Truth is stranger than fiction

Generally, I'm not a big fan of reality shows. You know I love the Voice (it's my guilty pleasure) but others, particularly shows about families, leave me a bit cold.

Oddly, in the past couple of weeks I've devoured two reality TV shows and one film but to be fair, I couldn't tell if a couple of them were "MOCKumentaries" or not. They weren't and I love a theme, so here goes.

I think I'm going to present from most normal to most bizarre:

Queer Eye - Netflix original, released 2018

I loved the original Queer Eye back in the day. I mean, who wouldn't want a bunch of fabulous men coming in and sprucing everything up? 

I love this new take on the series as well. Naturally it's the same set up and I think the Fab Five are equally as awesome as the original group. In the first episode they say "The original show was fighting for tolerance. Our fight is for acceptance." This hit me in the feels and I thought "yay them!"   I know that all these types of shows and films are baby steps, but even baby steps move that kid forward, right? 

They set this season in Georgia, which unsurprisingly triggers issues for some of the Fab Five as well as the men they make over.  I appreciate that the show isn't shying away from talking about the triggers. Also, they made over a gay man which I thought was great. I mean, anyone can have an outdated look and this felt like the show was trying to advocate inclusion.

Lastly, I like that these guys don't seem to be imposing their own personal style on the men they are making over. They are taking elements from the guy's normal life and updating. One always hopes that many of the "upgrades" will stick, although my guess is the first thing to go will be the beard or face moisturizers. Sorry Grooming Guru (and Gay of Thrones genius) Jonathan.

(Drink pairing: while there are a million fabulous cocktails to go with this, I think I'd choose a Mint Julep because The South.)

Cutie-pies!

Baby Ballroom - Channel 5Star original, released in 2017

Between this entry and the next I'm really not sure which is more bizarre but I'm committing to this order in the rankings, dammit!

This show is about a British ballroom dancing couple, Warren and Jane Bullock,  who own a dance studio called Zig Zag Dance Factory in Wolverhampton, UK located in the West Midlands near Birmingham (that's a mouthful!). They have 17-year-old triplet daughters, India, Savannah and Alicia. Two are following in their parents dance steps and one wants to be a scientist. She proves this by wearing a dress with a planet/star pattern. Point taken, Savannah.

Warren claims they have produced the most winning ballroom couples of all schools in the UK - that he knows about. So there's that. We follow 4 main couples and a few ancillary ones on their ballroom journey. The thing is, they are all children. The eldest couple is still in the "Under 16s" category. Did you even know there was an "Under 16s" category? I didn't. Also, there is a Girls Only category because there aren't enough boys to go around. Sigh. In addition to the Under 16 couple, we follow an 11/12 year old couple and  a pair of couples that are about 8 - 9 years old. 

This show is like some nutty mashup of Strictly Ballroom and Kids Say the Darnedest Things. It's fucking WEIRD. I. Love. It.

I was worried that all the parents were going to be the British version of Dance Moms, which would mean I'd hate them all (One girl's mother actually recruited a boy from Romania and houses him. He's good so they win.), but many of them just look frazzled by the fact that they are working full time jobs and all their money goes to their children's "careers" thing to win ballroom dance competitions.  So, not surprisingly, we see some seriously competitive children. With adorable accents.

My favorite couple are Jack and Emily - 8 and 9 years old respectively. They are cute as buttons and in one interview Jack lists the things you need to win, one being "having a great dance partner". Emily blushes and Jack grabs her hand. They are SO STINKIN ADORABLE.

This show is all about dancing, glitter, bronzer, hairspray and attitude. What's not to love?

(My drink pairing for this is a Shirley Temple. C'mon! They're kids!!)

They are all ridiculously cute, right?

Chicken People - released in 2016

Many years ago (maybe around 2009ish?) I was trying to find my usual go-to Tintin calendar and discovered they weren't available. Distraught (yes, I was!), I searched for something else and came across the Extraordinary Chicken calendar. I found it hilarious and started posting the monthly photos on Facebook with whatever weird caption I thought worked. Since then, I have gotten the reputation of being a chicken fan. I mean, I do like them and some are absolutely majestic, it's just not a reputation I ever anticipated having. Two of my friends suggested I see this film.

This movie. OMFG. Right up until I looked it up on the Interwebz I thought it was a satire. It's often been compared to Best In Show and that's 100% accurate. It follows three chicken breeders who are gearing up to compete in the Ohio National Poultry Show. There are also some wonderful vignettes with other chicken enthusiasts reminiscent of the love story interviews in When Harry Met Sally.

