'90s Kid Nostalgia (Reading Rainbow; Bill Nye, the Science Guy; Magic School Bus)

Welcome back to school, nerds! Washburn began its fall semester this week welcoming freshman, international students, and returning students who are well into studies. The beginning of a new school year never fails to bring with it feelings of nostalgia. I'm especially missing the days before before my life was consumed with homework and essays. 

In an effort to cope, my television habits are regressing back to the days of childhood. Luckily, Netflix has plenty of shows from my younger days as well as a solid collection of old school Disney movies! 

Reading Rainbow (1985): 

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Every bookie today can attest that at least some of their love was inspired by LeVar Burton's passion for reading. Near and dear to our hearts are the classic episodes where LeVar introduced us to some of our favorite childhood books like "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." Netflix's collection of "Reading Rainbow" is pretty slim for now - but fear not! With LeVar's successful Kickstarter campaign to get the show up and running again (with added resources for kids and schools), we'll surely be seeing more of that butterfly in the sky.

Bill Nye, the Science Guy (1993):

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BILL BILL BILL. You can watch the whole first season of this old school Disney beauty and learn all about the wonders of science. Bill Nye is such a classic, I can remember even watching his videos during physics class in high school! From gravity, to respiration, to evolution - Bill Nye has got your back. 

P.S. Did you know a Kickstarter campaign for a documentary about Bill Nye was just successfully funded? The filmmakers plan to tell Bill's story, including his studies, television career, and his mission to change the world.

Magic School Bus (1997): 

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Remember this precious gem of kid television? Featuring Lily Tomlin as the one and only Ms. Frizzle, "Magic School Bus" took us on crazy learning adventures everywhere from our backyards to outer space. Along the way, 'The Friz' taught us about a range of sciences, including astronomy, chemistry, biology, zoology, botany, and anatomy. Cuddle up with some cereal on Saturday mornings with your blanket to enjoy this nostalgic treat or use it study up for those biology classes this semester! 

Females Are Strong as Hell (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - 2015 - TV-14)

Today, I present to you the shortest and giggliest guilty pleasure binge of your life. Just 13 episodes. A Netflix original of comedy to the core. Created by humor junkies Robert Carlock and Tina Fey (both known for their work on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock). Starring KCMO native Ellie Kemper (The Office, Bridesmaids). Put your hands together for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - ooooo dammit!

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The show begins just as four girls are pulled by SWAT members from an underground bunker where they've spent the last 15 years of their lives held captive by a doomsday cult preacher. When the 'Indiana Mole Women' share their story on a TV talk show, Kimmy realizes that she doesn't want to return to her old life in Durnsville. She stays behind in New York City to start a fresh life and somehow catch up on all the adulthood learning she missed. 

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First thing's first, Kimmy needs a job. She starts working as a nanny for local crazie Jacqueline Voorhes (Jane Krakowski - Ally McBeal, 30 Rock) after Kimmy finds her son wandering about the streets of NYC stealing candy. Next she scores an apartment with roommate Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess - 30 Rock), a flamboyant struggling actor.

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Kimmy starts feeling out her new-found freedom, navigating NYC, boys, friendship, and responsibility. Just when things are going great - she's needed to testify against the crazy cult leader who kidnapped her, Rev. Wayne Gary Wayne (Jon Hamm - Mad Men). Can Kimmy save the day?

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I love Ellie Kemper's portrayal of Kimmy - her one-liners often come in hilarious comebacks with some childhood flare (remember, Kimmy hasn't seen the outside world since 1995). Plus this chick deserves your respect for keeping herself and her friends safe and sane...ish...for 15 years underground. Never once did she fall for Wayne Gary Wayne's end of the world bullcrap. And when she finally got out, she thrived. 

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Ultimately this show is straight up entertainment - I giggled from start to finish. Be warned, it's some pretty silly, shallow humor. You won't laugh if you're looking for some intriguing satire. It's an adorable show and intentionally made to be. Not a lot of character development or deep plot, but plenty of goofiness. Rating: 3/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's. 

The Precious Butterfly that is Ned (Our Idiot Brother - 2011 - R)

So lately I've been obsessed with this show that only ran for like two seasons in 2000 called Dark Angel - which sadly is not streaming instantly on Netflix. While that is my current binge TV show, I've got a few movies to review for you in the meantime! The first is a film I discovered thanks to Netflix recommendations when I watched a bunch of indie films in a row - I'm so glad I took a risk on Our Idiot Brother. It's precious.

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Ned, portrayed by Paul Rudd (I Love You, Man, Ant-Man), is somewhat of a clueless hippie with a giant heart. After a run in with the law, Ned decides he needs to finally get his life together. As he puts together some money for a place of his own, Ned couch-surfs at his sisters' in the meantime - played by Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, and Elizabeth Banks. The sisters struggle with their brother's disruptive presence as he's notorious for making a bit of a mess.

