Blog Post
If you liked Stranger Things…
by manz
The most talked about television show of the summer has been Stranger Things, a Netflix original that premiered on July 15. If you have not watched it yet, stop reading this and go watch it immediately.
Okay, you’re back. The 8-episode sci-fi horror series hit children of the 80s in the face like a bag of nostalgia that they didn’t know they needed so badly in 2016. Created by the Duffer brothers, it’s filled with enough suspenseful fright to keep you up at night (grab a buddy to watch with), but also adorned with well intended, adorable, adventurous kids to keep you smiling.
Set in 1983 the story follows four 12 year old boys who geek out over Dungeons and Dragons and the AV club. One of them goes missing and the others try to find him once his disappearance turns suspicious. Enter a small town police chief, a frantic mother of the boy gone missing (played effortlessly by Winona Ryder), a government lab, a mysterious alien creature, and a psychokinetic 12 year old girl… and well, you’ve got quite a story.
The show references so many 70s and 80s films it almost seems unreal. It’s an homage to Steven Spielberg and Stephen King. It’s Stand By Me meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It’s Cujo meets The Goonies. It’s Firestarter meets E.T. It’s IT meets Cloak and Dagger. It goes so far. And the music? Yes. An 80s soundtrack paired with eerie electronic music and John Carpenter-ish synth twangs, which fills another void you didn’t know existed. The first volume of a soundtrack will be released digitally this Friday, with a CD to follow.
As a fan of what I call “little boy adventure stories,” I was hooked immediately, and the nostalgia and soundtrack sealed the deal and created many late nights of watching the show.
Here is a list of books and movies that might be of interest to you if you finished season 1 and are jonesing for season 2 to begin, and yes, the Duffer brothers have claimed there are more seasons to follow.
Blog Post
TV Spotlight: Narcos
by manz
Narcos started as a Netflix exclusive last year and is based on the true story of the rise and fall of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. Set and filmed in Colombia the show focuses on the two DEA agents who worked to defeat Escobar and the Medellin Drug Cartel that helped make Escobar a billionaire working in the drug trade.
With superb acting and a gripping story, the show is great and it’s an easy one to get hooked on. It’s also dark, violent, and gritty with not a lot of positivity. But being based on Escobar’s life it is too interesting to pass up.
Season 1 is AADL’s catalog and a season 2 is set to air in September.
Blog Post
New TV Shows @ AADL, Pt. 2
by manz
The library is always acquiring additional TV shows and new seasons of them, be they hot and new, or oldies but goodies. Here are some new-to-AADL series:
Supergirl, Season 1
Born on the doomed planet Krypton, Kara Zor-El escaped at the same time as her cousin, Superman, but didn’t arrive on Earth until years later after being lost. Raised by her adopted family, the Danvers, Kara grew up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex, and learned to hide the phenomenal powers she shares with her famous cousin. Kara has spent so many years trying to fit in that she forgot to ever stand out.
Code Black, Season 1
Residency Director Dr. Leanne Rorish leads four first-year residents through the life-or-death challenges that will change the course of their careers and lives.
Colony, Season 1
Set in the very near future, it centers on one family's struggle to survive an occupied Los Angeles, now a dangerous world of divided ideologies. While some choose to collaborate with the occupation and benefit from the new order, others rebel and suffer the consequences. Will Bowman a former FBI agent, and his wife Katie have been separated from their son during the invasion and do whatever is necessary to be reunited.
The Girlfriend Experience, Season 1
Christine Reade is a second year student at Chicago-Burnham Law School and a new intern at the prestigious firm of Kirkland & Allen. Working hard to establish herself at the firm, her focus quickly shifts when a classmate introduces her to the world of transactional relationships. Known as GFEs, they are women who provide emotional and sexual relationships at a very high price. Christine quickly finds herself drawn into the GFE world.
Narcos, Season 1
Based on a true story of the rise and fall of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and the two DEA agents that brought the famed Medellin Cartel to its knees.
