Category Archives: Media

The 7 TV Shows I Can’t Wait to Watch

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Hi, my name’s Beth and I’m addicted to good television…

You too? There are a lot of great tv shows coming out in the next few months and I’m starting to get really excited! (“Where will she find the time?” they ask. “Oh I’ll FIND it,” I reply.) Here are seven that have caught my eye as must-sees. A couple are second seasons of shows that I couldn’t get enough of. One is a reboot of a much-loved favorite. And the rest are brand new! Let’s take a look…

HBO

2 Dope Queens (February 2)

Here and Now (February 11)

NETFLIX

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (February 7)

Seven Seconds (February 23)

Wild Wild Country (March 16)

PRIME

Sneaky Pete: Season 2 (March 9)

HULU

The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 2 (April 25)

Who wants to join me for some binge watching? What are YOU looking forward to seeing? Comment below! xoxo

P.S. TV shows I’ve already watched and LOVED — Westworld and 5 other binge-worthy shows.

*photo source*

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18 Movies to Watch When You’re Hibernating

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It’s that time of year, folks! The holidays are all wrapped up and now we commence the slog to spring. It’s cold outside, you’re cooped up, you can’t shake that sore throat. Truthfully, all you want to do is hibernate. And why not! If you’re getting plummeted with snow and ice this weekend or you’re nursing a cold or you just need a bit of HYGGE–I say Hibernation Station, baby!! You’ve got nothing to do, nowhere to go, so cuddle up and throw on a film. Here’s a list of movies I recommend for your hibernation. Happy watching!

1. Groundhog Day, 1993

Why you should watch it: If you find yourself hunkering down to weather a blizzard you can count yourself lucky. You wouldn’t want to be out and about, like Phil, and get stuck in a time warp, now would you? Plus, nothing will perk up your hibernation quite like getting Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe” stuck in your head (the song Phil is doomed to hear every single morning as his alarm goes off).

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2. Drinking Buddies, 2013

Why you should watch it: This movie is quintessential mumblecore and, since it mainly takes place in a brewery and at bars, pairs rather nicely with that 6-pack of craft beer you have stowed away. All of the characters feel painfully relatable and the entire film was IMPROVISED…which still kinda blows my mind.

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3. The Proposal, 2009

Why you should watch it: If you’re more in the mood for a feel good, rom-com flick than you can’t go wrong with a little Ryan Reynolds. Is it just me or does he not just have a super comforting presence on screen? He just seems like one of the good ones. Like the marry your boss to keep her from getting deported to Canada kind of “good ones.”

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4. Mona Lisa Smile, 2003

Why you should watch it: I mean all the lady-greats from the early 2000’s at one all-girls college…what’s not to love? Very much a rom-com masquerading as a girl-power flick but I still think it’s a lovely watch. Plus, all the 1950’s costumes will brighten your day!

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5. Katy Perry: Part of Me, 2012

Why you should watch it: This documentary film offers a glimpse into what it’s like to be a hugely famous pop star. I’m not even really a Katy Perry fan and I still thought this movie was a delight. It’s basically like reading a really revealing People mag article but with more singing.

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6. The Breakfast Club, 1985

Why you should watch it: I’ve watched this movie approximately 1 billion times and it still never gets old. Like with all of these selections, if you’ve seen something enough times you can nap through parts and still have a wonderful viewing experience. You might also find entertainment in saying your favorite lines along with the actors. (Or right before they say it if you’re watching with someone else and want to be extra obnoxious/prove how many times you’ve seen it.)

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7. Kiss the Girls, 1997

Why you should watch it: If a thriller is more your speed for a night of cozying up under a pile of blankets, you need my girl Ashley Judd starring opposite Morgan Freeman in Kiss the Girls. A good enough plot to keep you on the edge of your seat but just enough 90’s flavor to keep you from getting TOO scared (just in case you’re home alone!).

