February Wrap-Up: T.V, Movies, Books, and More

Life

February has been busy for me. The long-term substitute job I had lined up started about five weeks earlier than I had expected it too, so I have been a bit scrambled. That also means that my February reading plans did not happen, as I found myself without a lot of reading time. However, I did manage to read and watch a few things this month, that I wanted to tell you about. I'm going to to try to stick to two posts a week during this new teaching job, but we will see what I can get done. 

T.V. and Movies

I've been in the mood for documentaries lately, so I started the month off with Paris is Burning which is a documentary made in 1990 about the Drag Queen scene in Harlem New York. I found this one really interesting, as I didn't know anything about the 90s drag scene. The documentary interviews various frequenters of the club Paris is Burning, and interviews them about their life inside and out of the nightclub. I found it fascinating to see that a lot of the slang that black drag queens had invented is coming back in style, and that they are responsible for a lot of cultural elements that they are not given credit for. This documentary is both series and funny, and I really enjoyed watching it. 

The second documentary I watched this month was Finding Vivian Maier. This one reminded me of Packed in a Trunk, which I loved, as they both centered around an undiscovered woman artist. This was is about a nanny who was a secret street photographer and took hundreds of thousands of photos in her lifetime. I really loved this one as it was a dynamic look at her art and her life, and was so engrossing. The photos Vivian Maier took are absolutely stunning, and you can see some of them on the website dedicated to her art here.  

My mom and I devoured the Queer Eye for a Straight Guy reboot in a matter of two days this month! I LOVE this show! The new fab five is so sweet and funny, and this show has so much heart. It's so much more than a makeover show. It's about human connection and understanding and doesn't shy away from current social topics. This show had me tearing up from emotion and laughter, and I hope there is a million more seasons! 

I really loved Black Panther and I was glad to see that it lived up to the hype! The Afro-futurism setting was super cool; everyone in this movie is so beautiful; and it had more interesting female characters in it than all of the other marvel movies combined. I'm excited to see where this franchise goes, and I'm hoping that Marvel keeps delivering movies like this with complex and diverse characters. 

Books 

 

A Wrinkle in Time- 4/5 stars- This was a first-time read for me, and I really enjoyed it. I'm really looking forward to this movie!
Mary's Monster-5/5 stars- This book was gorgeous! It's an illustrated biography of Mary Shelley and the art is breathtaking. 

 

My Life on the Road-5/5 stars- This was my first read of Steinem's work, and I really loved it. The writing is great and her experiences and knowledge of our society are so vast and intricate. She has really inspired me to concentrate on listening even more than I was before reading this novel.

This Darkness Mine- 3.5/5 stars- This book was a wild ride in true Mindy McGinnis style. This book was addicting and dark and cemented McGinnis' place on my auto-read list.

Posts to Check Out

Ten Books That Made a Romance Skeptic Swoon (this one goes all

the way back to my teenage reading years)

Poetry Spotlight: Black History Month

Stay tuned for some Women's History Month themed posts in March! 

January Wrap-Up: T.V. Books and Movies

I had a really great month of consuming! Here's a quick look at what I read and watched this month.

T.V and Movies

I watched the first season of Glow on Netflix in two days. It's been in my list since it came out, and I was just craving a new show to binge and started it on a whim. I really, really liked it! It was funny, smart, and full of beautiful 80s leotards. I loved the majority female cast, and the concept of female wrestling. I really liked Alison Brie in Mad Men and loved seeing her in a leading role. I'm really exited for season two. I recommend checking this one out if you're looking for a quick and entertaining watch.

This was my first time watching this 80s cult classic and I loved it! If you've been here before, you know that I LOVE a well-done satire, and that's exactly what this is! This was a super smart and hilarious satire of the typical 'teen-movie.' Winona Ryder is brilliant of course, and I'm already itching to watch this one again! If you have ever watched a typical teen-movie, you'll love how this one pokes fun at them. It also holds up extremely well, as teen-movies haven't changed much in the past thirty years. This one is on Netflix U.S.  

Carol has been on my to-watch list since the Oscars last year, and it finally came to Netflix. This was a quiet but powerful movie, and I have a feeling that the book it is based on is even better; it was immediately added to my TBR after finishing the movie. This movie is beautiful to look at, and both Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett give great performances. This would make a great Valentine's Day watch.  

I LOVE Robert Redford (who doesn't?) so I always pick up his movies when I see them out and about. I love 'classic' and older movies and have a pretty large collection of them. This is one that I bought during the summer last year and then never watched, so I figured it was about time. This movie was a lot more than I expected it to be. Streisand's character was so interesting and the ending was a lot different than I expected. This isn't your typical romance movie, and it has a lot to say about love and compromise. 

