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February 7
Movie: Proof (2005)
The daughter of a brilliant but mentally disturbed mathematician, recently deceased, comes to grips with her possible inheritance: his insanity. [more inside]
Movie: The Sea Hawk
Geoffrey Thorpe, a buccaneer, is hired by Queen Elizabeth I to nag the Spanish Armada. The Armada is waiting for the attack on England and Thorpe surprises them with attacks on their galleons where he shows his skills on the sword. [more inside]
February 6
Movie: Utama
In the arid Bolivian highlands, an elderly Quechua couple has been living a tranquil life for years. While he takes their small herd of llamas out to graze, she keeps house and walks for miles with the other local women to fetch precious water. When an uncommonly long drought threatens everything they know, Virginio and Sisa must decide whether to stay and maintain their traditional way of life or admit defeat and move in with family members in the city. Their dilemma is precipitated by the arrival of their grandson Clever, who comes to visit with news. The three of them must face, each in their own way, the effects of a changing environment, the importance of tradition, and the meaning of life itself. [more inside]
Movie: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
It's the height of the Cold War, and famous archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), returning from his latest adventure, finds out his job at Marshall College is in jeopardy. He meets Mutt (Shia La Beouf), a young man who wants Indy to help him find the legendary Crystal Skull of Akator, and the pair set out for Peru. However, deadly agent Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) is searching for the powerful artifact, too, because the Soviets believe it can help them conquer the world. [more inside]
Movie: The Color Purple
An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing "Mister" Albert Johnson (Danny Glover), things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa. Based on the novel by Alice Walker. [more inside]
Movie: The Sugarland Express
Married small-time crooks Lou-Jean (Goldie Hawn) and Clovis Poplin (William Atherton) lose their baby to the state of Texas and resolve to do whatever it takes to get him back. Lou-Jean gets Clovis out of jail, and the two steal their son from his foster home, in addition to taking a highway patrolman hostage. As a massive dragnet starts to pursue them across Texas, the couple become unlikely folk heroes and even start to bond with the captive policeman. [more inside]
The Legend of Vox Machina: 2023-02-03 drop: The Fey Realm (7), Echo Tree (8), A Test of Pride (9) Season 1, Episode 9
(This is a three episode omnibus post as all three dropped at the same time) Our heroes split the party, although at least not on purpose. In the Feywild Fey Realm, Vax, Vex, Percy and Keyleth find the place trippy and annoying, with a side order of daddy issues. Dropped ahead near Westruun, Grog is faced with the repercussions of his actions, both recent and rising from his past, while Pike and Scanlan do what they can to help him and the local civilians. [more inside]
Movie: Munich
After the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, the Israeli government secretly assigns Avner Kaufman (Eric Bana) to carry out a series of strategic retaliations. With the help of a driver (Daniel Craig), a forger (Hanns Zischler), a bomb-maker (Mathieu Kassovitz) and a former soldier (Ciarán Hinds), Avner conducts a worldwide operation, targeting 11 individuals. As the assassinations pile up, Avner begins to doubt the morality of his actions. [more inside]
Movie: Always
Aerial firefighter Pete (Richard Dreyfuss) risks himself and his vintage World War II airplane in a constant and death-defying quest to fight forest wildfires, much to the dismay of his girlfriend, Dorinda (Holly Hunter). His love for Dorinda and the advice of fellow pilot Al (John Goodman) convince Pete to give up his perilous career, but he flies one last mission. Pete heroically saves Al's plane from certain destruction, but with supernatural consequences. [more inside]
Movie: War of the Worlds
Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin). When his ex-wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto), drops them off at Ferrier's house, it seems as though it will be just another tension-filled weekend. However, when electromagnetic pulses of lightning strike the area, the strange event turns out to be the beginning of an alien invasion, and Ferrier must now protect his children as they seek refuge. [more inside]
Rita: Rita (2012) All Seasons All Seasons
Rita is a talented but rebellious teacher with a woeful smoking habit and particularly complicated family life. And love life. This Danish show ran over 5 seasons - with each one representing broad themes and each episode some kind of lesson. Nominally a comedy, the show took on many issues which would be recognised by teachers everywhere - and a number which are particularly Danish. [more inside]
February 5
Saturday Night Live: Pedro Pascal / Coldplay Season 48, Episode 12
Coldplay's 7th appearance. [more inside]
The Last of Us: Please Hold My Hand Show Only Season 1, Episode 4
Ellie and Joel continue their travels, but run into trouble in a new city.
**SHOW ONLY THREAD**
Movie: School Ties
Lines are draw at a New England prep school when a new student's secret is revealed. [more inside]
Happy Valley: Season 3, Episode 6 Season 3, Episode 6
Scores are settled for good on Catherine’s final shift, and Ryan faces a moral dilemma.