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I found Ned to be a lovable character with a precious soul and a hopeful personality. In my favorite line out of the entire film he says, "I like to think that if you put your trust out there, if you really give people the benefit of the doubt, see their best intentions, people will rise to the occasion." And honestly, that's kind of the message I got out of the film. Ned never loses his faith in the universe and his family. He's the chillest dude you'll ever meet - he's also one of the most positively passionate.

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The film also features characters portrayed by Rashida Jones, Hugh Dancy, Adam Scott, and Steve Coogan, among others. Some goofy, some supportive, some less than... As for the plot, while entertaining, the movie is a little choppy. There are a lot of little bits going on in the supporting characters' lives which tend to pull the movie in a lot of directions at once. Part of me wants to say that this is distracting, part of me wants to say that it works for this film.

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In the end of course, Ned's homecoming pulls his family closer together - he even gets his dog, Willie Nelson, back! Yay for the good feels! While the film has it's issues mechanically, I found it to be an overall adorable indie flick. Rating: 3.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's

Metallic Assassins and Austrian Accents (Terminator - 1984 - R)

The original Terminator is a classic science-fiction film that everyone should take a risk and see at least once. Like Star Wars, you may not love it, but never having observed the beauty of it with your own eyes is frowned upon by all. (Though personally I love Star Wars with all my heart and most films of the science-fiction category - have I mentioned how stoked I am for the new movie???)

*cough cough*

Luckily, you have the chance to watch Terminator for yourself as it's currently available to instantly stream through Netflix!

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The film is set in 1984 near Los Angeles, California, where two beings arrive from the year 2029. The first is a cyborg assassin hell bent on killing a young woman named Sarah Connor. The second, a human fighting to save mankind and hell bent on saving her. 

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Sarah finds herself caught in the middle of a war going on nearly fifty years in the future. Her human protector, Kyle Reece, tells her that her future son will lead the humans in an epic war against the machines. The machines sent the Terminator back in time to kill her so her son would never be born. Now they have to find a way to kill this futuristic assassin before it kills Sarah - and of course, this being an '80s film, that's going to take a lot of fire.

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The movie feels quick, as the plot only occurs over the course of about 48 hours. It's a lot of running and hiding. But it gives a very Ripley vs. Alien vibe near the end when Sarah's forced to kick some robotic ass. And who doesn't get a kick out of some fabulous '80s special effects - including a stop motion cyborg (awkwardly) chasing Kyle and Sarah up the stairs. However, I was surprised at Schwarzenegger's performance - he has maybe six lines in the whole movie! That's one stone cold robot!

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Personally, I love a good cheesy sci-fi and Terminator was good for my soul! Now I've got to catch the other two movies before I see Terminator: Genysis in theaters this month. Rating: 3/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

I've Become An Obsessive Fangirl (Marvel's Agents of SHIELD - TV-PG)

Hello lovelies! Holy cannoli, do I have a recommendation for you... Last week, I didn't blog a thing because I was too in love with this show to watch anything else. I just had to power through it and after a weekend of reflection, I'm ready to share my thoughts. This show blew my mind wide open and I have been obsessively fangirling over it for days.

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If you're expecting a Disney Channel-esque show depicting teenagers going on daring missions for the Avengers - you'll be quite surprised. No mouthy teenagers, no Disney Channel feels in this show. Agents of SHIELD is straight up adult and takes itself just as seriously as the Marvel movies do. The show, created by Joss Whedon (The Avengers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, & Firefly) and a bajillion other brilliant minds, tells SHIELD's side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe story.

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SHIELD, or the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, is the acting government agency that takes responsibility for all things alien, paranormal, and superhuman here on Earth as directed by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). The show follows a particular team of agents led by Philip Coulson (Clark Gregg) who are on a mission to track an organization that is trying to create a superhuman solider with abilities similar to Captain America. The team includes Skye the hacker, Fitz and Simmons the brilliant scientists, Melinda May the total badass extraordinaire, and Grant Ward who is basically just there to make 'smolder' faces in the background. They are all fabulous and will win your heart in an instant. I honestly can't pick a favorite character from either season... though I couldn't tell you how many times I called Coulson some variation of "you precious butterfly" throughout my crazy binge-watch of the show.

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Beware, further description gets a little spoilery. (It's super hard to avoid with this show and I am so sorry!)

Did you know that all of the recent Marvel movies are meant to correspond to the same timeline? Agents of SHIELD falls on that very same timeline and if you watch the show, you'll notice all of these crazy intersections where giant things that happen in the films are referenced in the show and expanded on. The show even sets up certain elements for future movies that I am super excited about.

