One of the many things that Jeff and his college roommate Brenton bond over is their love of music, so it only makes sense that Brenton would provide a lineup for Karaoke Korner.
That’s Auntertainment! Karaoke Korner 22
October 10, 2021
Podcasts, That's Auntertainment karaoke, Podcasts, That's Auntertainment, The Flaming Lips, tune-yards, Weird Al Yankovic Leave a comment
Entertainment To-Do List: Week of 10/8/21
October 8, 2021
Cinema, Entertainment To-Do List, Sports, Television A Night in the Academy Museum, B Positive, Chucky, Lamb, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Muppets, Muppets Haunted Mansion, Nancy Drew, No Time to Die, The Baby-Sitters Club, The Kids Tonight Show, The Rescue, Whose Line is it Anyway?, WNBA Leave a comment
Muppets Haunted Mansion (CREDIT: Mitch Haaseth/Disney)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
Movies
–Lamb (Theaters)
–No Time to Die (Theaters) – Daniel Craig is so happy that this is finally coming out.
–The Rescue (Theaters)
TV
–Muppets Haunted Mansion (October 8 on Disney+) – Ed Asner has passed away, but he was not murdered or scared to death on the set of this.
–Nancy Drew Season 3 Premiere (October 8 on The CW)
–Whose Line is it Anyway? Season 18 Premiere (October 9 on The CW)
–Legends of the Hidden Temple Reboot Premiere (October 10 on The CW) – Formerly of Nickelodeon.
–The Baby-Sitters Club Season 2 (October 11 on Netflix)
–Chucky Series Premiere (October 12 on SyFy) – Chucky the Doll, that is.
–A Night in the Academy Museum (October 12 on ABC) – Hosted by Laura Dern and Tom Hanks.
–B Positive Season 2 Premiere (October 14 on CBS)
–The Kids Tonight Show Series Premiere (October 14 on Peacock)
Sports
-WNBA Finals (Begins October 10, ABC and ESPN)
‘The Rescue’ Embeds Itself Within the Thai Soccer Team Cave Rescue
October 7, 2021
Cinema, Movie Reviews documentary, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, The Rescue 1 Comment
The Rescue (CREDIT: National Geographic)
Starring: Junior Soccer Players, Cave Divers, Thai Navy SEALs
Directors: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin
Running Time: 107 Minutes
Rating: PG for Dangerous Situations
Release Date: October 8, 2021 (Theaters)
If you want to experience very high levels of vicarious stress, then I recommend watching The Rescue. If that sounds awful, know that you’ll also be rewarded with plenty of inspiration! This documentary tells the story of the Thai soccer team that was trapped in and subsequently rescued from a cave in 2018. The operation lasted a few weeks, and while the film lasts less than two hours, you really get a sense of just how long the boys were waiting to be freed. The whole time I was watching, I just wanted it to be over. I knew the major details about the story, so I could rest assured that it was going to be a happy ending, but that didn’t make it any more bearable. That’s not a criticism about the filmmaking; on the contrary, the fact that I could experience that much secondhand claustrophobia and still be enthralled speaks to the power of the presentation.
The Rescue is about once-in-a-lifetime ingenuity fueled by whatever hope is available, all undergirded by the question “What does the impossible look like?” An international team of the best cave divers in the world is assembled. If anybody can retrieve the boys safely, it’s these guys, but their assessment is that it will be the most difficult job they’ve ever had to pull off. With poor visibility, lowering oxygen levels, and rising water levels that are only going to get higher with the looming monsoon season, the task is urgent and requires levels of expertise that have quite possibly never been utilized. Solutions are made up on the fly that theoretically sound like terrible ideas to the people capable of pulling them off, but they’re certainly better than doing nothing.
