Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Mr. Rogers in Today's Day & Age


The trailer for Won't You Be My Neighbor? had me crying. Then again, on multiple occasions when I was finally able to see the feature length documentary a few weeks ago. My local independent theater has kept the movie running for four weeks (an unusual feat) and, thanks in part to the heartfelt doc, had their best week in sales since opening seventeen years ago. Likewise, Neighbor is doing alright in the box office; it's in the top twenty (sixteenth at the moment) with its sights on at least a few more spots further up the list before its theater run comes to a close. When the final credits appeared on the screen during my viewing, a woman let out an audible, "wow." Then, a few minutes later when walking out, people were huddled together in little groups as though consoling each other after an emotional or spiritual event. What I'm trying to say is: the movie has resonated with audiences.

I believe the last few years of American political, social, and cultural unrest are the manifestations of decades and centuries of already present turmoil and brokenness. The courageous voices of those on the margins, the BlackLivesMatter movement, the MeToo campaign, and others are bringing to light critical injustices. We have a president who is intent on speaking and acting with whatever the antonym of civility is. And we all have our own stories and hardships and relational gunk to deal with. It's fair to say we live in tumultuous times as we work to move forward one day at a time. It's no surprise that it's become somewhat of a cliche to refer to a number of albums, movies, books, or [fill in the blank] as just what we need in these days. But... this is a movie we need in this season.


Neighbor excels in story telling and original footage and key interviews and editing (biggest component of compelling documentaries IMO!). But mostly it highlights the life and work of Fred Rogers, our friendly and kind Mr. Rogers. An ordained Presbyterian minister from Pittsburgh, Rogers sought out to do kids television in a manner that treated children as real, three dimensional human beings. He didn't water down his messages, he didn't act goofy, he didn't follow the fads of kids programming. He spoke about difficult topics. He worked towards including people with disabilities or sharing the screen with a person of color. He boldly claimed that "feelings are mentionable and manageable" to Congress. He wasn't perfect. But he consistently called out the value of each and every person. And he lived out his faith in real and tangible ways.

At this time in my life, I need models of generous humanity and sincere spirituality. Including a few other modern heroes of mine, I hope for the wisdom and eloquence of a Marilynne Robinson, the exuberance and action of a Chance the Rapper, and the kindness and honesty of a Fred Rogers.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Killing Eve and British Crime Television



If I've talked with you for more than five minutes in the last few weeks, I've probably recommended the BBC America show Killing Eve. For those unaware, its eight episode first season focuses on burgeoning MI5 officer Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) and her stylish serial killer counterpart Villanelle (Jodie Comer). Throughout the season, they track each other down, endlessly attempting to predict the other's next step. Their relationship is marked more by respect than opposition.

I'm a sucker for British crime television and its various iterations. AMC's (and later Netflix's) The Killing is probably the show that first drew me in. It's not British and was based on a Finnish series but it shared plenty of, what I'm calling, British crime show attributes. At the time, I was eating up anything AMC was producing - thank-you Mad Men and Breaking Bad, and then later Halt and Catch Fire, The Walking Dead, and Better Call Saul. But The Killing drew me in for its slow burn approach to solving a case. I was, until then, used to crime television resolving the mystery by the end of the episode. Perhaps, in a special circumstance, the crime took two episodes for the killer to be found. Yet the singularity within The Killing fascinated me and had me hooked. Two seasons to solve the first case!

What followed was plenty of other shows. Shetland is probably my favorite. But The Fall, The Missing, Happy Valley, Top of the Lake, and Marcella also have my recommendation. I haven't watched Broadchurch front to back but what I've seen, it would also come with my recommendation. Even more campy series like Paranoid or Safe hold my attention. What these all hold in common is prolonged gratification. Clues slowly resolve themselves. Extra time is given to the detectives or community members. The plot moves forward, rarely losing momentum. Women are just as often playing the role of protagonist. There's fewer unholstered guns.