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Both Seasons 1 and 2 are currently on Netflix to stream and Season 3 is set to premiere in September. Season 1 primarily focuses on Skye's introduction to the SHIELD agency, Coulson's Tahiti mystery, and the establishment of the team's dynamic. But you better hold on to your seats as you get to about episode 15, because the end of the season starts clear back there - and it is a wild wild ride. Trust will be broken. Season 2 centers around the rebuilding of SHIELD, Skye's new abilities, and a sketchy secret safe-haven for gifted people.

Seriously the show blew my freaking mind with how everything lined up perfectly. It was like reading comic books - except watching them on television! Ah, the intersection! So in terms of the shows put-together, so much love. And the characters are fascinating! They each have their own subplot and character development that occurs alongside the main plot. They are weighted and complex and it feels just as if you were connecting with one of the Avengers characters. It's beautiful, trust me.

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One major critique of the show that I have is a lack of leading diversity - which I suppose is not so much a critique of the show as it is a critique of Marvel's mainstream content in general. The show does feature several fantastic POC characters that are dynamic and influential of the plot and I would love to see more of that in the coming seasons. I truly think a strength of this show is it's ability to allocate time to all of the characters' developments and subplots pretty equally, especially in Season 2.

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So that was a hefty binge! But OH MY GOSH SO WORTH IT. I adored this show so much as a Marvel fan. While those who may not be so into the superhero world will likely not have the same appreciation for it as those of us in the particular fandom, the show gets a great review from me. I even got my mother into it! Rating: 4.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

If it bleeds, it leads. (Nightcrawler - 2014 - R)

My friend Colleen has been on me about watching Nightcrawler since she saw it in theaters. And good grief...this film was a wild ride from start to finish.

This thriller is set in Los Angeles, where unemployed Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal - Zodiac, Love & Other Drugs) is participating in some sketchy activities in order to get by - simple things you know, like stealing metal, watches, bikes. But when he happens upon a car crash and a couple of news video scavengers show up, Lou thinks he's found his calling. He pawns a stolen bike for a camcorder and takes off to find the crime of the night, hiring ill-fated Rick as his navigator and assistant.

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Lou becomes obsessed with being the first video crew on the scene and his moral compass begins to sway - that is if he even had one in the first place. He begins breaking into crime scenes and even staging them so he can get the best shot. It all leads up to a lovely unexpected twist near the end of the film.

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I started Nightcrawler thinking I was going to get the chance to actually like Lou before he turned salty, but I was quite wrong. His character was creepy from the get-go - obsessive manipulative, and scary good at selling himself. Think Patrick Bateman from American Psycho without the actual murdering, though I wouldn't put it past Lou if there were ever to be a sequel.

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As far as plot goes, I felt this film was kind of lacking. While it was entertaining, I didn't feel that there was anything really pulling it along rhythmically besides Lou's obsession with his work. There was no realistic resolution, which also bothered me. When Lou is finally confronted by investigators, they basically just slap him on the wrist and send him away. I also felt that the cinematography could have been better as each scene felt the same with a background of mostly police cars and firetrucks.

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I was pretty hyped for Nightcrawler, but it left me hanging. It's a thriller with no real horror or suspense - unless you count the scene where Lou screams at a mirror. But it is graphic and gory, showing lots of dead and nearly dead bodies, hence the R rating. Ultimately, it was a decent film, but not the best for a thrill. Rating: 1.5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

I don't f*** dudes for Big Macs... (Orange is the New Black - TV-MA)

Talk about crazy popular cult TV. What started as a simple Netflix original show has blown up in the mainstream world. When Season 3 of Orange is the New Black was added just two weeks ago, all I saw on social media for days were people freaking out about the latest drama at Litchfield Penitentiary...and by golly, they were right.

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Orange is the New Black takes place in upstate New York where Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling - The Lucky One) self-surrenders and is sentenced to fifteen months in prison for a crime she committed almost ten years earlier while she was involved with an international drug smuggler. Her boyfriend drops her off at Litchfield Penitentiary and her journey of penance goes from there. In prison, she quickly finds that her fifteen months are going to go by very slowly. She begins as a scared and privileged girl, but as the seasons progress, Piper finds her feet in prison...watch the show, no spoilers here.

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But don't make the mistake of thinking this whole show is about her. The show features many fantastic female characters that often steal the spotlight with the many subplots running at the same time as Piper's story. There's Sofia (Laverne Cox), a transgender woman sentenced for using stolen credit cards to pay for her transition. I adore Sister Jane (Beth Fowler), a Catholic nun who became an activist during the Vietnam war and was imprisoned for handcuffing herself to a flagpole at a nuclear testing facility in protest - so much love. There's also Dayanara (Dascha Polanco), the artist, who may or may not find herself close to one of the guards... And who could possibly forget the queen of the kitchen, Red Reznikov (Kate Mulgrew - Star Trek: Voyager), badass extraordinaire.

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I rave about this show to people. If you're looking for a show with strong female characters who are depicted honestly and dynamically - this is your show. The inmates' backstories are my favorite part of Orange is the New Black and some of them will play with your moral compass, making you wonder...was she really in the wrong? The show doesn't shy away from discussions of race, gender, and sexuality as well as social injustices, poverty, and obviously prison life. And for that and beyond, I love it.

