SPOILER: Orphan Black follows outsider, orphan and street-wise chameleon Sarah. After witnessing a woman's suicide, Sarah assumes the strangers identity - who happens to look just like her. Expecting to solve all her problems by cleaning out the dead woman's savings, Sarah is instead thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery as she realizes the dizzying truth - she and the dead woman are clones. As Sarah searches for answers, she discovers the chilling fact that there are more people like her out there - genetically identical individuals who were planted in unsuspecting birth parents and nurtured in completely different circumstances. With no idea who created the clones, she'll need to discover the reason in a hurry as an assassin is killing them one by one.
I fell in love with this show and watched the entire first season very quickly. Just waiting for season 2 to be put on Amazon Prime. Have you watched this show? It's so amazing that she plays all these roles. Very cool show, check it out if you haven' seen it.
Armed with a camcorder, farmer-filmmaker-activist Severine von Tscharner Fleming spent two years crisscrossing America, meeting and mobilizing a network of revolutionary young farmers resettling the land. 'The Greenhorns' is an ode to their grit and entrepreneurial spirit, an exploration of sustainable agriculture, and an enticement to reclaim our national soil. The ninety minute feature is the culmination of well over 200 hours of original footage from all regions of the United States, as well as original animation by young urban farmer and artist Brooke Budner, and rare agricultural archival footage from the Prelinger Archives. Ultimately, The Greenhorns shows us how farmers can move out of the margins recent history has consigned them to, and back to the heart of the American food landscape.
This movie, like many other like it, make me want to say goodbye to my desk job and get out in the dirt. I always have grand ideas of how I'd like to have lots of land and start my own small veggie and fruit farm. You never know, someday... But until that time, I will continue to support all our local farmers and friends we have made through the farmer's markets and make our front yard veggie gardens bigger and better every year.
Chefs A’ Field is an American documentary cooking series broadcast on PBS that focuses on the personal stories of farmers, fishermen, foragers and chefs, offering viewers a new way of looking at their food, environment, and community (strong focus on sustainability).
Each episode of Chefs A’ Field starts with a well-known restaurant, travels to the field and returns to the kitchen, where the ingredients are transformed into dishes on the menus of America’s finest restaurants. The audience views the chefs' interactactions with farmers and fishermen.
We found this program on Amazon prime and have been watching an episode or two each night. I love watching the chefs go to the farms and the interactions between chef and farmer. I wish more chefs and restaurants adopted this profile of getting all their ingredients locally.
We only have a few restaurants that do that near where I'm located and we went to one on Saturday night. It was the best dinner I have had out in a very long time, it was amazing. Ahhhh..I'm still thinking about it.
Portland detective, Nick Burkhardt, has seen some gruesome crime scenes, but nothing prepares him for the strange visions he begins seeing: seemingly regular people momentarily transforming into hideous monsters. A visit from his only living relative reveals the truth. Nick has inherited the ability to see supernatural creatures, and as a "Grimm," he is tasked with keeping the balance between mankind and the mythological. A reformed "Big Bad Wolf" becomes his greatest (and also reluctant) ally and confidant. It's not long before his work as a policeman leads Nick to the criminals he once thought were only found in fairy tales.
The mister is using Amazon Prime's one month free trial, and I have to say I'm addicted and have found some great shows. Grimm is one of those shows. Talk about an addiction. I love this show and have almost finished watching season one. Plus it has one of my favorite actors, Silas Weir Mitchell. If you have Amazon Prime - check out this show immediately!
Michael Westen, a seasoned US spy, is suddenly 'burned', i.e. discredited, without any form of procedure. He survives by doing impossible jobs for desperate people in Miami, where his mother lives. Michael is usually aided by trusted former FBI informer Sam and his ex girlfriend Fiona.
(sorry had a hard time finding a trailer from season 1)
This show has become my new favorite "go-to" show. The mister started watching this, and then I watched one and was hooked. I love "blow 'em up" shows so this was right down my alley. It's quirky and full of explosions. We are currently on Season 3, so no one tell me any spoiler alerts (if there are any) We like to find a show that has a lot of seasons so that it will keep us entertained for a while. Have you watched it? Or did you watch it when it was on television? We haven't had tv for going on four years so we never know whats current! haha
Desperate to cure her near catatonic sister, intrepid authoress Adèle Blanc-Sec braves ancient Egyptian tombs and modern Egyptian lowlife to locate a mummified doctor and get him back to Paris. Her hope is that oddball Professor Espérandieu will then use his unusual powers to bring the doctor back to life so he, in turn, can use his centuries-old skills on the unfortunate sister. In Paris however Espérandieu is already causing mayhem, having brought to life what was a safe museum egg but is now a very active pterodactyl. Paris 1911 may not be the healthiest place to be.
