Premise: In a global cataclysm, “The Sudden Departure,” 140 million people disappeared without a trace. Three years later, residents of Mapleton, N.Y., try to maintain equilibrium when the notion of “normal” no longer applies. Intense grief has divided families and turned faith to cynicism, paranoia and madness, leading some of the traumatized to join the Guilty Remnant, a cultlike group. Kevin Garvey, a beleaguered police chief, must keep peace between townspeople and the cult, a task made tougher with concern about his kids. His daughter alternates between apathy and rebellion, and his wayward son befriends a charismatic prophet. “The Leftovers” is based on the best-seller by Tom Perrotta, who is one of the series’ executive producers.
Cast: Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Liv Tyler, Chris Zylka, Margaret Qualley, Carrie Coon, Emily Meade, Amanda Warren, Ann Dowd.
What it reminds me of: You know how every few years a television network releases a new show about a plane/group of people dissapearing? It’s like those shows, but much better. Really, this show is very original and just so interesting.
Why I like it: Damon Lindelof. I know, a lot of times on this website I just say a name and say, “That should tell you enough.” He is behind shows like Lost and The Watchmen. Justin Theroux is so damn good in this show. Ann Dowd is absolutely crazy, as always. The third and final season is so good. There is something in the finale that is one of the emotional things that I have ever seen on a television show.
Where to watch: Everywhere! It’s worth the rental money
Premise: The Bradys of the popular ’70s sitcom get thrust into the ’90s, with a whole new set of problems. The family’s house is in danger of being taken away by developer Larry Dittmeyer (Michael McKean) if the ever-positive brood can’t come up with $20,000. Parents Mike (Gary Cole) and Carol (Shelley Long) initially don’t fret, until Mike has difficulty getting any of his architectural designs sold. Fearing the worst, the six Brady kids decide to enter a talent contest and raise the money themselves.
Cast: Shelley Long, Gary Cole, Christine Taylor, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jennifer Elise Cox, Paul Sutera, Olivia Hack, Jesse Lee Soffer, Henriette Mantel
What it reminds me of: There was a television show from the 70s that it reminds me of, but I can’t put my finger on it.
Why I like it: A lot of people don’t understand that this movie is a parody. It pokes fun at the corniness of the family that so many people grew up with. It parodies how straight edge the family members are, how naive they are to any actual inconvenience or bad thing that could occur, and how the family can break out in synchronized song and dance at any given time. One of my favorite scenes is when Greg and Marcia are held up in a carjacking, but they accidentally get away by telling the criminal that it is a car, but their name is definitely not Jack.
The movie is chock-full of stars, some with some great cameos. Michael McKean and Jean Smart play the neighbors, with McKean being one of the main antagonists. The original Alice and Bobby pop up in the movie playing small, but great parts. Ru Paul plays Jan’s guidance counselor and helps her reinvent herself after she is driven mad from jealousy for Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.
It has been too long since I have seen this movie last year, but I will tell you I still know the songs by heart. I still occasionally break out singing when I am in a Macy’s or another department store.
If you are a fan of the original show, the Monkees, satire, this movie is for you.
In 1997, the world was introduced to Netflix. Back then, it was a monthly subscription service that mailed DVDs to your house. Fast forward 25 years later and the streaming giant has been nominated for countless Academy Awards, Emmys, and even some Grammys. The California company could win an EGOT in the near future if they get some Tony-nominated content on there.
Netflix is not only a global company that is worth billions, there were 230.7 million subscribers as of last year. Now more than ever, it would be a good time to open a Netflix Amusement Park.
The park could open in Vermont or New Hampshire, somewhere there is a lot of land, and easy access to have people from Canada come to visit.
The Rides:
The Haunting of Hill House – See if you can escape the house along with The Bent-Neck Lady and the other ghosts that well, haunt the hill house. This ride will be similar to the Forbidden Forrest ride at Universal Studios.
Stranger Things – In this ride, you start out entering a float tank. Lightning strikes above you and when you get out, you are in the Upside Down. Now, you and the Six have to fight Demobats, Demogorgons, and Vecna, to save Will.
Squid Game – Unfortunately, this attraction doesn’t let in all 456 people at a time, but you do get to compete against other guests at the amusement park. Each time you visit this attraction, you will play just one of the games from the popular show. So, make sure you go back a few times to try to get as many in as possible.
Round 1: Red Light, Green Light.
