The Aeronauts (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Aeronauts (2019): Account of a record-setting balloon ascent in 1862. Not a documentary, not a biopic, not even a very good drama. Story arc is entirely predictable. But still, it gives some idea of a time of life-risking scientific exploration mostly forgotten today. B-

POTD: Sala Erótica del Museo Larco

From 2019 08 17 Lima, Peru

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Museo Larco in Lima, Peru. It shows a pre-Columbian pottery piece from the Sala Erótica. It's one of the tamer pieces in this gallery. Enough said.

POTD: Lima Hillside

From 2019 08 17 Lima, Peru

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Lima, Peru. It shows a residential neighborhood far from the city center. There are countless stories here, waiting to be told. Unfortunately, I don't know any of them, so all I can offer is an enticing photo.

POTD: Lonely Isolation

From 2019 08 17 Lima, Peru

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Pachacamac, an archaeological site outside Lima, Peru. For 1,500 years it flourished with a large population and 1,500 acres of pyramids, temples, palaces, government buildings, and residences. Today it stands in magnificent isolation, desert all around except to the west, where the Pacific Ocean stretches out seemingly without end.

Bonus photo after the jump.

The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019): Love letter to a grand old house and one man's search for roots, family, friends, and belonging. Story avoids predictable paths. Characters surprise in their resistance to stereotypes. Except for the whites. B+

POTD: Pachacamac

From 2019 08 17 Lima, Peru

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Pachacamac, an archaeological site outside Lima, Peru. The site dates from about 200 A.D. The pyramid shown probably dates to about 1400, just prior to the Inca conquest of Peru. The whole site flourished until the Spanish conquest in the 1500s.

Bonus photo after the jump.

Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019): 28-yr-old, not very likable woman with low self-esteem decides to train for a marathon to get in shape. Totally predictable plot, starting with the title. Only very occasional laughs. Still it could be inspirational for the right audience. C+

POTD: The Park with Three Names

From 2019 08 17 Lima, Peru

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Miraflores district of Lima, Peru. It shows Parque Central de Miraflores, now known as Parque Kennedy, dedicated to the US President back when US Presidents were still respected. And everyone knows it as the cat park. The church in the park adopted cats to deal with a rat problem in the 1980s. The rats are gone, but the cats remain. Whatever you call it, it's the place to dine, dance, shop, or do whatever it is this group of young people is doing.

More photos after the jump.

POTD: CityBike Lima

From 2019 08 17 Lima, Peru

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Miraflores district of Lima, Peru. It shows an option for cheap, convenient transit: CityBike Lima. Nothing special here. And that's how it should be everywhere.

Dolemite is My Name (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

Dolemite is My Name (2019): Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore, a struggling comic who succeeds making raunchy records for the black community. Then he makes a blaxpoitation movie that's so bad it's good. Unfortunately, this biopic is only bad. Dolemite is no Tommy Wiseau. C-