What I Watched This Week: 19 Dec 2021

NEW SHOWS
Curb Your Enthusiasm – “Igor, Gregor & Timor” (B+)
Bill Hader shows up for some Russian-flavored shenanigans as we churn towards the finale. In a word, “shplendid.”

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
“Dee Sings in a Bog” (B+)
“The Gang Carries a Corpse up a Mountain” (A) / season finale
A surprisingly emotional end to an inconsistent but often very funny season.

BINGEING
Seinfeld – Season 3 (A- average)
The show absolutely knows what it is, and continues to perfect its rhythm. It’s hard to beat “The Boyfriend” or the 1-2-3 of “The Library,” “The Parking Garage” and “The Café.”

The X-Files – Season 9 (B- average)
What a dusty fart of an ending to a show that started show strongly. A few decent episodes can’t make up for a show that had no idea how to keep going after the loss of David Duchovny.

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The Anniversary Albums Project: Best of 2021

New music has lost a lot of hold on me over the last few years. And three years ago I decided that instead of trying to keep up with it all, I’d look back at music history and listen to the albums celebrating milestones. Some of these I’d heard before, but many I had not. I ended up cutting out one year of the project (1996), which helped me feel like I wasn’t always behind. This made it much more enjoyable to discover and rediscover classics instead of just whatever was being dumped onto Spotify every Friday.

So below are my top 10s from each year I covered, along with some honorable mentions.

1971

  1. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
  2. Can – Tago Mago
  3. Lily Tomlin – This Is a Recording
  4. Miles Davis – Jack Johnson
  5. Fela Kuti – Live!
  6. The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers
  7. David Bowie – Hunky Dory
  8. Led Zeppelin – Untitled
  9. Carole King – Tapestry
  10. Joni Mitchell – Blue

HONORABLE MENTIONS
• Bob Dylan – Greatest Hits Vol. II
• Elton John – Madman Across the Water
• Nilsson – Nilsson Schmilsson
• John Prine – John Prine
• Rodriguez – Coming from Reality
• The Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks 1964-1971
• Cat Stevens – Teaser and the Firecat
• Rod Stewart – Every Picture Tells a Story
• The Who – Who’s Next

1981

  1. Elvis Costello – Trust
  2. Rick James – Street Songs
  3. Kraftwerk – Computer World
  4. U2 – October
  5. X – Wild Gift
  6. The Rolling Stones – Tattoo You
  7. This Heat – Deceit
  8. The dB’s – Stands for Decibels
  9. Mission of Burma – Signals, Calls, and Marches
  10. Brian Eno & David Byrne – My Life in the Bush of Ghosts

HONORABLE MENTIONS
• Blondie – The Best of Blondie
• Funkadelic – The Electric Spanking of War Babies
• Gang of Four – Solid Gold
• Motörhead – No Sleep ’til Hammersmith
• Willie Nelson – Greatest Hits (& Some That Will Be)
• Pretenders – Pretenders II
• Queen – Greatest Hits
• Rush – Moving Pictures

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What I Watched This Week: 12 Dec 2021

NEW SHOWS
Succession – “All the Bells Say” (A) / season finale
What else is there to say? A masterful finale after a truly exceptional season.

Curb Your Enthusiasm – “What Have I Done?” (A)
Forget plot. There’s simply nothing better than Larry David, Tracey Ullman and J.B. Smoove riffing around the kitchen table.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

“The Gang Goes to Ireland” (B-)
“The Gang’s Still in Ireland” (A-)
The first episode gets repetitive quickly, but the second episode has far more laughs and even – dare I say it – some heartfelt moments.

How To with John Wilson – “How to Throw Out Your Batteries” (A)
A fruitless search for a useful solution morphs into a sad revelation of how we throw away anything we don’t want to see or deal with, even if it’s not the best place.

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What I Watched This Week: 5 Dec 2021

NEW SHOWS
Succession – “Chiantishire” (A-)
The only reason this isn’t getting an A, because it depends on how next week resolves the massive cliffhanger. If it’s just a cheap ploy to attract more attention to the show, it’ll feel hollow. If it’s really a game-changer, then it’s the most important episode of the show to date.

Curb Your Enthusiasm – “Irma Kostroski” (A-)
The show adds another tremendous guest star in Tracey Ullman, who plays a city council member Larry pretends to be interested in to get some votes on causes that are important to him. The “Was It Sexual Assault or the Time of His Life?” debate is some third-rail comedy that only this show could get away with. More successful is Larry’s confrontation of a woman abusing her “Widow Privilege.”

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
“The Gang Buys a Roller Rink” (C)
“The Gang Replaces Dee with a Monkey” (B+)
The ’90s flashback episode was pretty weak, though I did get a few good chuckles out of it. The second episode was much stronger, showing the guys at their drunken and Dee at her drunken (with power) worst.

