I cannot believe we’re at the end of August already. We’re having an incredibly busy summer here, with family events, vacations, busy work schedules and more, and it’s hard to accept that there’s only a month left before we have to start shifting gears into fall. There was quite a bit going on in July, and I’m amazed that I still found time to write anything at all, let alone consume more media to write about here. So, let’s get into what interested me this month that I just haven’t had the time to write more about.
- Like many people, I’ve been obsessed with Netflix’s new series “Stranger Things.” I watched the first episode the day everything dropped, but I liked it so much — and knew my wife would enjoy it, too — that I waited for her to catch up so we could watch it together. We’re only a little more than halfway through the season’s 8-episode run, but I have a hunch we’ll finish it fairly quickly. I might write more about it when I finish if time allows, so I’ll keep it short here. But I’m really loving this debut series by the Duffer Brothers. Set in an Indiana suburb in the 1980s, it concerns the disappearance of a young boy, the appearance of a mysterious girl, a monster, and a shady government research lab. I love the aesthetic; imagine if Stephen King wrote a TV show, handed it over to Steven Spielberg to direct and then gave it over to John Carpenter for scoring and a few tweaks. But while the homages are plentiful for those looking, I love that “Stranger Things” becomes its own involved mystery. It’s scary, funny and moves quickly. There’s a great core of kids at the center. Winona Ryder gives a powerful performance as a mother in turmoil. David Harbour has a great deal of fun sneaking into places and punching people. I’m very curious to see where this all leads and, like I said, I may write more on it in the future. This is one of the most watchable series I’ve seen in a long time.
- Also dropping on Netflix the same day was season 3 of “BoJack Horseman.” When the streaming giant debuted the show a few years back, it was one of the most fascinating shows I’d seen. On the surface, it’s an Adult Swim-esque animated comedy about a former TV star (who’s also a horse) who lives in a Hollywoo(d) where animals and people live, love and work together. But the show gained notoriety for the way it also served as a melancholy look at depression, addiction, existential despair and discontent. Season 3 continues mixing the laughs and awkward silences. I’m about 7 episodes in, but I can already tell that BoJack’s quest to find happiness through an Oscar win will not end well. Again, there’s some stuff I might write about once I finish, so I’ll keep it short here. But if you’ve been a fan of the previous seasons, you’re going to dig what happens here. And newcomers would do well to check out episode 4, “Fish Out of Water,” a nearly wordless masterpiece that balances Looney Tunes-esque humor with “Lost in Translation”-esque angst. If you’d told me a few years ago that one of the best and most soul-searching shows on TV was a cartoon about an alcoholic horse, I would have rolled my eyes, but here we are.
- One final plug for Netflix. On July 1, they dropped all of the films of Albert Brooks. It’s the first time I can recall them ever releasing a collection of films based around one filmmaker, but I’m so glad they did. Brooks is a guy I’ve enjoyed in various films, but his directorial efforts have always been on my catch-up list. I haven’t made quite the headway I’d hoped for, but I’m slowly getting through his films. I started with “Defending Your Life,” which I adored, and then moved on to “Lost in America” (same). I love the awkward, slow-burn humor of Brooks’ films and his look at neurotic yuppies. The films are definitely products of their time, but his approach to human relationships and the way fear controls so much of our behavior is timeless. I’m looking forward to watching the rest of his films.
- Last night, my wife and I found ourselves without kids and with a few free hours, so we decided to make the most of it and have an impromptu date night. We went and saw “Star Trek Beyond.” And in a summer where pretty much everything has disappointed, I was happy to walk out feeling satisfied. “Star Trek” is one of those things I’ve never been too involved with, but I’ve picked up enough knowledge of it through cultural osmosis to not be unaware. I thought J.J. Abrams’ 2009 reboot was a great deal of fun; “Star Trek Into Darkness,” however, was a bleak slog that was indicative of everything wrong with modern blockbusters. “Star Trek Beyond” is much more in line with the first film in this new series. It’s light, fun and dabbles a bit in the philosophical introspection that the series is known for. Director Justin Lin, best known for the “Fast and Furious” movies, knows his way around an exciting action beat. But what people probably overlook is that his work on that series also showed an adeptness for balancing an ensemble. I think the new “Trek” films have one of the most charming and enjoyable casts this side of the Marvel universe, and I like the way this film finds new ways to pair up the characters. There’s nothing revolutionary here and it has its moments of silliness (the “Sabotage” moment is pretty silly), but in a summer of whiffs, it’s the one blockbuster that sent me out with a big smile.
- I’ve also been enjoying HBO’s miniseries “The Night Of.” Airing on Sunday nights, its the story of a young Muslim college kid (Riz Ahmed) in New York who becomes involved in a murder case. Written by Richard Price, it’s a methodical and detailed procedural. It moves slow, but it’s always fascinating, mostly because of the great cast at its disposal. John Turturro, in a role originally intended for the late James Gandolfini, is fantastic as a bottom-feeding lawyer who takes on the case. Ahmed, so good in “Nightcrawler,” is heartbreaking as Nazir. Bill Camp does some fantastic work as the detective whose brilliance and relentlessness make him a threat. This still has a few weeks to go, but I’m eager to see where it ends up.
- Reading wise, I’m not making as much progress as I would’ve hoped, but I’m reading a few good things. I’m making my way right now through “Reel Spirituality” by Robert K. Johnson, which I’m finding to be a great tool for broadening the ways I look at film and theology in conversation with each other. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in wading into those waters. I’m also reading Ron Chernow’s “Alexander Hamilton” biography. Yes, I’m reading it because of the way “Hamilton” has been constantly in rotation on my iPod. But I’m finding it a fascinating read and a reminder that I should probably pick up more history books from time to time.
- Finally, I’m always happy when I hear that a band from my old Christian music days is making good music again. Last decade, Relient K’s pop-punk was one of the most enjoyable pieces of Christian music, thanks to their fun lyrics and driving music. Their last album, however, “Collapsible Lung,” was uncharacteristically bitter and bleak, and their decision to cover other writers’ songs meant it lacked the cleverness and hope of Matt Theissen’s lyrics. Their new album “Air for Free” is a wonderful return to form, and I’ve had it on play a lot in the past few weeks. It’s optimistic, fun music, and it’s wonderful to have the back band to their roots.
I’m excited to see what August brings! Lots of fun stuff coming in the next few weeks!