I have always loved Luc Besson. One of my all time favorite movies is directed by him (The Big Blue - "Le Grand Bleu") So when the mister picked out this movie I was excited to see what it was all about. It was interesting and had a Coen brothers feel to the design. I say a definite watch.
The show throws Chief Inspector George Gently into a maelstrom of murders and mayhem, whilst lovingly recreating the swinging sixties as it finally hits the North-East, in perfect and nostalgic detail. With his sidekick, the ambitious and undisciplined Detective Sergeant John Bacchus, they make the perfect police partnership, full of warmth and humor.
This show has become one of my favorites. I seem to gravitate toward British detective shows. I also love that its set in the 60's. It reminds me of a little bit of Columbo, a little bit of Quincy and top off with a little bit of Doc Martin.
Currently season 1-5 are on Streaming Netflix. Season 5 leaves us with a major cliff hanger. This is the only problem with only having netflix to watch tv shows, because you get hooked on something, and then there is a chance that it may not be updated for a very long time! I have my fingers crossed that it won't be long before season 6 makes it way to Netflix.
Have you watched George Gently? If you haven't and love 60's crime shows, definitely check this show out, you will not be disappointed.
A group of inmates attempt a daring escape from the notorious Alcatraz prison island, from which no-one had managed to escape before. Based on a true story.
We've watched this movie in the past. I love Clint Eastwood movies and this is no exception. Never seen it? A must watch, especially if you like true crime movies.
This British movie is about a group of inept criminals who decide to rob a bank so they can save their grandfather's retirement home from being demolished by developers. Meanwhile on another building site some workers dig up an old graveyard and they get bitten by the "undead" which sets off a chain reaction. Then the bank robbers are cornered by the police while in the process of the robbery, but when they exit they find that they are all dead as a result of the horde of zombies. They have to get to the retirement home before the zombies do!
It's not all docmentaries and asian slasher flicks that we watch in this house. This movie is hilarious. Lots of great little one liners. If you are in the mood for a silly blood and guts movie in the line of Shaun of the Dead - check this movie out.
Adventurers, exotic fruits fanatics and even movie star Bill Pullman, are the subjects of The Fruit Hunters, the new film from acclaimed director Yung Chang. A thrilling journey through nature, commerce and adventure, The Fruit Hunters is a cinematic odyssey that takes viewers from the dawn of humanity to the cutting of edge of modern agriculture - a film that will change not just the way we look at we eat, but what it means to be human.
Such a great documentary that follows Bill Pullman as he tries to put together a communal orchard near his home in Hollywood. I love seeing communities come together to try and create something to share.
The best 7 year old golfers from around the world descend on the world famous Pinehurst Golf course in North Carolina to determine the next world champion and who might become golf's next phenomenon. Most of these young prodigies have been holding clubs since before they could walk and are better by the time they are six than most people will be in their lifetime. This is the breeding ground for the PGA and the stakes are huge. The short game follows 9 young golfers vying for the title of 'world champion'.
There is something so awesome when you see kids who speak and act like miniature adults. I am all for giving miniature adults responsibilities and teaching them how to handle situations. These kids all love what they are doing and I think it is amazing that they all have the drive and ambition to want to be the best at something and really practice until they obtain that goal.
An in-depth look at honeybee colonies in California, Switzerland, China and Australia.
We are obsessed with bees here in the Pelletier household. The mister has been wanting to kep bees for years, maybe he will finally get around to building his hives this year. They would be awesome to keep for our gardens. We have watched just about every bee documentary out there and the majority all say the same thing .. we don't know why the bees are dying. Some will admit its a combination of the chemicals, pesticides and inbreeding of the bees but most act as if there is some big mystery. Like..gee..they are pollenating all these trees while we spray them with chemicals..they take the chmicals back to their hives which is then fed to all the bees and the queen...hmmm..nah..that couldn't by why they are dying..
