Story Stream: 5/30 - 6/5
Hello friends and neighbors,
I hope it's been a great week in your world. It's felt like a week of significantly fewer stories on my end. But, as I put this list together, I saw that wasn't really the case. It's odd how many stories we consume from day to day without even thinking about it. In fact, even as I send this out I feel like there are things missing from the list. (I usually build this list throughout the week, but for some reason this time I put it all off till today).
Anyway, these are the stories that I streamed this week!
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MOVIES
Wayne's World (1992)
A classic by all standards. Wayne's World is, in my opinion, perhaps the best SNL film ever released. It's at least near the top of that list with the likes of Blues Brothers, Three Amigos, and Tommy Boy. My brother in law was in town last weekend, and somewhat on a whim, we wound up watching this, and honestly loving every minute. It's still so fun. Available wherever you buy or rent digital movies. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
Wayne's World 2 (1993)
We immediately watched the sequel when the first film ended. It holds up exactly as I remember it: good, fun, funny, but not quite on par with the original. Still worth a revisit though! Available wherever you buy or rent digital movies. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)
F/X (1986)
I covered the sequel for this movie on a catch up episode of Thirty Pop this week, and intended to rewatch both films, (each of which I've loved for many years). I ran out of time for the sequel, but thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this one. It's such a fun concept in my opinion: Hollywood special effects man, hired by the FBI to fake the death of a mobster (so he can be placed in witness protection), then framed for the murder. It's like Home Alone for grown-ups. Or MacGyver, if he worked in the movie business. I loved it then, and I love it now. Streaming on Tubi. (6/10 - Strongly Recommended)
I Hate Christian Laettner (2015)
I've been thinking A LOT lately about "The Shot" in 1992's NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. It was one of the most notable sports memories of my life, and it was nearly 30 years ago. I loved Christian Laettner as a kid, and had NO IDEA in those days that he and his Blue Devil teammates were so despised. This documentary was so, so good though, as all the ESPN 30 for 30 films are. I loved it, and it's highly likely that I'll rewatch it before too long. Streaming on Hulu. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
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TV
Mare of Easttown - Series Finale
We finished the series this week, and I can't overstate how much I loved this show. It is excellent and honestly Kate Winslet is just on another level. The entire cast is great, but Winslet shines in this very complicated role. You must watch this if you haven't already. And if you have, you must reply below, on Discord, text me, email me, something. Let's talk all about it. Streaming on HBO Max. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)
The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness - Episodes 3 & 4
Well, it wasn't a 10, but it also wasn't a 2. It was a solid series. A bit sleepy in moments, but overall pretty good. I will likely never watch it again, but I'd say if you're just really needing some true crime in your life, and you've exhausted all the other great series in the genre, this is still worth a watch. Streaming on Netflix. (6/10 - Recommended-ish)
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PODCASTS
Today, Explained - "Why Belarus hijacked a plane" (May 26, 2021)
This is impressive, even while I can't say I loved it. We wanted to explore something a little more "newsy" in our Listening Session group this week, so we chose this episode from LAST week on Today, Explained. I'm impressed with the work this show would require, and mostly compelled (I think) by their storytelling approach to communicating the news. But, I don't know. Maybe I just need to hear a few more episodes to know if it's the show that's lacking for me or just this episode. It was good enough that I'd be willing to give it another shot. And even if I don't end up being a regular listener, I can appreciate that it's a solid show. Just may or may not end up being for me. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (6/10 - Recommended)
SmartLess - "Gwyneth Paltrow" and "Tina Fey"
Two more super solid episodes in my ongoing effort to get caught up on this show, which I continue to love so much. Not much else to say. If you haven't started SmartLess, do it. Start with episode 1, and don't skip around. Every episode is so fun. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)
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AUDIOBOOKS
David Sedaris: The Best of Me - Chapters 1-4 (2020)
I don't know how to articulate my deep, deep love of David Sedaris. I revisit his Holidays On Ice at least once a year, and have loved every collection I've read/listened to from him. This is a collection of, obviously, some of his best essays. And while I'm sure they're a very fun read, you just HAVE to listen to him read them. I've heard all of them before, and enjoyed them no less this time around. Laughed out loud MULTIPLE times over the course of these first few chapters. Available on Audible.com. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)
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MUSIC
Fred Wesley and the J.B.s: Damn Right I Am Somebody (1974)
I stumbled across this last week in the same exploration that led me to The Jazz Messengers. I spent some drive time with it this week, and honestly loved it. Mostly instrumental funk in the vein (and lineage) of James Brown, Parliament Funkadelic, etc. Certainly on par with it's peers. This is a fun listen if you're in the mood to feel good. Streaming on all the music apps. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)
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That's it for me this week friends! Let's hear what you've been watching, reading, and listening to in the comments below!