Alls Well When Read (and Watched) #9: Air, Shadow & Bone, and More
Hello!
This roundup was tougher than usual to finish because there is just so much cool stuff out there right now. I easily could’ve made this pages and pages longer BUT to save you from that pain, I did my best to choose just a few of the things I especially liked this week. So, let’s get to it!
Movies I Watched
Air
This. This truly is the first feel-good film for 2023 that isn’t focused on fantasy or super heroes. And I just have a lot to say about it.
First, anyone in marketing, sales, commercials, or design knows how narrow and unfulfilling the corporate world can be. Air doesn’t deny these but instead shows that all it takes is one successful quest and the magic of the people working alongside you to really change the narrative. The difference here is that Air proves that this magic isn’t limited to the walls of a corporate office or the people sitting in their cubicles – it takes a lot of genius, outsider perspectives (I’m looking at you, Mrs. Jordan) to really understand where and how to pivot if you want to make huge waves. I doubt Air meant to be this humbling but it’s a very good reminder that you’re willing to listen, work hard, and change, those amazing results will come. And they’ll feel damn good.
Secondly, while others may not have liked it, not giving young Michael Jordan a character presence was the best way to keep all the behind the scenes wheelin’ and dealin’ at the forefront. It was the Nike team’s hard work, strategizing, wins and losses, that helped set up Jordan to become a legend and created a culture around scoring big, and scoring often. All of this would’ve gotten lost by keeping the basketball player front and center, which isn’t needed because we already know how the story turns out for him. In this case, it was time for all the people that worked tirelessly in the background at Nike to shine, and they’ll keep shining after this one.
Check it out in theaters now!
Chupa
Background story about chupacabras? No. Heart-warming tale about family, magic, AND lucha libres? Yes, and I am all here for it!
Instead of delving deeper into the lore of chupacabras, Chupa keeps things light, fun, and tender with its promising concept – and manages to make viewers want a little chupacabra for themselves! While aimed at younger kids, this film is great for people of all ages because there is just so much heart and love, even if it comes off as too sugary sweet at times. If you can overlook the clichés and predictable storyline, there is no doubt that you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the adventure and cheer the family – and chupacabras – on as they beat the bad guy.
I can go on and on but there is no need to spoil it more than I already have! Check it out on Netflix.
Shows I Watched
Shadow & Bone
Sadly, this is not about season 2 because I only decided to start watching Shadow & Bone last week. I never said that I was smart or made great choices. All I know is this is one of those shows that I should’ve watched much sooner (I’m actually trying real hard to contain my excitement here so I can sum this up quickly).
The main thing I noticed is that there a whole lot of stuff going on with Shadow & Bone (and keep in mind I haven’t read the books either, so it’s all very new to me). From multiple storylines to intricate designs and settings, the entire show can feel like it’s a lot to take in, which is funny because the overarching themes aren’t complicated. Mostly, they’re allegories to real life and can actually feel too simple at times – prejudice, faith, hope, fervor, etc. So, go into it knowing that it might take you a bit to get into the full swing of things and to get used to the pacing, style, and lingo. But, once you do, you’ll have a compelling, addictive series that you won’t be able to help but binge.
Once I finish season 2, there will definitely be more on this topic to stay tuned!
Check out Shadow & Bone on Netflix!
True Lies
I’ll start this off by stating that if you’re hoping for True Lies the series to follow the 1994 film to a T, it doesn’t. In fact, it doesn’t really connect to the film much at all beyond using the same names as the original characters. Should that stop you from checking it out? No, but just don’t expect the same exact story. Now, let’s proceed.
True Lies the series would’ve worked better if it was totally its own entity: new name, new themes, and completely disconnected from anything related to the film. This would’ve allowed people to take it for the very light-weight, non-committal entertainment that it is (and when I say it’s light-weight, it’s very, very light). The series contains mostly fluff, except for those few tense and suspenseful moments of action – and even those come across as ill-choreographed and unnatural. When the spy action isn’t happening, the Taskers’ home life still feels unbelievable. There’s hardly any chemistry between Ginger Gonzaga and Steve Howey, who play Helen and Harry Tasker, and while the quirks and quick quips throughout are appreciated, they just feel forced.
Ultimately, True Lies is the kind of show you turn on when you’re already done with all the other procedural shows for the week like NCIS or SEAM Team and need something to waste a few minutes on. Harsh, but true.
You can check this out on Paramount+!
Books I Read
Creepshow #1 (2022)
Again, better late than never. I finally read through Creepshow #1 and I immensely regret not getting through this sooner. This proved to me that while the show is great, nothing beats flipping through a comic book and absorbing the terror right from the pages.
The 10 standalone stories featured all have the perfect combination of vintage nostalgia and modern familiarity (I wouldn’t say familiarity as a good thing but..you’ll just see). In some of them, we’re taken back to the things that might have scared us when we were young kids (me, the 90’s, but for some of you, probably even earlier than that) like trick-or-treating at the scariest house in the neighborhood or having to endure bat-shit birthday parties. The others trigger fears some of us might have as adults like spending too much time alone in our heads or the consequences of being constantly online (it’s no wonder why one of the stories is called “Thirst Trap”).
The best part about this anthology is that there is something for everyone. There were many gory images that I couldn’t turn away from and kept asking myself, “How does a writer make this shit up?!” I’ll be checking out #2 - #5 soon but since #1 is a knockout, I’m anticipating the others will be also.
You can find Creepshow #1 online or at a comic book store near you!