This documentary does talk about just that exact fact, but why is no one doing anything about it? Why does everything have to be so "big"? There is one bee keeper that states his dad and grand dad would be up in arms if they knew how he was running his operation, he goes on to say but mine is 10x times bigger, 10 times this and that. But why? Why do you need things to be 10x bigger?
This is what I cannot stand with how the majority of the population think. Why do things have to be bigger? WHY do you need a HUGE house? Why do you need a jumbo gas-monster of a car? Why do you need to make a gazillion dollars a year? Why do you need more more more? To me these things make no sense. To me, greed and "more" do not bring happiness. That's the reason people give when they answer these questions right? Well, they won't admit they are greedy bastards, but in essence thats what they are. Why can't you just have enough?
Just live with what you really do need and spend your time being happy and enjoying life? When life becomes this race to gain more, have the biggest this and that and make the most money..I can only ask why? Because this "more more more" "bigger bigger bigger" attitiude is what is hurting the environment, hurting the work place and hurting people in general...
8 players with 703 years between them compete in the World over 80s Table Tennis Championships in Inner Mongolia. Terry (81) having been given a week to live, gets in sight of winning gold. Inge (89) has used table tennis to train her way out of the dementia ward she committed herself to. Australian legend Dorothy deLow is 100, and finds herself a mega celebrity in this rarefied world and Texan Lisa Modlich, a new-comer at 85 years old, is determined to do whatever it takes to win her first gold. This film is as much about the tenacity of the human spirit as it is a meditation on mortality.
This documentary will have you rooting for your favorite 80+ year old favorite player, one woman is even 100 and still playing (she is actually now 102 and still battling it out)! I loved this movie. I could totally see myself in my 80's kicking ass and playing in the ping pong circuit. I think I have a new goal in life!
The true story of a young killer whale, an orca nicknamed Luna, who makes friends with people after he gets separated from his family on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. As rambunctious and surprising as a visitor from another planet, Luna endears himself to humans with his determination to make contact, which leads to laughter, conflict and unexpected consequences.
This movie will have you laughing and cheering on the little whale. I know, had I lived there, I would have been out seeing and fighting for Luna every day. A beautiful documentary about a very special little whale that called humans his family for a few short years.
On Christmas Eve in Finland, Santa Claus is unearthed in an archaeological dig. Soon after, children start disappearing, leading a boy and his father to capture Santa and, with the help of fellow hunters, they look to sell him back to the corporation that sponsored the dig. And then there's Santa's elves, who are determined to free their leader...
This has been on my list "to watch" for quite some time. We meant to watch it last year at Christmas and somehow the season flew by and it never made it to be seen. So this year, we made sure to watch it.
It is definitely not your average "jolly good time" Christmas movie. But it kicks ass in a very disturbing and creepy way. I am in love with this movie and it will probably be on my "watch it" every Christmas from now going forward.
Do you have Christmas movies you watch every year? I watch Emmit Otter, Christmas Vacation, Elf and A Christmas Story every year without fail. If I'm feeling girlie and emotional I will throw in Love Actually. I know some people watch Nightmare Before Christmas - but for me, I seem to usually watch that more around Halloween time every year, don't know why seeing that it does have Santa and all...
I'd love to hear your Christmas movies that you watch each year - and any odd ball weirdo ones I may not know about!
In "House of 1000 Corpses", two young couples take a misguided tour onto the back roads of America in search of a local legend known as Dr. Satan. Lost and stranded, they are set upon by a bizarre family of psychotics. Murder, cannibalism and satanic rituals are just a few of the 1000+ horrors that await.
Rob Zombie is pure genius with the movies he puts out. House of 1000 Corpses has been my favorite and, in my opinion, most disturbing one he has made. If you are wanting to watch a creepy movie this Halloween - put on House of 1000 Corpses.
A woman goes on vacation with her friends after her husband and daughter encounter a tragic accident. One year later she goes hiking with her friends and they get trapped in the cave. With a lack of supply, they struggle to survive and they meet strange blood thirsty creatures.
This movie was super creepy. It doesn't help that I have extreme claustrophobia. I almost wanted to start to hyperventilate in some parts of the movie. But I think the worst and scariest part was the first time you saw what is down there with them. I jumped right out of my seat. I watched this movie without knowing anything about it quite a few years ago. When I realized it was a horror movie I was that much more excited to be watching it, but seriously, it's creepy and definitely a must see horror movie if you have missed it in the past.
