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- Best TV Shows to Watch for Singles
- Top Rated Movies From European Directors
- Top Rated Movies From the '80s
- Top Rated Movies by Actor/Directors
- 5 Guilty Pleasure TV Shows to Watch
| Best TV Shows to Watch for Singles Posted:
'Master of None' (2015 - ) Aziz Ansari's show, "Master of None," finds the stand-up comedian confronting the hard truths about single life and a variety of other topics. While each episode focuses on a theme, the episodes are strung together by main character Dev's blossoming relationship -- and the work it takes to keep it going. "Master of None" consistently offers a realistic portrayal of love -- something single TV-watchers will definitely appreciate -- as his relationship goes from its honeymoon phase, to a plateau, to a state of major doubt. For viewers tired of TV's constant portrayal of love as either euphoric or dramatic, "Master of None" offers an unflinchingly honest take, and one that ultimately leaves the audience to decide if that's a good or a bad thing. 'Bojack Horseman' (2014 - ) "Bojack Horseman" is one of those shows you need to see to fully understand -- it's hard to explain just how insightful the show is, when on the outside it's about a half-man, half-horse, former sitcom star dealing with his fading relevance and growing depression. While the backdrop of animated anthropomorphic animals is at times off-putting and other times hilarious, the heart of "Bojack Horseman" is in how Bojack (Will Arnett) deals with his own loneliness. With meaningful performances from Arnett and co-stars Alison Brie and Paul F. Tompkins, "Bojack" ultimately finds hope and happiness in solitude, reminding single members of the audience that it's OK to hit rock bottom -- because from there, the only way to go is up. Broad City (2014 - ) "Broad City" is the modern-day equivalent of "Laverne & Shirley" -- a buddy comedy focused on the friendship of two 20-something women. The show is part of a refreshing trend of female characters that don't exactly have their lives together -- along with "Girls," "2 Broke Girls," and "Playing House" -- except, in "Broad City," Ilana (Ilana Glazer) and Abbi (Abbi Jacobson) are two stoners living in New York City, and their misadventures are far sillier than those in the other shows. And while Ilana and Abbi have their share of romantic entanglements, they're part of a rare breed of TV character that's comfortable being alone. "Broad City" is worth it for the clever comedy, and it's also a nice break from the perpetual romances of other sitcoms. 'The O.C.' (2003 - 2007) "The O.C." delighted audiences for four seasons as it followed bad boy Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie) from the wrong side of the tracks straight into his adoption by an elite Newport Beach family. While the fun of the show was in watching Ryan acclimate to rich-kid life -- and get into fist fights almost every week -- "The O.C." was at its best when dragging each character through his or her own relationship heartaches. "The O.C." was filled with enough flirtation, romance, and character chemistry that a rewatch is bound to restore anyone's faith in love. 'Men at Work' (2012 - 2014) "Men at Work," from creator Breckin Meyer, is a bro comedy for guys who aren't bros: It chronicles the single life of metrosexual magazine writer Milo (Danny Masterson) as he recovers from being dumped -- with more than a little help from his friends. The show feels like an updated "Seinfeld" as it tackles the nuances of modern dating. In one episode, as Milo questions how to best use his smartphone in a new relationship, one can hear echoes of Jerry: "What ... is the deal ... with texting?" With clever writing and unpredictable plots, "Men at Work" brings good news to the single: Being alone is totally fine, and it's all right to rely on your pals. Sources
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| Top Rated Movies From European Directors Posted:
The good news is, you can start with a top-rated tasting platter. Like a tapas plate of some of Europe's finest cinema, this movie tour lets you take in France, Sweden, Russia, England, and Italy from the coziness of your couch over the course of a weekend. 'Breathless' (1960) You can't talk about Euro cinema without talking about the French New Wave. Throughout the 1950s and '60s, directors like Jean-Luc Godard radicalized movie making with flicks that were equal parts real and surreal, socially relevant, and akin to good jazz music in their freewheeling style. You could melt a hole through your couch while you binge on French New Wave movies, but if you've got to pick only one, pick "Breathless." It not only sums up the movement, it sums up everything great about French filmmaking -- the passion, the naturalistic dialogue and performances, the chain smoking, the style, and the danger. Plus, romantic leads Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg are so timelessly cool, they'll make you want to become either a criminal or an or expat. Pick your poison. 