This Week’s Binge | July 2021
Here’s a review of all the entertainment I binged in July 2021. Not a big movie month but some awesome new series!
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Watch | Series
The White Lotus
HBO Max
A group of very privileged Americans goes to Hawaii for a luxury vacation at The White Lotus. This limited series follows the lives of each family, how they intersect with each other, and how the staff isn’t just bystanders.
The casting is so good! Very much a dark comedy, every actor gets a part to shine depending on the episode. It’s fun to see actors playing parts you don’t normally see them in, Jake Lacey is a douchebag, but the hotel manager, played by Murray Bartlett, is a breakout star!
Rumor has it there may be season two since this limited series has everyone a buzz, and one can hope!
I am: Obsessed
Schmigadoon!
Apple TV+
As a musical theater lover, I am very much obsessed with Schmigadoon! However, if you don’t love musicals I still say check out this comedy series on Apple TV+.
This Lorne Michaels series is completely unique with Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key getting lost and somehow stuck in a real-life musical.
Some of it’s a little cheesy, but with Cecily and Keegan-Michael being completely self-aware, they are in on the joke with us. And even though it’s a comedy, somehow they end every episode on a cliffhanger and I find myself wanting to binge the next one. Too bad they are releasing them weekly.
I am: Obsessed
Loki
Disney+
Disney has done it again with another entertaining Marvel limited series featuring the God of Mischief himself, Loki.
While I’ve seen all the Marvel movies, they kind of all blur together. I remember Loki being Chris Hemsworth’s, I mean Thor’s, brother but couldn’t remember if he was good or bad, if we liked him or we didn’t. Watch one episode and you’ll see what I mean.
Nevertheless, Loki gets pulled into the Time Variance Authority with Own Wilson’s character in charge of him. TVA sounds confusing, and it kind of is, but anything with time travel is also kind of fascinating. There’s a reason Back to the Future is a classic.
I am: Entertained
Physical
Apple TV+
Rose Byrne is perfect as the lead character in this dark comedy series set in 1980s California.
From the very first episode where you hear her self-deprecating inner dialogue, you can see what a complex character Sheila is. Note there is a trigger warning for eating disorders since her character has one but that doesn’t take center stage.
It’s an honest look at how toxic the 80s diet culture was while simultaneously tackling climate change and complicated gender roles within a marriage. it was set 4 decades ago, but somehow ridiculously relevant.
I am: Entertained
Read | Books
The Wreckage of My Presence
Amazon
I mentioned I was on a Casey Wilson binge after listening to her podcast and discovering this series, and my binge culminated with her book of essays, The Wreckage of My Presence.
As I wrote in my weekly newsletter I usually just like to binge books I’m obsessed with, but I truly didn’t want this to end. Asn since it’s made of individual essays you really can put the book down after one or two chapters.
Casey has a unique way of being funny and vulnerable at the same time. When the first chapter was titled ‘Bed Person’ I knew this was a book for me.
I am: Obsessed
What Else I Binged…
Here’s a quick review of what else I binged this month
- Fear Street Part 1: 1994 | Amazing soundtrack, nostalic 90s vibe, lame story | Annoyed
- No Sudden Move | Soderbergh film based on a true story, should have been better but wa more compliated than it needed to be | Entertained
- For All Mankind Season 2 | Just as good as the first season but with a time jump a very different story, catch up before the next season airs in 2022 | Obsessed
- Virgin River Season 3 | So cheesy I cringe out loud but it complely sucks me in | Obsessed
- Black Widow | Lots of controversy around this since the main actor, Scarlett Johansson, is now suing Disney. Entertaining in true Marvel form | Entertained
- Making the Cut Season 2 | After a year of wearing leggings I’m excited to see fashion again, and loving the high production value of this reality series | Entertained
- My Unorthodox Life | A reality series with extreme wealth, family bonds, and successful women…ok. I’ve already pre-ordered Julia Haart’s book | Obsessed
- Heist | 6 part docuseries on real-life Heists shot and produced like Oceans 11 | Entertained
- Love is Blind: After the Alter | So embarassing but I love a good ‘where are they now’, if you liked Love is Blind, you’ll want to watch this 2-year anniversary limited series | Obsessed
Looking for more to binge? Check out:
- Best Netflix Originals Comedy Series
- Binge-Worthy Netflix Originals Drama Series
- Best Netflix Originals Movies
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