FX’s The Americans and All the Reasons Why Everyone Should Watch It ft. Katie Kawa

Episode 32: FX’s The Americans and All the Reasons Why Everyone Should Watch It ft. Katie Kawa

On this week’s episode of Marvelous Geeks, Gissane Sophia sits down with the inimitable Katie Kawa, head writer and founder of Nerdy Girl Notes to discuss Emmy award winning TV drama, The Americans! We discuss the series’ strengths and lovingly call out anyone who’s into TV/film who still hasn’t watched the show.

There are spoilers half way through the podcast and you are warned when to turn it off if you want to remain unspoiled.

We hope you’re all safe and healthy!

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Hopes for the Upcoming Bridgerton TV Show and Ranking the Book Series ft. Jenna Guidi

Episode 31: Hopes for the Upcoming Bridgerton TV Show and Ranking the Book Series ft. Jenna Guidi

On this week’s episode of Marvelous Geeks, Gissane Sophia and Jenna Guidi are back to discuss what’s taken over their lives since March, the Bridgertons! Bridgerton is a collection of eight historical romance books written by the inimitable Julia Quinn that’s coming to Netflix sometime this year. (That’s another point of this podcast, a plea for Netflix to give it to us sooner than later. Please.) We rank the books based on our favorites, discuss our favorite pairings, and share our hopes for the TV series.

This is not a spoiler free podcast. If you haven’t read the books and want to be surprised, hold off listening until you do.

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Taylor Swift’s Folklore Album Review ft. Amanda Lee

Marvelous Geeks Episode 30: Taylor Swift’s Folklore Album Review ft. Amanda Lee

On this week’s episode of Marvelous Geeks, Gissane Sophia sits down with the biggest Taylor Swift fan she knows, one of her favorite humans, Amanda Lee. The two discuss their top favorite songs off of Folklore along with their favorite lyrics from each song. They also choose a favorite song from Swift’s entire discography.

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Profound Gratitude for The Good Place’s “Whenever You’re Ready” and Why it’s One of the Most Unforgettable Series Finales to Exist

I’m still not ready to talk about this episode or The Good Place in its entirety as a series. I might never be ready, but that’s the point isn’t it—to take the leaps even when we aren’t fully there? The Good Place is an incredibly special show. It’s remarkably unique and its series finale singlehandedly takes the crown in nuanced comedy.

My immediate thoughts with tears streaming down my face went as followed: “I’ve loved and appreciated a lot of endings, but there’s something about the timing of this one that’s so perfectly fitting for the world right now. The performances, the organically meta storytelling, and the ode to “Pandemonium,” one of my all time favorite TV episodes ever. There are always going to be good days and bad days, slow days and quiet days, heartbreaks and healings. But there’s magic in the uncertainty and I believe that with a fervency so deep, I can’t imagine who I’d be if I didn’t. What a beautiful way to go while effortlessly leaving such a tremendous mark on television. I hope this inspires future writers to see that the world isn’t tired of touching stories that reflect on humanity, our complexities, and the friendships we find along the way. “Whenever You’re Ready.” What a hearty, perfect title. As much as I understand the idea that there are things we’ll never be ready for and we’ve got to take risks in life, sometimes you have to wait. It’s comforting to be left with the clarification that it’s okay to wait.”

January 13, 2020 seems like a lifetime ago—we might have been ready for a great number of things back then, but a full-fledged global pandemic wasn’t one of them. (And one we’re still dealing with. P.S. firmly believe that wearing a mask will land you points into the good place. Get on it.) Kristen Bell’s characters have been busy spreading some of my favorite messages this year, technically last year with Frozen’s Anna, but between “Do the Next Right Thing” and “Whenever You’re Ready” serving as glimpses of hope in this darkness, I’m grateful.

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Save Sanditon and the Plea for a Renewal ft. Jenna Guidi

Marvelous Geeks · Episode 29: Save Sanditon the Plea for A Renewal ft. Jenna Guidi

On this week’s episode of Marvelous Geeks, Gissane Sophia returns after an unplanned hiatus (blame technology and app updates) to talk all things ITV/PBS’s Sanditon with the ever so talented artist and fellow historical romance enthusiast Jenna Guidi. We get into some of our favorite parts of the series, promise to return for full episode reviews if there’s a renewal, and talk all things TV series and trust issues.

If you have a moment, please sign the petition for a Sanditon renewal that will properly honor Jane Austen’s legacy and happily ever after ending. www.change.org/p/itv-give-us-sanditon-series-2

And if you’re on Twitter, please give this particular tweet a RT to show amazon that you want a renewal. twitter.com/primevideouk/status…1273247132347179009

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Do the Next Right Thing: A Look into How We Can Better Ourselves

Before anyone decides to dismiss the article because I’ve chosen to center it around a quote from Frozen II, allow me to start with a little story time. I remember sitting in the darkened theatre in November sobbing after hearing those very words because it was such a simple, yet evocative way to say that failure is giving up. I also remember thinking “wow, I need to write about this eventually.” And naturally time slipped by me then the world kind of, sort of essentially started falling apart. Here we are, seven months later, and I suppose there’s a reason I didn’t write something then.

I can’t remember a time in history where something bad happened every single day the way it has in 2020. The brutal and blatantly racist killings of Black men and women in the hands of police offers. Famines, an epidemic, and genocide in Yemen. The constant and horrific threats Filipinos are facing in their own country Further attacks from Azerbaijan towards Artsakh/Armenia. If I list everything, this wouldn’t end. Oh, and let’s not forget the ongoing pandemic that’s causing incessant arguments on scientific legitimacy and face coverings invading human freedom. I’m an optimist, I can often find the silver lining in almost anything but accepting that things won’t get better any time soon has been my new normal. But that’s where “do the next right thing” comes in.

