized and follow a unified track throughout the season. 

The look and feel of Star Trek: Discovery is top notch. The aesthetic borrows heavily from the J.J. Abrams Star Trek reboot movies with beautifully rendered visual effects and a healthy dose of lens flares and light glare. 

Based on the extended preview of the upcoming season, it appears that Burnham is far from the squeaky clean hero commonly seen in Star Trek outings, and viewers will be treated to emotional warts, bumps, and bruises. 

It also looks like there might be some notable guest appearances on the show. Rainn Wilson is set to play Harry Mudd -- a notorious con artist featured in two episodes of the original series. Perusing IMDb, it seems as if the character it set for a multi-episode arc.

The main debate in all of this is whether or not Star Trek: Discovery will have the intrigue necessary to hook viewers into subscribing to another streaming service.

Some fans have already lamented that the show isn't on Netflix (as it is in other countries). 

Whatever your opinion on the topic, Star Trek: Discovery proves itself an alluring entry into CBS's nascent streaming efforts. It also proves a well-tread franchise can still "boldly go..."

Previous post: As "Star Trek: Discovery" Debuts... I Look At The "CBS All Access" Streaming Service 

As "Star Trek: Discovery" Debuts... I Look At The "CBS All Access" Streaming Service

To boldly go where no Star Trek series has gone before...

It has been a little over 12 years since any new form of Star Trek series has aired on television. 

The last voyage was called Star Trek: Enterprise -- a show designed to help set the fledgling UPN network to warp speed. (The UPN network eventually merged with The WB to form The CW Television Network). It never achieved the status that its predecessors reached. Not only that, the franchise during that era felt as if it was on life support. 

As fans and critics soured (and as viewing habits changed in the early 2000s), Star Trek was left in an odd sort of limbo. There weren't any new productions until May 2009 --  when J.J. Abrams's terrific Star Trek movie reboot debuted in theaters.

While Paramount might have squeezed the Trek orange dry in the 80s and 90s, time has a way of healing all wounds. Everything old is new again. 

Seth MacFarlane's oddly compelling Star Trek homage/parody series The Orville just debuted on Fox (I'll be reviewing that show soon), and CBS is set to debut Star Trek: Discovery on Sept. 24 as the flagship entry for its streaming service CBS All Access. 

For those who don't have CBS All Access, Star Trek: Discovery's first episode will air on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 24 (check local listings). So you can get a taste of the new show. 

The first two episodes of Star Trek: Discovery will debut on CBS All Access that same evening, with future episodes airing each week exclusively on the streaming platform. 

I haven't seen the debut episode yet (but will have a full review later this week). I do subscribe CBS All Access, and can give you a few insights on the service. 

Since CBS launched CBS All Access in 2014, it has evolved from a receptacle for the network's slate of recent TV episodes into a service that features full seasons (stacks) of current series, a library of "classic" shows owned by CBS (such as the entire Star Trek series catalog), an odd assortment of theatrical movies, events like the 24/7 Big Brother live feeds, and NFL broadcast streams (games that air on your local CBS affiliate). 

The service is $5.99 per month. There is also a $9.99 option that allows you to stream commercial free (my advice: pay the extra $4 per month for the commercial-free option).

Bridget and I are cord cutters and find "CBS All Access" to be a valuable tool in our streaming arsenal -- especially since we are big fans of Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Big Brother (along with various scripted series on the network). 

Depending on how you watch television, CBS All Access might feel unnecessary. Some would balk at the notion of paying a monthly fee for network programming. If you have cable TV, the service might seem like "overkill" when you can easily DVR the network's broadcast content. 

But CBS is trying to up the ante with original programming that is exclusive to CBS All Access. 

In February of this year, The Good Fight (a spinoff of the net's long-running series The Good Wife) debuted on "CBS All Access."

And now we get Star Trek: Discovery, a series that CBS has spent a considerable amount of time, money and effort producing and promoting. 

There is a considerable amount riding on this show for the network as viewing habits continue to evolve, and more consumers stream digital video content. 

If successful, Star Trek: Discovery could be the spark that fires up more "streaming-only" content production for CBS. 

