Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Undeniable, Irrepressible: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper)
I wasn't able to stop binge-watching 30 Rock executive producer Robert Carlock and Tina Fey's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Only available on Netflix, this series is about Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) who is one of four women who were held captive in an underground bunker by doomsday cult leader Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (I'm not disclosing the actor because it is just too damned hilarious to ruin the surprise for you).
The women, who go into captivity as teenagers, are finally freed 15 years later. Afterwards. the media descends and they are whisked off to the Today Show to be interviewed by Matt Lauer. Referred to as the "Mole Women," they are shuttled off the show with a hearty "thank you Victims", treated to spontaneous make-overs and showered with unexpected wealth.
But Kimmy wants out. Out of the new trap called victimhood. She intends to break free and find her own way in New York.
In a mad-cap romp through Manhattan and Brooklyn, she finds, in one day, an apartment with landlord Lillian Kaushtupper (Carol Kane, of Princess Bride fame), a roommate Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess), and a job as a nanny for Jacqueline Voorhees (Jane Krakowski of 30 Rock fame).
With all the hilarious cultural references--the first one is the catchy theme song inspired by the viral sensation derived from real-life news report featuring Antoine Dodson--Kimmy Schmidt's spirit is irrepressible. One part Pippi Longstockings, one-part Amelia Bedilia, Kimmy is an odd mix of naiveté, quick wittedness, and joie de vivre.
Only available on Netflix, this series is about Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) who is one of four women who were held captive in an underground bunker by doomsday cult leader Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (I'm not disclosing the actor because it is just too damned hilarious to ruin the surprise for you).
The women, who go into captivity as teenagers, are finally freed 15 years later. Afterwards. the media descends and they are whisked off to the Today Show to be interviewed by Matt Lauer. Referred to as the "Mole Women," they are shuttled off the show with a hearty "thank you Victims", treated to spontaneous make-overs and showered with unexpected wealth.
But Kimmy wants out. Out of the new trap called victimhood. She intends to break free and find her own way in New York.
In a mad-cap romp through Manhattan and Brooklyn, she finds, in one day, an apartment with landlord Lillian Kaushtupper (Carol Kane, of Princess Bride fame), a roommate Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess), and a job as a nanny for Jacqueline Voorhees (Jane Krakowski of 30 Rock fame).
With all the hilarious cultural references--the first one is the catchy theme song inspired by the viral sensation derived from real-life news report featuring Antoine Dodson--Kimmy Schmidt's spirit is irrepressible. One part Pippi Longstockings, one-part Amelia Bedilia, Kimmy is an odd mix of naiveté, quick wittedness, and joie de vivre.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Learn the real meaning of Jail Bait: Bates Motel (Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore)
The prequel to Psycho, Bates Motel examines the guilt-ridden relationship between Norman and his mother, Norma Bates. Yes, I said that. Norman and Norma.
It's that same kind of ludicrous, over-the-top awfulness that makes the show so spectacularly creepy.
It reminds me of a course I took at UT on horror when I learned that the very things that make us happy will also scare us to death. Think about it: clowns, dolls, mannequins.
The show does a great job of explaining why Norman, played by Freddie Highmore, is so screwed up. Partly his mother, partly his genetics, partly his mental state, he couldn't look more like Anthony Perkins.
Norma Bates, played by Academy-award nominated Vera Farmiga, is like a hyperbolic mash-up of Donna Reed and Mad Men's January Jones. One minute she's like a streak of sunlight; the next, she's swirling debris in her wake. And then there's her obsessive cleaning.
And it has a weird, anachronistic feel to it with its smart phones and 50s dressware. The set is an incredible recreation of Hitchcock's set.
One fun fact, after reading the trivia on the IMDb site, I learned that the house is based on an Ed Hopper painting, The House by the Road.
With 3 seasons under its belt, its a great show to binge watch.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
The other side of Austin's SXSW - a magical, mystery tour: Frida Kahlo, Alice in Wonderland and Lammes candies
This past weekend, I took a spontaneous trip to Austin to look at two very intriguing exhibits at the Harry Ransom Center that were just shouting my name: Frida Kahlo and Alice and Wonderland.
I mean, isn't that the best combination ever? And in Austin, no less!
So Saturday morning, I threw some things in my Mary Poppins bag and headed out into the pouring rain. It rained the whole way to Austin. But I took a break at Hruska’s Store & Bakery and had one of the best cinnamon rolls I have ever had; believe me, I did a taste comparison the following day at Shipley's. Chockfull of pecans, there are two types: glazed or iced. Make sure and get the ones with icing.
I made it into Austin, hitting some SXSW traffic but it wasn't too bad as I was headed to the University of Texas campus.
Making my way to the Harry Ransom Center, it was the perfect time of year to go to Austin. Spring is beautiful in Austin. The Texas Mountain Laurel was in full bloom, scenting the air with grape kool-aid--I kid you not!
The Alice and Wonderland exhibit celebrates 150 years since its publication. The collection included the very first suppressed edition, original illustrations, all the different Alice publications, films, artwork and ephemera.
This was my favorite piece of art.
Afterwards, I drove around to all of my old haunts--the only one left standing was that wretched bar, The Hole in the Wall. I finally stumbled upon the awesome Lammes candies. OMG. Longhorn clusters, chocolate easter bunnies, pecan fudge. Yumm-o.
Take a look at this candy case!!
I ended up spending the night in San Marcos, eating pimiento cheese sandwiches. By the way HEB makes the best pimiento cheese!
The next day, I headed home, taking the scenic route. Isn't this a great look-out? It had finally stopped raining and and the sky was such a pretty blue ...
I mean, isn't that the best combination ever? And in Austin, no less!
So Saturday morning, I threw some things in my Mary Poppins bag and headed out into the pouring rain. It rained the whole way to Austin. But I took a break at Hruska’s Store & Bakery and had one of the best cinnamon rolls I have ever had; believe me, I did a taste comparison the following day at Shipley's. Chockfull of pecans, there are two types: glazed or iced. Make sure and get the ones with icing.
I made it into Austin, hitting some SXSW traffic but it wasn't too bad as I was headed to the University of Texas campus.
Making my way to the Harry Ransom Center, it was the perfect time of year to go to Austin. Spring is beautiful in Austin. The Texas Mountain Laurel was in full bloom, scenting the air with grape kool-aid--I kid you not!
The exhibit was sensational. Although there was only one Frida Kahlo, Self-portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, it was completely worth the trip. We weren't permitted to photograph it, so I took a photo of a promotional banner instead. It was much smaller than I expected it to be but the colors were so rich and vibrant.
This was my favorite piece of art.
Afterwards, I drove around to all of my old haunts--the only one left standing was that wretched bar, The Hole in the Wall. I finally stumbled upon the awesome Lammes candies. OMG. Longhorn clusters, chocolate easter bunnies, pecan fudge. Yumm-o.
Take a look at this candy case!!
I ended up spending the night in San Marcos, eating pimiento cheese sandwiches. By the way HEB makes the best pimiento cheese!
The next day, I headed home, taking the scenic route. Isn't this a great look-out? It had finally stopped raining and and the sky was such a pretty blue ...
And just for grins, I took this photo for my friend, Jim Ross, this historical marker.
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