The filmmaker lovingly delves into the psyches of the three main competitors - revealing deep seated reasons for their obsession, whether it's battling addiction or feeling less like an outcast. It's oddly moving, considering there are also scenes where their chicken contestant takes a shit before being shown so much cleaning needs to be done (often including the blow drying of hindquarters).

I think it's been compared to Best in Show because, while Christopher Guest is clearly poking fun at dog shows, he does it with respect and love. As does this film.

(My drink pairing for this film is to take a peek at this website, Drinking with Chickens. Kate is someone I'd love to have a drink with!!)

These chicken loving twins reminded me of the awful girls in the Shining.

My takeaways:

#1 - I guess I'm cool with reality TV if it's a bit fantastical.

#2 - I've always toyed with the idea of taking ballroom dancing classes - when I was belly dancing we rehearsed a few times at a ballroom studio. We became accustomed to the teacher droning "quick, quick, sloooow" while couples shuffled about.

#3 - A surprising amount of folks on Chicken People were fine with eating their own chickens. That was slightly horrifying to me.

xoxox....hashtagSueslife

Panthers and Lions, oh my.

Last weekend I saw Black Panther. So so good. The acting was great, the costumes were amazing, the sets were beautiful, the music sublime. And the message. Such an important film to come out in this political and social environment. I love that a Marvel film is highlighting and addressing issues that need exposure. Granted director Ryan Coogler is also responsible for Fruitvale Station but I still think that speaks volumes.

Honestly, though, I'm not here to delve into controversial subjects. I have my own thoughts and feelings on these subjects and am happy to discuss but it's up to everyone to follow their own ideology.

What I do want to talk about, however, is how Black Panther reminded me of The Lion King. And oddly, when I got home from seeing BP (albeit it was a slightly boozy viewing but you all expect nothing less from me, yes?) The Lion King was on TV. Serendipity. What was less serendipitous was it being followed by The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride. But we'll get to that.

Meeee-ow!!

Simba is SO serious.

I was an adult when The Lion King was released but just like Simba, who couldn't wait to be king, I couldn't wait to see this movie! My boyfriend at the time and I had had a huge fight the morning it was released so as a "sorry I was a dick" gesture, he took me to see it that evening. This was a simpler time when you could decide that day to see a movie on opening night and you'd get in. Glory days. And even though I didn't see Black Panther the day it was released, I went to a theatre with a bar so that's a win in my book.

So here are my thoughts...

Compare and Contrast: The Lion King and Black Panther

Compare:

• I noticed that BP's art direction leaned toward warm colors (unlike many Marvel films), exemplified by the gorgeous landscapes of Wakanda. I loved it and it was the first thing that reminded me of LK. That opening shot with baby Simba. Warm colors, beautiful African landscape.
• Both Simba and T'Challa's fathers shape their paths. (To be clear, this was also a story point (cats and their dads!) years before in Kimba, the White Lion, a cartoon that came on before Speed Racer. I LOVED this show when I was little)
• Uncles play a big role.
• It's probably insulting to say that the gorgeous Black Panther soundtrack reminded me of the Lion King's music, but it did. I never claimed to be highbrow, people

Simba and Kimba in a weird "fan fic" moment

Contrast:

• While Simba's uncle was just a straight up bad guy, T'Challa's uncle had more nuance. He did some bad shit but he felt it was for the greater good. Plus - Sterling K Brown and tears. Kills me every time.
• NO ONE in The Lion King lives in Oakland, CA.
• The Lion King's depiction of females can't hold a candle to the magnificent women in Black Panther. The Wakanda warrior women KICK ASS.
• There was not one character in Black Panther that I could compare to Pumbaa or Timon. And really, when Timon dances the hula to distract the hyenas, it's a piece of cinematic brilliance.

Then there was The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride. 

If you haven't seen it, I'm just gonna say that I wouldn't be spouting about how proud I was if I were SImba.

(My drink pairing for Black Panther is a Moscow Mule at the Alamo Drafthouse bar, The Bull and the Bear (you should really have two). I don't know what magic they do to these drinks (something about the ginger) but they are the best I've ever had.)

My takeaways:

1. No matter where you go, it's good to be the king.  (Two of my favorite movie quotes mashed up. Can you identify them both?)

2. Is it clear that I really loved Black Panther? I can't wait for a sequel.

3. Apparently, I love a good father/son story.

xoxox...hashtagSueslife