Thursday, May 10, 2012

A Change of Direction

So...The Late Night Stream is looking to be headed in a change of direction.  I originally started this blog with the intention of spreading the word and wonders of streaming tv and movies.  But I get the sense that even though this is a hugely growing market, I may have backed myself into a corner and there's just so much more I want to write about.  So...with our eyes set to the future, The Late Night Stream will be focusing more on the "Late Night" and a little less on the "Stream".

What do you mean?

I'm glad you asked!  Having worked the night shift for the last 4 1/2 years, I have become a self proclaimed MASTER at finding ways to cure my boredom.  I hope to share many of those ideas here.  From streaming videos, to gaming, to surfing the Net.  Every so often, I'll find something that to me is just "WOW".  It may be a youtube video that catches my attention, or some band that the rest of the world has heard a million times, but I only just heard about them today. Much like the group Fun and their song We Are Young!


This video has 48.5 million views...since December.  WHY HAVEN'T I HEARD THIS SONG TILL NOW?  But I'm not going to be completely abandoning what got this blog started.  I will be doing my best every post to find some new streaming tv show/movie to feature.  And with that in mind...

Television Spotlight

Castle - ABC

I used to have a philosophy of not wanting to start a show in the middle of a season, or many times without watching it from season one.  Castle however has changed my mind.  While I originally started watching for Nathan Fillon (I've got a full on Mancrush), The drama and comedy will pull you in.  It's similar of most crime drama shows, but again, Nathan Fillon.....Here's a preview of the oldest show available on the ABC website.  Might as well start as far back as possible.


So...I'll get more into it next time, and until then...Just keep your eyes open!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A Paradigm Shift in Television Viewing

Well, it's been awhile since I've made a post.  Don't know what it was the last couple of months. It started out with a violent cold.  I just didn't have the energy.  Once I was better, I had just moved on to other things.  But I'm thinking it's time to bring the Stream back. 

First - An article from the New York Times regarding a change in TV ratings and what could possibly be to blame.  Take a quick read and see if you come to the same conclusion that I do:  It's a GREAT TIME  to get into streaming!

Prime-Time Ratings Bring Speculation of a Shift in Habits

Now on to the Stream!

TV Spotlight

Who doesn't like a good Scandal? Well the folks at ABC have a new show out that focuses on just that...that everyone's dirty little secrets come out.  The main character Olivia Pope plays a former politico/fixer who used to work for the President...and you can just imagine the skeletons she's kept in his closet!



I've been really impressed with ABC this last year...Starting with Once Upon a Time, the Ashley Judd show Missing, and now Scandal.

Check it out HERE!

That's it for tonight guys!  See you down the road!

Monday, February 13, 2012

What would you do...to MAKE IT?

What's your dream?  Everyone's got one.  Some dreams, like mine, are quite simple.  I dream about a nice house in the mountains next to my own pond and a vehicle that is dependable.  But some dreams are much, much bigger!  Some like my sister (who is AMAZING) have dreams of record deals and stardom.  Now...what would you do to make that dream come true?  This week's Late Night Stream takes a look at people trying to make their dreams of being a star reality.

All the TV show streams will be available free on their networks website, and the movies will be available from Netflix streaming. I do not endorse or advocate illegal streams or downloads. 

Television Spotlight

The Voice - NBC

It's been over a decade since Simon, Paula, and Randy first brought us a whole new type of reality show.  American Idol has made stars of many of it's winners and even a few of those not lucky to be voted number 1 by the fans.  Well just as Idol revolutionized reality shows, The Voice has revolutionized the music reality TV show...at least in my opinion.  The entire focus of this show is...wait for it...THE MUSIC!  The contestants have blind auditions in front of four celebrity judges/coaches...although I really should say they sing "BEHIND" the coaches.  The coaches don't get to see the contestants at all until after they have heard them sing.  If the coaches like what they hear - then and only then do they get to see who they've chosen. 



Netflix Streaming Spotlight

Who doesn't like a little mindless fun sometimes?  Airheads isn't necessarily the best written or best acted movie of all time...but if a movie with Brendan Fraser, Adam Sandler, and Steve Buscemi portraying a wannabe hair metal band that takes a radio station hostage just to get some airtime for their demo tape sounds like your cup of tea...then welcome to my mind!