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Warning time. Since the show is produced by Netflix, it is able to take some major liberties with the creation of the show. Expect HBO level graphic content when it comes to sex, violence, and drugs. But if you're not the kind of Netflix binger to let that stop you, give Orange is the New Black a shot. It's a wild ride. Rating: 3.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's. 

Burger of the Day: Katie's Back-to-Back-to-Bacon Cheeseburger (Bob's Burgers - TV-14)

I spent all day Tuesday under the firm assumption that it was Monday. Fellow Netflix-bingers, I know you feel my feels. After a certain while, the hours bleed together and the transition from day to night blurs until you find yourself thinking, "How is it one in the morning? What season am I on? Just five episodes left? I can finish that before bed, easy!" Basically, I've started re-watching the entire X-Files series and it's going to be the death of me.

But never fear! Today is Friday and a new review is here!

I've got a funny one served up for you today. You have likely already heard of Bob's Burgers due to its popularity akin to shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy. Those comparisons may have either encouraged your interest in taste-testing the show or steered you away if you're not so into the flavor of adult cartoons, but when I started watching the show a year ago, it quickly became a favorite of mine. Seasons 1-4 are currently available for instant streaming.

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Bob's Burgers centers on Bob Belcher, his wife Linda, and their three kids Tina, Gene, and Louise. The family owns a burger joint through which the show explores workplace comedy, marriage and family dynamics, and awkward tales of childhood and growing up. The show does great work taking an average American family and making them relatable and funny - without dumbing any of them down.

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If you're looking for a "D'oh!" kind of father, Bob is not your guy. The thing I love most about Bob's Burgers is how far it strays from the typical tropes of TV families. In fact, Bob's depicts a family where members lift each other up and support each other instead of tearing each other down for a joke. The show's humor is based in antics and relatable awkwardness, rather than the expense of a character's confidence and dignity. For example, any time Gene goes through a slight identity crisis his family is pretty supportive, encouraging him to be himself.

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Each of the characters separately is dynamic as they deal with their own issues - which is a credit to the writers as well as the voice actors developing the characters' personalities. The kids especially crack me up, while still being beautiful souls that I adore for their total quirkiness. Gene walks around the house in his underwear and still demands to be taken seriously. He's always pushing the socially constructed boundaries of gender and expression and he's a cheerleader for his sisters - LOVE. Louise, my personal favorite voiced by Kristen Schaal, believes she could easily conquer the world and she does not take crap from anyone. And of course, there's Tina - the voice of a generation. While Tina experiences the true-life teenage struggles of boys, friends, and fitting in, she's crazy confident with a passion for coffee, butts, and erotic friend-fiction. She's a total feminist and unapologetically unique and people love her for it.

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Rating: 5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's - easy. Coming up next week, I have reviews for Orange is the New Black and Nightcrawler on the menu. I'll see you here next Tuesday and Friday for those new reviews...as long as I can continue to keep my days straight from here on out.

Also, please tell me you thought this post's title was funny...like back-to-back-to-back episodes, get it...?

Also, also! If you're interested in what I mentioned earlier about Bob's Burgers as a cutting edge show breaking away from typical TV tropes and introducing more progressive ideas about family dynamics and supportiveness... YouTuber Laci Green discusses these aspects of the show as well as an added element of feminism in her MTV spot that you can watch below!

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A Journey in Self-Discovery (Hector and the Search for Happiness - 2014 - R)

I've been looking for the perfect film to start off our summer blog and it just so happened that my brother suggested Hector and the Search for Happiness randomly on Wednesday - this film totally stole my heart. It is the perfect film to kick off our Netflix journey on a happy note.

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Hector, played by Simon Pegg (Star Trek, Shaun of the Dead), is a British psychiatrist who lives a regular routine life with his girlfriend Clara (Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl, Pride & Prejudice). Hector listens to his patients as he absentmindedly sketches his dreams for journeys to faraway places. One night at a dinner party for his wife's work, a woman asks him about the elusive "'appiness."

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These questions vex Hector. What is happiness? How does a person simply be happy? He finds himself at a loss - is he even happy? Finally he decides to take a journey to explore the meaning of happiness to people from around the world. Think Eat, Pray, Love - Simon Pegg style. He travels to China, Africa, and the U.S. meeting wealthy businessmen, prostitutes, monks, and professors. He even befriends a drug lord in Africa (played by Jean Reno, a fav, who I will most definitely be writing about again soon).

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I love Simon Pegg for his typical goofy characters, but he portrays a more serious role in Hector and the Search for Happiness and I feel like he pulled it off really well. The character is a little bit clueless at first as he realizes that he's forgotten to truly experience life and his shift in perspective is a hopeful transition. However, my biggest issue with the film had to be the unrelatableness of some of Hector's experiences such as being kidnapped in Africa and a random wealthy guy he meets on the plane treating him to a night at the clubs - a bit far fetched if you ask me.

