While some may think my list-keeping to be a strange obsession, it does actually bring me happiness, and I like knowing that I have these little snapshots into what I was watching and thinking, especially now as there is just SO. MUCH. GOOD. STUFF. TO. WATCH. Seriously, with network television still producing some solid hits and Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix getting in on the business, there are too many series to keep up with, but I do have my faves that I don't want to miss. And even if I don't get to the theater terribly often, there are always some movies that I know I want to see on the big screen.
You can see where I've cataloged all the movies I watched starting in 2009 and continued through 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, and in 2019, I added in series that I've watched as well! What will 2020 bring in the form of screen time? I can't wait to see!
(Amazon Prime)
The best final show to watch in the waning hours of 2020, especially after a couple drinks. I loved the individual comedic voices here, and how they all played off each other, even if you wouldn't think them similar in style. Yay for a bunch of bad-ass women coming together to make us laugh away a year like no other.
72. 12/28/20
(Netflix)
I don't know why I waited this long to finally watch this special, but today, this was just what I needed. Goddamn, Gadsby is beyond brilliant. This entire show is so perfectly orchestrated, from her table-of-contents-like introduction to the numerous, perfectly placed call-backs. I am so thankful to have Gadsby's voice in our world.
It's ridiculous as hell, and it feels like we just watched it yesterday, but it's TRADITION. This year only the oldest and youngest joined in for this viewing, but we all laughed as much as always. It's just not Xmas without Clark and crew.
70. 12/20/20
70. 12/20/20
(Netflix)
Well, this was terrific. This was also terrible. This was a major case of both/and, as it were. I'm so glad to have another gay protagonist (but, also, another White and thin and conventionally attractive protagonist, of course... sigh) in a film for my kids to see out there, even if one kid didn't want to watch it and the other peaced out and played on her phone after realizing it was a musical (not her fave) and only occasionally looked up. Anyway, I both enjoyed it, tapping my feet to some of the songs and feeling the warm fuzzies at various happy outcomes, while I also was disappointed by it, rolling my eyes at some of the tropes and casting. Just another reason to say, #Thanks2020.
69. 12/19/20
68. 11/27/20
67. 11/25/20
66. 11/24/20
69. 12/19/20
(Netflix, Season 5)
Somehow, I didn't watch the latest season of this wild-ride-of-a-show when it came out last year, and at only three episodes, it wasn't a big commitment of time or energy, yet it was still months in-between me watching the first episode and the other two. I don't know why I waited, but I was just as pleased as always with the product. These were less focused on a time in some indeterminate future and stayed close to character development and explorations of morality. I loved every minute of them, and the performances were impressive. I might actually be able to get Hubby to watch this season, as the 'scary' factor isn't as outrageous as some others.
(Hulu)
Wow, this one was delightfully terrible. How in the world several quality actors signed up for this drivel is beyond me. Dan Levy?? Seriously? There were a few points in the movie where I was convinced that the plot would go in a nontraditional way and the whole thing might be salvaged, but nope. This was what I imagine those holiday Lifetime movies are like, just with higher list actors. There wasn't even the level of character redemption that I expect from this type of movie, which was a bit stomach-turning, actually. I watched this with pals in a pandemic-friendly outdoor viewing setup, and the trash-talking we engaged in was the best part of the experience.
(Netflix, Seasons 1 & 2)
I adored every fecking thing about this series, other than the fact that each season is only 6 episodes long! While I don't know much at all about the conflicts in Ireland, there is a universality to adolescence that shone through. These actors each are hilariously talented, and I laughed more watching this than anything in a long while. I want to go back and watch the episodes again, because I know that I missed some things while I was cackling. I'm happy to know that there will eventually be more episodes to come!
(Netflix)
No, Jesus, No. This was a pretty awful movie from start to finish. It had a fairly solid base, too, so it's a shame that the filmmakers couldn't put together a flick with some more substance. I love the idea of exploring a young person's reckoning with normal adolescent experiences in the context of oppressive and outdated religious expectations, but this felt shallow and ultimately fell flat for me.
65. 11/23/20
65. 11/23/20
(Netflix)
64. 11/22/20
63. 11/21/20
61. 11/14/20
This mini-series of 7 episodes was a HUGE hit... for everyone but me. Yes, I know it's almost universally praised as brilliant and mesmerizing, and I was bored AF. I couldn't understand at all why people were drawn to her as an adult, when it was clear that any relationship with her would be completely one-sided. Her childhood trauma was heartbreaking, yes. She is brilliant and an absolute prodigy at chess, yes. But she treats others like shit, kinda how she treats herself. Her self-destruction was not entertaining to me, and the rest of it was boring beyond belief. I was so disappointed to be so out of the majority opinion on this one. I wanted to like it, and I got excited in the end of the 6th episode that a character would make things interesting, when she only came back to be another person routing for (and significantly assisting) Beth after Beth not having seemingly thought of her once in all the years that had passed. Ugh. Big old miss for me.
(Disney+)
While I have issues with the way stereotypical gender norms relating to emotions that are portrayed in this flick, there's no denying it tugs at the heartstrings. Our youngest is going through so much, and emotionally she is all over the place at all times. She watched with Hubby and me, and I hope she had some joy-- and allowed some space for sadness, too-- in the process.
(DVD)
Yes, I've watched this before... pretty sure at the theater when it came out. Did I remember much of anything? Nope. But, for the youngest who said we never got around to watching this adaptation after she was done reading the series, it was a fun experience and I'm glad we watched together.
62. 11/21/20
(Netflix)
Michelle Buteau consistently cracks me up, and I was there for this special. She is indefatigable and her comedy- she never slows down, she always reacts to her own jokes, and she engages with the audience in a delightfully warm way, even when it's clear she's teasing them. She looks like she's having a fucking blast when she's on stage, and that makes me enjoy the show even more. This was a lovely escape from the realities of 2020.
(DVD)
When it's your kid's birthday and she wants to watch a movie she absolutely adored when she saw it in the theater the year before, you go ahead and buy the DVD and watch it with her even if it's 114 minutes of painful 'acting,' absolute ridiculousness, and plot holes galore. That's about it.
60. 11/12/20
(Netflix, Seasons 1 & 2)
For the whole first season, this show was anything but great news. Why did I keep watching, you ask? Pandemic boredom, I guess? Who knows, but it was easy to just let the next episode play while I continued to wash dishes or fold laundry or eat another godforsaken snack. There were glimmers of humor here and there, so I watched season two, and there were some improvements... or I got worn down? There were little spots that were reminiscent of the wackiness of 30 Rock, and other parts reminded me of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, but ultimately, it was pretty forgettable and since it was canceled after two seasons, that was a wrap.