February 4
Book: Children of Memory
The ark ship Endiku left the ruins of Earth to seek a new home for its crew. They make landfall and carve out a way of life, albeit at great cost. Many years later, the granddaughter of the ship's captain swears that she saw her grandfather enter the woods, and seeks to rescue him from the fabled Witch that lives in the hills. [more inside]
Cunk on Earth: The Beginnings Season 1, Episode 1
Philomena Cunk's epic 5-part essay on civilization, tracing humanity's journey from prehistory to the present day. [more inside]
Movie: The Prince and Me
At college Paige meets Eddie, a fellow student from Denmark, whom she first dislikes but later accepts, likes, and loves; he proves to be Crown Prince Edvard. Paige follows him to Copenhagen, and he follows her back to school with... [more inside]
February 3
Shrinking: Fifteen Minutes Season 1, Episode 3
"I do this thing where I grieve hard for 15 minutes a day."
AV Club review. Sean awkwardly lives with Jimmy now. Paul hits Gaby's new Tesla. Gaby's getting divorced and already has a new dude.
Jimmy tries the 15 minutes crying thing...WHILE RIDING HIS BIKE. This is a bad idea. [more inside]
The Way Home: The Way Home (all episodes, first season) Season 1, Episode 1
Hallmark television series. After getting expelled and losing a job/husband, Alice and Kat move to Grandma Del's farm in Canada. Spoiler-free rundown of the premise here. Spoiler recap of the first episode here. This is not just a straightforward family drama...I'll hint that there's a sci-fi element to this that makes it worth viewing. [more inside]
Hunters: All episodes Season 2 (Full Season)
Two years after a failed mission scattered The Hunters, Jonah is living a double life in Paris with his fiancée, Clara. Soon, he discovers the most notorious Nazi in history may still be alive. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Millie Morris prosecutes a dangerous war criminal. And years before the founding of The Hunters, Meyer Offerman encounters a dangerous threat that could expose his true identity.
Movie: Knock at the Cabin
While vacationing, a young girl (Kristen Cui) and her dads (Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge) are taken hostage by a band of armed strangers (Dave Bautista, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Abby Quinn, Rupert Grint) who demand that the family choose one of themselves to sacrifice to avert the apocalypse. [more inside]
Movie: A Man Called Otto
Otto (Tom Hanks) is a grump who has given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all. When a young family moves in nearby, he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol (Mariana Treviño), leading to a friendship that will turn his world around. [more inside]
Movie: True Things
Kate (Ruth Wilson) is a benefits claims worker living peacefully on the fringes of society in a sleepy seaside town. But when an ex-con (Tom Burke) flashes her a grin one day, she finds herself increasingly intoxicated with the stranger. Despite pressure from her friends and family to stabilize and maintain her peaceful existence, Kate dives headlong into an overwhelming, shocking romance. [more inside]
Movie: I'm Totally Fine
Vanessa (Jillian Bell) embarks on a solo trip to clear her head after the death of her best friend Jennifer (Natalie Morales). But her self-care vacation takes a detour when she finds the recently departed Jennifer standing in her kitchen, claiming to be an extraterrestrial. Together, they spend the next 48 hours partying and reminiscing on better days. [more inside]
Podcast: The Besties: It's Necromorphin' Time with Dead Space
Join us as we revisit the USG Ishimura, the pride of Earth's planet-cracking operations and, also, the extremely monster-infested setting of EA's remake of their classic survival horror title Dead Space. Does it still hold up some 15 years after its initial release? (Spoiler alert: Yes. Yes it does.) Also discussed: Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario 64, Half-Life, Fable, Burnout 3: Takedown, Metal Gear Solid, Metroid Prime, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Freelancer, Time's Ours, You Pod to Win the Game, My Perfect Console, Teardown, Vampire Survivors, Paul T. Goldman, The Traitors, Yakuza: Like a Dragon [more inside]
February 2
Movie: Troll
Deep inside the mountain of Dovre, something gigantic awakens after being trapped for a thousand years. Destroying everything in its path, the creature is fast approaching the capital of Norway. But how do you stop something you thought only existed in Norwegian folklore?
The 1619 Project: Black people fought to make America a democracy Season 1 (Full Season)
Pulitzer-Prize-winning reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones adapts The 1619 Project (previously, previously) for a limited Hulu series. [more inside]
Poker Face: Time of the Monkey Season 1, Episode 5
Working at a retirement home, Charlie makes friends with two rebellious old ladies who may have taken matters into their own hands.