Killing Eve share many of these traits. What it adds to the genre is a lightness, a finesse. The series is produced and written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, otherwise known for her work in comedy. With a comedian at the helm, this, once again, proves that blood and dark themes are often best told by those who have a sense of humor (see Get Out as exhibit A). It doesn't hurt that the two leads are strong women with their respective skills. The leading performances are award worthy. The editing is brilliant. The music choices are dynamic and fit within the fabric of the series. It is effortlessly diverse on the gender, race, and LGBTQ fronts. I was fully engaged front to back, as much interested in the inner-workings of the two leads as I was on the "case" being resolved. Check it out this summer if you have the time.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Best Albums of 2017


Another year for some stellar albums. In my listening sphere, there were a few artists coming back after brief hiatuses with LCD Soundsystem and The xx. A few promising newbies with Sampha and Maggie Rogers. And a few fantastic rap albums with Vince Staples and Kendrick Lamar. Some other old favorites dropped off my radar a little bit with Fleet Foxes and Arcade Fire. And a number of other old favorites put out good but not great albums that landed on the honorable mentions list. Here's what I listened to and enjoyed the most this year. Happy listening all.

Sidebar: I made a Spotify playlist of some of my favorite tracks from the year. Lots of cross over with my top 10 list (and HMs) but not exclusively. Here's the link.

10. Manchester Orchestra - A Black Mile to the Surface
Ten years ago, I was loving Manchester Orchestra's I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child album. I was moderately into their follow-up but then dropped off with the band in the subsequent years, mostly due to a harder sound that I'm not into as much. When A Black Mile to the Surface released to very positive reviews, I checked out the album and was taken back to my 2007 self. They don't sound stale, they sound like what they're best at. Emotional rock. Soft lyrics followed by crashing guitars and drums. I'm in.


9. LCD Soundsystem - American Dream
Ok, I'm not really into bands "retiring" to then return shortly later. That's just a long space between albums. Otherwise, I'm into the new music for the most part. I skip a few tracks but tonite, how do you sleep?, and emotional haircut are stellar. I was also able to see them live in Philly and they did not disappoint.


8. The War on Drugs - A Deeper Understanding
These guys know how to create a mood. Driving in the car or turned up while making dinner, The War on Drugs make you feel comfortable. I'm into it. I'll keep listening to it. A few more keyboards this time around but same reliable atmosphere created for me.

7. Sampha - Process
This dude has produced for Drake, Solange, and Kanye. He rolls with some big names. But then, on his first album, he does his own thing sans features. Some incredible beats throughout the album. Then (No One Knows Me) Like the Piano is a contender for best ballad of the year. I listened to this album a lot this year.


6. Beck - Colors
This album was a long time coming. I was such a sucker for the Wow single released in 2016 and anxiously awaited more of the same with the album release. While the remainder of the album is unique from the standout off-kilter single, there are a bunch of great, feel good pop jams.


5. Sylvan Esso - What Now
High expectations for this one. Their debut s/t album was my favorite album of 2014 and it wasn't certain they were continuing with the project. So last year when rumors of a new album and the following singles popped up, I was very pleased. While the single Radio is a little on the head (still very catchy), The Glow and Die Young are fantastic pop singles. Overall these two are stellar at creating pop songs that have more depth than pure bubble gum.


4. Vince Staples - Big Fish Theory
Big Fish Theory is more to the point than the debut double album. From my standpoint, that was a good move as it's pretty great front to back. Standout tracks Big Fish, 745, and BagBak are all fantastic. Caught him live at the 9:30 Club in D.C. and the show was lit. Love it. Keep 'em coming, Vince.


3. The xx - I See You 
Post second album Coexist, I thought I might retire the band as finely tuned electronic song writers who I could live without. But then I See You opens with a bang and doesn't let go. Happy to have them back and being alright with going upbeat now and again.


2. Maggie Rogers - Now That the Light Is Fading
Maggie made music news when in an NYU music course with visitor Pharrell, her track Alaska brought tears to his eyes. The video is online. So that was when I first heard of Maggie Rogers. But then I listened to the EP and was into it. And then I kept listening to it. Over and over. Though short with but five tracks, they are sweet.


1. Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.
The day this album dropped, I was traveling for most of the day via car and plane. I think I listened to the album five times. It's hard hitting. It has a few slow jams. It's got some great features. It's Kendrick at his best. To Pimp a Butterfly may be an album for the ages but DAMN. is Kendrick firing on all cylinders. DNA. and HUMBLE. reflect the hard hitting. LOVE. is so smooth. Literally all the songs do their thing. Thanks for doing your thing, Kendrick.


Honorable Mentions (10 more, listed alphabetically)
Broken Social Scene - Hug of Thunder
Dirty Projectors - s/t
A Ghost Story (Original Soundtrack)
Haim - Something to Tell You
Ibeyi - Ash
The National - Sleep Well Beast
The New Pornographers - Whiteout Conditions
Phoenix - Ti Amo
Spoon - Hot Thoughts
Taylor Swift - Reputation

Best Movies of 2017


Well with a general crap year there's nothing quite like the catharsis, inspiration, and creative exploration of the movies. My favorites ranged from coming of age to horror. There's been some incredibly moving and poignant stories told from all sorts of genres. Here are my favorite movies of the year plus honorable mentions and highly anticipated listed at the bottom.

 
10. It Comes at Night
This slow burner horror film relied more heavily on what we imagine is out there than what is actually out there. And like any good horror movie (in my opinion), it reflects on how the monster inside each one of us is as dangerous as any sort of zombie or boogey man.

9. The Lego Batman Movie
The joke density is crazy high on this one. I was happy to be along for the ride. Haven't gotten around to see Ninjango (too soon?) but my multiple viewings of The Lego Batman Movie were a fun ride.

8. Call Me by Your Name
A coming of age story in which there's no villain. A 17 year old boy who falls for a man presumably in his late 20s. It's charming and lovely and sad. Set in beautiful northern Italy in an idyllic spot which doesn't reflect many people's actual experience but the emotions are real and the movie is executed expertly. Also some Sufjan songs throughout.


7. Thor: Ragnarok
This was a fun action movie in which I laughed a lot. So basically exactly what I'm looking for when going to a super hero movie. Director Taika Waititi did an expert job with the film and his comedic and international perspective showed in just the right ways.

6. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
I am loving the new Star Wars movies. They're daring and unique and hold onto the excitement and adventure of the originals. The Last Jedi wasn't afraid to explore who Rey and Finn and Kylo are. And the few new characters were great add on. The visuals were on point. The funny asides served their purpose and the porgs weren't super annoying. Not mad that the Star Wars universe is expanding.


5. Coco
One of Pixar's more beautiful movies. The visuals were fairly incredible. The themes of the movie were relatively standard though the whole context in which it was set was unique. I just loved how specific and sweet and inspiring the story was. From a cultural standpoint, it celebrated the customs and intricacies without appropriating them. Hooray for Miguel, I'll be remembering this one.


4. Dunkirk
Wow, this movie was a spectacle. Three stories woven together to tell a snapshot story of the battle of Dunkirk. With Nolan at the helm, I was fearing a heavy, drawn-out thinker movie but was pleased that it was lean, human, and to the point. Oh, and Harry Styles in a real movie. Why not?


3. Lady Bird
Gosh I loved everything about this one. Greta Gerwig had an excellent debut as director. Saoirse Ronan continues to be fantastic in everything that she's in. Another coming of age movie. About a girl who thinks she's bigger than her home but really mostly just doesn't quite fit. She likes boys and has a few friends and listens to Dave Matthews Band (it's set in the early 2000's). I laughed so many times in the movie and felt for so many of the characters. Greta, keep 'em coming!


2. The Big Sick
A rom-com. Heavy on the comedy and fairly romantic. The story of how Kumail and his wife actually met. Wouldn't have guessed that Ray Romano would play a supporting role in one of my favorite movies of the year but the movie has tons of heart and is so funny and deals with issues of race in authentic ways.

1. Get Out
Jordan Peele as director. With a comedian giving direction, he knows how to keep the movie moving and doesn't run into pacing issues. He also clearly knows his horror stuff. And then he flips most of the tropes when the themes of race get tied into the horror. Again, Peele's time on Key and Peele keeps the themes from coming across as inauthentic or preachy. He knows how to make a point and then move on. This movie is scary, funny, and well executed. It's also chock full of metaphors and themes that are so relevant to the black experience today. I loved hearing what others picked up from the movie. And while it's easy to pick apart and discuss as a think piece generator, it's just a plain great movie. Go see this movie and keep watching it.