Books 

I had a really great reading month in January too! I read six books, and really enjoyed them all. I would love to keep up this pace for February, as I want to concentrate on reading the books on my shelves. In January, 4/6 books I read came from the library, which is great, but doesn't help me reduce my physical TBR. 

Bird Box. Josh Malerman-- 3.5/5 REVIEW

The Miniaturist, Jesse Burton-- 4/5 REVIEW

Weave a Circle Around, Kari Maaren-- 3/5 REVIEW

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers who Changed the World, Rachel Ignotofsky-- 4/5 REVIEW

The Art of the Affair, Catherine Lacey and Forsyth Harmon-- 3/5 Quick thoughts: I don't think I'm going to officially review this one on the blog because I don't have that much to say. This is a small coffee table book that chronicles the connections (romantic and otherwise) between famous people of the 20th century. The layout was a bit confusing at times, and a lot of the information was scattered. I didn't know a lot of the people in this book, which made it less interesting at times, but I loved the art and it introduced me to some new super interesting people. It's worth checking it out from the library or browsing through at the bookstore.  

All the Crooked Saints, Maggie Stiefvater-- 3.5/5 REVIEW: to come

I Also Posted...

Some 2018 Intentions

TBR Spotlight: Books Set in Africa

Under the Radar 2018 Releases

Updated Women Writers List TBR

Hope you had a great January and good luck on your February goals and plans! You can see what I plan to read in February here!

I JUST FINISHED THE ORIGINAL RUN OF THE X-FILES (and now I don't know what to do with my life)

Ahh! I've been watching X-Files since this past winter and I have finally finished all 202 episodes (and one film) in the original nine seasons! The first seven seasons of this show is the best T.V. I have ever seen! I was so consumed by this show and I loved every minute of it. If you haven't watched, please, please do. This post won't contain any spoilers, but it will contain a list of reasons why you should dedicate almost two hundred hours of your life to this show.

1. Scully is my hero.

Scully is the leading lady I have been searching for all of my life. She is tough, smart, dedicated to her job (and good at it), fierce, kind, and loyal. She is a pioneer for both women in science and the FBI, both male dominate fields, and she doesn't take crap from anyone. Her relationship and chemistry with Mulder makes the show, and the two of them have become my favorite T.V. characters ever. I would follow Scully anywhere. Side not: Gillian Anderson ages so beautifully over the nine seasons. 

Despite Scully's strong, leading role, there is no denying the differences in her character and Mulder's because of gender. You see this in the lack of romance or love-life for her character, as opposed to Mulder's flirtations and flings, and it is symbolically represented by her lack of desk and office. 

2. This show is so funny and self-aware.

The satire episodes are some of my favorites. I love that this show totally creeped me out and made me crack up, sometimes all within the same episode! Most of the episodes in my favorite episodes list below are the self-aware, satirical ones! I don't think this show would be as brilliant as it is without these episodes. 

3. Mulder is beautiful. 

Enough said there.

4. The themes reach far beyond government conspiracies. 

I love that this show tackles government conspiracies in a way that only a 90s show can, but it also deals with so much more. I loved that Scully's skepticism with the supernatural was mirrored with her skepticism and acceptance of her religious faith. I loved how the show reversed Mulder and Scully within the roles of believer and skeptic, and Mulder's journey for the truth and what the concept of truth really means. 

A Sampling of my favorite episodes:

Season 1 Episode 1: The Pilot (one of the best episodes of T.V. I have ever watched)

Season 3 Episode 4: Clyde Bruckman 

Season 3 Episode 13: Syzygy (Sure. Fine. Whatever.)

Season 3 Episode 20: Jose Chung From Outer Space

Season 5 Episode 12: Bad Blood

Season 6 Episodes 4 and 5: Dreamland Part 1 and 2

Season 6 Episode 6: How the Ghost Stole Christmas 

Season 6 Episode 15 Arcadia 

Season 7 Episode 13: X-Cops 

I already have a huge craving to rewatch the first seven seasons of this show, and I'm so sad that I have watched them all! I'm cheering myself up by reminding myself I have season X to watch yet, and soon there will also be a season 11. I have lower expectations for the reboot but I still think I will enjoy it. Have you watched the reboot yet? What did you think?

I can officially say this is my all-time favorite T.V. show and I'm so glad I finally made the commitment to watch it. It's so worth the time investment! I will now be forever trying to fill the X-Files sized hole in my T.V. watching soul. 

