Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939);
The Great Dictator (1940);
All the King’s Men (1949);
The Manchurian Candidate (1962);
Dr. Strangelove (1964);
All the President’s Men (1976);
Dave (1993);
The American President (1995);
Wag the Dog (1997);
Lincoln (2012).
Same rules as the previous years: Classics mixed with lesser known films that are all organized chronologically by their release date beginning with the 1920s. Some of them I’ve seen and some of them I haven’t. Also, no film from the previous lists will be on here (2013, 2014, and 2015 for those interested in catching up), and IMDB must classify the movie as “horror” for it to qualify (so, unfortunately that still means no Jaws or Silence of the Lambs).
This year, as I said, I am mixing it up a bit. For starters, Kelley is joining me and that’s a big deal because she really doesn’t like scary movies at all… so it will be interesting hearing her perspective on the ones she is reviewing. Also, we are making introduction videos for each decade that will serve as an overview of that decade’s horror movies and themes and we’ll be posting them both on the site and on social media. They’ve been fun making them and we really hope you enjoy them. These videos influenced our decision to spread the films a bit more evenly this year, so there will be at least THREE films from each decade.
So, having said all that… ready to begin? Be sure to check back each night in October to read our reviews!!
If you’d like to follow along, this is the list (which we will begin on October 1st):
Mark here with the second installment of my 100-Book Challenge. One of the (many) motivations for this undertaking was to get to those novels I felt embarrassed not to have read yet, so books 11-20 bring us some literary heavy-hitters like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Austen, Morrison and more. That said, I do not intend my reviews as scholarly commentary, just the opposite; I want to give general readers a quick impression of each work and how much it lends itself to an enjoyable and fulfilling read. Of course, you could teach a full college semester on many of these novels, but we’re not here for that! We’re here to get some pages under our belts. So here we go:
- A Farewell to Arms – Ernest Hemingway: I am generally a fan of Hemingway, and many of you already know that his journalistic style makes him more accessible than some of the other so-deemed “greats.” But I have to say this is my least favorite of his works. The story of an American ambulance driver in WWI defecting with his lover to Switzerland, the novel cannot be ignored for its disenchanted view of The Great War and for its influence on American Literature…however, it’s quite a rough read toward the end, and has one of the most pessimistic conclusions I’ve ever encountered. While I completely understand such pessimism from the generation that saw one of the most destructive wars in history, I’d still suggest starting with For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Sun Also Rises, and Old Man and Sea.
- Diamond are Forever – Ian Fleming: check out our James Bond: Here and There podcast for a closer look at all of the Bond books!
- The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison: TOP PICK! Perhaps the greatest benefit of this challenge so far has been my introduction to Toni Morrison. Much of her work explores the profound and painful subject of slavery and race in America’s past and present, but she does so in a way that beautifully and achingly transcends mere social messages. I highly suggest this book, but warn you that there is some disturbing content which may take you out of your comfort zone.
- Lorca – Three Tragedies – Frederico Garcia Lorca: This collection of plays was a quick read for me. All three deal heavily with gender and class in rural Spain, and I enjoyed Lorca’s use of allegory and symbolism over realism. The kind of literature that’s accessible enough on a first read, but that you could peel apart layer by layer and never get to the bottom.
- This is Portland – Alexander Barrett: Okay, this is one of my cheater books. My wife and I took a trip to Portland, Oregon, and this was in the property we rented. You can read it in 20 minutes. But I justified counting it because I also read The Grapes of Wrath, and I feel they equal out to at least two books. This was a neat, funny little portrayal of Portland and I recommend it to anyone visiting or living in the area.
- Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen: A classic and a must-read, but I was really hoping I’d like it more…I know, I know, I know. I can feel the hot wrath coming off of some of you out there, but hey, it just didn’t arrest me. I loved the opening portrayal of protagonist Elizabeth Bennett when, quite against social expectations and the good sense of a lady, she marches three miles in the mud to watch over her sister who has conveniently become sick while visiting a male suitor. This tenacity sparked my interest (and even startled me a bit in the context of a book written in the early 1800s) but alas, the novel did not maintain an iron grip on my interest.
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass – Frederick Douglass: I believe I was assigned this book twice in high school and neglected to read it both times, much to my own detriment. This short account of Douglass’s life as a slave and his escape to the North was fascinating both for its biographical content, and for how he chose to fashion it as a story and an artifact for social change. (Also, make sure you read the introduction to this one.)
- The Blank Slate – Steven Pinker: Alright, here’s the thing. The two books of Pinker’s I’ve read are the kind of books I think everyone should read. The problem is that almost nobody will because they’re so long. The Blank Slate comes in at 525 pages, and explores (in-depth) the debate between nature and nurture, making the point that society does not give appropriate credence to fact that much of human nature is innate and unable to be conditioned. It has changed the way I see the world, but probably not a good choice if you’re trying to get in 100 books in a year. (I had already started it on audio-book before I began my challenge). His other book was even more influential and even longer: The Better Angles of our Nature: Why Violence has Declined at over 800 pages, but so good y’all…seriously. I kept thinking I’d lose interest but never did. Check both of them out maybe next year.
- The Red Badge of Courage – Stephen Crane. Another short work, this book was one of the early depictions of war (The Civil War) to do away celebrating honor and bravery and instead look at the gritty brutality of it all. Crane’s narrative voice was perfectly suited to the subject matter, but I sometimes had a hard time placing myself visually in the story. I’d still give it a look; it’s short and profound.
- This Side of Paradise – F. Scott Fitzgerald: This seemed like a book suited largely (dare I say only?) for Fitzgerald scholars and English majors. Heavily autobiographical, it chronicles a writer’s intellectual journey through college and into adulthood. It had its moments, but felt mostly like reading Fitzgerald’s disconnected diary entries. Also there was lot of horn-tooting when it came to how intelligent he is.
Okay, there you have it. Hope you’re finding your own gems out there. Feel free to mention them in the comments when you do!
The post 100-Book Challenge (Part 2) first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>
Tonight, I was excited to be able to attend an advanced screening of the new Derek Cianfrance film, The Light Between Oceans. TLBO is adapted from the best-selling novel by M.L. Stedman (which, unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I have not yet read), and at 7pm I walked into the historic Belcourt Theatre in Nashville not really knowing what to expect. I knew that the film’s three most prominent cast members (Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Rachel Weisz) are historically known for killin’ it on the silver screen, so if nothing else, I was intrigued. I’d heard it described as a “period piece”, which tends to evoke in me thoughts of Keira Knightley rustling around in petticoats and longing for men outside of her life’s station…but, in my opinion, a period piece this is not.
Don’t get me wrong–I love period pieces as much as, if not more than, the next person. I’d go so far as to say that I actively seek them out. I’ve chortled sophisticatedly whilst reading Pride and Prejudice, tossing my head and gaily thinking “Oh, Mr. Darcy!”; I’ve pondered the beauty of sheep on a grassy knoll, and Carey Mulligan wearing the heck out of a corset in Far From the Madding Crowd; I’ve wondered just what the hell Anna Karenina sees in that obviously-odious Count Vronksy, anyway! All this to say: as someone who enjoys period pieces heartily, I think calling The Light Between Oceans a period piece is an over-simplification that will give many movie-goers the wrong impression.