Netflix streaming services are only $7.99 per month and you receive so much programming between Movies and TV shows it's a great bang for your buck.  (It works out to .26 cents a day)  If you don't already subscribe you can sign up

Disc Rental Spotlight

What's the first movie you think of when you hear the name Ralph Macchio?  Karate Kid probably.  Well not me...The only Ralph Macchio movie that matters in my opinion is Crossroads.  Classically trained guitarist decides to leave Julliard and follow his dream of becoming a blues guitarist.  Along the way he breaks an over this harmonica player out of jail and hitchhikes his way down to Mississippi.  Oh and a phenomenal guitar duel climax featuring Steve Vai!


Netflix has many different plans available from streaming only ($7.99/month), up to 8 discs at a time + streaming (DVD $51.98/month or Blu-Ray $60.98/month).  I personally get 1 blu-ray at a time + streaming which is $17.98/month).  Keep in mind that I don't get cable or dish and due to where I live am unable to receive any local channels via antenna.  I find that one disc is plenty for my needs, but you may want more or none at all. 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Time to go...Undercover!

In the last 15 years Reality shows have become almost a dime a dozen.  From Survivor and The Bachelor to Celebrity Rehab there's pretty much a show for everyone's taste or lack thereof.  Recently my wife and I have been enjoying watching past seasons of The Biggest Loser on Netflix.  Tonight's Late Night Stream starts out with a show that's inspirational as well as entertaining.

All the TV show streams will be available free on their networks website, and the movies will be available from Netflix streaming. I do not endorse or advocate illegal streams or downloads.



Television Spotlight


Undercover Boss - CBS

CEO's and Presidents of large companies go undercover in their own companies to see what really happens behind the scenes.   It's a great idea in my opinion.  How often do we complain that the boss or "corporate" doesn't understand what life is like for the low man on the totem pole?  This show attempts to answer some of those concerns and questions.


Netflix Streaming Spotlight

Sticking with the idea of "going undercover" this week we're looking at Mrs. Doubtfire.  One of my favorite Robin Williams movies (after Good Morning Vietnam) this story follows a voice actor who has lost his job and is going through a divorce as he fights to see his children.  After family court decides he will only have a small amount of time with his kids Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) decides the only way to get more time with them is to become their Nanny, but of course Mom won't have that so he takes on the personage of "Mrs. Doubtfire" and the hijinks ensue.


Netflix streaming services are only $7.99 per month and you receive so much programming between Movies and TV shows it's a great bang for your buck.  (It works out to .26 cents a day)  If you don't already subscribe you can sign up HERE.

Disc Rental Spotlight

And what would an undercover week be without a good "Undercover Cop" movie!  One of my personal favorites The Fast and the Furious!  Paul Walker goes undercover in the high speed world of street racing.  It's all action all the time and the role of Dominic Toretto made Vin Diesel a household name.  With 4 sequels so far and another announced for 2013, the original is still the best in my opinion.


Netflix has many different plans available from streaming only ($7.99/month), up to 8 discs at a time + streaming (DVD $51.98/month or Blu-Ray $60.98/month).  I personally get 1 blu-ray at a time + streaming which is $17.98/month).  Keep in mind that I don't get cable or dish and due to where I live am unable to receive any local channels via antenna.  I find that one disc is plenty for my needs, but you may want more or none at all. 

Friday, February 3, 2012

Hope in Chaos

Sometimes it seems that inspirational shows or movies are few and far between.  Network and Cable TV is riddled with crime dramas and prime time soap operas that feature a lot of sex and violence.  Trying to find something good and wholesome to watch can be a challenge.  And we can't watch Food Network all day! (Well, I could)

All the TV show streams will be available free on their networks website, and the movies will be available from Netflix streaming. I do not endorse or advocate illegal streams or downloads.

Television Spotlight

A few years ago a show came out on NBC that reinvented the idea of superheroes.  Tim Kring's Heroes for me was one of the most phenomenal TV shows of the last decade, maybe even the last 50 years.  I was quite saddened when it wasn't renewed after it's fourth season.

Well Tim Kring has a new show out on Fox, and it has the potential to be just as phenomenal.  Touch stars Kiefer Sutherland as a father of a mute, autistic boy who sees patterns in the chaos of everyday life, and how those patterns interweave throughout our lives.  As I was watching it for the first time I began thinking to myself "This would make a great movie, but I'm not sure how the writers will be able to sustain a series with it."  All that changed in the last 15 minutes.  I don't want to ruin the show for you, but man...it blew me away.  Find the full pilot of the show HERE.