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All in all, I walked away from Hector and the Search for Happiness feeling light and optimistic. I would definitely throw it into the same category as Eat, Pray, Love and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I'm a sucker for films with a positive message about self-discovery and a search for personal truth. Rating: 4/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

And we're back!!

Hey guys!!

I've been on hiatus this spring due to a crazy semester full of class assigned writing. But after some much needed down time, I'm back and super psyched to pick up this project again for the summer. I hope you are ready to join me again on this excursion through the wild territory of Netflix! I've queued up a plethora of Netflix originals and independent films on My List and I'm ready to knock them out one by one with you.

We've got a couple of changes around here worth mentioning... First, for the summer, I plan to update the blog at least twice a week. Check back Tuesdays and Fridays for new content! I also plan to keep you guys updated with info I can find about what shows that will be coming and leaving Netflix each month. Second, a new laptop is joining me for this journey. Sadly, my old trusty companion kicked the bucket over spring break. Meet Lola! She's super cute, portable, and has a glorious battery life.

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Thanks for jumping back on board with me and I can't wait to see what hidden gems we find on Netflix this time around! Let's get binging!

Katie

A Vampire, a Werewolf, and a Ghost Walk into a Bar... (Being Human - TV-14)

It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, which is probably why Syfy's "Being Human" doesn't take itself too seriously. The show follows three not-so-human roommates and their desperate cling to whatever shreds of humanity they have left.

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Aidan (Sam Witwer - "Star Wars: The Clone Wars") has been a vampire since the redcoats invaded New England. Josh (Sam Huntington - "Fanboys") is a werewolf, frustrated and ashamed for what he is. The two meet through their day jobs as nurses at a local hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Aidan suggests an experiment - monster cohabitation. Aidan thinks that if he and Josh live together as roommates, they can help each other keep their monstrous selves in check and finally find a sense of normalcy.

The two decide to rent a house together, but unknowingly choose a house with a dark past. Here they find Sally Malik (Meaghan Rath - "Three Night Stand"), the ghost who haunts the house and has no memory of how she died. When she is finally able to reveal herself to Aidan and Josh, the boys vow to help her find her door to the afterlife. 

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The three battle all manner of the supernatural including a thriving underground vampiric empire - all while trying to make rent by the end of the month. That is what I loved most about the show: it made excellent use of the opportunity to make a bit of fun of itself. The heavier drama of the show would escalate and suddenly the garbage disposal would break. Josh, Aiden and Sally are dealing with real world problems of being single adults in their 20s, all while they have vampires and werewolves knocking on their front door.

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I also must say that I like the type of conflict that "Being Human" uses in its plot. I'm certainly not one for the vampire love triangles that are popular right now, but I do love watching monsters deal with the inner struggle of being, well, monsters. Josh and Aiden are constantly having to come to terms with what they are and how that defines the way they interact with their world. It sets up for some really thought-provoking scenes. Plus, the show really had a way of drawing me into the story; I always wanted to jump right into the next episode.

"Being Human" is especially popular among the cult TV crowd and it's worth noting that the show's own Sam Witwer will be making an appearance at Planet Comicon in Kansas City this March 13, 14 and 15. Rating: 3/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Suddenly I feel like doing paper-mache... (Frank - 2014 - R)

"Frank" starts by following Jon (Domhnall Gleeson - "About Time"), a wannabe musician and avid Twitter user, around the city streets as he tries to write a song. Unsuccessful, he eventually stumbles upon the SORONPRFBS, a band whose keyboardist happens to be trying to drown himself in a public display. In need of an emergency keyboardist, Don invites Jon to play at their evening show.

Jon finds himself immersed in a hot mess of sound as the band warms up, but is especially mesmerized when he sees Frank (Michael Fassbender - "X-Men: Days of Future Past"). Frank, the lead vocalist of SORONPRFBS, wears a permanent oversized paper-mache head. When the band decides they want Jon to replace their old keyboardist, they invite him to Ireland for the recording of their album.

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Jon soon finds himself caught up in all of the creative freedom and realizes that the band could be a real hit among the indie crowd. He begins posting recorded videos of the album's progress on YouTube, which quickly grab the attention of some indie music diehards. Jon is fascinated with Frank and his natural ability to create a song about nearly anything - even a snag on a sofa - and gets wrapped up in knowing he can ride on the tails of this band's success. Based on the clips Jon posted online, SORONPRFBS gets invited to play at South by Southwest in Texas.

Frank's insecurities and nervousness get the better of him at SxSW and the band falls into turmoil. When the band members inevitably decide to ditch the gig, Frank has a total breakdown and runs away. Jon starts to feel guilty for setting himself up as the band's manager and leaves to search for Frank. Jon finally finds him in his hometown of Bluff City, Kansas, and reunites him with the band.

