!??~*~*~!!WOW!!~*~*??!
There's nothing I love more than whimsical ambiance paired with a witty script on a cold winter day. Ahhhh.
As I've probably mentioned before, it begins to snow pretty early here due to the fact that we're North as shit, so that means I've been spending a lot of my time indoors. And by indoors I really mean in the fortress of warmth I call my bed, curled up with my brother's iPad, surfing Netflix. If you are in the same boat, the following ranting may be of great help!
There's nothing I love more than whimsical ambiance paired with a witty script on a cold winter day. Ahhhh.
So, without further ado, here are some of my favorite films and shows I've watched this month. Warning: there's a lot.
1. The Imperialists Are Still Alive!
I'm beginning my rant with this film, partly because I loved it so much, and partly because it's the one I've watched most recently. It was featured in the Sundance film festival in 2012, and nominated, that year, for an award in the 'dramatic' category. (It also went on to win two other awards)
(Asya + Javier)
The story is about Asya, a french conceptual artist residing in Manhattan, whose friend goes missing during a conflict in Beirut. As the search goes on and more blood is shed between Israel and Palestine, she becomes paranoid that she's being watched. As all of this is going on (and more, but i don't want to spoil it) she meets a guy named Javier, and they fall in love.
x2
I think what kept me watching this was the way it was shot. The scenes were taken so beautifully, and that contributed to the entire magic this film had to offer. I loved it.
THE DOGS!!! eeeek!
This film is beautiful in so many ways. I can't even begin to explain how much I enjoyed it.
2. Portlandia
Where do I even begin with this show? I mean, I can confidently say it's one of my favorites of all time. Fred and Carrie are fan-fucking-tastic in every sketch. I don't think I've ever watched it without laughing, and let me tell you, I've probably watched every episode of every season 7 or 8 times. I'm obsessed.
"When I was a kid like.. 'you've got great eyes', and it's like.. I'm just a guy"
The amount of work they put into the characters shines through so well. You can really see the personalities of the people in the sketches come from real people, and I really love that.
<3 Jack White makes an appearance <3
I remember I watched the first season on my plane ride here to Alberta when I first moved here. It certainly made it easier, considering I was leaving pretty much my entire life up until my 16th year behind.
'Cacao'
I initially chose to watch it on the plane because I've always been an HUGE fan of SNL, and I noticed that Fred was in this show. I had no idea at the time what it was. And at first I didn't get it. I watched the 'Cacao' sketch and worried that the passengers surrounding me were thinking about how much of a weirdo I am, but as it turns out, their humour matches mine perfectly. Maybe it'll suit yours as well. Nah, I know it will in some way or another.
3. Bill Cunningham New York
This was surely the biggest surprise of mine in the year of 2013. I'd have to credit it for helping me in my decision to pursue fashion. And I'll tell you exactly why.
During this time, fashion is looked at by most as a very superficial thing. There are so many stigmas tied to the industry in regards to model size and branding, and although some of those things may be an actual problem, many of them have begun to overshadow the actual art behind the clothes.
Watching this movie, two things happened.
1) I learned about who Bill is and what it is about him that draws people towards him
2) I also learned about the outlook that is needed to restore that beauty in that which is, I think, one of the greatest art forms of all.
The subtitle says it all.
Seriously, his attitude and dedication is something you only see once in a lifetime. This man is phenomenal. And I shouldn't say just him, because there are many other people in this documentary who are incredible as well.
Shail Upadhya, former UN diplomat from Nepal
It really did change the way I look at fashion as a whole. Just wow.
4. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
I would be lying to you if I said I figured this one out through Netflix. I really didn't, but I did include it because you are able to watch it on there. I actually watched this for the first time in the basement of my best friend Emily's house in eighth grade. Really, we only watched it because her older sister had watched it earlier in the day and we wanted to be cool like her and give it a go. After the first watch, both of us had no idea what we had watched, and instantly deemed it 'stupid and confusing'. Little did we know that it would turn out to be one of both of our favorite films ever.
I won't comment on this, just to keep it mysterious.
I really really don't want to explain the story at all to you, because I would say watching it a few times to fully understand it is part of the beauty of this movie. I don't know if it was just because of how young I was when I first watched it, but it is a little bit confusing at first. I assure you, though, that the storyline is like no other, and it's unexplainably BEAUTIFUL.
5. Dear Lemon Lima
Continuing on with this bashful honestly, I will tell you that I am completely unsure as to what possessed me to click on this movie. I was under the impression that it was a children's movie, judging by the cover photo. But it turned out to be one of the great treasures Netflix has to offer, in my opinion of course.
I wish Fort Mcmurray would get a cute little Ice Cream shack like that^ SO cute!!
The story takes place in a quaint Alaskan town, where a one-sided love story was transpiring. Throughout the film, it shows Vanessa (the main character) writing in her journal about her undeniable love for her ex-boyfriend, Philip. I really liked how the film was set up this way. I found Vanessa to be very relatable because it's common at this age for people to keep journals to find solace during times of confusion and anger.
Backyard bondin'
Vanessa's endeavours to obtain the unattainable love of Philips was partly heartbreaking, but mostly empowering in the way that it shows that it's possible to find strength from within while having all the doubt in the world placed on your shoulders. Plus her and her crew were so badass.
Team FUBAR <3
10/10 for this one, guys.
HER GLASSES. UHhHhhhhggggGggGggggh
Oh, plus!!! The cinematography was so aesthetically pleasing I could've peed myself for 5 straight days. LOVED IT.
6. Save The Date
Here we have yet another Sundance selection. For good reason of course.
This movie was certainly a very pleasant surprise. I wouldn't say I had my doubts, because both Lizzy Caplan and Alison Brie star in this one, but I was a little apprehensive to watch. Once the first song begun though, I knew I was going to fall in love. And I did just that!
