TV Show:
Hit & Miss. Mia is a pre-op transsexual contract killer with a weakness for saving people. Her life is interrupted when her former lover dies and she is named guardian of the four children, including her son. Each jarring episode reveals the Mia's inner torment as she tries to manage her role as professional assassin, caretaker, and love interest of a handsome local. Another superb British import. It's a crying shame that they did not make a second seson.Movie:
Hot Coffee. This eye-opening documentary explores the "hot coffee lawsuit" of the 90s and how it became the butt of late-night comic jokes and deemed frivolous in the court of public opinion. The film deconstructs why McDonald's invested heaps of money into the PR spin machine to sway public opinion and how we are now living with the results of the aggressive tort reform campaign led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, namely damage caps and and indemnification of doctors from malpractice suits in some states.
Call the Midwife. The BBC know knows to do drama! What other network could turn the routines of childbirth into primetime gold? The show is based on the memoirs of a plucky young British woman as she learns the midwifery ropes in a convent in London's rough East End. It's the 1950s and England has just enacted a national welfare system, so now the poor have access to medical care. The midwives deliver baby after baby under some dire circumstances and consult with doctors on an as needed basis. Make no mistake, the midwives were in charge.
The Oder of the Myths. Damon loves to tell me that his hometown Mobile, AL is the birthplace of Mardi Gras. This centuries old revelry also remains a mysteriously segregated event. This documentary explores the history and socioeconomic constructs that continue to keep the white and black Mardi Gras balls and parades separate. It seems both groups like it that way. The scenes to watch are of the white debutante who returns home to participate in the court. She brings her liberal boyfriend. He express discomfort at first, but watch how quickly he adapts to attending all-white events where the only black people in attendance are the entertainment and catering staff.
Orange Is the New Black.Netflix hits it out of the ballpark (or the prison yard) with this dramedy based on the memoir of a newly-engaged NYC WASP who is sent to a federal prison where must quickly learn to adapt to prison culture. She is a fish out of water living in a fishbowl, which makes for great laughs and some serious reflection on the humanity of inmates. I was hesitant to recommend this show because of it's graphic sexual content and language. But I decided that would be akin to self-censorship, so here is my disclaimer: this is not a show for the easily-offended or prudish.
Safety Not Guaranteed.This move defies classification into typical film genres. It's sort of a romantic comedy if you consider a pair of social outcasts falling in love to be romantic. It's sort of a thriller if you consider a band of misfit journalists investigating a time-traveling weirdo to be thrilling. Basically you have to be an oddball to appreciate this movie. I am and I did. It's whacky funny!
The Details. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great. That's a shame for a film jam packed with acclaimed actors. Tobey Maguire's quivering lips and marble-sized tears (ever notice how huge his tear drops are when he cries on camera?!) plays a douche-bag husband who commits a series of transgressions that ruins several lives. It's supposed to be a dark comedy, but I found it to be more disturbing than twisted funny.
Supernatural. I have been plotting my summer television marathons and this show wasn't on my list until Damon played an episode one night. I became an instant fan! It's part X-files, part Hardy Boys with a pinch of Vampire Slayer. What's not to like about two achingly gorgeous brothers who kick paranormal butt?!
Bernie. A dark, funny, and ultimately sweet story about a popular funeral director in Northeast Texas who is put on trial for the murder of a wealthy and unpopular widower. The story is so hokey that you wouldn't buy it if wasn't based on a real story. The casting is what sells it. Jack Black immerses himself in the titular character, Shirley MacClaine gives weight to the role of acerbic Southern widower, and Matthew McConaughey is a hoot as the DA prosecuting Bernie in a town full of potential jurors sympathetic to the defendant.
Family Ties. I grew up on Family Ties, but watching it as an adult has given me a new appreciation for this sweet classic family comedy about two former hippies who settle down, get "respectable jobs," and raise three kids in middle class comfort. As a kid I remember being in awe by the family dynamics. The parents' affection for each other and loving, but firm, way with their children made me wish to be adopted by them. And, I loved the playful banter/fights between the siblings. Now I get the wisecracks by their card-carrying Republican son Alex P. Keaton! The networks don't make wholesome television like this anymore, but they should.
The Queen of Versailles.If you've ever wondered how the 1% lives you might not like what you see in this documentary about a time-share mogul, his trophy wife and their heirs. The family has not escaped the economic crisis of 2008, and Mr. Siegel is clawing tooth-and-nail to hold onto his empire and a 50,000 sq. ft. replica of the Palace of Versailles that is still under construction and mortgaged to the hilt. In the face of financial ruin Mrs. Siegel, a former beauty queen from humble beginnings, comes off surprisingly human even when she is pulling up to the drive thru in a chauffeured limo. It's worth watching to see if the bankrupt billionaire can make a Donald Trump-style comeback.
Death Vallley. This is another Damon discovery. The Los Angeles police department assigns a special "Undead Task Force" to rid the San Fernando Valley of vampires, zombies and werewolves, but these monsters lust for more than your blood and brains (think about what the Valley is famous for exporting) and the cops have their own documentary film crew to capture their hilarious incompetence. It's like watching The Walking Dead crossed with Reno 911.
Mirror Mirror. This modern update of the Snow White fairy tale was released around the same time as Snow White and The Huntsman, but they are completely different movies. This is a comedic revisionist take on the storybook classic. I think the writers were shooting for wink-wink tongue-in-cheek humor more so than belly laughs. The opulent costumes and set designs recall the Capitol lifestyle of The Hunger Games, all which leads me to believe that the movie is really a satirical love letter on Hollywood's obsession with youth, beauty, fashion and the money that buys it. Julia Roberts put just the right amount of wicked and funny in the Evil Queen, but she isn't believable as an aging beauty queen desperate to hold onto her title. Noteworthy performances by The Prince and the Seven Dwarfs round out a cast of crazy characters. Overall, I found the movie quite charming.
