Since I can't drive or read a lot until my eyes finish healing and I can get new glasses, I'm sticking close to home these days, mainly just watching a lot of TV and movies. Here's the most interesting things I've seen so far --
1. An Unexpected Recorder Sighting
As a hardcore recorder nerd, imagine my surprise to see Cyndi Lauper playing a recorder during her performance of She Bop in her recent TV special A GRAMMY Salute To Cyndi Lauper: Live From The Hollywood Bowl. It was the highlight of the whole show for me, actually, so I snapped this photo off my TV set for posterity! You go, girl! The world needs more recorder music!
2. Vatican Hijinks
I finally got around to watching the 2024 movie Conclave and let's just say that I LOVED the ending! LOVED IT! Hahahahaha! Those of you who have seen it, you know why!
3. A Literature-Obsessed Cop
On my sister's recommendation, I binge-watched Annika, a two-season Scottish cop series streaming on PBS Passport. Annika analyzes every murder via a relevant piece of beloved literature in an ongoing monologue delivered directly to us, the viewers, breaking the fourth wall. In fact, she regularly takes us into her confidence in such "asides," revealing her thoughts, doubts and vulnerabilities. Highly recommended!
4. Beat Era Queerness
Also finally watched the 2024 movie Queer, with star turns by Daniel Craig as a fictionalized version of the postmodern Beat author-addict William S. Burroughs and Lesley Manville as a dangerous jungle doctor who is an ayahuasca shaman/researcher. I enjoyed the first half of the movie but it dragged in the more far-out last half. Good gay sex scenes though. OH, DANIEL!
Ooh, so many great recommendations. AND Cyndi Lauper, whom I adore. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI loved that Cyndi Lauper special; I'd forgotten how much music she'd recorded.
ReplyDeleteAnd Daniel; yes, please, and thank you.
...our children learned to play the recorder with they were in grade school.
ReplyDeleteThe recorder rules!!
ReplyDelete@ Boud -- I knew you'd like this too!
DeleteI actually watched some of Cindi Lauper songs last night oddly enough and then she appeared here!
ReplyDeleteConclave is an amazing movie,
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late, it's good to have you back. I love Cyndi Lauper, and Annika. Conclave and Queer look good, I need to find out where to watch them. Very best wishes for a speedy full recovery 😊
ReplyDeleteI too love Annika and saw the whole series. It's unfortunate and it was canceled and I will not be a third season. But I adore Nicola Walker I was absolutely heartbroken but her character was killed in an accident on Unforgotten. Another excellent show. And of course I also love her and Last Tango in Halifax
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Annika too! No third season? What a bummer... hopefully, Nicola Walker will be in something new very soon!
DeleteI'd not heard of Queer. I'll have to find it. Burroughs was quite a character, wasn't he? Not sure I would have enjoyed his company.
ReplyDeleteGood job being productive with your time.
ReplyDeleteI watched a video of The Conclave and it was very good. It was about the making of the movie and how the actors felt doing it. It's funny how after 15 years of being Catholic and now an Atheist, I still love the religion in certain ways. But I hate the lies they cover up all in the name of religion.
ReplyDeleteConclave was soooo good!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have seen Annika but will watch the others. If you have not seen Department Q on netflix, I highly recommend.
ReplyDelete@ Lady M -- Oh yes, I loved Dept Q and watched the series twice! A second season has now been confirmed, yay!
DeleteHello Debra, You mentioned before that your cataracts were preventing you from reading the recorder music. Do you think you will be able to now, or is it too soon to tell?
ReplyDelete--Jim
@ Parnassus (Jim) -- I won't know the answer to that until I get my new prescription glasses hopefully around the end of November. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
DeleteI really enjoyed Annika. But I like just about everything that she's in.
ReplyDeleteConclave was good, too.
Right now I'm watching Slow Horses with Gary Old man, also good at whatever he's in.
Conclave looks good. I see that the Supreme Court Of Canada Justices finally ditched their Santa Claus robes for very chic black silk robes with red piping. They remind me of the tailored look of Cardinals' robes -- what do you think of them?
ReplyDelete@ Tundra Bunny -- I LOVE the SCC's chic new judicial robes! LONG OVERDUE UPGRADE. The Santa Claus robes were hideous beyond words.
DeleteI would need to find the movie Queer to watch properly. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched these so I'll have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteConclave was priceless. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of these but they all look like they're worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteConclave is on my list to see.
ReplyDeleteConclave is excellent!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove Annika, want to see Conclave - would Husband enjoy if I made him watch? - but am not keen on recorders!
ReplyDeleteI love Cyndi Lauper---the recorder? Who would've thunk it?
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about Conclave.
This is a great time to get caught up on some mindless TV watching while you heal.
I enjoyed Annika (its on the U streaming app in the UK), shame it was cancelled. It's the age of quirky detective drama and if you can get it over there check out 'Bookish' (also on the U app now) from Mark Gatiss, theres 1 season but its already confirmed for season 2.
ReplyDeleteooh, I missed Bookish. Will have to look for it.
DeleteI haven’t seen any of these, so I might just have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteCyndi Lauper playing the recorder! What an unexpected delight! She's an absolute icon.
ReplyDeleteI have the biggest crush on Nicola Walker. I'll watch anything she's in. Swoony!
I didn't care for Annika after watching Nicola Walker in Unforgotten and Last Tango in Halifax. I think you might enjoy these. Hope your eyes get better each day.
ReplyDeleteDoes Pope Leo make a cameo in Conclave? Oh my, that would be simply fabulous. He's too cute for words.
ReplyDeleteSmooth healing, my friend. Rest easy and be well.
I played the recorder when I was at school, it was the only musical instrument that I had access to. No school band or anything like that. But I'm sure Cyndi played it much better then me.
ReplyDeleteCyndi is a very accomplished musician.
ReplyDeleteYou should watch Let The Canary Sing. It's awesome.
Queer is a fever dream. And those sexy sex scenes!!
Daniel gets it on with one of my favs: Omar Apollo.
Yes, please.
XOXO
Debra! You cracked me about the good sex scenes. lol. That's wonderful. Here's to the eyes healing all the way up.
ReplyDeleteThese are all new to me.. thanks for sharing. Good to hear you are finding ways to pass the time.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I've not been checking into blogs very often lately. Lots going on. And a belated Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteLoved "Conclave" and Cyndi Lauper..May have to look in to the others :)
ReplyDeleteCyndi Lauper is the absolute best talent and human, imo.
ReplyDeleteI am going to try and fine Annika in India. Thanks for the recco!
ReplyDeletelove the show Anika
ReplyDeleteDear Debra wanted to thank you for your previous recommendation of Dept.Q🤗
ReplyDeleteI just loved the show,each scene was captivating 👍
Really enjoyed it 🥰♥️
Great that you are enjoying your favourite shows and movies 🤗
I found your first two recommendations tempting ♥️
I loved "Conclave!" I know I'd enjoy the Cyndi Lauper salute.
ReplyDelete