What I've Watched Lately and What I Have to Say About It

Freaks and Geeks

Status: Finished

My friend (and coworker) Jessica recommended Freaks and Geeks, and I usually enjoy her suggestions for books and shows, so I gave it a whirl. It took about four episodes for me to get into it, but I ended up really liking it! I remember when it was on TV, but I never watched it. Freaks and Geeks aired for only one season in 1999-2000, and then it was canceled. That made me worried that it wouldn't sum up in a satisfactory way, and I might be left hanging, but I was okay with the ending. It turns out, they knew the show was canceled before the end of the season, so they were able to wrap it up accordingly. 

There are a couple of things about the show I wasn't super enthused about - I don't care for James Franco or Seth Rogan, and I really hate teen bullying and casual drinking. Those things exist prominently in this show. But there are some really endearing characters, like little brother Sam and his friend Bill (Bill is my favorite). There are also a lot of actors that appeared in the show before they were stars, so it's fun to watch and see who pops up (Mel from Virgin River and Karen from The Office, who plays a character named... Karen... for example). 

Michael

I got to see Michael with some of my best friends, and we all loved it (some more than others, but for our group, the reviews were positive). Mostly, I wanted to watch Christie watch Michael because Christie is a super fan, but we had weird seats and there was a wall between us, so I had to rely on my old lady ears to hear her reacting on the other side. 

I'm excited for part II. 

The Count of Monte Cristo

Status: Finished

I've never read the book, but I've seen some of the movies (the black and white one and the one with Jim Caviezel), and I love the story. I was so excited when I heard that they were making a mini series in 2024. I just had to wait for it to become available in the states. I looked forward to getting more of the story than a two hour movie can offer.

Watched it. Loved it. I look forward to watching it again in a few years. Maybe with Nicky. 

Lord of the Flies

Status: Unfinished

I've never read Lord of the Flies (it was optional reading in AP English - we got to choose what books we read from an approved list, and I never chose this one), but Daisy is reading it for school currently. I started the series last week, and I don't know if I'll finish it or not. I'm not exactly sucked in to the story, but I love Piggy. And yes, I know.

The Forsytes

Status: Unfinished

After I finished The Count of Monte Cristo, I figured I would take advantage of the Masterpiece add-on on Amazon (which I paid for a month for) and watch some other offerings. I started The Forsytes and, as with Lord of the Flies, moved on to other things. The Forsytes has that Downtown Abbey feel, and it’s pretty clean, but it didn't hook me. Partially because I started reading up on the book series it's based on and discovered how many creative liberties they were taking with the plot, and that kind of bothered me even though I've never read the books. I haven't written it off entirely, but as of now, I haven't become invested in it. 

Unchosen

Status: Finished

I love me some good cult stories, but in the end, this show wasn't so much about a cult as it was about a criminal who infiltrated the cult (it's fictional). I didn't really care for it and don't recommend it. It had some yucky stuff.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

I've read the book, and thought it was just okay, but even if I don't love the book, I still like to see what they do with the movie. I'm always curious. I watched the movie the weekend it was released, and I quite enjoyed it. It's pretty clean - just a couple instances of language. I liked Lewis Pullman in it. I don’t like sea creatures, but I survived.

Trust Me The False Prophet

Speaking of cults...

This documentary series feels kind of like a sequel to Keep Sweet, Pray & Obey. It relays the take down of Sam Bateman, who claimed to be Warren Jeffs' successor in the FLDS sect. There is some strong language and descriptions of sexual abuse.