Watkins Glen

The X-Files: Beyond the Sea/E.B.E. [VHS]
$5.99
The first episode on this tape is masterfully done. Scully's father dies unexpectedly of a massive coronary and she begins to see his image suddenly appearing. Two college students are kidnapped and a brutal serial killer named Luther Boggs that is on death row claims to be channeling communications from the dead and the abducted students. Mulder's work as a profiler was largely responsible for Boggs being captured, so he has a grudge against Mulder.
What makes the episode fascinating is that it reverses the roles of Mulder and Scully. In a typical situation, Mulder is the believer and Scully the skeptic, but now Scully wants to believe and Mulder is the skeptic. When Boggs appears to channel the spirit mind of Scully's father, she finds it difficult to stay objective. Mulder is forced to be somewhat harsh in explaining that the kidnapper and Boggs could be working as a team, because Boggs is demanding that his death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment before he will continue to cooperate.
Through excellent investigative techniques, Scully and Mulder are able to find the abducted teens before they are killed, although Mulder takes a bullet. When he realizes that he is going to be executed, Boggs tells Scully that he will send her a message from her father before he dies. The last scene is a simultaneous one; Scully is explaining to Mulder how Boggs could have faked all his messages while Boggs is being led to the gas chamber. It ends with Boggs dying and Scully receiving no message.
The second episode was somewhat tedious; it begins with a human fighter jet over Iraq shooting down a craft containing extra-terrestrials. One of the crewmembers survives and is being transported in a truck across the United States. Flying saucers are following the truck and that leads Scully and Mulder to the case. In a series of lies and deceptions, Deep Throat communicates with Mulder and he and Scully are eventually led to a power plant in Washington. They manage to falsify identification badges and enter the facility. When Mulder is finally to the point where he can look into the chamber containing the alien, the plant guards capture him. At that time, Deep Throat appears and gives Mulder a bit of explanation regarding the human treatment of extra-terrestrials. It all comes across as a weak plot and explanation. It also expands on the plot device of the super-secret government within a government and introduces the "Lone Gunmen.".

Live At Watkins Glen
$7.99
This is the only official live recording of The Band playing as a quintet. Rock of Ages and the The Last Waltz have horns and other instruments augmenting proceedings.

You know you're going to enjoy this from the first track a stirring version of Chuck Berry's 'Back to Memphis'. Levon Helm's vocal is powerful and gritty and Robbie Robertson plays some mean variations on Chuck Berry's original rock 'n' roll guitar licks. 'Endless Highway' shows off the organ playing skills of Garth Hudson and the vocal by Rick Danko isn't bad either. Talking of vocals, the version of 'I Shall Be Released' on this album gives you the chance to hear Richard Manuel's unique singing voice. For this song its sung entirely falsetto, an amazing performance.

My favourite track on the album is 'Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever'. A great cover of a Motown song, which on this performance sounds like it was written for The Band (it wasn't). Danko's vocal is brilliant, aching and desperate, with the rest of the backing vocals fitting perfectly.

The reason it doesn't get five stars is the inclusion of 'Too Wet To Work' a Garth Hudson instrumental which is like an old fashioned Cinema interval. He's a brilliant musician but this sounds out of place.

The rest of the album is great and captures one of the most important American/Canadian Rock N Roll groups at the height of their career. Whether this is isn't the Watkins Glen concert doesn't matter to me its dam good regardless.

Watkins Glen International Framed Wall Art
$89.99
This aerial panorama of Watkins Glen International was taken during a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race by Christopher Gjevre. Law student and racing enthusiast Cameron Argetsinger dreamed up plans to bring European style sports car racing to the village of Watkins Glen. The dream became a reality on October 2, 1948. The Glen hosted its first Formula 1 race in 1961 and first NASCAR Winston Cup Series race in August of 1986. In addition to holding NASCAR and SCCA events, Watkins Glen International also hosts the nation's largest vintage events, the Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix and hosts the open-wheel cars of the IndyCar Series once a year.

Speed Secrets At "The Glen" Watkins Glen
$34.95
The Official Watkins Glen Instructional DVD covering advanced techniques for navigating the turns, braking, turn-in, apex, and track out points and more. Even includes detailed track maps in PDF format. A must have for every racer's library.