Story Stream: 9/19 - 9/25
Hello friends!
It was a very busy last week and weekend, so I didn't get my normal amount of streaming time in, and I'm a couple days behind on sharing. I hope and trust you don't care/mind. But better late than never! Here's how this past week looked for me.
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MOVIES
Dirty Work (1998)
I did find time to watch this comedy gem for the second week in a row. And I have no regrets about that whatsoever. I just really love this movie, and still can't believe Norm Macdonald passed away. Again, if you haven't seen it in a while, definitely worth revisiting. Streaming on HBO Max. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
This movie was such an odd experience for me. It felt like the entire thing was improvised, and alternated between scenes that were beautifully shot, and others that felt like the camera operator couldn't figure out how to zoom out or focus their lens. Since watching I've come to learn that this is director John Cassavettes' signature style. A style for which he is revered. A style I did not enjoy. There were elements to appreciate about this, but on the whole, I hated this film. Maybe that means I'm to low brow for Cassavettes' cinematic genius. If so, I can live with that. Streaming on Criterion Channel. (4/10 - Not Recommended)
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TV
Loki ("Lamentis," "The Nexus Event," and "Journey Into Mystery")
I'm one episode away from wrapping this series up and I'm still not entirely sure what I think of it. I go back and forth from one episode to the next thinking "Okay, I'm getting into this," and "Nope. This isn't for me." At the end of the day I do still recommend watching it because I'm sure it's going to play into the larger MCU in important ways, and that's an epic worth keeping up with in my opinion. Streaming on Disney Plus. (7/10 - Pretty Strongly Recommended)
Ted Lasso ("Biscuits," "Trent Crimm: The Independent," "For the Children," "Tan Lines," "Two Aces," "Make Rebecca Great Again")
I guess I did put a pretty significant dent in my rewatch of this spectacular (now multiple Emmy winning) season of this fantastic show. And I honestly couldn't love it more. Excited to wrap up the recap viewing and finally dive into Season 2, now that I can binge watch. This is one of the best comedies ever written. There, I said it. Streaming on Apple TV Plus. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)
Big Brother (Episodes 32-35)
This is it, friends. The FINAL week of Big Brother 23. As it stands, the person I most want to win is still in the running, and I feel legitimate anxiety about it. This has been one of, if not my very favorite season of this show. If I were ever to appear on a reality show, it was absolutely be Big Brother. I'm pretty obsessed with this game/social experiment. There's no chance I could win it, but I'd definitely love to play. Streaming on Paramount Plus. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
Bachelor in Paradise (Episode 9)
Give me a break. This show is so ridiculous. Who actually watches this trash?... (Rooting so hard for Grocery Store Joe and Serena P.!) Streaming on Hulu. (1/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
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PODCASTS
SmartLess - "Ken Burns"
There's something really gratifying about listening to people you admire interview people they admire. I've said many times Jason Bateman is at the top of my list of dream interviews. I'm pretty sure Ken Burns was at the top of his. I loved hearing the reverence in his questioning of Burns, as he practically disregards his audience entirely and gets into the nitty gritty of filmmaking. Like he has the chance to ask questions he's always wanted to ask, and he doesn't waste it. Very good episode. Streaming on the various podcast listening apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill - "The Bobby Knight Problem"
This was a shift in the storytelling style of this show, and I loved it. I'm not sure every listener will have loved it, but I certainly did. I remain impressed by this show, and by the fact that it's being put out by Christianity Today. Streaming on the various podcast listening apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
9/12 - "This Strange Story"
This was our Listening Session episode for this past week, and it was not at all what I expected. We had very mixed opinions of the approach taken here. I was one of a few who thought this was actually brilliantly crafted. Dan Taberski, the host, is very gifted in my opinion. I fell in love with his work a few years back with Missing Richard Simmons (a show you should absolutely check out). I'm confident the rest of this series will be worth enjoying. Streaming on the various podcast listening apps. (9/10 - Highly Recommended)
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MUSIC
At Home with Tenn Walker Wales (2021)
Aaron Hale is such a gifted artist across a whole spectrum of mediums, as I've mentioned before. He released two new Tenn Walker Wales songs this week, and they just blew me away. Particularly Tallest Oak. It may be my favorite love song I've heard in years. He captures so much. I've listened on repeat for days now. Streaming on all the various music apps. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)
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There we have it, friends! Here's hoping for a bit more down time this week to fit a few more stories in. As always, your recommendations are welcome! What are you watching, reading, listening to these days? Let me know!