Spies, Space Oddities, and Televangelists Gone Wild
~ my media diet ~
Sometimes choosing what to watch feels like navigating a minefield of remote control buttons. You scroll endlessly, trailers blur together, and before you know it, it's 3 am and you've somehow ended up watching competitive pigeon racing documentaries (don't judge, those birds are SERIOUS athletes).
Joining the Slow Lane (Three Seasons Late)
My current media diet is a glorious mess, a chaotic buffet of genres that would leave any die-hard cinephile scratching their head. First up, I'm three seasons late to the party with "Slow Horses." Apparently, the world of disgraced MI5 agents relegated to paperwork purgatory is FASCINATING. Who knew the most thrilling part of espionage could be arguing over stapler preferences? The struggle is real, though. Here I am, desperately trying to avoid spoilers online while simultaneously fumbling to explain to my friends why I haven't seen a single episode yet. It's a constant dance – one wrong click and BAM! I know Gary ends up knitting a sweater for Jackson (or was it the other way around?).
Blasting Off with Dark Matter (and Deja Vu)
Next on the menu, we have Apple TV's sci-fi offering, "Dark Matter." Now, full disclosure, the whole parallel universe thing feels a bit like déjà vu after watching "Counterpart" (excellent show, highly recommend). But hey, who can resist a good multiverse story, especially when it involves a grumpy physicist and a whole lot of interdimensional confusion? Here's the thing: I can't decide if this is a sign of my deteriorating memory or just Hollywood's obsession with alternate realities. Maybe I'll rewatch "Back to the Future" next and see if it all starts making sense.
Loudermilk: The Patron Saint of Sarcasm (and Possibly Questionable Life Choices)
Craving some dark humor after all that sci-fi? Look no further than "Loudermilk." This show is the gloriously cynical love child of "The Big Lebowski" and a particularly bad hangover. Our protagonist, Loudermilk, is a recovering alcoholic with a heart of, well, something not exactly gold, but maybe a slightly tarnished silver. Admitedly his life choices wouldn't win him Father of the Year, but his deadpan delivery and disdain for pretty much everything make for some seriously funny moments. Plus, there's a surprising amount of heart buried beneath all that sarcasm.
The Righteous Gemstones: A Televangelist Smackdown (Served with a Side of Absurdity)
Finally, to cleanse my palate from Loudermilk's existential angst, I delve into the world of televangelism with "The Righteous Gemstones." This show takes everything ridiculous about megachurches and cranks it up to eleven. Televangelists with water parks? Check. Holy roller revivals that leave people speaking in tongues (of questionable origin)? Absolutely. Danny McBride is a comedic genius, and his portrayal of the morally flexible televangelist heir, Jesse Gemstone, is pure comedic gold. It's a hilarious takedown of religious hypocrisy, wrapped in a glittery, rhinestone-encrusted package.
Speaking of brilliance, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my ongoing obsession with "Wolf Hall."
This historical drama is a masterclass in storytelling and acting. Mark Rylance's portrayal of Thomas Cromwell is simply phenomenal – the man oozes cunning ambition and a quiet intensity that keeps me glued to the screen. Every rewatch feels like revisiting a meticulously crafted tapestry, where the rise of Cromwell unfolds with both elegance and brutality. It's a show that deserves a permanent spot on any history buff or acting aficionado's watchlist.
So there you have it, folks - a glimpse into my current media diet. It's a bit all over the place, but hey, that's the beauty of streaming services, right? You can have your James Bond-wannabes drowning in paperwork one minute, and be laughing at televangelists with questionable dance moves the next. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with Gary (or Jackson?) and their thrilling world of stapler-based espionage.
P.S. For those seeking more recommendations, I'd also like to give a shoutout to some honourable mentions that have recently caught my eye: "Outer Range," a neo-Western with a touch of mystery, time-travel, mind bending stuff; "The Tourist," a suspenseful thriller with a charmingly confused lead; and "Sugar" (a neo-noir detective story with Colin Farrell, because, well, Colin Farrell).