I started this post Tuesday but then I wasn't feeling well....Except for aches and pains that come with age, I haven't had so much as a cold or flu since 2019. But my luck ran out (or I let my guard down) and tested positive for COVID yesterday after one really miserable night. Leon and I were very careful when traveling a month ago and always wore masks in the airports and on the plane. But I was getting over confident back here in New Mexico...even then I can't figure where I picked this up...an uncrowded restaurant? the grocery store? Friends? I was able to get the Paxlovid Rx yesterday and I am feeling tolerably miserable today.
And I just want to share this before getting to the main topic of my post. One of my favorite songs of all times performed by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood at President Carter's funeral. How fitting and appropriate.
Anyhow here are a few suggestions for entertainment on cold winter evenings. All are on Netflix except Brilliant Minds on NBC network TV. I think some full seasons or episodes can be seen on YouTube.
KAOS - A very creative retelling of Greek mythology, set in modern, contemporary times. Defying Zeus is a theme here. The serious story plots are interspersed with macabre humor. No one seems able to escape their "prophesy" or their fate. The gods communicate with land line phones, the Furies ride motorcycles. If you know something about Greek mythology, you may find KAOS entertaining.
No Good Deed - House for Sale with secrets. The first few episodes are a bit slow and you're kind of like "Where is this going?" But it gets better.
Man on the Inside - A little contrived but entertaining. No violence.
The Diplomat - Suspenseful, good acting, international relations and political intrigue.
The Resident - Has to be one of the all time addictive medical soap operas. Blood gushing everywhere. Some very unlikely scenarios - like surgeons staffing the ER and preposterous medical procedures. Did I mention blood gushing everywhere and that it's addictive? We questioned our taste and sanity but couldn't stop watching. Interesting characters. Some socially redeeming story lines around serious issues.
White Collar - Convicted felon and white collar criminal Neil Caffrey (Matt Bomer) works with the FBI to catch other white collar criminals. The first few seasons are good but I kind of lost interest after a while.
Lincoln Lawyer - Some interesting story lines and good acting. Legal stuff that lawyers do (on TV). The trailer is not a very good sample:
The Sinner - I would call it a kind of dark investigative/mystery series. The first episode, from what I recall was a bit difficult to follow.
Made in Italy - A "feel good" movie with nice scenery of the Tuscany region of Italy. I think the story has been done in various versions before.
Dark Winds - Intriguing, disturbing western native American crime series set in the 70s. The scenery is what I see every day so maybe that's part of what I find disturbing.
Network TV - Brilliant Minds - Somewhat eccentric Dr Wolf (Zachary Quinto) plays a gay doctor who along with his exceptional team of doctors diagnose and treat mysterious diseases and conditions with exceptional skill and sensitivity. Episode 7 was excellent. Hubby and I both cried.
Unfrosted - Don't waste your time. Competition between Kellogg and Post Cereal over Poptarts. Silly. Stupid. Every possible cliche from the 50s and 60s. I fell asleep.
Some Past Recommendations:
I Care A Lot
Turn of the Tide
Nuovo Olimpo
Inventing Anna
6 comments:
Thanks, Frank! I've just put "KAOS" and "Man on the Inside" on my "to watch" list. I'm reading a book right now about Tuscany by someone who, yes, renovated an old villa so once I'm done that, I think I'll watch "Made in Italy" just to feast my eyes on that beautiful Tuscan scenery. I loved Tuscany so much when I was there in 2008 (sheesh, where does the time go?) I'm also a fan of Zachary Quinto, so I'll try to watch some episodes of "Criminal Minds" too. Gosh, you've got my winter viewing all set for me now, LOL!
Of course I like just about everything Garth & Trisha do. But I'm not understanding how the atheist anthem is a fit choice at the funeral of a man lauded by all for his fervent Christian faith. So I skipped that part of the service.
BTW in case you don't know, Trisha is a born and raised Georgia girl.