James 2:8 states “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.”

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Social Distancing Comforting Film Recommendations

We’re back with another one of these social distancing articles, darling readers except this time, we’re specifying the word comforting to give you recommendations of some of the sweetest films ever made. I’ll be frank, I’ve left out some of the comfort films I actually turn to because they aren’t exactly “happy.” (Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor Ragnarok, and basically all Marvel films.) This is a list compilation of classics, sweet romance dramas, some sci-fi, and an even an action film. It’s a list of movies I adore deeply and have rewatched multiple times when needing an escape from reality. I hope you’ll find joy in them, too.

  1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

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“Do you suppose it’s possible for us to belong to someone before we’ve met them? If so, I belong to you or you to me, or me simply to the spirit I found among you in Guernsey. […] And hope that if books do have the power to bring people together, this one may work its magic.”

“Yes, yes I do suppose – and that’s certainly the case with a film as remarkably captivating as this one. If you know anything about me, I hope it’s how much I adore a story of triumph and adventure cobbled with a romance that’s to be treasured for all eternity. I’m a complete sap, that’s a given, but The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is the first period-drama film I’ve ardently adored since Jane Austen adaptations. And that seems oddly fitting because the film’s very own hero/writer is a fan of the beloved Miss Austen, too. Win win. The film takes us on the kind of enamoring adventure of finding oneself through another’s story, and isn’t that how we all find inspiration every now and then? The stories we hear, the people we meet, and the journeys we embark on. The film adaptation of Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrow’s novel of the same title is an exquisite masterpiece filled with a stunning cast and pleasant twists to the story’s original format. The riveting cinematography, astounding performances, and thought-provoking themes have given us something truly great to hold onto.” I’ve written about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in the past and I’ve even recorded a podcast episode of it, too. That’s how much I adored the film when it first released and I can say that I still adore it just as much if not more today. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve watched the film and every time it ends,  I’m filled with the same type of magic that I felt the first time. It is in my Top 10 films of all time and I won’t rest until everyone I know has seen its magic, too.

Where To Watch: (Streaming) NETFLIX

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Social Distancing TV Recommendations

I bet this isn’t the first of these articles you darling readers will see and it certainly won’t be the last. We’re here to give you some of our current favorites, older favorites, and shows that’ll essentially keep you busy. We all make a list throughout the years, but never get through it right? Well, now’s the time! I’ve broken it down into two simple categories: dramas and comedies and some dark comedies, too. If there are any specific genre recommendations, feel free to reach out to us.

Dramas

  1. Sanditon (2019–Present) 
    Network    : Masterpiece PBS

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Sanditon has been a loud presence here at Marvelous Geeks since October and we’re not mad about it. It’s the show everyone and their mothers should be watching especially those into period dramas. But in all seriousness, I made my mother watch it, too. (And she loved it. There’s only one other show she’s loved entirely, too.) Sanditon is the story of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel following heroine Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) to a small resort town where she finds love, friendship, and to quote “the greatest adventure of her life.” It is the stunning love story that involves an impeccably kind but jaded man and an incredibly brave resourceful woman navigating through their clashing vigor only to realize that they’re each other’s perfect match. “It’s the compelling story of humanity and how we operate amidst judgements and mistreatment. It’s the love stories between polar opposites that found laughter with each other and kindred spirits who’ve healed each other of all darkness within. It’s colorfully complex characters arguing over money, regattas, and pineapples? It’s the period drama you won’t want to miss because unlike ones that have come before it, it’s deliciously enticing and even in the midst of the quiet serenity, there’s gorgeous storytelling happening. There are a plethora of reasons why Sanditon is a show I’d recommend to anyone, here’s an entirely separate list of 10 reasons why you should give it a go.”

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This Week’s Most Exquisite TV Moment

March 8-14
“Ding Dong” | Brooklyn Nine-Nine 

Screen Shot 2020-03-15 at 8.50.52 PM

Source: NBC.com

 

In an unsurprising turn of events my muse is back again when it comes Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I should just review the show weekly at this point, that’s how much I consistently want to talk about it, especially when it involves moments of vulnerability with our favorite precinct. This week we’re back with progress following Jake and Amy’s decision to start trying for a baby.

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Sidney and Charlotte Dance: A Closer Look into the Details

Special instructions before reading this article: Be sure to be playing Ruth Barrett’s “Sidney and Charlotte Dance” while you read as it’s what I’m doing while writing.

 

When I wrote the review for the sixth episode, I had said that it was taking everything in me not  to dedicate an entire article to the dance alone and here I am, unable to resist the temptation to write further. This is my life, these are my choices. The dance changes everything. It’s the prelude to a beautifully moving connection that heals as quickly as it inspires. The progression of Barrett’s score encompasses the weight of Charlotte and Sidney’s emotions with such momentum it’s enamoring. Disclaimer, I’m no musician, in the same way that medical terminology and I don’t mesh together, describing music properly doesn’t come easy to me. I can only touch on the emotions it evokes in the best way I know how. In simpler terms, it’s one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever heard. The melody starts off slow, as does their dance and the choreography behind it, which showcases what it really means when two people securely come together. Slow and steady then explosive and liberating. The dance touches on emotions words could not properly describe by allowing the music and choreography to exhibit the innermost parts of their souls. Yup, we went there. We’re going to talk about souls.

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