Tag Archives: streaming services

Dec11

What Have We Been Watching?

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What Have We Been Watching?

Hi! Johnny and I have basically every streaming service known to mankind and it is both a blessing and a curse. Does anyone feel like there are endless options on streaming services and seemingly no options? Lol, that’s usually where we’re at and just end up putting on comfort shows. However, our tune has recently changed and we have been watching several new to us shows that we are really enjoying. HBO Mondays have become our tradition and I look forward to it every week! Let’s discuss:

The Chair Company:

This show is so weird lol. Long story short, a guy with a big new job gives a fantastic introductory speech. He sits down afterwards and his chair breaks. Then, he slowly descends into madness and unlocks a huge conspiracy about the chair company that was the source of his embarrassment. It’s usually pretty funny with a VERY healthy dose of “wtf?”. I think Johnny is liking this show more than me but it is entertaining enough and already has a second season locked down. Whatever happens is sure to be ridiculous and also big shout out to The Chair Company as its location is in Canton, Ohio. That’s about twenty minutes from me!

Welcome To Derry:

The piece de resistance of our TV time has got to be Welcome To Derry, a prequel to Stephen King’s “It”. Now, this is what I’m talking about! As soon as I get home on Mondays, I cannot wait to watch Welcome To Derry. The episodes are scary, the kids it revolves around are adorable and hilarious, and the acting simply can’t be beat. The performances in this show are absolutely mesmerizing. Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann steals every scene he is in and just pulls you into the horror of the situation at hand. If you are looking for an excellent horror series then I truly can’t recommend Welcome To Derry enough.

St. Denis Medical:

Johnny and I are avid fans of NBC workplace comedies and one of our favorites is Superstore. We have watched it more times than we can count and it will never not be funny to us. We gave The Paper a try, was thoroughly unimpressed, then went back to Superstore lol. However, we needed something more and have recently started watching St. Denis Medical. This is more like it! It’s essentially Superstore vibes set in an emergency room at the hospital. In fact, some of the cast members of Superstore are in it! It’s just nice to put a show on and have a laugh and St. Denis Medical is definitely scratching that itch.

Gypsy Rose – Life After Lockup:

There are so many things that my sweet husband does for me but you will never catch him watching reality TV with me! That is a hobby that is uniquely my own and I revel in it. During my Covid stint, I watched a lot of Gypsy Rose – Life After Lockup and really enjoyed it. No matter how you feel about her, it’s just interesting to watch Gypsy learn about normal life, her instant rise as a celebrity, and how she deals with it all. I loves me a prison or post prison show and this one is a friendly reminder that you can always turn your life around!

There is nothing better to me than cozying up on the couch with snacks, my main squeeze, and a good show. I don’t think I’ll be complaining about having nothing to watch for a while!

What are you currently watching? What is one of your guilty pleasure TV shows? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug29

Why Do Live Performances Hit Different Than Streaming?

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Why Do Live Performances Hit Different Than Streaming?

Live performances are among the most unique and exciting adventures you can have. No matter what you enjoy, from stage plays to rock concerts, no streaming channel can match what being there offers. From sensory engagement to unpredictability, here are some examples:

Adventure and Experience:

With the rise of streaming services, it’s easy to forget the unique experience of attending a show. What’s better, relaxing on the couch and pressing a button, or planning, booking with Broadway.com, and venturing out on a trip? The convenience of streaming has its benefits. But there is nothing like experiencing a live performance, even if you do it only once. Nothing compares to the overall adventure of seeing musical idols, stunning plays, and comedians right before your very eyes.

Engaging the Senses:

Just being in the same space as a performer you love creates a tangible experience that brings the senses to life. The sound, sights, and even smells of a packed auditorium are like nothing you can get at home. Adding to the excitement is the energy of the crowd, which makes a significant contribution to the experience. Through light, sound, and smell, your brain creates powerful memories connected to emotions that will typically last for the rest of your life.

Live Performances Feel More Connected:

In 2024 alone, Ticketmaster sold 637 million tickets. It’s safe to say live performances are alive and well, and whether you enjoy stage plays like Hamilton or want to rock out at an AC/DC concert, you can only get the connection you crave from a live show, and not a TV channel:

  • Performers will usually interact with the audience in a direct manner.
  • The experience feels more personal and conversational because of this.
  • Being among an excited crowd provides more energy and electrifies a performance.

