Jul 6, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Why DVDs are Still Important
Okay, y’all. I admit. There’s a lot to be said about streaming videos. No extra clutter on the nightstand or when traveling. No storage issues (well, at least not at the house). And super bonus: no “ohmagosh where I did put that?” Or super-super bonus: no breakage.
But there’s something to be said for getting your entertainment the semi-old school way. And it comes with its own bonus.
Now, I enjoy Netflix as much as the next person. I mean, how many of you already know when Stranger Things Season Two is available? [Here’s a hint: Come home early from Trick-or-Treating this year.]
I love instant access to all the episodes of Fuller House. I’m watching my way through all eleven seasons of FRASIER this month. Last month it was FRIENDS, but you knew that.
But, see, I also love my DVDs and Blu-Rays for one very important reason: Behind the Scenes.
I love picking up a season of NCIS or ER [or the newest hottie I mean, hero, Avengers movie] and having access to bonus features.
Hearing Aaron Sorkin talk about why he wrote a certain episode of the West Wing, or picking up on Iron Man’s special effects . . . Those aren’t things you can get through online streaming.
And I don’t know about you, but I hope *fingers crossed* I’m not the only one who likes the rewind button. I mean, seriously. I’m talking laugh-out-loud or “what the heck was that?!” moments when you just have to experience it again now without waiting for the feed to reload. In writers terms, we call that taking the reader out of the story. That’s no way to keep the momentum!
Sure, you can’t take everything with you. But when you’re going on a trip, you don’t pack the kitchen sink, do you?
And here’s one more reason to love DVDs and Blue-Rays: Sometimes your shows aren’t available.
Okay? Who else cried when Netflix took down FLASHPOINT? And why is Pet Sematary only available around Halloween?
These things are important, people!
Oh, wait. One more awesome reason: I’m told by more than few to prepare for that foretold horror, the worldwide EMP. You know, that moment when the internet and all things attached go down. I know, I know. Let’s for a moment forget the correlation that in such an event my DVD and Smart TV will also most likely definitely not work. Let’s just stick to the streaming video for this conversation. Thanks.
So. What’s This Girl gonna do when I can no longer access my Netflix? I think I’ll survive.
I may have to learn how to churn butter . . . But in the event of an emergency, I can string my discs together and find a laywoman’s way to harness the power of the sun.
You can’t get a tan from Hulu. Just sayin’.
Why DVDs are Still Important
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . Why DVDs are Still Important @RealMojo68 #DVD #EMP #netflix
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . When streaming videos doesn’t give you full access. @RealMojo68 #netflix #streaming #DVD
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 6, 2012 |
[NOTE: This blog post is written after viewing only the premiere episode of THE NEWSROOM. All opinions herein are solely based on one episode… so far…]
I have a list of favorite TV Shows. While it’s no secret that FLASHPOINT tops the list, the remaining Top Ten tend to blur together. My order of preference depends on what my mood is. Generally, you can always interest me in watching any of the following:
Frasier reruns
Cheers reruns
Friends reruns
Blue Bloods
NCIS
Once Upon a Time
Touch
The Waltons reruns
The West Wing reruns
Of course there’s many more. Anything on the Food Network. So You Think You Can Dance, Nat Geo programming…
But I’m especially fond of THE WEST WING. In its day, it set high standards for plot, character, directing, writing… it’s now one of the high bars that other shows aspire to reach: “Not since THE WEST WING has there been such a show…”
And now, finally, six years later, there’s a show that just might be on par. And the best part? It too is a creation of Aaron Sorkin.
The commercial caught my eye: dramatic storyline, well-known actors. And then. This:
From Aaron Sorkin,
Creator of The West Wing
I’m a huge fan of Aaron Sorkin. His scripts are well-developed. He treats his audience with intelligence and respect. His characters have real struggles. And not everything is neatly finished.
Needless to say, I had to find a way to watch the show, even though I don’s subscribe to HBO.
Enter the internet. The 72+ minute pilot was available online at HBO.com.
I’m not one to stream shows through the internet. I find it to be tedious and halting.
But after seeing several previews for THE NEWSROOM, I decided to take a chance. I was fairly skeptical as I had to register at HBO.com, confirming I’m over the age of 18 and legal to watch “MA”-rated shows. MA stands for Mature Audience. I was concerned what the show might include. After all, HBO isn’t often known for their late-night, uh, family friendly films, shall we say…
I was fully prepared to stop the show at any moment. I’m not one to go in for naked bodies and illicit acts just for the sake of a storyline. I held my breath for nearly 73 minutes and found myself gasping again when it was over.
The pilot episode was fairly predictable. In true Aaron Sorkin fashion, he introduces the characters through resolving an event. Some characters come late to the party but boy! are we glad they showed up! Because in Act II, the main crisis arrives. This is where we get to see the troops in action. And in Act III, the pilot episode wraps up but not too neatly. Sorkin leaves us wanting more and waiting with baited breath for the next Big News Story… and the soap opera that goes on behind the scenes.
Jeff Daniels sets the stage as beleaguered news anchor man Will McAvoy who may or may not have had a meltdown which may or may not have resulted in his getting fired or in his staff quitting. Once that storyline is set, we are brought little by little into
THE NEWSROOM
where we meet the other characters. Through banter, conversation, and reports we learn the backstories and current struggles of nearly everyone involved. We see who has drive and who’s just along for the ride. And we see who might step up to the challenge of making Will the best news anchor, again.
The only reason for the MA rating was the occasional use of the F-word. I have to give kudos to Sorkin and the entire creative team here: They didn’t insert obligatory cuss words just to do so. Each blurt was strategically placed in conversation as a punctuation to a dramatic statement. That made it all the more useful and appreciated. I’m not a fan of the F-word in entertainment. But it does occasionally come out in moments of high stress in real life, and that’s how it was portrayed here.
