valleyofrivers

As far as epic journeys put to film go, Atlanta S02E05 - Barbershop, is undoubtedly one of the finest ever written, and possibly the best television episode about a haircut ever produced. Recurring characters can be difficult to flesh out, as they fade in and out of focus on a series. However, we are treated to a tour de force of a performance by a man simply known as Bibby.

Paper Boi's fatal mistake was getting out of the barber chair, but once he did, Bibby pounces on his prey. What ensues next is a one-man wrecking crew of misdirection and manipulation as Bibby strings Paper Boi along, as Paper Boi is desperate to get his drip sorted out before a big photoshoot. Leftover food, lumber, a truant kid and a few pissed off women are only a few of the dangers and surprises in store for The Fellowship of the Haircut.

Will Bibby keep his eye on the road? Will Paper Boi get his drip straightened out? One may never know unless they have the courage to join The Fellowship of the Haircut on their journey. Stay safe traveler.

Keep your eyes on the road, Bibby, c'mon now!

I obviously haven't seen this, as it's probably an internal video/advertisement for Morgan Stanley, and I doubt anyone else has outside of the company has either. Despite that fact, I'm incredibly curious how the director of an outstandingly visually impressive film (The Fall) chooses to go about a project like this. Does he go by-the-book? Does he take a left turn and improvise? What are his goals? What is his visual outline? And to be honest, I'd love to know what he got paid to do it.

I'd love to read more about this, but I'm pretty confident that the video isn't online anywhere. If anyone HAS seen it or knows anything more about it, I'd love anything I could get my hands on. It's weird, I know, but I'm curious for some reason.

Happy hunting.

Like most other viewers, I'm not completely finished with the first season of Netflix's original Santa Clarita Diet, but I'm confident enough to submit my review already.

I was caught off-guard when my Mom asked me about a show I had never heard of, as it's usually the other way around, when she proceeded to fill me in on Netflix's newest project debut. I've been a fan of Timothy Olyphant from the first film I saw him in, the odd-ball Girl Next Door. I thought he did a great job handling the funnier aspects of the character and I've been keeping tabs on his comedy ever since.

I feel the same way about Drew Barrymore and think she's a great actress. Like Olyphant, Barrymore thrives in comedy roles that allow her goofball personality to shine, and Santa Clarita Diet perfectly encapsulates her ability to play the quirky, smart and funny female lead who is also still believable and someone you can relate to. With subject matter as potentially as dark as this show is, her charm balances it out and makes some of the more questionable acts really funny.

The supporting cast has been amazing so far as well, especially the daughter and the neighbor boy. I think they balance each other out very well, and I expect in future episodes that they'll take more of a leading role in the series, and maybe even become the "responsible" ones. The neighbors, and the gang of women who hang out, are also just odd enough to break the Stepford Wives cliché and make their part of the show interesting. The show is a situation in which there's something oddly satisfying going on, but keeping up, and also digesting exactly what's going on is challenging to do. It keeps you interested with the acting while also throwing insane things in your face simply because it can.

If you're a fan of absurdist/black comedy, pointing out obvious clichés, and allowing actors to be themselves, you'll be interested in giving Santa Clarita a shot. The flavor of comedy is certainly unique, and when dealing with the subject matter this show deals with, uniqueness is a necessity in order for the project to thrive.

Lance Mackey is a leader, not just of men, but of man's best friend: His dogs. The life bestowed on Lance did not come easy, and he's worked for every inch of snow he has ever traveled. The four-time winner of both the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and Yukon Quest has molded himself into a legendary dog musher. Lance Mackey is many things, but above all else he's a survivor.

The Great Alone tells the story of Lance Mackey, an Alaskan dog musher born into an elite dog mushing family. His father, Dick Mackey, is a founding member and winner of the 1978 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Five years later, in 1983, Lance's brother Rick crossed the finish line in first place. Lance would have his turn beginning in 2007, and he would continue winning for three more years. In 2008 Lance became the first person ever to win not only the Iditarod, but Yukon Quest as well in the same year, a feat previously not thought to be possible. He would prove everyone wrong by doing it again in 2008.