Two pretty but ditsy American girls are on a road trip through Europe. In Germany, they end up alone at night with a broken car in the woods. They search for help and find an isolated villa. The next day, they awaken to find themselves trapped in a terrifying makeshift basement hospital along with a Japanese man. An older German man identifies himself as a retired surgeon specialized in separating Siamese twins. However, his three "patients" are not about to be separated but joined together in a horrific operation. He plans to be the first person to connect people via their gastric systems. By doing so, he plans to bring to life his sick lifetime fantasy, the human centipede.
One of the most disturbing movies I have ever watched was the Human Centipede. I honestly don't even have words for this movie. If you haven't watched it, I'm sure you have probably heard about it. Three unsuspecting people get surgically connected to each other. Truly gross. but one of those movies that made such a traumatic impact after watching it. I think my hands were over my face through most of the movie just saying "Oh my god that is SICK!"
They have made sequels but I have not watched either of them. Like most sequels I'm sure they suck. Nothing is ever as disturbing as the original.
If you have not watched this..I say watch it and be prepared to be truly grossed out.
This weeks installment of horror movies is one of my all time favorites...
Storyline
A man, his son and wife become the winter caretakers of an isolated hotel where Danny, the son, sees disturbing visions of the hotel's past using a telepathic gift known as "The Shining". The father, Jack Torrance, is underway in a writing project when he slowly slips into insanity as a result of cabin fever and former guests of the hotel's ghosts. After being convinced by a waiter's ghost to "correct" the family, Jack goes completely insane. The only thing that can save Danny and his mother is "The Shining".
This is one movie that you can watch over and over again and see new things every time you watch it. The first time I watched it I was in middle school and was completely freaked out and had nightmares for weeks. It's just such a creepy movie.
There is actually a movie on Netflix right now called Room 237 that discusses five different view points and "hidden meanings" within the Shining. I tried to watch it, it was terrible. I'm not a fan of people trying to force their viewpoints and what they think a movie is meant to mean. I'm not saying that directors and writers don't point in hidden messages, but some people take it too far and break the smallest things apart. Personally, it drives me batty when people do this. I watched about 20 minutes of the movie and had to shut it off. Honestly I don't even know why I watched it that long. Uck! Garbage!
But The Shining. A classic. If you have never watched it, it is a must watch in movie history. And if you have watched it, its that time of year to watch it again!
Something you may not know about me is that I LOVE horror movies. I fell in love with being scared when I was in third grade and, at a sleep over, watched Friday the 13th on VHS. Horror movies were not something my parents let me watch, they were rated R - and well..I was in third grade. I can remember laying in my sleeping bag and when Jason came crashing through the window my entire little body jumped sky high. It was so funny to my friends that they kept rewinding the tape and playing it over, and I would still jump every time!
So, for the month of October I thought it only fitting that I share 5 horror movies. I don't want to say they are a "top 5" or are in any order of favorites because I have more than five horror movies that I love for many different reasons. So I will share with you five random picks that I love to scare the bejesus out of myself.
The first one I'll start with is..
The Blair Witch Project
1999 - R - 81 minutes
Storyline
Three film students travel to Maryland to make a student film about a local urban legend... The Blair Witch. The three went into the woods on a two day hike to find the Blair Witch, and never came back. One year later, the students film and video was found in the woods. The footage was compiled and made into a movie. The Blair Witch Project.
I remember when this movie came out in 1999. I was living in Northampton, MA and the mister and I saw it in this theater which definitely added to the experience..
I can still remember the grittiness and how scared everyone was when we all left the theater. People walking out saying "holy sh$$..that was bleeped up" "was that real?!" It was completely different than other movies out at that time. It felt so real and just really changed how people though about what a horror movie could be. There were so many rumors swirling around about the movie that it was real etc.
I loved it because it truly scared the crap out of me. I know that now, people sometimes make fun of it and there are all these spoofs with people with their noses running doing close ups in the camera. But, I say, if you haven't watched it - to turn off all your lights, clear your mind of things you may have heard about it, and put it on. I actually have not watched it in over 10 years. But I hold it as one of the few movies that really did scare me to the core when I watched it that first time!