Netflix  Streaming Spotlight

Normally I would offer a movie along the same themes as our television spotlight, but this week I think we'll watch Heroes.  If you haven't seen it before, all four seasons are available to stream on Netflix.  The basic premise is that mankind is on the edge of an evolutionary shift where some of us are blessed with superhuman abilities.  There's good guys and bad guys, but I haven't really enjoyed a bad guy like Zachary Quinto's portrayal of Sylar since Anthony Hopkin's performance as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs.



Netflix streaming services are only $7.99 per month and you receive so much programming between Movies and TV shows it's a great bang for your buck.  (It works out to .26 cents a day)  If you don't already subscribe you can sign up HERE.

Disc Rental Spotlight

The story that started it all, sort of.  In the 1960's Stan Lee created one of his most successful comic book franchises of all time:  X-Men.  Over the years they've seen their ups and downs.  Characters have joined and some have fallen, but at it's core it's a nerd's view of the struggle for civil rights.  Whether you have super powers or are just an ordinary friendly neighborhood guy like myself we can all sympathize with the idea that there's something inside us that makes us different.


Netflix has many different plans available from streaming only ($7.99/month), up to 8 discs at a time + streaming (DVD $51.98/month or Blu-Ray $60.98/month).  I personally get 1 blu-ray at a time + streaming which is $17.98/month).  Keep in mind that I don't get cable or dish and due to where I live am unable to receive any local channels via antenna.  I find that one disc is plenty for my needs, but you may want more or none at all.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

I am SPARTACUS!

Quick post here for all my friends that are fans of Spartacus: Blood and Sand. If you don't have Starz you can get episode 1 of Spartacus: Vengeance on their website.  Note this series is Rated: M for Mature Audiences.  Check it out HERE.


Also the entire first season Spartacus: Blood and Sand is available on Netflix if you want to catch up.  Sadly there's a new actor taking on the role of Spartacus.  Andy Whitfield died from cancer last year.  He left some big shoes to fill.


Netflix streaming services are only $7.99 per month and you receive so much programming between Movies and TV shows it's a great bang for your buck.  (It works out to .26 cents a day)  If you don't already subscribe you can sign up HERE.

This is NOT a family friendly show.  Expect blood, and sex so make sure the kiddies are in bed.

All the TV show streams will be available free on their networks website.  I do not endorse or advocate illegal streams or downloads.
 


Friday, January 27, 2012

...And Nothing But the Truth

Since the invention of film courtroom drama has consistently been a ratings cash cow.  Growing up I remember watching Perry Mason and Matlock with my Mother and Step-father.  Then as I got older my tastes evolved and I moved on to The Practice and Law and Order.  Some of the greatest courtroom dramas of the past two decades have been authored by John Grisham.  Tonight's Late Night Stream is a triple shot of Grisham.

All the TV show streams will be available free on their networks website, and the movies will be available from Netflix streaming. I do not endorse or advocate illegal streams or downloads.

Television Spotlight


The Firm - NBC


NBC has resurrected the 1993 Grisham movie The Firm as a weekly series.  Josh Lucas takes over the role of Mitch McDeere (Originally played by Tom Cruise).  The NBC show takes up the story 10 years after the events of the movie.  Mitch McDeere has come out of witness protection and opened up his own offices.  For fans of Battlestar Galactica the actor who played Leoben, Callum Keith Rennie takes on the role of Mitch's ex-con/private investigator brother Ray McDeere.  One of the themes of many of Grisham's novels and many courtroom dramas is that not only will your past come back to haunt you...that is one of the main themes of The Firm.  Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than searching for the truth, is finding it.



Netflix Streaming Spotlight

The Chamber

A young lawyer fresh out of Law School travels to Mississippi to take on his first death row case.  The defendant is his grandfather.  Chris O'Donnell plays Adam Hall grandson of a KKK member Sam Cayhall on death row for a bombing that killed 2 young children in the late 1960's.  Gene Hackman has one of his most powerful roles here as a man who grew up steeped in a culture of racism.  His last and only chance lies in the hands of his grandson who had never met him until this last appeal.


Netflix streaming services are only $7.99 per month and you receive so much programming between Movies and TV shows it's a great bang for your buck.  (It works out to .26 cents a day)  If you don't already subscribe you can sign up HERE.

Disc Rental Spotlight

Runaway Jury

One of my favorite actors John Cusack takes the lead in this courtroom thriller about the big business of jury tampering.   Another Grisham movie with Gene Hackman playing the bad guy, but he does a phenomenal job as corporate jury guru Rankin Fitch.  This movie takes a deep look behind the scenes of how large companies employ "jury consultants" to try and buy the outcome of a trial.  Also starring in this pic are Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz.



