Media Favorites Vol. 5
Monday, June 16, 2014
F I L M
Short Term 12 (2013)
Man, I was ugly crying through out this movie. From watching the trailer, I thought it was gonna be another "white savior" type of film like
Freedom Writers. I was preparing to roll my eyes, but this was not the case. The acting from the teenagers were so impressive. And the way they filmed came off really raw and authentic on screen. "Damn. How is that even Brie Larson?" - is the question that popped into my head.
The Station Agent (2003)
Just a fantastic tale about an unlikely friendship, and the struggles and insight from being a little person. You really start to gain some perspective, and see the bullshit that little people go through, from just doing mundane things like grocery shopping. The three main characters have opposing personalities from one another, and somehow they form a bizarre (love) triangle. Peter Dinklage for all the awards!
Days of Heaven (1978)
Stunning cinematography. You can pause the film at any given moment, and that still frame can be a beautiful photograph. A lot of the set and visuals were inspired by one of my favorite painters, Edward Hopper.
Electrick Children (2013)
I have a thing for coming of age, independent movies. An extra bonus point if a Culkin is in it.
T E L E V I S I O N
Playing House
I wasn't initially interested in the concept and surface of this show, until I saw them doing an interview for Joan Rivers' YouTube show "In Bed With Joan", and they were both hilarious and quick with the snappy comments, so I gave this show a shot. And by the second episode, I was hooked. For USA's (the network) first comedy, they brought in so many great writers from shows like SNL, 30 Rock, the Office, the League, etc. While the story line is totally cheesy, the jokes are solid and balance each other pretty well. It definitely gives off the same vibes as Happy Endings did.
Broad City
Parallels with Playing House, but geared towards a younger, urban crowd. This show feels fresh and exciting.
Silicon Valley
I think I may like this show only because I can relate to the ~tech culture~, since my major is filled with people like the characters in this show. I swear to God, if I have to hear another, "Yeah, so I'm creating and app." But I think this show will also appeal to those who aren't in with the tech. lingo. After all, the creator is Mike Judge, the king of "bro humor".
Grand Designs
Okay, I know I'm super late to the Grand Designs train, and that this show has been on for more than a decade, BUT holy shit! It always amazes me that in every episode, Kevin McCloud looks so young, and then at the end of the episode, his hair is gray. I feel like this is the first show that really follows up on a project, and documents the process, all to compress years of footage into one measly episode. My favorite episodes are ones where the owner builds the house himself with his friends, and uses ~sustainable, eco-friendly shit like clay and hay, but somehow the house turns out super modern and cool.
O N L I N E
Tom Explores Los Angeles
Labels: broad city, days of heaven, electrick children, Film, grand designs, Media Favorites, playing house, short term 12, the station agent
Media Favorites Vol. 5
POSTED ON Monday, June 16, 2014 AT 1:43 AM \\
F I L M
Short Term 12 (2013)
Man, I was ugly crying through out this movie. From watching the trailer, I thought it was gonna be another "white savior" type of film like
Freedom Writers. I was preparing to roll my eyes, but this was not the case. The acting from the teenagers were so impressive. And the way they filmed came off really raw and authentic on screen. "Damn. How is that even Brie Larson?" - is the question that popped into my head.
The Station Agent (2003)
Just a fantastic tale about an unlikely friendship, and the struggles and insight from being a little person. You really start to gain some perspective, and see the bullshit that little people go through, from just doing mundane things like grocery shopping. The three main characters have opposing personalities from one another, and somehow they form a bizarre (love) triangle. Peter Dinklage for all the awards!
Days of Heaven (1978)
Stunning cinematography. You can pause the film at any given moment, and that still frame can be a beautiful photograph. A lot of the set and visuals were inspired by one of my favorite painters, Edward Hopper.
Electrick Children (2013)
I have a thing for coming of age, independent movies. An extra bonus point if a Culkin is in it.
T E L E V I S I O N
Playing House
I wasn't initially interested in the concept and surface of this show, until I saw them doing an interview for Joan Rivers' YouTube show "In Bed With Joan", and they were both hilarious and quick with the snappy comments, so I gave this show a shot. And by the second episode, I was hooked. For USA's (the network) first comedy, they brought in so many great writers from shows like SNL, 30 Rock, the Office, the League, etc. While the story line is totally cheesy, the jokes are solid and balance each other pretty well. It definitely gives off the same vibes as Happy Endings did.
Broad City
Parallels with Playing House, but geared towards a younger, urban crowd. This show feels fresh and exciting.
Silicon Valley
I think I may like this show only because I can relate to the ~tech culture~, since my major is filled with people like the characters in this show. I swear to God, if I have to hear another, "Yeah, so I'm creating and app." But I think this show will also appeal to those who aren't in with the tech. lingo. After all, the creator is Mike Judge, the king of "bro humor".
Grand Designs
Okay, I know I'm super late to the Grand Designs train, and that this show has been on for more than a decade, BUT holy shit! It always amazes me that in every episode, Kevin McCloud looks so young, and then at the end of the episode, his hair is gray. I feel like this is the first show that really follows up on a project, and documents the process, all to compress years of footage into one measly episode. My favorite episodes are ones where the owner builds the house himself with his friends, and uses ~sustainable, eco-friendly shit like clay and hay, but somehow the house turns out super modern and cool.
O N L I N E
Tom Explores Los Angeles
Labels: broad city, days of heaven, electrick children, Film, grand designs, Media Favorites, playing house, short term 12, the station agent
