Television
The Simpsons (Disney +)
Season 8 is MESSY.
It definitely feels like a rebuilding year of sorts.
I know with a show that has over 30 seasons, there are bound to be ebbs and flows in quality.
They remain true to the characters throughout and I really appreciates that about them.
Somebody Somewhere (MAX)
I love these people. I’m glad season 3 is coming back (as of this writing) or came back (as of your reading), but I am so sad it’s the last season I’ll get to spend with these characters. They are all so gorgeously flawed and so wonderfully human.
The story gives me hope. The pool scene in the first episode always makes me cry.
This show is so gentle and accepting. I wish more people watched it!
Okay, so I’m wrapping up what is probably my 5th rewatch of season 1. It’s short, y’all – 7 episodes of 30 minutes each.
Each one better than the next, but all with the overarching theme of acceptance.
Acceptance of each other.
Acceptance of the things that have happened to you. (in this case, “you” refers to the fictional characters in this show)
Acceptance of death.
Acceptance of the flaws of those around you.
Acceptance of the power alcohol has over you.
Acceptance of your own flaws.
Like, all the acceptance.
Aside from Big Love, this might be the only show that makes me cry with a church storyline.
And here’s what’s different about crying at this show vs. most other shows I cry at.
This is like a release of shit I’ve been holding on to. These characters work through things… and I work through things. Each time I watch, I leave with a deeper understanding of Sam and Joel and Ed and Fred and Tricia and Mary Jo… and myself.
By the end of Season 1, Bridgett Everett (Sam) is glowing from within. I’m so proud of her growth.
I don’t recall what happens in season 2, though – I’ve only watched it once.
This should be an adventure!
I remember season 2! It’s Cunt Pillow / Marriage season. It’s weird, because I remember these things happened, but I don’t remember it as a season of television, but, like, things that happened to my friends.
That says a lot about the richness of these characters, I think.
Okay, season 2 is heavier than season 1, but I think that is the point. It shows friends working through hard things. Things aren’t hopeless – just love.
I also watched the first episode of Season 3 and it’s good to be back with these people. I hope it is lighter than season 2.
Shrinking (AppleTV+)
Heidi Gardener is SO GOOD in this.
High Potential (ABC or Paramount +)
This is just fun. The writers do a solid job of misdirection with the main story. I care about literally all the characters, including the ones that are just popins for the weekly mystery.
It’s well crafted, and I’m looking forward to watching more.
English Teacher (FX / Hulu)
I know there wasn’t a new episode this week, and won’t be one for the foreseeable future, but I just wanted to pop in and say that I really missed this show this week. It’s a keeper.
Abbott Elementary (Hulu/Max/Disney+)
This show still makes me all warm and fuzzy. I love that the side characters are becoming more prominent this season. I was worried this was gonna be the Gregory and Janine show.
Australian TV (Or Dropout TV)
Australian Survivor Heroes vs. Villains
We’re on a break still! We’ll be back.
In the meantime, I am getting very excited about the new year and the new season!
Smartypants (Dropout TV)
Have you seen those PowerPoint parties on social media? Where, like, a group of friends get together, and each one of them does a presentation about something they are passionate about? AKA my dream party?
Well, this is that in TV show form. It is amazing, and I love it.
One of the topics from one of the first episodes was “Which cryptid would be best to blaze with?” Another was simply “eggs.”
The variety in topics is partly what makes it fun.
Other topics I saw this week that made me lol:
- How to write a white lady email
- Which cartoon character would be invited to the cookout
- Birds: Why they might steal your girl
- Something about how The Oregon Trail and Craigslist are the same – this one was very convincing
Movies
Monkey Man (Amazon Prime)
This was a RIDE.
Here is the description from the professionals:
An anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systematically victimize the poor and powerless.
Once I figured out what I was in for, it was easy to just go along for the ride.
Dev Patel has such potential as a writer/director. His first outing had a lot of birght shiny moments.
Most of these came when the film felt like a King Fu movie.
I think the fight scenes could have benefitted from less shakycam and more straight on Joh Wick-style cinematography. I understand this may have been budget-related.
I hope the next project has a bigger budget cause I can’t wait to see what Dev does.
Cabin in the Woods (Peacock)
No matter how many times I watch this one (a lot), it still surprises me.
The “b” story, in my memory always comes as a shock – like a twist ending almost.
However, in the actual movie, it’s kind of peppered in.
Every time I watch this movie, it surprises me. IDK why, but I’m glad that a movie I’ve watched this many times can still surprise me.
This script is incredibly well-crafted, both upholding and destroying horror movie cliches in the same breath.
It uses tropes but still adds an entirely new element of freshness.
It’s so good… and it was also one of my favorite Halloween Horror Nights houses of all time ever.