Sorry to hear you got the Covid - stay in bed, take your meds, and get well soon.
I've never heard "Imagine" referred to as an "atheist anthem". If anything , I consider it one of the most beautiful and authentically spiritual songs ever.
This is taken From "The Nation" (thenation.com) about the choice of the song for Carter's funeral:
"...So it should not have come as a surprise that the most compelling musical performance of the 39th president’s funeral on Thursday was a quiet rendering of a radical challenge to militarism, nationalism, capitalism, and the exploitation of religious differences for political purposes.
...the recital of the lyrics touched on the hope for a world without war that energized and inspired Carter during his presidency and in the 44 years that followed it.....
...Carter spoke more than once about his enthusiasm for the song. He delighted in the fact that “Imagine” had become a truly international anthem.
...[Carter said] “My favorite [Beatles song] is ‘Imagine.’ When I go to a strange country, Cuba and other places, in some of those nations, ‘Imagine’ has become [an unofficial] national anthem. ...If you listen to the lyrics closely, you’ll see that it’s against religion, it’s against national boundaries, it’s against nationalism, it’s against jingoism, but the impact it has on people is profound.”
....The politics of the song sparked its share of controversy over the years, especially for lyrics that invited listeners to: “Imagine there’s no heaven / It’s easy if you try / No hell below us / Above us, only sky / Imagine all the people / Living for today,” and “Imagine there’s no countries / It isn’t hard to do / Nothing to kill or die for / And no religion, too.”
...Critics suggested that it was an inappropriate pick for a celebration of the life of so passionate an evangelical Christian. Lennon recognized these sorts of concerns in his lifetime, “Lennon also cited a Christian prayer book as part of the song’s impetus,” wrote Womack. As Lennon later explained ...the book afforded him with the key concept about the nature of ‘positive prayer’ that would inform the composition of ‘Imagine.’ ‘If you can imagine a world at peace, with no denominations of religion—not without religion, but without this “my God-is-bigger-than-your-God” thing—then it can be true.’”
...The song choices at [the] funeral[s] reflected the musical tastes of the Carters and their family—along with messages they hoped to communicate.
Jimmy Carter was...a practical idealist who “waged peace with love and respect” and who preached “the power of human rights… not just for some people but for all people.” He was, as well, a believer in the power of music who appreciated the global reach, and influence, of a song that concluded with the words, “You may say I’m a dreamer/But I’m not the only one/I hope someday you’ll join us/And the world will live as one.”
Thanks for giving the quote - I had wondered who chose the song.
Well, if Jimmy liked it and the family approved, it's not for me to criticize the choice. I can only say that when this mortal coil of mine reaches its expiration date, I have a short list of tunes in mind that I would like to have played before my ashes are swept out the door.
"Imagine" is not one of them.
Good friend, let me clarify my comment on the song. It was in *no way* a criticism of your beliefs or unbeliefs; it was not about you at all. It’s not even about your taste in music. It’s about the fitness of that particular song in a particular place. Holy ground is holy ground, not “anything goes.” Most liturgical churches (Catholic, Episcopal, High Methodist, etc.) do not allow secular songs to be played at weddings; I suppose there is a similar rule for funerals, though I never thought about it till now.
However, one might also argue that a small exception could be made once in a very long while to honor a great man or woman. And that’s fine, if it doesn’t destroy the rule. A church is not a theater, a nightclub, or a coffee house. No doubt there are some progressive people who would think that a great idea; but they can count me out. However, since I haven’t set foot in any church for 20 years, I realize that my opinion doesn’t matter to anyone; it’s just my opinion, a straw in the wind, a sparrow’s chirp.
I remember reading your edition of your sister’s prayer about the presence of God when you first posted it. It’s beautiful. I don’t doubt that God is indeed present in all those things, and in every moment of joy and happiness we mortals have. Thanks for sharing it again. And thanks for being my faithful friend across the miles. Bless you, buddy.
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