I can tell you this with genuine certainty: I won’t be doing any spelunking anytime soon. Not that I was planning on doing that before watching The Rescue, but now I have something I can point to if anybody ever asks me why I’m so against it. Maybe I’ll dip my toe in a cave or two, but never so far that I can’t see where I entered from. But thank God there are people on this world who feel very differently than me about this. As this documentary demonstrates, we kind of need them.
The Rescue is Recommended If You Like: your documentaries inspirational and death-defying
Grade: 4 out of 5 Tham Luangs
‘Lamb’ Will Have Audiences Everywhere Baa-ing Cries of Joy
October 6, 2021
Cinema, Movie Reviews Björn Hylnur Haraldsson, Hilmir Snaer Gudnason, Lamb, Noomi Rapace, Valdimar Jóhannsson 1 Comment
Lamb (CREDIT: A24)
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Hilmir Snaer Gudnason, Björn Hylnur Haraldsson
Director: Valdimar Jóhannsson
Running Time: 106 Minutes
Rating: R for Some Bursts of Blood and a Few Sexy Moments
Release Date: October 8, 2021 (Theaters)
The best way I can describe the appeal (or potential appeal) of Lamb is by linking to this art installation piece of a dog-human hybrid by Australian artist Patricia Piccinini. It went viral as a supposedly real example of a cross-bred canine-human species to the point that Snopes had to debunk it. You don’t have to believe in actual missing links to find this uncanny mix-up compelling, which is why I believe that there is a healthy appetite for something like Lamb. Noomi Rapace and Hilmir Snaer Gudnason play María and Ingvar, a childless couple in the Icelandic countryside who suddenly find themselves in the presence of Ada, a creature that has the face and fleece of a baby sheep but the bipedalism and mannerisms of a human child. Director/co-writer Valdimar Jóhannsson has concocted something undeniably strange, though the presentation is mostly heartwarming.
A premise like Lamb‘s definitely isn’t for everyone, but skittish viewers might just be surprised to discover how much Ada can wiggle her way into their hearts. María and Ingvar treat her as lovingly as they would any child. They make sure to ask her how she’s feeling and if she’s hungry … all the things that you do to be attentive to a little one. They even give her a crown of flowers that makes her like the Midsommar Queen. And on top of all that, there’s even a scene featuring one of the characters’ old music videos on a VHS tape that results in an impromptu dance party. There’s just so much spontaneous joy in this movie!
But alas, there is also some terror lurking around the edges. For one thing, Ingvar’s brother Pétur comes to visit for a few days, and he just doesn’t understand how a human family could raise Ada the way that his brother and sister-in-law are. He also tries to make some moves on María that are very much not welcome. Then there is the sublime nature of Iceland itself to contend with. It’s a beautiful country, but it’s the kind of place that looks like it’s going to swallow you up whenever it feels like it. And then there’s the question of whether or not this living arrangement with Ada can last. Is it indeed too unnatural for everybody to accept? Sadly, it might be, but we can definitely remember the good times.
Lamb is Recommended If You Like: The Muppets, E.T., Modern Fables, the Adorable Side of the Uncanny Valley
Grade: 4 out of 5 Cats
Review of ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye,’ Hurray!
October 5, 2021
Cinema, Movie Reviews Michael Showalter, Tammy Faye Bakker, The Eyes of Tammy Faye Leave a comment
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (CREDIT: Searchlight Pictures © 2021 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved)
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Cherry Jones, Vincent D’Onofrio, Sam Jaeger
Director: Michael Showalter
Running Time: 126 Minutes
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: September 17, 2021 (Theaters)
How many eyes did Tammy Faye Bakker have? Just two, but it feels like more. There was a lot of attention around them! Also, the biopic starring Jessica Chastain as her was released just a couple weeks before The Many Saints of Newark, so I kept wanting to call it The “Many” Eyes of Tammy Faye, which I think would’ve been pretty cool. Director Michael Showalter is sketch comedy royalty, after all, surely he would’ve been able to make something out of that prompt. Anyway, the movie that we actually got is mostly straightforward and empathy-inducing.