Yes, the film does take place largely in the 1920s. That being said, there is nothing even remotely F. Scott Fitzgerald about it, and flappers are nowhere to be found. Michael Fassbender does don some sexy, sexy shepherd pants, which I can only assume are the standard garb for rocky outcroppings of Western Australia in the early part of the 20th century (side note: let’s hope those come back around at some point, amirite?). That (and Rachel Weisz’s fabulous hats) aside, it’s very easy to forget that the story takes place in a vastly different time. The themes of isolation, survivalist guilt, and a mother’s love still ring extremely true today, and they dominate the plot to such an extent that I truly believe that this could be set in any time, any place.
To summarize, the story mainly focuses on two characters: Tom Sherbourne (Fassbender) and Isabel Graysmark (Vikander). Tom has spent four years fighting on the Western Front in WWI, and comes home a shell of a man. The narrative does not focus specifically on his past (though we are to understand that his adolescent family life was not a merry one), nor does it focus on events during the war. All we really know is that he has come back altered, even from his pre-war, already-stoic personality: ridden with a surviving solider’s existential guilt, and devoid of joy. Upon this return, he seeks out a remote position as a lighthouse-keeper on Janus Rock– someplace quiet and challenging (100 miles from the mainland, no less!), where he can seek refuge from a world of polite society that he no longer feels he belongs to. Enter Isabel, the daughter of a prominent personage in the neighboring (if you can call it that) mainland town of Partageuse. Alicia Vikander plays Isabel, and she is such a winsome, natural beauty that it’s not at all hard to see how she could slowly infiltrate the prison of Tom’s mind. She brings him out of himself, which I know sounds like something out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. But their courtship…you just have to see it. Her thousand-watt smile, her thirst for life, her boldness, her humor. All these traits creep under Tom’s skin, and though they seem at first to be opposite to his silent ways, you begin to realize that she’s bringing out mirrored shades of his own personality that have long lain buried. They marry fairly quickly, but unlike other films where the relationship timeline goes straight from meeting each other to being married, Tom and Isabel have an almost Bronte-like quality to their relationship that I find believable despite its speed. It doesn’t feel like rushed filmmakers, it feels romantic in a sweeping, wandering-the-moors-forever-in-search-of-your-ghost kind of way that goes far beyond the romance of cheap candy and flowers. It honestly feels very much like Cathy and Heathcliff’s “whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same”. Now, I’m aware that this is a lot of backstory to impart to a summary, but it’s extremely important to consider in the larger framework of the movie. Tom attributes every happiness of his life to his relationship with Isabel, so when a tiny infant and her dead father wash ashore of the lighthouse in a banged-up dinghy, he is at a serious moral crossroads. Isabel has suffered several miscarriages at this point, and they both long for a child of their own. He would do anything to make her happy again, and that’s essentially what the film boils down to.
Tom’s first inclination is to report the shipwrecked father and daughter to the mainland immediately, as the second great commitment of his life is to duty/honor/Doing The Right Thing. A distraught Isabel convinces him, however, to put off reporting the dinghy until they can “catch their breath” and give the poor baby some time to recuperate (read: never…NEVER!). Time passes, they both grow too fond of the baby to report her as a tragic, wayward sea-gift, and for several years they raise the child as their own. Then, at her christening on the mainland, Tom encounters the baby’s actual mother (Weisz) through a series of unforeseen-but-then-again-pretty-much-inevitable circumstances, and to go much further here would venture into spoiler territory. Suffice it to say: Tom and Isabel’s relationship is taxed to an extreme degree, and they must decide whether to give the baby up, or continue to raise her as their own, despite knowing who she really belongs to.
This movie is fairly long at 2 hours 10 minutes, and you can feel it at times. It’s by no means a perfect film, and despite loving it overall, I deducted half a star in my rating for a few small things. The reason we’re given for the father and infant being in the doomed dinghy in the first place is pretty weak…it’s vague at best and what explanation there is doesn’t really gel for me. Also, to split hairs, the fairly substantial baby that washes up in the boat is so obviously not a newborn that it feels silly that the men who run the supply boat accept her as being Isabel’s preemie…I guess crusty old sea bachelors don’t know what new babies look like? It kind of reminded me of the scene in The Choice (boo hiss) where Theresa Palmer’s dog has puppies, and they emerge from the uterus as fully-formed 12-week-olds. Anyway, I digress.
Whatever minor shortcomings it might have, The Light Between Oceans is a gorgeous, heartwrenching movie. Alexandre Desplat’s haunting musical score, the cinematography, and the acting by Fassbender, Vikander, and Weisz all come together to make for an exquisite film experience that will stay with you for quite a while. You will cry (…oh, YOU WILL CRY), but the emotions it elicits feel raw and real, and not like studio-manufactured emotional manipulation.
My fear is that this movie will be passed over by some as being “too dramatic”, but I ask that you not buy into that. Haters gon’ hate.
Do yourself a favor, and go see it. You’ll be glad you did.
The post The Light Between Oceans first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>Mark here, new-comer to The Good the Bad and the Podcast and co-host of the James Bond: Here and There series. Though this site is largely dedicate to cinema, we would be remiss in not giving a little attention to those wonderful packets of plot and profundity that provide so much fodder for movies: books!
And if you’re anything like me, the number of books in your house that you haven’t read greatly outweighs the number you have. Well, I decided to do something about it, and set out to read 100 books in a year. “You’re insane!” I hear you shouting, but not so! The experience so far has enriched me beyond measure, and I challenge you to try it yourself. Wait, wait! Don’t quit reading yet; at least look at the rules I set for myself, and see if they don’t sound reasonable.
The Rules:
- Pick a date, and start reading!
- Keep track as you go. Intermittently divide #days by #books and your ratio should be somewhere under 3.65
- Don’t panic, I’ve eased the pressure a little because:
- Audio-books count (most libraries offer them for free through smartphone apps)
- Novellas count (but I try to make sure each work comes in at least 50 pages or more)
- Shakespeare’s plays count (gotta get in the classics, and with the modern-day translations to help you navigate the original text, you can easily work through a play in two or three days)
There you have it: simple. It’s been just over four months, and I’ve found it easier to keep up than anticipated. Audio-books really help pad the numbers, and you’d be surprised how many minutes a day you can fill with them: cooking dinner? Pop in your headphones! Long car drive? Bust out your aux cable! I even listen while mowing the lawn and working out.
If any of you bibliophiles out there want to join me, I’ll write a separate post for every 10 books I read along the way, letting you know which I think are worth a gander and which you can skip over for something more engaging. Still don’t think you can do it? Try 50 books, that’s only one a week, and just imagine how informed you’ll be by the end! Come onnnnn. Crack one open with me and grab hold of some culture!
Books 1-10:
- Casino Royale,
- Live and Let Die and
- Moonraker – Ian Fleming: James Bond novels are the perfect fit for the 100-book challenge. Short, well-written, and steeped in adrenaline, you’ll find them quick reads while getting a nice dose of popular culture (and admittedly some sexism and 1950s prejudice too). See our James Bond: Here and There series a more in-depth look at the books and movies.
- Myths to Live By – Joseph Campbell: As a general rule, I suggest reading everything by Joseph Campbell you can get your hands on. His work with mythology, religion, and story-telling in general has found its way into every corner of our culture. This book was a good read, and a good length for the challenge. Other works I highly recommend are The Hero with a Thousand Faces (his best known), and The Power of Myth (an interview with Bill Moyers, which reads much better than most interviews).