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8. A League of Their Own, 1992

Why you should watch it: Nothing makes me feel better like a good ol’ fashioned sports movie (my 3rd favorite film genre if I’m being honest). I’ve watched this one on plenty of lazy afternoons and it really has something for everyone. Baseball, WWII, love stories, feuding sisters, Rosie O’Donnel, MADONNA. Plus, super under-rated Tom Hanks role if you ask me.

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9. Almost Famous, 2000

Why you should watch it: Set in 1973, it chronicles the coming of age of 15-year-old William, an unabashed music fan. When he lands an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview the up-and-coming band Stillwater he embarks on an eye-opening journey led by the one and only Penny Lane (Kate Hudson). You’ll feel like you’re on tour with the band and, just like William, you won’t want it to end…trust me. 

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10. Elizabeth, 1998

Why you should watch it: One time I was sick with strep AND recovering from a torn MCL and a friend of mine brought me a large fountain soda from Sonic and a copy of this movie from the Redbox. Both really hit the spot. (The copious amounts of prescription medication I was taking may have enhanced my viewing experience…so keep that in mind.)

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11. Closer, 2004

Why you should watch it: If you’ve never seen this movie, your hibernation is the perfect time to do so! You don’t need the drama of the outside world when you can spend the evening with Julia, Natalie, Clive, Jude and their various love triangles.

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 12. Pleasantville, 1998

Why you should watch it: Impressed by high school student David’s (Tobey Maguire) devotion to a 1950s family TV show, a mysterious television repairman provides him with a means to escape into the black-and-white program with his sister, Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon). The siblings take to the surreal landscape in very different ways. Even if you’re not that into fantastical movie plots, this one is too adorable to pass up.

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 13. Elizabethtown, 2005

Why you should watch it: Because it’s adorable and it was filmed in Kentucky. DUH! Oh and the soundtrack will make you happy.

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14. Pearl Harbor, 2001

Why you should watch it: My first college roommate and I had little to nothing in common. But when she found out I had the box-set VHS of Pearl Harbor (aging myself) she said, “Pop it in!” We laughed, we cried, we didn’t have to make small talk!!! Sweeping dramas based on real historical events have a way of bringing people together, I guess. So if you’re holed up with someone you don’t know too well…maybe this could be your jam. If nothing else, it’s 3 hours long so you won’t have to talk to each other for a long-ass time.

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15. Heathers, 1988

Why you should watch it: I LOVE Winona Ryder and her performance of an exasperated teen is just as pitch perfect as her performance of an exasperated mom in Stranger Things. But, spoiler alert, I also love Shannen Doherty (I’ve watched a LOT of Beverly Hills 90210 during various hibernations). She’s the OG mean girl. If you’ve never seen this movie do yourself a damn favor. It is hilarious.

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16. Boiler Room, 2000

Why you should watch it: Honestly, I don’t know. I just really like Giovanni Ribisi (although not in love with the idea that he’s a scientologist). Ben Affleck and Vin Diesel are added bonuses. If you liked The Wolf of Wall Street this fast-paced crime drama is for you.

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17. Pineapple Express, 2008

Why you should watch it: I can always count on Seth Rogen movies to pull me out of a funk and this one is especially hilarious. Is it ridiculous? Yes. But will you love it? Also yes.

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18. Little Women, 1994

Why you should watch it: There’s a lot of winter and illness in this one so it’s very on theme. (And scarlet fever will no doubt put your sniffles in perspective.) Watching this movie just gives me a cozy feeling and there’s nothing I want more from a hibernation viewing.

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What movies give YOU a cozy feeling? Do you have any favorite films you would add to this list? Share below! 

5 Favorite Films to Watch in the Fall

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You guys! We’re getting a cold front in Miami!!! It’s supposed to be dreary and rainy all day today, and tomorrow — the lows are in the 50’s. What?? Perfect weather to curl up on the couch for a movie marathon! If you’re expecting similar conditions, here are 5 films I highly recommend for watching in the Fall…

Beetlejuice 

What’s a Yuppie ghost couple to do when their quaint New England home is overrun by trendy New Yorkers? Hire a freelance “bio-exorcist” to spook the intruders, of course.  

