Category: Netflix

3 min read

Netflix Science Fiction

Stranger Things

Laura Petrie

September 13, 2016 11:34 pm September 13, 2016

3 min read

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3 min read

Suddenly my social network feeds were filled with people turning their names into a red outline, 1980s-style movie poster. Considering how often a photo or meme goes viral on Facebook,…

Suddenly my social network feeds were filled with people turning their names into a red outline, 1980s-style movie poster. Considering how often a photo or meme goes viral on Facebook, I didn’t think much of it until Netflix sent me an email about a new show they thought I might like.

Stranger Things didn’t immediately catch my attention for more than the obvious ’80s nostalgia. The Goldbergs may have been closest to the renewed interest in recreating the era of Rubik’s Cubes and Sci-Fi, but when I started watching, I really had no clue what it was going to be about. I didn’t even know the genre.

Dungeons and Dragons! I never played as a kid, but I recognized the references in one of the opening scenes between four young boys. Soon enough, I realized that this show was going to be more along the lines of the horror genre than I like. Most of my favorite shows have an element of humor. That may have been what kept me watching: simply the ability to spot ’80s stuff I remember and laugh at the references.

That said, I finished watching this entire first series in two nights. “Okay, so it must be great, right?” It’s great if you’re a fan of The X-Files, Under the Dome, The Goldbergs, and a host of other mystery-filled thrillers, and there’s nothing wrong with that! It’s fun to be reminded of other shows and movies that we loved before.

It’s not a ground-breaking, television-direction-changing program. And that’s okay!

A lot of viewers are constantly on the lookout for a show they can be obsessively re-watch and create a new fandom around, but most often, that’s not the case. What Stranger Things does well is present interesting, sometimes clichéd, but fun characters. I know more than a few people who plan to dress up as a character from the show for Halloween this year.

The setting of the show is fictional Hawkins, Indiana, and it’s the real-life Jackson, Georgia that served as the filming location. Any Indiana native can attest that the trees and shrubberies are sometimes noticeably “not quite Indiana.” There really isn’t an attempt to bring much Indiana into the show. It just really serves as a very “middle of nowhere” location that makes it a little spookier.

My award for Best Series Character goes to Jim Hopper, played by David Harbour. He’s the kind of gruff, Indiana Jones type that really makes this series true to the 1980s.

In summary, I think you should watch it (unless you just can’t stand anything slightly creepy). It seems the first season wrapped up quickly but left room for a continuation that should give you something to look forward to!

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2 min read

Comedy Netflix

Master of None

Laura Petrie

November 7, 2015 4:13 pm November 7, 2015

2 min read

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2 min read

I’m going to make an unusual suggestion: Watch episode 2 of Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang’s “Master of None” first. That’s right, watch the second episode first. It’s titled Parents…

I’m going to make an unusual suggestion: Watch episode 2 of Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang’s “Master of None” first. That’s right, watch the second episode first. It’s titled Parents and I think it gives a better first impression than the season opener. After you watch the second episode, immediately go back to the first episode so you can be sure to get any potential arcs.

Don’t get me wrong, I like what I’ve seen so far and I started with the first episode. But I think the strength really comes in when you see Aziz Ansari’s actual parents play his character’s parents. It’s a rare show that almost made me cry while almost making me laugh. I say almost because I’m a tough critic and I’m excited to see Aziz stretch into a character beyond Tom Haverford.

Next, this proves that I love the casting work by Allison Jones because the chemistry is good from the very beginning. Aziz also has the opportunity to act out some of the themes from his book “Modern Romance” about the role that technology plays in relationships of all kinds.

When a comedy can manage to address social issues, it stretches beyond laughs. This show manages to pull in topics like racism without feeling like a lesson or an attack. That’s genius writing and the credit goes all to Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang according to the credits.

Sure, if your idea of comedy is laugh track and “shut the front door!” language, you might have to bleep a few words here and there, but it’s not excessive and the themes are important enough to ignore any of that. And if you’re in it for a little bit of that Tom Haverford feel, you’ll get it here and there.