How To with John Wilson – “How to Find a Spot” (A-)
Somewhat straightforward, at least compared to last week’s detour into true crime. But this week is actually slightly profound, exploring our desire to hold onto things, at the expense of experiencing the world.

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Oscar Picks: December 2021

BEST PICTURE
Being the Ricardos
Belfast
CODA
Don’t Look Up
House of Gucci
Licorice Pizza
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
The Tragedy of Macbeth
West Side Story


Falling off: The Humans, King Richard
Rising star: The Lost Daughter

The skinny: While King Richard certainly has a shot to return to the list of 10 finalists, it looks less likely now that the film bombed at the box office. Slotting in are Being the Ricardos, which actors aren’t going to be able to resist, and West Side Story, which seems to have silenced all the naysayers. While Netflix already has two films in the mix, The Lost Daughter is surging.

BEST DIRECTOR
Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza
Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
Joel Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth
Steven Spielberg, West Side Story

Falling off: Leos Carax
Rising star: Julia Ducournau, Titane

The skinny: While I had initially thought Carax was the perfect candidate for the “respected international director who gets a nod for an otherwise ignored film,” he’s got a lot more competition for that slot, including Titane‘s Julia Ducournau, The Worst Person in the World‘s Joachim Trier and Drive My Car‘s Ryusuke Hamaguchi. So that probably just means they’ll nominate Steven Spielberg again.

BEST ACTOR
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog
Peter Dinklage, Cyrano
Andrew Garfield, Tick Tick Boom
Will Smith, King Richard
Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth

Falling off: Adam Driver
Rising star: Nicolas Cage, Pig

The skinny: Adam Driver had not one but three acclaimed films this year. But alas none of them will help him get into this crowded field. While the odd release strategy might keep Cyrano from a Best Picture nod, the campaign circuit is already eating up all of Peter Dinklage’s performance, so he may take away some heat from Benedict Cumberbatch, who’s magnificent but prickly in The Power of the Dog. But it would be nice if someone would clear out for Nicolas Cage, who’s doing his best acting in more than a decade in Pig.

BEST ACTRESS
Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter
Lady Gaga, House of Gucci
Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos
Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth
Kristen Stewart, Spencer

Falling off: Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Hudson
Rising star: Alana Haim, Licorice Pizza

The skinny: Everyone loves Alana Haim and with good reason. But she’s going to have a hell of a time breaking into this group, which features four winners and a never-better Kristen Stewart.

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Streaming Picks: December 2021

FILMS
Top Picks
Days of Heaven – Hulu 12/1
Limbo – HBO Max 12/1
The Power of the Dog – Netflix 12/1
Edward Scissorhands – Disney+ 12/3
Being the Ricardos – Prime 12/21

Recent Selections
Bordertown: The Mural Murders – Netflix 12/1
Christmas Everlasting – Prime 12/1
The East – Hulu 12/1
Frontera – HBO Max 12/1
Mistletoe Mixup – Prime 12/1
Mortal Kombat – HBO Max 12/1
The Perfect Wedding Match – Prime 12/1
White as Snow – Prime 12/1
The Alpinist – Netflix 12/1
Space Jam: A New Legacy – HBO Max 12/2
Hood River – HBO Max 12/3
Joe Bell – HBO Max 12/3
The Rescue – Disney+ 12/3
We Need to Do Something – Hulu 12/3
Yerba Buena – HBO Max 12/3
At the Ready – HBO Max 12/4
Swan Song – Hulu 12/9
Materna – Hulu 12/10
Fast Color – Netflix 12/11
A Christmas Star – Prime 12/12
Brighton Beach – Hulu 12/13
Rising Wolf – Hulu 12/15
Ron’s Gone Wrong – HBO Max and Disney+ 12/15
Cryptozoo – Hulu 12/16
Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman – Hulu 12/16
Boxing Day – Prime 12/17
Christmas Is Cancelled – Prime 12/17
The Nowhere Inn – Hulu 12/17
Joy for Christmas – Prime 12/19
Who You Think I Am – Prime 12/20
You Keep the Kids – HBO Max 12/20
The Suicide Squad – HBO Max 12/23
Encanto – Disney+ 12/24
Lady of the Manor – Prime 12/31
Time Is Up – Prime 12/31

Originals
Single All the Way – Netflix 12/2
The Whole Truth – Netflix 12/2
Cobalt Blue – Netflix 12/3
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Disney+ 12/3
Mixtape – Netflix 12/3
David and the Elves – Netflix 12/6
Asakusa Kid – Netflix 12/9
Anonymously Yours – Netflix 12/10
Back to the Outback – Netflix 12/10
Encounter – Prime 12/10
Still Out of My League – Netflix 12/10
Two – Netflix 12/10
The Unforgivable – Netflix 12/10
The Hand of God – Netflix 12/15
A California Christmas: City Lights – Netflix 12/16
Dead Asleep – Hulu 12/16
A Naija Christmas – Netflix 12/16
Mother/Android – Hulu 12/17
Grumpy Christmas – Netflix 12/21
The Matrix Resurrections – HBO Max 12/22
1000 Miles from Christmas – Netflix 12/24
Don’t Look Up – Netflix 12/24
Minnal Murali – Netflix 12/24
Stand by Me: Doraemon 2 – Netflix 12/24
Vicky and Her Mystery – Netflix 12/24
Lulli – Netflix 12/26
The Lost Daughter – Netflix 12/31
Seal Team – Netflix 12/31

