Throwback Thursday-Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Love stories come in all shapes and sizes. Though we tend to think of a love story with the typical happy ending, that doesn’t always mean that the couple walks into the sunset together.

The 1957 movie, Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison takes place during World War II. Sister Angela (Deborah Kerr) and Corporal Allison (Robert Mitchum) are stranded on an island in the South Pacific. When the Japanese overtake the island, Sister Angela and Corporal Allison take refuge in a cave. Within the small confines of their temporary shelter, they must rely on each other and his military expertise to survive.

What I like about this movie is that it is unconventional for the period. Most films made during this time had the traditional romantic narrative with the traditional Hollywood happy ending. But this film, even with the leads that have electric chemistry, does not end in the traditional manner. Which why I like it.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday-Meet the Barkers (2005-2006)

Part of being a celebrity is constantly being in the spotlight. There is no better way to stay in the spotlight than a reality show.

Meet the Barkers aired on MTV from 2005-2006. Starring Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and his then-wife Shanna Moakler, the show took viewers into the private lives of the program’s subjects.

The problem with the sub-genre of the private lives of celebrities within the umbrella of “reality shows” is that they have been done to death. If a program wanted to last, it needed to stand out in some way. Meet the Barkers did not, which is why it only lasted two seasons.

Do I recommend it? Not really.

Throwback Thursday-A Very British Romance (2015)

The ideas we have about love and romance did not come out of thin air. As our culture changed, the perception of love and romance (and marriage by extension) changed.

In 2015, the miniseries A Very British Romance with Lucy Worsley aired. Hosted by the aforementioned historian Lucy Worsley, the program explored in the history of romance in the UK and how it shifted over the generations.

I enjoyed this series. Ms. Worsley breaks down the history in such a way that it is digestible and entertaining. Whether one is knowledgeable in this subject or a newbie, this program is a history lesson that does not feel like a history lesson.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday-Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous (2005)

When it comes to movie sequels, there is an opportunity to expand both the narrative and the character arc. The question is, does this expansion succeed or fail?

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous, the sequel to Miss Congeniality, was released in 2005. Gracie Hart’s (Sandra Bullock) life has changed in ways she did not expect. Unable to do her job as an F.B.I agent because of the notoriety that she has gained, her new role is now in media relations. Watching Gracie’s back is Agent Sam Fuller (Regina King). The hitch is that Sam and Gracie don’t exactly get along.

When Gracie’s friends are kidnapped, she has to work with Sam to find who took them and where they are.

As rom-com sequels go, this film is decent. It’s not the best film (or the best sequel) ever released, but, it could have been a lot worse.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Throwback Thursday-Fear Factor (2001-2006)

If there is one thing that holds us back, it is what we fear.

Fear Factor originally aired on NBC from 2001-2006. Hosted by Joe Rogan, the premise of the show is that contestants attempt to complete physically or emotionally daunting extreme challenges. If they fail to complete the challenge or their fear gets in the way, they are eliminated. At the end of each episode, the winner walked away with $50,000.

We all have to face our fears at some point. However, doing so for the chance to be on TV and win $50,000 cheapens that challenge of facing our fears. I would rather face my fears because I need to, rather than doing so for a potential payday or 15 minutes of fame.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely Not.

Throwback Thursday-Contagion (2011)

The story of humanity is chock full of stories of virus outbreaks that kills hundreds, if not thousands.

In 2011, the movie Contagion hit theaters. In the film, a virus spreads around the world like wildfire. It’s a race against time to stop the virus and save as many lives as possible.

It’s often said that art imitates life. Though this film is nearly ten years old, life has imitated art as the coronavirus is making it’s way around the world in a similar fashion. As a thriller, this film is well done, even if looking back now, it hits a little too close to home.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday- The Seventies (2015)

Sometimes, we can only see what has happened when we are fully able to look back at the past.

The Seventies was a documentary miniseries that aired on CNN in 2015. Throughout the eight episodes of the series, viewers were taken back in time and were able to explore how politics, pop culture and history combined into a decade that helped to shape the decades to come.

I enjoyed this series. It was entertaining, informative and provided a window into a time that some of us only know of via those who lived during the period.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday-Marriage Boot Camp (2013-Present)

Relationships, especially marriage is not easy. It requires communication, patience and understanding.

Marriage Boot Camp has aired on WEtv since 2013. The premise of the show is as follows: five couples whose marriage is on the rocks move into a house together. The purpose of this temporary move is to determine if their relationship is worth saving. While living in the house, they go through a series of exercises with marriage counselors to determine if they will stay together or call it a day.

In most cases, the decision to end your relationship is complicated, messy, private and emotional. It’s not exactly something that I would flaunt for the whole world to see. That is the essence of this show. In the few moments of this program that I have watched, I have to wonder if the couples are really having issues or are they in it for the money and the fame that goes with being on TV?

Do I recommend it? Absolutely not.

Throwback Thursday-Fashion Police (2010-2017)

Some might argue that Hollywood fashion is nothing but a waste of time. There are more important things to deal with than critiquing the clothing of Hollywood celebrities. But for others, it was appointment television.

Fashion Police aired on E! from 2010 to 2017. This weekly television program was hosted by a number of on air commentators (among them the late Joan Rivers) who discussed and critiqued the clothing worn by celebrities.

What made this show fun was not just the fashion being discussed, but how irreverent and funny the show was. Not taking themselves too seriously, the hosts had fun, as did the audience.

Do I recommend it? I am leaning toward yes.

Throwback Thursday- Property Brothers: Buying + Selling (2012 to Present)

The process of preparing your home to be sold so you can buy another requires that the homeowner put their best home foot forward.

Property Brothers: Buying+ Selling has aired on HGTV since 2012. The premise of the program is that brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott step in to help the subject of each episode with the home buying process. But before the house can be sold, it requires some sort of renovation. While this renovation is being done, the homeowners are looking at potential new homes. At the end of each episode, the homeowner’s current home (post renovation) is sold and they will be moving into a new home.

Anyone who has read this blog knows that I have mixed feelings about the reality genre in general. This show, however, I like. It has enough of a high stakes drama to it, but it is not so derogatory that I feel my brain cells dying while I am watching it.

I recommend it.