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2 min read

Comedy Netflix

Grace and Frankie

Laura Petrie

May 13, 2015 4:46 pm May 13, 2015

2 min read

1914 views

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2 min read

If there is a theme for television in the second decade of the 21st century, it might be “coming out aged.” It is appropriate given that new shows and movies…

If there is a theme for television in the second decade of the 21st century, it might be “coming out aged.” It is appropriate given that new shows and movies are handling the once avoided subjects of aging, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Netflix is making a name for itself as a producer of quality entertainment – not simply a library. Grace and Frankie seems to be the Netflix version of Hulu’s Transparent. In Transparent, Jeffrey Tambor portrays Maura Pfefferman, a man who comes out as transgender late in life and must deal with the family aftermath.

Although Grace and Frankie doesn’t deal with transgender revelation, the story revolves around the secret relationship between Sol Bergstein and Robert Hanson (Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen). They reveal themselves as homosexual to their wives Grace and Frankie (Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin) in the first scene.

The comedy is driven by each family’s reaction to this news that the long-time law partners are now partnered in love as well. Grace and Frankie are as different as Oscar and Felix, which makes their process of healing both entertaining and full of difficult moments. We watch them slowly bond over shared problems and decades of living in the dark.

It would be unfair to say this is a comedy for all ages. To do so would ignore the very real and mature subject matter that is handled so delicately for a comedy. This series requires empathy that can only be obtained with time and experience. The younger range of the audience may benefit most from punchlines that highlight the struggles of aging.

Jane and Lily, born 1937 and 1939 respectively, perform beautifully together alongside Martin and Sam who were both born in 1940. Officially, this makes the actors members of the “Silent Generation” defined as those born between 1925 and 1942 – too young for World War II and not as numerous since their parents’ generation lived through severe financial insecurity and war. Samantha Raphelson described this generation as having “conformist tendencies and belief that following the rules was a sure ticket to success.”

You don’t have to belong to the Silent Generation to appreciate this comedy. Find it on Netflix the next time you need something to cheer you up and give you some perspective.

Four Stars so far with room to grow!

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2 min read

Comedy Netflix

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Laura Petrie

March 28, 2015 4:13 am March 28, 2015

2 min read

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2 min read

Are you missing 30 Rock? Well then you’re in luck! Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is filling that void with more snappy clarinet walking music and musical gags. With exchanges like: “Why…

Are you missing 30 Rock? Well then you’re in luck! Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is filling that void with more snappy clarinet walking music and musical gags. With exchanges like:
“Why is your neck so greasy?”
“I fell asleep eating a hot pocket.”
You’ll feel like Liz Lemon never left television!

The writing is deliriously great…if it were for Liz Lemon. But it’s still pretty great for Kimmy Schmidt. Ellie Kemper as Kimmy is essentially a lighter-brained Liz. And then there’s Jane Krakowski as Jacqueline Voorhees, Kimmy’s boss. It feels like an alternate universe where Jenna Maroney has married money and had her showbiz memory erased by the Men in Black.

There are plenty of guest stars to wait patiently to see: Jon Hamm, Tina Fey, Richard Kind, Dean Norris, Amy Sedaris, Martin Short, Matt Lauer, Nick Kroll, Kiernan Shipka. Someone has a Mad Men fetish!!

The thing about this show is… you have to get through the first few episodes before you buy it. That makes it just like 30 Rock, actually. You really want to see the Ghostbusters homage portrayed Ki Hong Lee as “Dong Nguyen” [start another discussion about stereotyping on CNN because that’s a little too boring for me here].

And you don’t want to miss Richard Kind as Mr. Lefkovitz. If you make it to that episode, you’ll be unable to resist watching the rest of the season. Because by this point, you’ll have no idea why you’re watching, but you’re unable to stop.

It was believable until the moment Martin Short gets punched in the face. Then again with the dolphin. Just wait for it, you’ll understand what I mean. Come back and read this again when you’ve somehow watched the whole season.

I won’t spoil the identity of Richard Wayne Gary Wayne. I won’t do it. I won’t. Won’t. Don’t look at IMDB – it’s better if you don’t know ahead of time.

Watch the trailer and decide for yourself if you want to devote the time to it, but I suggest watching if you were a 30 Rock Fan or you have serious love for Ellie Kemper and guest stars.