Netflix has many different plans available from streaming only ($7.99/month), up to 8 discs at a time + streaming (DVD $51.98/month or Blu-Ray $60.98/month).  I personally get 1 blu-ray at a time + streaming which is $17.98/month).  Keep in mind that I don't get cable or dish and due to where I live am unable to receive any local channels via antenna.  I find that one disc is plenty for my needs, but you may want more or none at all.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Salvation Lies Within

The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons - Dostoyevsky

Some of the greatest narratives of the last 50 years have come from movies about prison and the escape thereof.  We can all relate, even if we're not criminals.  We have all had situations that we wanted to escape from, or relationships that felt more confining than the bars of a prison cell.  We're going behind bars in this week's Late Night Stream.

This week I'm also going to be adding a rental feature as well as the streaming features.  While the main focus of the blog will still be streaming entertainment there are just too many good movies out there not available on streaming.  I use Netflix for my rental and streaming needs but use whatever service or store you find convenient.

All the TV show streams will be available free on their networks website, and the movies will be available from Netflix streaming. I do not endorse or advocate illegal streams or downloads.


With all that said...on to the reason for my writing.


Television 

Fox has a new show from Executive Producer J.J. Abrams - Alcatraz.  The premise is quite interesting.  In March of 1963 Alcatraz shut it's doors and transferred all their prisoners off the island...only that's not what really happened. Alcatraz features Sam Neill and Sarah Jones in one of the coolest shows I've seen since Lost.

Alcatraz - fox.com



Netflix Streaming Spotlight

Escape from New York -

The top guest review on Netflix probably put it best:


There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who are attracted by the idea of a man named "Snake" going into the post-apocalyptic prison colony of New York to rescue the President from a neo-barbarian prison gang led by Issac Hayes, and those who are not. You know who you are.



Netflix streaming services are only $7.99 per month and you receive so much programming between Movies and TV shows it's a great bang for your buck.  (It works out to .26 cents a day)  If you don't already subscribe you can sign up HERE

Disc Rental Spotlight

Shawshank Redemption

This movie...words just can't describe but I'll try.  Stephen King's portrayal of prison in the 1940's follows Andy Dufresne, a man framed for the murder of his wife and her lover.  Starring Tim Robbins as Andy and Morgan Freeman as his friend Red, this story shows just how far a man will go when pushed to the limit.



Netflix has many different plans available from streaming only ($7.99/month), up to 8 discs at a time + streaming (DVD $51.98/month or Blu-Ray $60.98/month).  I personally get 1 blu-ray at a time + streaming which is $17.98/month).  Keep in mind that I don't get cable or dish and due to where I live am unable to receive any local channels via antenna.  I find that one disc is plenty for my needs, but you may want more or none at all.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Steak Salute!

I just had to put a quick post up showing a little bit of respect to our men in uniform.  I was watching The Food Network show Throwdown with Bobby Flay and this episode came up.  I have so much respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country.  Especially ones that cook a good steak.



The full episode is available at both The Food Network as well as on Hulu.  Note that The Food Network link will bring up all of that station's Full Episodes available to stream.


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Where No One Has Gone Before!

Tonight on Late Night Stream I embrace my inner geek!  Star Trek is one of my favorite series of all time.  From tonight's TV Spotlight - Star Trek: The Original Series to my Movie Spotlight - 2009's Star Trek this creation of Gene Roddenberry not only pushed cultural boundaries it made us really imagine "What's out there?"  One of my favorite memories as a child was sitting on my Grandpa's lap watching Star Trek: The Next Generation.  And while some of the scenes are just laughably campy, many others are pure Sci-fi gold.

All the TV show streams will be available free on their networks website, and the movies will be available from Netflix streaming. I do not endorse or advocate illegal streams or downloads.

Television

Star Trek - startrek.com

The series that started it all.  While there were other Sci-Fi series during the 60's, no other show has had nearly as much cultural impact or had anywhere near the following of Star Trek.  This is the show that gave us our first on screen interracial kiss as well as one of the first Asians to have a major role in a network series. (George Takei - Sulu).  While you may not agree with everything in the show...you must admit it gives humanity something to aspire to.



I have to mention if you are Netflix subscriber - every single episode of every single Star Trek show is available to stream.  ST: TOS, TNG, DS9, Voyager, Enterprise, and yes...even the animated series! If not, you can still watch all 3 seasons of the original series as well as Enterprise and the animated series on strartrek.com.