59. 10/31/20
(Amazon Prime)
I'm not sure the last time I saw this movie, but it might have been the full THIRTY years since it first came out! We watched it with the kids... well, most of the kids. The oldest popped out after a bit, the middle one got on her phone after a while, and the youngest played with the dog a bit, but I think they each got the gist of it. I, however, was delighted with its wackiness and pure Tim Burton ridiculousness. Not exactly Halloween fare, but close enough.
58. 10/28/20
56. 10/17/20
(Netflix, Season 10)
Another season with the Gallaghers and their motley crew. Ugh. I can't think of another show that I love/hate as much as this one. Oftentimes, I couldn't stomach more than one episode at a time, or I would need to be distracting myself with other online busywork while watching so as to not get too emotionally invested. But, I can't say that I wasn't entertained at times. A lot of times. Ugh. This show, man.
57. 10/23/20
(Amazon Prime)
What can be said about Sacha Baron Cohen and portrayal of the character of Borat other than BRILLIANT? His satirical form of humor plays into the stereotypical beliefs that many have about 'foreigners' and when he leans in with hate speech that they like, their true colors are shown immediately. I still have so many questions about how many of the people we see on screen were in on the joke, and if not, what did they think was going on? I'm sure I'll be reading a lot of articles in coming days!
(Netflix, Seasons 1-3)
Holy crap, that was a roller coaster ride of a show. The kids had both seen the series when I began to watch it with them, so there were more spoilers dropped than I would have preferred, but they did have to put up with my literal screams and freak outs for three seasons, so it was probably even. I did not do well with the jump scares and the frightening action scenes, so I offered lots of verbal encouragement (and sometimes shaming!) to the characters, but there's no denying that this ensemble cast is full of amazingly talented kids. Now to have to wait another year for the next season is a bit too much to take, even though I came to this party a couple years after pretty much everyone else in the world!
55. 10/15/2020
(Hulu, Season 1)
Five years ago, I stayed late at the National Book Festival with my then 15-year-old so he could see some panels about graphic novels and comics, and we attended a session with Keith Knight. As soon as he started to talk about his work, I was hooked. One accepted FB friend request later, I was following his posts and looking forward to his perspective through his comics. Fast forward to today, and after watching the first season of his semi-autobiographical series, I adore him and his work even more. I truly hope this keeps going, because his is a voice that needs as many outlets as possible to reach people. Funny and smart, I could watch way more than just eight episodes!
53. 10/12/20
52. 9/26/20
54. 10/13/20
(Hulu, Season 2)
Aidy Bryant is a goddess. That's about all that needs to be said. The show itself is silly fun intertwined with serious issues of self-identity and self-image. Aidy commands the screen in every damn scene, and even when there are cringe-worthy story lines (that fucking boyfriend!), I can't make myself look away. I didn't want this season to end.
(Comedy Central, Season 1)
I'd like to say that I'd watch Awkwafina do just about anything, and I'm pretty sure that after watching an entire season of this, I absolutely did. Not sure what this was all about, but it was ridiculously fun in its inexplicability. She's just plain delightful. I don't know if there's going to be another season, and I'm not sure if there are any actual storylines to continue, so anything can happen here, I imagine.
(Netflix)
My almost 13-year-old and I quite enjoyed this fun romp, even though I felt like it was all over the place at times. Millie Bobby Brown is beyond charming in this role, and I think I would watch her in anything at this point. She brings a playfulness and genuine curiosity to the character of Enola, and we both adored the breaking of the fourth wall device that is used so she'll talk directly to us viewers. This was a delightful family movie with suspense and puzzles to figure out (those were S's faves!), and my daughter called the twist right away, while I thought she was reaching. A fun Netflix watch.
51. 9/24/20
48. 8/16/20
(Hulu, Season 2, Part 1)
What a bizarro and hilarious show. Somehow, these two grown women make me forget, almost instantaneously, that they are adults playing middle schoolers amongst a cast of actual middle school aged kids. They capture the body language and tones used by young adolescents so freaking perfectly. Some of this season got a bit whacky at times (that dance during the play? that BREASTFEEDING scene?!), but I was here for it and just shook my head at the stuff I didn't quite get. Totally unique entertainment.
50. 9/15/20
(Disney+, Seasons 1 & 2)
We watched this with the kids over living room dinners for some time this summer. What a shame it only lasted two seasons, because we all quite liked a show driven by both a female hero and female villians. The 40s setting made for incredible fashion watching, and the banter between Agent Carter and Mr. Jarvis was funny and friendly and delightfully not sexual. All the way, we loved this series!
Not even a year had gone by since we watched this flick in the theater, and upon the rewatching with friends (socially distanced in their back yard!), I could only remember fragments of how the plot came together. Still brilliant, funny, and super sharp. I'm glad we watched it again!
(Amazon Prime)
I can't imagine this movie is one that these well-established actors put at the top of their life's accomplishments. This was boring, predictable, and so damn full of tropes, it was laughable (unlike the movie itself). I was consistently bothered by the one guy (played by Andy Garcia) who didn't listen to a thing the one woman (played by Diane Keaton) said or did, but instead told her what she actually wanted to do by forcing her to do it, and lo and behold, wasn't that charming and wasn't he actually right about what was best for her? [Insert vomiting here.] Yeah, this wasn't even worthy of background viewing while doing dishes and laundry.
47. 8/10/20, 10/23/20
(Netflix, Seasons 1 & 2)
When I was a few episodes in, I saw a meme that asked two questions: 1. Who is your favorite UA character? and 2. Why is it Klaus? Only a few episodes in, I was already feeling this joke hard. I became quickly fascinated with this show-- witty writing, dynamic characters, solid performances, cheeky humor-- it had it all. I'm not necessarily a superhero flick fan, but this was something different than the standard, and I got sucked in. I did find that it was annoying to watch episodes on my phone, because it was hard to see exactly what was going on, but I also didn't want to wait until the evening when I might have the TV to myself to watch it. I wish I could watch the whole thing for the first time again!
45. 7/25/20
Troop Zero
(Amazon Prime)
I watched this one by myself while trying to do the world's most difficult puzzle ever. It was sweet at times, maddening at others, and overall a conduit for some really talented young actors. I have a variety of different reactions to stories that pitch kids out on their own with little to no adult interference in the face of injustices that they're well aware of, and I found myself vacillating between respecting the adults and being pissed off at them.
44. 7/22/20
The Spy Who Dumped Me
(Netflix)
We watched this on Netflix Party with some friends while also being on videochat together (but muted so no wonky feedback sound), and damn if I couldn't control my outbursts of laughter at the ridiculous scenes of buffoonish action. Kate McKinnon is a fucking comedic gem. While this might not be Oscar-worthy material, it was perfect for a distraction that prompted a ton of laughs.
