Showing posts with label Media Monday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Media Monday. Show all posts

Monday, January 23, 2012

Media Monday - Downton Abbey, Season 2

Happy Monday, folks.  Time to bring you yet another movie / documentary / show I have found (for free) online.  I've already heard a lot of buzz about today's selection, but couldn't resist adding my own two cents:



This is one for all you period drama lovers out there.  "Downton Abbey" offers an enthralling look at the inner workings of a post-Edwardian English manor.  It showcases both those living upstairs and downstairs, following the drama and intrigue of their lives as they interact with each other and the changing world around them.  As the first World War collides with their aristocratic paradigm, each character struggles to cope with the shifting times, and discover where his or her place is in this new world.

The character development in this series is fantastic.  I lived, suffered, loved, laughed and despaired right long with the residents of the Abbey.  The plot takes unexpected twists, and sweeps the characters masterfully through the historic setting.  The costuming is fantastic.  I now want to bob my hair and get some drop waist dresses.

As of today, we are three episodes into the 9 episode second season (I reviewed the first season last Spring).  You can watch all the episodes streaming on the PBS Masterpiece Classic website here.  The website also has cool extras like a look into the style of Downton Abbey, and a fun quiz to discover which character you are most like.  Definitely worth checking out!

*** Edited to add:  After some wiki reading, I discovered that this entire series has already aired in the U.K.  Lucky you!  A third season is in the works, to be aired in the United Kingdom in September 2012.  It will be set in the Roaring 20's.  So we know the costuming will be fabulous!  

Monday, January 9, 2012

Media Monday - Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead

Wa-hoo!  It feels good to be back on my normal blogging schedule.  It also feels good to have a cup of coffee beside me.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.  I'm enjoying this once daily dose of caffeine allowed to my pregnant self 'to the last drop'.  But back to the task at hand.

It's Monday, and that means today I bring you a review of something I found online (Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, or other websites) that caught my interest.  Today's selection is a movie Scott and I watched back in November, which made such an impact that it caused us to go out and drop some money on a specialty kitchen appliance.  And you know that when these cheap skates spend money, it's not without conviction.



This documentary kept popping up on my Netflix recommended queue (it's also on Hulu), and I passed it over time and again.  The cover and title are pretty ridiculous.  I mean, those grey boxers don't inspire a lot of confidence.  But I finally decided to give it a try and, as usual, Netflix was right on in its recommendations.

'Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead' chronicles one man's journey to health and wellness through a self imposed, 60 day juice fast.  He doesn't drink your typical grocery store apple juice.  Joe Cross, with the help of a juicer, makes his own nutrient-packed juice from fresh fruits and veggies.  Starting at 301 lbs and suffering from a chronic disease, Joe takes a road trip across America subsiding only on his home made juice, and the results at the end of 60 days are no less than jaw dropping.

I won't give away the ending, but along the way Joe meets a truck driver, morbidly obese and desperate, who decides to join Joe in his own juice fast.  The two men's valiant battle to regain their bodies, and lives, is nothing short of inspiring.

I highly recommend watching this film.  It will inspire and educate you about the benefits of healthy eating, juicing in particular.  I just bought my own juicer, and have been juicing every day as part of my New Year's goal to eat more whole foods.  It's amazing.  A glass of fresh juice peps me up like a cup of coffee, stays with me, and revs up my energy for hours.  Of course I'm not doing a juice fast right now, being pregnant, but hope to do a short one in the summer to detox my body (if it's OK while nursing).

SO.  Just give this documentary a try, even if the cover looks silly and the idea of an entire movie about juice even sillier.  You won't be disappointed.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Media Monday - Loving Lampposts

A year ago we cut our satellite TV service.  After all, why pay for something  you can get muuuuuch cheaper (or even free!) online?  Every Monday I review a movie or TV show I have found online (Hulu, Netflix, or some other service) that I enjoyed and want to share.  It could be thought provoking, moving, or just plain silly.  As long as it entertained me!  

Loving Lampposts
(available on Netflix and Hulu)


This documentary explores the world of autism, through the eyes of autistic individuals and their families.  When his son is diagnosed with autism, filmmaker Todd Drezner sets out to discover all he can about the controversial condition.  He interviews several children and adults who are on the autistic spectrum, as well as their parents, spouses, and medical care providers.