Honorable Mentions (10 more, listed alphabetically)
Baby Driver; The Shape of Water; The Disaster Artist; A Ghost Story; The Killing of a Sacred Deer; The Lego Batman Movie; Logan Lucky; Spider-Man: Homecoming; Whose Streets?; Wonder Woman

Highly Anticipated (10 more, listed alphabetically)
Blade Runner 2049; Brigsby Bear; Darkest Hour; I, Tonya; Ingrid Goes West; It; Logan; Mudbound; Phantom Thread; The Post

Best Television of 2017


I'm finally adding "Best Television" to my year-end blogs. I'll be honest; most of my media consumption is spent with television series so it makes sense. Logistically, listing out my favorite television of the year is a little more complicated than movies or music, particularly when I'm not up on every single show and will most likely catch some stellar shows in the following year. For my list, I'm including any series that premiered new episodes in 2017 and I've listed the latest season as the one making the list. I've also included a "Highly Anticipated" list for series or seasons that I'm behind on as a little bit of a catchall for potential favorites.

Overall, the year had some great shows continuing with the string of great television throughout the last couple decades. My list includes series from prestige cable stations, network, and, unsurprisingly, my top five were all produced by streaming services. That's the era we live in, no? In terms of show format, I've trended towards watching comedies that have some weight to them rather than super serious dramas or comedies that deal exclusively in joke delivery. From a genre standpoint, I'm all over the place but I think the ease of availability makes it difficult to get stuck in one genre or another. Anyhow, happy viewing!

10. Search Party (TBS, season 2)
Premise: In season 1, Dory (Alia Shawkat), learns of a college acquaintance gone missing and, along with her friends, becomes consumed in finding this person. Chaos ensues.

This show is just so weird. The characters are all unique and dysfunctional. Dory is constantly looking for purpose and meaning and only finds it in really unhealthy ways. The great lead cast of four friends showcases various involvement and commitment to the pursuit and they process some of the messed up events that follow in vastly different ways. This all sounds super serious. But it's a half hour comedy show. Can't wait to see where season 3 goes.

9. Jane the Virgin (The CW, season 4)
Premise: Jane (Gina Rodriguez) accidentally gets artificially inseminated and has a child, as a virgin. Mom and grandma are always close by. And there's usually ups and downs with her love interests.

What a charming show. It's light and funny and deals with plenty of difficult issues. It brilliantly utilizes a narrator for comedic effect. All the characters are fantastic. If effortlessly flips back and forth from English to Spanish and represents a corner of American culture (Latino Miami) that is often times overlooked. While Jane is typically moving in or out of a romantic relationship, she is not defined by these relationships. She loves her mother, grandmother, and father while often times disagreeing with them. Season 4 has kept up the high degree of heartfelt comedic excellence this show has carried on for years now.

8. Broad City (Comedy Central, season 4)
Premise: Two friends live their lives in New York City. Like Girls minus the self-inflicted melodrama.

Ilana and Abbi are really funny. Especially together. The show is often times raunchy and hilarious. I'm not sure what else to say. It's clearly coming from a female perspective, something we need more of in the entertainment and comedy worlds.

7. American Vandal (Netflix, season 1)
Premise: Mock true-crime documentary series in the same vein as Making a Murderer or Serial. The crime is a series of penises spray-painted on cars in a high school teacher parking lot.

The premise is silly. And some of the jokes are sophomoric. And yet the show hits all the beats of the genre they're parodying. And then the characters are genuine and relatable and empathetic throughout. Going into it, you think you're going to be over it a half-episode in, but the show is made so expertly and the layers of the crime get unwrapped at just the right rhythm. I was more intrigued than Making a Murderer.

6. The Leftovers (HBO, season 3)
Premise: 2% of the world's population suddenly disappears. The leftovers try to make meaning of their lives.