The victories accomplished were accompanied with great personal hardship. Diagnosed with cancer, Lance would spend a great deal of time and energy fighting the disease, conquering it only after radiation and surgery, which left his throat vulnerable to injury. He was advised by medical professionals to never race again, advice he refused to follow, and was quickly back on the sled.

The Great Alone follows Lance on his 2007 and 2008 Iditarod victories. It highlights his deep bond with his dogs, the life he had before racing, and some of the personal issues within his family. The Great Alone does a fantastic job at shedding light on a sport few get the chance to truly be immersed in and what it means for not only the racers, but the Alaskan community as well.

If you enjoy documentaries about dogs, sporting events, athletes, the wilderness, self-reliance, or simply would like to see a truly inspiring story, this documentary is all of those things. I personally have a great respect for Lance Mackey, not only for what he's accomplished, but how he accomplished it as well. He never seemed to lose focus on his love for his dogs or why he began racing to begin with. The cinematography is excellent and Lance's story is very well told. I was left feeling inspired and hope to someday see a sled-dog race in person.

Lance Mackey is many things, but above all else he's a survivor.

Stumbled on this little gem after searching for new material from Paul & Company and seeing he had something in the works with Ilana Glazer. I've never seen an episode of "Real Housewives..." in my entire life, but I'm assuming it's just regular ol' trash television staring women who would sell their own kids to be famous. I've also never been to South Boston, but after seeing the short, it's now on my list of places to go before I die. I might die when I get there, but hey, at least then I'd have seen it. Also, to be fair, I thought every white family in South Boston had some sort of relation to Marky Mark, the more you know.

If you like insensitive stereotypes, crude non-P.C. language like "retarded," trashy mothers drinking while holding their babies, and beautiful words like "c*nt," then this will be right up your ally. Be sure to stop down to Jackie's Packie for all of your beer and cigarette needs before sitting down to enjoy it.

I was happy to see Aziz Ansari's new comedy series Master of None was recently released on Netflix. Being a fan of jamming as much of a new show into my life as I can, I immediately tore into the ten episode season. After trying to feel the show out in the first episode, I easily slipped into the next few, catching myself laughing while also being engaged with the show's unique perspectives.

I've been a fan of Aziz for a long time, especially his stand-up and Parks and Recreation. Utilizing his stand-up platform, Aziz has been cultivating and relaying his thoughts and observations of life from the vantage point of the son of Indian immigrants who chose to raise a family in the southern United States. That's not his only vantage point however, as he also sees himself rightfully as any other young American, submersed in today's culture. Something he doesn't take for granted, utilizing it instead of shying away from it, with the results often being amazing, heartfelt comedy. All of which has an incredibly genuine feeling to it, as if Aziz never fully gave up ties to his childhood, instead continuing to let that side of him flourish.

A pop-culture glutton, Aziz often quips about how easily a text message can change the course of your day, how dating and relationships make absolutely no sense, and how we should treat each other better. Master of None is the evolution of these observations, originally perfected on stage, and now presented to us applied to real life situations. The best part about this evolution is the fact that he's not afraid to criticize them, and the show highlights this by offering up multiple view points from a diverse set of characters, often his friends.

Master of None hints at something great, at times still unsure of itself in the best way possible. Continuing to shift perspectives until a universal truth is uncovered connecting us all to the insanity that is our lives in our modern age. Technology, dating, racism, sexuality, consumerism, parenting, and marriage are all examined in less than four episodes, although no real conclusions are made. The show not focusing on lessons, but rather understanding and perspective.

If you're a fan of Louie, I have absolutely no doubt that you'll be interested to give Master of None a real shot. There's something here for almost everyone, if you don't think so, you may be just another voice this project is trying to showcase, all of us.

Personally, the only thing I thought the show was missing was Kanye West.