- Everything that Rises Must Converge – Flannery O’Connor: This is my TOP PICK for this post, and O’Connor is easily one of my top 10 favorite authors. This collection of her short stories held me spell-bound. They somehow sparkle with the grotesque as they explore race and family in the antebellum South. If you like stories that lift up the log of life and show you the rot underneath, pick up this book or her other collection A Good Man is Hard to Find. You won’t be disappointed.
- King Lear – some guy named Will: Considered one of Shakespeare’s top tragedies, I was surprised and delighted by how funny this play often was. The tale of an aged King who foolishly spurns his one faithful daughter in favor of her two, more treacherous sisters, the masterpiece expounds upon themes of old-age, familial betrayal, and redemption. A must read.
- Interpreter of Maladies – Jhumpa Lahiri: Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this collection of short stories about India and Indian-Americans was enlightening, especially for an uninformed westerner. On the engaging scale, I’d only give it a 6 out of 10 for the general reader, but still well worth the time to read it. I mean, come on…Pulitzer Prize.
- Daisy Miller – Henry James: This novella is a quick read, and is often studied in literary Academia, but doesn’t have that immediate, startling beauty I look for in my prose. It tells the story of a young American girl visiting Europe, who refuses to hold herself to the Victorian social standards of the time, and how her actions impact the narrator of the story and his views on women and America.
- The Stranger – Albert Camus: Many of you may have read (or “read”) this one in high school, but go back and read it again! As an adult the novel struck my philosophical chords like it never could have in 11th grade. And it’s a nice, concise read too.
- Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad: I suspect I need to go back and reread this after doing a little research on it. It had powerful themes, and profound characters, but Conrad so downplays the active scenes, that it feels as if nothing really happens in the story. I think my ignorance is showing here…it’s very short, so go ahead and read it and tell me what you think. (For my future biographers: please disregard this last review. I completely understand and appreciate Conrad’s masterpiece.)
Well that’s it for now. Got get to reading!
The post “Better than the Movie”? first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>Same rules as the previous years: Classics mixed with lesser known films, all organized chronologically by their release date, with at least one film from each decade beginning with the 1920s. Also, no film from the previous lists will be on here (2013 and 2014 for those interested in catching up), and IMDB must classify the movie as “horror” for it to qualify (so, unfortunately that means no Jaws or Silence of the Lambs).
This year, I also wanted to pay tribute to Wes Craven, Christopher Lee and Roddy Piper since they all definitely shaped the horror film genre, so you’ll be seeing some of their films here, as well.
So… shall we begin?
If you’d like to follow along, this is the list (which we will begin on October 1st):
Now, to make it extra fun, I have hidden whose list is whose. Think you know us? Let’s find out!!
(When you’re ready to know, just click on the spoiler button below and all will be revealed!!) [su_spoiler title=”Who wrote each list?” style=”fancy” icon=”caret”]List A is Micah’s.
List B is Kelley’s.
List C is Charles’.
Who do you agree with the most?[/su_spoiler]
List A:
- 500 Days of Summer (2009)
- Citizen Kane (1941)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Dr. Strangelove (1964)
- The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966)
- Jaws (1975)
- The Lion King (1994)
- Office Space (1999)
- Pulp Fiction (1994)
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
List B:
- The African Queen (1951)
- All About Eve (1950)
- Casablanca (1942)
- Double Indemnity (1944)
- The Godfather (1972)
- To Have and Have Not (1944)
- The Philadelphia Story (1940)
- Psycho (1960)
- The Seven Year Itch (1955)
- When Harry Met Sally (1989)
List C:
- Dances with Wolves (1990)
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- The Godfather (1972)
- Inglourious Basterds (2009)
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
- Rear Window (1954)
- LOTR: The Return of the King (2003)
- Schindler’s List (1993)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Carey Mulligan, you saucy minx.
I have seen Thomas Vinterberg’s gorgeous adaptation of Far From the Madding Crowd twice now, and I have to say right up front: I love it. The cinematography, the score, the costuming, the casting choices…in my mind, they’re all aces. Never have lens flare and sheep-laden greenery looked so beautiful. As a movie playing out on screen, I think it hits almost every right note…but as a story, I do have a few minor qualms with it.
FFTMC is often described as Thomas Hardy’s “most pastoral” novel, which kind of begs the question: Why exactly was it resurrected from its dusty place on the bookshelf and turned into a Hollywood costume drama in 2015? Not to say that it didn’t deserve it, but for a while this rather puzzled me. It isn’t really one of Hardy’s more widely-remembered novels in today’s society (most people would think of Tess of the d’Urbervilles long before this one), and typically only the most well-known classics get modern film adaptations (Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Anna Karenina, etc). I think, though, that the answer is actually BECAUSE it is 2015. You guys, if 2014 was The Year of the Butt, then 2015 is most definitely The Year of the Strong-Willed Female Heroine. Which is great, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not 100% sure that the character of Bathsheba deserves that many accolades for being a fabulous fictional role model. It’s true, a little chorus of “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” does swell within one’s bosom when she sassily takes charge of her uncle’s sprawling farm in Weatherbury, but she also consistently belittles and patronizes her only real friend: Gabriel Oak. Never mind that it’s completely obvious they’re meant to be together; that’s not how you treat people. Feistiness and independence, while being lovely qualities, do not a heroine make. Not on their own, anyway.
I would liken Bathsheba to a slightly tamer, less self-absorbed Scarlett O’Hara (I know they’re wearing corsets, but seriously, can waists even BE that small?). She is beautiful, coquettish, and every man who sets eyes on her wants to marry her immediately. In other words, she has a slew of what Amy Shumer might refer to as #HotPeopleProblems. There is a steely strength in her determination to handle things on her own, BUT she is also vain, a bit flighty in her emotions, and can’t fathom being with the man who is clearly right for her until she has exhausted EVERY OTHER CONCEIVABLE OPTION (coughcoughRhett). You spend the vast majority of the movie just wanting to shake her until some sense falls out. Or…in. That is really my main annoyance with the story– the fact that she spends all this time touting her independence and saying she doesn’t want to be tied down in marriage to any man, but that’s obviously garbage because she gets suckered in by Sergeant Troy after knowing him for like five minutes. In reality, her hangup lies not in marriage but in obligation. She doesn’t like the idea that a perceived obligation, however slight, would deny her the ability to choose freely (again…2015, anyone?). She feels an inherent obligation to accept Gabriel Oak because he is her first (and for all she knows at that time, only) suitor, therefore the offer becomes unattractive to her. Later in the story, she feels obligated to accept Boldwood for a myriad of social and financial reasons (spoilers!), none of which involve passion or love. She feels trapped, and I can’t say I blame her. Still, though…come on, girlfriend. You can’t just string three men along for 2 hours and 400 pages and expect shiz not to hit the fan.
I’ve probably expended too many words on mostly book-related frustrations, but let me redeem myself by speaking solely about the Bathsheba of the movie here: Carey Mulligan is perfect in the role, and gives a master class in facial acting. You can think Bathsheba is a ninny for saying and doing most of the things she does (namely, ignoring the steadfast love of her truest and hunkiest friend), but CM’s ability to let the inner conflict steal across her face really gives you a chance to feel what she’s feeling. It lends a great deal of sympathy to the character, and while I wasn’t totally loving the Bathsheba of Hardy’s novel, Mulligan softened and made her much more palatable for 2015. The rest of the cast is equally excellent: Michael Sheen gives a fantastic, nuanced performance as Boldwood, Tom Sturridge is appropriately despicable as Troy (see his weird, wilted mustache for further confirmation of his weak moral fiber), and Matthias Schoenaerts is perfect as the stalwart and dreamy Gabriel Oak.