43. 7/19/20
Modern Love
(Amazon Prime, Season 1)
46. 8/4/20
(Hulu)
Holy motherforking shirtballs, was this the joy that I needed in my life right now? Yes, on all fronts, yes. What a raucous celebration of language, friendship, music, and absolute joy. Seeing LMM 15 years younger, hearing Tommy Kail tell him that people may never know who he is? All of it was so perfect, it couldn't have been planned, it could only have been fate. Watch this for a pick-me-up and an hour and a half of pure love.
Troop Zero
(Amazon Prime)
I watched this one by myself while trying to do the world's most difficult puzzle ever. It was sweet at times, maddening at others, and overall a conduit for some really talented young actors. I have a variety of different reactions to stories that pitch kids out on their own with little to no adult interference in the face of injustices that they're well aware of, and I found myself vacillating between respecting the adults and being pissed off at them.
The Spy Who Dumped Me
(Netflix)
We watched this on Netflix Party with some friends while also being on videochat together (but muted so no wonky feedback sound), and damn if I couldn't control my outbursts of laughter at the ridiculous scenes of buffoonish action. Kate McKinnon is a fucking comedic gem. While this might not be Oscar-worthy material, it was perfect for a distraction that prompted a ton of laughs.
Modern Love
(Amazon Prime, Season 1)
Some episodes were more touching than others here, but the performances were all high-quality and entertaining. I thought the ending scenes that showed all the characters crossing paths or coming near each other at some point was a bit cheesy and not necessary, but sure, NYC is a small town where this is totally possible.
42. 7/17/20
Back to the Future
(Drive-In)
Well, it had been a whole bunch of years since I saw this one, and Hubby and I were surprised by some parts that we did NOT remember and definitely needed some further conversation with the kids afterward. It's hard to say, but other than those weird-ass scenes and the sexual assault/rape scene, this movie was kinda fun.
41. 7/17/20
Shrek
(Drive-In)
I don't like this movie, because it was marketed as a kids' flick, and it's ridiculously full of inappropriate humor. But, drive-in for a second weekend meant that I had to put up with this one for 90 long and painful minutes.
40. 7/13/20
36. 7/2/20
Airplane!
(DVD)
On the 40th anniversary of its release, some friends and I met up together virtually to Netflix Party the shit out of this ridiculous film. Jesus, how I laughed again. Yes, there is a whole lot of problematic crap here. I won't deny it. There's also a ton of nonsensical, stupid, silly humor that appeals to me, so I point out the bad and laugh at the rest. There are gags in this flick that I have referenced practically my whole life. It was an absurd break from reality for a little while on a not-work night.
35. 6/20/20
Homecoming
(Amazon Prime, Season 2)
Back to the Future
(Drive-In)
Well, it had been a whole bunch of years since I saw this one, and Hubby and I were surprised by some parts that we did NOT remember and definitely needed some further conversation with the kids afterward. It's hard to say, but other than those weird-ass scenes and the sexual assault/rape scene, this movie was kinda fun.
Shrek
(Drive-In)
I don't like this movie, because it was marketed as a kids' flick, and it's ridiculously full of inappropriate humor. But, drive-in for a second weekend meant that I had to put up with this one for 90 long and painful minutes.
(Netflix, Season 1 & 2)
Okay, sometimes when I watch a new show, I get a little bit obsessed with it, wanting to binge it constantly and thinking about the characters nonstop. Yeah, that happened here, for sure. I adored everything about this show-- the actors' performances, the glam, the musical numbers, and um, the motherfucking genius that is Billy Porter. In every scene with him, I can't take my eyes off him. He's absolutely mesmerizing. I was motivated to read about the history of the ball culture in the 80s and 90s, as I had no idea of the cultural significance of Madonna's "Vogue" when I was a teenager in rural Connecticut. Oh, and it was fun to see my cousin as an extra in a scene in the Season 2 premiere-- so cool!
39. 7/11/20
The Goonies
(Drive-In)
Here's another movie that we've seen a bunch of times, but when you need to get out of the house for an adventure like a drive-in movie, you take what you can get. Starting a movie at 11 pm makes for not entirely attentive viewers of the kids, but they watched most of it and seemed to have a good time.
38. 7/11/20
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
(Drive-In!)
I don't know how many times I've seen this flick in my life, but there was something even more fun when seeing it at the drive-in! In this summer of social distancing, this activity is one of the few things we can do and feel comfortable and safe. The kids laughed and mostly enjoyed this, and even though I had my usual issues with some parts, it was still an enjoyable watch, for the zillionth time.
The Goonies
(Drive-In)
Here's another movie that we've seen a bunch of times, but when you need to get out of the house for an adventure like a drive-in movie, you take what you can get. Starting a movie at 11 pm makes for not entirely attentive viewers of the kids, but they watched most of it and seemed to have a good time.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
(Drive-In!)
I don't know how many times I've seen this flick in my life, but there was something even more fun when seeing it at the drive-in! In this summer of social distancing, this activity is one of the few things we can do and feel comfortable and safe. The kids laughed and mostly enjoyed this, and even though I had my usual issues with some parts, it was still an enjoyable watch, for the zillionth time.
(Disney+)
We all gathered together in the living room on the day before our nation's day of independence (for some, ahem), and took it all in, as breathless and in awe as we expected. It's not like we all hadn't heard the soundtrack thousands of times, or that we hadn't watched every live performance clip on award shows and YouTube again and again. I even had the chance to see a stage production of it! (In Puerto Rico! With LMM!!) None of it was new, per se, and everything was new, all at the same time. We were collectively blown away. The kids' enthusiasm about the show had definitely lessened since four years ago when it was all they lived and breathed, but at least for the middle child, it's on the rise once again. Even poor Hubby was an emotional wreck by the end of the show like some of us, in great need of some tissues and a hug. The younger two kids and I watched it again about two weeks later, and I'll probably pull it up several more times until we no longer have access to Disney+, but I doubt I'll record every viewing date on here.
Airplane!
(DVD)
On the 40th anniversary of its release, some friends and I met up together virtually to Netflix Party the shit out of this ridiculous film. Jesus, how I laughed again. Yes, there is a whole lot of problematic crap here. I won't deny it. There's also a ton of nonsensical, stupid, silly humor that appeals to me, so I point out the bad and laugh at the rest. There are gags in this flick that I have referenced practically my whole life. It was an absurd break from reality for a little while on a not-work night.