Round 2: Dalgona/Ppopgi.
Round 3: Tug Of War.
Round 4: Marbles.
Round 5: The Glass Tile Game.
Final Round: Squid Game
The Shops and Snacks
11 Waffles – A small waffle shack, designed as the living room from Stranger Things, that sells different flavored waffles. Hopefully, you don’t get a bloody nose while eating it! Hopefully, Eggo agrees to license their product at the park
Paul Hollywood’s Pie Extravaganza – This sit-down eatery is under a giant white tent and sits on top of astroturf. Just like in The Great British Baking Show, one of the more popular dishes here is Pie Without a Soggy Bottom.
Dalgona Delights – This Korean candy was popular in the 1970s and 1980s, but Squid Game really made it popular once again. Enjoy this melted sugar and baking soda treat and don’t worry, you can cut it and eat it any way you want to!
Crumpets and Crowns – Enjoy tea and crumpets in a replica of the dining room from the royal palace.
Gambits and Gumballs – Enjoy candy and other tasty delights while sitting at a chess table and playing a friendly game against friends you traveled with or make some new friends!
Tan- This store features clothes and accessories, cookbooks, and self-help books that are all approved by the fab five.
The Live Shows
Glow: Enjoy some popcorn and Cracker Jacks while you watch local Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling take down one another in the arena!
One of the biggest television hits of the year is The Last of Us. And for good reason. The show starts the loveable Pedro Pascal and the even more loveable Bella Ramsey. The relationship between the two of them, on-screen and off, could not be more wholesome. Watch interviews with them. It almost, but does not ruin their on-screen rough characters. Kind of like when you see that picture of the Fawn from Pan’s Labyrinth in between takes!
The television show streamed every Sunday on HBO Max and is being hailed as one of the greatest video game adaptations. But maybe the people who are saying this never saw the original, live-action Super Mario movie with Dennis Hopper. That thing was a fever dream. People wouldn’t complain about Christopher Pratt being cast as the titular character in the new Mario movie even if they saw the 1990s film or really any of the movies.
Back to The Last of Us. I played a little of The Last of Us and even started up again when I started watching the show. I am not good at that game. I think I am more of a Super Mario person. Back to Mario.
Anyway, here are the things that I didn’t like about the finale:
The finale should’ve been two parts – The action sequence in the hospital seemed too rushed.
What did Joel think was going to happen when he brought an immune person to a science center?
Marlene should have never let two guards take Joel out into the outskirts of town and give him a knife, knowing what he is capable of
Marlene should have never let two guards escort Joel out of the building on their own, knowing what Joel is capable of
I do understand how Joel had adrenaline when it came to get Ellie out of the hospital; the same as a mother lifting a car off of her child. However, how did Joel kill every single one of those Fireflies? I know, I know. It’s like watching John Wick and asking, “How exactly did he kill all of those guys with a pencil?” But this isn’t John Wick. How did Joel, a former revolutionary militia member take down all of those other revolutionary militia members? They didn’t split up? One didn’t sneak up behind him? They all were just shooting all willy-nilly. They weren’t taking cover correctly.
In the garage, Joel was about to take off with Ellie and Marlene stopped him and gave him a speech. Once again, she put her gun down and didn’t think Joel was up to any tricks. She put way too much trust into Joel. And her men.
Marlene should have locked up Joel until the surgery was over.
Would Ellie have survived the surgery? Did we know if she would or not?
What is going to happen next season?
Ellie will eventually find out that Joel was lying to her about the ambush at the hospital and how he had to pull her out of surgery.
Also, Joel killed Marlene who was pretty much like a mother to her.
Other people will find out about Ellie. Maybe a Firefly in the hospital radio-ed someone else and let them know about Ellie being immune.
Joel lied to Ellie saying that there were other immune people. Ellie will find out that this isn’t true, but not until she spends a lot of time looking for these people like her.
We will meet up with Joel’s brother, sister-in-law, and nephew or niece.
We will come across more protagonists and more antagonists, obviously, but we won’t be able to tell who is good and who is bad for some time.
Love interests for the characters? Maybe. It is very, very rare that any television show or movie doesn’t have a love story. And I think that’s because this shows the love story here is different. Joel is like the father that Ellie never had and Ellie is like the daughter that Joel has not had for a long, long time.
We will find out more about Joel and Ellie’s backgrounds in full flashback episodes.