Unpredictable and Organic Performance:

While stage shows and artists might tour with a set of performances, every show is unique. There are many variables that can impact a show directly, making each experience different from the last. Improvisation, audience participation, and surprising moments can make a show memorable. Singers might begin to sing in a different key than usual, actors can bring an audience member on stage, and an unexpected event can cause the show to change to a once in a lifetime memory.

The Emotional Impact:

The vivid sensory experience of a live performance is unlike anything else. Because of this, the emotions attached to it while you are there become much more pronounced, and this forges solid memories. More than a studio production, a live show has the power to evoke an even deeper emotional response due to the unfiltered energy that a band, singer, or actor exudes over the crowd. What makes it even more special is that that moment will never happen again.

The adventure and experience are why live performances deliver something no streaming platform can. Go to a show and have the time of your life!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul31

What Was I Watching?

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What Was I Watching?

Hello!!! This past weekend I got hit with the plague and didn’t get out of bed from Friday evening until Monday morning. It was boring, lonely, and disappointing because I had to miss out on a big work event that I was really looking forward to. All I could do was lay in my own misery, drink blue Gatorade, and watch a TON of TV. Now, I love a binge watch marathon just as much as the next person but this was way too much! Despite being completely blah about the situation and feeling my brains rotting, I did plow through a movie and several documentaries that I was meaning to watch so let’s discuss:

Piggy:

*Trigger warning* As a huge horror movie fan, I see a lot on my Facebook newsfeed about movies and shows that I might like. Earlier in the week, I learned about a Spanish horror movie called Piggy that was on Hulu. Long story short, it was about a girl named Sara who struggled with her weight and was bullied horrifically for it. A serial killer clocks her turmoil and abducts her tormentors and it is up to her to be either the hero or villain. It. Was. Phenomenal!

While I deeply enjoy American horror films, foreign scary movies are where it’s at. This flick didn’t offer too many jump scares but it was completely harrowing from start to finish. Sara was a character that was so easy to feel sympathetic for and was portrayed beautifully. Piggy had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through because she could be as monstrous as the killer or become a heroine. Watching her battle with this until making her final decision kept me guessing and engaged the whole way through. Highly recommend.

Dirty Pop:

My blogging bestie, Kate, and I revel in discussing documentaries together and when she told me about a new release on Netflix called Dirty Pop, I was all in. This doc was all about the founding of two of the biggest boy bands of all time, the Backstreet Boys and Nsync, under the guidance of Lou Pearlman. What seemed like the most wonderful dream come true thanks to Lou ended up being a nightmare for the bands and Pearlman’s “investors”. While Lou was living a life of luxury, the bands were making chump change. Eventually, the bands parted ways with Lou but that didn’t stop him from cultivating more popular boy bands of Y2K. How did he do it? By conducting the longest running Ponzi Scheme in history.

As a forever fan of this era of pop, I was totally shocked. I had no idea about any of this let alone who Lou Pearlman was. It was so crazy and sad to see such exorbitant spending on Lou’s part with absolutely no regards for the people he was hurting. So many of his investors lost their life savings because of him and I truly believe he didn’t plan on stopping or paying anyone back until he got caught. If you are always going to be stuck in your boy band era like me, this is a must watch!

The Man With 1000 Kids:

The Man With 1000 Kids was another Netflix documentary that Kate recommended and, once again, I was all in. Lol, what can I say we have very similar tastes! This doc was about a serial sperm donor named Jonathan Meijer who spread his seed throughout the Netherlands and countless other countries to people who were desperate to have a baby. There is a cap for the amount of times you can donate sperm in every country to avoid the risk of accidental incest. Jonathan never got the memo apparently and his offspring is estimated to be at around 1,000 worldwide despite his consistent low balling.