Blindspot, Season 1
A vast international plot explodes when a mysterious Jane Doe is discovered in Times Square, covered in cryptic tattoos with no memory of who she is. But there's one tattoo that's impossible to miss: the name of FBI agent Kurt Weller, on her back. Soon, Weller and his FBI team realize that each mark on her body is a crime to solve, leading them closer to the truth about her identity.
Slasher, Season 1
Follows the plight of a young woman who returns to the small town where she was born, only to find herself the centerpiece in a series of horrifying copycat murders, based on the widely known, grisly killings of her parents.
Vinyl, Season 1
A New York music executive in the 1970s hustles to make a career out of the city's diverse music scene.
Superstore, Season 1
A hilarious workplace comedy venturing into the world of retail. The giant megastore is staffed by employees ranging from bright-eyed newbies and the seen-it-all veterans, to the clueless summer hires and the in-it-for-life managers. Together they tackle the day-to-day grind of rabid bargain hunters, riot-causing sales and nap-worthy training sessions.
For more TV shows, be sure to check out AADL’s lists for HOT TV shows, as well as NEW TV shows.
Blog Post
New TV Shows @ AADL, Pt. 1
by manz
We're thinking television because Emmy Nominations were announced today!! With SO many good TV shows out there how can we possible keep up?
The library is always acquiring additional TV shows and new seasons of them, be they hot and new, or oldies but goodies. Here are some new-to-AADL series:
The Magicians, Season 1
Based on Lev Grossman's New York Times best seller, this centers on Quentin, a brilliant grad student chosen to attend Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy, a secret upstate New York university specializing in magic. He and his twenty something friends soon discover that the magical fantasy world they read about as children is all too real, and poses a grave danger to humanity.
The Shannara Chronicles, Season 1
The epic story of an Elvin princess, a bandit and a half-Elf tasked with stopping the end of the world. Based on the book series by Terry Brooks.
Underground, Season 1
The show follows a group of slaves who plan a daring escape from a Georgia plantation to cross 600 miles to freedom.
Moone Boy, The Complete Series
The hilarious, semi-autobiographical tale of Martin Moone, the youngest boy in a loud, large Irish family, and his imaginary friend Sean Murphy. Between Martin's unique view on life and Sean's not always helpful advice, the pair find themselves thrown into one ridiculous scheme after another.
11.22.63
On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was killed in Dallas and the world changed forever. But what if it could be changed back? James Franco stars as Jake Epping, an English teacher who accepts the monumental mission of trying to prevent the assassination of JFK. Based upon the bestselling novel by Stephen King.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Season 1
When heroes alone are not enough, the world needs legends. Having seen the future, traveling rogue Rip Hunter assembles a disparate group of both heroes and villains to confront the unstoppable threat of the immortal Vandal Savage, a threat which not only puts the planet at stake, but all of time itself.
The Tunnel, Season 1
When a prominent French politician is found dead on the border between the UK and France, detectives Karl Roebuck and Elise Wassermann are sent to investigate on behalf of their respective countries. The case takes a surreal turn when a shocking discovery is made at the crime scene, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership.
Ash vs. Evil Dead, Season 1
Ash is the stock boy, who is an aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons; personal and literal.
Lucifer, Season 1
Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, Lucifer has resigned his throne and retired to the City of Angels, where he is indulging in wine, women, and song. When a beautiful pop star is brutally murdered before his eyes, he feels something awaken deep within him, for the first time in ten billion years. Is he actually capable of feelings for a human being?
For more TV shows, be sure to check out AADL’s lists for HOT TV shows, as well as NEW TV shows.
Blog Post
TV Spotlight: Silicon Valley
by manz
The award-winning comedy series ">Silicon Valley follows a group of young men, living together in a single house, who try to create and then maintain a start up company in Silicon Valley. With a stellar cast, including Martin Starr and Kumail Nanjiani, the show is hilarious to say the least.
Created by Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-Head, King of the Hill, Office Space), John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, the HBO show is partially based on Judge’s own experiences working in Silicon Valley in the 80s.