On March 3rd, 2023, Macklemore released his third studio album, Ben. Depending on how much of his career you have been following, you might be thinking this is his second album. On September 22nd, 2017, the Seattle native released Gemini. However, on New Year’s Day in 2005, Macklemore released his first album, Language of My World.
Well, there’s a quick history lesson on the solo career of Ben Haggerty. If you haven’t listened to any, I highly recommend it. I have had the album on repeat in my car. It’s the perfect album for the weather getting nicer, the sun staying out longer, and the windows down. If you are a fan of his illustrious career, then you will really appreciate this album. It feels like a perfect blend of all of his music, including the two albums, and other releases, he put out with Ryan Lewis. The album has some fun, upbeat songs such as “No Bad Days (feat. Collet) and “1984.” Other songs like “Chant (feat. Tones And I)” and “Gods’ Will (feat. Vic Daggs II)” have Mackelmore reliving moments from his life.
The song “TEARS” is the most impressive song from the album. The lyrics start off as if the song is a ballad about his first love and it is. But not in the way you would think it is. The song is a love song to Ben’s first true love, alcohol. The song details the pains of addiction, arrests, deaths, and the things he has done for the drug.
“Lost / Sun Comes Up (feat. Jackson Lee Morgan” detail the bullshit of our current times, with the following lyrics that make you rethink your social media addiction:
“Scroll (scroll) Refresh (refresh) Turn it off (yep) Now do it again That’s the dance now Scroll (scroll) Refresh (refresh) Turn it off (yep) Now do it again That’s the dance now”
And this leads me to my favorite song on the album, “Sorry (feat. Livingston).” I can’t tell you how many times I have listened to this. Especially on repeat. As one of the most nostalgic people, this song hits hard. The first four lines especially:
“It’s too late to get the past back But I’m stuck in the sandtraps And I thought that I was past that My eyelids live in a flashback”
The Red Carpet interviews are obnoxious. It’s just people asking how J-LO and these other people manage to look so good at their age. Well, they have nutritionists, home gyms, concierge doctors, money for touch-ups, personal trainers, time to cook healthy meals. So on.
When I was losing my hair, my mom told me not to worry because I would look like The Rock and Jason Statham. Watching them walk the red carpet was just like looking in a mirror!
The fact that “Nobody Like U” wasn’t nominated for best song is bullshit. I know that 4Town is a fictional band from Seeing Red, but still. Great song.
Also, why wasn’t the Raccoon that played Raccacoonie nominated?
I am SO happy that Guillermo Del Toro won. I haven’t seen all of the movies yet, but this movie was a labor of love, took about the same time as Avatar, and Del Toro is one of the best Directors and Producers today. I haven’t seen Puss in Boots 3 yet, and while it does look great and the reviews are stellar, I am glad that Pinnochio beat it out!
I am a big fan of Ariana DeBose. I like her headphone brand a lot.
Stephen Spielberg giving Ke Huy Quan a standing ovation and Harrison Ford presenting was just magical. Everything comes full circle. One could almost say, everything everywhere all at once comes full circle.
The crowdcheering for Jamie Lee Curtis. Her and her husband, Christopher Gust, adopted children. He is part of British royalty. Adopting children took him out of inheritance and he still did it. They are great people.
They just announced a freaky Friday sequel, so that will be the second Oscar for Jamie lee Curtis
I didn’t care for women talking, but I also didn’t like the movie either
As soon as Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis won, I felt ready for bed.
Tar backwards is rat 🤯. I haven’t seen the movie so I don’t know if that means anything.
I forgot that Quest Love is an Oscar winner. Love that guy.
David Byrne is great. I saw him at Red Rocks. Go see him when you can. I also love his friendship with Maggie Rogers. He also directed one of her music videos.
The Daniel’s for Best Original Screenplay
I didn’t get to see all of the Oscar-nominated films, but I am really rooting for the indie film about the Chinese American immigrant who is about to lose her business, has been served divorce papers by her husband, and is trying to come to terms with her daughter who has recently come out. Oh, and there’s also multiverses and hot dog fingers!
I love movies. And I love music. And I love it when the two worlds combine.
I am a big fan of Owl City. I have been for years. I listen to super sad music most of the time (emo, folk, ambient), so I like to mix things up by listening to the happy, pop sounds of Adam Young. The man has had some great duets over the years, Aloe Blacc, Hanson, for example. Anyway, Owl City is putting out a new album in June, the first in almost five years. Like most artists these days, he has released a few songs in anticipation. One of these songs is called Kelly Time.