Netflix Movie Spotlight

In 2009 Sci-Fi geeks and Trekkies worldwide were treated to the newest Star Trek movie.  Featuring an all new cast taking over the familiar roles of the original series this movie from J.J. Abrams had something for every fan of science fiction movies.  From time travel to huge explosions to half naked green alien females there was something for everyone.  While it's not Shatner and Nimoy, Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto do a great job of reinventing the familiar characters.



Netflix streaming services are only $7.99 per month and you receive so much programming between Movies and TV shows it's a great bang for your buck.  (It works out to .26 cents a day)  If you don't already subscribe you can sign up HERE.






Wednesday, January 18, 2012

On the Campaign Trail

This year's Republican Primary season is in full swing.  For those like me who love to watch the the political intrigue unfold, being without 24 hour cable news is a difficult thing.  What did we ever do without CNN and Fox News?  My TV features tonight shine a more comedic light onto the news of the day, while my Movie features a comedic look at the entire primary election process.

Again, all the TV show streams will be available free on their networks website, and the movies will be available from Netflix streaming. I do not endorse or advocate illegal streams or downloads.

Television Spotlight

The Colbert Report - Comedy Central
The Daily Show - Comedy Central

Both of these shows take a satirical look at not only politics, but the news in general and how it is reported on the 24 hour news networks.  While most of what is said is purely for laughs, I find it quite interesting that the news that they do comment on is accurate and more interesting to watch than CNN, MSNBC, or Fox News.




The Colber Report Stream
The Daily Show Stream

Both of these shows have the last few weeks of episodes available.

Netflix Movie Spotlight

One of my all time favorite political movies, Primary Colors is an almost eerie veiled look into the Clinton Campaign of 1992 during...you guessed it...Primary season.  John Travolta does a superb job at making the part of Governor Jack Stanton seem surreal and yet down to earth at the same time.  This movie doesn't split hairs. It shows the good and the bad of the political process, showing the juxtaposition of who we all want our politicians to be with who they actually are when the cameras are turned off.



Netflix streaming services are only $7.99 per month and you receive so much programming between Movies and TV shows it's a great bang for your buck.  (It works out to .26 cents a day)  If you don't already subscribe you can sign up HERE

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Fantasies and Nightmares!

Welcome to Late Night Stream.  I'm your host Late Night Matt.  Working overnight has given me way too much time alone.  My job is Night Audit at a local hotel.  I come in at 10:00 p.m. and I don't leave until 6:00 a.m.  While I do spend many hours playing my favorite computer games or hitting the tables in online poker, sometimes you just want to kick back and watch a great TV show or movie.

In each of my posts on this blog I will be featuring one TV show and one movie that you can find streaming.  Note that the movies will all be available on Netflix streaming, while the TV shows will all be free to watch streams from that network's own website.  I don't endorse or try and proliferate any illegal streams or downloads.  Now to kick it off!

TELEVISION SPOTLIGHT

Once Upon a Time - ABC

A couple of weeks ago many of you were enjoying your local celebration or family gathering for New Year's Eve 2012.  Well my wife and I didn't have a lot of moolah in the bank account and we also had to think about our rambunctious 2 year old son Connor so we decided to stay in.    Living in Bisbee, AZ we can't get our "Local" channels via a digital antenna and Cable TV is just too expensive.  Our friend Alex found us a stream of the show from Times Square and I sat down to find us something great to watch that we would enjoy but wasn't something we could normally find on Netflix streaming.

This was when I stumbled upon Once Upon a Time from ABC.  This show features all the familiar fairytale and storybook characters we love with a modern twist.  Not only did they have the show available to stream...but they had every single episode available so we didn't have to start in the middle of the season.  I think they have taken a few of the episodes down off their streaming site, but they still have the pilot and a couple of the first few episodes along with the last 3 or 4 available.  Also for my Lost fans...there's a few easter eggs if you keep your eyes open.



Check out Once Upon a Time

Netflix Movie Spotlight


The Game - Starring Michael Douglas and Sean Penn


This 1997 thriller is truly mind bending.  Nicholas Van Orton, the man with plenty of money, who could buy himself anything has a birthday coming up.  His brother gets him a gift certificate to play a very unique game.  Almost immediately his entire world spins out of control.  I don't want to go into it much more than that for fear of giving something away.  FYI - this isn't really a kid friendly movie.  There is sex and violence...and will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time.



Netflix streaming services are only $7.99 per month and you receive so much programming between Movies and TV shows it's a great bang for your buck.  (It works out to .26 cents a day)  If you don't already subscribe you can sign up HERE