Grade: 1 out of 2 Eyes Sometimes, 2 out of 2 Eyes Other Times
It’s Not Time to Die, Because It’s Time for a Review of ‘No Time to Die’
October 5, 2021
Cinema, Movie Reviews Ana de Armas, Ben Whishaw, Billy Magnussen, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Christoph Waltz, Daniel Craig, James Bond, Jeffrey Wright, Lashana Lynch, Léa Seydoux, Naomie Harris, No Time to Die, Ralph Fiennes, Rami Malek, Rory Kinnear 1 Comment
No Time to Die (CREDIT: Nicola Dove/© 2020 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)
Starring: Daniel Craig, Léa Seydoux, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Ana de Armas, Rory Kinnear, Billy Magnussen, Christoph Waltz
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Running Time: 163 Minutes
Rating: PG-13 for Spy Violence with the Bloodiest Moments Artfully Obscured
Release Date: October 8, 2021 (Theaters)
The Daniel Craig version of James Bond carries the weight of his previous chapters: the physical scars, the emotional scars, all the expectations of the world. Ergo, the conclusive entry No Time to Die really goes out of its way to tie everything together and put a nice little bow on the whole affair. That was also actually kind of the case six years ago with Spectre, but that earlier film had a lot of viewers going, “Wait-wait-wait, hold on, you don’t have to tie ALL of these seemingly disparate threads together.” But now that I’ve seen No Time to Die pull it off, I appreciate the effort, and I can confidently say that the Craig Era is fully synthesized with a satisfying emotional resolution.
As we check back in with Bond, he’s hanging out with Léa Seydoux’s Dr. Madeleine Swann in Italy, and they appear to be a full-fledged item. I preferred him with Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale, but she’s dead now. She’s not forgotten, though, as James makes sure to set aside some of his time in Italy to visit her tomb. At this point in his life, he’s really trying his damnedest to get out of the spy game once and for all, and Madeleine can be a chance for him to do that, but he doesn’t fully trust her. Besides, go-to evil organization SPECTRE is still causing plenty of chaos, and new foe Safin (Rami Malek) has dangerous world-altering plans that James and Madeleine eventually get caught up in. There are a bunch of motivations working at cross-purposes here.
The most satisfying element of No Time to Die is the bonhomie. Everyone at MI6 respects each other as colleagues. Some of them would even go so far as to call each other friends. James is given the space he needs to be retired, but when it’s time for him to spring back into action, everyone is happy to have him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Q, Moneypenny, and Felix Leiter more pleased and honored to be in the company of their fellow agent. Even Lashana Lynch as the newly designated 007 has nothing but mutual respect to offer James. Ralph Fiennes as M, meanwhile, just looks eternally stressed out. He obviously has to answer to a multitude of masters, but I’m sure he appreciates his agents in his own way.
Anyway, Safin has this whole plan involving poison that’s going to usher in a new world order or something like that. I’m not entirely sure how the mechanics of it work, but I’m happy that it underscores (instead of getting in the way) the emotional resonance. James Bond is no longer just the uber-cool guy with the tuxedos and the gadgets and the martinis. Now he’s also a true part of our parasocial family.
No Time to Die is Recommended If You Like: The emphasis on character and continuity in this Bond era
Grade: 3.5 out of 5 Missiles
Jeff’s Wacky SNL Season 47 Premiere Review: Owen Wilson/Kacey Musgraves
October 3, 2021
Saturday Night Live, SNL Weekly Recaps, Television Kacey Musgraves, Owen Wilson, Saturday Night Live, Saturday Night Live Season 47, SNL, SNL Season 47 2 Comments
SNL: Kacey Musgraves, Owen Wilson, Kenan Thompson (CREDIT: NBC/Screenshot)
Hello, readers, you are now about to read my review of Saturday Night Live‘s Season 47 premiere, which was hosted by Mr. Owen Wilson with musical guest Ms. Kacey Musgraves. I like to mix up my review style every once in a while, so for this episode, I will talk about the sketches in the reverse order in which they aired. I don’t think I’ll be doing that for every episode this season; instead, I’ll be mixing it up … we’ll see how it goes!
