Story Stream: 10/3 - 10/9
Hello friends and neighbors,
If you couldn't tell from last week's Story Stream, you'll definitely be able to tell today: I'm fully embracing the Halloween season this year. Here's what I enjoyed (or in some cases, didn't) this week!
_____________________________________
MOVIES
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)
It's ironic that the tagline for this was "The saved the best for last." I can assure you with the greatest of confidence... they did not. Each of these movies was worse than the one before it. But, this one is the reason I started this whole Nightmare journey: I was writing about it for Thirty Pop, and didn't want to watch it as a standalone. Worth it? Nope. Not at all. I'm amazed that these movies continued to be made beyond the first one. Streaming on HBO Max. (2/10 - Not Recommended)
Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
I mean... I'd already watched 6 films. I may as well finish the series, right? Plus, when I saw the trailer for this one, I admit that the concept seemed very clever to me. In fact, even after watching it I would say the concept is very clever: breaking the fourth wall and bringing Freddy into the "real" world. But the execution? Terrible. At least mostly. The Freddy character looks TERRIBLE. It's like they forgot how to do makeup for this one. VERY bad. But, because the concept holds up, I'll boost my score a bit. Streaming on HBO Max. (3/10 - Not Recommended)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
I suppose I'm a completist. I wanted to know if, in rebooting the series, they may have gotten it right. By that I mean: did they make it more horror than comedy? Did they make it as dark as it could/should have been? Did they get the Freddy makeup right? I needed to know. And the answer to those questions, technically, is yes. It's more horror than comedy. It's pretty dark. And Freddy looks like a real life burn victim (as opposed to a dream monster). But, did it make a difference? Not really. It's okay. I do think they could still reboot one more time and get it right, but who knows if that will ever happen? For now, I'm just glad to be done with these movies. Streaming on HBO Max. 5/10 - Not Recommended)
Dracula: Spanish-Language Version (1931)
I am still working through the Criterion Channel's Neo-noir collection, but this week they also introduced a Universal Horror collection made up of all the old, original black and white monster movies. And they're very short, so to try and fully embrace the Halloween season, I suppose I'm diving in. This is the only one I'd seen before, and I honestly don't love it. The pacing is too slow, the acting bizarre, the story hard to care about. It's a classic though, so I'd still recommend seeing it at least once. Streaming on Criterion Channel. (5/10 - Recommended)
The Mummy (1932)
Here's a character I have never cared about, but the movie for which I mostly enjoyed. It's very similar in pacing to Dracula, but just a little tighter. And it worked for some reason. Maybe the pacing feels better with it being in English, as it requires less energy to watch. I don't know. Whatever it was though, I enjoyed this one! Streaming on Criterion Channel. (6/10 - Recommended)
_____________________________________
TV
Midnight Mass ("Book IV: Lamentations," "Book V: Gospel," "Book VI: Acts of the Apostles," "Book VII: Revelation")
We finished this series up, and my opinion remains in tact. I really liked it, even if not quite as much as I loved The Haunting of Hill House. There was a ton about this that I found to be very clever, very well researched, and very well executed. I do have qualms with a couple minor things (namely the way a couple of the characters were acted), but they weren't enough to ruin it for me. An excellent Halloween season viewing. Streaming on Netflix. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
Bachelor in Paradise (Episode 10 & 11)
I'll just say I was very ready for this season to end. It's fun and funny in the beginning, but as the season wears on, any charm it had has long-since been forgotten. Almost a perfect parallel to the relationships contained within. That being said... to my great surprise, they did produce the finale really well. Streaming on Hulu. (2/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
The Great British Baking Show: Collection 9 ("Cake Week," "Biscuit Week")
This is a Brawner family favorite, and I'm just so, so glad it's back. Always a treat to see Noel Fielding in anything at all. I love the rest of the cast, and the guests they bring on, but frankly I'd watch it even if I didn't, simply because I love Noel Fielding so much. This show is so, so good. Streaming on Netflix. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
_____________________________________
PODCASTS
SmartLess - "Jeff Daniels"
I really loved this episode. Jeff Daniels is an extraordinary talent, and I love hearing how very, very loosely he holds his own celebrity. If you haven't watched him in The Newsroom, you must. Streaming on the various podcast listening apps. (8/10 - Highly Recommended)
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill - "Red Sky at Morning"
Another excellent episode in this series. This one is about the multi-site movement of churches over the last two decades, which I remember watching unfurl in real time, and always feeling very weird about. I think this episode does an excellent job of highlighting how truly incongruent that model is with the majority of Christian culture's espoused values. Streaming on the various podcast listening apps. (8/10 - Strongly Recommended)
Because of Anita - "The Testimony" and "The Aftermath"
I remember hearing about Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas as a kid, but I didn't really understand what it was all about until much later in life. This series is doing a phenomenal job of exploring the perspectives of those with whom I share no intersectional commonality. I'm learning so much. Streaming on the various podcast listening apps. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
We Can Do Hard Things - "You're NOT A MESS. The world is."
I'll be honest: I'm not a HUGE Glennon Doyle fan. I don't dislike her per se. I just don't know what to think. I appreciate her ability to craft hooky, and often helpful, little mantras. But I just don't really know that I enjoy her vibe beyond that. She can be a bit... grinding. That being said, I do think there is some good to be found in this episode, and in what I've heard of this series so far. Streaming on the various podcast listening apps. (6/10 - Recommended)
Storytime with Seth Rogen - "Glorious Basterds"
Okay, friends. Get used to this artwork. Cause I may have a new favorite podcast. This is beyond exceptional production, and just an all-around great story (or... series of stories), from such likable people. You must join me on this journey! I'll be listening faithfully. Streaming on the various podcast listening apps. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)
_____________________________________
MUSIC
Brandi Carlile - In These Silent Days (2021)
Oh my. I knew Brandi Carlisle was one of the greatest songwriters alive. But this album is truly stunning. I think we've finally arrived at the part of the pandemic where the art that's been born out of the loss and loneliness and grief is beginning to surface. Don't get me wrong: much of that art has been surfacing all along. But now may be the time when the finest of our artists begin to share. This is an instant singer/songwriter classic. Streaming on link. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)
_____________________________________
AUDIOBOOKS
The War of the Worlds - by H.G. Wells (1898)
How on earth this book is almost 125 years old, I will never understand. I'm not quite finished yet, but I've been amazed at how truly riveting it is from the first page. It's intense, and imaginative, and so descriptive. Excited to finish it and continue making my way through the H.G. Wells collection.. Streaming on Audible. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
____________________________________
That's it for this week, friends! I hope you're filling your days with good stories and spookiness. I'm wide open to recommendations if you have any to share! What's your go-to movie, show, podcast, etc. during the Halloween season? Let me know in the comments below!
More soon!