This and That in the world of TV and Film

I have a bit of scattered brain right now around what I would like to talk about, so rather than jump heavily into any one topic just now, I will go through the list and come back to some of them later.

1) Rest in Peace Estelle Getty (of Golden Girls fame) a class act who brought great laughter to situation comedy in the mid-80s and a lasting tribute to the visionary genius of NBC's late Brandon Tartikoff.

2) Mad Men - yes I am watching it on ON DEMAND, yes I did it because of all the Emmy nominations. NO, I am not proud of the sheep-like behavior it displays. The jury is still out on what I think, I am only four episodes in and am not convinced that great acting is covering for not so great plot lines. I'll be back on this one over the weekend when season 2 premieres

3) The end of an era - Roger Ebert is stepping away from his long association with the movie review show he and the late Gene Siskel pioneered - "At The Movies". I didn't always agree with Roger and sometimes thought he had lost his mind when reviewing a film, but I ALWAYS felt his great passion and love for film - all films from drama to action to documentary films. Before it was fashionable, Siskel and Ebert were talking about films like Roger and Me and Hoop Dreams as 'must see'films.

Which brings me to my final point today, Snag Films. Here is film viewing with a purpose and well worth your time. Here is a site that provides documentary films an outlet they would not otherwise get. It's one stop shopping for thoughtful rarely seen, but unbelievably priceless filmmaking. As someone who became obsessed with moments in history chronicled on film like "A Day in September" which chronicles the murders of the Isreali's at the '72 Munich Olympic Games documentaries time and again show us through film that life is often more compelling and dramatic than anything we could have scripted. Broken into categories of interest, there is a hodgepodge of films to choose from which you can view FOR FREE online. In the YouTube world we now live in, this is a great addition to the old information highway (yes, I just dated myself with that term). As if that wasn't cool enough, they have linked the films to charitable organizations connecting people inspired by the films to get involved.

So by my vote, not a bad way to spend evening or some idle time.