Wow we are already halfway into 2016 and I haven’t even posted yet. I guess that makes me the worst blogger ever. Without further ado…this is what Netflix and I have been up to lately:

Game of Thrones

Netflix summary: Originally airing on HBO, this live-action fantasy series — based on George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels — charts the violent efforts of competing noble families to gain control of the vacant Westeros throne.

★★★★ Holy shit you guys! I watched the first season of GOT but then stopped either because I couldn’t remember who everyone was by the second season, or because Khal Drogo died and I was like “what’s the point of this show anymore?” (I now follow Jason Momoa’s instagram account to sustain me) Anyway, after a lot of hype from friends, I decided to catch up. In the month of April I watched the ENTIRE six seasons. Basically back-to-back as soon as I got off work until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. I had to scroll super fast through social media to avoid spoilers. Pretty sure my muscles atrophied that month. But yes basically it is THE BEST thing to ever happen to me. The only real question I have is: how have you people been dealing with watching only one episode per week??

 

Age of Adaline

Netflix summary: After 29-year-old Adaline recovers from a nearly lethal accident, she inexplicably stops growing older. As the years stretch on and on, Adaline keeps her secret to herself — till she meets a man who changes her life.

★★★★ I’m not really into romantic movies but this one stands out. The cinematography, the costumes, Blake Lively’s beautiful fucking face, and most importantly the writing…all fantastic, IMHO. I didn’t even know this movie existed until Netflix was like “Yoooo watch dis.” Thanks Netflix! (Also free on Hulu and Amazon Prime but shhh don’t tell my bf). There are already quite a few movies out that that hypothesize on what it’d be like to not age (for example Tuck Everlasting) or age weird (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). This movie was somehow more gut-wrenching for me. To be honest I watched it three times last week; what can I say, I’m in the target audience. #29yearoldwhitegirl

 

All the President’s Men

Netflix summary: The film that launched a thousand journalism school students, All the President’s Men chronicles how the work of reporters Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) contributed to the public downfall of President Richard M. Nixon. The duo connected a Washington, D.C., hotel break-in with a Nixon “dirty tricks” team assigned to discredit Democratic rivals, launching a series of tense events that forced Nixon to resign.

★★★★ Watched as part of my desperate effort to finish the Top 100 AFI list. It’s the third movie on the list with Dustin Hoffman (that I’ve seen) so clearly AFI loves the shit out of Dustin Hoffman. A suspenseful look into Watergate. Couldn’t stop saying “I am not a crook” in a Nixon voice the entire time.

 

Sullivan’s Travels

Netflix summary: Tired of churning out lightweight comedies, Hollywood director John L. Sullivan decides to make O Brother, Where Art Thou? a serious, socially responsible film about human suffering. After his producers point out that he knows nothing of hardship, Sullivan hits the road disguised as a hobo. En route to enlightenment, he meets a lovely but no-nonsense young woman and more trouble than he ever dreamed of.

★★★★ Was a little put off by the fact that Veronica Lake’s character doesn’t have a name and is simply referred to as “the girl” both in movie and in credits. But there was some good old fashioned comedy and the movie makes a good point about comedy being just as important as drama.

 

A Place in the Sun

Netflix summary: Dirt-poor George Eastman (Montgomery Clift) lands himself a factory job thanks to a well-to-do uncle’s largesse and has a tryst with co-worker Alice (Shelley Winters) to combat his loneliness. But he forgets the uncultured Alice when he becomes smitten with a stunning socialite (Elizabeth Taylor). Alice can’t forget George, however, because she’s expecting his baby. Their dilemma sets off a course of events that can only end in tragedy.

★★★★ Also on the AFI list, this movie does a fantastic job with suspense. Both me and my real-life boyfriend did a lot of yelling at George: “What about Alice, George! Don’t do that George!” Real-life boyfriend does not like how many downer movies are on the AFI list…and this movie is one of them. BUT if you’re like “what was the big deal about Elizabeth Taylor?” then you can find out because she’s 19 in this movie and va-va-voom!

 

Melancholia

Netflix summary: This inventive drama charts the disintegrating relationship between newly married twentysomething Justine and her sister, Claire, just as Earth hurtles toward certain collision with a newly discovered planet.

★★★★ Having watched this in the dead of a Washington state winter, I can attest to identifying heavily with the emotions, if not the actions, of the main characters in this movie. Stunningly beautiful set!