'The Seventh Seal' (1957) If you actually went to Sweden, chances are you'd see some wonderful castles. Alternatively, you can see a wonderful castle, plus a chess-playing incarnation of death, plus some of the most striking black-and-white visuals of all time if you just watch Swedish director Ingmar Bergman's "The Seventh Seal." It's tough to pin down the best of Bergman, but it's easy to argue that this surreal morality tale -- in which Max Von Sydow's stone-faced knight buys more time from the Grim Reaper by outwitting him in a board game -- is his most iconic movie. Not only does the game-obsessed Death in "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey" pay homage to its greatness, Stanley Kubrick called Bergman "the best filmmaker at work today" back in 1960. And Kubrick probably knew some stuff about movies. 'Stalker' (1979) Poor Russia -- sometimes it seems like its cinematic claim to fame is limited to providing action-movie bad guys when Nazis aren't available. Good thing legendary Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky was here to clear that up for you. You could spend the weekend in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, or you could just watch Tarkovsky's "Stalker" instead. Either way, you're in for a long, strange trip of mind-bending visuals and hypnotic vibes. "Stalker," though, will also give you a deeply symbolic story about a writer and a scientist on a quest through a dreamy wasteland in search of a room that can fulfill wishes. So it's best to do the movie instead of the illegal thing. 'Trainspotting' (1996) In 2013, more than 40,000 U.K. film fans voted in a Telegraph poll for the best movie of all time. Their top choice? "Trainspotting." "Trainspotting" put Scottish star Ewan McGregor and English director Danny Boyle -- who'd go on to helm modern classics like "28 Days Later" and "Slumdog Millionaire" -- on the radar, for good reason. Its visually insanity and laser-beam pace are absolutely necessary to contain this punk rock tale of heroin addiction, underage girlfriends, and the most unreliable bunch of reject friends ever. It's a trip worth taking -- from the safe distance of your futon, that is. '8 1/2' (1963) No Euro trip is complete without a stop in Italy. You've got your pizza, your gondoliers and their funny hats, and you've got your Federico Fellini movies. His '63 classic "8 1/2" -- a rambling, raucous, and reality-altering streamroller about a frustrated director, his producer, his wife, and his mistress -- has more verve and fire than the biggest Italian family reunion Nonna can cook up. And, really, what better way to cap off your European movie tour than with a movie about movies? Sometimes, it's okay to get a little meta. Sources This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Top Rated Movies From the '80s Posted:
'The Breakfast Club' (1985) "The Breakfast Club," written and directed by quintessential '80s director John Hughes, set the bar for high school movies -- an impressive feat, considering most of the movie takes place in a library. "The Breakfast Club" is about five teenagers from different walks of life -- a jock, a burnout, a mean girl, a geek, and a reprobate, each an archetype of their social standing -- all forced to sit through detention for an entire Saturday. The movie's message that all teenagers deal with insecurities and hardships, regardless of how popular, rich, or smart they are still resonates, and the comedy surrounding the drama is timeless. 'The Goonies' (1985) "The Goonies" has been so popular that ever since its release, fans have regularly made the trek to Astoria, Oregon, to visit the iconic locations where it was filmed. Although Steven Spielberg was only involved with the story development and didn't write the script, his influence shows -- "The Goonies" is a fast-paced treasure hunt as a group of kids search for a fabled pirate. The movie sparked catchphrases, cast reunions, and even video games that fans, ahem, treasure to this day. 'Say Anything...' (1989) In the same way "The Breakfast Club" is the gold standard for high school movies, "Say Anything..." is the movie by which all other romance movies are measured, and with good reason. It's not just the iconic boombox scene -- although the image has become a cultural shorthand for declarations of love -- "Say Anything..." earns its stripes through its drama, sweetness, and the performances of then-fledgling actors John Cusack and Ione Skye. Following in the footsteps of "Romeo and Juliet," "Say Anything" tells the story of a pair of perfect lovers kept apart by circumstance -- and remains a parable on why love is worth fighting for. 'Ghostbusters' (1984) "Ghostbusters" remains a beloved classic -- so much so, that when the trailer for the 2016 reboot launched, incensed fans made the online preview the most disliked video on YouTube of all time. The controversy spoke to just how good the original is: Bill Murray's sardonic wit, Dan Aykroyd's subtle silliness, and Harold Ramis's straight-faced deliveries are the perfect foils for the supernatural plot. Although Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis come close to stealing the show, it's the epic scale of the last half-hour of the movie that makes "Ghostbusters" one of the best cinematic experiences of the '80s. 