Brothers

Better late than never, I always say.

I finally screened the 2001 HBO dramatic miniseries Band of Brothers this week. After being engrossed in The Pacific this year, I wanted to see its epic and much-heralded predecessor. I had missed the original run - living in NY with the events of 9/11 eerily transpiring a few days after its launch.

My friend loaned me the impressive box set, and it only took a week's worth of TV viewing time as the summer doldrum of post-season finales set in. Perfect time to catch up on a real masterpiece of the medium. Somehow, I've become a war buff of sorts - but this series really set a high-water mark.

If you haven't seen it, the 10-part series dramatizes the real men and events of E "Easy" Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment assigned to the 101st Airborne Division - an elite and innovative U.S. Army paratrooper squad assembled at the height of WWII. Among other achievements, these incredible young men parachuted behind enemy lines in the maelstrom of D-Day, were a frontline force outnumbered and without supplies during the wintertime Battle of the Bulge, and ultimately were the first to ascend upon Hitler's infamous Eagle's Nest mountain retreat. Their efforts and the Band of Brothers series that pays tribute to them, remain unprecedented triumphs. Michael Kamen's score alone still gives me chills.

I also checked out the many extra features on the DVD set, including a magnetic documentary, We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company. The film includes interviews with the surviving men portrayed in the miniseries, interspersed with actual footage of the battles re-enacted during it. This was a terrific aid in understanding all of the episodes, and was honestly quite emotional. I can't wait to also finally read Stephen E. Ambrose's book on which the series is based.

I'm glad I made the time for Band of Brothers. It's so easy to forget each day the sacrifices of those who came before us and the true bravery of soldiers who were just kids - pulled from their quiet lives and thrust into hell. Kids who saved the world, but didn't consider themselves heroes. Just a band of brothers.

Joan

Over the weekend, I caught up with a documentary that I had missed at Sundance and which has been getting great buzz ever since - Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. An added bonus: Rivers appeared live for a brief but engaging Q&A after the show.

Known best in recent years for her multiple plastic surgeries, Joan Rivers is an icon in comedy circles - a pioneer that blazed a trail for brash female comics like Kathy Griffin and Sarah Silverman. Once named the permanent guest host for "The Tonight Show", then permanently shunned by Johnny Carson for defecting to Fox, Joan has been through many ups and downs in a career that has spanned over 50 years.

The film opens on her makeup-less face and declares at the outset that it covers "A year in the life of a semi-legend". Filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg were originally set to follow Rivers in her 76th year as she develops a new play based on her life, and tries to keep her career going. The play dead-ends but the glimpse inside her world absolutely fascinates. Her biggest fear is an empty calendar, so she self-admittingly proclaims to never turn down anything and keeps working non-stop at nearly 80 years old. The cinema verite film includes hilarious segments of Joan's comedy act and is intertwined with cool footage from her early career.

I left the theatre with a new-found admiration for Rivers, whom I had mainly associated with awkward red carpet interviews, QVC, and her penchant for the going under the knife. The film captures the brutality of show business - especially for performers as they age - but Joan has outlasted many who dismissed her talent and tenacity.

Check out the film and watch Joan keep on working it.

Rock and Roll

I FINALLY visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland this week, on my first trip to the great state of Ohio. My focus was on the popular exhibit currently running, "From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen". As a lifelong fan, it didn't disappoint and it also reminded me that I really have to finish watching Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run documentary off of Springsteen's Born to Run 30th Anniversary package.

I raced through the rest of the museum, which was also really cool and rustled up some great memories of all the fantastic music and artists I've encountered over the course of my life and career. Bliss.

Last night, coming off of my Rock Hall triumph and recovered from my jet lag, I was all settled in to watch When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors, the new and intimate documentary on another favorite band. "Was" being the operative word, as I somehow managed to delete the film off of my DVR in an attempt to play it. Ugh!! Of course, it's no longer playing down the street at my local theatre, so I am desperately waiting to receive the golden email from PBS American Masters letting me know if and when it will be airing locally again (soon, please please).

Until then, I will be firing up my iTunes to relive the glory days of rock and roll.