Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector and Amy Aquino in Season Three of ‘Bosch’

The Michael Connelly character Hieronymus (Harry) Bosch first premiered in a series of books in 1992. As this is written, the character has led to 24 distinct books and two distinct television shows. We focus here on the third season of the series Bosch (2014-2021), starring Titus Welliver in the title role for the series.

(From left, Jamie Hector as Jerry Edgar, Titus Welliver as Hieronymus (Harry) Bosch and Peter Douglas as Tom Jay in the third season of Bosch).

Season three of Bosch picks up with a 16-months on time between the second and third seasons. Harry copes with the truth of the Los Angeles Police Department‘s role in his mother’s death, and that the guilty party had died without facing the truth. Harry‘s daughter, Maddie Bosch, as portrayed by Madison Lintz, has moved in with him as Maddie’s mother and Harry’s ex-wife, Eleanor Wish, has moved to Hong Kong with her current husband, Reggie Woo. Sarah Clarke portrayed Wish as Hoon Lee portrayed Woo. The conclusion to the Father Tabakian murder charges against Veronica Allen, with Tabakian portrayed by Jack Topalian and Allen portrayed by Jeri Ryan, intersects with Bosch‘s fragile emotional state right from the beginning of the season.

(From left, A.J. Tannen as Middle Aged John and Bridger Zadina as Thomas ‘Sharkey’ Niese in the third season of Bosch).

Three other cases gain Harry Bosch‘s interest in this season, one being the death the homeless Billy Meadows as witnessed by Army Green Beret Thomas ‘Sharkey’ Niese. Another is the murder of Donatella Speares, which has led to a trial against Hollywood movie director Andrew Holland. A complicated alternate theory has former LAPD detective Rudy Tafero helping Holland to deflect guilt. A third case, the death of suspected serial killer Edward James Gunn, leads to Detective Jimmy Robertson, as portrayed by Paul Calderon, pursuing Harry for criminal charges. Chad Van Allen, Bridger Zadina, Ana Flavia Gavlak, John Ales, Arnold Vosloo and Frank Clem portrayed Meadows, Niese, Speares, Holland, Tafero and Gunn, respectively.

(From left, Titus Welliver as Hieronymus (Harry) Bosch and Amy Aquino as Grace Billets in the third season of Bosch).

A degree of slick handling through much of the storylines above, and what this means to different relationships between cops and for cops and their families, come to pass with this season. What will the appearances of corruption do to Harry Bosch and his partner, Jerry Edgar. Will Lieutenant Grace Billets get the promotion to captain that she has been seeking? Will interim chief Irvin Irving, with Mayor Hector Ramos getting reelected after Irving leaked a video that damaged Richard O’Shea, stay on as police captain? What happens to Harry Bosch, Maddie Bosch, Eleanor and Reggie. Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance Reddick, Yancey Arias and Steven Culp portrayed Edgar, Billets, Irving, Ramos and O’Shea, respectively. This season draws from the Michael Connelly books The Black Echo of 1992 and A Darkness More Than Night of 2001.

(Lance Reddick as Irvin Irving in the third season of Bosch).

The depth of storylines and detail packed into season three is accomplished remarkably well. Some storylines are resolved with this season while others are not. As with the Father Tabakian and Veronica storyline, clarity for a previous season comes into play with this third season. That Bosch, the Amazon original series, does this so well makes we want to keep coming back for additional seasons. I recommend this series, granting 4.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5 for season three.

Matt – Saturday, October 29, 2022

Tom Hanks, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari and Eddie Deezen in the Robert Zemeckis movie ‘The Polar Express’

The season of holidays that mark the end of fall and the beginning of winter have begun for those of us living north of the equator. The adventure and comedy movie that marks a notion of Christmas in an endearing and animated sense is our focus in bringing you this touchpoint for the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express (2004).

(From left, Hero Boy as portrayed by Tom Hanks, Josh Hutcherson and Daryl Sabara, Hero Girl as portrayed by Nona Gaye, Chantel Valdivieso, Meagan Moore and Tinashe, and Billy the Lonely Boy as portrayed by Peter Scolari, Hayden McFarland, Jimmy Bennett and Matt Hall in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The adventure of The Polar Express centers around the experience of finding joy in the notion of Christmas, as told primarily from the perspective of children, with three children earning the primary focus. The role of Hero Boy is filled primarily by Tom Hanks, with Josh Hutcherson and Daryl Sabara also supporting voicing and animation efforts. Hero Boy becomes a close friend with Hero Girl, portrayed by Nona Gaye, Chantel Valdivieso, Meagan Moore and Tinashe. Hero Boy and Hero Girl take special care of Billy the Lonely Boy throughout the movie, as portrayed by Peter Scolari, Hayden McFarland, Jimmy Bennett and Matt Hall.

(Know-It-All as portrayed by Eddie Deezen and Jimmy ‘Jax’ Pinchak in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

Know-It-All offers a belief in the notion of Santa Claus and Christmas through the film, yet offers a delightfully ornery take on friendship and knowledge sharing that offers a comic relief through the film. Eddie Deezen and Jimmy ‘Jax’ Pinchak portrayed Know-It-All throughout The Polar Express. The adults offering the message of belief throughout, with this character present to foil the mood, was a welcome touch.

(Conductor was one of six characters portrayed by Tom Hanks in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The character Conductor keeps much of the larger experience of The Polar Express together. He pulls in with the train bearing the name of the movie to the towns in Michigan, headed to the North Pole for a visit to see Santa Claus. The introduction of Hero Boy and Billy the Lonely Boy offer a charm that begins much of the enchantment that is to come.

(Hobo was another of six characters portrayed by Tom Hanks in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The festive set of refreshments, ticket taking and admonitions to safety, wonder and enjoying the journey to the Santa Claus, Hobo presents himself to Hero Boy during his moments of doubt throughout the movie’s metaphorical belief journey. In declaring himself king of the North Pole, Hobo offers the Hero Boy and Hero Girl get a chance to drive the train. We meet Steamer and his assistant Smokey, to the delight and worry of all passengers of the train. Michael Jeter and André Sogliuzzo combined to portray Steamer and Smokey.

(Santa Claus was another of six characters portrayed by Tom Hanks in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

Passing into the arctic circle was a significant event for the journey to see Santa Claus, which was accompanied by further storytelling in the North Pole. Hero Boy, Hero Girl and Billy the Lonely Boy take a journey separate from many of the other travelers aboard the Polar Express. The coveted seeing of Santa, and the opportunity to open the first present of Christmas, are promised to our four main kids. How would this be earned? Would Santa Claus be seen by all the kids? Will the kids believe? All questions of redemption the spirit of staying connected to the innocence just a little bit longer. These questions are answered, and more, come Christmas morning where Hero Boy and we reconnect with Sister Sarah and Hero Boy’s parents. Leslie Zemeckis portrayed Sister Sarah with Isabella Peregrina and Ashly Holloway.

(From left, Sister Sarah as portrayed by Leslie Zemeckis, Isabella Peregrina and Ashly Holloway and Hero Boy as portrayed by Tom Hanks, Josh Hutcherson and Daryl Sabara in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The charming interplay between character, place, and the corresponding questions of artistic vision made the computer-based animation underlying this film a respectable choice. Maintaining the artistic qualities from the 1985 Chris Van Allsburg book titled The Polar Express, and doing a computer animated approach, is a choice that I personally support. I grant The Polar Express as directed by Robert Zemeckis 4-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, November 27, 2021