Movie: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
An art collector appeals to Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. He learns that another archaeologist has disappeared while searching for the precious goblet, and the missing man is his own father, Dr. Henry Jones (Sean Connery). The artifact is much harder to find than they expected, and its powers are too much for those impure in heart. [more inside]
Movie: A.I. Artificial Intelligence
A robotic boy, the first programmed to love, David (Haley Joel Osment) is adopted as a test case by a Cybertronics employee (Sam Robards) and his wife (Frances O'Connor). Though he gradually becomes their child, a series of unexpected circumstances make this life impossible for David. Without final acceptance by humans or machines, David embarks on a journey to discover where he truly belongs, uncovering a world in which the line between robot and machine is both vast and profoundly thin. [more inside]
Movie: 1941
After Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, residents of California descend into a wild panic, afraid that they might be the next target. Among them are Wild Bill Kelso (John Belushi), a crazed National Guard pilot; Sgt. Frank Tree (Dan Aykroyd), a patriotic, straight-laced tank crew commander; Ward Douglas (Ned Beatty), a civilian willing to help with the American war effort at any cost; and Maj. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell (Robert Stack), who tries his hardest to maintain sanity amid the chaos. [more inside]
Movie: Amistad
In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey) to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) also becomes an ally. [more inside]
Movie: Something Evil
Steven Spielberg's second TV movie (after the terrific Duel) is a solidly-directed, but underwhelmingly scripted haunted house picture. A young couple moves into a farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania. What they don't know is that there is an unseen presence in the house, and that it wants to take possession of the wife. [more inside]
Movie: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
After arriving in India, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is asked by a desperate village to find a mystical stone. He agrees... and stumbles upon a secret cult plotting a terrible plan in the catacombs of an ancient palace. Co-Starring a young Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once) in his screen debut, as Short Round. [more inside]
The Legend of Vox Machina: Into Rimecleft Season 2, Episode 6
Upon arriving at the location of the next Vestige of Divergence, Vox Machina must face the challenges of the mysterious sphinx, Kamaljiori - the mate of Osysa. But even if they can succeed, a new, unexpected threat lies waiting for them. [more inside]
The Legend of Vox Machina: Pass Through The Fire Season 2, Episode 5
While traveling to find the next Vestige of Divergence, Vox Machina passes by Pyrah, home to the people of the Fire Ashari. Vox Machina must decide whether to help them - battling fire creatures that are spilling out from a hellplane - or continue on with their existing quest. [more inside]
The Legend of Vox Machina: Those Who Walk Away Season 2, Episode 4
In a desperate bid to save a team member's life, Vax strikes a fateful deal with the Matron of Ravens. As Vox Machina make their way out of the sunken temple, Vax wonders what he's just signed up for. [more inside]
Mystery Science Theater 3000: THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT Rewatch Season 11, Episode 7
Re-rewatch! A German U-boat sings a passenger vessel, but rescues survivors. The strife between the two groups is set aside when they find a land peopled by prehistoric people and dinosaurs. Previously and again
February 1
The Simpsons: There's No Disgrace Like Home Rewatch Season 1, Episode 4
Homer does what he can to change The Simpsons into the ideal family. [more inside]
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite: Dynamite 2/1 and Rampage 2/3 Season 4, Episode 18
Will Jon Moxley and Hangman Page's simmering sexual tension finally explode? Can someone hand Jade Cargill a loss? Will a visiting veteran defeat Bryan Danielson? These and other questions answered tonight! [more inside]
Night Court: Dan v. Dating Season 1, Episode 4
Dan attempts to get venture back into the dating world, and Gurgs and Olivia search for a new office. [more inside]
Movie: You People
Follows a new couple and their families, who find themselves examining modern love and family dynamics amidst clashing cultures, societal expectations and generational differences. [more inside]
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Tribe Season 2, Episode 6
The Bad Batch helps bring a new friend home.
January 31
Lockwood & Co: Full Season Season 1 (Full Season)
Based on Jonathan Stroud's young-adult book series of the same name, Lockwood & Co is set after "The Problem" unleashed all sorts of night-time ghosts and hauntings, leading to the establishment of Agencies that employ supernatural-sensitive children to remove unwanted entities for a fee. The story follows a renegade trio of talented young agents with their own unlicensed psychic detective agency as they try to make a living in a very depressed London, while also trying to figure out the cause of the problem. All episodes are currently streaming on Netflix.