'Stand by Me' (1986) Based on the short story by Stephen King, "Stand by Me" became a fan favorite for its dark portrayal of four boys in the 1950s who sneak away on a trek to see a dead body. Part coming-of-age story, part road-trip movie, "Stand by Me" is really about the friendships forged by the four boys (Wil Wheaton, Jerry O'Connell, River Phoenix, and Corey Feldman), and how they support one another as their journey takes some dark and unexpected turns. Everything about "Stand by Me" -- the writing, cinematography, acting, and even the soundtrack -- is near perfect, making the movie one of the best of the decade. 'Fletch' (1985) "Fletch" is a modern detective story about a reporter looking to expose a drug trafficking ring -- but the movie mostly shines as an outlet for star Chevy Chase as he plays a variety of different characters while investigating undercover. Chase has said repeatedly that Fletch was his favorite role, and it's easy to see why: The movie features the actor in his element, with outrageous characters, silly props, and his trademark physical comedy. While the plot is unnecessarily complicated, it ends up not mattering, as each scene is more ridiculous and funny than the last. Sources This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Top Rated Movies by Actor/Directors Posted:
Sometimes, though, it takes a touch of that same ego to make an actor realize, "Hey, I bet I can work both sides of the camera." And why not? With big-budget movie shoots lasting from a few months to more than a year, actors attend the most intensive film school possible -- right on the set. It's an education that has given us decades' worth of movies good enough to make everyone jealous of the multifaceted talent on display. 'Citizen Kane' (1941) If there were lists like these 70 years ago, "Citizen Kane" would've been on them. If there are lists like this 70 years from now, "Citizen Kane" will be on them. Some clichés are clichés for a reason. And those reasons are plenty, in this case. "Kane" is a film school on the screen. In its less than two-hour run time, it establishes techniques -- ranging from naturalistic, fast-talking dialogue to extreme close-ups and depth of field to rear projection -- that would define the way movies were made for decades to come. And even if you're not into filmmaking technicalities, the multi-perspective morality tale moves at a surprising clip for a 1940s movie. Actor-director Orson Welles did all of this when he was 25 years old. Meanwhile, today's 25-year-old artists write songs about their butts. 'Easy Rider' (1969) Ever since "Citizen Kane," it hasn't really been a surprise when an actor takes up the camera with solid results. It is a surprise, though, when an actor-director makes a movie that captures the spirit of an entire generation and changes the way indie movies are made forever. But that's just what Dennis Hopper did when he directed "Easy Rider." Its freewheeling roots manifested not only in the movie's themes, but in its point-and-shoot filmmaking style. Humbly putting himself in a thankless role and letting Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson take the cool-guy reins, Hopper acted like a cultural observer. And what he observed was the sex, drugs, music, and road-tripping adventure that defined the counterculture of the '60s, even as the '70s loomed with clouds shaped a whole lot like Nixon and Vietnam. 'Unforgiven' (1992) In a lot of ways, Clint Eastwood's life has been a study in Westerns. A youthful performance in "Rawhide" was his grade school; the creation of the spaghetti Western genre alongside Sergio Leone was his high school; the eventual direction of gritty classics like "The Outlaw Josey Wales" and "High Plains Drifter" were his college thesis papers. It makes sense, then, that Best Picture Oscar winner "Unforgiven" is a deconstruction of the whole Western genre -- before you can tear something down, you've got to know it inside out. There's no rootin' tootin' shootout in "Unforgiven," no black hats or white hats. Every bullet makes an impact, death counts, and every hero and villain is just a shade of gray. "Unforgiven" doesn't just deconstruct cowboy legends, it's a legend all its own. 'The Great Dictator' (1940) If you want to prove the point that great themes and great movies are time-proof and trend-proof, look no further than Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator." This ageless political satire not only has heart, smarts, and funnies, it has major cajones -- Chaplin released his Hitler-mocking masterpiece as German bombs were still falling on London. You know Chaplin best as a silent film star, but when he spoke, it counted. When he looked right at the camera lens and said, "The hate of men will pass, and dictators die," even President Roosevelt took pause. And if it's good enough for Roosevelt, it's good enough for your movie night. 'Reds' (1981) Here's one you can impress your intellectual friends with at parties. Years before the Technicolor bombast of "Dick Tracy," director-star Warren Beatty brought his leftie-journalist-in-1917-Russia opus to the screen. "Reds," which also brings Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson along for the ride, is everything you'd expect from a truly skilled director taking on a political period piece -- a quick-witted screenplay, sumptuous cinematography, plentiful passion, and a whole lot of well-delivered idealism. Just so happens that skilled director is also the face on the poster. Sources This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 5 Guilty Pleasure TV Shows to Watch Posted:
1. 'Inside Amy Schumer' (2013 - ) Amy Schumer's half-hour sketch comedy show is so vulgar, it's often hard to discuss openly with other fans. In each episode, the comedienne is able to take naughty jokes even further into depravity, proving that no subject -- whether it's her take on beauty standards, her portrayal by the media, or her dating life -- is off limits. While the show's politics aren't for everyone, "Inside Amy Schumer" takes big risks, all while playing to the silly humor she's best at. 2. 'Mike Tyson Mysteries' (2014 - ) "Mike Tyson Mysteries" is one of the weirdest, most surreal cartoons on Adult Swim -- which is really saying something, given the other shows on the network. The show finds the former boxing heavyweight champion leading a Scooby-Doo-style team -- complete with Hanna-Barbera-like animation -- to solve bizarre mysteries in 11-minute episodes. In the pilot, the gang -- which includes Jim Rash as a ghost, Norm MacDonald as a talking pigeon, and Rachel Ramras as Tyson's adopted daughter -- is charged with rescuing novelist Cormac McCarthy from the clutches of the fabled chupacabra. But despite practically nothing on the show making sense, "Mike Tyson Mysteries" is oddly addicting -- if only for the sake of trying to figure out if Tyson is being made fun of or not. 3. 'Lucifer' (2015 - ) It's almost hard to talk about the premise of "Lucifer" with a straight face: The devil appears in modern-day Los Angeles and decides to befriend a detective as she solves crimes. But surprisingly, "Lucifer" is a lot of fun: Tom Ellis's performance as the devil strikes the right balance between wicked and charming, and the weekly mysteries are a step above the usual "CSI" procedural fare. In addition, the longer term arcs are entertaining -- Hell naturally wants its leader back -- and it's fun to see the mix between the religious themes and the by-the-book police stories. 4. 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' (1999 - ) The only surviving member of the "Law and Order" family, "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" ("SVU" to fans) continues to thrive with its predictable plots about sexual predators in New York City. After 17 seasons, the show has inevitably lapsed into repetition, but that's not a bad thing -- viewers can count on unspeakable crimes being resolved by the intense Manhattan detective squad and its District Attorney colleagues in an hour. And who can resist watching an aging Ice-T keeping the streets safe from criminals? 5. 'The Mindy Project' (2012 - ) "The Mindy Project," Mindy Kaling's first show after "The Office," is an indulgent rom-com that plays out like a teenage girl's diary -- which, in this case, is a good thing. While critics have balked at the show's lack of realism and narcissistic main character, fans have continued to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the wacky sitcom, even rallying to rescue the show after its initial cancellation. Mindy plays a New York gynecologist thwarted by her own selfishness as often as she is by how colleagues and friends underestimate her -- making "The Mindy Project" a "Sex in the City" for millennials. Sources This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
Some days, it can feel like most TV shows are all about couples -- or how to become part of one. But a growing number of shows are exploring single life without forcing their characters to find, or even want, love. Check out how these pioneers -- and a few classics -- are perfect for audiences content with solitude.
Last time anyone checked -- which was in 2015, by the way -- Europe was home to 50 countries and 508.5 million people. Basically, asking for a list of the best European-directed movies is like going on Yelp and searching for the best restaurants in the third-most populous continent on earth: You're going to get a whole lot of options.
Everyone loves to make fun of the 1980s for the cultural silliness that took place -- jelly sandals and bracelets, words like "tubular," and ridiculous TV shows like "
Ego manifests in strange ways, especially when fantasy is your profession. Some actors demand that no green M&Ms shall touch red M&Ms; some want a Thanksgiving-sized platter of gluten-free everything; others promise to explode should a lowly assistant dare to make eye contact.
Guilty pleasure TV shows -- everyone has a list of the shows they watch in secret. These series aren't always well acted and may not have high production values, but who cares? Embarrassing as some of them might be, these sometimes trashy, but always fun shows are a big part of the TV landscape. Here are five of them that you should be (discreetly) watching.| You are subscribed to email updates from Moviefone News RSS Feed - Moviefone.com. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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