It is a quiet, subtly-played, sexy movie–there’s no doubt about it. Electricity is always crackling beneath the surface, and even though Bathsheba’s naivete often makes you want to strangle her with her own braid, I defy you not to grin when she winsomely tells her new staff that she intends to astonish them all.
The post FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD: AN ODE TO CAREY MULLIGAN first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>So, Katharine, in honor of your birthday and your inarguable fabulousness, here are 8 moments when I was truly your biggest fan:
1. The time Barbara Walters condescendingly asked you in an interview if you even owned a skirt, and you told her you would wear one to her funeral.
2. The way you completely embodied the role of Jo March in Little Women, so much so that all other subsequent Joes would pale in comparison (except in my heart you ended up with Laurie, not stupid-face Professor Bhaer).
3. When you helped Humphrey Bogart pull the steamboat through reeds and leech-infested waters in The African Queen.
4. …The African Queen, in its entirety. So good.
5. The way you looked at Jimmy Stewart in The Philadelphia Story when he told you “you’re made out of flesh and blood…you’re the golden girl, Tracy.”
6. When you, as Tracy Lord, reminisced about your marriage to Cary Grant/CK Dexter Haven via some heavy boat symbolism, and whispered to yourself “My, she was yar.” It made me want to find what the two of you had for myself: a relationship both romantic and silly, adventurous and based in friendship, with the knowledge that you were partners in life and in laughter. And, you know, someone with whom to bandy about nautical terminology that was laden with deeper meanings.
7. When you said “We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers – but never blame yourself. It’s never your fault. But it’s always your fault, because if you wanted to change you’re the one who has got to change.” I love that. I believe the world would be a better place if more people shared your view on this particular point.
8. When your wit and joie de vivre won Cary Grant’s heart again in Holiday, despite your bizarre pairing of mink coat and flat beret, a la Madeline from the children’s story. I love when women of intelligence and playful charm win out over the boring do-nothings and the slinky seductresses, and this role was a perfect example of you achieving just that.
Did I leave out any great Katharine Hepburn moments? Let me know your favorites in the comments below! 
I enjoy most kinds of music, but at the end of the day my heart belongs to the jazz and “easy listening” tunes from the 1940s-1960s. It’s just hard to top those beautiful old standards penned by the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and the other fantastic composers of the Great American Songbook. While many artists recorded their own versions of these songs, my favorite artist from this period will always be Ella Fitzgerald. Her career spanned an incredible SIXTY YEARS. And I mean ALL of sixty years, not like twenty years with an embarrassing, “Hey, I still exist!” comeback tour when she ran out of money. The lady was truly amazing.
I once stumbled across her entire CD discography at Half Price Books (oh yeah…CDs, baby), and for the seriously questionable price of ten dollars (?!) they all became mine. I imported them into my iTunes for easier, more rapid-fire consumption, and that gargantuan playlist was quite literally THE ONLY THING that would coax my 8-week-old Anatolian shepherd (Etta, after Etta James of course. All of the sass…all of the disregard for societal norms) into settling the heck down at night and going to sleep. Seriously, it was like a magical Pan Flute. Upon hearing it she would fall into a deep, coma-like slumber, and if the music ever stopped during the night (computer dying, etc) she would immediately wake back up, start crying, and poop on the floor. I kid you not.
You would think after receiving such tremendous acclaim, all the praise and accolades would have gone to Ella’s head, but in fact it was quite the opposite. In every interview and performance I have ever seen from her, she was modestly smiling and acting like the dulcet tones pouring forth from her lips were nothing but ordinary music. She was a classy, classy lady.
Check out her performance of “Body and Soul” on Frank Sinatra’s TV program, and you will see what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46VcQapZeD0
I mean…WOW. It just reaches into your chest and grabs your heart like a fist. I would be hard-pressed to think of another artist who sang as honestly, as simply, and as utterly without ostentation as Ella Fitzgerald. The music comes rippling out of her in these gorgeous, honeyed waves, and the purity of her voice is without comparison. She was often referred to as The First Lady of Song, and that title was richly deserved.
In honor of Ms. Fitzgerald’s birthday, I’ve been listening to her music all day and have come up with the following list of my favorite songs:
1. Our Love Is Here to Stay
2. Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered
3. How Long Has This Been Goin’ On?
4. I Can’t Get Started
5. I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)
6. Ain’t Misbehavin’
7. Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)
8. Embraceable You
9. Body and Soul
10. Dream a Little Dream of Me
11. The Nearness of You
12. You Won’t Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)
13. You Took Advantage of Me
14. Where or When
15. Isn’t It Romantic?
What are your favorite Ella Fitzgerald songs? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy Birthday, Ella. Thanks for the music.
The post HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELLA! first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>
As I watched this movie, one thought kept occurring to me: This is what A.I. might have looked like had Stanley Kubrick directed it himself. Despite my feelings toward both Kubrick and to Spielberg’s flawed version of A.I., I knew this thought wasn’t a bad thing, or at least I wasn’t associating it with a criticism of Ex Machina. And it certainly wasn’t a knock against Alex Garland, who makes his directorial debut here.
No, in fact, it was quite the opposite.
This is a film that deals with artificial intelligence in a realistic and frank manner that is rarely seen onscreen. It’s not an action movie about cybernetic machines sent back in time to take over the world, and it’s not a look at the distant future of what society will become if we don’t change course immediately.
Rather, it’s a movie about now. It’s about the birth of something, not the death of it, and that is quite refreshing.
Domhnall Gleeson plays Caleb, a programmer who wins a contest at his company and is given the chance to take part in a top secret experiment. He is to live with his extremely eccentric CEO, Nathan (played by Oscar Issac) for a week and determine if the artificial intelligence system Nathan has created could ever pass itself off as human. This system is in the form of a beautiful woman named Ava (Alicia Vikander) and Caleb is immediately drawn to her, more so than he could ever imagine. To say more would spoil this beautiful film for you, so I’ll just leave if at that.
Everything comes together incredibly well. The writing is as amazing as the intriguing effects and, on a surprising note, there’s actually quite a bit of humor. That’s something these types of movies don’t usually have and maybe that’s why they often drown in their own bleakness.
Definitely check if out, especially if you were let down by the wasted potential of A.I.
The post Ex Machina first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>
When I found out there was going to be a super secret surprise midnight screening of Furious 7 at The Paramount Theater during SXSW, I completely changed my movie watching plans for that day and made sure that I got a great spot in line. I ended up with a fantastic seat in one of the coolest theaters in Austin (although, my heart will always be with Alamo Drafthouse, but I digress).
Anyway, I mention all of this because I’m sure it will taint my view of this film. It’s hard to separate a great experience from a film, and boy, was this a great experience. First, producer Neal Moritz came out and explained to us how special this movie was to him. He also asked that we not spoil the fate of Paul Walker’s character. I will most certainly honor that request (although I will say that I think they handled it with a lot of respect) and I will also try to be as spoiler free as possible.
Mr. Moritz then introduced writer Chris Morgan, director James Wan and… Tyrese!!
My friend (and fellow SXSW attendee) Chris actually filmed all of this (WARNING: CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE) so check it out:
So, as I said, this was certainly a great experience and one that I’ll never forget.