If nothing else, it is good to see Star Trek back in an episodic format. Unlike previous Star Trek entries, it sounds as if Discovery will have longer story arcs that lean the direction of today's "binge-able" series. That should give the show room to breathe, and help writers create a compelling narrative. 

Stay tuned...!

Previous post: Two-Paragraph Tuesday: The Carcass of a Mall 

Two-Paragraph Tuesday: The Carcass of a Mall

Crossroads Mall holds a special place in my heart. My family moved two blocks north of the shopping center in 1982. We spent a considerable amount of time there during my formative years...buying books, record albums, electronics, toys, clothes, and all sundry things. Bridget and I window shopped and ate lunch at the mall when we were students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the 1990s. I even sold magazine subscriptions at a kiosk (for Nebraska Sports Magazine, my brother-in-law's employer at the time) during the 1995 holiday season. 

When the mall was remodeled in the late 1980s it became, for a time, the nicest mall in the city -- three large anchor tenants, a solid food court, and even a video arcade called "Jolly Time" (where I plunked copious numbers of quarters into the Galaga machine). As is too often the case in life, good things eventually come to an end, and a series of poor management decisions -- combined with changing demographics in the area -- doomed the mall (that had opened its doors in the 1960s) to a slow, painful death. 

Target (one of the remaining anchor tenants) has walled itself off from the mall's interior, like a wary organism trying to protect itself from an aggressive disease. 

The mall is host to peculiar places like the "Czech and Slovak Educational Center and Cultural Museum"... which features creepy dolls and accordians... 

One of my favorite places to eat in the food court was "Philly Dilly" (which had a superb french dip sandwich and french fries)... now the court roped off and left to collect dust... 

This drone video (from 2013) shows the mall in all its melancholy glory:

Previous post: "American Assassin" Review: "It's About the Mission, Not About You!" 

"American Assassin" Review: "It's About the Mission, Not About You!"

Since the “Jason Bourne” series of movies proved to be very popular with movie-goers, Hollywood has churned out a number of high-profile espionage thrillers focusing on young protagonists caught in a web of intrigue.

The movie “American Assassin” is based on the Mitch Rapp "political thrillers" written by the late Vince Flynn. Flynn (a Minnesota native) died from prostate cancer in 2013. 

If you aren't familiar with Flynn's writing, his novels serve as the blueprint for the "post-Tom Clancy" era of espionage novels -- fast-paced, easy-to-read thrillers that lacked the subtlety of Clancy and Ludlum in their heyday, but were a perfect elixer for an anxious post-9/11 world. 

In my humble opinion, the Kiefer Sutherland vehicle “24” was basically a Vince Flynn novel come to life (in fact, Flynn himself was a consultant on the fifth season of that television series), and the character of Jack Bauer shares a number of similarites with Mitch Rapp. 

It was only a matter of time before Mitch Rapp came to the big screen. There were a number of attempts to bring Flynn's series to cinemas (Chris Hemsworth was originally offered the role of Rapp), but there were mistarts and redirections along the way. 

CBS Films finally brings us "American Assassin." The movie is loosely based on Flynn's 2010 "prequel" novel of the same name. 

The story follows the rise of Mitch Rapp from unassuming college student to one of the top U.S. assassin/counter-espionage operatives. 

When the movie begins we see Rapp (Dylan O'Brien) vacationing at a resort in Spain, proposing to his girlfried Katrina (Charlotte Vega). Before the two are able to celebrate this defining moment, a group of terrorists (led by a man named Al-Mansur) attack the beach, AK-47s tearing apart the unwary vacationers. 

Rapp's girlfriend dies in the melee, which sets the college-age Rapp on the path toward becoming America's most effective (and unassuming) assassin. 

Fans will note that this bit of Rapp backstory is a departure from Flynn's novels. In the books, Rapp's girlfriend is killed in the 1988 Pan Am Lockerbie bombing. Filmmakers obviously wanted to update things for the current generation, and I had no problem with that as a viewer. 

The movie then moves forward a year-and-a-half to find Rapp eschewing his studies at Brown University (he played lacrosse at Syracuse in the novels) and logging hours at MMA gyms and gun ranges, while also practicing throwing knives against a wall in his apartment in Providence, RI — building his mental and physical stature into that of an all-out badass. 

