Often been surprised by a movie after what a film critic said about it? Ever felt cheated out of big bucks on the recommendations of a punk 24-year-old? Or really loved the ones they panned? Well, you no longer need to feel out of step with the current movie review band. Different Drummer is for you. Read more about our take on the film world. And get ready to relive your favorite movies with the recipes that follow each review. You can find many other great recipes in Different Drummer’s own Appetite for Murder: A Mystery Lover’s Cookbook.
It’s BBQ season now, and we can all smell the mouth-watering aromas floating in the air. But we need something cool and refreshing to wash everything down. Our recipe for Mustang Grape Wine should do the trick. It’s from my novel, The Serpent’s Tooth, which ends with a glorious outdoor feast. Today’s recipe is from a prominent character in The Serpent’s Tooth.
Read MoreYou can’t help but fall in love with this 2020 British adaptation of James Herriot’s first unsteady steps as a young veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales (hills for us Yanks). It’s Midsomer without the murders, and an enchanting assortment of loveable and eccentric characters, humans and animals alike.
Read MoreCalifornia’s corruption and water mismanagement go all the way to the 30s in this excellent film noir. So now this classic that was nominated for 11 Oscars is not just a great cinema; it’s a wakeup call as well.
Read MoreThis classic 1973 thriller is not to be missed. Unlike the action-only thrillers we see nowadays, this fine film executes everything with the same precision and expertise of the Jackal himself.
Read MoreCan we ever get enough of Denzel? Not hardly. Even if this film doesn’t draw on his deeper acting talents, we love him just the same. An enjoyable thriller well paced and poignant. And in some cases, better than the original.
Read MoreWell worth the wait! The 36 years since the first ground-breaking film as well as the almost 3-year wait for it to hit the screens. Very lean and clean, filled with fabulous flying and just the right touches of nostalgia and humor.
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“Fortune favors the bold.” –Virgil
Year Relesed: 2026
Directed by: Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, James Ortiz
( 156 min. PG 13)
Genre: Science Fiction
Not all science fiction is dark and creepy. Some rare birds are actually optimistic and positive, such as the original Star Trek TV series or even the film versions.
And that is exactly the RX we all need now. As popular as Spielberg’s Disclosure Day is, its dark undertone of government malfeasance brings it down, no matter how many great car chases or set pieces.
In Project Hail Mary the enemy is not the government but a little astrophage that is eating the sun – not just ours but almost all those in the known universe.
Our hero is certainly not what we might expect either
Science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes upon a spaceship with no recollection of who he is or how he got there.
I vaguely remember the 1998 film Armageddon, where Bruce Willis embarks on a mission to save the world from an asteroid on a collision course with Earth.
Ryland Grace is no Bruce Willis, but he grows into the “greatness thrust upon him.”
But that greatness is very lonely. I couldn’t help thinking of Tom Hanks in Castaway where he is reduced to talking to a volleyball and actually sobs when it gets caught in a current and drifts away.
I also recalled Matt Damon in The Martian, not realizing until later that the same author penned the books behind that film and today’s feature.
Others have noted similar links: and one that is a mild surprise:
The film had many clear inspirations, such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, E.T., Arrival,and even a direct callout to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. But one comparable that comes to mind is Top Gun: Maverick. It lacks the high-adrenaline tone of that film, but succeeds for similar foundational reasons—a sense of unabashed earnestness, and a rejection of many of recent cinema’s worst tendencies. Project Hail Mary is consistently funny, but without a trace of snarky or quippy humor. It’s grandiose in scope and visually stunning but doesn’t ever feel like an empty calorie spectacle (notably, not a single green screen was used in the –making of the film). It’s simply good, classic, cinematic storytelling.
–Daniel Blackaby
On another note, an unexpected helper emerges and Dr. Grace names him Rocky. Since that is the name of our Weimaraner, how could I not love this film? Of course, Dr. Grace is referring to Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky and not my dog, but my Rocky can be a bit feisty, too, so he has a bit of Stallone in him too. Actually, all 3 Rockys have big, beautiful hearts as well.
Finally, Andy Weir, who wrote the novel, is an acknowledged agnostic. Much of science fiction makes little reference to God, but we find more than a few oblique references to him in Project Hail Mary, one of which is the film’s title. Secularized to mean a long shot in sports, this still invokes the original meaning from the angel’s address to the young virgin Mary.
“Hail, Mary, full of grace…” Both the title and the last name of Dr. Grace , who holds a Ph.D in molecular biology, are invoked.
“Christlike virtues of sacrifice, loving fellowship, and belief. At ‘the hour of our death, humanity’s Hail Mary points us back to God.” –Daniel Blackaby
The old wartime saying, “There are no atheists in foxholes,” seems more than appropriate here, since this mission is desperate with a capital D.
A science fiction film for everyone, not just those in love with the genre. And take the whole family or stream at home and save money on popcorn.
You won’t be disappointed.