Now, at this point, you already know if you’re a fan of The Fast and Furious films. They’re all ridiculous and over-the-top, but they’re also all extremely entertaining. I think, however, that the best thing the franchise ever did was bring back the cast from the first movie and put them in a heist movie instead of a racing film for the fourth movie. That changed things and made it much more interesting. It also kept the franchise going, because things weren’t looking too good after 2 Fast 2 Furious and Tokyo Drift (even though I really liked that one).
Then, they added Dwayne Johnson to the mix in Fast Five and suddenly, this became one of the most successful franchises of all time, despite the insane amounts of absurdity and machismo on display. It was a series that could almost do no wrong. Give credit to director Justin Lin for that because he has helmed the last four of these.
For this one, however, there is a new director: James Wan. He is known mostly for directing horror films like Saw, Insidious and The Conjuring and I wondered how all of that would translate to this particular series. Now that I’ve seen it, I have to say that I think he did an incredible job of keeping everything the fans love about the series while also adding his own unique flare to it.
His Furious film seemingly takes itself even less serious than those before it and is even more ridiculously absurd. Two men crash their cars head on into each other, completely smashing them, and then get out and shake it off like nothing happened. Then they continue their fight. On foot. This is normal in their world.
But somehow, it strikes just the right tone.
Every bad line is delivered in just the right way and every camera angle captures the cool action that we all want to see. Everything is perfectly handled and it’s all just a lot of fun.
The plot is pretty straight-forward: Vin Diesel and his crew are out for revenge after one of their guys is killed by the brother of the bad guy they defeated in the last movie. Kurt Russell plays a government agent who wants to help them out with their revenge if they’re willing to help him out. So, the crew accepts his offer and travels to many different countries where they have some of the best fight / action sequences of the entire franchise along the way. Jason Statham, Ronda Rousey, Tony Jaa and Djimon Hounsou make up the toughest adversaries they’ve ever had to face.
So, those awesome actions scenes plus the overall fun tone and nature of this film definitely put this one towards the top of the franchise for me. I really appreciated that it didn’t take itself serious at all. I’d say if you’re a fan at all, you need to check it out. It comes out on April 3rd and I hope they continue to make more!
The post Furious 7 first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>If you are not familiar with this movie, here is the trailer as featured on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1711014169/
The film begins as it does in the trailer, with Barbra herself invisibly singing the titular track. Boom. There it is. You’re hooked. If you’re not hooked by the haunting and gorgeous strains of this melody (and mist rising whimsically off the water, the whole nine yards) then I really just don’t know what to do with you. Just kidding (…maybe). The point is, Marvin Hamlisch wrote a score for this movie that is so beautiful it will make your teeth recede into your head. Whatever else I feel about The Way We Were, this theme song is, hands down, my favorite movie theme of all time.
My thoughts on TWWW as a whole are not so clear. During the podcast, I identified this as my “ugly” pick of the week—basically, I kind of love it, but also recognize that there are many horrifying and uncomfortable things about it that prevent me from revealing to most people that I have seen it a dozen times. One thing I do appreciate about it, though, is how different my feelings toward it are depending on my stage of life. I guess that can probably be said about most movies, but it feels particularly true with this one.
The first time I watched it was in 9th or 10th grade. I was sleeping over at my friend Lisa’s house, and we were hopped up on ice cream, friendship, and the delirium of being awake at 2 am. It came on TV, and we were completely spellbound. It was like a train wreck that our fifteen-year-old eyeballs simply could not tear themselves away from. What the crap was happening?! Didn’t Babs know she was BREAKING ALL THE RULES OF DATING?! Didn’t she know you were supposed to pretend NOT to like someone in order for him to know how much you liked him?! It was laugh-out-loud, roll-on-the-floor absurd, and I’m pretty sure I thought it was the stupidest thing I’d ever seen.
Fast-forward five years. I was halfway through college at this point, growing very disillusioned indeed with the world of men. I had had a few boyfriends, some unrequited crushes, and a series of sour and/or disastrous casual dates that never fully formed themselves into relationships. Luckily, I was living in an apartment with my posse of amazing ladyfriends, and our sole purpose in life (besides, you know, occasionally studying) was to guide each other through the inevitable pitfalls of romance and dating. It was then that I rediscovered The Way We Were, although this time it took on a completely different meaning to me. Suddenly, Babs/K-K-K-Katie was one thousand times more sympathetic, and I became enraged at Robert Redford for treating her so cavalierly! Who did he think he was, anyway? Why did he just expect everything to be so easy? Was he so afraid of a complicated, independent woman that he would throw away true love?!
Somewhere between these two extremes, you will find my current feelings on the matter. I think that as men and as women, we tend to polarize and gather amongst our gender at either end. Men watch this movie, and for the most part side with 15-year-old me. Katie’s desperate antics inspire in them a desire to run far, far away, or at the very least roll their eyes and swear off women who have strong political leanings of any kind. I have a very good guy friend who watched TWWW a few months ago, and immediately texted me “That was the scariest thing I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen all the ‘SAW’ movies.”
Meanwhile, I feel that most women, young or old, will empathize with 20 year old me. We watch this movie, and we think “Oh, men! That’s all they want—for everything to be easy! They just can’t handle complicated women who are independent! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!” This really is a great gender studies movie, when you get right down to it. And, to be honest, this point of view feels extremely true a lot of the time. ESPECIALLY when you are a young, single gal who can’t find a guy who wants to commit or deal with the fact that not only have you seen every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but you enjoy discussing them at length.
There is even an episode of Sex and the City about it (with parallels to Big and Carrie, of course). This clip pretty much says it all:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGL1fJEtHWk
Here’s the thing, though, ladies. What we ignore, in the presence of our gal pals, is that Katie is kiiiiind of an annoying character. We like to pretend that she isn’t, because most of us have at least one thing that we are ridiculously passionate about (in Katie’s case, Communism) despite the fact that nobody else cares about it. We wave our banners of individuality and feminism, but the truth is that if she were a man OR a woman, she would still be annoying and impossible. She has some truly great qualities, like being loyal and passionate and wanting Hubbell to be his best self, but she is also desperate and bull-headed and takes everything way too seriously. If a relationship is to succeed, both parties have to compromise a teeny bit. They just do.
When you have just gotten out of a relationship (and you personally feel that being able to recite entire passages from Gone With the Wind should make you MORE attractive to the opposite sex, not less) The Way We Were feels like your spirit movie. Quirky girls: UNITE! But then you actually WATCH watch the movie, and you realize that Babs’ character is out of control. Her antics in the entire first half of the film are the antics of a crazy person. Never, under any circumstances, should you remove your outer garments and crawl into bed with a sleeping man who A. Doesn’t realize you’re there, and B. Has never given you any indication whatsoever that he wants to “know” you in the biblical sense. Katie does not observe the conventions of polite society, however, and continues to plow through the movie with essentially no regard for how her actions might be affecting anyone else. This is where I feel she falls short as a character: it’s not that she’s “too complicated” for Hubbell, it’s that she is a bulldozer. She thinks she knows what’s best for him in every aspect of his life, and maybe she does, but I can’t help thinking this movie might have had a different ending if she would have toned it down about 5 notches. Let the guy write his book the way he wants to, jeez.