The animated series was my all-time favorite Saturday morning cartoon, so Beetlejuice will always have a special place in my heart. With such an amazing cast and groovy Harry Belafonte soundtrack tunes, this flick isn’t just seasonally appropriate, it’s a really fun watch. A perfect addition to a more light-hearted spooky, movie marathon.

 

So I Married an Axe Murderer

Comedy sensation Mike Myers stars with Nancy Travis in this hatchet-driven romantic comedy about a wed-lock shy coffee house poet who finally meets the perfect woman. Maybe.

The perfect romantic-comedy for Halloween season because of the axe murderer twist, this movie is prime 90’s humor and prime Myers (like pre- a million Austin Powers sequels). If you’re not so into big scares, So I Married an Axe Murderer still stays on theme without being too frightening.

 

The Silence of the Lambs

When FBI Agent Clarice Starling is assigned a case involving a monstrous serial killer, she seeks counsel from an imprisoned cannibalistic psychiatrist, whose fascination with the woman is as great as his hunger for murder.

This film is truly terrifying and one of the best scary movies out there, in my opinion. I adore Jodie Foster and think her acting, along with Anthony Hopkins’ (of course!), is well-worth adding The Silence of the Lambs to the rewatch list every Autumn. Turn the lights out, pour yourself some Chianti, and enjoy!

 

Garden State

 Andrew Largeman returns home to New Jersey after nine long years. Now, as he tries to re-connect with his past, a series of chance encounters with Sam, sets the stage for what his  future might hold. 

If you, like me, were in highschool/college in the early 2000’s, you’ve probably seen this movie a thousand times. But I still think it holds up as a good Fall feature. I’m not sure why it screams Fall to me. Maybe the rainy, screaming into the quarry scene? Or the cozy vibe it (and it’s soundtrack) invokes.

 

The Breakfast Club

An iconic portrait of the 1980’s American high school life. When Saturday detention started, they were simply the Jock, the Princess, the Brain, the Criminal and the Basket Case, but by that afternoon they had become closer than any of them could have imagined. 

Honestly this is just one of my all-time favorite movies and I could watch it (and quote it) at any time of year. However, because Fall is back-to-school season, I think it works thematically as well. Plus, if you’re looking for a group Halloween costume? Hello!!! Perfect inspiration.

 

What are a few of YOUR favorite films to watch in the Fall? Leave your movie marathon recommendations below. 

P.S. 6 True-Crime Documentaries For Your Inner Detective

A College English Teacher’s Take on Last Chance U

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My husband, Chet, and I recently finished season 2 of the Netflix docu-series Last Chance U. I think both seasons of this masterfully crafted show are compelling watches for anyone. However, as a college teacher, Chet’s perspective intrigued me. Here’s his take…

Located in super-rural Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a near perfect microcosm of public higher education. EMCC has less than 6,000 students enrolled, but is thoroughly ensnared by the university sports machine and the slew of academic challenges that students, faculty, staff, and administrators face in this environment. When I first read the description of Last Chance U, I thought it was going to be another affirmation of student athletes that played hard enough to escape poverty using grit and determination. Last Chance U does feature some of that, though most often it begins following players after their meteoric rise and subsequent fall in the world of college athletics. Last Chance U manages to do much more. Through its portrait of players and coaching staff, it presents a surprisingly accurate view of contemporary college life.

In an early episode of the first season, Ms. Wagner (the academic coordinator for EMCC’s football team) is exasperated by a player who brings nothing to class- not even a pen. The scene is funny. We laugh a bit at Ms. Wagner’s expense, or at least I did. I laughed out of familiarity. As a teacher, speaking to a pen-less student that isn’t performing well in my class is a near weekly occurrence. As a former student, I laugh from familiarity, too. I did not bring writing utensils to Psych 100.