Need Something to Watch? Try This!

I've been wanting to write up a post about what I have been watching and loving recently on Netflix, but haven't gotten around to it. In the past half-year or so, I've watched a lot of things that I want to recommend to other people, but I thought I would just highlight a couple today in this post. As always, my to-watch list is a mile long, but I'm really into supernatural T.V. shows right now (the older the better) so leave me your recommendations if you have some!

Twin Peaks

I have recently rewatched the original Twin Peaks in preparation for the reboot with my brother who had never seen the show. (I haven't started the reboot yet, so no spoilers please!) This show took over my life the first time I watched it, which was this past winter right around the end of the semester. I finished the whole series in about four days and was floored by the supernatural scenes. This show is so interesting and was groundbreaking for 1990 when it first aired. If you are unfamiliar, it is part soap-opera parody part supernatural thriller and entertaining as all get out. If you haven't watched this yet, it's a must. The juxtaposition of the soap-opera drama with David Lynch's dream-logic supernatural scenes are so jarring in the best way possible. I'll never forget the first time I watched the second episode in the series and experienced the Black Lodge; I was floored. This show really started my obsession with old supernatural T.V. shows, and now that's all I want to watch. This show is funny, over-the-top dramatic, and creepy. It's a must watch. 

The Crown

 

The Netflix original The Crown about Queen Elizabeth II took over my life last semester as well. This show had a HUGE budget, and it really shows. I loved the cast chosen for each part and the drama. I'm a history minor, so I love a good historical drama and this one delivered! I flew through this season and then immediately Googled when to expect season two. I discovered that they will cast new cast members to play the cast as they age on the show, which I think is a brilliant idea, and I'm eager to see how it turns out. I'll definitely be rewatching the first season before the second one comes out. This show left me in the mood to read all of the historical biographies and historical fiction on my shelves. 

The Keepers

*TW: SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE*

The Keepers is a multiple part true-crime documentary made for Netflix revolving around the decades old murder of a nun turned public school teacher. My mom and I have been watching a lot of true-crime documentaries lately, and when this one came out, we decided to start it on a whim. All I can say about this one is WOW. This documentary deals with a lot of very heavy and heartbreaking topics, including sexual and physical abuse within the Catholic Church. This was so heart breaking to watch, but so worth it. There are so many fearless and strong women in this series. While I didn't enjoy this in the traditional sense of a light T.V. show, it was such a powerful and engaging watch. I highly recommend this one, just be ready for some tears and anger. 

Packed in a Trunk 

This lovely documentary was discovered on a whim by my mom, and I'm so glad she discovered it. It's about a woman's search to understand the life story of her great-aunt, Edith Lake, who was an amazing artist before she was institutionalized in her early 50s. This documentary has smart and witty real-life women, amazing art, history, and the discovery of forgotten female artists; is there anything else you could ask for? This is a hidden gem that I highly recommend you check out. It will leave you feeling inspired and determined. 

What have you been watching lately? Any good old Sci-fi to recommend?  

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten T.V. Shows in my Netflix Que

My Netflix Que is so full right now. I sometimes get in these moods where I don't feel like watching anything for a long time, and then if I do want to watch something, it takes me forever to commit to a show. Therefore, my list just keeps getting bigger and never goes down. Here are ten T.V. shows from my list, let me know which ones are the best!

Hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish

1. Twin Peaks 

This is going to be the next show I watch because finishing Stranger Things left me craving the paranormal. 

2. Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell 

So happy to see this added to Netflix! I was going to try and read the book first, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. I might have to break the book lover's rules and watch the miniseries first!

3. The Twilight Zone

I have seen quite a few episodes and love watching the T.V. marathons so I really need to add this into my Netflix rotation! 

4. Luther 

This has been on my list forever! I love detective shows and the BBC. 

5. Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries 

Love a good female detective; my mom has watched and loved this show. 

6. Call the Midwife 

Another show at my mom's recommendation. I really love the BBC and historical shows so this will be great. Also love the female cast!

7. Land Girls 

Same situation as above. Love the BBC and WWII is a time period that I really love to watch/read about. 

8. Bomb Girls

Not sure which of these two WWII shows I should start with because they have very similar plots. This one follows women working in the factories where the above show follows women in the Land Army. 

9. The Ascent of Woman

This documentary series is everything I could ever hope for. A look at women's history and accomplishments through out the world. 

10. Broad Church (British version)

Love David Tennant! I have seen some of the American Broad Church (which he also stars in oddly enough) but I want to check out the British version. 