In addition, Rapp is attempting to be recruited by a terrorist organization (via conversations on the deep web) in an effort to infiltrate the group and seek revenge for his fiance's death. 

Naturally, this gets the attention of the CIA — especially a deputy director there named Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan). The organization keeps tabs on the upstart Rapp, and eventually recruits him (after rescuing him from Al-Mansur's organization). 

What then unfolds is a more "official" development and training regimen with the surly Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton) — who is sort of a cross between Yoda in “Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back” and Mickey in “Rocky.” Hurley trains black ops personnel at a remote, rural facility, and uses unorthodox methods to test the pool of recruits. 

The movie then jumps overseas for a pretty intriguing (if not altogether unpredictable) story about black market plutonium and a nuclear trigger. 

The one thing I can say for “American Assassin” is that the story never lags. Director Michael Cuesta (a relative unknown who directed the pilot episode of the Showtime series “Homeland”) keeps things moving along at a brisk pace. 

As a result, the character development in the film is adequate, but never gets bogged down in lengthy exposition. Some new fans might be disappointed in that aspect of the narrative, but I wasn't bothered by it (especially considering the fact that we're dealing with a 2-hour movie, not a 10-episode television series). 

Dylan O'Brien does a solid job becoming the embodiment of Mitch Rapp on the silver screen. I've been reading the Flynn's novels for a little over a decade now, and (as you can imagine) I have a fairly well-defined image of Rapp in my mind's eye. 

I suppose the main question is whether or not O'Brien meets that expectation. 

As far as I am concerned, O'Brien fits the role of an “athletic and unassuming college student turned assassin” much better than Tom Cruise fit the role of a sandy-haired, 6-foot-plus Jack Reacher (in the movies based on Lee Child's novels). 

Not only that, O'Brien simply “looks different” than many of the young actors brought in for this type of role in Hollywood today. “American Assassin” benefits from the fact that he looks like the sort of unkempt young man who can navigate in worlds where a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, ex-military operative might stick out like a sore thumb. That's the vibe of the character Vince Flynn created, and O'Brien seems up to the task of that role. 

Viewers should take note that the film is bloody, violent, and pulls very few punches. Fans of the novels know that “enhanced interrogation” is something featured in Flynn's books (especially later entries in the series), and there are a couple of uncomfortable moments of torture in the movie. 

Flynn wrote another "prequel" story about Mitch Rapp called “Kill Shot” back in 2012. Some fans have speculated that they'll do that story if a sequel to “American Assassin” is made. 

Personally speaking, I'd rather they adapt one of the other Rapp novels (like the terrific “Consent to Kill”) because I think some of the other entries better embody the strength of Flynn's series. 

Of course, filmmakers these days are willing to stray from source material (as was the case with “American Assassin”), so my feelings might be a moot point anyway.  

“American Assassin” might not navigate the most original territory when it comes to recent espionage stories put to film, but its driving pace, macho bravado, and solid performances make it well worth your time. 

Previous post: Two-Paragraph Tuesday: Apple Slices 

Two-Paragraph Tuesday: Apple Slices

Apple had a slew of new product announcements from the Steve Jobs Theater at the new Apple Campus. The Apple Watch 3 (with LTE), Apple TV 4K, iPhone 8/8+, and iPhone X (with Face ID) were all on the docket. My initial impression is that the new devices are impressive entries/updates to the Apple product lineup, and I think the ability to wirelessly charge the new Apple Watches, iPhones, and AirPods will prove to be very popular (the devices use the Qi wireless charging standard, and Apple will be releasing a new AirPower charging mat next year). 

I am interested in the Apple TV 4K because, as a cord cutter, those little hockey-puck-like devices are the lifeblood of our viewing experience. The ability to stream 4K is a long sought-after feature on the unit (and, as a courtesy, Apple will automatically upgrade the HD content you have with them to 4K when available), and the faster processor (an A10X) may mean game content will improve as well.

Stay tuned for more information on Apple's new products on this blog in the coming weeks! 

Previous post: "'The Wrath of Khan' Set to Screen at Aksarben Cinema" 

"The Wrath of Khan" Set to Screen at Aksarben Cinema

In the annals of modern science fiction entertainment, 1982's Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan stands as one of the genre's signature entries. 

