Story Stream: 12/26/21 - 1/1/22

Hello friends and neighbors,

Happy New Year! I'm sad to report that I'm currently on Day 8 of having COVID-19, and feeling just plain awful. Not the best way to start the new year, but hopefully I'm close to the end. The bright side of feeling so lousy is that I've gotten to watch a fair number of really good movies this week between my multiple naps per day. So, here we go!

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MOVIES

Oliver! (1968)

This isn't a movie that ever would've dawned on me to watch. My father-in-law though, as I've probably mentioned before, has a very diverse cinematic palette. He watched this while we were home for the holidays, and I sat down and joined him, only expecting to watch a few minutes before moving on. But, to my great surprise, it drew me in and I watched it till the very end. And I'm so glad I did. It was incredibly well-made. Great music, great storytelling, great acting all around. I loved it, and can totally understand why it took home Best Picture, Best Director, and four other Oscars. Available wherever you buy or rent digital movies. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)

Don't Look Up (2021)

I mean... just read the cast names at the top of that image. There's no way that this could've been anything less than great. And I don't mean great in the casual sense of the word. I mean it in the most literal sense: grand, remarkable, huge, etc. This was a perfectly cast, uncomfortably believable story with precise comedic timing. Very, very funny with incredible chemistry between each actor and every other actor involved. Makes me want to see both Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in more comedic roles. And more of Jonah Hill, period. Not to mention the understated performances by Timothée Chalamet (who never misses), and Ariana Grande, or the cameo by Chris Evans. This is well-worth a watch. Streaming on Netflix. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

The Power of the Dog2 (2021)

I knew nothing about this going in except that it was Benedict Cumberpatch in a western. I needed no other information. I loved it though. Even as I watched it, I wasn't entirely sure what it was about or where it was headed until it had fully arrived. I enjoyed it throughout despite the confusion and curiosity it created. When it was all said and done though, I really, really loved it. Streaming on Netflix. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone (2001)

A classic. I still remember a time in my life when I resisted every encouragement from friends trying to get me to read these books or watch these movies. I had zero interest. Then, one night when I was 21 or 22, I find myself up late at my parents' house with nothing to do. So I watched this. I thought it was silly, but it interested me enough to watch the second film. Then I was hooked. Now I own every film in multiple formats, the audiobooks (which are a journey all their own), and have a wand sitting on my desk that chose me at Olivander's at Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter. In preparation for the 20th anniversary special releasing on HBO Max today, I've been revisiting these films. This one, which I always considered the least of all the films, is still a favorite today. It was exactly as silly as it needed to be for kids to connect with it. I envy those of you who grew up year by year with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. How lucky you were! Streaming on HBO Max. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

A marked improvement over the first film, although still inferior to the rest of the series, this movie introduces some truly great elements into the narrative. Namely, Dobby the house elf and the Weasley's flying car. We also start to really see the evil evolution of Draco Malfoy, which is vital. This one, like it's predecessor, has really grown on me over the years. Streaming on HBO Max. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

This was the first HP film that really hooked me. It's where I began to see how the films were getting darker and more adult as the kids grew up. I've always thought that was such a brilliant storytelling technique. And one that never would have dawned on me. This is in the running for my favorite HP film (although, if I'm honest, I could never actually choose a favorite). It was no different this time around. I love this one so much. We get Sirius Black, Harry's patronus, time travel, dementors, and so much more. So good! Streaming on HBO Max. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)

The Devil All the Time (2020)

I'm not sure how I missed this when it came out, but I did. Stumbled across it this week though, and loved it. It was like a really dark, twisted, not remotely funny episode of Seinfeld, but with really good acting. Very clever storytelling. Very dark story. Tom Holland is always brilliant. Robert Pattinson reminded me again that he's a much better actor than the Twilight films would have me believe. If you're okay with a bit of retributive violence, this is a good pick. Streaming on Netflix. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)
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TV

Hawkeye (Episodes 1-6)

I've actually been watching this one for a bit, but wanted to wait till I'd finished it to include it here. As has been the case with each and every Marvel Cinematic Universe series so far, this is the story of a character I didn't previously care about at all. In fact, it's even about the part of that character's story that I've found least interesting. And in the end, it's maybe my favorite series yet. I loved it, and have a newfound love for Hawkeye as a character. Marvel is crushing it with these series, and I love the way they're all starting to weave together. Plus, this one is all Christmassy, which means I'll enjoy watching it year round. Streaming on Disney+. (9/10 - Very Highly Recommended)

The Bradshaw Bunch ("Acts of Love and Kindness")

This show is... NOT good. But this episode was spectacular as it featured one of my dearest friends and podcast collaborators, Aaron Hale. While I would almost certainly never watch another episode, I'll watch Aaron's segment of this episode on repeat. He did a phenomenal job, and I'm just so proud of him. VERY funny. My rating/recommendation are intended only for his segment of this episode. Streaming on E!. (10/10 - Most Highly Recommended)
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That's it for this week, friends! I'm still feeling pretty bad though, so I'm sure I'll do a lot more streaming over the next week. I mean, I still have five Harry Potter movies and a special to get through. Plus, Cobra Kai season 4 just released. So I should be in good shape for a while. I hope each of your 2022 is off to a wonderful start! I'll have more thoughts on the new year later. Stay tuned!