Media Notes: Roundup for July 2025

 

  

 

Welcome to my somewhat random selection of the movies and series on DVD and/or online I watched during July 2025.

Movies and films (links to IMDB.com for basic information unless noted otherwise). Some of these I watched via TubiTv.com or other online source. The DVDs come from the public library (unless noted otherwise). In addition, I will try to add other trivia notes, such as when a film is based on a book adding the information about the book (at least the WorldCat record if available).

•  Conclave (2024. Drama. Thriller). Plot description: "When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a web of conspiracies and intrigue that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church." This film was out just as the real life conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV was happening, so I am sure the film rode on that wave. Up front some small details that caught my eye. One, the nuns who work as servants, cooks, and maids, so on. Without them, all those big men would be starving most likely; the place could not really run. However, they do have some moments of serious behind the throne influence. Two, in opening scenes, as the cardinals first gather for a meal, some casual racism expressed by an Italian cardinal towards a Black cardinal a few tables down. I am not surprised, and I bet that likely (speculating here) said racism and other sins do exist in the real church. It is a human institution after all. The film looks very good so it gets points on the cinematography. However, the drama is on the slow side. This is a seriously slow burner. Sure, the story tosses a scandal or other obstacle here or there to keep the audience on edge, but the pace is still seriously slow. For folk who enjoy intrigues and scandals this may be for them. Without spoiling, the twist at the end was, well, quite interesting to say that least (and some may appreciate it if they know a bit of church history). It did feel a bit of a stretch given what came previously, yet still interesting, but I think viewers need to decide on how they feel about it. Some can argue you could have ended the film just as the new pope is revealed and done. Note also the actors did put in some very good performances. In the end, I am willing to give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Via DVD from Berea Branch, Madison County Public Library. 
• The film is based on the novel Conclave by Robert Harris, which was originally released in 2016, well before the events leading to Pope Leo XIV's ascension.
•  Sphere (1998. Mystery. Science Fiction. Thriller). Plot description: "A spaceship is discovered under three hundred years' worth of coral growth at the bottom of the ocean." I vaguely remember watching this back in the 1990s or so. When Tubi brought it in, I figured what the heck, I will take a chance and see it again. If nothing else, for starters, the movie has a decent cast with Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, and Samuel L. Jackson. Speaking of starters, the somewhat soporific opening credits sequence does not do the film any favors. In the end, I can see why this movie barely made a blip in my memory when I watched it the first time. It is seriously slow. The tension is just not quite there, and it is somewhat inconsistent. The premise has potential, but they do very little with it. So the movie ends up dragging, and we don't really learn much of anything about the titular Sphere. The cast do good work, but they just feel wasted here. By now, this is a forgotten 1990s film, and it pretty much deserves to be forgotten. It did not really held up then, and it certainly does not hold up now. You can skip this one; it is boring most of the time. 1 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. 
• The film is an adaption of the novel Sphere (1987).  I have not read it at this time, and based on the movie, I am in no rush to do so. 

 

Television and other series (basic show information links via Wikipedia unless noted otherwise). Some of these come in DVD from the public library. Others may be via YouTube, which, as noted before, I keep finding all sorts of other old shows in it, often full episodes:

• In the Heat of the Night (1988-1995. Police procedural. Crime. Drama). Plot description: "television series loosely based on the 1965 novel and the 1967 film. The TV series starred Carroll O'Connor as police chief Bill Gillespie and Howard Rollins as police detective Virgil Tibbs." Continue watching this on Tubi from last month. I finished Season 6 and got through Season 7, so finished it. Season 7 is when Carl Weathers arrives to be Hampton Forbes, Chief of the Sparta Police, and by a twist of fate, Gillespie gets to become the county sheriff. Despite machinations from the Sparta City Council, one, Gillespie ends up sheriff, and two, turns out Forbes and him end up getting along well. 
• In Season 7, Episode 2, "Hatton's Turn, Part 1," actors seen elsewhere, Stacy Keach guest stars as Wade Hatton. I often remember Keach from his turn as the title character in the series Mike Hammer. Wayne Brady also guest stars. Oh, and Burgess Meredith appears in part 2 as a judge. 
• On a small trivia note, the character of Deputy Surillo, who works with Gillespie when he becomes acting county sheriff, turns out to be Puerto Rican. She mentions this in Season 7, Episode 17, "A Conspiracy of One."  
• In actors seen elsewhere, Jerry Stiller portrays a rabbi in Season 7, Episode 18 "The Rabbi."  
• Kojak (1973-1978. Action. Crime. Drama).  The classic police drama procedural with Telly Savalas in the title role as Lieutenant Detective Theophilus "Theo" Kojak. Tubi brought the series in recently, so decided to watch it starting this month. Right off that simple opening credits set up with city photos and him in a sort of spiral brings back memories. I finished Season 1 and went on to Season 2. 
• In actors you may have seen elsewhere, Jackie Cooper plays a jewel thief in Season 1, Episode 12, "Last rites for a dead priest." He poses as a priest to get around. You may remember him portraying Perry White, Daily Planet editor, on the Superman films with Christopher Reeve on the title role.  
• Actors you may have seen elsewhere, John Ritter, known for Three's Company among other things, plays a petty thief in Season 1, Episode 15, "Deliver Us Some Evil."  
• Actors seen elsewhere, John Hillerman appears in the last episode of Season 1,  "The Only Way Out." He went on to become better known as Higgins in the series Magnum, P.I. Hillerman won an Emmy and a Golden Globe in the later series.