I had such a fun time sharing my all time favorite movies one week during Top Ten Tuesday and was so happy with how much we all had to talk about with movies and all the recs I got! I’ve been sharing the things I’ve added to my Netflix queue but I was thinking why don’t I round up all the things I’ve been watching sporadically? I mean, movies and tv are stories too! And I just really like any form of story-telling! For more What I’ve Been Watching posts, click here!
We didn’t do too much watching of movies and tv this summer and I’m totally okay with that! But here’s what we did watch!
Movies I Watched
Rudderless
“Devastated over his son’s death, former ad exec Sam removes himself from society to drink away his grief. When he summons the will to perform his son’s songs at a local bar, the music gains popularity and Sam claims to have written the tunes himself.”
Oh my god this is hands down one of the best movies I watched this year. I just completely moved me to tears…lots and lots of tears. The acting was superb and I just felt ALL THE THINGS with how the father was working through his grief. I did NOT quite expect what this movie actually was but it was freaking amazing. I STILL FEEL THE EMOTIONAL TURMOIL IN MY SOUL. But also it was like super delightful in ways? So basically….a 100% Jamie thing…rips your guts out but also is delightful.
Rating: 5/5
Wish I Was Here
“With his acting career moribund, Aidan Bloom steers a new tack in life, taking over his children’s education when private school becomes too costly. Finding much to learn as well as teach, Aidan develops his own unique curriculum for the kids.”
I am a longtime Zach Braff fan and I FINALLY got around to watching this and it was exactly what I had hoped for with a new movie from him — funny, heartfelt and kinda quirky. I loved how it centered around family (thought it’s not a FAMILY movie…f bombs & crude stuff if that thing bothers you) and modern life and how messy it all is and we are just all doing the best we can. The message was so poignant and I really enjoyed it. Could definitely relate to some of the things about the necessity of a job vs. following your passion or how you feel like even as an adult you don’t quite have it together or that feeling of “HOW DID WE GET HERE!”
Rating: 4.5/5
Straight Outta Compton
“Bringing the raw reality of South Central Los Angeles to vinyl in the 1980s, N.W.A.’s electrifying debut album upped the social ante for rap music. This pull-no-punches portrait of the band’s brief career traces their dramatic rise and fall.”
2 things you should know about me: 1) I love old school rap and hip hop (bleh to most of the new stuff) and always have even as a young kid whose older half sister let her listen to it even though her parents would have stroked out if they knew 2) I LOVE biopics — like so much. So Will and I went to the theater to see this film about N.W.A and the early days of some of the rap artists who really set the scene for things to come. Loved learning a little more about Dre, Ice Cube and Easy E and seeing their journey — made me wonder what would have become of Eazy E. LOVED seeing hints of Pac and Snoop — made me so happy. The movie itself was definitely interesting — I knew bits and pieces of the feuds and the early history of NWA so this filled in the rest. It captivated my attention for sure the whole time though sometimes I felt the pacing to be off. With everything going on today with police brutality, those scenes where they are victims to it just cut even deeper…like that they could just be a threat merely for standing there and being perceived as gangbangers. Thought the actors were tremendous and I just was really impressed by the movie itself. Didn’t loooooove how they treated women I’ll be honest so that was hard but still really enjoyed the movie and was glad to learn more about some artists I’ve always loved. Respect even more what they went through to make their dreams happen.
Rating: 4/5
TV I Watched
True Detective, Season 1
“Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson star in this crime drama about two detectives caught up in the 17-year-long hunt for a serial killer. Both cops’ roles in a 1995 murder investigation come back to haunt them when the case is reopened.”
Matthew is one of my faaaaves and really love Woody and their chemistry was amazing. It definitely hit its stride after 2 slow first episodes that intrigued me but made me weary if it was going to forever be that slow. I was fascinated by the mystery and how the pieces came together as we see the flashbacks vs. present day where it appears the case is reopened. I have heard mixed things about season 2 sooo I don’t know what to do. PLEASE WEIGH IN! I LOVED this season!
Rating: 4/5
Wayward Pines
“Secret Service agent Ethan Burke’s search for his ex-partner/girlfriend and a colleague leads him to idyllic Wayward Pines, where he’s hit by a truck. As he recovers, disturbing truths about the town begin to cast a dark shadow on his mission.”