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The movie was (very) loosely based on the fictional character, Frank Sidebottom, portrayed by real-life comedian/musician Charles Sievey, who passed away in 2010. As Frank, Sievey was known for wearing that large paper-mache head, and the movie itself takes Sievey's character inspiration, turning Frank into a more serious story exploring a darker side of the indie scene.

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Normally, I love a good off-beat independent film...but "Frank" fell a little flat. All of the elements were there - fantastic acting (especially from Fassbender), the weird-as-hell music (all played live as the scene was shot, by the way), even some genuinely witty humor. I just thought the film lacked a certain sparkle that I expected from all the hype. I watched and waited for that nugget of specialness, but it never arrived.

That being said, I wouldn't call "Frank" a let down. It told the story it wanted to tell and it catered to a more specific audience. So while "Frank" sadly didn't become an instant personal favorite as I hoped it would, I still know of a few friends that I would recommend it to for its very particular elements of awesome. Rating: 2.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Come on, Jerry... (Parks and Recreation - TV-14)

Parks and Recreation's farewell season premiered last Tuesday, Jan. 13. Queue the Andrea Bocelli - it's time to say goodbye. If you are a newbie to the show or just feel like reminiscing about the good ole days (Ron Swanson pre-Doc McStuffins), Netflix has your back. Seasons 1-6 are currently available for instant streaming.

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Commonly known as Parks and Rec by its dedicated viewers, the show follows the sometimes unfortunate, but almost always hilarious shenanigans of the parks and recreation department in small-town, Pawnee, Indiana.

It includes a most excellent performance from Nick Offerman (21 Jump Street, The Kings of Summer) as Ron Swanson, head of the department and general hater of all things government. Ron's determined to fit every stereotype of the "manliest" of men by being a hardy woodsman, professional chairmaker, and the guy who orders a slab of meat with every meal. Don't let him fool you, though... Ron puts up a rigid front, but he's a wise one with a soft spot for those select few in which he sees potential.

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The show also stars Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy, The LEGO Movie) as Andy Dwyer. Andy's character acts as the slapstick comedy component of the show. He's a half-witted almost-musician with little to no direction in life who starts off the show by falling into a giant pit. It should also be noted that Pratt often adds his own flavor to the show by throwing in impromptu lines from time to time. For example, his line in the scene below was totally unscripted, and I'd venture to say that it is one of the best one-liners in the entire show.

Video Credit: Nailed It, YouTube

And how could one continue without mentioning the spectacular portrayal of Leslie Knope by Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live, Mean Girls). Leslie's character is convinced that Pawnee is the greatest city in the world and enthusiastic doesn't even begin to describe how passionate she is about upholding that standard of hope in her hopeless community. Poehler has done amazing work with this character by fleshing her out into a full-fledged, dynamic woman in politics.

These are just a few among many fantastic performances by Aubrey Plaza (my personal fav), Aziz Ansari, and others who join in as the seasons progress. Parks and Recreation was easily my favorite binge of winter break. It's humor is clever, often satirizing current events, politics, and the atmosphere of the midwestern small-town. It won my heart forever and I will be sad to say goodbye to its current run on television. Rating: 4.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Katie Speaks - "On Fandoms" (a podcast)

This week I recorded a podcast including my thoughts about fandoms.

Here's the link from PodBean:
Download this episode (right click and save)

Take a quick listen and let me know what you think! I'd love to hear some feedback. I had a great amount of fun playing around on Audacity and creating this little podcast, so I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for listening!

Next Stop Knowledge! (Girl Rising, I Know That Voice, Superheroes, and Inequality for All)

I am a gigantic lover of documentary films and my passion for them has only grown with the aid of Netflix. Netflix has a documentary category filled with films from every perspective about every detail about life - history, science, economics, daily life, sexuality, gender...EVERYTHING. Here are some of my recent favorites currently available on Netflix.

Girl Rising (2013):

Video Credit: Girl Rising, YouTube

Girl Rising follows the stories of nine girls growing up in different parts of the world. If you aren't passionate about increasing access to education and literacy around the world, I strongly encourage you to watch this film. It could open your mind to statistics you didn't even realize and show you just what education can do to better the world. Rating: 5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.


I Know That Voice (2013):

Image Credit: www.imdb.com

This film follows the many voice actors that play the many iconic characters from the cartoon world that are so dear to you and me. The actors describe how they got into the business and will even give you some pointers on how to make yourself versatile in the voice industry. Rating: 4/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.


Superheroes (2011):

Image Credit: www.hbo.com

Have you ever read the graphic novel or seen the film Kick Ass? Did you know that there actually is a community of real life superheroes living in the United States? These real life superheroes have a somewhat strenuous relationship with the police departments. Some worry that because they don't have formal training in the law and law enforcement, they are putting themselves in a very dangerous position with real criminals. These superheroes have a genuine passion for helping people. But the documentary raises a question of deviance. It takes a certain amount of deviance to be a superhero, but where is the line between vigilante and lawbreaker? Rating: 3.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.


