Hello! Today, I wanted to ask my followers a favor. Can y’all recommend some good movies or shows, preferably on Netflix, Hulu, or Tubi? I’m a big fan of horror (obviously), thrillers, true crime documentaries, and I do enjoy comedies, but not childish/stupid humor – like everything Will Ferrell does.
Most of the newer movies/shows I’ve watched have been garbage, honestly. I’m keeping the hope, though, because I have stumbled across a few gems. It’s difficult when you don’t want to watch something where the writers voice their political opinions and social commentary every ten seconds.
Anyway, leave me your recommendations! Thank you in advance!
I finally did it, y’all! I finally decided to start a music podcast. My sister-in-law has been encouraging me to do this for well over two years now: she says I’d be great at it because I’m so passionate about music.
I posted the idea to my Facebook page, and it was met with enthusiasm and several bands/artists looking to be interviewed. I fully intended to get the ball rolling before now, but technological issues impeded my progress. However, I am fairly certain I should have that sorted soon, and then I can begin scheduling video interviews.
Luckily, I had the chance recently to meet up with Maryland-based metal band Carbonstone and do an in-person interview. They played a show in Alabama and of course I went! As many of you know, I interviewed frontman Corey James for my blog earlier this year, and I reviewed their latest single, “Damaged Like You.”
With Carbonstone was Anoxia vocalist – and Corey’s wife – Chrystal James. She was gracious enough to agree to be interviewed as well!
Having already discussed music pretty thoroughly, I decided to have a little fun with Corey and Chrystal, and Carbonstone guitarist Neely Johns, for this interview. Since I titled my blog (and podcast) “Mostly Music,” we took on topics other than music, such as movies, dessert toppings, and places they would love to visit. But we naturally discussed a few music-related things, too.
The video is going live tonight on my new YouTube channel. For now, that’s the only place it will be. I added subtitles because both Chrystal and I had a couple of instances where we didn’t speak loudly enough, given that we were in a bar and there was a lot of background chatter. I will improve, though! I was just happy that my first in-person interview was with someone I had talked to before. It created a certain level of comfort, and I think that really comes through.
I would love it if y’all would check it out! Consider your viewing of it an early birthday gift. The video will be available at 5:30 p.m. CST.
M3GAN hit theaters back in January (in the U.S. at least), and despite my love of all things horror, I opted not to go see it. Nothing about the previews made this film a must-see for me. It was a story that has been told before, only in a current setting: humans mess with artificial intelligence, are eventually outsmarted by their own creation(s), and are finally forced to destroy said creation(s). Been there, done that, right?
However, not long after its release, I read a review of M3GAN posted by a user on Instagram. She offered what was very solid advice – go into this movie with the understanding that it’s fun and entertaining; do not expect to be scared and don’t hope for a bloodbath. The rating is PG-13, after all.
The plot is simple. After her parents die in an accident, Cady (Violet McGraw) is taken in by her aunt Gemma (Allison Williams). Gemma has no children of her own and struggles to relate to her niece. As a brilliant roboticist, Gemma works for a multi-million dollar toy company, and she uses her talents, and her employer’s funds, to create M3GAN. The doll is designed to be a child’s best friend, to be a companion, to learn and teach and play and protect. But M3GAN’s self-awareness advances faster than expected and she soon surpasses her inventors and takes the command to “protect Cady” too far.
This is nothing the previews didn’t give away, and honestly, that’s it. There is no big twist. You know everything going in. For me, though, that didn’t rob me of any enjoyment.
M3GAN is wholly watchable. I personally felt the final showdown was dragged out a bit too long, and I struggled with Cady’s behavior about halfway in (which was done purposely, I know), but the film was good. There were a few points about parenting made throughout, yet mostly M3GAN was something to get drawn into and escape from reality for a while. I even appreciated the lack of gore: way too many movies try to cover a poor storyline with an exceptional amount of blood and gruesomely violent deaths. M3GAN didn’t need that. There was only one really aggressive, slasher-esque kill, and I loved it more for it being the sole bloody murder.
I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to be entertained. From a horror perspective, no, M3GAN does not stand up to the classics, or other recent releases. I wouldn’t even describe it as creepy, let alone scary…except that having a life-sized “living” doll in my bedroom while I slept would weird me out. Haha. However, for a movie night with a significant other or a group of friends, this should definitely be on your watch-list.
M3GAN is available to stream on certain carriers, and the unrated version has been released on Blu-ray and DVD.
I love everything about this movie, and the feel-good ending just caps a positive watching experience. I especially love Neil finally getting his Oscar Mayer weenie whistle.
I’m not the overly romantic type, so this one’s difficult. But…maybe because I just watched it, or maybe because I’m a bit of a sucker for the bad-boy-turned-Romeo trope, I’m going to choose 10 Things I Hate About You (1999). I don’t know how “in love” they were, as high school kids; however, this movie does get me feeling like I want a cutesy relationship.
Mostly Music 