May both seemed like a busy month but also a slow month for us but I do feel like I got a lot of media consumption in, including the epic series finale of Game of Thrones, as well as seeing The Suffers and Foxing in concert.
Movies
Avengers: Endgame – Yeah, I saw it in the theaters a third and fourth time. It’s that damn good. I have a lot to say about this movie, so I wrote a ridiculous almost three thousand word post just about Endgame. If you somehow haven’t seen this movie yet, please go do so.
Long Shot – This movie was exactly what you’d expect from a Seth Rogan movie. It was really entertaining, and on top of that Charlize Theron was hysterical. It’s great to see her in a comedy – she had great chops in her short arc on Arrested Development and I’m surprised she hasn’t done more of these types of movies (or maybe she has and I haven’t seen them).
Wine Country – Even though I love most of the women in this movie I quickly lost interest. It had a few funny moments, but it just didn’t hold my interest. Ali enjoyed it, it just wasn’t for me.
John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum – If you saw and liked the first two John Wick movies, you’ll like this one too. It doesn’t stray far from the formula that worked there, and you shouldn’t want it to. The movies aren’t going to win any awards, but damn if they aren’t fun to watch.
Knock Down the House – This is a Netflix documentary about the 2018 midterm elections following the campaigns of four progressive democratic women running for Congress – Amy Viela, Cori Bush, Paula Jean Swearengin, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. It was really good and informative, and I really hope it inspires more progressives, particularly women, to run even though three of the four women did not win their bids.
Captain Marvel – We watched this again now that it is available for home video. I liked it a lot in the theaters, but I liked it a lot more the second time around. I’m still confused on the direction with the Skrulls as I really thought the next big arc of the MCU would have used them as the big enemy.
Rocketman – Wow, Taron Egerton was really good in this role, and he sang all of the songs. He did an incredible job, as did Bryce Dallas Howard. I really liked the story and the acting, but the musical format is not for me. Still a fun watch.
TV
I Think You Should Leave – This show was so goofy and ridiculous. Some of the skits were really funny, others didn’t always land for me, but I really enjoyed it. It’s a short run, and you can watch it in a few hours if you are interested.
Dead to Me – I’m not a huge fan of Christina Applegate – I’m not sure why. I’ve never found her particularly funny, but she’s been really entertaining in this. Linda Cardellini is really great, though. The twists and turns in this show come at you fast, and the writers don’t hold them back or tease them out over the season.
Love, Death, and Robots – I’m not sure how to describe this show. It’s an anthology show that collects 18 short animated sci-fi, fantasy, occult, and similar stories together. Right up front, there is a ton of graphic sex and nudity – most which offer nothing to further the story and just seem like the nerd-boy writers fantasy – so be warned. Some of my favorite stories were Three Robots, The Witness, When the Yogurt Took Over, Fish Night, Lucky 13, and Ice Age.
Game of Thrones Series Finale – Eight years of story telling lead to this moment. I was satisfied with the ending, even if this season did feel rushed a bit. I know a lot of people are angry, but everyone is angry at every series finale nowadays. In a few months or years I think people will come around on this, just like most have for The Sopranos. I can’t wait to rewatch the whole series in a few months or a year without all the breaks in between.
Barry Season 2 Finale – This show continues to be one of my favorite things on television. Henry Winkler is so damned good, and Anthony Carrigan as NoHo Hank is incredibly funny. This episode in particular was very obvious how generous Bill Hader is as an actor and producer/director. He was great this episode, but he was almost in the background of every scene letting his costars shine.
What We Do in the Shadows – A few coworkers have told me to watch this show on FX and oh man were they right. This show is so funny. It’s shot like a reality TV show a la The Office and Parks and Recreation, but follows a bunch of vampires who live on Staten Island. It’s based on the movie of the same name which was written, produced, directed, and starring Jermaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) andTaika Waititi (director of Thor: Ragnarok), who are also heavily involved in the show. I need to watch the movie, next.
Music
- Lookers by The Menzingers (Apple Music / Spotify)
- Stoned, Alone by Teenage Wrist (Apple Music / Spotify)
- Forrest by The Smith Street Band (Apple Music / Spotify)
- Footsteps at the Pond by La Dispute (Apple Music / Spotify)
- Killing Strangers by Marilyn Manson (Apple Music / Spotify)
- Take On Me by Cap’n Jazz (Apple Music / Spotify)
- Better by Caracara (Apple Music / Spotify)
- 8 Years by Colour Revolt (Apple Music / Spotify)
- You’re Dead by Norma Tanega (Apple Music / Spotify)
Like I did for 2018, I’ve keeping both an Apple Music playlist and Spotify playlist updated that includes all of my favorite new songs from 2019.
Here is the 2018 playlist: Apple Music / Spotify.