Homecoming
(Amazon Prime, Season 2)
Well, that didn't go quite as I had expected. Although it was a bit less "artsy for artsy's sake" than the first season, there were still frequent times when the music swelled and got super loud unnecessarily, and I'm still confused about the continued scenes while the credits rolled. Even though it's only 7 episodes, we still took over a week to finish the season, and I found myself a little befuddled here and there with the nonlinear timeline. The storyline, though, was intriguing and thought-provoking about just how awful human-led organizations can be. The ending? The ending is kick-ass.
34. 6/15/20
Workin' Moms
(Netflix, Season 4)
Normally, when an entire season of a 22-minute per episode series consists of only eight episodes, I would complain. When it's Workin' Moms, it's a blessing for which I'm grateful. I absolutely did intentionally hate-watch this season, just to see if it could get any worse. It didn't get any better, that's for sure. These are some of the worst parental characters I've ever seen on the screen. I am a big fan of parenthood-based comedy, but this shit goes way beyond anything even relatable. It's like they don't even know what kids are like, the way they portray them to such an extreme. And I've never been a contender for Mom of the Year, but I can't imagine behaving the way these folks do in front of their kids. When will this series be over?
33. 6/12/20
Workin' Moms
(Netflix, Season 4)
Normally, when an entire season of a 22-minute per episode series consists of only eight episodes, I would complain. When it's Workin' Moms, it's a blessing for which I'm grateful. I absolutely did intentionally hate-watch this season, just to see if it could get any worse. It didn't get any better, that's for sure. These are some of the worst parental characters I've ever seen on the screen. I am a big fan of parenthood-based comedy, but this shit goes way beyond anything even relatable. It's like they don't even know what kids are like, the way they portray them to such an extreme. And I've never been a contender for Mom of the Year, but I can't imagine behaving the way these folks do in front of their kids. When will this series be over?
(Netflix, Season 4)
This show is the absolute worst. Each season was more ridiculous and painful than the next. It felt like the creators were trying to make inspirational statements, yet they couldn't have been more misguided. These characters are the fucking worst people- not nuanced personalities with shades of all that humanity can offer, but just terribly selfish and hurtful people with flailing consciences. So much trauma and awfulness was packed into four short seasons, and this must be the most cursed group of teens ever. Ugh. Just the whole thing gave me a terrible taste in my mouth and I just wanted it to be over. Even if I felt moved at times for certain people, I couldn't shake the overwhelming feeling of disgust at the series as a whole.
32. 6/3/20
Homecoming
(Amazon Prime, Season 1)
Okay, this was certainly intriguing and engaging, but I do wish that the director hadn't gone so far in the "arsty" direction, because every episode had at least one or two scenes with unbearable music or sound effects that didn't heighten the tension but did serve to piss us off. I thought Hubby was going to lose it at times, and I'm not sure if we'll be watching season two together or not. I definitely want to keep going, mostly because Janelle Monáe, but damn if this show isn't stressful AF to watch.
31. 6/2/20
Just Mercy
(Amazon Prime)
Fuck this country's "justice" system. We watched this with the younger two (12.5 and 14) after spending the afternoon at a Black Lives Matter rally in our town. We're trying to get our kids to understand that systemic racism is embedded in the heart of this country, and that it's going to take a whole lot of hard work to try to make any changes. We are responsible for trying to make those changes, and we can't do the work without knowing the history. We're not going to be able to know every story, but I appreciate the opportunity to share the work of Bryan Stevenson and the stories of Johnnie D. McMillian, Herbert Richardson, and Anthony Ray Hinton. They are just three examples of too, too many black men who have not been served by the criminal justice system. This film is powerful and emotional and important.
30. 6/1/20
Dead to Me
(Netflix, Season 2)
Well, if I thought that the first season threw curveball after curveball, this season was more like soft pop flies. (I'm not good at the sportsballs, but I think that means what I want it to mean...) There was a whole lot that was easy to see coming this season, but it was still entertaining, so I binged in just a couple days. Applegate and Cardellini have amazing chemistry and presence on screen together, and there are such absolutely witty one-liners that Applegate delivers with perfect dry, dark humor. Of course, the season ends on another cliffhanger, so we'll revisit this in a year.
29. 5/29/30
The Lovebirds
Homecoming
(Amazon Prime, Season 1)
Okay, this was certainly intriguing and engaging, but I do wish that the director hadn't gone so far in the "arsty" direction, because every episode had at least one or two scenes with unbearable music or sound effects that didn't heighten the tension but did serve to piss us off. I thought Hubby was going to lose it at times, and I'm not sure if we'll be watching season two together or not. I definitely want to keep going, mostly because Janelle Monáe, but damn if this show isn't stressful AF to watch.
Just Mercy
(Amazon Prime)
Fuck this country's "justice" system. We watched this with the younger two (12.5 and 14) after spending the afternoon at a Black Lives Matter rally in our town. We're trying to get our kids to understand that systemic racism is embedded in the heart of this country, and that it's going to take a whole lot of hard work to try to make any changes. We are responsible for trying to make those changes, and we can't do the work without knowing the history. We're not going to be able to know every story, but I appreciate the opportunity to share the work of Bryan Stevenson and the stories of Johnnie D. McMillian, Herbert Richardson, and Anthony Ray Hinton. They are just three examples of too, too many black men who have not been served by the criminal justice system. This film is powerful and emotional and important.
Dead to Me
(Netflix, Season 2)
Well, if I thought that the first season threw curveball after curveball, this season was more like soft pop flies. (I'm not good at the sportsballs, but I think that means what I want it to mean...) There was a whole lot that was easy to see coming this season, but it was still entertaining, so I binged in just a couple days. Applegate and Cardellini have amazing chemistry and presence on screen together, and there are such absolutely witty one-liners that Applegate delivers with perfect dry, dark humor. Of course, the season ends on another cliffhanger, so we'll revisit this in a year.
The Lovebirds
(Netflix)
We watched this on Netflix with a group of friends using the NP app, and while I would have much more preferred to have been together in person, I definitely took advantage of the chat feature of NP to share some of my many outbursts in reaction to this hilarious film. I lost it again and again while watching this, unable to control my howls of laughter. Both Rae and Nanjiani were PERFECTLY cast, and their chemistry was undeniable. Rapid-fire humor and outrageous situations made this the funniest flick I've seen in a while.
28. 5/26/20
Grey's Anatomy
(Netflix, Season 16)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again-- I'm exhausted with these trauma-magnet people. At least this time I knew well enough to wait until I could binge the whole season instead of dragging it out over 20+ weeks. Thankfully, the latest season went to Netflix, since my DVR didn't save the entire season. I was able to have this on in the background while I did lots of other things-- dishes, laundry, mindless spreadsheets. Just like always, this crew sees the rarest of the rare illnesses and diseases, and several people act as if they have zero fucks to give about the feelings of others. Just another season of this nighttime soap opera that I can't stop watching if they still keep making them.
