neonvincent | Entries tagged with stranger things

This is the video I tried to post when I had trouble updating last week. Let's see if I have better luck today.

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( Most saved pins from March 21, 2020 to March 20, 2021 behind the cut. )

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Current Music: birds and traffic noise

Hey, all of you binge-watching your guilty pleasure shows while staying safe at home, relaxing after working from home, returning for work after wearing a mask all day, or just stressed out from the real world! I have another suggestion to make your time in front of the big-screen TV in the living room, the slightly smaller screen in the bedroom, or even holding your tablet or smartphone work to help your appreciation of politics and government on television and then apply your understanding to help Coffee Party USA in one of our projects.

With the 2018-2019 television season out of the way, the members and volunteers of Coffee Party USA will move on to the 2019-2020 television season. Watch for the posting of the shortlists for the show categories along with an invitation to stream them while staying safe at home. If you want to become one of the voters for this or future Golden Coffee Cups, such as for the best political movies of 2020, become a member. Voting will happen on a members-only Facebook group.

Before I present the shortlists, I’m sharing a two-part activity Coffee Party USA and I are proposing our readers and supporters do.

The first part of the activity is to stream as many of the shows on the shortlists between now and March 13, 2021 to see which have the best portrayals of politics and government on television. The second is to become a member of Coffee Party USA by March 13, 2021, which you can do for as little as $30.00 per year. That’s because the members will also vote on the nominees and winners this year. That means you!

That’s your two-part activity. Now, have fun watching television while supporting the work of Coffee Party USA, whose core values include continuous learning on behalf of an informed citizenry, joining Coffee Party USA, and voting on the nominees!

Without any further ado, I present the shortlists for the Golden Coffee Cups for Television, beginning with the shortlist for Best Drama Series about Politics and Government.*

#FreeRayshawn
9-1-1
Big Little Lies
Billions
Doctor Who
Euphoria
Evil
Better Call Saul
Black Mirror
Carnival Row
David Makes Man
Designated Survivor
Godfather of Harlem
Homeland
How to Get Away with Murder
Hunters
Killing Eve
Madam Secretary
Mindhunter
Mr. Robot
Outlander
Ozark
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
Pose
Snowpiercer
Star Trek: Picard
Star Trek: Short Treks
Star Wars Resistance
Stranger Things
Stumptown
Succession
S.W.A.T.
The Blacklist
The Boys
The Crown
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
The Good Fight
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Mandalorian
The Man in the High Castle
The Morning Show
The Outsider
The Rookie
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan
Vikings
Westworld

Succession won last year and Mindhunter the year before. In addition, the first winner of Best Miniseries or Movie for Television about Politics and Government, Black Mirror, has been moved here based on the reclassification of the series by the Television Academy. The shortlist sets up a situation where they could go up against each other for the trophy. Of course, they have to be nominated first. Will you be one of the people to join so you nominate them and the rest of the field?

( Follow over the jump to read the shortlists for television shows in the other four categories. )

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First, the video I should have included in today's post at Crazy Eddie's Motie News.

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Beyond The Trailer reaction to nominations, snubs, predictions! Watchmen! The Mandalorian! HBO!

Now the linkspam:

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Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
Current Music: Star Wars: The Old Republic

I plan on posting my votes tomorrow.

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Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
Current Music: MSNBC

Two days ago, I kicked off my entry on 1980s nostalgia fueling at least four Netflix "original" series by mentioning "Stranger Things." I'm not alone in noticing that about the show. Michigan State University posted a video on that very subject last year. Here it is.

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Just in time for Netflix’s “Stranger Things” season two premiere, Michigan State University Professor Gary Hoppenstand travels back to the 1980s to analyze the strange and supernatural world of the Upside Down. Hoppenstand, professor of English in the College of Arts and Letters, is an expert on pop culture and film studies. He discusses why ‘80s nostalgia is a powerful tool in “Stranger Things.”

"Stranger Things" has 12 Emmy nominations, so I will write about them on Crazy Eddie's Motie News and may just recycle this video, along with two others from MSU.

Current Mood: nostalgic
Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
Current Music: Star Wars: The Old Republic

I've been so busy with the Saturn Awards that I haven't posted links to the other awards shows I covered at Crazy Eddie's Motie News. Here they are since June.

'Black Panther' wins its first awards plus 'Stranger Things' and 'Westworld' lead TV winners at Golden Trailer Awards
Toast 'Black Panther' and 'Stranger Things' at the MTV Movie & TV Awards on National Martini Day 2018
'Get Out' wins Bradbury Award plus my take on the Retro Hugo nominees
'Black Panther' rules movie and TV winners plus humanitarian honorees at the BET Awards

I'll have more on the Teen Choice Awards and the Emmy Awards later. Stay tuned.

