Sense8 Scrambles Your Brain. In A Good Way!

Just like most of the world has been, I've been intrigued by Sense8 since I first saw a preview a few months back.  The creative force know as The Wachowskis (The Matrix) have joined forces with the new face of television: Netflix, to bring this sensory overload (no pun intended) straight to your computer, gaming console, tablet, or smartphone.  (I should probably work for Netflix's marketing team.)

So I'm currently typing this just after finishing the fourth episode of the season.  And I have to say one thing, this show so far is fantastic!  It leaves you guessing and sitting on the edge of your seat.  Also, if you have popcorn, make it and munch because this is a camp and enjoy series. 

The series focuses on 8 strangers who become mentally linked to each other out of nowhere.  The mysteries grow as the experience: out of body sensations, random emotions, unexplained visions, and various random abilities.  You see the characters discover, question and learn.  But there's something that gravitates you to all these characters (it's not just the extraordinary acting) and that thing is seeing all these people deal with true, real life situations.  You relate to these characters because they have real life struggles and dilemmas that coincide with this phenomenon that is happening.

The show also has very progressive storylines and characters who explore and comment on subjects like race, gender, self-identity, sexuality and personal discovery.  Nomi (pictures above, right) is trans woman who struggled finding her happiness due to her family.  Happiness does come in the form of her girlfriend Amanita, the bond between the two is strong and is portrayed brilliantly by the two actresses.

My favorite characters by far though have to be the three pictured above.  Lito (left) is a famous Mexican actor, who hides his boyfriend Hernando (right) from the public to protect his career.  He has a pseudo relationship with Daniela (middle) who is basically his beard.  The scene pictured above where she learns of Lito's boyfriend has me rolling on the floor, it was perfection at its finest.

In addition to its brilliant cast, the show so far has kept my attention, which is hard to do, because I am a bit of a scatter-brain. 

So, if you're looking for captivating, entertaining television then you've got yourself the perfect show in Sense8.  What you need to do next with your life is: log into Neflix, sit your butt down, and get to watching.  You're not gonna regret it!

(Also, I hope you like 4 Non Blondes)

Daredevil: Blind Superhero Has Netflix Seeing Stars

Thank you to Netflix and Drew Goddard for bringing Daredevil to the masses!  This show is freaking amazing and literally glued me to the tube like it was sponsored by Elmer's.  (Also Drew Goddard gets points for having his name make me think of Jimmy Neutron.)

(WARNING: SPOILERS MAY COME AT ANY TIME.  I WRITE IT AS I GO ALONG)

Daredevil the character first appeared in his self-titled comic in 1964.  Since that time the character has become a staple in the Marvel Universe and even had his own movie in 2003 starring Ben Afleck.  While I personally didn't care for the movie, the new original series on Netflix has put a fresh spin on the character and it's certainly for the better.

Charlie Cox brings to life Matt Murdock, lawyer by day, and masked vigilante by night.  Cox is really able to capture the essence of Murdock, a character that's been hardened by life, but yet still has a caring/vulnerable side.  Murdock uses the power of his other senses to help himself defeat the thugs/criminals/bad guys that plague Hells Kitchen, a city that Murdock will do anything to help restore order to.

(Charlie Cox brings the blind vigilante to life on screen.  The above photo was snapped as he told Jimmy Fallon about how tight the suit actually is.)

Cox is joined in the series by an amazing cast of characters and actors alike:

Deborah Ann Woll plays Karen Page.  A strong and determined young woman who ends up snooping into a company's files while working as a secretary.  When she stumbles across some secret company files, that is when she finds herself in hot water.  After a few attempted murders, Karen finds safe-haven with Murdock & Nelson, her lawyers, then begins working at their firm.  She's inquisitive and still wants to bring down the company bullies and figure out who the man in the mask is that saved her life.  Woll, before know for her stint on True Blood, does a great job of playing the "inquisitive girl" that has pretty much become a staple for any superhero franchise.

Eldon Henson brings to life Matt Murdock's best friend and law partner, Foggy Nelson.  Foggy is a full on definition of adorkable.  The thing I find the most endearing about Foggy is that time and time again in the series you get to see him play the lawyer that has a heart.  (And he's really frakkin good at it)  Foggy is constantly struggling to prove himself, in law and in life.  The thing I like about Foggy is he's so much more than just a loveable sidekick or the funny punchline.  Foggy actually brings something to the plot and he and Karen need to get together...like now.  

Well hey there Rosario Dawson!  I have to admit that I was a little taken back when I saw Rosario pop up as Claire Temple.  Claire came out of nowhere in the series, she was good samaritan that helped patch up Murdock the masked man after he was found in a dumpster.  She ends up finding a budding relationship with the man that she constantly revives and stitches, but in one episode in particular, Claire finds out that she might not want to be mixed up in this craziness after all.

