Netflicks Picks #3

May have to rename this soon, we went ahead and got Lovefilm too! A few films & documentaries I've watched recently. Warning: My viewings this month were pretty dark and depressing.

For The Bible Tells Me So - As I've mentioned before I'm always super interested in learning about extreme human behaviors and beliefs so this was perfect for me. This documentary is about Christianity and Homosexuality. Five Christian families are interviewed and we hear the parents varying reactions to the news that their son or daughter is gay. The point of the film is to show that Christianity's homophobia is based on misunderstandings from the Bible and a lack of understanding of what being gay actually means. Some of the parents reactions are heartbreaking, others are heartwarming. Angering, and interesting.

Forgiving Dr. Mengele - Watching a program like this really puts things into perspective, we have no right to complain about anything ever. Eva Kor is a super lady. She endured awful experimentation's on herself and her twin sister in Auschwitz, they survived, Eva moved to America, raised a family and had a successful career. If that wasn't enough she tracked down and confronted Nazi Doctors that were involved in these awful experiments in order to find answers and help the other survivors who were suffering the side effects. Even more than that, she completely forgives those who tortured her. Unbelievable. 

Sound and Fury - The tag line for this documentary is; "If you could make your deaf children hear, would you do it?". When I first started watching this my answer was completely set in stone , 'Yes! Definitely!!'. This film brings up arguments for both sides, from deaf families, to hearing families with one deaf child. It's something you never even think of, that a deaf person who is given the opportunity to hear would choose not to. The deaf community are pretty defensive, they don't see being deaf as a handicap that needs to be put right. Its such a difficult situation to be in, I don't think there is a right answer. Thought provoking. 

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This last couple of weeks I have watched more episodes of How I Met Your Mother than anything else, I am in love with Marshall Eriksen.

Netflix Picks.

A few films & documentaries I've loved this September;

Jiro Dreams of Sushi- Dixon and me watched this one together after one of his work friends recommended it, and it was a great recommendation. This documentary is about Jiro, a amazingly talented sushi chef who has a tiny tiny restaurant in a subway station in Japan, he has been awarded 3 Michelin star (the highest award!) and has a waiting list of about a month. Jiro's work ethic and passion for his craft really inspired me, at 85 he still works every single days, and complains when there is a national holiday. Amazingly inspirational.

Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey -  I'd heard people talking about it here and there, so when I ran across it on Netflix, I decided to give it a watch. Its reasonably short, so easy to watch and I really loved it.  Kevin Clash grew up watching the Muppets on tv, and making his own puppets to preform with for the local kids. Kevin is completely inspirational and completely dedicated, he is also super shy, I think that why I liked him. There are a few tear inducing moments and its great to see behind the scenes of some of the shows I loved as a kid too. Heart warmer.

Your Fathers Murderer: A Letter to Zachary- This film tells the story of a murdered man, Andrew Bagby, through interviews with family and friends, you hear about the accused; the ex girlfriend. You see all the evidence pointing towards her, and the shock when she is constantly released on technicalities. The ex-girlfriend announces she's pregnant, Andrews parents give up everything over in England to move to Newfoundland to fight for this baby, the last living part of their son. Shes jailed, then released. Another heart breaker, more so than anything else I have ever heard.  I have so much admiration for those Granparents. Angering, scary, everyones nightmare.

The Muppets - Inspired by Being Elmo, I finally got around to watching The Muppets movie. I'm one of the kids that grew up watching the Muppets, I went to see Muppets Treasure Island at the cinema for my 7th birthday and had the best time. The new movie was even better than I expected. I completely love Jason Segel. Be a kid again.

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I also watched Being Sean which was great and I finished watching the last series of Weeds which I completely loved! Do you have any recommendations? I love documentaries and I'd love to find a new series to watch!

Netflix picks.

I'm the kind of person that always has some kind of TV program playing in the background whatever I'm doing. Netflix has been a godsend for this, I have been getting through a whole load of documentaries I would never have heard of unless I had stumbled across them whilst flicking through Netflix, which is amazing! And now it's the end of the month (I can't believe August is over), I thought I would share with you some of the documentaries that have really stud out to me, for whatever reason and hopefully you'll enjoy too. Sooo....

Project Nim- So so sad, I watched this whilst tidying our bedroom, and ended up laying on floor right in front of my laptop screen crying. I was drawn in my the cute chimp in a jumper, I was expecting a really fun documentary about teaching a chimp sign language. But Nim gets older and aggressive, I don't want to ruin it for you but my heart broke more than once. I'd definitely recommend this, its pretty short, its fascinating and shines a little light on animal testing and the heartlessness behind it. Good if you're looking for a weep.