As a result of all this, she pushes Hubbell too hard one too many times, and he can’t deal any more. During the first of their breakups, Barbra says to him: “You’ll never find anyone as good for you as I am; to believe in you as much as I do, or love you as much!” to which Hubbell replies that he knows. And he really does! Both he and the audience know that what she says is true, but sometimes that is just not enough. Love and marriage are as much about love on a daily basis as they are about the grand scheme of things, and day by day we all just want to know that we are heard and appreciated. We want to know that what we say and think matters to that special someone, and despite all her best efforts, Babs was really only ever doing what she wanted to do. This, I think, is where we could all stand to do a little bit better. Let’s think of that someone else as much as we think about ourselves, and then we’ll start to have something really amazing.
Are you team #Babs or team #Redford? Let us know what you think in the comments below! As always, I encourage everyone to share his or her thoughts—I’d love to have a discussion on this or any other movie! Stay tuned for more classics with me, and please subscribe to GoodBadPodcast if you’ve got a hankerin’ for more movie talk!
“This is my favorite part!”
“Are you watching? Watch careful. This is important, ok.”
“I want to ride on a boat.”
“Everybody hold on! Whoa!”
“OK, this is where they die…aaaaand there they go.”
So…should I be concerned? Love that girl!
For more DARK COMEDY for those of us over five, check out our latest episode of the THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE PODCAST here
The post Funny Things My Daughter says about Dead Parents first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>
I was blown away by this film! In our modern world of dystopian Y.A. fiction fodder it is unique to see a multi-layered story as this one. So, a quick synopsis: in response to global warming, the world governments disperse a chemical into the atmosphere to strengthen the ozone (yeah, that screams disaster). It works too well and instead sends the world into a new ice age killing off all life on Earth. The only survivors board a train whose original purpose was a luxury liner which travels the globe. There of course is hierarchy on the train (first class, coach, etc.) which overtime turns into a bitter caste system. This exposition is quickly taken care of in the credit sequence so we can jump in with no waste into the story: the rebellion of the “tail end” people to overthrowing the engine.
Now this all may sound like a story you’ve heard before but “Snowpiercer” is so brilliantly executed you’ll think the dystopian concept couldn’t be told any other way. It also is as diverse as the train which it’s set. Based on a French graphic novel, written, directed and produced by a Korean crew and prominently starring British and American actors. The best way to describe this movie is that it is Asian cinema with English-speaking actors. The pacing, humor and (sometimes) melodrama of scenes are what I have seen with other Asian films. And the twists are numerous and shocking – leaving the viewer unsure from the beginning where it is going.
Story aside, the strongest attribute about “Snowpiercer” is the cast. All are great: John Hurt (Hellboy, V for Vendetta), Kang ho-Song (The Host), Jamie Bell (Jumper, new Fantastic Four franchise), Octavia Spencer (The Help) and Chris Evans who sets himself far apart from his Captain America role as the rebel leader Curtis.
By far though, the best performance is Tilda Swinton. Many times you have to remind yourself that the character on screen is Swinton and not just because of the thick glasses, fake teeth and heavy accent. The part was rumored to be originally written for John C. Reilly, but negotiations fell through leaving a very masculine part to be played by a female. All in all, the biggest upset of the Oscar season was that Tilda Swinton was not nominated for Supporting Actress.
As I write this, I am currently snowed in (ironic I know). So please take the time this cold weekend to watch this quintessential ‘snowed-in’ movie. You’ll be glad I gave you that push.
The post Snowpiercer: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Train first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>House of Cards – Netflix Original
Today, Netflix released Season 3 of House of Cards. If you haven’t watched the Kevin Spacey/Robin Wright show, there are now 3 seasons for you to partake in. Beware: you may have a southern accent and a knack for politics after watching all 39 episodes.
Behind the Mask – Hulu Original
Hulu recently released Season 2 of Behind the Mask, a docuseries that follows several high school, college, and professional mascots (and the people behind the mask). Both seasons are available to watch.
The Impression Guys – Soul Pancake’s YouTube Series
Season 1 of The Impression Guys is absolutely incredible. Nevermind that this is the first half hour series made for YouTube. The Impression Guys is about two voice actors who want to become series dramatic actors, so they create a 12 step program to shift into the dramatic acting field. Jim Meskimen, Ross Marquand, Angela Kinsey, and the rest of the cast are perfect. I hope Soul Pancake gets Season 2 out soon, because the 6 episodes of Season 1 are too good not to have a follow-up season.
Show to Binge Watch
Are you tired of waiting for new syndicated episodes to come on television? Want to catch your favorite shows or start a new show, without commercials? Here are some great shows to watch:
Parenthood (Netflix: 5 seasons; Season 6 available on Hulu)
Parks & Recreation (Netflix: 6 seasons; Hulu: 7)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Netflix: 9 seasons)
American Horror Story (Netflix and Hulu: 3 seasons)
Sons of Anarchy (Netflix and Hulu: 6 seasons)
Friends (Netflix, 10 seasons)
The Office (Netflix: 9 seasons)
M*A*S*H (Netflix: 5 seasons)
Frasier (Netflix: 11 seasons)
Dexter (Netflix: 8 seasons)
Saved by the Bell (Netflix: 6 seasons)
How I Met Your Mother (Netflix: 9 seasons)
Arrested Development (Netflix: 4 seasons)
That 70s Show (Netflix: 8 seasons)
Mad Men (Netflix: 6 seasons)
Breaking Bad (Netflix: 5 seasons)
Transparent (Amazon: 1 season)
Alpha House (Amazon: 2 seasons)
Shows Currently on Television
Find re-runs online or DVR episodes to catch up on these awesome shows currently on television. Here’s when new episodes air, or where you can find previous episodes:
Modern Family (on ABC, Wed @ 9/8c; 16 episodes on Hulu)
Better Call Saul (on AMC, Mon @ 10/9c)
The Walking Dead (on AMC, Sun @ 9/8c)
Top Gear (on BBC America, Mon @ 8:30/7:30c; Netflix: 4 season; Hulu: 8 seasons)
The Amazing Race (on CBS; 22 seasons available on Hulu)
The Big Bang Theory (on CBS, Thurs @ 8/7c)
Mike & Molly (on CBS, Mon @ 8:30/7:30c)
The Odd Couple (on CBS, Thurs @ 8:30/7:30c)
Survivor (on CBS, Wed @ 8/7c; 26 seasons on Hulu)
Key & Peele (on Comedy Central; 3 seasons on Hulu)
Workaholics (on Comedy Central, Wed @ 10/9c)
Backstrom (on FOX, Thurs @ 9/8c)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (on FOX, Sun @ 8:30/7:30c)
The Last Man On Earth (Premieres on FOX, Sun. March 1)
The Mindy Project (on FOX, Tue @ 9:30/8:30c)
The Night Shift (on NBC, Mon @ 10/9c)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (on NBC, Weeknights 11:35/10:35c)
Let me know if this extensive list helped you avoid cabin fever or if there are any of your shows that didn’t make this list.
The post Winter Watch List first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>The Walking Dead [Season 5 premieres Sun, Oct 12 – 8 pm central on AMC]
AMC is the perfect home for The Walking Dead. Seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4 have kept me interested throughout, despite fan comments about lackluster episodes here or there. Honestly, I enjoy the character development and build-up just as much as the guts and violence. I also admire the writers taking a different approach from the comics. It keeps the viewer guessing where the characters are going and who may be the next to go. Have I mentioned how awesome the effects and makeup are? They could have another show just dedicated to the behind-the-scenes work on The Walking Dead and I am pretty sure people would watch it! AMC does have an interesting site to share some of these bonus features and behind-the-scenes moments.