Vincent D'Onofrio is pictured above.  Watch the series and it's entirely possible not to recognize him as Wilson Fisk.  (He's Kingpin, can we just call him Kingpin already?!)  (Also, did you know he plays the guy that gets turned into the creepy alien in Men In Black?)  Wilson Fisk is the ultimate crime boss, he controls the police, the media, the mob, the drug lords, even the senator; you name them, Fisk as ties with them.  Fisk is attempting to do the same thing Murdock is, he wants to make the city better.  Fisk's idea of a better city though is tearing it down and rebuilding it from scratch into what can basically be called his ideal crime paradise.  D'Onofrio captures every bit of rage that comes from Fisk's mouth and mind.  Honestly, I'm terrified of them both!

Overall this series is a goldmine of entertainment.  It's got the superhero element, but it's also pretty dang violent, it's definitely cornered the niche of an adult comic book drama.  The first season is also an amazing origin piece and actually goes deep down into showing you what drives this characters and what makes their brain tick.  It's full on brilliant!  There's a reason the show is now the highest rated show on Netflix!  

In addition to Daredevil, Marvel has announced three other shows that are to come from the partnership with Netflix.  I'm stoked to hear about this as a comic fan because it's bringing in characters from all over the Marvel Universe and attaching them to the cinematic universe.  With shows like this on Netflix and shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Agent Carter on ABC, we're now getting flooded with different shows that all push one giants storyline!  It's amazing and I can't get enough!  Keep it coming!

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Is All That And A Bag Of Chips

Kimmy Schmidt and her three "sisters" step out into the sunlight and into the spotlight in yet another amazeballs showcase that Tina Fey has stamped her name on.  Scott Meslow of The Week, referred to this as, "the first great sitcom of the streaming era," and I honestly can't think of a better way to describe Netflix's latest original.  By the way, this show was sold to Netflix from NBC, for whatever reason and Netflix has to be like:

The show starts out with a great opening sequence of Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) and her sisters Cyndee, Gretchen and Donna Maria escaping a doomsday bunker designed by the insane Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne.  This sets up the series' opening credits, which are nothing short of comic genius.  The main title comes complete with its own songified news interview.

After their escape and venture through what is the American mainstream media, Kimmy decides to separate from her sisters and remain in New York, creating a new life for herself.  This new life includes:

1. A NEW HOME.  Complete with Titus Andromedon, a struggling gay Broadway performer and the drug dealing landlady Lillian, who's just a little off her rocker.

(Titus, in all of his glory!)

The series also brings back one of my favorite actresses ever.  Not that she's went anywhere, but I've definitely been missing the bitch that only Jane Krakowski can play and I'm glad she's back with Tina Fey, her writing balances out it all.  Which leads me to:

2. A NEW JOB.  Kimmy becomes the new housemaid for Jacqueline Voorhees after she catches her son shoplifting twice and brings him home.  Jacqueline is....

...Jacqueline.  She's perfect.

I just realized I only had two points to make....moving on!

The first season shows Kimmy adjusting to life as best she can with only a 90s elementary education behind her.  The show thrives off Kimmy's unbreakable tenacity and thirst for life which is only rivaled by Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope...you are missed.

The series is on par with its writing, every joke hits exactly where it needs to and each character is written and portrayed to a T.  I also enjoy that the show isn't afraid to push boundaries with its characters who all seek to make themselves better and find their place in this crazy world, no better place than New York City to do that right?!

I'm trying to keep this as short and sweet as I can, mostly to avoid posting spoilers, but if you're looking for a show that will instantly become your new obsession, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt does all that and a bag of chips!  So kick back and binge watch this show if you want, maybe with a big glass of...

I Freaking Love Crazy Eyes!

Now I'll admit that I'm an absolute sucker for TV show characters.  I'm like when a girl falls in love with a character in a book that she's reading, except I want to be best friends with the characters I'm enamored with.  On of my favorites is pictured above, and if you're not familiar with her, you best need to get started!

She is Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren and I'm pretty much a mark for this character.  She burst onto our screens during one of the early episodes of the Netflix Original Series: Orange Is The New Black.  Now anybody who reads my The Shows I'm Addicted To blog knows that I'm a huge fan of this series.  One of the biggest reason I'm a fan of the show is the characters and Crazy Eyes may just be my favorite.

Crazy Eyes began an interesting friendship with Piper, the series' main character and ultimately decided that she had a new prison wife in Piper, whom she dubbed "Dandelion."

Who is the woman behind this crazy character?  Well she is a brilliant actress named Uzo Aduba and I've absolutely fallen in love with her face, more specifically when it's bug-eyed.  That brilliant face is one of the things that has absolutely made this character.  Nobody that has seen the show can forget the infamous scene where Crazy Eyes takes a leak on Piper Chapman's floor after Chapman told her she would never be her wife.  Which I was down to see some chocolate and vanilla swirl!  (Yes, that's a reference)

The best news that has come out of this brilliant character being introduced to the world is that Uzo Aduba has been promoted to the main cast for season 2!  So that means that we get even more Crazy Eyes during the next season!!

Now after that little radio broadcast at the end of the season, we know that Chapman isn't on Crazy Eyes' best side at the moment, so who knows what's going to happen with that, but I'm sure excited for it!!  Season 2 can't come soon enough!