The 2017 Movie Challenge

Do you see what I see here?

The 2017 Movie Challenge

If you can look at the banner I made above and not become super angry then congratulations: either you are brain dead or have already been driven insane by today's political climate. Either way, the alive and sane envy you now.

Cabin Fever (2002) was a somewhat successful Eli Roth movie that was remade in 2016 using the same script as the original version. The outcry over this fuckery was pretty pathetic, though the remake was at least totally panned for being what it was: lazy and unnecessary (and bad). Of course it's hard to be too shocked over the lukewarm outcry when so many us spent 2016 eagerly searching for new info about the upcoming THIRD re-imagining of Spider-Man to debut since only 2002. (Or the next Star Wars, or Star Trek, the next Alien movie, and etc, etc.) Apparently, laziness is the agreed upon norm for the film industry currently.

What has so degraded in the movie going public (of which my hands are not totally unclean) that this has become acceptable, let alone commonplace? Now, I'm not saying that we should abolish remakes or sequels totally- they are a legacy of movie-making going back to the very beginning of the art form. But never has it seemed that so much of the funding available to filmmakers has gone to so few new ideas and concepts.

So now the challenge. I challenge myself and others to stop the madness this year. Stop giving money to every studio that just wants to do the same thing over and over again. Stop allowing our nostalgia to be endlessly recycled and used as a weapon against our wallets. Let's stop convincing ourselves like a person in an abusive relationship that this time will be different. Moreover, let's think about what different even means. Even if the next Star Wars and the Star Wars after that are acceptable or even good, do you still want to be seeing Star Wars and Star Treks and Avatars when you're in your forties, fifties, sixties? 

I pledge to not watch any sequels, prequels, or remakes this year. I pledge to make 2017 a year about new ideas, since lord knows we could use some new ones right about now. The rules are simple.

1. No sequels, prequels, re-imaginings, remakes, or extended universe movies.

2. Across all platforms: in the theater, but also on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc.

3. Release year doesn't matter. You're probably not going to enrich your life by going back and watching all the Hobbit movies at this point, trust.

See what is out there that is different. Find something new and challenging. Explore the works of other cultures. Go back in time and see how fresh the old can seem to modern eyes. I will be doing it and you can too.

Be the change you want to see in the world and use your spending power to send a message: we want new ideas, new worlds, and new voices showing up on our screens in 2017!

I Command Thee: Watch This TV

Welcome back to Tasteful Nerdity! This is part three of shows that I've watched and maybe you should too.

1. Roseanne

Is Roseanne the real person kind of batshit crazy? Yes. Does that mean you shouldn't watch this show? No. This is quintessential 90s millennial-generation viewing. It's a show that, for me, has been something that my perspective on has changed over time..

When I was a kid I identified with Darlene and her experiences feeling like an outsider. As an adult I identify with Jackie a bit more- kind of being a little kooky and falling into things and learning to just roll with it. Also, Dan. DAN. Some people say that a woman want to find a man who's just like her father. I always just wanted to marry a man like Dan Connor. AND I DID. #lifegoals

Episodes to watch: The Halloween episodes were always my favorite as a kid. And adult. Just pure sitcom joy.

Episodes to avoid: Do not watch the last season. I am a completionist so please know, I don't give that advice lightly. It is so bad you guys. So bad. "Ruins everything that came before it" bad.

I'm sensitive, should I watch this show?: What I always liked about this show was that it always felt so authentic. It was very similar to my own family at that time for one thing- we even had afghans on our couches and a plastic Godzilla of our own. So for me, while the show does touch on some serious issues, I would say it never feels maudlin or forced because it is so based in reality. So it's safe for the sensitive (except maybe that last season- you've been warned!).

Tasteful Nerdity: Watching These Shows Makes You Cool (Maybe)

Welcome to part two of the list that wouldn't die. Today I have 6-10 of my favorite TV shows. Since I am a “sensy”, I have included my warnings for sensitive people on this batch as well.

1. Veronica Mars

Who doesn't love sassy teen detectives?

Romance! Mystery! Father/daughter dynamics! Romance! No seriously, this show might give you some pants feelings. Also, it's pretty teenagery so, like Buffy, it might be best enjoyed by the youths (but not necessarily!).

Episodes to watch: Season one is a perfect season of television. It gets a little dicey after that, but still enjoyable.

Episodes to avoid: I could not make it fifteen minutes into the recent Veronica Mars movie, so good luck with that.

I'm sensitive, should I watch this show?: That depends. It discusses some disturbing topics such as rape, which is generally a no-no plot point for me. But I think it's all handled pretty well and there are so many good moments of humor that it balances out OK.

Tasteful Nerdity Intro Part Two: Getting to Know Me, Getting to Know all About Me

So, I want to write about Pop-culture, eh wise gal? Well then I'm obliged to begin with a LIST!

Ah lists, the darkness that lurks in the heart of everyone these days who writes about pop culture. Or science. Or media. Or fashion. Or health, animals, politics, social problems, food, etc etc. Just know that I consider this list to be a necessary evil. It's a list of my favorite TV shows, with accompanying details. Use it to judge whether or not you want to read my future pieces on TV, to judge my character (yikes), my taste level (you guys I've seen Kung Pow: Enter the Fist like six times so that's a wash already), or just to find some cool shit to watch. These are in no particular order, other than numerical.