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What I Watched This Week: 28 Nov 2021

NEW SHOWS
Succession – “Too Much Birthday” (A)
Another improbably top-notch episode. It’s Kendall’s 40th: an extravagant, obnoxious affair, and no one’s happy except Greg, who scored a date with Ken’s put-upon assistant Comfry (Dasha Nekrasova). But not even avoiding prison can make Tom the least bit excited. This episode must have been murder to pull off, but it’s both hilarious and devastating, a Succession special.

Curb Your Enthusiasm – “Man Fights Tiny Woman” (B+)
Larry’s faux-chauvinism makes him a viral star in a wacky episode that includes Seth Rogen dressed as a Viking(?) and validation for those of us who like anchovies on our Caesar salads.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
“2020: A Year in Review” (A) / season premiere
“The Gang Makes Lethal Weapon 7” (A)
These first two episodes perfectly skew the last year of insanity, with the gang responsible for most of the absurdity around the 2020 election in the first episode, and failing to make art with their newfound cultural sensitivities.

How To with John Wilson – “How to Appreciate Wine” (A)
When you meet a guy who eats old military rations, and he’s not the craziest person in your episode, you know you’ve got a classic on your hands.

BINGEING
Animaniacs – Season 2 (A- average)
Though its last two episodes weren’t anything special, this season pulled out all the stops, essentially ditching any pretense that this is a kid’s show. (The first episode, rated TV-14, even had a “Grab ’em by the pussy” joke.) I’m so glad this show is back in my life but hasn’t lost a step after its resurrection.

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What I Watched This Week: 21 Nov 2021

NEW SHOWS
Succession – “What It Takes” (A)
The end of democracy has never been so thrilling. The Roys anoint the new Republican presidential candidate, and settle on the Josh Hawley-esque neo-fascist Jaryd Mencken (guest star Justin Kirk). Meanwhile, Kendall fucks up his own legal case and burns up his potential olive branch with Tom by being a selfish prick. This might just be the series’ best episode, which is astonishing on its own.

Curb Your Enthusiasm – “IRASSHAIMASE!” (A-)
After last week’s fumble, this episode rebounds with Larry’s secret shortcut to the Valley exposed, along with the more embarrassing secrets of his acquaintances and dates. Rob Morrow absolutely shines as Larry’s nemesis Hal Berman.

How To with John Wilson – “How to Invest in Real Estate” (B+) / season premiere
A warm and wonderful season premiere, though it lacks some of the wild detours of the show’s best episodes.

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What I Watched This Week: 14 Nov 2021

NEW SHOWS
Succession – “Retired Janitors of Idaho” (A)
Packed to the gills with twists, cringy moments, hilarious lines and powerhouse performances. The show continues to deliver at the top of its game.

Curb Your Enthusiasm – “The Watermelon” (B-)
A swing and a miss as Larry reluctantly attends temple and strikes up a friendship of convenience/obligation with a Klansman. There are some funny moments, but it could have been a lot bolder. Instead, it just assumes putting a Jewish man and a white supremacist together will create instant laughs.

BINGEING
Only Murders in the Building – Season 1 (A- average)
Starts out as a pleasant hangout show that’s nothing particularly special. But somewhere around mid-season, once the plot starts becoming more intriguing, it takes a leap, becoming an exceedingly clever and quite melancholy show. Its seventh episode (“The Boy from 6B”) is one of the best episodes of television I’ve ever seen.

The X-Files – Season 8 (B average)
It takes a while to adjust, but Robert Patrick is a terrific addition in David Duchovny’s absence. The show still has some gas left in the tank, especially during an action-packed two-part finale that culminates in the kiss we’ve all been waiting for.

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What I Watched This Week: 7 Nov 2021

NEW SHOWS
Succession – “Lion in the Meadow” (B+)
Adrien Brody comes in with his fastball (and multiple layers of outerwear) as a deceptive investor screwing with Kendall and Logan at every possible turn. Their relationship reaches a stalemate, but Shiv and Tom are falling apart (in their working life and their romantic one).

Curb Your Enthusiasm – “The Mini Bar” (A-)
Some classic Larry behavior both annoys or delights everyone, but what really takes this episode up a notch is the performance of Keyla Monterroso Mejia as Maria Sofia, the terrible actress Larry’s being blackmailed into casting in his TV show (now at Hulu). It takes a great actress to play a bad one, and her misplaced intensity after taking one of Cheryl’s acting classes is a season highlight so far.

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