I look forward to being drawn back into a new world created by Aaron Sorkin. His characters are always complex, thorough, and real. His stories are plausible. And even when it’s predictable, it’s always very, very enjoyable.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
May 7, 2012 |
I’m falling in love with apples. I can’t explain my newest obsession, except to state that that I’m just really falling in love with apples!
I just got back from Women’s Retreat with my church. It was a great weekend, as expected. And then something slightly awkward happened. During the final session, just before we left to go home, I ended up with some great writing ideas.
There I am, singing praise with my friends, and I’m struck with the overwhelming urge to write it out. I’m sure I was a bit distracting to those around me. It’s not unlike me to make small notes wherever I am, and that does include church. But these were no mere notes. By the time I was done (about five minutes), I’d hashed out four pages of scribbles.
What’s all this got to do with apples? Nothing more than I recently was talking with my friend Mary and had told her I love saying, “How do you like them apples?!” whenever something is going on but I can’t quite voice it. It could be a secret I have. It could just be that my thoughts aren’t connecting with the page. It’s also a shout-out to another great TV show, The West Wing. Character Amy Gardner (played by Mary-Louise Parker) was known for saying, “How do you like them apples?!” especially when trying to prove she’s right.
Since I’ve been watching my West Wing DVD’s lately, I’ve reacquainted myself with Amy and her go-getter attitude. And her phrase.
I mentioned this to Mary, and to my delight, she posted this photo for me on facebook:
Apples are great. And I was inspired to write about them in my scribbles this morning. But I was also inspired to keep their wholesome goodness to myself. At least for a while. At least until I can gather more material and make something quite substantial out of it.
You’re just gonna have to trust me. This is gonna be great. I promise.
So. You know I gotta ask:
How do you like them apples?!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Feb 22, 2012 |
Where did that phrase come from, anyway? “Sick as a dog.” What’s that supposed to mean? There’s nothing quite as sick as a sick dog? I beg to differ….
There’s another reason Lizzie Cat has been extra cuddly and loving the Vicks VapoRub with me.
My pretty kitty doesn’t feel well. [You’re all “awwww”-ing with me, aren’t you?!]
She’s been a little more lethargic than usual, and a little more cuddly. A little warmer than usual. And a little more cranky. She’s got Kitty Fever. So I’m loving that she’s letting me take care of her. My human child is too old for this kind of love and affection.
So Lizzie and I are going to just chill out today. I’ve been reduced to buying actual cough syrup at the store. I don’t do well with medications, so I’ve avoided this for a week. But I’m not getting any better so I finally got the store-brand knock-off of Robitussin DM. I’m already in the “I so don’t care about anything, even if I cough” state of mind. In another hour I’ll prob’ly be in bed. If we’re not asleep, we’ll be watching The West Wing on DVD. I’m halfway through Season Three. I love this show. I watch my DVD’s every winter.
Well, if you don’t hear from me for a few days, it’s because I’m either to sick to write; or too busy with my new camera and chocolate-making gadgets.
Oh, who am I kidding… I’ll be back tomorrow. I always am…
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jan 4, 2012 |
Every now and then I have some off-the-wall dreams.
Years ago, I dreamt (several times) that my friend Cynthia and I knew the people from The West Wing. Sometimes we were characters and sometimes we were actors and sometimes we were just part of the group.
Last summer I dreamt I was with the television writing crew for Flashpoint when one of the actors came up and instead of me being awestruck by him (although secretly I really was!), he just complimented me on my butter recipe and said, “You make great toast.”
There’s the one where I was a character in a crime drama, that when I wrote it out actually read more like a Heavenly visit. (You can read that sappy story here.)
About a month ago, I had a great dream about Johnny Depp falling in love with my ratatouille and endorsing my cookbook.
But on this New Year’s morning, I woke up right after dreaming of George. Clooney, to be exact. I was a few years older, living in a large apartment back east that was also where I worked as a Writer (note the Capital “W”, very exciting!).
I had people coming in and out constantly: family, friends, business associates. I came out of the Kitchen area and turned a corner into the foyer and literally ran into George Clooney. There. In my apartment. Something about meeting my business manager for whatever reasons. Even in my dream, I couldn’t pay attention because my brains scrambled like the eggs I had just cooked. We sat down and apparently I got a little too close to him because he looked at me a little strangely as I muttered something about the gods hearing my prayers…
But then the dream turned. It flash-forwarded as dreams do, and the next moment we were sitting in the same room across a coffee table laden with open notebooks and coffee cups (He complimented my coffee, by the way. That’s 3 for the celebrity chef status I’m going for!).
The notebooks were all kinds of information and ideas on how to help the children of Darfur. He educated me on the political climate, and I offered some serious fund-raising advice for feeding the people.
Together we sat for what must have been hours ~ too bad the actual dream didn’t last that long. But what did last was that feeling of urgency. That feeling of necessity to help others in need. Not just locally or federally, but globally.
Ever since I woke from that dream, I can’t – don’t want to – shake those feelings. It was so real. So authentic. So desperate. But I don’t have any notebooks filled with how-to-help information and ideas. I don’t have any news clippings and personal experiences in this realm.
And while one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to not make resolutions I know I can’t keep, I think this is one I should strive for. Even if I can’t accomplish anything, I need to at least try on this one. I need to find a way to bring attention to those in need, and I need to find a way to actually help them. No matter how little it seems.
But what can I do? I’m just a blogger, a chef, a mom. George doesn’t know me. I don’t know any political leaders. And I don’t know how to reach across oceans.
What can I do, George? Are you listening? Is anyone?
Because I am.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