–Kathy Borich
🥁🥁🥁🥁
I will let Brandon Johnson of The Martini Shot blog describe his Cocktail. He does a marvelous job:
One of the most stunning visuals in the film involves what’s called astrophages. Basically these microorganisms feed solar energy and form an infrared line from Sun to Venus as they hop across the galaxy. When our hero Grace stands among them, it makes for a really dazzling scene, and I wanted to capture that in a cocktail. So, keeping with the cosmic setting, this is going to be a bit of a cosmopolitan riff, but we’ll be adding some watermelon and gin flavors to the drink, because it is warming up out there and we need a nice drink for summer. The combination of fruit and botanicals make this a sweet, easy to drink cocktail that utilizes a flavor that doesn’t get a ton of play in most cocktails. Additionally, we’ve got a few special ingredients to make it even more cosmic. So I hope you like it, because it’s the only drink we’ve got onboard for the next two decades. –Brandon Johnson
Ingredients
· 1.5 oz Gin
· 0.5 oz Watermelon liqueur
· 0.5 oz Cranberry juice
· 0.5 oz Fresh lime juice
· 1 dash Orange bitters
· Pinch of pink edible luster dust (optional, for sparkle)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Shaker: Add all liquid ingredients and the luster dust to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake: Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is chilled and frosty.
3. Strain: Strain the mixture into a martini or coupe glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Garnish: For a cool, thematic garnish, skewer a maraschino cherry through the rind of a lime wheel and balance it on the rim of your glass.
For a quick visual breakdown of the mixing process and to see how the sparkly "astrophage" effect looks in action, check out this YouTube Short by The Martini Shot.
This classic submarine film is right up there with Das Boot and The Hunt for Red October. Well, almost. But it doesn’t get better than this cat and mouse game between the captain of an American destroyer and his counterpart, “the enemy below” him in the German U Boat.
Read MoreThat’s why we called them the greatest generation, pals. This war and the Depression before that shaped them. They didn’t complain. They just did their duty, and more than you can even imagine died, and died valiantly.
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This 1987 film is even better than I remembered. Action, adventure, and a superb cast of characters who gain courage from each other as they fight against entrenched corruption both inside and outside the law.
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Who doesn’t love an underdog? And we have 4 here. “The horse is too small, the jockey too big, the trainer too old, and I’m too dumb to know the difference.” – Charles Howard, Seabiscuit’s owner
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Romantic comedies, or films in general, don’t get much better than this! Thoroughly delightful, this 1999 British film gets better with each viewing. Part of that is the charm of Hugh Grant at his zenith here, the loveliness of a radiant Julia Roberts, and a script that is witty and insightful.
James Bond goes Victorian. At least that’s what the trailers would have you believe, what with the cerebral detective’s swan dive into the Thames from the high recesses of Parliament, some bloody and brutal fistfights, an errant explosion or two, not to mention Irene Adler as his very own Bond -- or should we say bondage -- girl thrown in for good measure.
Read MoreMaybe the best sequel ever, this 1986 acclaimed sci-fi action thriller is the ride of a lifetime. And it’s just as good today as it was the first time Different Drummer saw it on the big screen some 4 decades ago. Rarely do sequels exceed originals, and rarer still do they pass the test of time as does this masterful, “visceral punch” James Cameron delivered decades ago.
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Her Name was Emily. And she is the “ghost” that some say still haunts The Tavern, right here in the heart of Austin, Texas;
During Prohibition, the Enfield Grocery Store assumed an especially important social role in Austin, serving as a nightlife hub. Even though it, on the surface, still operated as a supermarket, rumors suggested that when the sun went down, the upstairs area turned out quite the exhibition.
From a hidden bar to a casino and a brothel, there was nothing that the underbelly of Austin could want that the Enfield couldn’t provide. These underground activities soon took over, and the tavern became more known for its nightlife rather than its produce prices. –Austin Ghost Tours
According to local legend, the second floor of The Tavern (then known as Enfield Grocery) was not only home to illegal booze and a secret brothel in the early 1920s, but also a murder scene. A politician and customer of the clandestine operation was allegedly caught visiting the bordello one evening, and in retribution, murdered the head madam’s young daughter, Emily—whom he hid in a crawl space on the third floor. – Rosie Ninesling, Texas Monthly
Below are images of the stairs to the 2nd floor, the second floor itself, and the infamous crawl space up there where Emily was hidden.
Read more at this link:
Drugged man who plummeted 25ft off bridge believes 'serial killer' stalking Austin tried to drown him.” Daily Mail
Twelve bodies have been found in Lady Bird Lake and Colorado River since 2022
Police insist there is no serial killer but the mounting bodies sees rumor persist
Jeff Jones survived falling off bridge near river, thinks he may have been pushed
“New report dismantles viral rumors about serial killer in Austin.
Social media hype fueled panic over a serial killer that didn't exist.”
The new study involved 22 years while the body count has increased drastically in the last 3 years.