The players in Last Chance U have a love/hate relationship with their whole academic experience. They clearly love football, both the game itself and the opportunities it presents to many young players. On the other hand, they hate practice. They tolerate the school end for many of the same reasons. Good grades mean eligibility and the potential to play for a better school. It also means thinking and working in a way which is unfamiliar. It’s easy to look at the players and dismiss them. After all, why go to college if not to learn? These athletes are caught up in the same wave as most students. They have a vague notion of a career, and it’s often unclear how ENG 101 is going to help them achieve that goal. I spend most of my professional life working directly with students in the same position, and I think Last Chance U does a fair job of sketching the uncertainty that comes with a college education.

The real hero of Last Chance U is Ms. Wagner. She’s the academic coach for the team, but much more: a human planner, a motivation machine, a listener, and an open door. Academic counselors like Ms. Wagner are near ubiquitous in major athletics programs. They exist to help players maintain eligibility by navigating the minefield of a full course load for students working a “full time job.” Many schools are now using this kind of counseling for the entire student body, especially as state governments shift performance metrics to graduation rates.

What strikes me about Last Chance U is how close the experiences of the characters on this tiny campus ring true with my own. It’s easy to spot the problems in the show- the attitude of some coaches, the disengaged players, the placating staff- it is for better or worse where we are now.

Watch the trailer for Season 2 HERE. Seasons 1 and 2 streaming on Netflix now! Have you seen them? 

The 3 Movies I Can’t Wait to Watch

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While I love curling up on the couch with a glass of wine to watch a DVD or plow through a few episodes of television, I’ve been itching for a trip to the movie theater. There are a lot of great movies coming out in March, and these three have caught my eye as must-sees…

Beauty and the Beast (March 17)

The Zookeeper’s Wife (March 31)

Uncertain (March 9)

Who wants to join me at the movie theater? What are YOU looking forward to seeing? Comment below! xoxo

P.S. Movies I’ve already watched and LOVED — Woman in Gold and He Named Me Malala.

6 True-Crime Documentaries For Your Inner Detective

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Over the last month or so I’ve been on a bit of a true-crime documentary binge. I just can’t get enough! There’s something about the unanswered questions, colorful cast of characters, and inevitable courtroom drama that captivates my little “Law & Order” lovin’ heart. So, I decided to round-up a few of my recent faves in case you’re feeling a similar urge.

If you binge watched The Jinx or Making a Murderer in a matter of days or waited anxiously for the release of each new episode of Serial, may I suggest giving one of these bad boys a try…

The Fear of 13

After more than 20 years on death row, a convicted murderer petitions the court for his long awaited execution. But as he tells his story, it becomes clear that nothing is quite what it seems.

Amanda Knox

Follow the trial, conviction and acquittal of Amanda Knox for the murder of a fellow exchange student in Italy.

Who Took Johnny

An investigation of a cold case tries to determine what became of Iowa paperboy Johnny Gosch, who disappeared 30 years earlier.

There’s Something Wrong with Aunt Diane

The accident made national headlines: a suburban mother drove the wrong way on the Taconic Parkway in upstate New York and crashed head-on into an SUV, killing herself and seven others.  But was she the monster the public made her out to be?

Beware the Slenderman

The mythos of a faceless, digital-age bogeyman known as Slenderman was created on the Internet, but his influence was felt in the real world when two 12-year-old girls lured their friend into the woods for a brutal murder.

Paradise Lost Trilogy

Note: The previous five are all fairly new but Paradise Lost is more of a classic. If you’ve never seen the full trilogy, I definitely recommend watching all three. They’re pretty incredible and the filmmakers paved the way for this sort of storytelling. (Buy the DVD’s HERE.)

The landmark documentary that sparked an international movement to ‘Free the West Memphis Three’, PARADISE LOST investigates the gruesome 1993 murder of three eight-year-old boys and the three teenagers accused of killing them as part of a Satanic ritual. REVELATIONS delves deeply into the shocking aftermath of the trials, updating the story seven years after the murders. PURGATORY picks up the story and reexamines the horrifying crime with fresh insights that only the passage of time can provide.

Which would YOU watch? Oh, and what’s your favorite documentary of all time? I’d love to know!

P.S. Turning to True-Crime Books to Curb the Serial Withdrawals. Binge-Worthy TV Shows. 