Movie: My Darling Clementine
In the middle of a long cattle drive, Wyatt Earp (Henry Fonda) and his brothers stop off for a night in the town of Tombstone. The next morning they find their cattle stolen, and one of the brothers is dead. Earp suspects the Clanton family, owners of the O.K. Corral, but wants his revenge to be legal. He becomes sheriff of Tombstone and forges a rough peace with an alcoholic gambler, Doc Holiday (Victor Mature). Earp also takes a liking to Holiday's former girlfriend, Clementine (Cathy Downs). [more inside]
Movie: The Grapes of Wrath
The Joad clan is looking for a better life in California. After their drought-ridden farm is seized by the bank, the family -- led by just-paroled son Tom (Henry Fonda) -- loads up a truck and heads West. On the road, beset by hardships, the Joads meet dozens of other families making the same trek and holding onto the same dream. Once in California, however, the Joads soon realize that the promised land isn't quite what they hoped. [more inside]
Movie: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Questions arise when Senator Stoddard (James Stewart) attends the funeral of a local man named Tom Doniphon (John Wayne) in a small Western town. Flashing back, we learn Doniphon saved Stoddard, then a lawyer, when he was roughed up by a crew of outlaws terrorizing the town, led by Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin). As the territory's safety hung in the balance, Doniphon and Stoddard, two of the only people standing up to him, proved to be very important, but different, foes to Valance. [more inside]
Movie: Young Mr. Lincoln
In this dramatized account of his early law career in Illinois, Abraham Lincoln (Henry Fonda) is born into a modest log cabin, where he is encouraged by his first love, Ann Rutledge (Pauline Moore), to pursue law. Following her tragic death, Lincoln establishes a law practice in Springfield, where he meets a young Mary Todd (Marjorie Weaver). Lincoln's law skills are put to the test when he takes on the difficult task of defending two brothers who have been accused of murder. [more inside]
Movie: Stagecoach
An assorted group of colorful passengers travels aboard the Overland stagecoach bound for Lordsburg, New Mexico, in the 1880s. An alcoholic philosophizer (Thomas Mitchell), a lady of ill repute (Claire Trevor) and a timid liquor salesman (Donald Meek) are among the motley crew of travelers who must contend with an escaped outlaw, the Ringo Kid (John Wayne), and the ever-present threat of an Apache attack as they make their way across the Wild West. [more inside]
Movie: Upstream
A down-and-out actor is coached by a fading star when he is offered a part in a play in London. One of dozens of director John Ford's silent films, this backstage comedy was thought lost until a complete copy turned up in New Zealand in 2009. Many of the plot elements are said to echo the real-life Barrymore acting dynasty. [more inside]
Book: White Horse by Erika T. Wurth
White Horse is a gritty, vibrant debut from Erika T. Wurth about an Indigenous woman who must face her past when she discovers a bracelet haunted by her mother’s spirit. [more inside]
January 30
Movie: Infinity Pool
While staying at an isolated island resort, James (Alexander Skarsgård) and Em (Cleopatra Coleman) are enjoying a perfect vacation of pristine beaches, exceptional staff, and soaking up the sun. But guided by the seductive and mysterious Gabi (Mia Goth), they venture outside the resort grounds and find themselves in a culture filled with violence, hedonism, and untold horror. A tragic accident leaves them facing a zero tolerance policy for crime: either you'll be executed, or, if you're rich enough to afford it, you can watch yourself die instead. [more inside]
Podcast: The Besties: Putting a Ring On It With Fire Emblem Engage
Intelligent Systems' long-running series of strategy-RPGs gets even longer this week with the release of Fire Emblem Engage! Join us as we discuss the evolved tactics in this new installment, as well as the ethics of trapping ghost soldiers in Cracker Jack prize rings.Also discussed: IGF Award Nominees, Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On, Futureport 82, &Juliet [more inside]
January 29
The Last of Us: Long, Long Time Books Included Season 1, Episode 3
When a stranger approaches his compound, survivalist Bill forges an unlikely connection. Later, Joel and Ellie seek Bill's guidance. [more inside]
The Last of Us: Long Long Time Show Only Season 1, Episode 3
Joel and Ellie head to a sanctuary of sorts that Joel knows of. It's an abandoned small town that's manned by Frank and Bill, two lovers who've been leading a quiet life after the world fell apart. Through flashbacks we learn how they met and how their relationship grew over the years after the pandemic. [more inside]
Saturday Night Live: Michael B. Jordan / Lil Baby Season 48, Episode 11
The former star of "All My Children." [more inside]
Movie: Hellhole
In 1987 Poland, a police officer investigating mysterious disappearances infiltrates a remote monastery and discovers a dark truth about its clergy.
In Polish, with subtitles. Currently streaming on Netflix. [more inside]
Movie: Luckiest Girl Alive (CW: rape)
A woman in New York, who seems to have things under control, is faced with a trauma that makes her life unravel. [more inside]
Happy Valley: Season 3, Episode 5 Season 3, Episode 5
Catherine races to protect her family as a murder investigation begins.