27. 5/21/20
Upload
We watched this on Netflix with a group of friends using the NP app, and while I would have much more preferred to have been together in person, I definitely took advantage of the chat feature of NP to share some of my many outbursts in reaction to this hilarious film. I lost it again and again while watching this, unable to control my howls of laughter. Both Rae and Nanjiani were PERFECTLY cast, and their chemistry was undeniable. Rapid-fire humor and outrageous situations made this the funniest flick I've seen in a while.
Grey's Anatomy
(Netflix, Season 16)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again-- I'm exhausted with these trauma-magnet people. At least this time I knew well enough to wait until I could binge the whole season instead of dragging it out over 20+ weeks. Thankfully, the latest season went to Netflix, since my DVR didn't save the entire season. I was able to have this on in the background while I did lots of other things-- dishes, laundry, mindless spreadsheets. Just like always, this crew sees the rarest of the rare illnesses and diseases, and several people act as if they have zero fucks to give about the feelings of others. Just another season of this nighttime soap opera that I can't stop watching if they still keep making them.
Upload
(Amazon Prime, Season 1)
I heard this show described as The Good Place meets Black Mirror, and as I love both of those shows for very different reasons, so I was intrigued. We watched over the course of a couple weeks, and I guess I finished it thinking it was worth the time, even if I was quite disappointed by the ending. It leaves me wondering what the second season will look like, but I'm not terribly excited for its return. It was clever and innovative, but maybe right now isn't the best time to contemplating the afterlife and the ways technology can eff it all up. Real life here on Earth is scary enough.
26. 5/15/20
Never Have I Ever
(Netflix, Season 1)
Okay, I really liked this show, even if I'm not, perhaps, their ideal target audience. We watched this in a couple settings with friends over Netflix Party, and I got super invested. Like when a thing happened in one of the final episodes, I legit gasped, causing Hubby to scoff at me. I liked that the protagonist was realistic and flawed, as I have a little bit of experience with teens to know that often their depictions in tv and movies are a bit lofty. I do hope that this gets renewed for a second season, because I see the writers as being thoughtful enough to make it more than a simple teenage girl torn between two guys kind of narrative.
25. 5/8/20
Zoe's Extraordinary Playlist
(NBC, Season 1)
Another finale night and definitely more tears. This show may not have always featured the best singers, but these characters' hearts were in it 1000%. This was a show that our whole family watched together and quite enjoyed. This was a heartbreaking finale, even though we all knew what was coming. It hasn't officially been renewed, but I'm banking on it being back for a second season. We'll have the DVR set.
24. 5/4/20
Schitt's Creek
(PopTV, Season 6)
Oh, the tears. "I'm not finished with this place," David said in the finale, and damn if I don't know exactly what that felt like. This show, man. This show was everything-- humor, tenderness, love, friendship, and family. Oh, and a world without the pain of homophobia. It was so freaking endearing that I don't even know how to sum up my feelings beyond saying that I'm obsessed with it, a la David. I couldn't get enough, and I sobbed when it all came to an end, and I absolutely know that I will be going back and watching these episodes again and again. Thank you Dan Levy for a show that so completely filled my heart.
23. 5/3/20
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2
(DVD)
Like the night before, I missed a big part of this one, too, but this time it was about the last third of the movie, so I'm probably going to pop the DVD back in soon and watch the end by myself. This was as terrifying and emotional as Part 1, so I was reacting about the same, that is to say loud and uncontrollably. I'm glad the kids were all as taken with this series as I was.
22. 5/2/20
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1
(DVD)
Now that our youngest has finished reading the series, we finally reached the point where we could all watch the final movies together. I missed a big chunk of this viewing near the final half of the flick due to a call from a friend in need, but that might have been for the best, because I was a WRECK watching this. Screaming out loud and unable to control myself kind of wreck. We saw this in the theater, so I'm not sure how I handled it appropriately then, but sitting in my living room meant no-holds-barred, I guess. This was an amazing film visually, and being years from reading it meant I wasn't caught up on details. This was a hit with everyone.
21. 4/29/20
Grace & Frankie
(Netflix, Season 6)
Okay, I adore Lily Tomlin, and I've come to begrudgingly appreciate Jane Fonda's dry humor, but this is quite enough, thankyouverymuch. Six seasons of round-and-round plots that always seem to land in the same places makes me wish someone would pull the plug on this show. This show has mostly served the purpose of background entertainment for me-- while washing dishes, cooking dinner, or folding laundry, it's fine enough to have on in the background just to keep me from going too deeply into my own thoughts in the moment. Distraction TV isn't the best tagline, though, so I'd be okay if this one ran its course.
20. 4/26/20
Kim's Convenience
(Netflix, Season 4)
There was something about this season, more so in the first half of episodes, that made our whole family start to question how the characters were being portrayed, feeling like they were off a bit. Most of the main characters had moments of being really, really unlikable, which was so different than before. But, something shifted, and the second half of the season was more lighthearted. I quite liked the way the season ended, with some bigger questions in the air, and the fact that the final scene was pretty unremarkable-- just another customer walking in the store and being greeted by the Kims.
19. 4/25/20
Molly's Game
(Netflix)
Not sure how I had never heard of anything about this-- not the story, not the arrests, not the book, not even the movie itself. We stumbled onto it on Netflix (after trying to watch the flick Mr. Right for about 7 minutes before declaring it totally unwatchable), and it ended up being fascinating. Of course, I couldn't stop myself from googling and wikipediaing through the whole damn thing, but real-time fact-checking has its place. The biggest takeaway, though, is undeniably that Tobey Maguire might be Hollywood's biggest asshole.
18. 4/25/20
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
(NBC, Season 7)
This is a reliably funny show that I'm always happy to find on the DVR. The kids have taken to watching with us, and while there are still inappropriate moments here and there, for the most part, it's a goofy and silly comedy that is quite progressive. We all end up laughing and calling out our predictions for what the 'twist' will be. Now that Amy and Jake are parents, I'm hoping for even more silliness next season!
17. 4/21/20
One Day at a Time
(Netflix, Seasons 1-3)
Why did I wait so long to watch this show? I had heard about it when it was first released, and again when Netflix was canceling it and fans protested, led by none other than Lin-Manuel Miranda. I binged these first three seasons, and then my youngest kid started watching on her own, and we're both huge fans. Somehow, our cable package suddenly includes Pop TV, and now we can watch the currently running season 4! I love this family dynamic, and while this is likely the most traditional sitcom that I watch these days, I quite love that they don't necessarily "wrap up" every issue right away. Additionally, all the characters are portrayed as complex and held accountable. I could do without the laugh track, but everything else about the show makes up for that!