OMG THIS SHOW WAS NUTS (totally didn’t know it was based on a book when I started it). So twisty and turny and it was not at all what I thought it would be. I loved figuring out what the hell was up with Wayward Pines, seriously creepy town, right along with Ethan. I don’t want to say too much but I enjoyed it though I am SUPER confused and conflicted by the end. Like I think it’s not meant to have a second season even though I’m like WHAAAAT HOW NOT?? I HAVE QUESTIONS. HOW DID THEY GET TO THAT POINT AT THE END. LET ME SEE IT. (even though I can surmise what happened). It felt kind of bleak to me if there is no follow-up but I still think it was good.
Rating: 3.5/5
I did just start Game of Thrones and am only a couple episodes in so hopefully I’ll have an update for you in my next edition of this!
Have you seen any of these movies/shows? What did you think? What have YOU been watching lately? I’d love to know anything that is standing out for you that you’d recommend to me!
Amber @ Books of Amber says
I need to watch True Detective! So many people have told me it’s great. And if they have chemistry I can definitely ship it, right? RIGHT?
I’ve not been watching much lately. I finished the first season of Scream last night and while the acting is bad and the plot twist was predictable, I’ll be watching the next season when it airs. And also HAWAII FIVE-0! I haven’t marathoned a show like this since The 100 and we all know how that turned out 😀
Jamie says
OMG I kid you not…half of me was just hoping they would get together even though there was like no basis for it hahah. SHIP AWAY. It’s really excellent though. Little slow setting up but then it’s like OH DAMN.
Ooooh I have been wondering about Scream. It’s so hard to watch a redo of that though. I’m like I GREW UP WITH SCREAM. I CANNOT. I have been very curious about Hawaii 5-0 esp bc an actor I liked from Lost is on it! If you are marathoning it IN THAT WAY….I need to check it out clearly!! I also feel like Will would like that one so win win because we have such a hard time finding shows we both want to watch.
GAHHHH I NEED THE 100 TO BE BACK ON. I GIVE NO SHITS IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF MY TV LIFE COMPARED TO THAT.
Amber @ Books of Amber says
Oh I am ON this.
Yeahhh, the original Scream is one of my all time favourite movies, and it’s my favourite franchise aside from Jurassic Park and Fast & Furious. They have changed quite a bit of it though, as it’s no longer about Sydney and the traditional Ghostface. Some people appreciate that, some people hate it!
HAWAII FIVE-0 THOUGH <3 It's so good, and so addictive. And Steve and Danno have soooo much chemistry. It's all about family too, which is my favourite thing in shows. If there's no family aspect then I rarely enjoy it!
Have you seen Secrets and Lies? Dee and I marathoned that a few weeks ago and it's a really good mystery with a twist that I half expected, but half didn't expect them to actually go there. Plus, there's Ryan Phillipe.
MY LIFE IS INCOMPLETE UNTIL THE 100 IS BACK ON I FEEL LIKE A PLASTIC BAG DRIFTING… yep I'll stop there.
Jamie says
Oooh so they changed it….now I’m a little more interested!! I’m okay with that…like that they are recreating it and not trying to be the same.
OMG I wanted to watch Secrets and Lies but Will was like WAH WAH we don’t need another show. AND UM YEAH…RYAN. He was def one of my biggest celeb crushes as a teen. STILL SO HOT. I’m making him watch it. THE END.
YES PLASTIC BAG DRIFTING. This exactly!!! In the meantime I just keep reccing it to everyone — like my hair dresser yesterday who doesn’t at all watch that kind of stuff. She’s talking about Grey’s Anatomy (which I have loved) and I’m like yeaaah you should binge The 100 instead lol
Heather says
I just finished the first season of Bloodline on Netflix. It was slow at times, but also really good. The acting and little teases kept me coming back for more and I will definitely be watching Season 2 when they finish it.
Jamie says
Oh I’ve been curious about Bloodlines!! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it. That’s kind of how True Detective was for me…slow at times but it was so good and had this magnetic appeal that made me want to watch it compulsively.
