Netflix

(Alright, so it's been a while. I'm going to try to post a little more often during this semester, but- like always- I can't promise anything.)

Just a few movie-type things
Over the Christmas break, I signed up for a free months trial on Netflix. I'm not going to lie, it's kind of awesome. Not only does it have a pretty solid collection of TV shows, but it's got a massive selection of movies that, while it doesn't include many big blockbuster type movies, by adjusting your (incredibly specific) taste profile, can find and suggest movies that you might enjoy. It's a great way to find new movies that you might not have heard of otherwise. An example of the type of movies that my taste profile suggests for me? Visually-Striking Quirky Independent Movies. So yeah, it gets pretty specific.

Also in my wildly productive Christmas break, I watched every single episode of Community (there are only 2 1/2 seasons, but still). I watched the first season on Netflix in 4 days, and was hooked. I burned through the next season and a half almost as quickly. Holy shit, that show is amazing. It's consistently funny (although the first season was definitely the best one overall), the cast is great, and the writing is smart, unique, and, like I said, hilarious (I'm kind of glad I got into the show after the mid-season hiatus was announced. Otherwise, I probably would have been a lot more upset). Abed quickly became one of my favorite TV show characters ever. Danny Pudi is a near genius.

Finally, in movie news, I actually completed my goal of keeping track of/doing a (admittedly, sometimes incredibly brief) review of every single movie I watched in 2011. You can check them all out in the upper left hand corner, under the "Pages" tab. In case you're wondering, I watched 107 movies in 2011. Hmmm. I'll probably be doing a post in the next week or so about my favorites, least favorites, funniest, etc. I actually quite enjoyed doing this. While I got lazier about it in the end, and a few times had movies backed up for almost a month before I got around to writing about them, it was kind of cool to have them all neatly listed, sort of like a weird time capsule of my 2011 (but then again, maybe that's just my OCD/nerd side coming out). I might do something similar for 2012, but in separate blog post forms, rather than having them in a list on different blog pages. So if you like watching movies, keep an eye out for movie posts (coming soon to a computer screen near you)! The first one should be coming soon. I watch a lot of movies.

Anyways, Happy New Years! I hope you all had a lovely one. I'm back to school tomorrow, and I've finally reached that point in my life where this is no longer a dreaded thing. Yay for being all mature and stuff.

Also, if you have any movies you would recommend to movie-type people in general, let me know in the comments. Thanks!

5 YouTube Videos

Okay.. so this whole "Christmas song a day" thing didn't quite pan out. But I've been busy, and I have an exam coming up, so I'm going to let that slide, and maybe start it up again after exams are done (and it's closer to Christmas). But just because I haven't posted anything in a while, here are 5 YouTube videos that I've found in the last week or so that are especially awesome:
Community's Freaks and Geeks
This is Childish Gambino's song "Freaks and Geeks" set absolutely perfectly clips of Community, the TV show that he stars in. It's really really well done. Don't just listen to the song, watch the video too.


Childish Gambino- Heartbeat (Violin Cover)
This is just straight up awesome. I am a sucker for when people do stuff like this with rap/hip-hop/etc songs. And this guy is really talented.


15,000 Singing "Say You Like Me"
This is footage that Charles Trippy from the YouTube channel CTFxC filmed onstage during a concert of his band We The Kings. It gets good at around 1:10. Seriously, this video almost gave me chills, and puts a smile on my face every time I watch it. Check it out.


Rod Stewart Gasoline Alley
Courtesy of my sister at thefemiwriter.tumblr.com, this is Rob Stewart singing Gasoline Alley. Just listen. It's nice.


Forever Yours
I'm subscribed to charlieissocoollike and nerimon on YouTube. I like them. And this is a cute video.  


So there you go! For those of you who still have exams, good luck! Now I have to get back to studying... :( 

Gambino and Rheon

There are few things more annoying than an actor or actress who release a CD just because they can. More often than not, it's pretty awful, pretty forgettable, and a cash-grab that will make it to the top 5 on iTunes, because fans will buy just about anything their favorite celebrity puts their name on.

