Category: TV Show

TV Review: American Vandal | Season 1

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http://bookspoils.tumblr.com/post/166973238088/rheys-who-did-the-dicks-the-suspects

With the announcement of a second season renewal, I came across Netflix’s American Vandal online.

The mockumentary series takes a look at the aftermath of a high school prank that left 27 faculty members’ cars vandalized, causing more than $100,000 in damages that the student in charge must pay back.

The above is a vague way to say that 27 cars were vandalized with 27 spray-painted dicks and nobody knows who did it. Yes, this is an actual Netflix show. And you can watch the trailer below to give you a little taste of this masterpiece:

When I first checked out the above what immediately came to mind was the infamous dick drawing scene from the film Superbad:

http://bookspoils.tumblr.com/post/166973658298/jlaw-id-just-sit-there-for-hours-on-end-drawing

So this eight part original series is basically a spin-off in my mind. Like the film, the humor is hilariously over-the-top yet still completely self-aware and self-composed. And surprisingly so, there’s more to it than meets the eye.

At its heart, the show takes on a very insightful and sobering commentary on the preconceived notions in the American education system, the mess that is high school, social media, and the way we perceive others.

Admittedly, it took me a couple of episodes to really get invested in the “case” for Dylan Maxwell, but I was slowly won over… mainly thanks to the fact that I’ve been on the look-out for a show to deliver those mystery vibes, without the nightmares and worrying of leaving my house. American Vandal’s concept is over-the-top, always bordering the line between hilarious and obscene, and that’s exactly what hooked me in the first place.

http://bookspoils.tumblr.com/post/166973245828

Overall, I would 100% (* in Alex Trimboli’s voice *) recommend this show if you’re a fan of theories, conspiracies, and in-depth investigations.

October 2017 Reading Wrap Up

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As anticipated from last month’s wrap up, October brought a bunch of newly released gems out into the world. It was a month to remember.
In total I read 10 books:

https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/10/11/review-turtles-all-the-way-down-by-john-green/
https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/review-the-sun-and-her-flowers-by-rupi-kaur/
https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/10/13/review-flux-by-orion-carloto/
https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/10/22/review-weratedogs-by-matt-nelson/
https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/10/28/review-yosl-rakover-talks-to-god-by-zvi-kolitz/
https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/review-the-realist-by-asaf-hanuka/
https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/10/07/review-literally-me-by-julie-houts/
https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/10/09/review-5000-km-per-second-by-manuele-fior/

Honorable Mention:
Season two of Stranger Things was released this last Friday, and you know I had to binge-watch the shit out of it in a day… Mostly because I was scared to get spoiled online, but also because once you get hooked it’s nearly impossible to leave Hawkins behind.

The plot, courtesy of this article: Stranger Things season 2 begins nearly a year after the first installment, on Halloween in Hawkins, Indiana. (The boys are going as the Ghostbusters, naturally.) Will has rejoined his pals after being rescued from Things’ alternate dimension, the Upside Down. But all is not well with young Mr. Byers, as evidenced by the slug he coughed up in season 1’s final moments.

I came late to the hype behind the first season, having watched it only 5 months prior to the sequel’s release. But thankfully that turned out to have its benefits, since my mind was still fresh with certain plot points to start my binge-watch right away. I also went in knowing exactly what I wanted from the ongoing arc: Eleven’s backstory, my boy Dustin Henderson with his ragtag group of loveable nerds, and Jonathan with Nancy, of course.

http://bookspoils.tumblr.com/post/166872280883/sulietsexual-stranger-things-season-2-episode

The season started out with a bang (quite literally). And I’m beyond grateful that I got what I wanted and so much more:

(SEASON TWO SPOILERS BELOW)

  • The plot is a bit slow going at first, but once it caught a rhythm I couldn’t bring my eyes off the screen, so much so that the mere act of blinking actually hurt after awhile.
  • The autumn aesthetic is strong here. Plus, the attention paid to detail in each shot is mind-boggling.
http://bookspoils.tumblr.com/post/166973314143/stanseb-the-boys-in-the-stranger-things-season-2

  • We’re introduced to Lucas Sinclair’s family, and I was living for his sister’s one-liners:
http://bookspoils.tumblr.com/post/166941812603/captainpoe-icon

The true star of this show.

  • We have so many new character dynamics I wasn’t even prepared to love: Chief Jim Hopper and Eleven, Dustin and Steve Harrington… Speaking of the latter, Dustin is my sun and stars and my love for him knows no bounds.
http://bookspoils.tumblr.com/post/167083981078/dailytelevision-okay-good-luck

  • On a more grim note, we get to see Eleven visit her mother, Terry Ives, and finally find out the truth about her history. I can only say that the backstory is chillingly terrifying. But it just goes to show the brilliant masterminds that are behind Stranger Things.

Sunflower, 3 to the Right, 4 to the Left, Rainbow

The thought put behind the words the mother repeated left me shaking. Truly one of the most intricately thought-out backstories.

  • Last but not least, I have to mention my favorite build-up finally happening between Nancy and Jonathan… And let me just say that the anticipation leading up to their moment was DELICIOUS:
http://bookspoils.tumblr.com/post/166872801618/livvy-8-yes-im-screaming-im-so-happy-fuck-you

I can live on happily now.

Overall, I can say without a doubt that Stranger Things delivered so much with its newest season. It was the little things like I mentioned above that make the series feel much more real to me. Simply put, season two was Bitchin’.

That was my October wrap-up, thank you for reading!