Tiff @ Mostly YA Lit says
MUST WATCH Rudderless and Wish I Was Here – I remember when the latter was being kickstarted, so glad you put it on my radar. =)
Have you watched UnReal? It’s the craziest, awesomest show I watched all summer. Dark and really cynical, with women running the show. You must watch it!
Jamie says
Omg yes watch both of them! Particularly Rudderless bc I literally don’t know anyone who has watched it and I need to talk about it!!! I watched it by myself so I can’t even go on about it to Will. I keep trying to cajole Ginger to watch it but obvi with school starting she’s busy!
I have NOT watched UnReal but DEF checking it out!!
Mallory @ The Leaning Tower of Tomes says
I haven’t watched True Detective, but I really want to after all the glorious praise it’s gotten. And I can’t wait to hear what you think about Game of Thrones! It’s one of my favorite shows. 🙂
Jamie says
I’ll be interested to see what you think about it! I would just honestly watch Matthew read the dictionary bc that VOICE soooo hahah. And I will def be sharing my GoT feelings when I finish the first season. It’s SO good but I’m def having trouble already with keeping up with characters and lands and all that so I’m scared to even check out the books.
Rachel Writes Things says
Hmmm I just watched the first episode of Young & Hungry which is an ABCFamily show that is surprisingly…raunchy? the first season is on Netflix and it’s like Big Bang Theory meets cooking/chefs.
I need to watch RUDDERLESS. Is it on Netflix instant or did you borrow it from the library? etc.
Also, the Zach Braff movie looks goooood. I remember when this was kickstarted and meant to see it in theaters and I can’t remember why I didn’t (I live near an independent theater – perks!!). 🙂
Have a great rest of the week, Jamie!
Jamie says
I was wondering about Young & Hungry! Must check it out! Do we think Will will like it? He LOVES Baby Daddy on ABCFAM haha
I still get one disc out on my Netflix plan bc a lot of movies I want to watch aren’t on streaming.
Avanti Ciera says
I LOVED Straight Outta Compton as well. I plan on seeing it a second time because it was tha good. The actors really looked like the men they were playing which I was glad to see. The treatment of women was bad in the movie but it was NOTHING compared to the way they treated women in real life. There were major assults that were left out of the movie since it portrayed them in a bad light. I hate that they skipped over the truth of those incidents but overall the movie was amazing.
Jamie says
Oh I’m sure…I had heard a little bit of some of the incidents before going to the movie and I was horrified! 🙁 It’s so hard to reconcile my respect for these artists vs. how they treated women. Like I really respect them as artists but I detest how they treated women GAH. But I totally loved the movie nonetheless. And I so agree..the actors really did look like them! Def for the main characters but also when I saw 2Pac I was like OMG WHAT. And the actor played Snoop had his mannerisms done so well in the like minute we got to see him.
Louise // Exploring by Starlight says
I loved Rudderless too! I will admit that I initially wanted to watch it because Anton Yelchin is one of my favourite actors, and it’s definitely one of the best movies that he’s been in. I kinda already had a feeling that I would enjoy it, but once that huge reveal came around towards the end my whole enjoyment factor just spiked because I totally didn’t expect it at all. You’re making me want to watch it again! >.<
Jamie says
YAS I love Anton Yelchin! Def a pull for me watching this as well! And SAME…I was enjoying it and then the reveal happened and I was like OMG SOB SOB THIS IS THE BEST. I was so mad I watched it without my husband because I was like OMG I NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS. Thank you for commenting because you are literally the first person I have talked about it with!!! It was SO well done. I hadn’t even THOUGHT about that possibility.
Michelle @ Pink Polka Dot Books says
I can’t wait to see Straight Outta Compton!! I couldn’t find anyone to go to the theater with me, so when it comes out on DVD, I’m on it!! I love 90’s gangsta rap. LOVE!!! I just got addicted to Rectify (a TV series on Netflix). If you get stuck for something new to watch, I totally recommend.
Kay @ It's a Book Life says
People I work with rave about Rudderless but I have yet to watch it. Right now my obsession on Netflix is Peaky Blinders! It is seriously good! I love it. Have you seen it? If not you should. 😀