Story Stream: 7/11 - 7/18
Hello friends and neighbors,
This was a week of far more listening than watching for me, although that may not be evident below as I still got my fair share of screen time in. But I spent a LOT of time in the car (and a little time on a plane) listening to music and audiobooks. Here's the full story stream for me this week!
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MOVIES
Space Jam (1996)
Full disclosure: this was my first time ever seeing Space Jam. I don't know how that's possible considering I was (and am) a huge Jordan fan, especially around 1996, when this came out. I loved the soundtrack, but never got around to seeing the movie. Anyway, I rectified that this week so that I could watch the sequel as soon as it released (which, ironically, I still haven't done yet). I totally get the hype. Even after 25 years, this is still a thoroughly enjoyable movie. If I were directing, I'd give Bill Murray a bit more of the spotlight, but if I'm honest, that's how I feel about most movies. They'd all be made better with a little more Murray. Streaming on HBO Max. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)
The Rocketeer (1991)
I loved this movie SO MUCH as a kid, but hadn't seen it in probably nearly 30 years. I'm not sure I ever saw it more than once, and that in theaters when it first released. MAYBE I saw it another time on VHS, but that's it. I remembered almost nothing at all about the movie, which made this viewing (in prep for an episode of Thirty Pop, as usual) so much more enjoyable. I didn't expect it to hold up, but it totally does. Very fun movie! Streaming on Disney Plus. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)
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TV
I Think You Should Leave - Seasons 1 & 2
Yes, Again. All the way through. Multiple times. It's just that funny to me. My wife is still NOT a fan, but I can't get enough. Streaming on Netflix. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
Big Brother - Episodes 2-4
As I inferred last week, this is by far my favorite reality TV show. Not because it's particularly "good" per se. But because it's such a fascinating sociological experiment and just a really good game. This season is off to a pretty solid start. There probably won't be a ton to say about this each week though because I'd hate to give anything away for those of you who also (secretly or otherwise) love this show. Streaming on Paramount Plus. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)
The Bachelorette - "Week 6"
This week I learned I feel better about myself when I refer to this as The Trashelorette instead. So no one mistakenly believes I like the show. All I can say about this week is: I don't like the guy, but even still, Hunter got a raw deal. Also... Brendan? REALLY?! Streaming on Hulu. (2/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
21 Jump Street - "Mean Streets and Pastel Houses"
This was the Season 1 finale. I didn't honestly plan on watching this much of the show, but I've found that it's such an easy one to have on in the background while I work. It requires very little of my internal RAM, so I can focus on working without missing anything in the show. Plus, it remains super nostalgic for me. Streaming on Peacock TV. (7/10 - Recommended)
Love Island - Episodes 1-5
If you thought The Bachelorette was trash... This show is AWFUL. The worst of the worst of the worst. But it is SO FUN to watch. Cringe City, USA. Here's what I do genuinely love about it though: the show's announcer is legitimately brilliant. Or the team of writers who must be crafting his almost daily scripts. He's over the top, but in the best, most intentional way. Fully aware of how stupid and ridiculously trashy the show is. Phenomenal writing though. Punny but clever. For example, in one episode this week, there was a series of lines that referenced 90s pop/RnB trio TLC at least three times... but it was never even mentioned. Like he never directly called out TLC, but he called back two of their song titles (one of which was super obscure) and one album title in three consecutive sentences. SO FUN! I love this terrible, terrible, terrible show. Streaming on Paramount Plus. (3/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
The Characters - "Tim Robinson"
My new obsession with Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave) led me to his episode of Netflix's The Characters. It was basically just like a bonus episode of I Think You Should Leave, but not QUITE as funny. In fact, it felt a bit like a pilot for his show. There were a couple sketches I loved very much, but not many that were quite on par with his show. Streaming on Netflix. (7/10 - Recommended)
Physical - "Let's Take This Thing on the Road"
This show is stressing me out. It's so good, but so short, which makes the week long wait between episodes nearly unbearable. Okay, unbearable is a stretch. But I'd certainly prefer to binge the show straight through. I don't know how we used to do this whole waiting between episodes thing. This was another wonderfully written, perfectly executed episode. Can't wait till next week! (Except I have no choice.) Streaming on Apple TV+. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)
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PODCASTS
SmartLess - "LeBron James"
I was super excited when I saw LeBron James pop up in the title. I thought he'd make for an amazing guest. And he was good. But amazing? Unfortunately no. Not amazing. Worth a listen, but keep expectations pretty low. Streaming on all the podcast apps. (7/10 - Recommended)
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MUSIC
Kacey Musgraves - Same Trailer Different Park (2013)
I'll save the review here, as I've got another whole blog post to publish about this album in just a bit. Suffice to say, this is a masterfully crafted album from start to finish. More on that in my next post. Available on all streaming music platforms. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)
The Rocket Summer - Do You Feel (2007)
I spent a lot of time in the 00s this week, revisiting albums I LOVED 15-20 years ago. This one was high on that list, even if not QUITE as high as it's predecessor, "Hello, Good Friend." This album holds up nicely in my opinion, even while it's not a style of music we hear much these days. Bryce Avary, the one man show that makes up The Rocket Summer, is a musical (and maybe emotional?) genius. He captures so much so perfectly. And he seems to genuinely care about all the right things. I love this record to this day. Available on all streaming music platforms. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)
Jason Mraz - Waiting for My Rocket to Come (2002)
Another throwback I revisited this week. Mraz remains relevant today, and has had a ton of success since this album released (nearly 20 years ago!), but this will forever be my favorite collection of his songs. It's one of the most impressive debut albums I can think of. Especially in the musical context of the moment it released. He carved a space for his specific brand of wordplay acoustic pop where no space existed previously, and he did so just dripping with lyrical, musical, and vocal confidence. This album is so artful in its playfulness. Or playful in its artfulness. One of those. Available on all streaming music platforms. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
The Hillbilly Thomists - The Hillbilly Thomists (2017)
I stumbled across this record while trying to track down an old friend whose music I've loved for the last 15 years. I knew he'd left his music career behind to enter the priesthood some years ago, but didn't realize he was still producing and creating music on the side. And bluegrass no less! But, here he is. He founded this group with his fellow musical young priests, and this is their first of two albums to date. This one made it to #3 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts back in 2017. I'm very excited to check out their 2021 release over the next few days. For now though, this collection of hymns is pretty great! Available on all streaming music platforms. (7/10 - Strongly Recommended)
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AUDIOBOOKS
Talking to Strangers, by Malcolm Gladwell (2019)
Malcolm Gladwell is a personal hero of mine. At least creatively. I love, love, love the way his mind works. I've had this for a while, but hadn't started it yet because I'm generally obsessive about reading/listening to authors' books in the order they were published, and I haven't finished his David & Goliath yet. But, I'm very excited to listen to his latest book, The Bomber Mafia, so I jumped ahead a bit to get there. Anyway, this is, as expected, spectacularly written/presented. If you've never listened to his audiobooks, you must. He writes with the audiobook in mind, so this is actually the way you are intended to enjoy his work. Check it out! Available on Audible. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
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And there we have it. Another week filled with stories. Now, you know the deal, friends! Let's hear your recommendations! What are you watching, reading, and listening to right now? What would you recommend? I'd love to know!