This is a fascinating look at autism, presenting all sizes of the often controversial diagnosis with objectivity and very little bias.  The film addresses the 'vaccine issue', holistic methods of treating the condition, and explores the different theories about the causes of autism.  It also looks at the theory that autism is not a treatable and therefore preventable medical condition, but rather a unique wiring of individuals' brains.

'Loving Lampposts' also delves a little into the history of autism, challenging the statistic that its prevalence has grown over the last few decades.  There is a compelling segment about an autistic man, born in 1951, whose mother was told by doctors that he would never speak.  She was advised to institutionalize him and "have other children".

'Loving Lampposts' is a great film if you are curious about Autism Spectrum Disorder.  You can count on it giving you an unbiased look at all sides of the controversy surrounding this mysterious condition, and you will come away from it with an appreciation for the individuals who are diagnosed with it.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Media Monday - 'Big Brother' Week 8

Welcome to what used to be called, 'Netflix Movie Monday'.  This is where I review a movie / TV show / documentary that I have discovered, found interesting, and want to share.  As Big Brother is my annual summer time obsession, and it's on three times a week, Media Monday will be dedicated to BB recaps while the show airs.



Sunday, August 28 - Head of Household Competition, Nomination Ceremony


After last Thursday's crazy double eviction episode left the house guests reeling, Porsche comes out on top winning HoH.  Jordan and Rachel, the last remaining vets, all but give up hope since they are now outnumbered four to two, and don't have the power.  Jordan is deeply hurt by Shelly's backstabbing vote to evict Jeff, and goes off on him.  I was proud of her - it's the first time in two seasons I've seen a real, strong emotion from her.  Shelly is turning out to be a real snake, but I understand her wanting to split up Jeff and Jordan.  There's no way either one would take Shelly to the final two if it were Jeff, Jordan, and Shelly in the final three.   Couples are dangerous in the game of Big Brother!
Pandora's Box was reintroduced into the house, and of course Porsche decided to open it.  She won $10,000 to share with a friend (she chooses Kalia), but unleashed the couple's twist back onto the house for one week.  Jordan and Rachel are ecstatic, because it means that if they get put up on the block, and one of them wins the power of veto, BOTH of them are safe!
Porsche nominates Jordan and Rachel anyway, despite the couple's twist.

Wednesday, August 31 - Veto Competition and Ceremony

The Veto competition is an endurance challenge, where the house guests have to hold onto a dummy with the face of their old partner while suspended in the air.  Porsche has to hold onto a dummy with Keith's face and says if she never wants to have to see him again in her life.  Which is funny because she thought flirting with him was the way to get ahead in the game!
Rachel wins.  "I looooove to wrap my legs around my man!"  Ugh.
At the Veto ceremony, Rachel uses her PoV to take herself and Jordan off the block.  Porsche nominates Adam and Shelly, the only remaining couple, to replace them.

Thursday, September 1 - Live Eviction Ceremony, Head of Household Competition

Shelly does some major scrambling, promising everything from being Jordan and Rachel's total slave, to giving Rachel her (fake) diamond ring, but it doesn't save her.  Rachel and Jordan  are out for revenge, and vote to evict Shelly at the live eviction ceremony.
The Head of Household competition gets underway.  The house guests have to wade through an obstacle course to deliver donuts from one side of the yard to another.  It looks like hard work.  We are left with yet another cliff hanger, as the house guests battle it out for HoH.  But wait!!  If you pay the subscription price of $14.99,  you can watch how the competition plays out on CBS's online, live feed.  Aaaaand that's how I'm convinced the show makes it's real money.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Media Monday - 'Big Brother' Week 7

Welcome to what used to be called, 'Netflix Movie Monday'.  This is where I review a movie / tv show / documentary that I have discovered, found interesting, and want to share.  As Big Brother is my annual summer time obsession, and it's on three times a week, Media Monday will be dedicated to BB recaps while the show airs.


The longer this season airs, the more I am convinced that the show is being manipulated by the producers.  They chose the competitions, and tailor them to the contestants that they want to win (more on that later).  And you still can't convince me that Brendan got 1,000,000 votes to return to the house.  Please.