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Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
Current Music: computer fan

TELEVISION AWARDS
Best Action / Thriller Television Series My vote: The Alienist. Who is likely to win: Riverdale
Best Actor on a Television Series My vote: Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead). Who is likely to win: Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) or Bruce Campbell
Best Actress on a Television Series My vote: Caitriona Balfe (Outlander). Who is likely to win: Caitriona Balfe (Outlander) or Melissa Benoist (Supergirl)
Best Animated Series or Film on Television My vote: Star Wars: Rebels. Who is likely to win: Star Wars: Rebels or Rick and Morty
Best Fantasy Television Series My vote: The Good Place. Who is likely to win: Outlander
Best Guest Performance on a Television Series My vote: Michelle Yeoh (Star Trek: Discovery). Who is likely to win: Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead)
Best Horror Television Series My vote: The Walking Dead. Who is likely to win: The Walking Dead
Best New Media Superhero My vote: The Tick. Who is likely to win: Marvel's The Punisher
Best New Media Television Series My vote: Stranger Things. Who is likely to win: Star Trek: Discovery
Best Presentation on Television My vote: Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time. Who is likely to win: Twin Peaks: The Return
Best Science Fiction Television Series My vote: Colony. Who is likely to win: The Orville or X-Files
Best Superhero Adaptation Television Series My vote: Gotham. Who is likely to win: Supergirl
Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series My vote: Khary Payton. Who is likely to win: Khary Payton (Doug Jones or Michael McKean would win with professionals voting)
Best Supporting Actress on a Television Series My vote: Dakota Fanning. Who is likely to win: Candice Patton
Best Younger Actor on a Television Series My vote: Millie Bobby Brown. Who is likely to win: Chandler Riggs

HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Best DVD / BD Classic Film Release My vote: Lifeboat. Who is likely to win: The Old Dark House
Best DVD / BD Collection My vote: Christopher Nolan 4K Collection. Who is likely to win: Dracula, Mommy, or Abbott and Costello.
Best DVD / BD Release My vote: Colossal. Who is likely to win: Don't know, maybe 2:22 or Cult of Chucky
Best DVD / BD Special Edition Release My vote: Lost Horizon. Who is likely to win: Night of the Living Dead
Best DVD / BD Television Release My vote: Westworld. Who is likely to win: Twin Peaks

Now to vote on the movie nominees. Deadline is May 28th.

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Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
Current Music: traffic and wind in the trees

Last week, I posted a linkspam of entries about my Saturn Award movie nominee posts. Today, it's the television shows' turn.

Time to vote!

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Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
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Happy May Day! Since it's the start of a new month, it's time to post the old month's saved comments.

( Comments about wine, women, song, politics, and Tudor Revival houses behind the cut. )

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Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
Current Music: Penny Dreadful

Continuing from yesterday with the rest of the videos I posted in Midweek Cafe and Lounge, Vol. 59.

The winner of Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music at last year's Emmy Awards was "Stranger Things." It also won Outstanding Main Title Design. Two for one! Here is the winning title sequence and theme song.

Watch on YouTube

The Emmy for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) went to Jeff Beal, the only Emmy for "House of Cards" this year. To celebrate, I'm sharing two selections from the fifth season of "House of Cards." First, House Of Cards, Chapter 63 "Saved My Life" by Jeff Beal.

Watch on YouTube

Next, the fifth season's version of the series theme song.

Watch on YouTube

For today's drink, I'm serving Suicide Squad Shots from Tipsy Bartender. I chose these because 'Suicide Squad' led Grammy nominations in music for visual media in 2016 with five, three for "Heathens" by 21 Pilots, which played over the end credits, and one each for "Purple Lamborghini" and the soundtrack compilation album.

Watch on YouTube

Suicide Squad Shots....The Joker and Harley Quinn!
...
HARLEY QUINN SHOT
*Blue Layer:
Blue Curacao Syrup
Pina Colada

*White Layer:
Pina Colada Drink
Coconut Rum

*Pink Layer:
Pina Colada
Bubble Gum
White Rum
Strawberry Liqueur
Overproof Rum

Pink Sugar Rimmed Glass!

THE JOKER
*Green Layer:
Melon Liqueur
Coconut Rum

*White Layer:
Pina Colada Drink
Coconut Rum
Overproof Rum

Purple Sugar Rimmed Glass!

I'll be posting more videos and drinks from the comments to this diary throughout the week.

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Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
Current Music: traffic and wind in the trees

The winners of the WGA Awards will be announced tonight, so here are the links and descriptions of my posts at Crazy Eddie's Motie News about the nominees.

