I know I’m a little late on the whole Valentine’s Day thing, but Netflix just released their new Original Series, LOVE, and I just finished binge watching it so cut me some slack. To keep things connected, I’m also recommending SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK which is maybe the most bizarre love story you can image… right next to this new ‘Love’ show, that is.

And as always, make sure to check out Episode 15 and Episode 14 if you can’t get enough.

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK – Dir. David O. Russell (2012)

I might have tricked you a little bit, because SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK isn’t really a love story. There might be some romance sprinkled around the edges, but mostly it’s a story about two people trying to get their lives back on track. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence star in their 17^th movie together (exaggeration) as a former teacher recently released from a mental health facility and a crazy dancer, respectively. Through some strange cause of events they team up to win a dance competition while Pat (Cooper) attempts to regain the affection of his ex-wife.

As you can see, this has all the makings of a standard romantic comedy, albeit a littler weirder than usual. However, it’s actually a really incredible and human story that fails to fall into the tropes and stereotypes we’re all so used to by now. Cooper and Lawrence have amazing chemistry together as they usually do and are helped out tremendously by the wonderful supporting cast of Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, and Chris Tucker. This is the first film by David O. Russell following his triumphant return with 2010’s THE FIGHTER. He’s always proven that he can tackle these intimate stories by making them relatable and ever so quirky in the most charming way. So, if your significant other is looking for a cute movie to watch this weekend, give this a try and hopefully it doesn’t cause a tear in the relationship.

LOVE – First Season (2016)

Netflix has another hit with the new series from Paul Rust, Lesley Arfin, and Judd Apatow, writer and director of KNOCKED UP and THIS IS 40. Rust stars as a 31 year old, socially awkward tutor who falls in love with Gillian Jacobs of COMMUNITY fame. Both of the leads struggle through their own love lives and intimacies, ultimately coming together and finding that what they both wanted isn’t always what they need. It’s awkward, hilarious, and each episode leaves off on a note making you want more.

Generally, I have a difficult time empathizing with a character as awkward as “Gus” because it’s not easy to relate to someone so strange, but within a few episodes it was apparent that all of the characters in LOVE are deeply written with faults and quirks individual to themselves. A similar thing happened with Jacobs’ character, “Mickey” who starts off as a terrible person, who is fun but kind of detestable. Throughout the course of the series, they both grow and develop in a very genuine way that makes them more likeable and realistic to the situations they find themselves in. The strongest aspect of the show is the writing. The dialogue is well paced and hysterical and the individual arcs are quite satisfying. Be warned, however, that the show ends in a cliffhanger, so try not to get too attached until Netflix announces a second season (an announcement that should come any day now).

We’re doing something a little different this week. Don’t worry, change is good sometimes. For instance, in AMADEUS, Mozart changed the way people view geniuses and the work they create. In POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE, Mewtwo changed the world… and then kind of didn’t change anything. The point is, the pressure finally caught up to me and I’m out of TV shows, so we’re watching two movies instead (one of which isn’t even on Netflix).

But if you are looking for new shows to binge, check out the latest two episodes here!

Episode 14 and Episode 13

AMADEUS – Dir. Milos Forman (1984) IMDb

Following the life and death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the eyes of his rival composer Antonio Salieri, AMADEUS tells the story of what it takes to be great. The story begins long after Mozart’s death with Salieri being imprisoned in an insane asylum left to confess his sins to a priest. He recounts his experiences with the composer whom he grew to resent for being more famous and more talented than he. He explains the struggles he faced with his passion, morality, and religion until he is left an old, withered man in a building full of crazies.

Amadeus won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1985 along with wins for F. Murray Abraham as Salieri and Milos Forman for his direction. In all accounts, it is simply a classic film that has proven to withstand the test of time and continues to be admired and studied to this day. At just over three hours in length, you would think the film would drag and suffocate you with classical music, but that isn’t the case. The pacing is impeccable and the story is told in such a fashion that you seem to forget you’re watching a period piece from 30 years ago. The operas performed in stunning detail are really fascinating and intriguing. I can’t exactly say how much of the story is historically accurate, but for the sake of the film it doesn’t really matter. Every actor and actress brings their A-game for one of Forman’s most masterfully crafted pictures. You don’t have to be a fan of the time period, the music, or even the filmmakers to enjoy Amadeus. It’s a wonderful look into the life of someone we all know, but maybe know too little about.

