Story Stream: 5/2 - 5/8

Hello neighbors! Once again, here are the stories I've been streaming this past week, complete with ratings/recommendations and links to enjoy them yourselves. As always, please share your thoughts/recommendations in the comments below. I'm always looking for new shows/movies/books/albums to check out!

MOVIES

Without Remorse (2021)

I'm a big fan of Michael B. Jordan, so I've been very excited about this one since Amazon began promoting it. It was pretty much exactly what I expected: lots of action, guns,  explosions, and tough guy revenge. Not a lot else. But that's all I really needed it to be. If you're looking for an Oscar contender, this isn't it. But, if you're looking for a predictable rehashed John Wick + Man On Fire + Rambo action flick with one of the most talented leading men in Hollywood today, here you go! Streaming on Amazon Prime Video. (7/10 - Recommended)

A League of Their Own (1992)

Believe it or not, somehow I'd made it 29 years without ever having seen this widely loved movie. The Listening Session group I participate in was, as you'll read below, listening to a podcast episode that revisited this movie this week though, so it felt like the time had come to finally watch it. I'm guessing I am the only one of us who hadn't ever seen it, so I'll keep it short and say, simply: it absolutely lived up to the hype. Streaming on HBO Max. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

TV

Downton Abbey - Series 5

My love for the Crawleys continues. For most of them at least. I grow ever fonder of the Dowager, and ever more disappointed with Lord Grantham, although he did have a redeemable moment or two in this season (I LOVED him in the first season or two). I'm already dreading finishing this show because I've found it be so extraordinarily well-made, and I feel so invested in this family's story. Also, these actors. This is one of the best cast shows I've ever seen in my life, which is saying something considering the enormity of the cast. I can't believe I'd never made it past Series 3 before now. Another phenomenal season. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)

Undone

I stumbled across this show while resting up after my second Covid show (huzzah!), and I couldn't be happier I did. This is one of the most beautifully executed works of story I've ever experienced. I don't understand how this wasn't a much bigger deal than it was when it released in 2019. I'd never even heard of it. But this is an absolute must-see. Trust me. Stunning visuals, relatable characters, compelling narrative, perfectly executed start to finish. I'm now DYING for a second season. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)

PODCASTS

Unspooled - "A League of Their Own"

As I mentioned, this was the podcast we reviewed this week in the Listening Session group I participate in each week with a number of top producers from Stitcher, Pandora, and SiriusXM. This is a very long episode (nearly 2 full hours) looking back at A League of Their Own. I loved it. I don't generally enjoy shows that are quite this long, but this one is right up my alley. I fully intend to start it over at episode 1, and follow the hosts journey through some of the best films in American history. Very fun show. Streaming on all podcast apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

Hardly Tomorrow - "EP 25: Luke Brawner"

I mentioned this show last week as I had just guested on an episode, which released earlier this week. I listened back through the episode when it released and enjoyed it all over again. We talked about everything under the sun: Justin Bieber, theological deconstruction, conspiracy theories, grief, sports... everything. I had so much fun on this one. Streaming on all podcast apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

SmartLess - "W. Kamau Bell" and "Stephen Colbert"

I've mentioned SmartLess a time or two in previous posts. It's an absolute favorite show, but one that I'm several weeks behind on. I played a bit of catch-up this week with these two episodes and was reminded of the many reasons why I love this show. I was completely moved by one episode, and laughing myself to tears with the other. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)

Unfinished: Short Creek

Many of the folks who participate in the Listening Session group I keep mentioning worked on this series (and it's predecessor, Unfinished: Deep South, which I reviewed in previous posts). I've been very excited to start this one because I recently befriended one of the sound designers for the show, and I've been anxious to hear his work. I didn't really expect to connect so deeply with this story. It's about a Fundamentalist Mormon community on the border of Arizona and Utah, and the corruption (and general creepiness) connected to it. I am not Mormon, but I did grow up in a conservative religious environment. While I wouldn't describe it as corrupt or creepy in any way today, I did find it easy to relate to the cut and dry fundamentalist mindset of this particular community. This is a very well-produced show, and I love hearing the names of new friends, acquaintances, and co-workers in the credits. Streaming on all podcast apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

Alright, friends: your turn! What are you watching, reading, and listening to? Have anything I should add to my story stream this coming week? Add your recommendations in the comments below!