Inequality for All (2013):

Video Credit: RADiUS-TWC, YouTube

Robert Reich is a hero. I saw Inequality for All for the first time just after I finished economics my senior year of high school. The film blew my mind wide open at the real injustice of the U.S. economy. Reich very clearly explains the the problems in the current economic state and how we got here. He also describes how to solve the crisis of inequality...and why the government isn't doing it. Even those with barley any background in business and economics can understand this documentary easily and enjoy it for Robert Reich's humor and sass. Rating 5/5 pints of Ben and Jerry's.

New Indie Films Added! (Liberal Arts, In A World..., Kinky Boots, and Mr. Nobody)

I don't know about you...but I am a huge fan of independent films. Several of my favorites fall into this category, including Into the Wild, Kings of Summer, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Way Way Back. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that some new indie films had been recently added to Netflix and I began throwing them onto My List. Here's what I've got for you this week.

Liberal Arts (2012):

Image credit: www.ew.com

Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother) stars in this film about a 35-year-old man who just can't seem to 'grow up'. He's going through a bit of a 1/3 life crisis when he meets Zibby, a student attending his former university. This is an interesting film about how to move on after college and step into the role of an adult while maintaining who you are. Rating: 2.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

In a World... (2013):

Image credit: en.wikipedia.org

I flipping loved this movie. I've never considered myself a fan of Lake Bell, but I really think she hit it out of the park with this film. In a World... is a fantastic movie about the voice-over industry and it's aversion to girls. It's a feminist film that calls for women to get passionate about something and go for it. Simple as that. With humor that is "funny because it's true", In a World... was my favorite watch this week. Rating: 3.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Kinky Boots (2005): 

Video credit: CiwCiw.com GLBT Movie Trailers, YouTube

This British film was adapted from the true story of shoe factory that was saved by finding its own niche market - making women's shoes for men. The film was very entertaining. But I especially appreciated how it directly confronted the stereotypes associated with cross-dressing and gender identity. Rating: 3/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Mr. Nobody (2009):

Video credit: hollywoodstreams, YouTube

Mr. Nobody tells the tale of Nemo Nobody, 117 years old and the last mortal on earth. This sci-fi film will force you to think about the realities and possibilities of time, because this movie isn't about the end of mortality as we know it...so much as it is about the ability to bend and control the events on a timeline based on the choices we make. Freaky, right? However, this movie feels super long, 2 hours and 19 minutes to be exact. But hey, that's 2 hours and 19 minutes of Jared Leto's beautiful face, so it might just be worth your time. Rating: 3.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Forget Your Troubles (House M.D. - TV-14)

Dr. Gregory House (played by the infamous Hugh Laurie) is an insanely tough doctor with a problematic God/guilt complex. He's one of the best doctors in the United States and... he's addicted to vicodin. While I'd seen an episode of House M.D. here or there on television, it was never a show I kept up with weekly. My friend recommended that I give it a go on Netflix (all seasons, 1-8 are available to stream instantly).

Image credit: www.impawards.com

The show starts out simple and entertaining. Dr. House has a dry sense of humor, but he's so brilliant that his pranks (purely for his own amusement) are complicated and captivating.

Image credit: www.pinterest.com

The characters quickly convince you to hate the rules of the medical system as much as they do, and you will find yourself cheering them on as they cheat the system to save a life. Of course, it doesn't always work out, because the reality is that not every life can be saved. If we wanted to choose one theme to encompass the entire eight seasons of House M.D., it would simply be ethics. What does it mean to be ethical? Are ethics flexible? When is it okay to violate ethics?

It's the root of every struggle the characters face in House M.D. Patients lie. Doctors lie. Each doctor has to face a battle with loneliness. But perhaps the greatest struggle in this show is Dr. House's struggle with happiness. He believes that being happy makes him a worse doctor.

GIF credit: www.tumblr.com

The show quickly takes on some darker themes of morality and mortality.

The coolest thing about this show is that I have experienced love and hate for each character. This show will force you to see the dynamic good and bad in every person - and that sometimes it is necessary to break the rules of morality for the sake of mortality. Rating: 4.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

P.S. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD HUGH LAURIE SING? YOU'RE WELCOME.

Cue the Musical Montage. (Glee - TV-PG)

I used to watch Glee religiously. It actually fostered my interest in joining theater in high school. I was looking for community. Glee depicted a family of cutthroat drama lovers...exactly what I found in high school...and I loved it.

First of all, Glee is downright funny. The wit and the sass make me smile non-stop.