POKÉMON: THE FIRST MOVIE – MEWTWO STRIKES BACK (1998) IMDb

Now, before you start freaking out, this movie is not on Netflix. For a limited time you can stream this classic piece of animation by visiting Pokémon TV. I highly recommend it and not only because this was an integral part of my childhood. POKÉMON is a cultural phenomenon that crosses the globe. It all started with this movie. Okay, maybe it started with the video games. Or maybe the card game. Perhaps the TV show? It doesn’t matter; MEWTWO STRIKES BACK is a classic! It’s a wonderful story about the world’s most powerful Pokémon, looking to exact revenge on the people who abandoned him. All he wants is to free an enslaved race and wipe out their oppressors. How is he the bad guy?

Ash, Pikachu, and their sidekicks must battle the odds to escape Mewtwo’s “evil” plan and save their Pokémon friends. Honestly there isn’t much more to the movie, but Mewtwo has some really inspiring and motivating dialogue that is uncharacteristic of a Japanese children’s show. That being said, this is a great way to get excited for the new Pokémon games coming out later this year and it’s really your only opportunity to watch one of the many Pokémon movies. Luckily for you, this is the very best! Like no one ever was…

I’ll see myself out.

This week on Netflix we’re watching the breakout performance from Golden Globe winner Brie Larson and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia which has surprisingly (or maybe not) won zero Golden Globes… But it’s never too late.

It’s also never too late to check out our previous episodes! 12 and 11

SHORT TERM 12 – Dir. Dustin Daniel Cretton (2013) IMDb

Easily, and I mean EASILY, the most emotional film I’ve seen in months, SHORT TERM 12 follows a troubled young woman as she learns more about herself through caring for underprivileged children in a residential treatment facility. Let me stress this a little more – this film broke me inside, giving me emotions I didn’t even know existed. Most of this is thanks to the incredible performance by Brie Larson who, just this weekend, won her first Golden Globe for the 2015 drama ROOM. Larson plays a staff member at Short Term 12, named Grace who works with her long time boyfriend, Mason and newcomer, Nate, played by MR. ROBOTS’ Rami Malek. Together they fight everyday to keep the children at their facility safe, stable, and positive. This isn’t such an easy task when the caregivers aren’t all that safe, stable, and positive themselves.

Brie Larson isn’t the only one who gives a noteworthy performance. Many of the young actors who play the children and teens living in the facility blew me away. It’s really rare to see such wonderful acting from a 15 year old, but sophomore director, Dustin Daniel Cretton made it happen. The dialogue, also written by Cretton, is genuine, funny, and quite inspiring. There are two or three parts of the film where the character Mason is simply telling a story to his coworkers, but it’s described so intricately that it feels as though we are seeing it take place on screen. That’s great dialogue. And yes, I might have cried a little during a few different scenes. But if you watch the movie, I’d be surprised if you don’t as well.

IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA – Ten Seasons (2005 -) IMDb

In my opinion, FX has never produced a more unique and hilarious show than Always Sunny. Not a single character is like any one you’ve ever met before, yet they all feel incredibly real and just like someone you can imagine that hangs out at that gross bar down the street all day. And boy isn’t it fun to watch?! It’s like a train wreck where no one gets seriously injured so it’s totally okay to look at. Thankfully Netflix just added new episodes to the instant stream, so now you can watch that train wreck all day!

If you’ve already seen Always Sunny, I can’t change your mind about it: either you can’t find the humor and hate it, or you’re a part of the cult following that worships Danny DeVito. Both are completely acceptable, but if you haven’t given it a try watch a few episodes and let me know what you think. Feel free to skip around. Watch old episodes or maybe some of the newly added ones. It really doesn’t matter. Within no time, you’ll be wishing you could hang out with Charlie and Frank or yell at Dee for being annoying. Soon, they’ll start to feel like family. As you can tell, I’ve been watching way too much of this show recently, but that’s what happens when 10 of the 12 seasons are available at any time of the day!