AMC’s Talking Dead [Sun, 9 pm central on AMC, right after The Walking Dead]
Speaking of behind-the-scenes, Chris Hardwick hosts an increasingly popular talkshow to address what just happened in the recent episodes of The Walking Dead, with not only cast members, but celebrity fans of the show as well. In between segments, Talking Dead shows facts and information about the show that is somewhat reminiscent of VH1’s Pop-Up Video. If you’re one of the 15.7 million people watching The Walking Dead, stick around after the show to catch more facts, conversation, and theories from Talking Dead.
Town of the Living Dead [Tues, 9 pm central on Syfy]
This unscripted reality show brings you to the small town of Jasper, Alabama, where a group of people have been struggling to make their very own zombie film for the past six years! Watch as they struggle to fund, produce, and direct “Thr33 Days Dead”, and risk being shut down by the Christian townsfolk. As a film grad, I absolutely love watching this show! I have a lot of respect for people who put all of their money, resources, heart, and dignity into an idea, only to realize that things are not going as planned. That is the case in any film, no matter how big or small the production. This group of misfits has my attention with their hilarious antics and misfortune throughout the filming of this movie. Oh, and did I mention, the Syfy channel plans to air this film when it’s done (whatever year that may be)?
ZNation [Fri, 9 pm central on Syfy]
Man, Syfy is on a roll this year. ZNation is off to a great start, with a story about a group of people trying to survive a zombie outbreak three years after the ZN1 virus has taken over the world. (Think Resident Evil meets The Last of Us). I risk ruining the story if I go into much more detail, but I want to say that ZNation is a stand-alone show from The Walking Dead. If you try to compare dialogue or effects to AMC’s hit show, you will not love ZNation. With that being said, ZNation has a great story being developed in the first few episodes, and a cast full of recognizable people: DJ Qualls (Road Trip, The New Guy, Legit, Supernatural), Tom Everett Scott (Southland, Law & Order) and Kellita Smith (The Bernie Mac Show).
iZOMBIE [Coming Soon on the CW]
Based on the graphic novel, this show revolves around Olivia, a medical resident recently turned into a zombie. Not much else is being released about this new show, but the cast described it as “comedic, dramatic, with crime-scene and mystery solving in the mix. Keeps your eyes open for this show, the season announcement should happen in the next few months.
The post Your Guide to Zombie Nation first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>
…which is why I’m back this year for the sequel!
Same rules as last year: Classics mixed with lesser known films, all organized chronologically by their release date, with at least one film from each decade beginning with the 1920s. Also, no film from last year’s list will be on this one, and IMDB must classify the movie as “horror” for it to qualify (so, unfortunately that means no Jaws or Silence of the Lambs).
So, having said all of that… are you ready?
If you’d like to follow along with us, this is the list (which we will begin on October 1st):
The League [Season 6 currently airing on Wed at 10/9c on FXX]
Being as last night was the premiere of The League’s sixth season on FXX, I have to start with this show, written and based on a couple that both participate in fantasy football leagues. I was a little skeptical at first, and not sure if this show would be for me, but I instantly fell in love with the many characters and interesting dialogue that seems so conversational and realistic. Please be aware that this show gets away with a lot of shenanigans, trash talk, Shiva blasts, casual drug-use, sex, pranks, borderline racism, and I’ll-do-anything-to-win behavior between our six main characters. I wouldn’t recommend watching this with your kids, your grandparents, or your pastor; but if you can take this comedy and run with it, you will find yourself binge-watching the hell out of this show and singing your way into the Shiva Bowl. As a second-year fantasy football player, I find myself wishing my league had the same atmosphere and comradery as The League, minus Dirty Randy and all the drug use of course. Guess I can’t complain if I have Megatron in my starting line-up though. “Shiva, kamini-soma, kandarkram-shiva, kaminisomakandarkram, hey!” (5 seasons on Netflix)
Who doesn’t love them some Craig T. Nelson? Please, tell me you know who Craig T. Nelson is. He’s Coach. This is iconic 90s television at its best. ‘Nuff said. (9 seasons on Netflix)
Friday Night Lights [2006-2011 on NBC]
I told you I was a Texas girl. Naturally, this show is set in a small Texas town known as Dillon, and is full of heart, drama, and football. Honestly, this show is a million times better than its movie counterpart, with Kyle Chandler (Early Edition, Homefront) playing Coach Taylor, a man of integrity and a true father-figure and role model for his team. Connie Britton (Spin City, American Horror Story, Nashville) plays his wife, a guidance counselor and mother to their high school daughter dealing with her own growing pains. Friday Night Lights will get you pumped for football season. “Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can’t lose.” (5 seasons on Amazon Prime and Netflix)
Blue Mountain State [2010-2012 on Spike TV]
Blue Mountain State is the raunchier, more outrageous older brother of Friday Night Lights, making Spike TV the perfect home for this football saga. Be prepared for stereotypical jock-talk, college partying, sex-capades, and oh yeah, a little bit of football. It makes The League appear much, much tamer. “I did some uppers annnd then I did some downers. Annnnnd then I chased the dragon. Not proud of that.” Don’t say I didn’t warn you. (3 seasons on Amazon Prime and Netflix)
Pros vs. Joes [2006-2010 on Spike TV]
Another Spike TV sports show, only this time it’s a reality show that brings the Average Joe face-to-face with a Pro athlete to compete in athletic events for a title, bragging rights, and some cash. I love watching people talk smack and only occasionally come out victorious, and the pros are talented and entertaining. Re-live your glory days and watch Pros vs. Joes. (5 seasons on Amazon Prime)
Behind the Mask [2013 on Hulu]
When you think of a team, you often think of the mascot, and this original docu-series on Hulu shows you the world of being a mascot on every level: high school, college, semi-pro, and pro. You will be rooting for Rooty, saying “hey” to Hey Reb, and bowing down to Bango in no time. Hopefully a second season will be out soon, but for now, enjoy this Sports Emmy Nominated Series on Hulu. (1 season available on Hulu Plus)
Stereotypes: Fantasy Football [Dude Perfect on YouTube]
Even though Dude Perfect is a company developed by a bunch of Aggies, these Texas boys know how to entertain people, especially with their short-form series known as Stereotypes. Get your laughs from their fantasy football stereotypes video that captures every personality in a league perfectly. “Fantasy Football, it’s not fantasy. It’s real life.”
First Take [Currently airing M-F 10am/9am, central on ESPN2]
Don’t get me started on the epic casting of Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith as analysts for one of my favorite sports talk shows on ESPN. I don’t often find myself watching sports analysis, but when I do, I prefer First Take. These guys make any and all topics entertaining, especially because they never seem to agree on anything, which makes for heated and hilarious conversions. Also, as a side note, I find Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith’s names entertaining to say, and Skip’s resemblance to Maury Povich uncanny.
College GameDay [Currently airing Sat 9am/8am, central on ESPN]
Apart from the fact that College GameDay held their weekend broadcast in Fort Worth for College Kick-off this year, I have to say that this is one of the most thrilling ways to wake up on a Saturday morning. It’s like Saturday morning cartoons for football fans. I know a lot more people who watch college ball than the NFL (which is part of the reason why I joined a fantasy league, so I could find more love for the pros). Every week College GameDay hits the road, showing viewers what fans are like across the nation. They go over the major games of the day and what fans should expect, while also giving a nod to the local college they’re visiting. This show really gives you a sense of pride and joy for the college energy and atmosphere. Sometimes I get up on Saturday morning, eat my cheerios, watch College GameDay, and feel like I’m still a college kid. Honestly, it’s totally worth waking up early on the weekend to watch this program… unless your rival team’s hosting. Then you may get a little sick of the scenery.