The first time listening to this, it didn’t take me long to realize that this song was from Wilson’s perspective. Yes, the volleyball from Cast Away. Check out the lyrics below and listen along to the song from his YouTube channel.
Well video tapes and ice skates Are beautiful things Like a birthday card for Johnny And a pair of angel wings You were tryna light a fire And all you wanted was a match But you knew I didn’t have one So it was odd that you should ask No, it wasn’t just the plane crash That shake you to the core But the very thought of losing her That made it all worth dying for
I’m sorry I’m sorry
We both washed up on that island All alone without a friend Thinking you and I were gonna die there And that would be the end But as the weeks turned into months I saw you overcome your fears And as we became companions All those months turned into years We would talk and talk for hours You would make sure I felt heard Cuz you knew what I was saying Though I never said a word
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring? Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Yeah, I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring?
After fifteen hundred days You and me escaped to sea And I knew that you still loved the girl From Memphis, Tennessee Out there on that lonely ocean We met a passing humpback whale Cause all the way from Bakersfield The tide gave us the sail And just like that it happened The waves took me away And I’m sorry, I’m so sorry That you lost a friend that day
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring? Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Yeah, I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring?
Well you and me went on a journey Full of tragedy and pain But I’m grateful I was with you Through the sunshine and the rain And when I wonder where ya are now I’ll probably never know But my friend I hope you made it And somehow you finally made it home I have an ocean-worth of questions But if I do know one thing Is that the sun will rise tomorrow And who knows what the tide could bring?
Da da da da daa
Doo doo doo doo ooo ooo ooh
Hey, hey, hey, Kelly are you there? Pick up! I know I said I’d be back And like that Nobody knew where I was at And all my logic said “I would never see you again” After four years, I’m missin’ you so bad But here I am And now I have to learn to let you go Even though I love you more than you’ll ever know I’m gettin’ used to half a heart and the way things are But Kelly, I never should’ve gotten outta the car I’m sorry
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring? Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Yeah, I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring?
I’m sorry For everything But nobody knows what the tide could bring You know, nobody knows what the tide could bring
Videotapes and ice skates are beautiful things Like a pocket watch on Kelly Time and a pair of angel wings When the birthday card to Johnny It made me realize That the most beautiful thing in the world Is, of course, the gift of life The most beautiful thing in the world Is to be so wonderfully alive
By now, you have probably watched the premiere of The Last of Us on HBO Max. I haven’t yet, but that’s just because there are so many news shows and returning shows that I am making my way through. I am also binge-watching Veronica Mars for the first time and watching Hunters.
Anyway, I am a HUGE fan of post-apocalyptic television shows and movies. I feel that everyone is watching The Last of Us, even people who aren’t big fans of post-apocalyptic media. So, I figured I would put together a list of some of my favorites for you to watch while you are waiting for the next episode of The Last of Us.
I haven’t beaten The Last of Us on my Playstation yet, I do plan on getting back into it again soon, but I do recommend picking up the first one as it is only $20. It’s a beautiful and terrifying game.
28 Days Later
Resident Evil
World War Z
Zombieland
Zombieland 2
The Divide
The Domestics
Birdbox
I Am Legend https://web.archive.org/web/20230125042943if_/https://www.youtube.com/embed/dtKMEAXyPkg
Water World
This Is The End
A Quiet Place
Shaun of the Dead
Snowpiercer
The Maze Runner https://web.archive.org/web/20230125042943if_/https://www.youtube.com/embed/AwwbhhjQ9Xk
The Hunger Games
https://web.archive.org/web/20230125042943if_/https://www.youtube.com/embed/mfmrPu43DF8 The Last Man On Earth https://web.archive.org/web/20230125042943if_/https://www.youtube.com/embed/-biQK8le1wI
The Walking Dead
Fear the Walking Dead
The Leftovers https://web.archive.org/web/20230125042943if_/https://www.youtube.com/embed/FLT3YUALJno
This is a website about television shows and movies, not music. But then again, this website can be about anything that I want it to be about. Music plays a huge part in my life. I play music, I love going to live shows, and I love listening to music.
This list is my favorite albums, in order, from 2022.
