Tag: netflix

Stranger Things

Posted on by Dana
Stranger Things Title Card
Image via Lowtrucks, Wikimedia Commons

I think I was about a week later than just about everyone else in starting Stranger Things. I finished it today after not having a lot of time to watch Netflix over the last week or so. There is a lot to like in this series, and if you were an 80’s kid like me, you definitely need to watch it. There are, of course, ubiquitous (and finely parsed—Google search it) nods to 1980’s books, movies, music, and pop culture all throughout. I was actually shocked to learn the Duffer Brothers, creators of the series, were born in the 1980’s instead of teenagers because they really captured the era. Who didn’t know boys like Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will? I went to middle school with those guys, I swear it. Actually, it’s set in 1983, which is exactly when I would have been their age.

I understand this series was rejected by anywhere from 15 to 20 networks, all of which are probably kicking themselves hard right now. I don’t know anyone who isn’t buzzing about this series. Well, anyone my age, anyway. Some of my favorite things:

  • All the “see if you catch them” references. I love that the title card looks like a 1980’s Stephen King novel. That’s only one among many a Stephen King reference. Lots of nods to IT, Firestarter, and The Body (aka Stand By Me). Actually, I think that the actress who plays Eleven, Millie Bobby Brown, looks like she could be Wil Wheaton’s kid. He played Gordie LaChance in Stand By Me if you forgot or haven’t seen it (you should really see it if you haven’t—it’s probably one of the better Stephen King adaptations).
  • The child actors. They’re actually really great. All of them.
  • Winona Ryder as a mom character. I know she was Spock’s mom in the Star Trek reboot, but you know what I mean. We first really met her in the late 1980’s when she was a teenage actress. It seems appropriate that she’s the mom.
  • The kids’ amazing science teacher. He’s geeky, but man, with all the complaining folks do about education and teachers today, it was refreshing to see such a recognizable, honest, and positive portrayal of a teacher. He actually reminded me a bit of my middle school science teachers.
  • Barb. Because if you grew up in the 80’s you either were someone like Barb or knew a Barb. She is perfect. For the record, I my personality as a teenager resembled hers, but I didn’t have her compelling glasses and mom-jeans look.
  • The storytelling. It’s paced well, and for some crazy Stephen King/Steven Spielberg (think E. T.) type stuff, the characters sell it all and make it completely believable.

I actually think my husband’s description of the binge-worthy nature of this series is the best one I’ve seen.

We didn’t get our stuff together to actually watch it together. I totally recommend watching it with a friend. Particularly a friend who was about your age in the 1980’s—if, you know, you are like me and grew up then. If not, find a friend who did grow up in the 80’s and watch it with that friend.

I volunteer because I kind of want to watch it again and see what I missed the first time.

Here is the trailer if you want to check it out.

Related posts:

Possession
Year in Review
Getting Ready to NaNo!

New Hobbies

Posted on by Dana

Some time back, I reviewed Basic Soap Making by Elizabeth Letcavage and Patsy Buck. I have been collecting soap recipes. Any time you start a new hobby, particularly one that requires any sort of specialized equipment, there is both expense and a learning curve involved, and I wanted to make sure I was really ready before I started. I made my first batch of soap today. It is currently saponifying (hardening into soap) in the kitchen. In fact, a little while ago, it looked like the soap in the picture to the left, though now, pretty much all of it is that darker color you see in the middle here. That is called the gel stage, and if you poke it, it feels like, well, a gel. After 24 hours, it should be hard enough to cut into bars, but it will have to cure for about a month before I can use it. If I were a little more handy or experienced, I would have taken pictures of the process as I went. I made the first basic recipe in the book, and I think I really expected it to flop because I was so excited when it turned out exactly as Letcavage and Buck said it would. I am really excited it turned out so well so far. I’ll know tomorrow if it worked. If you’re looking for a clear book with basic, easy-to-follow instructions for making soap, this one is definitely worth it. It’s nice when you can find a craft book with clear instructions that actually work. The pictures make everything easy to understand.

I have also acquired a new iPad through work, and I have to put in a plug for the Shakespeare’s Sonnets app. It’s utterly fantastic. While $13.99 is a little high for an app, if you consider all it includes—videos of each sonnet recited or interpreted by actors or scholars, video commentary on the sonnets, written annotations, essay commentaries, and facsimiles of the original publication, as well as the ability to add your own notes and mark your favorites—it’s worth the money. In fact, if you think about it, you would probably pay close to $13.99 for a good annotated collection of the sonnets, and it wouldn’t have all the other extras.

I have also discovered I enjoy watching Netflix on the iPad much more than on my computer or even my TV. It probably has to do with the computer being rather difficult for me to hold when viewing longer videos, but I’m not sure. It is similar to the issue I have with reading longer texts: I can’t read books on my computer, but articles are fine. Watching Netflix on TV through the Wii is fine, but unless I really wanted to curl up in front of the TV, I just didn’t do it much for whatever reason. Watching Netflix on the iPad, however, has turned out to be perfect for me. I decided I would finally start watching Doctor Who, which I had been meaning to check out for years—years! Finally, I started the first season of the new series, beginning with Christopher Eccleston, and I love it! I have been watching the first season most of last night and this afternoon. Something weird I notice, and I can’t stop myself: Rose Tyler’s mascara is always clumpy. It made me wonder if they had her do her own makeup. On the other hand, it lends an air of realism to the show. She seems more like a real person than an actress because her makeup isn’t perfect. I know. Weird. Surely, some of my fellow book geeks watch this show, right?

Related posts:

We are Home!
Color Me Naive
Goodreads Stalker