Once Upon A Time. Damon clued me into this fantasy series on ABC and it wasn't hard to get addicted. I am a fan of modern twists on classic fairy tales and this show does not disappoint. The concept is so simple and clever that it's genius...take your favorite storybook characters, give them a case of wicked amnesia, and plop them in a sleepy 21st century New England town controlled by The Evil Queen? It has cast a spell on me!
30 for 30: Marion Jones: Press Pause. ESPN produces a series of sports documentaries that chronicle some of the most dramatic athletic stories in the past 30 years. Being a devout track fan, I felt compelled to watch this film about the disgraced Olympic star because I was curious about what happened to her. Guest Director John Singleton is unflinching but compassionate in his portrayal of Marion. He digs into the scandal, but mostly focuses on her road to redemption. Marion is a wife, mother of three, churchgoer, motivational speaker and surprisingly still an athlete.
How to Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying). A nifty 1967 film based on a popular book
Marley. This Bob Marley documentary charts his life from its origins, to his rise as a legendary Reggae artist and peace ambassador, to his untimely death at age 36. In-depth interviews with family, friends and collaborators spliced with concert performances and footage of the man himself paint a colorful picture. It's a complete and emotionally honest story (hearing his wife and mistress talk about how they jointly cared for him in his finally days was kind of weird, but it's obvious that they both loved him). The most touching parts were his children speaking about growing up with a larger-than-life father who was gone a lot and then losing him. I was left wondering what the world would be like if he had lived.
Ralphie May: Austin-tatious. Do you remember the reality competition program Last Comic Standing? I forgot about it too until I saw Ralphie May's comedy special in my Netflix library. He was runner-up on the first season. You know how so they say it's better not to win the talent show? So true in Ralphie's case. I thought he was the funniest guy on that competition stage and he proves just how gut-busting hilarious he is in this comedy special. He rifts on everything from his pregnant wife to the ghost of Anna Nicole Smith. I couldn't help but do a spit take when he explained how he got away with naming his newborn daughter April June May. Heads up: his humor is off-color.
Drop Dead Diva. I fell for this show after watching Season 1 on Netflix, but I could never catch it on TV. Now Seasons 2 and 3 are available to watch instantly. I gobbled them up in a few days. The show continues where it left off with the spirit of deceased model Deb Dobkins now living in the body of voluptuous super attorney-at-law Jane Bingham. Jane is the magnetic glitter glue that pulls the show together and she is both funny and charming. Each episode centers around eccentric court cases that serve as metaphors for the real-life struggles of the lawyers of the Harrison|Parker firm. It is comedy and drama, this is my kind of show!
Take Me Home Tonight. This comedy throwback to the rockin' 80s stars two of my favorite comedic actors Topher Grace (Matt Franklin) and Anna Faris (Wendy Franklin) as fraternal twins who are trying to figure out their next steps post-college. Matt decides to spend the last weekend of summer pursuing his high school crush and pulls some crazy stunts in an effort to woo her. The movie is kind of cliche, but has some winning moments. The music, lingo, and wardrobe are spot-on (Aquanet, gangster rap, and popped collars on pastel Polo shirts are prominently featured), but these nostalgic prop devices only made me wish the filmmakers paid more attention to the story and jokes than to getting the soundtrack right because this movie could have been epic funny (see: The Wedding Singer as a good example).
Saturday Night Live: The 2010s. After I became a mom in 2009 it became impossible to stay up late to watch SNL, now I can catch up thanks to Netflix. The only downside is they cut out the musical performances (licensing?). The 2010 season kicks off with Amy Poehler returning as the guest host. It's no secret that the show usually goes through a decline after it loses major cast members, but this season is different. For the premiere, SNL trots out tons of former alumni who pass the torch to Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis and Kristen Wiig. Then there is the promising new cast, especially Jay Pharoah and his spot-on impersonations of Will Smith and Denzel Washington and Vanessa Bayer and her "Miley Cyrus Show." Funny times are ahead!
Melancholia. The movie opens with an extended visual prologue that feels like watching an impressionist painting come to life in slow motion. It's very visually arresting. This film is about two planets on a collision course and two sisters who handle the impending doom in opposing ways. Claire is the responsible older sister and Justine is the tortured younger sister who self-destructs on her wedding day. The movie made a splash at Cannes last year for the wrong reasons after director Lars Von Trier was thrown out for making comments sympathizing with Hitler (that's illegal in France). 
Mad Men. Quiana over at 
No Strings Attached. Two words: skip. it.
Saved by the Bell. I spent my entire junior high years parked in front of the TV on Saturday morning to watch this show. Viewing it as an adult is even better. I can truly recognize it's brilliance. They way they position the archetypes: Zack, Mr. Popular; A.C. Slater, The Jock; Kelly, The Beauty; Lisa, The Fashion Plate/Gossip; Jessie, The Brain; and Screech, the Lovable Nerd and the teen issues they tackled were really groundbreaking. The show stayed fresh, even when some of the cast returned as 5th year seniors, I kept watching. 
Being Elmo.I recently listened to a NPR interview with Elmo creator/puppeteer Kevin Clash and was captivated by his story. I immediately searched my Netflix library for his documentary film and was thrilled that it was available. This heartwarming movie retraces Kevin's journey from a 10-year-old boy in suburban Baltimore who decides he wants to be a professional puppeteer to working with his idol Jim Henson to his fateful union with Elmo. 