Also, I should mention that I’m in the midst of training for the New York City Marathon, so if it feels like my review was written after running double-digit miles, now you know why.
That’s Auntertainment! Mini-Episode: Aunt Beth Tells Jeff to Watch TwinsthenewTrend
October 3, 2021
Podcasts, That's Auntertainment Dolly Parton, In the Air Tonight, Jolene, Phil Collins, Podcasts, That's Auntertainment, TwinsthenewTrend Leave a comment
(CREDIT: TwinsthenewTrend/Screenshot)
Aunt Beth has decreed that Jeff should check out viral YouTube sensation “TwinsthenewTrend.” They listen to famous songs for the first time and post their reactions on the World Wide Web. Now Jeff is posting his reaction to their reactions! And soon enough, YOU can react to Jeff reacting to them!
Just a Bit About Venom Letting There Be Carnage
October 2, 2021
Cinema, Movie Reviews Andy Serkis, Carnage, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Peggy Lu, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, Tom Hardy, Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Woody Harrelson 1 Comment
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (CREDIT: Sony Pictures Entertainment/Screenshot)
Starring: Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, Peggy Lu
Director: Andy Serkis
Running Time: 97 Minutes
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: October 1, 2021 (Theaters)
How much carnage did Venom: Let There Be Carnage let there be? Henceforth, “carnage” will refer to “stuff that I liked” (except when I need it to mean something different). Let me count the ways:
-That scene when Venom gives a heartfelt speech at a rave. That’s what it’s all about!
-The turmoil on Tom Hardy’s face as Eddie Brock tries to be happy for his ex’s engagement. That’s a lot of carnage in one man’s psyche!
-Dan (Reid Scott) gets to be heroic. That’s considerate chaos!
-Naomie Harris got the memo. A LOT of carnage in those eyes and that hair.
-Mrs. Chen gets in on the fun. Good call having her be in on Eddie/Venom’s secret.
-Michelle Williams really looks like she’s in a good place.
-Now onto the more literal aspects of carnage. When the subtitular symbiote makes his way into Woody H., it really starts pushing the limits of PG-13. A bunch of people caught in the mayhem get crushed or ripped apart. An entire truck is suddenly thrown off a bridge! What happened to the people in that truck? There’s no time to find out! All we know is the detective telling us that people keep saying they’re seeing monsters.
In conclusion: not as revelatory as the first one, but more heartwarming.
Grade: A Mostly Good Match
Entertainment To-Do List: Week of 10/1/21
October 1, 2021
Cinema, Entertainment To-Do List, Music, Television Ghosts, Lady GaGa, LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales, Liberté, Love for Sale, Saturday Night Live, SNL, The Addams Family 2, The Doobie Brothers, The Many Saints of Newark, Titane, Tony Bennett, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Yes, Young Sheldon Leave a comment
Ghosts (CREDIT: Cliff Lipson/CBS ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
Movies
–The Addams Family 2 (Theaters and On Demand) – Still snappin’ those fingers.
–The Many Saints of Newark (Theaters and HBO Max) – Getting back to waking up this morning.
–Titane (Theaters) – From the director of Raw.
–Venom: Let There Be Carnage (Theaters) – “Let there be carnage”? I demand it!
TV
–LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales (October 1 on Disney+)
–Saturday Night Live Season 47 Premiere (October 2 on NBC) – Kicking off with Owen Wilson and Kacey Musgraves.
–Ghosts Series Premiere (October 7 on CBS)
–Young Sheldon Season 4 Premiere (October 7 on CBS)
Music
-The Doobie Brothers, Liberté
-Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett, Love for Sale
-Yes, The Quest