Epic Meal Empire [Season 1 currently airing on Sat at 10pm/9pm, central on FYI]
Part of the reason why I love football season is because of the food. And if you haven’t heard of Epic Meal Empire (formally known as Epic Meal Time), then you haven’t read my first blog post. Tsk-tsk. Anyway, Epic Meal Empire began as the YouTube channel Epic Meal Time, in which big, burly men made these, well, epic meals loaded with the most ridiculous ingredients and typically resulting in caloric values in the 2,000-10,000 calorie range. With their YouTube success, these guys started a company to make epic meals for businesses and events. What better way to spend your evening watching a food masterpiece come to life, after already gorging yourself with potato skins and frothy beverages? (Episodes on Hulu)
Well, I hope this scratches that football itch you’ve been having all spring and summer. Now go lock your line-up, because regular season starts in just a few hours and nobody likes a lazy coach.
The post The Shiva, Megatron, Mascots & Stereotypes: Welcome to Football Season first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>
Joining me this time around will be Micah and Kelley, two of my very good friends who just so happen to love movies as much as I do. Now, we don’t all love the same movies, of course, and sometimes, our discussions can get quite heated but we always have a good time none-the-less! The format for this show will also be slightly different than the previous one with the hopes that we can always be current and fresh. For instance, we are no longer using an IMDB list from years ago to choose our movies; instead, we will take turns choosing a specific topic for each show and then discussing a (drumroll, please) GOOD example of that topic, a BAD example of that topic, and an example of that topic that you know is horrifically UGLY yet you can’t look away.
Good. Bad. Ugly. No cliches here.
Now, these topics will range from something pretty general like genre (horror, comedy, etc.) to more specific things like director or actor. Our first episode, which will be coming soon (I promise!), will be about road trip / journey movies. This was Micah’s pick and so we will discuss the three movies he has picked and see if we all agree or not.
So, fret not for the future of this podcast ’cause I’m not going anywhere.
As always, have a good one!
The post New & Improved Podcast Coming Soon first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>Okay, maybe I’m being a little over-dramatic, but if you’re anything like me, the in-between stage can be a bit blah and tough to navigate. The key is figuring out what to watch so you don’t feel like you’re “waiting for next season”.
Summer shows are almost over, and there will be a small lag in programming until September 4, when NFL regular season starts (or Sept 7 if you have no interest in the old pigskin.)
Here’s what you should be watching until then:
Shark Week: August 10 – August 16
I shouldn’t have to explain how epic Shark Week is, but this week has always held a special place in my heart. You see, when I was a kid, Shark Week was the final escape of the summer before I had to go back to school. My sister and I would spend hours watching the thing that feared us the most, partly because sharks are so interesting and mysterious; but also because, as much as we feared sharks, it wasn’t as scary as having to wake up at 7 am every day and go to class! This year, Shark Week is ramping up their online presence, with Non-Stop Shark Cams, Instagram and Twitter runners on their main page, as well as contests, games, and more. Somehow they found a way to make me even more excited to see the #KingofSummer.
Netflix and Netflix Roulette
Derek, Hemlock Grove, Arrested Development, House of Cards, Orange is the New Black. That’s just the most popular Netflix Original programming you can find on this site. I also love exploring other series that they have to watch hours upon hours without commercials or breaks: Dexter, Mad Men, How I Met Your Mother, The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, The Office, Parks and Rec, New Girl, The League, Sons of Anarchy, Lost, American Horror Story – allow me to go on and on about the number of television shows that Netflix has to offer. Now get a comfy chair, a couple refreshments, and your jam-jams on, because you’re going to be here for a while. And if you’re still not happy with what Netflix has to offer, or find yourself saying, “I don’t know what to watch on there! I’m so tired of scrolling through choices!” look no further than Netflix Roulette, which allows you to select a few filters, click Spin, and randomly happen upon a choice that it thinks you should watch on Netflix, eliminating the need to shuffle through the Netflix jukebox and titles. You can thank me later.
Hulu Plus
What? Hulu has created original content too? Why yes, yes they have. They even have their own “originals” tab, so you can jump straight to it. The Hotwives of Orlando is one of my faves, mostly because I hate all of the “Real Housewives of…” series on Bravo, and also because I love this cast: Angela Kinsey (from the Office), Kristen Schaal (from Bob’s Burgers and 30 Rock), Paul Scheer (the League), Joey McIntyre (yes, the NKOTB himself), the great Stephen Tobolowsky (Californication, Heroes, and Deadwood), and more. The Hotwives of Orlando is one of the best parodies of modern reality television and even if you love the Bravo shows, you will want to watch this series on Hulu.
Amazon Prime
If you are already through with House of Cards and are looking for some more political roughhousing, then look no further than Alpha House on Amazon. John Goodman steals the show of this original series on Amazon Prime that the viewers themselves picked. Yes, Amazon Prime is unique in that every year it hosts a “Pilot Voting” period where they have twenty or so pilots in which viewers can vote and, upon popularity, see turned into a full series. Talk about giving the power to the viewer! Alpha House and Betas are just a few of the shows that won that opportunity in 2013, and Amazon has recently released more for 2014. Amazon doesn’t make it as easy to find their original content as Hulu, but they have a link here that shows their current content.
If after all these suggestions, you still feel like you can’t possibly get through the next month with your sanity intact, I suggest you take a long nap and wake up when the calendar says September.
The post Week to Week first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>“What do you mean you haven’t heard of ‘Epic Rap Battles of History?’ It’s only one of the most popular channels on YouTube, with over 10 million subscribers and millions of hits on every video they post! Hence the name ‘Epic.’“
“Sorry Aly, I just don’t keep up with that stuff like you and your brother,” my mother commented.
“Yea, well, he’s watching Annoying Orange and Assassin’s Creed walkthroughs, and I’m watching stuff a little more entertaining.”
I proceeded to show them ERB’s most popular videos (which my dad absolutely loved) and the conversation progressed into other content worth watching. At that moment, I realized that my parents have no idea what’s on TV anymore.
The truth is, I watch a lot of television. But not just the Boob Tube: if it’s entertaining and accessible, I find time for it. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Vimeo, Cable and Network television (as well as their .com counterparts), Apple TV – the whole 9 yards.
The problem is, in 2014, there are a lot of choices to choose from. How can anyone possibly know where to direct their attention when they have a million other things to do? And thus, this blog was born! I can finally put my useless obsession with all things small screen to good use! I will not only post reviews of series shows, shorts, and webisodes, but also give advice as to what you may want to watch based on overall plot, genre, etc. Stay tuned to see my next post, titled “Week to Week.”
The post My Parents Have No Idea What’s on TV Anymore first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>Good luck on your picks!
The post 2014 Oscar Predictions first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.]]>I know, I know. Original, right?
Anyway, I wanted classic horror films as well as some lesser known films to make the cut. I also wanted some films I’d seen a million times on there as well as others that I had somehow missed along the way. And then, I decided I wanted to organize them chronologically and have at least one film from each decade on my list, starting with the 1920s.
So, without further ado, here is my list (which I will begin on October 1st):