What a wild ride this documentary was! There were shocking twists and turns with every episode that literally had me clutching my pearls. It was incredibly difficult to watch the people who chose Jonathan as their donor struggle so badly when they learned about what he was doing. They had genuine fear for their children and rightly so. Thanks to the hard work of the parents who banded together to stop Jonathan, he was taken to court. The results? You’ll just have to watch it. 🙂

America’s Sweethearts:

*Trigger warning* And, finally, the last Netflix documentary I watched was called America’s Sweethearts and was all about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. I’m not really sure why I chose to watch this because it normally wouldn’t be my first choice. I’m glad I did, though, because it was addicting from the jump. This show explored the process of auditioning to be a part of the elite DCC squad, their training camp, and performing at football games. I was blown away by the talent, hard work, and drive of all of the cheerleaders. It had my old ass wanting to be a DCC girl too!

This doc was highly entertaining but I think it could be very triggering for people who are struggling with body image as a lot of the girls on the squad did too. As someone who had an eating disorder, it was hard to watch the girls meticulously counting calories, having meager meals, and being told their tummies need toned even if they are accomplished athletes in their own right. I had mixed emotions about America’s Sweethearts because being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader was a dream to every girl auditioning. But at what cost? You could literally see the mental health of some of the girls deteriorating and it made me hurt for them. If this is something you are comfortable watching, I would still recommend it and I am hoping for another season.

Even though I was bored to tears, I did enjoy the movie and documentaries I watched a lot. I am also happy I am feeling almost all the way better so I can take a break from the boob tube!!

Have you watched anything good recently? What are you currently binging on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun10

What Have We Been Watching?

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What Have We Been Watching?

Hello!! Johnny and I love to watch TV, movies, and documentaries together. It’s how we unwind after work and there’s nothing better than having something new to look forward to after a long day. For the past few months, we were definitely on a comfort show kick. The past few weeks, however, we have dived back into some pretty crazy documentaries that we both really enjoyed. In a spoiler free setting, I thought we would discuss a few of them today as well as my most recent guilty pleasure and a new quiz show. Let’s get to it:

Degrassi:

Ladies first, right?! Yes, I have been rewatching Degrassi: The Next Generation on HBOMax and it has been wonderful. Degrassi was mine and my sister’s JAM in high school and I have not seen it since then. I am pleased to report that the show still hits in adulthood. In fact, it seems to hit even harder. I remember the cast and a majority of the episodes. The details are a different story, though, and it is drama central! I have found that my favorite characters in high school have remained my favorite during my rewatch and it has been such fun to watch an episode or two every day!

The Contestant:

I learned about the documentary The Contestant because it was showing at the International Film Festival at Playhouse Square in Cleveland. The premise seemed extremely interesting and I was excited that it was on Hulu. Johnny and I watched The Contestant last week and it was a wild ride. Basically, a Japanese game show aired in the late 90s called My Life In Prizes. The Contestant, named Nasubi, had to survive off of food and prizes won from mail and phone contests until he reached one million Yen worth of spoils. Nasubi had no idea that for fifteen months, his time spent in isolation was being aired on TV for the world to see. The documentary explores the taping of the show, the aftermath it had on Nasubi, and how he managed to come out on top. There were times when this doc was hard to watch, but I would highly recommend it.

Lover, Stalker, Killer:

On Wednesday, Johnny and I decided to watch a documentary on Netflix called Lover, Stalker, Killer and WOW. It was freaking NUTS. In this Baby Reindeer-esque doc, we learn about a man named Dave and his online dating experience from hell. After his marriage ended, Dave turned to Plenty of Fish for some casual relationships. No strings attached, just fun. He got a whole lot more than he bargained for when he met Liz and Cari and was targeted in a deadly campaign of harassment. This documentary had so many plot twists that it made my head spin. In fact, it felt more like one of my beloved “LifeTime movie books” than real life. There was nothing fake about Lover, Stalker, Killer and it was harrowing from start to finish.

Dancing for the Devil:

One thing that Johnny and I are particularly interested in are cults and we have watched several docs pertaining to those that function online. The most recent one we watched was called Dancing for the Devil on Netflix. Long story short, a leader of a church saw the potential for profit from the viral dance trends on TikTok. He then formed a management company called 7M that targeted popular dancers on the platform. In Dancing for the Devil, we learn about the culty methods of 7M from people who escaped and the loved ones of those still in its grasp. The families and friends of people in 7M have had little to no contact with them since joining the management company. Those who have say they barely recognize their child, sibling, or friend since getting involved with 7M. This was a thought provoking documentary that showed the real life effects of online cults in real time.

