Story Stream: 3/14 - 3/20

Streaming on all the podcast appsHello friends and neighbors,

Here are the stories that I've been enjoying this week!

MOVIES

A Hidden Life (2019)

Terrence Malick is one of the greatest filmmakers of our time, and this is, in my humble opinion, one of his best works to date. It's long, and it keeps a slow pace, but it's stunning from start to finish. Beautiful film. Streaming on HBO Plus. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)

Black Rodeo (1972)

I continued this week in Criteron Channel's Black Western collection, which I mentioned in last week's Stream. This is a "documentary," sort of(?) about an all black rodeo that popped up in Harlem in the early 70s. I expected to be fascinated, but wasn't. In fact, it was pretty hard to even finish. It was mostly extended montages of black cowboys performing in rodeo events with 70s soul, funk, and RnB music playing. The only real highlight, if there was one, was a long scene in which boxing legend Muhammad Ali visited the rodeo, and wound up riding a bull. Streaming on Criterion Channel. (4/10 - Not Recommended)

Buck and the Preacher (1972)

As I mentioned last week, Sidney Poitier is brilliant in every role. He's especially good alongside Harry Belafonte, who plays one of the quirkiest, funniest characters in this movie. This is one of my favorites so far from the Black Westerns collection. Streaming on Criterion Channel. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)

TV

The Outsider (2021)

Whatever it says about us, my wife and I love a good murder mystery. This one is exceptional. I also love much of Stephen King's work. It doesn't hurt that this is directed by Jason Bateman, who, between this series and Ozark, is proving himself to be incredibly gifted as a director. (He also happens to be number one on my list of dream interviews). We thoroughly enjoyed this series. Binged the whole thing this week. Super creepy. Streaming on HBO Max. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Season 1

I've been a fan of this show since it first aired. Or, I should say, I was a fan of this show when it first aired. I followed it for several seasons and this sort of fell out of touch with it. What I love about it, outside of Charlie Day, is how blatantly, satirically, ridiculously offensive it seeks to me. Odd, as that's not really my thing. They don't just offend for the sake of offending though I don't think. As with any good satirical comedy, there are layers of very intentional commentary happening throughout. So whether it's racism, abortion, religion, capitalism, or any other hot button issue you can imagine, this show takes it on in the most absurd and extreme ways. I restarted the first season this week, which I haven't watched in years, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Streaming on Hulu. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended) 

PODCASTS

The Liturgists - "A Wretch Like You"

I listened to this show when it first began years ago, and wasn't exactly a fan. It felt clunky and disorganized. It's exploded into a massive show with a VERY active community since then, however, and as it turns out, has exponentially improved it's output. I listened this week only because my dear friend and Fun Parts co-host, Latifah Alattas, was a guest for one segment, and I found the whole episode to be a pretty delightful listen. Streaming wherever you listen to podcasts. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)

Huuuge Fan - "Nelly on the St. Louis Cardinals"

This week my mentor, who I mentioned in last week's post, invited me into a private group made up of Senior Producers at a couple major podcast networks, who gather each week to review one episode of a podcast together. Think of it as the podcasting equivalent of a book club for authors. They listen on their own time, then gather to discuss what they enjoyed, what they didn't, and what they would steal for their own work. This was my first time meeting with them and it was incredible. We listened to and reviewed an episode of Huuuge Fan, a podcast in which celebrities are interviewed about the sports team with which they're obsessed. This episode featured Nelly, and was... not my thing. BUT, the discussion was amazing. That part I HIGHLY recommend. The episode?... not so much. Streaming wherever you listen to podcasts. (3/10 - Not Recommended)

Smartless - interviews with David Sinclair and Brad Paisley

Thoroughly enjoyed both of these interviews despite not knowing who David Sinclair was or caring remotely about Brad Paisley before listening. You just can't miss with this show, I'm telling you. Streaming wherever you listen to podcasts. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

That's it for this week, friends! I'd love to hear what you're streaming too! Drop your recommendations in the comments below!