Monday Musings: Mini-Martha Obsession, Girl Scout Cookies, And My Brad-Ban Is Over
I finally donated my #TeamAniston t-shirt
In this week’s edition of Monday Musings, I’m reporting to you live from my head which seems to have emotionally matured since last time I wrote, I think I might have finally put to bed my Boo! Brad feelings after he dumped Jennifer Aniston for Angelina Jolie. I know, it’s been decades. I hold onto grudges like I’m holding onto that 2008 bottle of Cakebread. I spent the weekend working on some exciting new projects, but squeezed in some time for a few films currently streaming that I recommend.
OSCAR BUZZ: The Martha Mitchell Effect
So, I have this mini obsession with Martha Mitchell. She was the OG whistleblower for Watergate, however because she was a woman and ran a gossip telephone train a mile long with very influential journalists, she was deemed crazy by everyone in Washington and thus “gaslit” into believing everything she was saying were lies when in fact were proven to be true. In 1988, a Harvard psychologist called this type of gaslighting the "Martha Mitchell Effect”. The story is fascinating and what Mitchell went through still goes on today with many women, by professionals in our healthcare system and the women who come forward with accounts of sexual assault. I highly recommend this short film (40 min) to give you an insight into this enigmatic woman. I first learned of her in the MGM+ docuseries (also highly recommend) called Slowburn (based on the award-winning podcast) and of course, the limited series Gaslit starring Julia Roberts and Sean Penn which I thought was one of the best written series of 2022.
Late To Stream: World War Z
I never watched World War Z, the zombie apocalypse film because I’m sure my “I’m so over Brad Pitt, Go Jen! Live your life! You don’t need this cheater!” circa 2005 attitude got in the way. However, now I’m all grown up (LOL!) and this movie is on the radar since apparently there was a series and sequel in development, but last week it was reportedly canned. Paramount+ is putting it front and center on its platform and with two glasses of wine in me and this tasty spinach and goat cheese pizza I oven-baked, I just let everything go and watched it. While it’s not the greatest movie of all time, it was pretty damn entertaining and Brad’s lusty longer hair gave me those retro 90s feelings when he starred as that cute gun-toting thief in Thelma and Louise. So yes, I’m back on the Brad wagon and plan to watch Babylon this week when it lands on Paramount+ Tuesday, Feb 21 (that’s tomorrow!)
Toast-Yay! Cookies + La Marca Prosecco
Tis’ the season for Girl Scout cookies and I couldn’t be more excited to finish off a whole sleeve while bingeing my fave shows (currentlyPoker Face and The Last of Us). I love the Toast-Yay! cookies, a french-toast inspired treat dipped in vanilla icing. It pairs perfectly with my favorite prosecco — La Marca, you know the one in the blue bottle. Don’t forget to support your local Girl Scouts, those mini girl bosses bring happiness to many sweet tooth’s.
Top 5 Recommendations From This Past Weekend…
Sharper (Apple TV+)
The Martha Mitchell Effect (Netflix) - oscar nominated short
My Year of Dicks (Hulu) - oscar nominated short
The Last of Us (HBO Max)
Fire of Love (Disney+) - oscar nominated documentary
What’s New To Stream Today and Tomorrow?
Cyrano (Paramount+)
Bloodlands: Season Premiere (Acorn TV/AMC+)
The Madame Blanc Mysteries: Series Premiere (Acorn TV/AMC+)
Smile (Amazon Prime)
American Idol: Season 21 Premiere (Hulu)
The Company You Keep: Series Premiere (Hulu)
Babylon (Paramount+)