In the past three years, the causes of death have been mainly attributed to accidental drownings. Second is suicide, as well as drug overdoses, and natural causes.
By using a longer period of time, the average deaths obscure the more recent uptick in deaths. And buried in the report is the fact that of the recent deaths, “About half a dozen called “unknown.” The link below features facts, interviews, and family members who are not content with the Austin Police Department’s dismissive views on the drownings.
Read more at this link:
This one appears to be an accident, but what about the “Over 3 Dozen Bodies Found in or around Lady Bird Lake since 2022.
Read more here https://www.differentdrummer.cc/main/body-of-paddle-boarder-found-in-ladybird-lake-june-3-2025
For a more complete summary of events read more here: https://www.differentdrummer.cc/main/rainey-street-drownings-the-smiley-face-killer-connection?rq=Petition%20Demands
"Very scary, especially given that I live in this neighborhood," said Neda, who lives near the lake.
The woman's body was found Sunday, Dec. 1, in the water near Brazos and East Cesar Chavez Streets.
"A 911 call was received from a kayaker who was paddling upstream and observed some type of object in the water," said Officer Leah Ratliff with the Austin Police Department.
Police say it appears the woman was homeless, in her 60s, and may have been trying to keep warm, when she somehow ended up in the water. Detectives do not suspect foul play.
"There's nothing that appears to be suspicious. There's no type of connection that they believe," said Ratliff.
o Another body was found in Lady Bird Lake on Dec. 2
o The death was one of at least six near the lake so far this year
o Another death in the lake sparks renewed concerns
AUSTIN, Texas - There are renewed concerns after the body of a woman was found in Lady Bird Lake over the weekend. This is one of at least six deaths in or near the lake so far this year.
"Very scary, especially given that I live in this neighborhood," said Neda, who lives near the lake.
The woman's body was found Sunday, Dec. 1, in the water near Brazos and East Cesar Chavez Streets.
"A 911 call was received from a kayaker who was paddling upstream and observed some type of object in the water," said Officer Leah Ratliff with the Austin Police Department.
Police say it appears the woman was homeless, in her 60s, and may have been trying to keep warm, when she somehow ended up in the water. Detectives do not suspect foul play.
"There's nothing that appears to be suspicious. There's no type of connection that they believe," said Ratliff.
A petition calls out the Austin Police and City officials for what it terms “a miscarriage of Justice,” hinting that there is something “darker at play” here, and accuses officials of treating the victims’ families “callously and without empathy.”
The Serpent’s Tooth: A Texas Mystery
Austin is now the trendy number one city, but back in the eighties it was more laid back – not so many skyscrapers and urban hipsters. Just outside of town, you'd be likely to run into old cowboys, ranch hands, and a diamondback or two. And just maybe – an accidental death not as accidental as it seems…
Complete with Texas Recipes for the Oktoberfest Dinner where all is revealed.
An Illustrated Introduction to Classical Horsemanship: Concepts and Skills from A to Z
by Gary Borich
A comprehensive resource in a succinct alphabetical format that brings the beginning rider through every aspect of learning to train and ride for show and trail.
o Another body was found in Lady Bird Lake on Dec. 2
o The death was one of at least six near the lake so far this year
o Another death in the lake sparks renewed concerns
AUSTIN, Texas - There are renewed concerns after the body of a woman was found in Lady Bird Lake over the weekend. This is one of at least six deaths in or near the lake so far this year.
"Very scary, especially given that I live in this neighborhood," said Neda, who lives near the lake.
The woman's body was found Sunday, Dec. 1, in the water near Brazos and East Cesar Chavez Streets.
"A 911 call was received from a kayaker who was paddling upstream and observed some type of object in the water," said Officer Leah Ratliff with the Austin Police Department.
Police say it appears the woman was homeless, in her 60s, and may have been trying to keep warm, when she somehow ended up in the water. Detectives do not suspect foul play.
"There's nothing that appears to be suspicious. There's no type of connection that they believe," said Ratliff.
o Another body was found in Lady Bird Lake on Dec. 2
o The death was one of at least six near the lake so far this year
o Another death in the lake sparks renewed concerns
AUSTIN, Texas - There are renewed concerns after the body of a woman was found in Lady Bird Lake over the weekend. This is one of at least six deaths in or near the lake so far this year.
"Very scary, especially given that I live in this neighborhood," said Neda, who lives near the lake.
The woman's body was found Sunday, Dec. 1, in the water near Brazos and East Cesar Chavez Streets.
"A 911 call was received from a kayaker who was paddling upstream and observed some type of object in the water," said Officer Leah Ratliff with the Austin Police Department.
Police say it appears the woman was homeless, in her 60s, and may have been trying to keep warm, when she somehow ended up in the water. Detectives do not suspect foul play.
"There's nothing that appears to be suspicious. There's no type of connection that they believe," said Ratliff.
https://www.differentdrummer.cc/main/body-of-paddle-boarder-found-in-ladybird-lake-june-3-2025