Let me know what I should watch first! 

Things I'm Loving Lately

I thought I would compile a little list of things that I have been loving lately. I would love to know what you have been loving lately, in any or all categories, so let me know!
T.V. Gilmore Girls 
I'm currently making my way through Gilmore Girls on Netflix, I'm on season three right now, and I'm obsessed! I love the humor and heart in this show and the complex dynamics of all the different relationships. I love Stars Hollow and Rory's reading taste. I'm planning to watch more over break, but so far I have been resisting so I can get some reading done. I will be so sad to finish this show, as I love it so much, but I have heard a few details about a reboot in the near future which makes me very, very happy!

People Frida Kahlo 
Over the summer, I went to see the Frida Kahlo and Diego Riviera exhibit at The Detroit Art Institute and ever since seeing her artwork and learning more about her life, I have been really interested in her. She was such an exceptional painter, and all of her works are so personal and moving. A lot of her works deal with pregnancy and the miscarriage she suffered and it's heartbreaking but I love the raw element of womanhood that it brings to her art. I would really love to read some biographies on her and have added a few to my Goodreads TBR.

The Two Fridas 

Music Justin Beiber and The Neighbourhood
I have been loving Beiber's newest album Purpose which I think we can all agree that everyone was surprised at how enjoyable it was. But I have also been loving The Neighbourhood, who I have been listening to for years. I just bought their latest release from earlier this year, Wiped Out! and I have been playing it on constant repeat. I really like these guys, their lyrics double as poetry and have a darkness to them, but just a hint. They are the band that sings Sweater Weather which you may remember from a few years ago as it was on the radio every other second for a while. So check them out if you are looking for some new music!

Movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens and particularly BB8  
I grew up in a Star Wars home. My younger brother has loved, and I mean LOVED, the series since he was about four (he's almost 18 now) so my house has always been covered in memorabilia and talk about Star Wars. I have of course seen all the movies, but I never considered myself a mega-fan, but I really loved the new movie. I loved the strong female lead (amazing, amazing!) and I loved the nostalgic feeling I got while watching the movie even though I was never a mega-fan myself. I think it's amazing when stories can bring so many different people together for so long like this franchise has, and the energy and loyalty that comes with it is amazing. It was cool to see my brother so excited and nervous for it, and BB8 is the cutest thing I have seen in forever! I'm on a mission to buy myself a plush BB8 for my bed now. So, if you haven't seen The Force Awakens yet, I recommend that you do, even if you aren't a super-fan. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Adaptations I Want to Watch (after I read the book of course)

Is it just me or is literally every book optioned for or in the works of an adaptation? I'm not really all that excited about a lot of them, but here's a mix of adaptions that are already out and that are coming out that I would like to see.

Ideally, I would love to read the books of all of these first. I have already read a few, but most of them I have not read yet. It's a running joke in my family that I'm impossible to watch a movie with because on family movie nights I'm also saying no to the suggestions because, "I want to read the book first." But hey, the book is always better! 

Hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish

 

1. North and South BBC Mini-Series 2004--Trailer

I have heard so many good thing about this mini-series, plus everything the BBC puts out is pure gold.

2. Sense and Sensibility 1995-- Trailer

I just finished the book, and was so excited to finally watch this, only to discover that Netflix had taken it off! Now I need to hunt it down.

3. Mockingjay Part Two 2015-- Trailer 

duh!

 

4. The Danish Girl 2015-- Trailer

I really love Eddie Redmayne, his freckles are too cute. I don't know a lot about this story, but both the book and the movie intrigue me.

5. Far From the Madding Crowd 2015-- Trailer

I have to read the book first (story of my life) but I'm really looking forward to this adaptation of Hardy's novel.

6. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2016 
Again, duh!

 

7. Rosemary's Baby 1968--Trailer

I really should have watched this one last month, but oh well! I will get to it sooner or later (probably later.)

8. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies 2016--Trailer 

I don't know guys, this one looks kinda entertaining!

9. Call the Midwife 2012-- Trailer

This has been on my list forever! I'm really hoping to start it soon.

10. The English Patient 1996-- Trailer
Everyone loves this film, but I have to be in the right mood to enjoy dramatic and tragic love stories, so when that mood hits, this will be the first movie I watch!

Here's some adaptions that I recommend

Emma

Death Comes to Pemberly

Tess of the D'uerbervilles

Which Adaptation is Right for You? Pride and Prejudice 

Which Adaptation is Right for You? Romeo and Juliet 

Which Adaptation is Right for you? Jane Eyre