This film almost reminded me of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Idk. But staying on topic, I really enjoyed the plot of this movie. It isn't your typical romantic comedy in some ways, but then it is in others, and that's totally wicked in my eyes.
Now before you start scrolling down with the words "CHICK FLICK" repeating over and over in your head, please know that this film is much more than that. It shows so many dimensions of it's main characters, and remains true to human emotion when dealing with tough decisions. **cough cough, like marriage and pregnancy and stuff**
Another great thing about this film is it's soundtrack. I really, really enjoyed the music on this one.
If I could sum this show up in one sentence, or make that question, it would be the following:
WHY WOULD YOU CANCEL SOMETHING THIS FUNNY?!!
Although I'm only a few episodes into the first season, I can tell you this show has had me laughing so hard. I have this dumb curse that when I fall in love with a sit-com, it gets cancelled arbitrarily. Probably not arbitrarily, but that's just what I'll say to make myself feel better.
But, I digress.
I feel like this show is very Whitney Cummings-esque, and I love that because Whitney Cummings comes up with the funniest shit, I swear.
I don't really have much to say about this show other than it's hilarious and I'm dreading getting to the last episode.
This show was recommended to me by so many people, so this past summer I decided to just go for it, and am I ever glad I did. It's certainly one to watch SANS parents, because some of the sex scenes can get a little crazy due to the lack of censoring in british television, but hey! It's not a problem.
One thing I must note is that they do change up the generations/cast members which is such a heartbreak when you first begin to watch the new episodes, but it's so hard not to fall in love with all of the characters over and over again.
What I really admire about this show is that none, and I really mean none of the characters are one dimensional. Each one has a specific set of struggles/strengths and that's exactly what the show thrives on to make it as interesting as it can get. I can't say I've ever been bored while watching this show.
I'm currently stretching out the season 7 follow up episodes as much as I can, because it's yet another series I don't want to end. So good. So good.
This movie was certainly a very pleasant surprise. I wouldn't say I had my doubts, because both Lizzy Caplan and Alison Brie star in this one, but I was a little apprehensive to watch. Once the first song begun though, I knew I was going to fall in love. And I did just that!
Wolfbird man
This film almost reminded me of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Idk. But staying on topic, I really enjoyed the plot of this movie. It isn't your typical romantic comedy in some ways, but then it is in others, and that's totally wicked in my eyes.
!!!!!!
Now before you start scrolling down with the words "CHICK FLICK" repeating over and over in your head, please know that this film is much more than that. It shows so many dimensions of it's main characters, and remains true to human emotion when dealing with tough decisions. **cough cough, like marriage and pregnancy and stuff**
Another great thing about this film is it's soundtrack. I really, really enjoyed the music on this one.
7. Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23
If I could sum this show up in one sentence, or make that question, it would be the following:
WHY WOULD YOU CANCEL SOMETHING THIS FUNNY?!!
The dream team
Although I'm only a few episodes into the first season, I can tell you this show has had me laughing so hard. I have this dumb curse that when I fall in love with a sit-com, it gets cancelled arbitrarily. Probably not arbitrarily, but that's just what I'll say to make myself feel better.
But, I digress.
Chloe is so confident eatin' her yogurt next to the creep-o next door neighbour
I feel like this show is very Whitney Cummings-esque, and I love that because Whitney Cummings comes up with the funniest shit, I swear.
Makin' jam
I don't really have much to say about this show other than it's hilarious and I'm dreading getting to the last episode.
8. Skins (UK)
This show was recommended to me by so many people, so this past summer I decided to just go for it, and am I ever glad I did. It's certainly one to watch SANS parents, because some of the sex scenes can get a little crazy due to the lack of censoring in british television, but hey! It's not a problem.
"oh, wowww.." - Cassie, season 1
One thing I must note is that they do change up the generations/cast members which is such a heartbreak when you first begin to watch the new episodes, but it's so hard not to fall in love with all of the characters over and over again.
Volume 4: Ep. 5 Freddie - will go down in history as THE best episode of anything I've every watched in my life.
What I really admire about this show is that none, and I really mean none of the characters are one dimensional. Each one has a specific set of struggles/strengths and that's exactly what the show thrives on to make it as interesting as it can get. I can't say I've ever been bored while watching this show.
Effy, Skins: Fire
I'm currently stretching out the season 7 follow up episodes as much as I can, because it's yet another series I don't want to end. So good. So good.
9. Like Crazy
HEY LOOK! IT'S ANTON YELCHIN FROM THAT BROKEN BELLS SHORT FILM FOR AFTER THE DISCO! But before that was a thing, this was.
This film is another gem of Netflix. It's a gem because it (again) stays true to actual human emotion. Yes, it's a romance movie, but it's soOoooOOooOoOOOOOOoooOoOOo realistic, and I find that difficult to find in movies these days because they all follow the same kind of pattern rather than one of contemplation and unsureness. I suppose I say that because it doesn't have that typical "everything's looking up/okay/happily ever after" ending that can easily be predicted with films in the same category. AND THERE I GAVE AWAY THE ENDING. Ah well, you don't know what happens unless you've already watched it anyway :) **Spoiler alert?!**
There are so many moments that have my emotions on edge during this film. In a fantastic way, for sure! It's filled with those scenes that you imagine yourself in when you're having a bad day and want to be ultra-cheesy with your actions, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Yes.
WELL, we've reached the end.
I really hope I've persuaded you to give at least one of these a fair go.
If any of you have suggestions as to something(s?!?!) you'd think I'd like to watch, or points to add, please comment below! I'd love to get to know your input as well! :)
Stay cozy, as it's beginning to get chilly out!
As always,
Jaime
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