Story Stream: 6/27 - 7/3
Hello friends! I hope you've all had an amazing week. Mine has been busy, but good, and as usual, loaded with lots stories. Here are the stories I've been enjoying (in most cases) this week!
_____________________________________
MOVIES
F9 (2021)
I discussed these movies earlier this year, and mentioned how their complete absurdity is one of my very favorite things about them. These installment was no different. Two hours of complete suspension of disbelief. Logic goes out the window. Science goes out the window. Dead characters? Bring them back and act like it never happened. You owe no one an explanation. These folks have fully embraces absurdity as a storytelling device, and all you can do is laugh and enjoy. So I did. Currently in theaters. (6/10 - Recommended)
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991)
This movie was pretty well destroyed by critics, but has a cult following regardless. I'd always been interested in it as a kid, but never got around to seeing it. But, I covered it on an episode of Thirty Pop this week, so I figured I'd finally check it out. It's typical early 90s silliness, but I didn't think it deserved quite the harsh critical response it go 30 years ago. It's fun enough! Worth a watch. Streaming on HBO Max. (6/10 - Recommended)
City Slickers (1991)
A lifelong favorite that I hadn't seen in quite some time. It's 1,000% better than I even remembered it being. I covered this on Thirty Pop this week as well, and I couldn't believe how deeply this one resonated for me upon rewatching it. I honestly might put this in my top 5 favorite movies. Top 10 at least. So, so, so good. You must revisit it! Streaming on HBO Max. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)
No Sudden Move (2021)
I hadn't heard anything about this one until it popped up on HBO Max on Thursday, its release day. The cast alone was enough to interest me. I thoroughly enjoyed it too! It's got a little bit of an Ocean's 11 vibe, but darker. Keeps you guessing throughout. I was also particularly impressed by Kieran Culkin's performance in the film. I hadn't seen him in anything since he was a kid, but I thought he was really great in this one. Talented actor! The rest of the cast is amazing too, but I expected that from them. Streaming on HBO Max. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
_____________________________________
TV
The Bachelorette - "Week 4"
I've said before, and I'll say again: this show is trash. If you like yelling in judgmental disgust at strangers on your TV screen, this has your name written all over it. Streaming on Hulu. (2/10 - Very Strongly Recommended)
Physical - "E1: Let's Do This Thing," "E2: Let's Get Political," "E3: Let's Get Down To Business," "E4: Let's Get This Party Started," and "E5: Let's Agree To Disagree"
This show is an absolute treat. Rose Byrne is a phenom, and she captures a really ugly, but real part of the human experience in this show. It's killing me to wait a whole week for more episodes, so maybe wait till the whole season is out before starting. But do start. This is going to be an award winner. Guaranteed. Streaming on Apple TV+. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
Hot Ones - "Malcolm Gladwell Hits the Tipping Point While Eating Spicy Wings," "Olivia Rodrigo Burns Her Lips While Eating Spicy Wings, " "Daniel Radcliffe Catches a Head Rush While Eating Spicy Wings," and "Jennifer Garner Says “Golly” While Eating Spicy Wings"
I'm surprised I've never mentioned this series. Sean Evans (pictured above) is one of my absolute heroes when it comes to conducting interviews. He's amazing. Truly. And this show is such a brilliant concept. If you haven't seen it: he interviews a celebrity guest while they share a meal of 10 hot wings, each one hotter than the one before it. So the guests stay somewhat disarmed and nervous throughout, trying to keep it together, while Sean very calmly asks the most thoughtful, probing, well-researched questions imaginable. I love it so much. Streaming on Youtube. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
_____________________________________
PODCASTS
SmartLess - "José Andrés"
A favorite, which I'm sure at this point you know to expect each week. I love episodes like this one, featuring guests I'd otherwise never hear of. Jose is a chef and activist, and he crushed it in this episode. His ability to hold his own with these three SUPER dry, overly confident, comic geniuses is so impressive. He's very funny, and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him pick on Jason Bateman (whom I love). Streaming on all the podcast apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
Comic-Con Begins - "Days of Comics Past"
This show was produced by one of the folks who participates in the weekly listening session group I'm in, so we reviewed it this week together. It's good. I think it will get better in future episodes (this is episode 1) though. There are certainly things I'd have done differently, but in general it's an impressive production. Very complex with several dozen very long interviews to pull from and create a single narrative about the history of the San Diego Comic-Con. I'm not positive I'll listen further, but I may. In general though, this was a solid (even if a bit long for my taste) episode. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (6/10 - Recommended)
Sons and Doubters - "Beginnings, with John Hatfield," "Favor, with Nathan Meredith," "Joy, with Latifah Alattas," "Bazan, with Derek Webb" and "Unbelief, with Barnabas Piper"
This is where the whole podcast journey began for me. I'm revisiting episodes now, painful as it may be to my production sensibilities, as Aaron (my co-host) and I are exploring a third season revival of this show. More to come on that in the near future. Suffice to say, these are hard to listen to. There is a LOT about them I'm proud of, but a lot more that makes me cringe. I never felt like I got to be really honest on this show, so the thought of bringing it back now, at a time when I do feel free to be honest, is very exciting to me. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (7/10 - Recommended)
_____________________________________
That's it for this week! As you know, I'd really love to hear what stories you're enjoying right now. Recommendations VERY welcome! More soon. Have a great week, friends!