16. 4/7/20
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
(DVD)
The youngest is reading this series right now and is on the third and final book, and while it took a while to get her, I ordered all the movies on DVD since it seems we'll be handling all of our entertainment at home for quite a while. The 12-year-old was duly impressed, and I found my heart pounding like mad even though I knew what was coming. Ugh, this story. What a time to be immersed in dystopian fiction!
15. 4/6/20
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness
(Netflix)
What the actual fuck? This was indescribable. We watched this "documentary" series over a few nights with two other friend couples on the new Covid-19-inspired Netflix Party app, so we could watch simultaneously and chat together during the trainwreck. And that's what this was, no doubt. So much so that I don't even know what to say here, except for the fact that there were zero redeemable human beings in this entire series, maybe saving Saff. But those poor animals, man, that fucking killed me.
14. 4/2/20
Sex Education
(Netflix, Season 2)
Well, that was an experience. I wasn't pleased with how the show ignored a sexual encounter in which one of the folks was pretty drunk, but the rest of the season continued to show enlightened teenagers who are open and honest about their sexual interests and activities, which is refreshing and more than a bit idealistic. This was fun and informative!
13. 3/22/20
Hearts Beat Loud
(Hulu)
I invited the kids to watch this flick with us one night early in our socially distant days, and while I loved this one the first time I saw it and again this time, it wasn't quite as big a hit with the pre-teen and teenager. Oh well, they don't understand the gentle nuances of relationships that make indies so appealing.
12. 3/4/20
Drum Tao
(North American Tour 2020, Ohio University's Memorial Auditorium)
Woah!! These physical acts these performers completed were beyond incredible. This was a solid two-hours of the most intense workout I've ever seen. There were drums of all sorts of sizes, along with several other seemingly-traditional Japanese instruments. There were tones of martial arts, and even some humor. As it began, I turned to one of the kids and said that it reminded me of a fabulous America's Got Talent act, and about a half hour later, Hubby turned and said the same thing to me. Arguably, this was at least a half-hour too long, and the performers hawked their DVDs, CDs, t-shirts and other merch VERY intensely in the lobby before and after the show, as well as throughout the aisles during intermission! But, it was an incredible performance!
11. 2/27/20
The Choir of Man
(Touring Company, Ohio University's Memorial Auditorium)
Wowie zowie, this was a freaking blast. Talented hot guys with amazing accents singing and dancing for 90 minutes? Yes, please. We had free tickets that just happened to be in the 2nd row, and this show made both me and the 13-year-old swoon again and again. L O V E ! !
10. 9/21/20
High Fidelity
(DVD)
After the first movie was over, we popped this one in, and I couldn't remember ever watching this before either. Holy cow, this felt like the longest movie ever, even though it was just under two hours. I'm not sure what happened plot-wise, other than a self-indulgent man-baby acted like a self-indulged dick for two hours. Wasn't worth it. We would have had more laughs if we had just chatted or looked at memes on our phones.
9. 2/21/20
Raising Arizona
(DVD)
Somehow, I'd never seen this flick, and we pulled it out to watch one Friday night when we had some friends over and hanging out. It was just as bizarre as I expected, probably even more so, and definitely good for some late night laughs. Funny to see Cage and Hunter so damn young!
8. 2/16/20
The Color Purple
(Touring Company, Ohio University's Memorial Auditorium)
It had been at least two decades since I last read Alice Walker's incredible novel, and I didn't remember many of the details of the story. But I did remember that it was overwhelmingly difficult to read about the deep level of abuse and mistreatment that Celie received at the hands of her stepfather and husband, along with so many of the other people in her life. In watching the story get told on stage, I was a little thrown by the speed at which some parts were played out, and the depth, as well as the impact, of Celie's abuse seemed to be lessened. I understand that plays work better when there is some humor, but some of the crowd's laughs made me uncomfortable, too. All that being said, it was still an amazing show, and the performers were mind-bogglingly amazing. I'm thankful that we had the opportunity to see such an incredible performance just down the road from our home.
7. 2/5/20, 11/16/20
The Good Place
(NBC, Season 4)
This brilliant show became my very favorite pretty early on in season one, and while I didn't want to see it go, I absolutely loved how it all ended. If there was ever an afterlife that I could get behind, it would be this one. This show in its entirety was an unbelievably perfect mixture of goofy blue humor and deeply thoughtful philosophical questions. I was pushed to evaluate my choices in life while also laughing at profanity replacements like "Holy mother forking shirtballs." Television doesn't get better than this.
(We watched the whole series again later in the year with the kids, and I was just as much a wreck by the end as I was the first time.)
6. 1/30/20
Workin' Moms
(Netflix, Seasons 1-3)
Why would someone watch three seasons of a show that they actually quite dislike? I've been asking myself this question now for a while, and then I would start another episode. Watching this became a chore, and at the end of season two, I was ready to call it quits, and then they ended on a fucked up cliffhanger, so I couldn't help but start season three. Now that I've watched everything that is currently available on Netflix, I'm hoping that by the time the next season makes it here in a year or more, I'll have forgotten enough about it all that I just won't care. But let me say, this show is filled with privileged, obnoxious, and dangerously self-destructive characters, some of whom just may be sociopaths. There is so little that could be put under a redeeming factors column for this trainwreck of a show. Seriously. Just watch The Letdown instead if you're looking for a modern-day take on some typical challenges faced by new parents. Even when that's not realistic, at least it's funny.
5. 1/24/20
Zombieland: Double Tap
(DVD)
Ten years ago, we watched the first Zombieland, and I wrote my reaction here on the blog saying that basically, I didn't know why I watched it, because I don't like zombie movies. Well, here I am ten years later to say that I still don't like zombie movies. Again, I watched through my shirt a whole lot, along with making terrified grunting noises and startled squeaks. The cast is funny, the writing sharp, but the fucking zombies are everywhere, man.
4. 1/24/20
The Addams Family
(DVD)
Well, this one sucked. There were clever moments that hearkened back to the original, but this was actually a bit painful to watch. No recommendations.
3. 1/23/20
John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch
(Netflix)
Well, the 12-year-old, the 19-year-old, and I watched this together, and I'm not sure any of us knew what to expect or how to describe what we were getting. Yeah, this was weird. Yes, we all giggled at times, but I'm just not sure what Mulaney was trying to do here.
2. 1/2/20
Cats
(theater)
First off, it's important to note that movies in my town cost $5, so I really need people to know that I didn't shell out big bucks to go see this. Secondly, I went with a pal with whom I shared a fascination about the public reactions since this flick was released. We were curious, and we figured we could use a little laugh anyway. Could it possibly be that bad? Yes. The answer is yes. Could it be outrageously awful, an inexplicable ménage à dozens of frisky felines roaming around a world devoid of consistent sizing? Yes, it was a trip and a half. I've never done hallucinogenic drugs, and now I don't need to. At least we laughed. A ton.