GIF credit: www.tumblr.com

Glee also tackles some of the serious social issues definitive of high school. These topics include sexuality, school violence, insecurity, college fears, bullying, parent pressure, peer pressure, anxiety disorders and mental illness, and physical disabilities, just to name a few...

Video Credit: Major Gleeks, YouTube

Plus the Christmas music is my absolute favorite.

Video Credit: AnskyLun, YouTube

I always found Glee to be thoroughly entertaining. Who could guess that this show is produced by the same man who makes American Horror Story? And while the most recent seasons took a bit of a plummet, mainly due to the cast additions not being incorporated well, the show still cranks out some awesome covers that will make you want to turn on the subtitles and sing along. Seasons 1 - 4 are available to stream instantly on Netflix. Rating: 4/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Un Voyage au Cinéma! (Amélie, La Fée, Populaire)

Let's take a field trip to France! I've got three French films for you today. All are cute, feel-goods suitable for a chilly fall evening cuddled up in a blanket with some 'chocolat chaud'.

Amélie (2001):

Image credit: www.amazon.es

Amélie is a sweet girl who, despite an unlucky childhood, became an independent woman with a soft spot for the lonely. She is a curious one. She likes noticing the details of life that others tend to ignore. I love the way this movie is filmed with its added supplemental information and varying motion. The look of the movie is sort of avant garde. And the soundtrack - just yes. Warning: plenty of sex in this film - very French. Any time I'm asked for a foreign film recommendation, I ask if they've seen Amélie. I consider it somewhat of a classic. Rating: 5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's. 

La Fée (2011):

Image credit: www.ayannaberkshire.com

A very sweet film. A modern fairytale. It bounces off of cartoon-style humor to carry a playful tone throughout the film. It's creative use of low budget items made me giggle - grocery bags as jellyfish, etc. The uniqueness of this film is entertaining in itself.

The movie contains minimal dialogue, which makes some points feel as though they drag on and on. But I was in love with La Fée by the moment Dom was saved from choking on a ketchup bottlecap. Rating: 3/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's. 

Populaire (2013):

Video Credit: MOVIECLIPS Trailers, YouTube

Rose is the most adorable person - but do not underestimate her. She wants to be a modern woman and for a young lady in late '50s France, that dream consists of being a secretary. Rose can type so quickly that her boss has her enter a speed-typing competition and things take off from there. Rose is tough and concentrated. This is her talent and she works her butt of to become the best. I was bothered by the sexist themes in this film...catty women, her boss's mind games. Rose deals with these problems delicately. She wants only a man who will treat her as his equal and let her kick butt at what she does best. 

Though I was frustrated by the men in this film, Rose did come out on top - proving to everyone that even a klutz can be a champion. Warning: one sultry sex scene in this film - oh le français! Rating: 4/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Well... I'm terrified. (American Horror Story: Asylum - TV-MA)

I first tried to watch American Horror Story when the Season 1, AHS: House, was added to Netflix. I just couldn't get into it. There was too much violence and not enough story. My friend encouraged me to give it another shot when Season 3, AHS: Coven, was showing on FX. I hated it, too. But my brother had seen a few episodes from Season 2, AHS: Asylum, and said he found it quite interesting. I found it on Netflix and gave it a shot.

After just the first few episodes, I was hooked. The show tackles the bizarre and unexplainable head on in gory detail. While I'm usually more of a fan of shows like NBC's Hannibal that handle dark topics with provocative grace, there is something enticing about the raunchy, raw quality of American Horror Story. What can I say? I like weird. I'm also enjoying the current season, AHS: Freak Show, on FX so far.

Warning: do not make the decision to binge AHS lightly!! This show gets dark. Seriously. Rape, murder, and torture are common happenings in American Horror Story. It does get scary and it does get uncomfortable. I do not recommend bingeing this show simply because it will wreck you. Don't watch so much so fast that it gets stuck in your head. Space it out to enjoy it - because the suspense of not knowing is half the fun.

Despite the horrific occurrences that fill most of the show's time, there are some darn good moments in AHS: Asylum that make the whole thing worthwhile. I had two favorites. The Name Game and Lana's escape.

The Name Game was a moment of comic relief during a very intense episode. And I'll admit the song was stuck in my head the whole afternoon.

Video credit: American Horror Story, YouTube

You cannot help but get attached to Lana Winters. She's a journalist who enters the asylum with one purpose - to expose it. Things take a turn for the evil when she gets committed and is subjected to cruel manners of torture, making her all the more determined to take Briarcliff down. When she managed to escape the asylum with a tape holding key evidence, I applauded, thinking, This is it, she is going to take them down! (However...her trouble with Briarcliff doesn't end with her escape. Turns out evil is a pretty good stalker.)

GIF credit: www.tumblr.com

As I said, this show contains some extremely dark content. It drains you of your emotional energy and it could give you nightmares. But I found AHS: Asylum to be a very satisfying watch. Seasons 1-3 available to stream on Netflix. Rating 3.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.