Story Stream: 4/18 - 4/24

Hello neighbors (and guests)! Here are the stories I was able to stream this week. I'm a little surprised looking at the list because it felt like there was FAR less time this week for watching/listening. But alas, the list is still pretty full, and pretty diverse. I will say, this was a week full of really compelling stories and truly amazing performances...mostly. I got to feel ALL the feelings this week: nostalgia, laughter, sorrow, outrage, curiosity. It was a good week, even as busy as it was. Here we go!

MOVIES

WarGames (1983)

Believe it or not, I'd never actually seen this 80s classic. I've wanted to for a while, but I've REALLY wanted to for the last couple months since listening to the audiobook of Ernest Cline's Ready Player One (which I also strongly recommend). That book references this film quite a bit, and it was on sale for $5 on Apple TV this week, so I grabbed it. I wasn't sure I'd be able to accept young Matthew Broderick in a non-Ferris Bueller role or Ally Sheedy in a non-Breakfast Club role. To my delight, I was wrong. This is a classic for a reason, and I'll definitely rewatch it soon. I loved it, and am positive I'd have loved it as a kid too. Computers! Streaming on Showtime. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)

Mortal Kombat (2021)

With the lowest of expectations, I watched this just for the fun of it. I saw the original as a kid, (and probably as an adult if I had to guess), and it's so dumb. I anticipated the same from this, and it delivered. I don't really understand the reason for a remake that doesn't improve on the original, but whatever. I watched it, and it apparently served its purpose because even as bad as it was, I bought Mortal Kombat 11 (the game) within minutes of this stupid movie ending. I accept your judgment. Streaming on HBO Max. (4/10 - Not Highly Recommended)

TV

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

I've mentioned that I'm kind of a big(-ish) Marvel Cinematic Universe fan, so I've been looking forward to this a bit. Similar to WandaVision, these aren't characters I was terribly excited about, but once again, this series is making me more of a fan. I'm about halfway through the (very short) first season (which just ended this week), and so far, so good. I appreciate that despite being on Disney+, it's not PG'd down. In theaters, this would be at least PG-13, maybe even R? Not that I have a rule about such things. Just that I could have seen Disney watering things down... but nope. They kept it right in line with the movies. Streaming on Disney+. (7/10 - Recommended)

Downton Abbey - Series 3

I'm continuing my re-watch of the first few seasons/series of Downton Abbey, and I'm nearly caught up (I think) to where I'd left off years ago. This season/series was SO GUT-WRENCHINGLY good. I'd forgotten so much. I felt all my feelings in the season. I remain floored by the performances in this whole show, but especially this season. Gah... so good. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)

PODCASTS

All-America: Tiger

I had just started this one last week, so I wasn't quite ready to rate it. Now I've heard it all, and I'm happy to report I loved it. Very well-produced. Very fun. Very balanced. Excellent series. Streaming on all podcast apps. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)

Strongman - "Policing"

This is the episode we reviewed this week in the Listening Session group I'm a part of, and it was so fun to be joined by the show's producer (and creator maybe?) Stephanie Kariuki. Strongman is "a series of intimate narratives from across the globe, about power and control." This particular episode is about police violence in Kenya over the course of the last 100 (but especially the last 10) years. It's like a podcasting masterclass. Compelling story, beautifully produced, perfectly paced, appropriately weighty without being heavy-handed, impeccably timed.  Streaming on all podcast apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

Unfinished: Deep South - "E1 Isadore Banks"

Several of the folks who participate in the Listening Sessions group have worked on the Stitcher/Witness Docs series Unfinished. The first season of that show is about this nearly 70 year old murder case. I started that season this week to get a feel for the work these folks are doing, and I thoroughly enjoyed the first episode. I'm very excited to finish this season and get into the second season (Short Creek) this next week. Streaming on all podcast apps. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)

Can I Pet Your Dog? - "Ep. 1: Tindog and Lin Manuel Miranda" and "CIPYD 285: Cricket's DNA and Dog Vacays"

A few weeks back I shared an episode of another podcast hosted by one of the host of this show. I've been aware of this one for a while, but just started listening this week, as I'm actually scheduled to be a guest on the show soon(!). I listened to the first episode to get a feel for where they started, and the most recent episode to get a feel for where they are now. In both cases, very fun. If you're a dog lover at all, even if you think a podcast about being a dog-lover sounds ridiculous, is SUPER fun. Streaming on all podcast apps. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)

MUSIC

The Reverend John DeLore - Blues For A Holy Ghost (2016)

I've known of The Reverend John DeLore's music for... like... ever. But I'd never spent much time with it. In one of my regular voyages down the internet rabbit hole this week I came across this 2016 album, and thoroughly enjoyed it. John's an incredibly gifted singer/songwriter, musician, producer, and engineer. It sounds exactly as you would expect Brooklyn-based Folk Americana by a midwesterner to sound.  Streaming on all music apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

I'd love to hear your recommendations below! What stories are you streaming? Let me know! Thanks friends!