Thursday, January 27, 2022

Cobra Kai Season 4

Cobra Kai Season 4 (Various, 2022)
Click here for the basics

Rating: DSQ=10, SP=6 / Sweet Treat
Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Karate, Complex Relationships, Bullying, High School


Season 4 is just as tense, infuriating, and surprising as previous seasons. We finally have some cooperation between Johnny and Daniel, but will it last? Are the rivalries finally over? Or are new ones beginning? The father-son relationships (of which there are many) reach a new level, especially for Johnny and Miguel. I also found the dynamic between Robbie and Krease and Silvers, as well as Robbie and his new recruit very interesting. I really think Robbie is the most interesting character in the whole series...this season doesn't disappoint and the constant changes of loyalties, trials, attempts at compromise and apology, etc. continue to come. And it's far from over. 

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

10 Years Ago: A Short List for Snow-bound Viewers

I started this blog in December 2011--now ten years ago! It's hard to believe. I thought that this year I'd do some revisiting to posts I made during that first year. Here's one that included tons of films that fit particular moods.

Originally posted on January 23, 2012:

Feel like watching something to fit a very specific mood? I've compiled a list of not-so-typical categories and matched each with a show or movie that you will hopefully enjoy. Pile the blankets on, brew another cup of tea, and wait for those snow and ice storms to pass!
Animated: Ponyo (Hayao Miyazaki, 2008)
British Comedy: Black Books, seasons 1-3 (Dylan Moran, 2000-2004)
from China: The King of Masks (Tian-Ming Wu, 1997)
with intense Dialogue: My Dinner with Andre (Louis Malle, 1981)
Epic: East of Eden (Elia Kazan, 1955)
Fantasy: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Terry Gilliam, 2009)
with a Group of Guys: Diner (Barry Levinson, 1982)
Historical: The Way We Live Now, miniseries (David Yates, 2001)
Illuminating/Inspiring: Water (Deepa Mehta, 2005)
with a Journey: The Motorcycle Diaries (Walter Salles, 2004)
with a King: The Tudors, seasons 1-4 (Michael Hirst, 2007-2010)
with a Love Story: Lovers of the Arctic Circle (Julio Medem, 1998)
from Mexico: Like Water for Chocolate (Alfonso Arau, 1992)
about Nature: Life in the Undergrowth, miniseries (David Attenborough, 2005)
Outlandish: Monty Python's Life of Brian (Terry Jones, 1979)
Psychological Thriller: Gaslight (George Cukor, 1944)
Quiet: Babies (Thomas Balmes, 2010)
Rebellion: The Wild One (Laslo Benedek, 1953)
about a Sleuth: Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, seasons 1-4 (John Bowen & David Cook, 1996-1998)
Tear-jerker: Biutiful (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 2010)
Understated Classic: The Last Picture Show (Peter Bogdanovich, 1971)
Vivid Imagery: Raise the Red Lantern (Yimou Zhang, 1991)
Whimsical: Antonia's Line (Marlene Gorris, 1995)
eXhilarating: Man on Wire (James Marsh, 2008)
about Youth: My Life as a Dog (Lasse Hallstrom, 1985)
Zany: Micmacs (Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2009)
If you ever want a specific recommendation or personal suggestion, send me a message. Eventually, I hope to create a little interactive quiz/questionnaire to do this- keep on the lookout!

Monday, January 3, 2022

Happy 2022!

Happy 2022, everyone! This last year was another surreal one, full of ups and downs. This year was spent mostly watching Star Wars shows, Marvel Cinematic Universe, and returning to some old favorites. Probably my favorite film I saw this year was Dune, favorite show was Star Wars: Rebels.

Other highlights were marathoning Star Wars: Clone Wars, weekly viewings of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, watching every Marvel film made so far plus Loki--such a great show!--and being inspired by Nomadland. It was also fun to go to a few Rifftrax: Live shows in the theater.

I'm hoping to keep watching new and old films in 2022 and make a few more themed lists for everyone. I never did actually make my list of 25 under-appreciated films, but I am working on re-watching all of Jean Pierre-Jeunet's films. Look for that soon!

Best wishes!