Silk Sonic – An Evening with Silk Sonic. I just found out that this album came out in November 2021, but it really got popular in 2022. In fact, duo swept at the Grammys which made me almost believe that music was real again. This collaboration between Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak is absolutely fantastic. It sounds like a mix between James Brown and the music styling of that time, mixed with Childish Gambino’s Redbox mixed with Sesame Street, mixed with Outkast. These two have a residency in Vegas and I want to just travel there
2. Matisyahu – Matisyahu. This self-titled release I guess was technically my favorite album of 2022 as it actually came out in 2022. I’ll have to post an image of my Spotify Wrapped because most of the songs from this album were in my top 10. I was super excited to see him perform on this tour. It was my third time seeing the New York native and the first time I had seen him in years. Not only does he put on a fantastic show, but he has such a talented band. This album is one of those albums where you don’t want to skip any tracks.
3. The Head and the Heart – Every Shade of Blue. I saw these Seattle natives play on this tour and it was my fourth time seeing them live. I had seen them a few times at Red Rocks and again at a super tiny venue in Denver. They never fail to impress me live. Their harmonies, breakdowns, and just the amount of talent from each and every member of this band leaves me in awe. This is very much a breakup album, even the name of it implies that. There are some sad songs, and some uplifting songs, and the Oohs and the Ahhs of this band will leave you singing along.
4. Wild Rivers – Sidelines. This Canadian trio
5. Blue October – Spinning the Truth Around Part 1
By now, you are probably missing Black Mirror and wondering when season six is coming out. There isn’t a release date yet, but we do know the cast will be bigger (Aaron Paul, Zazie Beets) and there will be more episodes than in the previous season.
It is rumored that Charlie Brooker wasn’t working on any new seasons until the real world (Trump and the Pandemic) was settled down and we weren’t all living in our own episode of Black Mirror. Totally understandable. Well, hopefully, the world is more settled down by the time season six drops and we don’t have another reality show host turned president.
Anyway, I have been watching and re-watching some shows that keep me saying, “This is a great show to watch in place of Black Mirror until the new season hits Netflix.” And I decided I would share that list here.
Show: Fantasy Island
Where to watch: Fox/Hulu
Synopsis: People who walk in with a desire, but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.
About: I started watching this show randomly one day. I thought it was going to play out like a soap opera. It is far from. I never watched the original show from my parent’s time, but I did watch the horror movie version of the show that came out within the last few years. The new show is technically a continuation and follows the same plot: People arrive at the island to make a dream come to life and then they go back home feeling restored. The show also follows the staff on the island and how they make everything possible.
Show: The Peripheral
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Synopsis: Set in the future when technology has subtly altered society, a woman discovers a secret connection to an alternate reality as well as a dark future of her own.
About: I reviewed this show already on this website, but this show is such a cool show done by the creators of West World. It is super violent and super techy. The premise shows us what the world of VR could be like. Not really, but still, check it out.
Show: Upload
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Synopsis: A man is able to choose his own afterlife after his untimely death, by having his consciousness uploaded into a virtual world. As he gets used to his new life and befriends his angel (real-world handler), questions about his death arise.
About: This show has Black Mirror written all over it. It’s actually quite similar to San Junipero, one of my favorite Black Mirror episodes that also received an Emmy nomination. This show is super fun, super funny, and the special effects are really strong. I didn’t love the second season, though.
Show: Made For Love
Where to watch: HBO Max
Synopsis: A young woman, on the run after 10 years in a suffocating marriage to a tech billionaire, suddenly realizes that her husband has implanted a revolutionary monitoring device in her brain that allows him to track her every move.
About: It might sound like a reality dating show, but it is far from that. This show also has been reviewed before on our site! And Cristin Milioti is in both shows! This show is wild. I don’t know how it didn’t get renewed for season three. Basically, what if Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk had an offsite compound where they lived and worked and haven’t left in ten years and their wife wanted out, but they made that impossible due to a new piece of technology? Some of the tech and special effects in this show are super interesting. And Ray Romano and Patti Harrison are great additions to this cast.
Show: Severance
Where to watch: Apple TV
Synopsis: Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. When a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs.
About: Tom originally reviewed this on our website! I just watched it the other day. The season ends on quite a cliffhanger, so much so that I wish I knew before I watched the show or else I would have waited for the new season to come out. Also, there is no information on when the new season will come out, but it has been filmed!
