Story Stream: 6/20 - 6/26

Hello friends and neighbors!
I hope you've all had a wonderful, relaxing week with lots of breaks to sit back and enjoy a good story or two, be it in the form of a movie, TV show, podcast, album, book, audiobook, whatever. I certainly have. Here are the stories I streamed this week!

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MOVIES

21 Jump Street (2012)

I'd seen this movie once before, not long after it released. As such a huge fan of the TV series as a kid, I was very excited to see a movie made, even while it looked so different tonally. I couldn't imagine that show as a true comedy. I had a feeling that, even while I enjoyed the movie years ago, it wouldn't hold up at all today. But it does. It's ridiculous, but I laughed out loud several times. Honestly, a very fun movie if you just need something light. Available wherever you buy or rent digital movies. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)

22 Jump Street (2014)

After enjoying the first one more than I expected, I decided to watch the sequel, which I'd never bothered to see. While it's note QUITE on par with the original, it was also thoroughly enjoyable. There were more laugh out loud moments here and there, and I especially appreciated the movies self-deprecating winks to the audience. They break the fourth wall without actually breaking the fourth wall, telling the audience clearly that they know what they're doing. They know it's ridiculous, and they're leaning in. It's very clever. Available wherever you buy or rent digital movies. (6/10 - Strongly Recommended)

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

My wife finally knows how this whole Infinity Epic ends. Not that she particularly cared to know. But she knows now either way. I was reminded rewatching this how much I've loved the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe journey. I can't imagine building what they did with this massive collection of movies, or tying it all up more perfectly than they did here. I really love these movies. And especially this one.. Streaming on Disney Plus. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

Interstallar (2014)

Christopher Nolan is...you know...a genius. I'd forgotten how amazing this movie is. EVERY time my wife and I are trying to pick a movie to watch, she wants to watch Intersellar. We finally rewatched it this week, and I remember now why she loves it so much. It's honestly a masterwork in the craft of storytelling. If you haven't watched it recently, definitely pick it up. You won't regret it. Available wherever you buy or rent digital movies. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

Doctor Strange (2016)

This is another one I hadn't seen in a while. Despite her general disdain for all things Marvel Cinematic Universe, watching Avengers: End Game made my wife curious enough about this character that she was willing to back up a few movies and watch this one. Again, I'd forgotten how good it is. It's actually got some very Christopher Nolan elements to it too. It's sort of like a combination of Batman Begins, Inception, and Tenet... Okay, no... Actually it's EXACTLY that. Streaming on Disney Plus. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

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TV

21 Jump Street - (Season 1, Episode 7: "Gotta Finish the Riff")

Not much to say here. I've been on a kick, as you know if you've been reading these the last few weeks, and I watched another episode this week. No major changes. I just still love this show from concept to execution. Very fun. Streaming on Peacock. (6/10 - Recommended)

Salute Your Shorts - ("The First Day" and "The Ghost Story")

I despised this show as a kid, but I'd watch it anyway. Similar to Hey Dude!, this show was hard to turn off because of how bad it was. Interestingly, now, thirty years (almost to the day) after it's debut, I feel nostalgic about it. It's very bad. (But I'll probably keep watching it). Streaming on Paramount Plus. (3/10 - Recommended)

The Bachelorette - Season 17, Episodes 1-3

This show is so, so, so, so, so, so stupid. You should watch it. It's awful. Check it out. Streaming on Hulu. (2/10 - Highly Recommended)

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PODCASTS

SmartLess - "David Cross"

No surprise here. Regular rotation. Always a treat, but particularly so with David Cross (Tobias from Arrested Development). Very fun episode. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (8/10 - Strongly Recommended)

70 Over 70 - “We Need to Make Time,” with Alice Waters

Once again, I cannot tell you how deeply in love with the show I've fallen. Alice Waters, the guest on this episode, is one of the pioneers of the slow food / farm-to-table movement. This episode is excellent. They all are. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

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MUSIC

Tenn Walker Wales - The Great American Novel (2021)

A new single from my dear, dear friend and regular podcast guest/host, Aaron Hale, under his new(est) musical moniker, Tenn Walker Wales. Aaron's a storytelling renaissance man and creative genius. You'll love this tune, AND the special release day interview I did with him (which I'll be posting later today!). Streaming on all the music apps. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)

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AUDIOBOOKS

Sweat the Technique, by Rakim - Part 2 (2019)

As I said last week, Rakim is a hip hop legend. I made it through the second section of this book this week, and am still REALLY loving itT. Available on Audible. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

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That's it for this week friends! Again, if you're a patron, watch your inbox in just a bit for my VERY fun interview with Aaron Hale about his new project!

Best,
Luke