Agent Palmer

Beatles ‘64 is a solid documentary. Like many documentaries before it, it frames itself with more stories than just its subject matter.

However, what occurred to me during my viewing was just how rare the footage was, which led to thoughts about how common footage is today.

Your affinity for John Candy depends on your age and how you were first introduced to him. From there, you probably know a few of his more notable films. 

And then, perhaps, you dig a little deeper. You might happen to see John Candy in a lesser-known or a new-to-you movie, either on TV or suggested through a streaming service.

If you’re seeking a feel-good, behind-the-scenes documentary about some Canadian rockers who found continued success despite everything initially stacked against them, set aside some time to watch Simple Plan: The Kids in the Crowd.

Simple Plan didn’t just succeed in a difficult music industry. They gave people a place to belong, started a foundation, and in truth, did more in the time since I last listened to them on their sophomore album than most bands do in a career.

Authors Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack have captured the heart of Aaron Sorkin’s goal to have the first few seasons of The West Wing serve as a “love letter to public service.” They should know it well. Fitzgerald and McCormack portrayed Carol Fitzpatrick and Kate Harper, respectively, in the watershed political drama and released “What’s Next” in 2024.

This book may be the first in a long line of others to come. It fulfills its subtitle and then some, which is appropriately length as “A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service.”