Weekly Girls. S4|E4.

This week's episode was a heavy hitter. The harsh reality of the real world hit almost every character in the jugular. Let's dive right in.  

S4| E1: SSS: The scandalous, scariest, and saddest scenes.

Scandalous Scene: 

Once again, Marnie snags this category! However it's not a proud moment, but when does she ever have one of those? Desi knocks on her door, crying like a teenage girl from MTV's Sweet Sixteen. He has "broken up" with Clementine because she has admitted to an attraction to some other guy. Then he told her about his trysts with Marnie. I'm calling bullshit on this one. Sounds more like Clementine dumped his sorry caboose. Marnie almost has a moment of clarity when she questioned who dumped who. Three little words wipe away any good sense Marnie had. Marnie's face beams when Desi proclaims his love for her, and they begin to steam up her tiny apartment with tainted love. Great scene, terrible human beings. 

Scariest Scene:

It was hard to choose this one, as the definition of scary is fluid. I've decided on Shoshanna's job rejection. Getting an email rejection is hard enough, but being rejected before the interview is even over? Scary and upsetting. Shoshanna can't seem to control her bluntness, and she has a superficial air about her that is getting in the way of opportunity. However, she is very intuitive, and she might be the most moral character in the series. The advice she gives Ray shows just how smart she is, and I don't doubt her future success. 

Saddest Scene:

Everything having to do with Hannah was sad in this week's episode. For the past few seasons, she has been getting these amazing opportunities; An Ebook, a Job at GQ, and entry to an exclusive Writer's Workshop. If it's not taken away from her, she screws it up royally. I think the saddest scene is the one with her professor. The joke is over, and it's clear that Hannah just isn't happy. Admitting defeat is very difficult but it doesn't seem like Hannah's class of pretentious fools will ever let her in. There doesn't seem to be any way that she could turn things around, and seeing Hannah lose another opportunity (because of her crazy mind) is hard to witness.

Best Lines:

"That was a stiff hug." - Hannah (To Adam)

"Can we not use the word dumped? It's just so violent." - Desi

"For a second and I thought I was getting kicked out and I was so happy." - Hannah

"People always think I'm not going to fit in at first, but I always do - I always fit in, just very subtly." - Shoshanna

"Well, you made a song." - Jessa 

Loser of the Week: Adam

Ok, Adam. We get it. Hannah left you alone in Brooklyn to fend for yourself. You decided not to plan anything concrete with her, and you didn't say goodbye to her before she left. She's kind of a hard person to deal with, and if she makes you unhappy then you shouldn't have to be with her. However, you find a new girlfriend instantly and then you completely changed and took over her old apartment? Couldn't you have given her any head's up? That's a mean thing to do to someone you were in a pretty serious relationship with. You are usually the winner in my book, but this week you are a loooser Adam! 

Girls is the beeest,
Sasha

Whiplash: Whipped me sooo good.

The Short Synopsis: 

As a music lover, I was super excited for this film. I have always loved music biopics. And What's even more interesting is that everything from the student, to the teacher, to the short-lived girlfriend, to the world-class music school is completely made up. It's fiction at its finest. Here's a little background; The story takes place at a New York City music school and focuses in on Andrew Neimann. He's a 19-year-old dude who is killer on the drums and is desperate to become one of the greats. The road to #winning at Shafer School of Music is becoming a core player of the Jazz Band Ensemble. A man who is much scarier than Professor Snape decides the fate of this band. He recruits Andrew, but the process is brutal, shocking, and completely mesmerizing. There is blood in the world of jazz...who woulda thunk? 

