Agent Palmer

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. A group of friends reconnects for the weekend after the attempted suicide of their friend Alex.

Ok, so it’s not The Big Chill, but About Alex is close, so close in fact that it may well just be The Millennial Big Chill. For those who enjoyed The Big Chill, the word “millennial” in front of it is not a detractor of the quality of the writing or the similar plot, but it does lead to some big shoes to fill in this timeshifted movie.

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.

Over the past decade or so, I’ve recapped most Tours due France. I’ve watched all of them, but somehow it has only recently become an annual thing.

I also watch every Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, and sometimes I write about them. As a spectator, both Tours offer excitement, and for me, it’s the joy of experiencing two Tours per year, which I’m all for.

Music documentaries have gotten better recently. I can’t say exactly why, but I’m excited for it. One such example is the recently released Becoming Led Zeppelin.

Including interviews with surviving members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones, as well as a rare John Bonham audio interview, this rock documentary is all about how they got to the mountaintop as rock stars.