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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 playsAdam 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.
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.
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.