Season 1 and 2 are available on DVD, Season 3 is airing now on HBO, and it’s been renewed for a fourth season. Highly recommended if you enjoy absurd humor.
Blog Post
Emerald & Orange: Prison Life
by manz
It is that time of year once again…. Not only does AADL’s Summer Game launch on Friday, June 17, but Orange is the New Black’s 4th season premieres on Netflix as well! Are you caught up? Are you ready?
When thinking of television shows set in prison one cannot forget Oz. Yes, we are talking about a show that premiered in 1997, but it has totally stood the test of time.
Some think The Sopranos put HBO hour-long dramas on the map, when in was in fact Oz. It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by HBO. The show aired from 1997-2003 and featured many actors from your favorite shows that came after Oz. (So many actors that went onto The Wire!)
Set in Oswald State Correctional Facility, better known as Oz, the show chronicles inmates in “Emerald City,” an experimental unit within Oz that has strict rules and is focused on prisoner rehabilitation. Through six seasons there is amazing character development as we watch the men in "Em City" come and go.
While Orange is the New Black has its sad moments, it also has plenty of comedic bits. Oz does not. (Well, the show's narrator does add his humor to the episodes.) Oz is dark, violent, intense, gripping, and worth a viewing if those are things you can stomach in a television show.
Blog Post
TV Spotlight: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
by manz
Kimmy Schmidt is a mole woman. She and three other women were rescued from a doomsday cult in Indiana after 15 years underground. Upon rescue they are pretty clueless as to what’s been going on in the world above ground. (i.e. What’s a selfie?)
Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) decides to start her new life in New York City! There she quickly lands a place to live with a struggling actor roommate (Tituss Burgess), a sassy landlady (Carol Kane), and a job as a nanny for a socialite (Jane Krakowski). The colorfully-clad Kimmy is a cartwheeling ball of positivity diving into every new experience she can – with many dashes of wacky naiveté. It's not my favorite new sitcom, but it was fun to have on while working on projects around the house.
Season 1 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is available on DVD now, and Season 2 will be available for viewing on Netflix starting Friday! (Yes, I totally watched this show because it was co-created by Tina Fey.)
Blog Post
TV Spotlight: Aquarius
by manz
Aquarius had an interesting premise regarding Charles Manson and I wasn’t sure I’d be into it, but as a fan of detective shows (and David Duchovny!) I had to give it a try, and I’m glad I did.
Set in Los Angeles in 1967, the story follows fictional detective Sam Hodiak (Duchovny). He starts to investigate the disappearance of an old girlfriend’s daughter, and he ends up teaming up with an undercover cop, and the investigation eventually leads to Charles Manson and his followers.
While inspired by real people and events, the bulk of the show, characters, and storyline are fictional.
The NBC show has been renewed for a second season, and creators would like to run it for five seasons, as they have content already mapped out leading up to the infamous Tate-Labianca murders in 1969.
Blog Post
New TV Shows @ AADL
by manz
The library is always acquiring additional TV shows and new seasons of them, be they hot and new, or oldies but goodies. Here are some new-to-AADL series headed our way:
Killjoys, Season 1
Sci-fi adventure that follows a fun loving, hard living trio of interplanetary bounty hunters sworn to remain impartial as they chase deadly warrants around the Quad, a system of planets on the brink of revolution.
Ballers, Season 1
A series centered around a group of football players and their families, friends, and handlers.
Prey, Seasons 1 & 2
On the run and accused of a terrible crime, Manchester Detective Marcus Farrow tries to prove his innocence while being hunted by his former friends and colleagues.
Birds of a Feather, Set 1
Two North London-born sisters are left to fend for themselves, both financially and emotionally, when their husbands are jailed for armed robbery.
Grace and Frankie, Season 1
For as long as they can recall, Grace and Frankie have been rivals. Their one-upmanship comes crashing to a halt, however, when they learn that their husbands have fallen in love with each other and want to get married. As everything around the ladies is coming apart, the only thing they can really rely on is each other.
