Story Stream: 7/4 - 7/10

Hello friends,

I'm minutes away from hopping on a plan from Houston to Nashville to watch one of my dearest friends and members of this neighborhood, Latifah Alattas, get married. It's going to be an absolute blast, but I didn't want to leave without first sharing the stories that had made my week! So, here we go!
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MOVIES

Independence Day (1996)

I feel like a lot of people watched this movie for Independence Day this year. I suppose because it was the 25th anniversary, so more folks were talking about it than normal. I hadn't seen it in no telling how long, but I've apparently seen it dozens of times, because EVERY MINUTE of this movie was nostalgic for me. It was so familiar, and in the best way. I didn't remember it well enough to know what was about to happen in any given moment, but as soon as it did happen, it took me back. I loved/love Will Smith, and while this probably isn't technically a "great" film, it's one that I am thankful to still thoroughly enjoy. Streaming on HBO Max. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

This movie just turned 30(!) a couple weeks back, so I just now covered it on a makeup episode of Thirty Pop (still catching up). This was probably a top 5 favorite movie for me as a kid, but again, I hadn't seen it in at least two decades. It holds up 100% for me. Okay, it probably actually only holds up like 85-90%, but with the added benefit of rich, rich nostalgia, it gets bumped back up to 100%, or perhaps even beyond. Meaning, I may like it MORE now than I even did before. It's so good.  Streaming on HBO Max. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

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TV

21 Jump Street - Season 1: Episode 12 - "16 Blown to 35" 

Decent episode, even though it breaks format a bit. Regardless, I'm thoroughly enjoying going back through this series. Lots of familiarity here too, but more so with the characters. It's like hanging out with old friends I haven't seen in years. (Old friends who look young, obviously.) Streaming on Peacock. (6/10 - Recommended)

The Bachelorette -  Week 5

Look, just get off my back. I watch a little trash here and there. Don't act like you're better than me. Just go watch this garbage and let's speculate on the drama to come together. #TeamMichael. Streaming on Hulu. (2/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

Full Bloom - "The Bellflower Tower" and "Incredible Edibles"

This is a show my wife has gotten way into this week. It's kinda like The Great British Bakeoff, but less funny. It's really good though. I would've never imagined a reality/competition show about floristry would be so interesting, but it is. These folks are TALENTED. This is worth checking out. Streaming on HBO Max. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)

I Think You Should Leave, with Tim Robinson (Seasons 1 & 2)

I'd never heard of this show or Tim Robinson when this week started. My dear friend and regular collaborator Aaron Hale sent me a clip of this show on Instagram, and it was funny enough to pique my interest. I started an episode, and within the first 3 minutes I'd laughed out loud to myself no fewer than 6 times. That set the tone for the entire next two seasons. I watched them all over the course of two days. This won't be for everyone. I tried to get my wife into it, and she kinda hated it. But for me, this was one of the best sketch comedy shows I've ever seen. I will rewatch. Often. Maybe even on the plane today. Streaming on Netflix. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)

Big Brother (Season 23: Episode 1)

This has been a guilty pleasure show for well over 15 years now. If ever I were going to audition for a reality show, it'd be Big Brother. I don't have the abs for it, but I'd still give just about anything to play the game for a season. We're only one episode in so far, but get ready to see LOTS of this show in these streams over the next few months. So far, so good. Some solid new players. BIG BROTHER!!! Streaming on Paramount Plus. (7/10 - Very Strongly Recommended)

Physical - "Let's Get It On Tape"

Seriously, can't get enough of this show. Like, literally. It's a 10 out of 10, but because I have to wait a full week between half hour episodes, I'm docking it a point. It's too good not to binge. Rose Byrne is amazing. You MUST watch this show. Streaming on Apple TV+. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

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PODCASTS

SmartLess - "Elizabeth Banks"

You know the deal. I love these guys. I love this show. I don't care who they bring on at this point. I'll love it regardless. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)

Midnight Miracle - "How to Inspire (Side A)"

I've never heard anything like this in my life, and I couldn't be more impressed. They're apparently releasing this show on vinyl, and I WILL be buying it. Most of the series is behind a paywall (which I'll be gladly paying for, to my great surprise), but episode 1 is available free. Expect something different. This isn't a podcast. It's high art in an audio format. This show has completely opened up my imagination for the potential of this medium. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)

Toxic: The Britney Spears Story - "Chapter 1: Toxic"

This show is being produced by some of the fine folks I work with (or...adjacent to), and who participate in the weekly Listening Sessions I go on and on about. I've been excited to check this out, and so far, so good. I expect to enjoy it, even while I can't relate to the hosts' Britney fandom. She's not for me, but a good story is a good story. And a good story well-told is even better. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

Sons and Doubters - "Honesty, with David Ramirez"

As I mentioned last week, I'm reviewing past episodes of Sons and Doubters for a potential new season of the show. I really loved everything David Ramirez said in this episode, (and cringed at much of what I said... or at least the way I said it). I do think you'll enjoy this episode in general though. I'm proud of it, even if not every word of it. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (8/10 - Strongly Recommended)

Thirty Pop - "Newborn Calves and Dead Babysitters"

Here's what I love about Thirty Pop: even though I'm the one researching, writing, recording, editing, and releasing it each week, I still enjoy listening back. Maybe that's ego? I don't know. I just know I really enjoy this show, even without it having a massive audience of any sort. As of this writing, this is the most recent episode (with another one releasing shortly), and I had just a ton of fun putting it together and listening back. Check it out! Streaming on all the podcast apps, (8/10 - Highly Recommended)

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Alright friends! That's it for me. Off to Nashville! I'd love nothing more than to get off the plane and open up to see some recommendations in the comments! Let me know what you're watching, reading, listening to, etc.! And have a great weekend!

More soon!
Luke