Every Sunday, Literally, Darling brings you “Best In Entertainment,” where you’ll find links to interesting articles, funny websites and the occasional subreddit. We bring you the music we’ve been turning up too loud in our headphones that week; reviews for movies, books, TV shows, and games, both classics and new releases; and the best apps we’ve tried out in the past few days. Tired of being bored online? Have no fear—LD’s “Best In Entertainment” is here.
[divider] [/divider]Best of the Internet
Watch the Only Known Footage of Legendary Bluesman Lead Belly: Check out this Time magazine newsreel from 1935, which reenacts Lead Belly’s release from Angola Prison, and another video, which was edited by Pete Seeger. (Yes, that Pete Seeger).
The Telegraph Shames Caitlin Moran & Sticks Up For Sherlock FanFiction: After known Sherlock “friend” and moderator of the Q&A following the premier of series three’s “The Empty Hearse,” Caitlin Moran chose to humiliate actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman by making them read slash fanfiction of their characters. She then proceeded to mock the fanfic’s author, Sherlock fans in general, and piss off creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. In this fantastic op-ed by Dr. Brooke Magnanti, she discusses why it’s all simply not on.
Katy Perry and John Mayer Debut Music video “Who You Love“: This awkward video from singers/lovers Katy Perry and John Mayer is a cute little ditty, but we still don’t understand the mechanical bulls.
Life and Donuts: If you tend toward the glass-half-empty side of things like me, and wonder what the point of life is if we’re all going to die anyways, then prepare to have it explained by a donut metaphor. This simple comic by Pablo Stanley tackles one of life’s questions and actually does a pretty decent job explaining it. Both kind of sad a kind of funny, this comic is thought-provoking and worth your time to scroll through.
Let’s Chat About This “Real Woman” Stuff: In which a young woman, who is classified as a plus-size model, discusses how the by applying the label of “real women” to plus-size models society is simultaneously shaming all other body types. Most people are aware that the “must be thin” mantra is incorrect, but it’s not okay to body shame thinner people in the process of praising “curvy” women. Instead we need to embrace all body types, and deal with it. She’s hilarious and blunt, and it’s absolutely brilliant.
[divider] [/divider]Best in Movies
“Midnight in Paris,” (2011): This movie is a few years old now, but that doesn’t stop it from being fantastic. If you’re a lover of ex-pat literature (read: Fitzgerald, Hemingway, etc.), then this movie is for you. It has an all-star cast of characters, including Tom Hiddleston as F. Scott himself (cue swoons). Owen Wilson is semi-annoying (because he’s Owen Wilson), and Rachel McAdam’s character is nearly insufferable, but both lend themselves well to the movie. Set in the beautiful backdrop of Paris and with flapper dresses to die for, this movie is a great two-hour escape from the real world.
“The Lone Ranger,” (2013): The movie features fantastic actors: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ruth Wilson. The story centers around Tonto recalling how John Reid became the legendary Lone Ranger. There are awesome action scenes, witty and hilarious dialogue, and even some feels interspersed amid the characters dashing about. In addition, Hans Zimmer did the soundtrack which is, as always, a masterpiece. It’s the type of movie that you don’t want to end.
[divider] [/divider]Best in Books
“Star Trek FAQ”—Mark Clark: This FAQ-style book is packed front-to-back with all the information you could ever want to know about “Star Trek: The Original Series.” The best part is that it really does contain information only about TOS, and it’s written in non-linear format, meaning the chapters can stand alone, so the reader can jump around to what interests them. Also discussed is “Trek’s” impact on society and the contained sociopolitcal messages.
Best in Music
“Wayfaring Stranger”—Neko Case
“Pompeii (Live in Paris)”—Bastille
“Cannonball”—Lea Michelle
“Say Something”—A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera
“Black Out Days”—Phantogram
“Spark”—Fitz and the Tantrums
Best in TV
“The Big Bang Theory” (2007–, CBS), “The Weekend Vortex,” Season 5 Episode 19: This episode of BBT is an oldie but goodie, and never ceases to bring out the laughs. Favorite quotes? Raj’s “It’s on like Alderaan,” and Sheldon’s list of different kinds of “Star Wars” games: “Movies? Or videogames? Or board games? Or trading card games? Or legos? Or dress up? Or comic books? Or dramatic readings of novelizations? Yes to all!”
[divider] [/divider]Best in Games
Battle Tanx: Yes, this is for N64, but if you’re lucky enough to still own that gaming system, you should give this game a go. It’s a 1998 action game in which, in 2001, a virus killed off 99.9 percent of the female population. Various countries fight over the quarantine zone and end up destroying much of the earth with nuclear warfare. The main character’s wife is taken by the U.S. government and he commandeers a tank and sets out to get her back. There’s classic Story mode and various other types of games you can play within Battle Tanx. It’s a lot of fun. (We hear they also make it for PlayStation?)
[divider] [/divider]Best in Apps
Apps Gone Free: This app searches the App Store every day to find out which apps are free only on that day. You can get great games, photography apps, note-taking apps, organization apps… all for free! A lot of times they are the really expensive ones, too. You never know what you’re going to get but it’s a useful app to have in your “Utilities” folder.
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