Until the Light Takes Us- I've seen a few films and documentaries about black metal, my ex was very into black metal, they always interested me loads, so when I came across this on Netflix, I gave it a go. I think this documentary gives you the most insight into the subculture. It has interviews throughout with Varg Vikernes who was in prison at the time for murdering a band member, and burning down a few churches. Its super interesting. Probably my favourite of the whole list. Amazing insight into a different world.

Children Underground- Nicolae Ceaușescu was the communist leader of Romania from 1967-1989, who outlawed abortion and contraception, he also put in place rewards for mothers of large families (in an attempt to boost the population). This documentary follows a group of children choosing to live in a subway station rather than with impoveraged families where they are not wanted or in abusive crowded orphanages. It's pretty shocking seeing how they live and how acceptable it is to have kids living on the streets like that. Some of the kids are clearly psychotic, (potentially from the paint they are constantly sniffing). Pretty shocking & completely interesting.

Grizzly Man- I've heard so much about this film, and had high hopes, especially when I realised it was Werner Herzog that interviewed the Timothy Treadwell AKA the Grizzly Mans friends and family and narrated his original footage of the bears. In the end, I was actually suprised that I managed to watch the whole film, I was pretty close to turning it off at more than one point, mainly because I really disliked Treadwell, I found him arrogant, delusional, vain, and just generally someone I would hate to be around in real life. I dunno, maybe this is what Herzog intended? Cringe worthy, worth it for the foxes.

Top 5 from Etsy

I don't know how I've managed my whole life on the internet without Etsy, pretty much everything on there is amazing!! I visited it a few times over the years but never really got it. But now, I'm constantly finding something new that I love, and it's full of inspiration too. Here are a few of the things I really really love at the minute;

Ceramic Creamer and Sugar Bowl in Teal- I love the wave pattern on this set, I'm not sure I'd use them a milk and sugar bowl, I'd probably never actually use them through fear of damaging them.

Bee Rubber Stamp - I'm really loving stamps at the minute, and this is one of the favourites I've come across. Would be great to stamp envelopes and labels for the wine we're making!

Tiny Initial Heart Neckclace - I'll definitely be getting one of these, they're sooo cute and tiny. Everyone I know will probably be getting one for Christmas too.

Chevron Fold Over Clutch - All the bags JessieBlume makes are amazing. I love the colours, and I love the patterns (you can't go wrong with chevrons right!?). This one is my favourite at the minute, although I keep skipping between them all. I'd get this isn either black or lime green!

Tiny Hand Necklace - This one is already on it's way over to me, pretty excited! I've wanted it for a while now after seeing Ella get her own little St Jude necklace, but finally went and ordered it on Monday. Datters designs are pretty amazing, I haven't seen anything like them before. This, and the gold arrow necklace are my favourites. AND they're now made in England. Woo.

See Ya July

July has treat me well, but it's actually quite scary how fast time is going. I have had a great month, even though I didnt do everything I really wanted to. I did mean to go swimming, and play tennis but I am lazy, maybe next month? Here are a few things I have really loved in July.



I got my feet tattooed (and now love them), bought an amazing camera (finallly), went to the beach, saw Morrisey, hung with the pups, juiced every fruit and vegetable under the sun (please never ever try celery juice) and had a lot of exciting garden updates. Enjoyed watching the Tour de France, and beamed with pride when Bradley Wiggins got on the podium. I put waves in my hair and  I bought a load of embroidery supplies, and fell in love with stitching.

I have to share this blog; http://www.thestorkandthebeanstalk.com/ - I can't get enough of it! It's quickly shooting up their to my favourite read. Ashley, I love your dry, dry whit, you have me in kinks, constantly, you're making me need kids. Ashley has the most beautiful family, including the cutest little boy, Hooper (who just happens to have the best name) AND the newest little addition, Van. I've definitely got in there at the right time I can't wait to see her grow. I particularly love the 'Meet your Parents' series.

And, my photo of the month,  I had to share this, from when Dixon and me met this guy whilst visiting the Manchester Museum, and could not stop laughing. His expression cracked me up.

Now, come on August! Dixons big birthday celebrations at the cricket. Hopefully a boat trip? The beach! A wedding! (I wish all my friends would hurry up and get married so I can drink champagne and buy new dresses). August also marks 1.5years until I turn 25, and a lot of goal setting. What are your August plans?

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