Acting: 

Miles Teller was ROBBED I tell you! He should have received a best actor nomination at every award show this season. They way he portrays Andrew is beyond stupendous. He plays the drums with such force that it becomes an erratic and visual example of what it is to want something that bad. Andrew is willing to suffer more than anyone to reach perfection, but it's almost never enough for J.K Simmons (Who took home the Golden Globe and SAG Award for this role). Simmons plays Dr. Terrence Fletcher; he is so unbelievable in this role that during the movie, my sister whispered "He's monster!" He is a monster; he's so bad that it's sexy. Simmons dons all black, and his muscular arms do not go unnoticed especially when he motions his hands to halt anyone who isn't on his tempo. Also, Melissa Benoist from glee makes an appearance as Andrew's lady friend. Her role was small, but I liked its purpose. In this world of overly ambitious millennials, she states that she doesn't know what she wants to do yet. She hasn't selected a major, and that shouldn't be SO frowned upon. She'll figure it out guys. Anyhow I give the acting an A+++++. 

The point:

In every creative career, there is a point where you almost reach perfection. Some force inside of you explodes, and there is a grace period where you can do no wrong. I've seen it in other people, and I've seen it inside myself. While J.K Simmons is an absolute Nazi in this film, he is pushing his students to find perfection. A complicated but powerful message comes with Whiplash. The bad teacher profoundly states that telling a person that they did a "good job" is the most harmful thing you can do. It stops them from thinking they need to go further. I also can't end this blog post without mentioning the fabulous music and drumming, I mean WOW. I never realized how beautiful drumming is, the swift moments, the gold flash of the symbols, and the 20 different bangs that come together as one. I mean really gorgeous, like OMG. Ok, go forth my friends, see this movie. 

Later,
Sasha 

Weekly GIRLS.

The 4th season is here, and the small hole in my heart has been filled again. Sundays nights just aren't the same without Hannah, Marnie, Jessa, and Shosh. I'm one episode behind I knooow. I do have a day job and everything but no worries, I'll catch up :).

S4| E1: SSS: The scandalous, scariest, and saddest scenes.

Scandalous Scene: 
One of the best things about Girls is the editing, the transitions are flawless and perfectly timed. I was glad to be watching this one alone, since OUT OF NOWHERE Marnie's behind is being worshipped by Desi. Not many films/shows (except maybe for Looking) pay too much homage to the butt, so go GIRLS for...um....crossing that bridge.

Scariest Scene:

Shoshanna's mother is played by a comedic genius. Ana Gasteyer is terrifying. The fights between both of her parents are even worse. You see where Shoshanna gets her fast talking technique and her bitterness (After the beach episode she will always be the cruel drunk). Mel and Mel ( Nice touch Lena) are not characters I want to see again.

Saddest Scene: 

Hannah is ready for an amazing opportunity in Iowa. She's leaving everyone she loves behind, and it's affecting her main hangs more than she realizes. Adam is handling the move strangely but realistically. While Hannah wants to make a plan, Adam knows that he is shit on the phone and that the distance might get between them. It's just so sad when he pretends to be sleeping, and even more so, when Hannah lets him sleep. They don't say goodbye, but maybe it would have just been too hard?

Best Lines:

"To Hannah, taking the next step in a series of random steps." - Adam 

"They are like the laziest bulimics you have ever met." -Elijah

“Every time I meet someone five or more years younger than me, they are a complete asshole. Is it because you were told you were special one too many times and you believed it? Because when my generation and every generation before me were called special, we were smart enough to know it meant we were stupid, so it made us work that much harder to stop being stupid.” -Rickey

"You’re pussying out on this whole thing. The thing that we’re all trying to do, which is make it work regardless of location, right where we are.” - Jessa

Loser of the Week: Marnie
Oh, how I want to see Marnie  succeed but oh how I loathe her terrible decisions. Clearly, Marnie has a good voice but she will never have the guts to be a real star. Becoming a performer opens up the world of criticism and pretty much asks for pie-throwing. Marnie's hunger for perfection doesn't mesh with her decision to sing in public. Once again she is having an inappropriate affair. No one with self-respect would ever sleep with someone who is already in a relationship. Desi is an ass and Marnie is a bigger one. Losers. 
Come back soon, to see my take on Episode 2!