Janet King, Series 1
Senior Prosecutor Janet King returns from maternity leave to confront a high-profile murder, and a conspiracy which will have shocking ramifications throughout the judicial system.
Suspects, Series 1 & 2
An unscripted crime/drama series centered on a team of three detectives - each with their own distinctive style of working.
The Jim Gaffigan show, Season 1
Inspired by comedian Jim Gaffigan's real life, the show explores one man's struggle to find balance between fatherhood, stand-up comedy and an insatiable appetite.
For more TV shows, be sure to check out AADL’s lists for HOT TV shows, as well as NEW TV shows.
Blog Post
New TV Shows @ AADL
by manz
The library is always acquiring additional TV shows and new seasons of them, be they hot and new, or oldies but goodies. Here are some new-to-AADL series:
Casual, Season 1
A bachelor brother and his newly divorced sister living are under one roof again. Together, they coach each other through the crazy world of dating while raising her teenage daughter.
Z Nation, Seasons 1 & 2
Three years after the devastating ZN1 virus gutted the country, a team of everyday heroes must transport the only known survivor of a zombie attack, and humanity's last hope to develop a vaccine, from New York to California. However, he's hiding a secret that could endanger the mission.
The Last Kingdom
The re-telling of the valiant story of King Alfred the Great and his desire to unite many separate kingdoms into what would become England. Combining real historical figures and events with fictional characters, it is the story of how a people reclaimed their land from the invading Vikings and built a place they call home.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Season 1
Rescued after fifteen years in an underground doomsday cult, Kimmy decides to rebuild her life in New York City armed with only a fifth-grade education and a firm belief that truly anything is possible. She quickly finds a roommate, a job working for a spoiled Manhattan mom, and a new beginning.
19-2, Season 1
Revolves around the day-to-day life of two unwilling partners of the Montreal Police Department, Officers Nick Barron and Ben Chartier. These two beat cops patrol the urban sprawl of downtown's 19th district, in cruiser No. 2. The show is about the tensions and bonds that develop between two incompatible men of very different temperaments and life experiences.
Humans
In a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for any busy family is a 'Synth' - a highly-developed robotic servant that's so similar to a real human it's transforming the way we live.
Lost Girl, Seasons 1-5
For years Bo had no idea what she was or why every new lover died in the throes of passion. She fled one corpse after another until a chance encounter with the puckish thief Kenzi exposed Bo's existence to the Fae. This ancient society of supernatural beings exists outside the realm of mere mortals. Within their world, there are only two sides: Light and Dark. Each member of the Fae must choose who they will serve. But not Bo. Driven to discover who she really is, Bo vows to live on her own terms even if it means existing in the abyss between darkness and light.
Midwinter of the Spirit
Follows country vicar Merrily Watkins, who is one of the few women priests working as an exorcist in the UK. When a grisly murder takes place in her local area, the police come calling for her assistance.
The Expanse, Season 1
A police detective in the asteroid belt, the first officer of an interplanetary ice freighter and an earth-bound United Nations executive slowly discover a vast conspiracy that threatens all humanity.
Prisoner’s Wives, The Complete Series
Gemma's perfect life comes crashing down when her husband is arrested for murder. As Gemma learns to navigate the prison system, she starts to think the unthinkable.
Forever, the Complete Series
Henry has a vested interest in studying the dead: He is immortal, and only his best friend and confidant, Abe, full of life at age 75, knows Henry's secret. Henry hasn't aged at all since the clock stopped 200 years ago, but he's managed to be discreet without anyone finding out his affliction. That task becomes increasingly difficult when he meets NYPD detective Jo Martinez, who is fascinated by Henry after learning he was the sole survivor of a horrific train crash.
The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Season 1
In 1959, Dr. Lucian Blake returns to his Australian hometown to continue his late father's medical practice, but it is his additional responsibility as the town's chief medical officer that leads him to investigating cases of suspicious death.
For more TV shows, be sure to check out AADL’s lists for HOT TV shows, as well as NEW TV shows.