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4 min read

Comedy Netflix

Arrested Development

Laura Petrie

November 1, 2014 9:18 pm November 1, 2014

4 min read

1220 views

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4 min read

It may be that you need a very particular sense of humor to truly enjoy Arrested Development. It had a bit of a hard time finding viewers when it premiered…

It may be that you need a very particular sense of humor to truly enjoy Arrested Development. It had a bit of a hard time finding viewers when it premiered on Fox in 2003, but the Internet (and Netflix) have changed everything for shows with niche audiences. That’s why fans were thrilled when Netflix announced it would be carrying the fourth season in 2013 and it was successful enough that a fifth season has been ordered.

Family comedies are often strong because of their ability to remind us of our own siblings, parents, and crazy uncles. You might have a hard time thinking you’ll fall in love with the Bluth family until you have a few episodes under your belt.

The jokes are lasting, but still include some clear political barbs and satire appropriate for 2003. The persistence of small gags make the show better on multiple viewings. Each episode has a plot that rivals those of Seinfeld – with twists and turns where the decisions of characters multiply to often comically intense situations.

Long List of Guest Stars
Amy Poehler, Henry Winkler, Liza Minnelli, Jeff Garlin, Andy Richter, Ed Begley Jr., Kristen Wiig, Charlize Theron, James Lipton, Scott Baio, Ben Stiller, Seth Rogen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Carl Weathers, Ed Helms, John Slattery, Max Winkler, Jane Lynch, Richard Simmons, Jack McBrayer, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Bob Odenkirk, Heather Graham, Justine Batemen, Gary Cole, Judge Reinhold, Rob Riggle, Martin Short, Dan Castellaneta, and Conan O’Brien.

Tony Hale as Buster Bluth
Buster Bluth is the epitome of an adult child. His mild mannerisms and hesitation portrayed by Tony Hale are

David Cross as Tobias Fünke
David Cross as Michael Bluth’s brother-in-law is woefully inept, but passionately and continuously pursues his dream of acting. His role as Lindsay’s husband constantly shifts as well leading to a Mr. Show reunion between David Cross and Bob Odenkirk, who plays brief marriage counselor.

Alia Shawkat as Maeby Fünke
Maeby’s story is perhaps one of the most interesting in the series. She functions in the shadows to create her own successes kept secret from her fumbling family members.

Jeffrey Tambor as George Bluth Sr. and Oscar Bluth
Jeffrey Tambor is known for his ability to play characters who are a bit off-the-wall and his experience is diverse. You can catch him in classics like Taxi, Three’s Company, The Ropers, and Hill Street Blues. He portrays George and Oscar Bluth – brothers who are as different as

Will Arnett as George Oscar Bluth (GOB)
He’s the family magician – who doesn’t have one of those? GOB generally comes up with the most outrageous plans in the family. He’s fiercely competitive with his brother Michael. If you have an older brother, GOB will be familiar to you.

Snoopy
Buried within the show, but not too far below the surface, are several references to Peanuts. There’s no reason to ruin it by calling out each one, but be on the look out for phrases, tunes, and props throughout the series. The show has a habit of developing inspiring inside jokes that recur at just the right moments.

Michael Cera as George Michael Bluth
George Michael is the series’ most grounded character even with his difficulty in dealing with his cousin Maeby. When George Michael gets in trouble, it’s often because he’s trying to either be a good son or appear more attractive to his (possibly not genetically related) cousin.

Jessica Walter as Lucille Bluth
Lucille Bluth is as cold as her children are dysfunctional. Her manners are from a different era of upper class excess and we understand more and more of her motivations as the series progresses. Her position as “horrible mother” is established early and best exemplified by her treatment of son Michael in this mid-season episode.

Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth
Michael tries to prove his place as the brains of the family in the finale of season one. Though he thinks his efforts are the most sane of the family, Michael manages to get in just as much trouble as the rest of his family.

It’s a show that requires an understanding of social and political events to fully appreciate. The humor isn’t lost without that perspective, but it’s enhanced for those who pay attention. It’s dysfunction as its best – we aren’t left feeling sad or conflicted. The trouble they get themselves into is so bizarre that only the most outrageous of families could top it. (See Keeping Up with the Kardashians.)

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