Story Stream: 4/11 - 4/17
MOVIES
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
I've been talking about this for a while now, catching up on the previous (recent) titan films to try and get to this one. I don't really even know why I've cared so much outside of a personal connection to this whole mythology over the last year, which I may discuss in a separate post (but here's a preview). This movie was right in line (quality-wise) with its predecessors: good, (I guess?), not great. Over the top, necessarily, but maybe a little beyond my capacity for suspending disbelief. Fun enough though. Streaming on HBO Max till 4/30/21. (6/10 - Recommended)
Out (2020)
I haven't paid a ton of attention to Disney+ since it launched, outside of The Mandalorian and maybe another show or two, so it's not surprising that this short never made it onto my radar. Nor did the "controversy" around it. I thought it was decent. I appreciated the intent/concept probably more than the execution, but intent is a factor for me certainly. Plus, minimal time investment to watch it, so why not? Streaming on Disney+. (6/10 - Recommended)
Meshes of the Afternoon (1943)
There's a new collection on Criterion Channel that I'm interested in exploring – Close To Home: How to Make A Movie Without Leaving the House. It's a series of films produced by people from the comfort of their own homes, and this experimental silent short film by Maya Deren was first on the list. Maybe I'm not smart enough, or artsy enough, or patient enough, or focused enough, but I was entirely uncompelled by this. It made me feel frustration exclusively, if anything at all. I'll still explore the collection, but I'll never need to see this one again. Ever. There are some cinematic moments that redeem it a bit, so it's not an absolute 0. But still... this was a one-time viewing for me. Streaming on Criterion Channel. (4/10 - Not Recommended)
TV
Downton Abbey
I've seen the first few seasons of this show, right up until a particularly major tragedy in the plot, but I never made it back after that. So Lacie and I have been rewatching from the beginning this past week. I'd forgotten exactly how great this show is. I seriously love it. Can't wait to continue and finish the story. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)
Them
While this has been getting heavily criticized online all week for looking like a ripoff of Jordan Peele's "Us," that is exactly what made me want to check it out. But, while I'm admittedly only a few episodes in so far, I would say this stands entirely alone. It's well produced, well acted, and easy to connect with emotionally. The folks you're supposed to hate in this are VERY easy to hate. It's good (so far). Streaming on Amazon Prime Video. (7/10 - Recommended)
Wahl Street
We watched Wahlburgers for a while when it first came out, and thoroughly enjoyed it. So when I saw this pop up on HBO Max, I was interested. This short reality series follows Mark Wahlburg around as an incredibly diverse and active (albeit relatively new) entrepreneur and investor, and I genuinely loved it. Granted it's only 6 episodes, but I definitely binged the whole series in a single sitting. It got all my entrepreneurial spirit stirred up inside. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Streaming on HBO Max. (7/10 - Strongly Recommend)
PODCASTS
SmartLess - "George Clooney"
I've mentioned this show before, and I mentioned last week that Jason Bateman is one of the people I would MOST love to interview in my lifetime. I'd accidentally missed this interview with George Clooney though when it released, so in my trying to get caught up with the show I went back and gave it a listen this week. It was SUCH a fun interview. I've always liked Clooney, but only sort of peripherally. I never paid him a ton of attention. He is so much funnier than I'd have realized otherwise. He's also seems to be just as cool and classy as the characters he tends to play though. Loved this one. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
Object of Sound - Protest and Possibility (feat. Vijay Iyer)
This was the next listen for the Listening Sessions group I participate in each week. I really wanted to love it, and I have a feeling I would love other episodes. I may even have loved this episode if I had listened on a different day. It was highly intellectual, and I felt left behind for most of the episode. Plus, the audio quality, for a show sponsored by an audio company, sucked. Maybe try a different episode out? As intellectually stimulating as this episode may be, I'd have expected an episode about jazz and protest to make me FEEL... something, at least. But this just landed flat for me. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (4/10 - Not Recommended)
All-American: Tiger Woods - "Episode 1: The Messiah"
I'm only one episode in on this one, but I'm enjoying it so far. It's hosted by Jordan Bell, one of the Senior Producers at Stitcher with whom I meet each week for these Listening Sessions I keep mentioning, and every week she offers such helpful insights. So, obviously I wanted to check out her (critically acclaimed) work from last year. Again, I've just barely gotten started on this, but I'm definitely into it enough to keep going. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (Too soon to rate/recommend)
MUSIC
Ahmad Jamal - At the Blackhawk (Live)
I've loved this record for about 10 years now. I picked it up on a whim at Half Price Books back in the days when they still sold vinyl for super cheap. I didn't know who Ahmad Jamal was, but something about the album sleeve (and probably the price tag) made me want to buy it. Thank God I did. This album was my introduction to jazz. I had always wanted to understand and enjoy jazz, but it had never connected before this album. This, and now much of Jamal's work (especially Live at the Pershing) have become very regular listens for me. I know this album like the back of my hand, whatever that means. It's a SUPER accessible, romantic, technical performance, and I'm probably going to go listen more right now. Jazz fan or not, this is worth your attention. Streaming on most music apps. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)
Christmas Crooners - Apple Music Playlist
This has been a favorite playlist of mine for several years running now. And I know many, or most, or all of you will think Christmas music is an odd choice for April, but whatever. If you know me at all, you know I listen year round. This is actually a pretty late start in the year for me. Regardless, this playlist is updated occasionally, but it's always just exactly right. Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Sinatra, Bublé, and Connick – the whole gang is here. I love, love, love this playlist, and I make no apologies for enjoying it throughout the year. Streaming on Apple Music. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)
That's it for this week friends! What stories are you watching, reading, listening to? I'd really love to hear! Any recommendations for things I should check out (or avoid) this week?
More soon!