#steve conrad

Louisville police chief fired after officer bodycams found to be off during fatal shooting

The two officers involved, who either were not wearing their cameras or did not have them activated, have been placed on administrative leave.

Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad has been relieved of duty after it was revealed that the officers involved in a shooting that killed a local business owner early Monday did not activate their body cameras.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is amusing and uplifting. In the right mood, it might even be inspiring.

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) is a quiet daydreamer who works at Life Magazine. He is trying to work up the courage to ask out his co-worker Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) when he learns the magazine is discontinuing its printed issues. To make matters worse, he's misplaced the photo selected to appear on the final cover. In order to track down the missing photographer, Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn), and (hopefully) another copy of the negative, he'll have to do the unthinkable: go on an adventure.

The film can be predictable, particularly towards the conclusion, but you won’t mind thanks to Walter, who is inherently likable. He’s kind of a wimp, but not in the way that you’re used to seeing in bad comedies. It’s more that life itself has set him up to be ordinary. When Walter finds Cheryl on an online dating website, he tries to leave a wink for her, but he can’t. It’s not that he’s spineless or cowardly, it’s that when he tries, an error message pops up! When he contacts tech support, the operator (Patton Oswalt) comments that Walter’s profile isn’t enticing because he hasn’t really done anything noteworthy. This realization prompts him to go searching for Sean O'Connell.

There’s a lot to like about the film. There's beautiful scenery as Walter travels from the United States to Greenland, to Iceland to the Alps. Each change of scenery serves a dual purpose. You see what Walter has been missing and drives the point that he was overdue for an adventure. You get to experience the same kind of wonder he does, which would prompt you to go on a wild quest of your own, provided you had the time and money to spend. The romantic element of the film also works quite well. Without being overly cutesy, Stiller and Wiig have good chemistry, and it’s easy to cheer for them to get together. 

The buds of comedy planted throughout are also quite good. From the bearded, hipster jerks that come in and announces that Life is downsizing, to the outrageous characters that Walter finds on his quest, there are many quirky people that aren’t in the film for a long time but bring in some laughs. Also fun are Walter's little daydreams at the beginning of the film (they disappear when Walter begins his real adventure). Who hasn’t fantasized of suddenly turning into a hero, a smooth-talking, irresistible explorer that makes the ladies fawn, or even of defenestrating your douchebag boss?

There are points where the developments feel a bit too convenient or where it’s predictable, but it’s nothing major that will detract from your enjoyment. Is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty overly sentimental? At times, yes. But it remains effective. It’s worth viewing if only so you can be inspired to say “yes! I’m going to make something out of myself, and it’s going to be awesome!” (On DVD, September 3, 2014)

Perpetual Grace, LTD. (2019)

Perpetual Grace, LTD. is a 10-episode modern noir drama from MGM Television, which follows James (Emmy award nominee Jimmi Simpson), a young grifter, as he attempts to prey upon Pastor Byron Brown (Academy Award-winner Sir Ben Kingsley), who turns out to be far more dangerous than he suspects. The pastor and his wife Lillian (Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver) -- known to their parishioners as Pa and Ma -- have used religion to bilk hundreds of innocent people out of their life savings.

Directed by:   Steve Conrad

Starring:   Jimmi Simpson, Ben Kingsley, Jacki Weaver, Luis Guzman, Damon Herriman, Chris Conrad, Kurtwood Smith, Terry O'Quinn, Timothy Spall, Hana Mae Lee, Dana DeLorenzo, Eliana Alexander, Michael Chernus

Wonder (2017)

Directed by Stephen Chbosky

"When given the choice of being right or being kind. Choose kind."