Ugh I love Girls so much,
Sasha

The Theory of Love (Everything)

Quick-ish Preface:

In the spirit of Hollywood awards season, I decided to blog about another film that warmed the cockles of my heart, "The Theory of Everything." When Eddie Redmayne won a Golden Globe this past weekend I whooped in triumph. If you haven't seen this movie yet, then I suggest you incorporate it into your weekend before you miss your chance. I have a feeling that this one is meant to be seen on the big screen for the full effect. I'll admit I only knew a little about Stephen Hawking before this. I've known one person with the same disease (ALS), and I know that your body becomes inactive, while your brain stays active. Stephen Hawking has made the best of a difficult life, and if I learned anything from this, it's how powerful your brain is and how the support of your loved ones is even more powerful.

Short Synopsis:

The story begins when Stephen Hawking is a student at the University of Cambridge. He studied impossibly difficult courses that the rare person masters. His brilliance was quickly realized by his professor and peers, and especially by Jane (His future wife). Life threw Stephen a crazy parallel. At the height of his scientific discoveries, he was diagnosed with ALS also knows as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Despite the low odds of Stephen surviving this ordeal, Jane chooses to stay with him. The support that he gets from her and the other important people in his life fuel his will and his success. While there is a strong element of science/physics/cosmology in this film, more right brained people like myself needn't worry. This movie is much more about life miracles then the miracles of physics.

The Acting:

My goodness. Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones killed it. Eddie had this remarkable challenge of acting while he could barely move a muscle. Felicity played a wife and mother who handles the situation not perfectly, but the best anyone could. I imagine that the director told her to portray love in the most realistic way you can. The humor and grace that Eddie acts with is an honorable toast to Stephen Hawking. In the end, I was really crying.  After all the movies and tv shows I watch, I sometimes feel numb to emotional stories....not this one.

The Point:

In this film, Stephen Hawking clearly states that he is an atheist. His strong beliefs in theoretical cosmology are what led him to write books and change the world's perspective. However, his belief in faith and the small possibility of a God is slowly revealed. Through my eyes, it seemed like the people who helped Stephen increased his life expectancy (Even though most doctors disagree with this). Love, support, and kindness are just as important as his "Theory of Everything". The love for his wife, for his children, and the passion, he had for his theories, all contributed the long life Stephen still leads today (Age 73). Are you feeling a little pointless these days? Do you ever feel like you can't accomplish what you've set out to achieve? Do yourself a favor and go see this film, inspiration will be bursting out of your ears.

Xoxo,
Sasha

Everyone needs to see "Wild".

This film is in a word, extraordinary. I laughed; I cried real tears, and I felt inspired. Here's a little background info on this masterpiece:

The Short Synopsis

Cheryl grew up with an abusive father, a wonderful mother, and a sibling who is led adrift. After she loses the person she loves the most, she goes out of control; She looks to drugs, sleeps with anyone who has a first name and indulges in everything destructive. Eventually, she finds a thread of clarity. Her epiphany leads her to realize that the only way to go back to the good woman she was...is to walk herself back. She chooses the Pacific Crest Trail, it's not an easy task, but it's the first of many good choices she makes.

The Acting:

Reese Witherspoon plays Cheryl perfectly. You almost forget that she's a Hollywood fashionista with three beautiful children, a gorgeous husband, and a famous ex. In this film, she is simply wild, and you will see dimensions of her that are far deeper than her role in Legally Blonde.

The Point:

This true story is one of a kind and obviously rare. Most people aren't in this exact situation but as far as I am from this character, I felt a connection. I'll probably never hike the "PCT" but what I took away from this film, is that if you want to be the best version of yourself, there is no shortcut. There is no loophole to having the life you've always wanted; you have to walk there slowly, and soak up every experience. Each step moves you towards the life you're meant to have. I've barely begun my "trail", but this movie made me hopeful. Go see it. ( I don't care if you think I'm cheesy guys.)

Xoxo,
Sasha