Better Call Saul

 

So, Better Call Saul ends tonight. Based on how well they executed the Breaking Bad finale, my expectations are scary high. I wish I could lower them but I am unable to. I am one of those people who believe that at times Better Call Saul has eclipsed its parent series. Both shows have top notch acting, storytelling, and cinematography. The difference is who I am rooting for. In Breaking Bad, I was mostly rooting for Jesse as I wanted Walt to get his comeuppance in the end. I guess I was rooting for Mike as well. But with Better Call Saul, I’m rooting for Saul, for Kim, for Nacho. I find I’m more invested for some reason. I’m not looking for comeuppance. I don’t know what I want from the finale other than to be satisfied, which may be a tall order. In the meantime, here are my twenty favourite episodes of Better Call Saul in chronological order.  I also 'cheated' by calling some episodes two-parters. The underlined ones are in my top five.

The Best of Better Call Saul

1. Uno/Mijo S01E01-02
Jimmy gets some scammers to fool a lost client but ends up involved with Tuco who wants revenge

2. Hero S01E04
Jimmy does a big publicity stunt to get new business and piss off Howard

3. Pimento S01E09
Mike takes a job; Chuck visits the office to hand over the Sandpiper case but they exclude Jimmy

4. Gloves Off S02E04
Rita is punished for Jimmy’s commercial; Mike finds an alternative for killing Tuco to help Nacho

5. Fifi/Nailed S02E08-09
Kim and Chuck fight over Mesa Verde until Jimmy steps in; Mike robs Hector’s truck

6. Witness S03E02
Francesca is hired; Gus foils Mike; Jimmy foolishly takes Chuck’s bait

7. Chicanery S03E05
Jimmy pulls out all the stops in order to discredit Chuck on the witness stand

8. Slip S03E08
Slippin’ Jimmy is back; Chuck grocery shops; Kim gets another client; Nacho switches pills

9. Fall S03E09
Jimmy isolates Irene so she settles fasters; Mike joins Madrigal; Chuck sues; Kim is sleepy

10. Quite a Ride/Pinata S04E05-06
Kim joins a firm; Mike vets German builders; Jimmy sells burner phones, gets mugged and revenge

11. Something Stupid/Coushatta S04E07-08
Kim helps Jimmy when Huell gets arrested; the builders are restless; Lalo arrives

12. Winner S04E10
Jimmy shows his ‘sadness’ for Chuck; Mike tracks down Werner with Lalo on his tail

13. Wexler v Goodman S05E06
Saul shoots a defamation ad; Make starts to take down Lalo; Kim backs down to end Mason Verde

14. Bagman S05E08
Things go horribly wrong when Saul agrees to pick up seven million in the desert

15. Bad Choice Road S05E09
Saul has PTSD from his ordeal; Kim quits; Lalo investigates and questions Saul’s story

16. Rock and Hard Place S06E03
Nacho is on the run and may have to face the music; Saul gets Huell’s help in his scheme

17. Hit and Run S06E04
Saul & Kim enlist a local pro to help discredit Howard in front of Cliff; Mike hides/protects Gus

18. Plan and Execution/Point and Shoot S06E07-08
Saul & Kim race to deal with a last minute snag to take down Howard; Lalo makes a big move

19. Breaking Bad/Waterworks S06E11-12          
Gene goes too far in his latest venture; Kim is in her own special hell; a ‘flashback’ to Breaking Bad

20. Saul Gone S06E13        
Don’t know what it’s about but I’m sure the finale is going to be amazing.

Enjoy the finale!

Film: Bullet Train

 

GENRE: Action Comedy
RATING: R for violence and language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 6 minutes
PLATFORM: Movie Theatre
STARRING: Brad Pitt (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Inglorious Basterds)
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Avengers 2); Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta)
DIRECTOR: David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2)
WRITER: Zak Olkewicz (newcomer)
PLOT: A number of assassins find themselves on a fast train with similar missions.    

FULL DISCLOSURE: I enjoyed the trailer but didn’t know much else.    

STORY STUFF: I enjoyed the basic storyline of the film, there are a lot of twists and turns and backstories and fun action scenes. There’s a playfulness that keeps the audience highly entertained while watching a bunch of killing going on. My biggest issue is that they pushed the limit of my suspension of disbelief. An unmanned, fully stocked bar car? Are there only two people working on this ten car train? They try to justify some of the absences but it doesn’t explain the kids or shushing lady. Also, open exterior doors on a train going that fast would have more consequences. The physics alone not to mention the complete lack security on the train or at the stations. Unfortunately, those things took me out of the film a few times.  

