Story Stream: 4/4 - 4/10
Hello friends and neighbors! Here are the stories I streamed this week. I'll be honest... there were A LOT. Not entirely sure how I fit it all in this week, but... well... I did. As always, I'd love to hear what you're watching/listening to in the comments! Recommendations are always welcome!
MOVIES
Waiting For Guffman (1996)
Little needs to be said about this or any of Christopher Guest's cinematic masterworks. They're all genius. Perfectly directed and flawlessly acted. No exceptions. I've loved this movie for many years, and thoroughly enjoyed introducing my mother-in-law to it this past weekend. It has aged VERY well over the last 25 years. Streaming on HBO Max. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)
Buffalo Soldiers (1997)
The final film in the Criterion Channel's Black Western collection. I've looked forward to this one since I began watching these films, but then as it started, I must admit my expectations plummeted. That was when I realized I was watching a made-for-tv movie. To my great surprise, this was actually a pretty solid entry in the collection though. Significantly better than I imagined a TV movie would be. Quite a bit more graphic too though, fair warning. Streaming on Criterion Channel. (6/10 - Recommended)
Sons of the Desert (1933)
I chose to watch this out curiosity and convenience. With a total run time of just over an hour, it fit pretty perfectly the brief window I had available, and I'd never seen any Laurel & Hardy films, so I checked it out. I suppose it was about as funny as a ~90 year old comedy about domestic violence and deception can be. I doubt I'll revisit it at any point, but I'd watch more from Laurel & Hardy. Streaming on Criterion Channel. (5/10 - Recommended-ish)
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Still quasi-excited to see Godzilla vs. Kong, I had one more film to get through first. While this wasn't as corny as Kong: Skull Island, which I reviewed last week, it still wasn't amazing by a long shot. Although, I'm not sure there’s a better way to produce these movies in the 21st century. They're over the top, somewhat necessarily. This one was a fun watch, sort of despite itself. It did renew some of my excitement around the new film, which I'll likely review next week. Streaming on HBO Max. (6/10 - Recommended)
Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
I'm a Marvel guy. Always have been. Not to say I haven't loved several iterations of Batman over the years. I have. Very much so. Same for Superman. But, just generally speaking, most of the DC comics movies have... well... sucked. I often watch them anyway, cause I just enjoy the mythology around superhero narratives. I'd seen Justice League at some point, and thought it was pretty bad. But I've still been interested in this (4+ hour!) Zack Snyder cut of the film. I can't tell you what was actually different about it, but for whatever reason, I really liked this version. There's still plenty of corniness, and it's longer than necessary for sure. But, whatever he did, I liked it. (For the record, I'm also pretty excited to see The Suicide Squad when it releases). Streaming on HBO Max. (6/10 - Recommended)
Coming 2 America (2021)
As a nostalgia junkie, I've been looking forward to this for a while. Even still, it sort of snuck up on me. I knew it was coming in 2021, but it had been out a week before I even realized it. I finally got around to it this week, knowing full well how ridiculous it would be (in the best way), and I'll just say it did not disappoint. It was silly, but such a great call back to the original. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will definitely revisit it. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)
Thunder Force (2021)
I didn't know anything about this. The trailer pulled up on Netflix yesterday (it's release day, apparently), and I watched about 5 seconds of it, stopped it, and started the movie. It looked like exactly the kind of lighthearted, entirely ridiculous comedy I was in the mood for. Plus, Jason Bateman, (who is easily in my top 5 dream interviews). After hearing him and Melissa McCarthy on SmartLess a while back, I knew their chemistry would be good. I had no idea it would be like this though. So. Much. Fun. Pay no attention to the barrage of negative reviews this is getting from critics. They all seem to be overthinking it. Just turn it on expecting to see something light, fun, and silly. And Jason Bateman. You won't be disappointed. Streaming on Netflix. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)
TV
I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth v. Michelle Carter
This is a super twisted story that I, apparently uniquely, have no memory of whatsoever. This two-part documentary did a good job of leaving me completely conflicted, which I believe was intended. I'll just say I'm thankful I wasn't the judge who had to rule on this case. The trial was fascinating though. Sad story, but worth watching. Streaming on HBO Max. (6/10 - Recommended)
WandaVision
I've had extraordinarily low expectations for this. I liked the idea that Marvel would make an Avengers-related series, but these aren't the characters I'd have necessarily chosen. And the plot/format just looked so odd. I started it anyway this week, and I have been pretty shocked by how clever it is. What did NOT come off well in the trailer and other promos for it, has really impressed me in the actual series. If you haven't started this, give it a go. Even if you're not a huge fan of the genre. It's just SO clever. Streaming on Disney+. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)
The Most Dangerous Animal of All (2020)
I'm only one episode into this one, but I’m into it. It's a bit slow starting out, but the concept is enough to keep me interested for at least a couple more episodes. I'm becoming a bigger fan of this whole genre/style all the time, and have watched a LOT of this stuff over the last year. We'll see how it holds up. Streaming on Hulu. (Not ready to rate/recommend)
PODCASTS
It's Nice to Hear You - Episodes 1 & 2
I've mentioned a few times now the listening group I'm a part of with several Senior Producers from Stitcher, Pandora, and SiriusXM. It's basically like a book club, but for podcasts. This week we listened to Episode 2 of this new series, in which the host has been match-making people by having them trade voice memos for 30 days. No names, no pictures, nothing but voices. A fascinating experiment, and a well-produced show (even if a bit longer than necessary). Streaming on all podcast apps. (6/10 - Recommended)
The Relay - The Difference Between Coffee and Solidarity (Part 1)
I will occasionally revisit the first season of The Relay as the work of dismantling my own ideas and perspectives is ongoing, and this was such a transformational experience for me when we made it. I'm still proud of what we released, but it did, admittedly, land differently on my ears this week than it did back then. I can now hear my tendency to center my own experience, perspective, and voice in re-listening. I wish I could change that about these early episodes, but I also think that may serve a purpose in the grander narrative of the series. I do believe this show is worth your attention though, regardless! Streaming on all podcast apps. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)
MUSIC
R.E.M. - Out of Time (1991)
This album turned 30 years old a few weeks back and I covered it on Thirty Pop, (as I do). In doing so I realized I'd never really spent much time with it outside of the major singles, and found myself really wanting to let this album in, if that makes sense. It's been so great to listen to, and I have found it DEEPLY resonant in a number of ways. Such a great album from SUCH an amazing band. Streaming on all the music apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
DMX - It's Dark and Hell is Hot (1998)
With DMX's tragic and unexpected passing this week, I found myself revisiting his debut album from 1998. I was a senior in high school when this came out, and I loved it. Haven't listened to the record all the way through in 20+ years though. X was a rap legend, and clearly already a seasoned veteran when this came out. It may have been his first real record, but he was no rookie. This album is incredible, especially in the context of what else was happening in the genre at the time. Streaming on all the music apps. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)
Thanks, as always, for reading, friends! More soon!