The third and final season of the series was my favorite. It moved along quickly and strangely and kept all of the complex character development. The majority of the action moved across the world to Australia (from Texas, which was a move from New York). The move provided new plot points but not create discontinuity in the series as a whole. With so many loose ends within the series, it finished satisfactorily without feeling too tidy.

5. Bob's Burgers (FOX, season 8)
Premise: Bob and his family run their burger restaurant. They all love each other and are weird.

Yo, eight seasons. And the show is still going strong. Bob, Linda, Tina, Gene, Louise, and friends. This show has developed its characters so well. They're each hilarious. And they all accept and love each other in their own weird ways. While I only started to watch the series a few years ago, I'm in for the long haul.

4. The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu, season 4)
Premise: Dystopian future in which the majority of women go barren, men rule the world, and the handmaids bear the children. Also a bunch of caste system stuff. Eerily close to current day.

I'm going to be honest, Elizabeth Moss is a boss. Clearly so on Mad Men. But then her work on Top of the Lake and The Handmaid's Tale has been phenomenal. But this show is much more than just a one character tour de force. The whole world created by this show is just so believable and creepy and reflective of where we are at as a society. Margaret Atwood is prophetic in more ways than one and the translation to television series was thankfully done with precision. We'll see where the show runners take season two sans book as a grounding source.


3. Stranger Things 2 (Netflix, season 2)
Premise: Small town 1980's Indiana following kids, teens, and adults. Sci-fi and government cover-ups and superpowers and more!

I think most of us can agree that Stranger Things was the most engrossing piece of entertainment summer 2016. So I had high hopes and expectations for season two and, thankfully, was not let down. The addition of Max and her sultry/bully older brother, the fleshing out of many of the boys' families and personalities, and more time with flakey Nancy. Honestly, I just want to hang out in Hawkins, Indiana. So I was fully along for the ride this season and agree with the widespread distaste for the trip to Chicago. But, ultimately, keep the 80's small-town mysteries coming.


2. Master of None (Netflix, season 2)
Premise: Aziz doing his thing in New York (and Italy). The series isn't afraid to focus on a singular topic for an episode and unpack it.

I just love the directions this show takes. I didn't get caught up into the love story that weaved through the season but that goes to show how strong the other elements of the show are. Particularly, three episodes stuck out as classics. First Date considers modern dating, New York I Love You explores and celebrates the "side-characters" oft ignored in television/movies, and Thanksgiving runs through Denise's experience growing up as a lesbian in a black family. Each a gem. Then overall, Aziz is just so loveable. He's sarcastic and sincere and doesn't have his life totally together but he's earnest and doesn't make reckless decisions. The show takes on a number of issues relevant to our world today but not at the cost of purely hitting the viewer over the head with a particular message. Aziz and friends, more please.

1. Catastrophe (Prime, season 3)
Premise: Rob (Rob Delaney) hooks up with Sharon (Sharon Horgan) on a business trip to London and she gets pregnant.

I'm trying to think of a good metaphor to describe my experience watching this show. The closest thing I'm coming up with is a favorite sweater that's old and worn. It's comfortable, fits well, looks good on me, and just feels good when I put it on. Most of those things apply to my viewing of Catastrophe. The sweater metaphor falls short in that the show is also really funny. Like, super funny. As in, I think the two leads, Sharon and Rob, are just funny people and the mercilessly short seasons leave me wanting to spend more time with them. Each season has smartly jumped forward in time and plot. They deal with serious adult situations in real adult ways and process them in realistic manners. If you're looking for a smart, human, funny sitcom, check out Catastrophe.


Honorable Mentions (10 more, listed alphabetically)
The Americans S5; Better Things S2; Big Little Lies S1; Bojack Horseman S4; Dear White People S1; The Good Place S2; Top of the Lake: China Girl S2; Transparent S4; Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt S3; You're the Worst S4

Highly Anticipated (10 more, listed alphabetically)
Better Call Saul S3; Black Mirror S4; Fargo S3; Game of Thrones S7; Halt and Catch Fire S4; Insecure S2; Mr. Robot S3; The Walking Dead S7; Westworld S1; Veep S6