1. 1/1/20
The Letdown
(Netflix, Seasons 1-2)
I think I watched the first season (or as it's referred to, Series 1) a little over a year ago, and I thought about it sometime in December and checked if it had a new season (or, Series 2, as it were). This show hits many of the themes that I've enjoyed in other shows and in books, and I appreciated its wackiness and ability to show moms messing up without making them look like complete dingbats. These moms were (mostly) realistic and relatable, and even though I'm long past the baby and toddler stages with my own kids, I can still remember the stresses those years brought quite vividly. I laughed a lot at this show, and I may have gotten teary a time or two, as well.
Happy viewing,
I heard this show described as The Good Place meets Black Mirror, and as I love both of those shows for very different reasons, so I was intrigued. We watched over the course of a couple weeks, and I guess I finished it thinking it was worth the time, even if I was quite disappointed by the ending. It leaves me wondering what the second season will look like, but I'm not terribly excited for its return. It was clever and innovative, but maybe right now isn't the best time to contemplating the afterlife and the ways technology can eff it all up. Real life here on Earth is scary enough.
26. 5/15/20
Never Have I Ever
(Netflix, Season 1)
Okay, I really liked this show, even if I'm not, perhaps, their ideal target audience. We watched this in a couple settings with friends over Netflix Party, and I got super invested. Like when a thing happened in one of the final episodes, I legit gasped, causing Hubby to scoff at me. I liked that the protagonist was realistic and flawed, as I have a little bit of experience with teens to know that often their depictions in tv and movies are a bit lofty. I do hope that this gets renewed for a second season, because I see the writers as being thoughtful enough to make it more than a simple teenage girl torn between two guys kind of narrative.
Zoe's Extraordinary Playlist
(NBC, Season 1)
Another finale night and definitely more tears. This show may not have always featured the best singers, but these characters' hearts were in it 1000%. This was a show that our whole family watched together and quite enjoyed. This was a heartbreaking finale, even though we all knew what was coming. It hasn't officially been renewed, but I'm banking on it being back for a second season. We'll have the DVR set.
Schitt's Creek
(PopTV, Season 6)
Oh, the tears. "I'm not finished with this place," David said in the finale, and damn if I don't know exactly what that felt like. This show, man. This show was everything-- humor, tenderness, love, friendship, and family. Oh, and a world without the pain of homophobia. It was so freaking endearing that I don't even know how to sum up my feelings beyond saying that I'm obsessed with it, a la David. I couldn't get enough, and I sobbed when it all came to an end, and I absolutely know that I will be going back and watching these episodes again and again. Thank you Dan Levy for a show that so completely filled my heart.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2
(DVD)
Like the night before, I missed a big part of this one, too, but this time it was about the last third of the movie, so I'm probably going to pop the DVD back in soon and watch the end by myself. This was as terrifying and emotional as Part 1, so I was reacting about the same, that is to say loud and uncontrollably. I'm glad the kids were all as taken with this series as I was.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1
(DVD)
Now that our youngest has finished reading the series, we finally reached the point where we could all watch the final movies together. I missed a big chunk of this viewing near the final half of the flick due to a call from a friend in need, but that might have been for the best, because I was a WRECK watching this. Screaming out loud and unable to control myself kind of wreck. We saw this in the theater, so I'm not sure how I handled it appropriately then, but sitting in my living room meant no-holds-barred, I guess. This was an amazing film visually, and being years from reading it meant I wasn't caught up on details. This was a hit with everyone.
Grace & Frankie
(Netflix, Season 6)
Okay, I adore Lily Tomlin, and I've come to begrudgingly appreciate Jane Fonda's dry humor, but this is quite enough, thankyouverymuch. Six seasons of round-and-round plots that always seem to land in the same places makes me wish someone would pull the plug on this show. This show has mostly served the purpose of background entertainment for me-- while washing dishes, cooking dinner, or folding laundry, it's fine enough to have on in the background just to keep me from going too deeply into my own thoughts in the moment. Distraction TV isn't the best tagline, though, so I'd be okay if this one ran its course.
Kim's Convenience
(Netflix, Season 4)
There was something about this season, more so in the first half of episodes, that made our whole family start to question how the characters were being portrayed, feeling like they were off a bit. Most of the main characters had moments of being really, really unlikable, which was so different than before. But, something shifted, and the second half of the season was more lighthearted. I quite liked the way the season ended, with some bigger questions in the air, and the fact that the final scene was pretty unremarkable-- just another customer walking in the store and being greeted by the Kims.
Molly's Game
(Netflix)
Not sure how I had never heard of anything about this-- not the story, not the arrests, not the book, not even the movie itself. We stumbled onto it on Netflix (after trying to watch the flick Mr. Right for about 7 minutes before declaring it totally unwatchable), and it ended up being fascinating. Of course, I couldn't stop myself from googling and wikipediaing through the whole damn thing, but real-time fact-checking has its place. The biggest takeaway, though, is undeniably that Tobey Maguire might be Hollywood's biggest asshole.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
(NBC, Season 7)
This is a reliably funny show that I'm always happy to find on the DVR. The kids have taken to watching with us, and while there are still inappropriate moments here and there, for the most part, it's a goofy and silly comedy that is quite progressive. We all end up laughing and calling out our predictions for what the 'twist' will be. Now that Amy and Jake are parents, I'm hoping for even more silliness next season!
One Day at a Time
(Netflix, Seasons 1-3)
Why did I wait so long to watch this show? I had heard about it when it was first released, and again when Netflix was canceling it and fans protested, led by none other than Lin-Manuel Miranda. I binged these first three seasons, and then my youngest kid started watching on her own, and we're both huge fans. Somehow, our cable package suddenly includes Pop TV, and now we can watch the currently running season 4! I love this family dynamic, and while this is likely the most traditional sitcom that I watch these days, I quite love that they don't necessarily "wrap up" every issue right away. Additionally, all the characters are portrayed as complex and held accountable. I could do without the laugh track, but everything else about the show makes up for that!
16. 4/7/20
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
(DVD)
The youngest is reading this series right now and is on the third and final book, and while it took a while to get her, I ordered all the movies on DVD since it seems we'll be handling all of our entertainment at home for quite a while. The 12-year-old was duly impressed, and I found my heart pounding like mad even though I knew what was coming. Ugh, this story. What a time to be immersed in dystopian fiction!