However, lots of actors/actresses are multi-talented, and do make good music.Two people that have caught my attention lately are Donald Glover (as Childish Gambino), and Iwan Rheon. That's right. Troy from Community and Simon from Misfits rap/sing/play guitar. It's kind of weird to see them perform music so out of their on-screen character's personas, but it's good. Check it out:
Childish Gambino- Freaks & Geeks


Iwan Rheon- Sink

TV Shows

I like TV. While this year I made a concerted effort to watch fewer shows, I still have a few that I like to watch every week. While I'm guilty of watching some objectively bad TV when I'm bored (cough cough all 3 CSI's, Degrassi TNG, 90210, Buffy- need I continue?), as part of my whole "watching less TV" thing I went cold turkey on shows like House and CSI, and in general try to stay clear of new shows that have many, many unwatched seasons I could get sucked into. Now this isn't saying that I can't/haven't watch many hours/seasons of certain shows, but I would say I definitely watch less TV than last year. The point is (segue!), I have some shows that I hold above the rest (Side note: TV shows, even more so than movies, are one of those things that people tend to analyze/discuss/argue the pros or cons of/get emotionally invested in/etc more than almost anything. So while there is lots to say about different shows, good or bad, this is just a brief look at a few shows). So if you're looking for something to watch in your spare time, here they are... My Top 5 TV Shows To Watch

1. How I Met Your Mother
This show, straight up, has got to be one of the best shows on TV today. Before I watched it, I always thought it sounded kind of stupid, but as soon as I watched the first episode, I was hooked. I went through 5 seasons in about a month I think. This show has everything- a dynamic plot, Neil Patrick Harris, great characters, a little bit of mystery, hilarious lines, Neil Patrick Harris, an interested narration style, and all kinds of awesome. Also, Neil Patrick Harris plays Barney Stinson, the bread and butter of many of the shows funniest parts. Did I mention he was good in this show? It's in it's 7th season now, still as good as ever, and I think is renewed for at least another season or two. This is also the only show I can watch over and over. I've started from the beginning and have just started season 2 again. Seriously, so good.

2. Misfits
I was pleased to notice that, when the season 3 premiere aired last Sunday, several people on Facebook mentioned it. Because it is a British show, not as many people have heard of it over here, but it's finally starting to get the recognition and attention it deserves. This show is actually so good. It's kind of hard to explain it without it sounding really, really dumb, so I recommend (if you haven't already) going and watching a few episodes. The newest season is the first one without Nathan (played by Robert Sheehan), and I actually think they did a really excellent job replacing him. A show like this could easily run out of ideas/originality quickly, but I don't think this season is going to disappoint. This is a really well-done show.

3. 30 Rock
Tina Fey. I love her. This is a show that, around exam time last year, I saw for the first time, and watched all the seasons in a matter of weeks. This coming season I think is the last one, which is too bad, but understandable (a show with so many big names/lack of premise driving the plot can only go on for so many seasons), but too bad. While there are a few weak points, this show is hilarious. Kind of like SNL, but funnier. And like I said- TINA FEY.

4. Modern Family
I really hope this show goes on for a long time, but I can see why it might be hard to drag it too long (seeing as half the cast is kids in the midst of growing up. Can you say "puberty"?). The whole selling point of this show is that it shows all types of families, and that's only part of what makes it so good. And by that, I mean really, it's the cast. This show has one of the funniest, most awesome casts ever. Also, Phil Dunphy should be voted Man of the Year. Usually comedies focused around family are kind of cheesy, but Modern Family avoids this. It's got great writing, relateable in a slightly exaggerated kind of way, great characters, and it is oh so funny.

5. The Big Bang Theory
Next to HIMYM, this is the funniest show on TV. It's a bit of an acquired taste, but I freaking love this show. Every week, it makes me laugh out loud at least half a dozen times (usually more) in twenty minutes. Every. Single. Week. This show not only has nerdy, science-type humor, but it's characters are endearing to the point of ridiculousness. I wouldn't expect a comedy based essentially on scientists (okay, I know technically- I'M GENERALIZING HERE) who don't know how to act around girls would last so long, but I actually think it's just getting funnier. Honestly, one of the funniest shows I've ever seen.

Honorable mentions:
Glee- The first season of Glee would have definitely made top five, but with the most recent seasons, it's kind of hit or miss. The music is still, for the most part, really good, but the story lines are really off and on. So, because I really really like it, but it's only especially good about half the time now, it gets a really high honorable mention.
Cougar Town- I don't care if you say this show is stupid. It's hilarious. PENNY-CAAAAAAN.
Community- This show seems to be compared to Parks & Recreation a lot. I'm not sure why. Abed automatically makes this show so much funnier.
Criminal Minds- SPENCER REID. Enough said.
Better Off Ted- This show got canceled after like a season or two. Portia de Rossi was in it (and hasn't done much since), and it was hilarious. I'm sad it was canceled :( (OH P.S. I imdb'd it and the next thing she's going to be in is THE NEW SEASON OF ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT OH MY GOD SO EXCITING CAN'T BREATHE AHHH)
Pushing Daisies- This show was also canceled after two seasons. While a bit repetitive towards the end, this show was quirky. I liked it. And the piemaker is so gosh-darn cute.

So that's that. My favorite shows, off the top of my head. What about you? Tell me your favorites! (Comment below, yo)