Sunday, August 14 - Head of Household Competition and Nomination Ceremony

Everybody is quickly reshuffling their alliances, with Adam and Shelley bouncing back to the Jeff/Jordan, Brendan/Rachel camp.  Kalia, Porsche and Danielle appear to be on the losing side ... until Dani wins the HoH competition, against all odds.  She puts Shelley and Adam up on the block, both as pawns.  Her real target (according to her), is Brendan.  She doesn't want him to have a chance to compete for the veto, so she's hoping to back door him.  A risky move, in my opinion, but probably the best one for her right now.  I'm starting to have respect for her game.

Wednesday, August   17 - Veto Competition and Ceremony

Again, against all odds, Brendan and Rachel are the only ones who don't get picked to play in the Veto competition!  They sit on the sidelines and put through the entire competition, including some snarky remarks when Kalia wins a tropical vacation, and Jeff wins some more cash.  Jordan wins a phone call from home, but gives it to Shelley so she can hear her husband and daughter's voices.  Really, Jordan is about the sweetest thing ever.  In return, she gets to wear the 'humilitard' for an entire week.  It's actually pretty darn cute, with a pink tutu and pinwheel hat.

Jeff, Danielle and Adam are the last three men standing at the Veto competition.  Jeff and Dani throw the final two rounds so that Adam can win, thereby taking himself off the block and keeping their hands clean.  Very smart move.

At the Veto Ceremony, Dani nominates (surprise, surprise), Brendan to replace Adam.  She calls him a 'zombie', who keeps coming back.  Hopefully he'll stay gone this time!

Thursday, August 18 - Live Eviction Ceremony and Head of Household Competition

Despite all their scrambling, and Rachel's pouts, Brendan gets evicted, with Rachel the only one voting to keep him.  Brendan and Rachel get mad at Jeff and Jordan for not voting for Brendan.  Jeff explains very logically that even if they did vote for him, he'd still not have the numbers.  So why should Jeff and Jordan alienate themselves for a lost cause?  Makes sense.  But doesn't placate Brenchal.

Brendan leaves the house (hopefully for good), and becomes the first member of the jury.  He's getting the master bedroom of the jury house ready for Rachel to move in next week (let's keep our fingers crossed!).

The HoH competition looks mighty familiar ... would it be the same one that Jeff happened to win two years ago?  Why, yes, it is.  If I were a newbie houseguest, I would not be happy with the producers' choice of competitions.  We're left in suspense as to who wins HoH.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Media Monday (or close enough) - 'Big Brother' weeks 5 - 6

Welcome to what used to be called, 'Netflix Movie Monday'.  This is where I review a movie / tv show / documentary that I have discovered, found interesting, and want to share.  As Big Brother is my annual summer time obsession, and it's on three times a week, Media Monday will be dedicated to BB recaps while the show airs.

So.  Indulge me in a little rant.  Some of you might be wondering why I didn't blog last week about Big Brother, and why I'm a day late on this week's post.  Simply put, it is a matter of apathy.  Disappointment.  A virtual throwing up of my hands into the air in an, 'I quit!'.  Why this sudden change of heart, you might ask? Why the frustration with your self-proclaimed 'summer time obsession'???

All these questions can be answered in one word:  Brenchel.

Allow me to explain.

Two weeks ago, Dani won HoH.  (Yay!)  She went on a mission to evict Brendan.  The houseguests fell into line and voted him out.  Finally.

Rachel subsequently went into self-destruct mode.  The veterans lost the HoH challenge to Kalia, Dani's new sidekick.  Kalia nominated Rachel to go up on the block.  All well and good.

And then it was announced that a special twist was coming after the next eviction, during which the evicted houseguest would get a chance to get back in the game.  This caused Kalia to second guess herself.

In the dumbest move in Big Brother history, Lawon volunteered to be put on the block and asked to be evicted.  He was sure he'd be put back in the game with special powers.

The houseguests unanimously voted Lawon out, keeping Rachel in the game.  Lawon competed against America's Choice (Brendan), lost (of course), and just like that, Brendan's back in the game.

So here we are, two weeks later, come full circle with Brenchel securely intact.  This is reason #1 that I am fed up with the game.  Reason #2 is that I am very skeptical that America voted to put Brendan back in the game, over Dominic, Cassie and Keith.  This 'reality' TV show is seeming more and more scripted as the season progresses, causing me to become disillusioned and loose interest.

And lest you call me paranoid, here was the discussion following the picture of Rachel embracing Brendan when he got back in the game:







The only person I really like, who is left in the game, is Shelley.  And guess what.  She's on the block this week.