ACTING STUFF: Pitt is fun to watch as a killer trying to change his life and talk instead of using guns.  His luck is also fun to watch. The chemistry between Taylor-Johnson & Henry as Tangerine & Lemon is also a treat. Got a little tired of Joey King (The Kissing Booth) but I was probably supposed to feel that way. There are a couple of fun cameos to look for in the film. Sandra Bullock looks way too airbrushed though – she almost appeared CG at times.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Great cinematography through the action sequences but that shouldn’t be surprising coming from Leitch. I liked the titles throughout the film and the use of colour in the sets. I really enjoyed the Japanese renditions of ‘Stayin’ Alive’ and ‘I Need a Hero’ but the rest of the music didn’t work for me, I wish they stuck with the Japanese versions throughout the film. 

VERDICT: Three and a half stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You like Brad Pitt and some action in far-fetched scenarios
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Better Call Saul, Don’t Worry Darling 

July TV Checklist

 

Here’s what I was watching this July during our road trip across Canada. Big thanks to Blue Curve and streaming services that I can watch in a hotel room after a long drive and exploring cities:

BETTER CALL SAUL (AMC)
I’m loving it so far but I will talk about the show after the last two episodes of the series.

STRANGER THINGS (NETFLIX)
I enjoyed the final two super-sized episodes. I wish the gang was more together instead of fighting on different fronts but at least they accomplished stuff. They have their work cut out for them for their final season. I wasn’t a huge fan of the epilogue as they jumped a bit and we didn’t get to see the immediate aftermath. Still got that Kate Bush song in my head though.

THE WHITE LOTUS (HBO)
Watched this series because of all its Emmy nominations. It’s a week at a Hawaiian resort with a little bit of comedy, drama and murder mystery. Interesting relationships and beautiful cinematography. I really enjoyed Murray Bartlett as Armond the hotel manager and the way he deals with his demanding guests. Jennifer Coolidge is a cringey and at times hilarious mess. I found the music didn’t quite fit the tone – it seemed more mysterious than it need to be.

WINNING TIME: THE RISE OF THE LAKERS DYNASTY (HBO)
I know nothing about basketball. Zach Braff said he loved the series while also knowing nothing about sports. I did enjoy the series as it shows how basketball started as the entertainment powerhouse it is today with floor seats, cheerleaders and box seats. John C Reilly is engaging as Jerry Buss but I was more drawn to Quincy Isaiah as Magic Johnson and Solomon Hughes as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I didn’t know that Larry Bird was such a dick with his trash talking. As I didn’t know the outcomes, it was exciting to watch.

MS MARVEL (DISNEY+)
The show did not grab me. The main character does a good job and I like her family, but the mythology of the show was too all over the place. I know it will tie into The Marvels coming out next year so I hope it was worth it.

THE OFFER (PARAMOUNT+)
I love behind the scenes looks at Hollywood filmmaking. I really enjoyed the storytelling in this series. I wish it was all true – there have been a number of conflicting accounts. Good thing this isn’t a documentary. I’ll take this as an alternative reality. The characters are entertaining, what could have happened is incredible and I loved the homages to the original Godfather. This is definitely my kind of show. Wish it got some Emmy nominations.

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (NBC)
This mockumentary of an inner city under-funded primary school is cute and has heart. I like the small core group of teachers and their oblivious principal. I really enjoy the Jim Halpert-style camera looks that Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris) gives. I do get a little tired of star/creator Quinta Brunson – she’s a too Leslie Knope in her passion but is also too needy.

MASTERCHEF: BACK TO WIN (FOX)
Still don’t know who I want to win. Enjoying the season so far though.

AMAZING RACE CANADA (CTV)
A lot friendlier than the American version. Love seeing places I’ve been before. Not sure who I am rooting for yet. Do not like singer Jully Black though.

RACE AGAINST THE TIDE (CBC)
Amazing sand sculptures. Bizarre that there’s trash talking, they are all doing their own thing. Like the previous host over Maestro Fresh-Wes, he’s just awkward. Also, we regret not visiting the beach as we drove right past it when we drove through New Brunswick.

What are you watching?