June 1, 2026
Latest:

Deep Something

The site for ranting and reporting by John Masters

Culture

I would classify things in this category that were related to arts, literature, cinema, performance. Things that make us and the world better.

Culture Movies 

Movie Review – Interstellar

B. John 605 Views 0 Comments , , , , , , , , , ,

In the near future, Earth has been devastated by drought and famine, causing a scarcity in food and extreme changes in climate. When humanity is facing extinction, a mysterious rip in the space-time continuum is discovered, giving mankind the opportunity to widen its lifespan. A group of explorers must travel beyond our solar system in search of a planet that can sustain life. I watched this one afternoon a few weeks ago on Amazon Streaming. I would like to have seen it in iMax. It was a very good movie. Well worth watching.

Read more
Fun Stuff Humor Culture Entertainment Theater 

Lewis Black – A Show Review

B. John 895 Views 3 Comments , , ,

This past weekend was my birthday. I love Lewis Black, and have never seen him in person, so I was excited to find that he was performing his current show, “The Rant is Due, Part Deux,” at the Straz Center here in Tampa Saturday evening, March 14. I love Lewis Black and his comedy, but was really disappointed when this show went nowhere.

Read more
Movies Music Culture 

Whiplash – A Movie Review

B. John 632 Views 0 Comments , , , , , ,

My expectations were not too high, and I was surprised that Lay was interested at all. I was in the band in high school, a great band at that, with a tough (but nothing like the J.K. Simmons character, Terence Fletcher) band director. I just didn’t see how it could be that compelling. Boy, was I wrong. Everything about this film was stellar; casting, writing, acting, directing, music and cinematography all came together to just tell an incredible story. You really need to see this movie, which is already out on DVD, Amazon and Redbox.

Read more
Culture Movies 

Fury – A Movie Review

B. John 583 Views 0 Comments , , , , , , ,

April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and his five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Out-numbered, out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany. It was worth watching, and much of the action was realistic, but in some cases logic has to be stretched a little.

Read more
Culture Movies Politics War 

American Sniper-A Movie Review

B. John 742 Views 2 Comments , , , , , , ,

Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home to his wife and kids after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind. We watched this one in the theater a couple of weekends ago. I’m sorry to just now be getting around to writing my review. Me and Lay both thought this movie was OK. I suspect he liked it a bit more. I had some trouble separating the politics, the biography, and the movie.

Read more
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Movie Poster
Culture Movies 

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel-A Movie Review

B. John 582 Views 0 Comments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Seven elderly Britons, for a variety of reasons, respond to an online ad and travel to Jaipur, India, where they find run-down hotel with a young, exuberant, and optimistic host. Evelyn, newly widowed, wants low-cost experience, Graham seeks a long-ago love, Douglas and Jean have lost their pension in a family investment, Muriel needs cheap hip surgery, Madge seeks a rich husband, and Norman is chasing women. Lay was off Saturday, and I watched this. It was an enjoyable movie.

Read more
Culture Movies 

The Imitation Game – A Movie Review

B. John 586 Views 0 Comments , , , , , , ,

During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians. We saw this last weekend, and while there’s a long way to go in 2015, I won’t be surprised if this remains at or near the top of my 2015 list of favorites. Turing opens saying, “…But if you choose to stay, remember that you chose to be here. What happens from this moment forward is not my responsibility. It’s yours. Pay attention.” Do that. Stay in the room, and pay attention.

Read more
Movies Culture 

Birdman – A Movie Review

B. John 549 Views 0 Comments , , , , , ,

We watched this nearly a month ago, and I’m just getting to writing the review. A washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero must overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory. It was an interesting movie, but frankly got a bit tiring. The setting, a theater, must have been the largest theater backstage ever.

Read more