These Videos Are Guaranteed To Make You Smile

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Have you seen the “Kids Try” series on YouTube? Created by Cut, a channel that specializes in creating viral video content (see also: Grandmas Smoking Weed for the First Time), these videos never fail to make me smile. How freaking adorable are these kids?

Though I do find it a little unsettling how suspicious they are of foods they’re unaccustomed to, (Do American kids just eat pre-packaged, Trader Joe’s freezer meals these days or what?) I love the moments when they just go for it and dive in. Watch for yourself…

Maddox is obvi my favorite (#spiritchild) and if I could adopt him I totally would. Though it seems he already has some awesome parents…here they are explaining the birds and the bees to him! (“There’s a hole down there like an igloo.”)

P.S. Other YouTube videos you might enjoy — The Greatest Exercise Video Ever, Costume Makeup Masterpieces, and Miniature Food Videos.

TV Recommendation: Westworld

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Have you seen the TV show Westworld yet? The series takes place in a futuristic, Wild West-themed amusement park full of lifelike robots called “hosts”. Tourists pay a premium for access to the park and are allowed to live out their fantasies amidst the hosts without consequence or fear of retaliation. But things are changing…

Westworld was created for HBO and is based on the 1973 film of the same name, which was written and directed by Michael Crichton. This show’s ever-unfolding plot will keep you on the edge of your seat. And in case you thought you didn’t need science fiction western thriller as a television genre…trust me, you do.

Here’s a trailer, if you’d like to see…

Obviously Anthony Hopkins, who plays a founder of the park, doesn’t disappoint. He’s a veteran and this role is perfect for him. But the rest of the cast seems to be right up to Hopkins-level snuff. I thought Thandie Newton, especially, was exquisite. (Evan Rachel Wood was also BAE. Even though for the entirety of my viewing experience I thought she was the same person as Rachel Brosnahan, who was in House of Cards and Manhattan, and was like, “How is this chick in so many good TV shows??!” My bad! Still impressed, just not AS impressed. LOL!)

Pro-tip: If you don’t have HBO but you DO have Amazon Prime you can sign up for a free 30-day trial of HBO on Amazon Channels. 30 days is plenty of time to watch this series (and honestly you could probably squeeze in 2 or 3 more shows after that!).

P.S. 5 other binge-worthy television shows.

Movie Recommendation: Carnage

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Have you guys seen the movie Carnage? Two married couples, played by Kate Winslet & Christoph Waltz and Jodie Foster & John C. Reilly, meet up to smooth things over after their sons get in a fight. The film was directed by Roman Polanski and based on the Tony Award winning play God of Carnage. I thought it was pitch-perfect black comedy and, as Chet pointed out, it is every non-kid-having adult’s worst nightmare.

Here’s the trailer, if you’d like to see…


You definitely get the sense that it’s the movie version of a stage play. However, the single setting and 4 lone players add to the genius, in my opinion. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen the whole time. And I mean, that’s a pretty baller cast of four, don’t you think?

Rent it if ya dig!

P.S. Two movies to watch after a tough day at work.

What Were Your Favorite Childhood TV Shows?

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What shows were you super into watching as a kid? I’ve always found this question to be a fun conversation starter (“They just don’t make TV like they used to!” “I know, riiiight!?”) so I thought I’d bring it to the blog. I was truly obsessed with Saved by the Bell and loved watching the back-to-back episodes that came on right as I got home from school. I can still remember watching an episode during some down-time on a school trip when I was ten. One of our chaperones scoffed, “You all know that’s not what high-school is like, right?” *record scratch* In the words of Samuel “Screech” Powers, “EX-SQUEEZE ME!”

I also loved the cartoon version of Beetlejuice on Saturday mornings, reruns of Little House on the Prairie, and T.G.I.F. in all its various iterations. (Boy Meets World! Sabrina the Teenage Witch!)

Ok, now it’s your turn! Spill the beans below…

P.S. Have you seen this hilarious Saved by the Bell reunion orchestrated by Jimmy Fallon?