On Sept. 10 and 13, Fathom Events will bring Star Trek II back to the big screen, in a re-mastered "director's cut" of the movie. If you're in Omaha, we recommend you check it out at Aksarben Cinema. 

This new cut of the movie was released on Blu-ray last year. Prior to this release, the only place you could see this version of the movie was an airing in the mid-1980s on ABC. (I actually recorded that version on our family's first-ever VCR -- a top-loading Panasonic player.) 

I ordered a copy of the 35th anniversary director's cut on Blu-ray so I could review it for all my loyal readers. (These are the sorts of "sacrifices" I'm willing to make for this blog.) I have owned various copies of this movie on VHS, DVD, and now Blu-ray. 

Director Nicholas Meyer's narrative is pitch perfect in this tale that is as much a classic cat-and-mouse naval battle as it is a thought-provoking science fiction adventure. 

On a new documentary included with the Blu-ray, Meyer opines, "The French director Robert Bresson said, 'My job is not to find out what the public wants and give it to them... my job is to make the public want what I want.' And that's the way I sort of think, rightly or wrongly. I've never been very interested in what the public wants. So I made the Star Trek movie that I wanted to see. On the assumption that if I liked it, other people would like it."

Rehashing the plot seems pretty pointless with a popular 35-year-old film like The Wrath of Khan. So I won't. Instead, I'll focus on some of the lesser-known facts that you might not know.

Star Trek II faced a number of hurdles coming to the big screen. In fact, it almost never got made. The film followed 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture -- a film that went over budget and cost $43 million to make (a significant amount at the time). 

By contrast, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was given a budget of $11 million, and was developed by the TV division at Paramount (with the idea that they could do things "leaner and meaner").

Also of note is the fact that the film is essentially a sequel to the 1967 Star Trek episode "Space Seed" (where Ricardo Montalban also played the character Khan Noonien Singh), and takes place 15 years after the events in the episode.  

Star Trek II is to its parent franchise what The Empire Strikes Back is to the Star Wars franchise -- arguably the best in the series, and a film where "less is more" in terms of narrative, effects, and style. 

I remember seeing "Star Trek II" at Indian Hills as a kid. Last year, my brother-in-law Sean and I were posting on Facebook about seeing the movie in the theater's old Cinerama auditorium back in 1982:

Unfortunately, my brother-in-law died earlier this year. I felt wistful as I watched Star Trek II yesterday because I knew if Sean was around he would suggest we go see this re-release at Aksarben Cinema.

The 35th anniversary Blu-ray's transfer looks better than it ever has, despite the inherent limitations of films released in the 1980s. It contains both the director's cut and the theatrical version (the additional footage in the extended version primarily focuses on Mr. Scott's nephew Peter Preston, an engineering cadet on the U.S.S. Enterprise).

If you do decide to order this film on Blu-ray, please be aware that Paramount has released an updated version of the "director's cut" on disc (fixing an error involving a line of dialogue by Mr. Sulu in the film). Be sure to check the back of the packaging to see if the movie has a "yellow" UPC barcode -- that is the "corrected" version. 

Fathom Events is bringing this week's screenings of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan to theaters around the country. As an added bonus, you get to watch an exclusive interview with William Shatner. (If you don't follow Shatner on Twitter, he is pretty prolific...and funny.)

The chance to see Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in a movie theater again provides a terrific opportunity for long-time fans -- along with those unfamiliar with the film -- to experience one of moviedom's benchmark science-fiction adventures on the big screen. 

Several years ago, a writer named Ray Oldenburg wrote a book called The Great Good Place, a book focusing on the notion that everyone needs a "third place" -- those spots in a community "where people can gather, put aside the concerns of work and home, and hang out simply for the pleasures of good company and lively conversation."

When I hear people talk about their fondness for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (including the comments of my brother-in-law above), it serves as a reminder about the power of experiencing a movie in the theater, and how those moments stick with you. 

"Star Trek" fans take note: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan director Nicholas Meyer is currently a producer on the upcoming CBS series Star Trek: Discovery, and is rumored to be working on another Star Trek series focusing on the character of Khan. 

Previous post: "Two-Paragraph Tuesday: Right Into The 'Danger Zone'"