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness
(Netflix)
What the actual fuck? This was indescribable. We watched this "documentary" series over a few nights with two other friend couples on the new Covid-19-inspired Netflix Party app, so we could watch simultaneously and chat together during the trainwreck. And that's what this was, no doubt. So much so that I don't even know what to say here, except for the fact that there were zero redeemable human beings in this entire series, maybe saving Saff. But those poor animals, man, that fucking killed me.
Sex Education
(Netflix, Season 2)
Well, that was an experience. I wasn't pleased with how the show ignored a sexual encounter in which one of the folks was pretty drunk, but the rest of the season continued to show enlightened teenagers who are open and honest about their sexual interests and activities, which is refreshing and more than a bit idealistic. This was fun and informative!
Hearts Beat Loud
(Hulu)
I invited the kids to watch this flick with us one night early in our socially distant days, and while I loved this one the first time I saw it and again this time, it wasn't quite as big a hit with the pre-teen and teenager. Oh well, they don't understand the gentle nuances of relationships that make indies so appealing.
Drum Tao
(North American Tour 2020, Ohio University's Memorial Auditorium)
Woah!! These physical acts these performers completed were beyond incredible. This was a solid two-hours of the most intense workout I've ever seen. There were drums of all sorts of sizes, along with several other seemingly-traditional Japanese instruments. There were tones of martial arts, and even some humor. As it began, I turned to one of the kids and said that it reminded me of a fabulous America's Got Talent act, and about a half hour later, Hubby turned and said the same thing to me. Arguably, this was at least a half-hour too long, and the performers hawked their DVDs, CDs, t-shirts and other merch VERY intensely in the lobby before and after the show, as well as throughout the aisles during intermission! But, it was an incredible performance!
The Choir of Man
(Touring Company, Ohio University's Memorial Auditorium)
Wowie zowie, this was a freaking blast. Talented hot guys with amazing accents singing and dancing for 90 minutes? Yes, please. We had free tickets that just happened to be in the 2nd row, and this show made both me and the 13-year-old swoon again and again. L O V E ! !
High Fidelity
(DVD)
After the first movie was over, we popped this one in, and I couldn't remember ever watching this before either. Holy cow, this felt like the longest movie ever, even though it was just under two hours. I'm not sure what happened plot-wise, other than a self-indulgent man-baby acted like a self-indulged dick for two hours. Wasn't worth it. We would have had more laughs if we had just chatted or looked at memes on our phones.
Raising Arizona
(DVD)
Somehow, I'd never seen this flick, and we pulled it out to watch one Friday night when we had some friends over and hanging out. It was just as bizarre as I expected, probably even more so, and definitely good for some late night laughs. Funny to see Cage and Hunter so damn young!
The Color Purple
(Touring Company, Ohio University's Memorial Auditorium)
It had been at least two decades since I last read Alice Walker's incredible novel, and I didn't remember many of the details of the story. But I did remember that it was overwhelmingly difficult to read about the deep level of abuse and mistreatment that Celie received at the hands of her stepfather and husband, along with so many of the other people in her life. In watching the story get told on stage, I was a little thrown by the speed at which some parts were played out, and the depth, as well as the impact, of Celie's abuse seemed to be lessened. I understand that plays work better when there is some humor, but some of the crowd's laughs made me uncomfortable, too. All that being said, it was still an amazing show, and the performers were mind-bogglingly amazing. I'm thankful that we had the opportunity to see such an incredible performance just down the road from our home.
7. 2/5/20, 11/16/20
The Good Place
(NBC, Season 4)
This brilliant show became my very favorite pretty early on in season one, and while I didn't want to see it go, I absolutely loved how it all ended. If there was ever an afterlife that I could get behind, it would be this one. This show in its entirety was an unbelievably perfect mixture of goofy blue humor and deeply thoughtful philosophical questions. I was pushed to evaluate my choices in life while also laughing at profanity replacements like "Holy mother forking shirtballs." Television doesn't get better than this.
(We watched the whole series again later in the year with the kids, and I was just as much a wreck by the end as I was the first time.)
Workin' Moms
(Netflix, Seasons 1-3)
Why would someone watch three seasons of a show that they actually quite dislike? I've been asking myself this question now for a while, and then I would start another episode. Watching this became a chore, and at the end of season two, I was ready to call it quits, and then they ended on a fucked up cliffhanger, so I couldn't help but start season three. Now that I've watched everything that is currently available on Netflix, I'm hoping that by the time the next season makes it here in a year or more, I'll have forgotten enough about it all that I just won't care. But let me say, this show is filled with privileged, obnoxious, and dangerously self-destructive characters, some of whom just may be sociopaths. There is so little that could be put under a redeeming factors column for this trainwreck of a show. Seriously. Just watch The Letdown instead if you're looking for a modern-day take on some typical challenges faced by new parents. Even when that's not realistic, at least it's funny.
5. 1/24/20
Zombieland: Double Tap
(DVD)
Ten years ago, we watched the first Zombieland, and I wrote my reaction here on the blog saying that basically, I didn't know why I watched it, because I don't like zombie movies. Well, here I am ten years later to say that I still don't like zombie movies. Again, I watched through my shirt a whole lot, along with making terrified grunting noises and startled squeaks. The cast is funny, the writing sharp, but the fucking zombies are everywhere, man.
The Addams Family
(DVD)
Well, this one sucked. There were clever moments that hearkened back to the original, but this was actually a bit painful to watch. No recommendations.
John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch
(Netflix)
Well, the 12-year-old, the 19-year-old, and I watched this together, and I'm not sure any of us knew what to expect or how to describe what we were getting. Yeah, this was weird. Yes, we all giggled at times, but I'm just not sure what Mulaney was trying to do here.
Cats
(theater)
First off, it's important to note that movies in my town cost $5, so I really need people to know that I didn't shell out big bucks to go see this. Secondly, I went with a pal with whom I shared a fascination about the public reactions since this flick was released. We were curious, and we figured we could use a little laugh anyway. Could it possibly be that bad? Yes. The answer is yes. Could it be outrageously awful, an inexplicable ménage à dozens of frisky felines roaming around a world devoid of consistent sizing? Yes, it was a trip and a half. I've never done hallucinogenic drugs, and now I don't need to. At least we laughed. A ton.
The Letdown
(Netflix, Seasons 1-2)
I think I watched the first season (or as it's referred to, Series 1) a little over a year ago, and I thought about it sometime in December and checked if it had a new season (or, Series 2, as it were). This show hits many of the themes that I've enjoyed in other shows and in books, and I appreciated its wackiness and ability to show moms messing up without making them look like complete dingbats. These moms were (mostly) realistic and relatable, and even though I'm long past the baby and toddler stages with my own kids, I can still remember the stresses those years brought quite vividly. I laughed a lot at this show, and I may have gotten teary a time or two, as well.
Happy viewing,
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