'Game of Thrones,' 'The Handmaid's Tale,' and 'Stranger Things' nominated for Drama Series at the 2018 WGA Awards
In addition to "Game of Thrones," "The Handmaid's Tale," and "Stranger Things" being nominated for Drama Series, "The Handmaid's Tale" earned a nomination for New Series. "American Horror Story: Cult" is the sole speculative fiction in Long Form Original. Short Form New Media Adapted has episodes of speculative fiction series as three of its four nominees, two episodes of "Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot" and one of "The Walking Dead: Red Machete"..."The Leftovers" earned a nomination for Episodic Drama...Competing against it is "The OA."

Three shows, "Bob's Burgers," "BoJack Horseman," and "The Simpsons," occupy all five slots in Animated Series, as "BoJack Horseman" and "The Simpsons" have two episodes each nominated. Two shows with fantastic elements, "Just Add Magic" and "The Magical Wand Chase: A Sesame Street Special," earned nominations for Childrens Episodic and Specials.

Celebrate National Screenwriters Day with science and speculative fiction among WGA film nominees
"The Shape of Water" and "Get Out" have been nominated in every major awards show so far, the 2018 Critics' Choice Movie Awards, AFI Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and SAG Awards. I should not be surprised that their excellence began with a great original script...."Logan" is the sole speculative fiction nominee among the adapted screenplay nominees.

I'm rooting for all the speculative fiction nominees, although I suspect "The Handmaid's Tale" will beat both "Stranger Things" and "Game of Thrones."

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Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
Current Music: PBS Eons

"I have lots of science fiction in visual media to write about." That's how I concluded my series of Examiner.com articles yesterday. Here are the links and teasers to my entries at Crazy Eddie's Motie News on the nominated speculative fiction movies and TV shows for this month alone.

Science, science fiction, and fantasy among the 2017 Grammy nominees
Speculative fiction and science are well represented among this year's Grammy nominees. "Arrival," "Game of Thrones," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Moana," and "The Princess Diarist" represent science fiction and fantasy, while "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry," "Hidden Figures," and "The Voyager Golden Record: 40th Anniversary Edition" represent space and science fact.

'The Shape of Water' leads speculative fiction at the 2018 Critics' Choice Movie Awards
"Nominations for the 2018 Broadcast Film Critics Association’s Critics’ Choice Awards have been announced. Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi romance The Shape of Water stole the show with a dominating 14 nominations" -- Wochit Entertainment.

Science fiction, activism, science, and economics for Nobel Prize Day 2017
While his most famous novel is probably the Booker Prize winner "The Remains of the Day," which was made into an Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning movie, Ishiguro deserves being mentioned here because of his dystopian science fiction novel "Never Let Me Go" and fantasy novel "The Buried Giant."...Yes, a speculative fiction writer won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Speculative fiction and science at the 2018 Critics' Choice Television Awards
Four speculative fiction series, "American Gods," "Game of Thrones," "The Handmaid's Tale," and "Stranger Things 2," earned three nominations each, including Best Drama Series. Two other speculative fiction shows, "Outlander" and "Orphan Black," both have female leads nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series. Two shows that are speculative-fiction-adjacent thrillers, "Bates Motel" (horror) and "Mr. Robot" (science fiction), also have one nomination each, "Bates Motel" for Actor in a Drama Series and "Mr. Robot" for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

A good year for speculative fiction in the AFI top movies and TV shows of 2017
Three of the top ten movies of the year are speculative fiction movies, "Get Out," "The Shape of Water," and "Wonder Woman." Speculative fiction did even better on television than at the movies with four honorees in speculative fiction genres, "Game of Thrones" and "The Good Place" in fantasy, "The Handmaid's Tale" in science fiction, and "Stranger Things 2" in horror.

'The Shape of Water' and 'Get Out' lead speculative fiction at the movies at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards
"The Shape of Water" earned seven nominations, "Get Out" two, and "Downsizing" one at the Golden Globes.

'The Handmaid's Tale' leads speculative fiction on television at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards
The leading drama series is "The Handmaid's Tale" with three nominations, Best Television Series — Drama, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. This ties it with the other leading drama series, "This Is Us." Next is "Stranger Things 2" with two nominations, Best Television Series — Drama and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. The last speculative fiction show nominated for Best Television Series — Drama is "Game of Thrones."

'Game of Thrones,' 'The Handmaid's Tale,' and 'Stranger Things' nominated for Drama Series at the 2018 WGA Awards
In addition to "Game of Thrones," "The Handmaid's Tale," and "Stranger Things" being nominated for Drama Series, "The Handmaid's Tale" earned a nomination for New Series.

Current Mood: geeky
Current Location: House in the woods at the edge of town
Current Music: Guild Wars 2 music

I stumbled upon this video, which features two of my favorite actresses in two of my favorite speculative fiction television series having a conversation about show business and their craft, and thought it was worth sharing with my readers.

Watch on YouTube

Good luck to both of them at the Emmy Awards next month.