The Quiz With Balls:

And, finally, on a lighter note – we have The Quiz With Balls lol. Johnny discovered this new game show airing on Fox through one of his podcasts. We decided to watch the first two episodes this past Thursday and I am SO glad we did. It is an absolute riot from start to finish. There are two families competing against each other to answer trivia questions. It goes like this: There are five correct answers for five family members and one wrong one. The family must select answers, stand in place, and prepare for a plunge into a pool if they are wrong. They will literally get hit by a gigantic ball into the drink for an incorrect answer. It is ridiculous, hilarious, and was a hoot to play along with. It also inspired us to watch quiz shows more often because we enjoyed the rack your brain challenge so much.

Call us couch potatoes if you will, but we prefer entertainment enthusiasts lol. I can’t wait to see what we watch next!

What are you currently watching? Do you have a documentary to recommend? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar25

Are You Ready To Rumble?!

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Are You Ready To Rumble?!

Hello! After years of himming and hawing, Johnny and I finally took the plunge and invested in the Peacock streaming service. We have been pretty impressed with their selection of scary movies and documentaries but, of course, the huge perk is binging The Office and Parks & Recreation for the millionth time! When we first got Peacock, we started noticing lots of commercials for wrestling events, primarily the Royal Rumble, and we became nothing short of intrigued. So much so that we invited our bestie, Cliff, over to watch it.

Within minutes of our first Royal Rumble viewing, we were hooked. We knew it was going to be a good time because we’re the three best friends that anybody could have, but we weren’t expecting this! It was the funniest, most ridiculous thing on planet Earth and watching big beefy men in Speedos trash talking is all we needed to turn us into wrestling super fans. Thanks to Peacock, we have access to over thirty years worth of Royal Rumbles and it has become our tradition to watch one almost every Saturday night.

Johnny and Cliff are my best boys and I look forward to our Saturday night dose of wrestling all week. We try to DoorDash something different every week for dinner, Cliff insists on making specialty Royal Rumble cocktails, and we settle in on the couch and have a ball. Normally, I can’t stand commercials on a streaming service but I am very grateful in this case. I don’t think we ever would have started our weekly tradition without it!

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Johnny and Cliff have been hard at work creating a new podcast (It’s awesome!) and I’m always touched that they take time out of their preparations to hang out and include little old me. Before our viewing of an early Royal Rumble this past weekend, they entrusted me to take promo shots for their podcast. They turned out EXCELLENT, if I do say so myself! While I can’t tell you the name of their show, I can say that it is airplane themed, which you probably figured out due to the pilot hats. My boys insisted that I wore one too because I’m part of their team and my heart melted. ❤

Johnny and Cliff have been best friends since kindergarten and nothing has changed in almost three decades. Ever since Johnny and I started dating, I have been welcomed with open arms into their hang outs and tom foolery and it means the world. As silly as it sounds, the Royal Rumble is now very special to me because it gave us our first BFF tradition all together. Bring on the Royal Rumble tonight, baby!!

Who else is a wrestling fan? What are some traditions you have with your besties? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov14

Subscription Boxes: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

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Subscription Boxes: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Hello!! I take my holiday shopping very seriously because I love being able to spoil my family and friends. We have been discussing lots of holiday gift options here on lifewithlilred and today we are going to continue on by chatting about the gift that keeps on giving – subscription boxes. Subscription gifts are awesome because it’s not just a present for Christmas but every month! This is a gift that will always go over well so let’s talk about some popular choices to treat your giftee to this holiday season:

Entertainment:

One of the most obvious subscription gifts has to be streaming services and there are plenty to choose from. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are all excellent for your standard viewing options and cover every genre imaginable. However, there are specialty streaming services like CrunchyRoll for anime fans or Shudder for horror buffs so bear this in mind if your giftee has one specific genre that they love. Remember, you don’t have to gift an entire year’s worth of a streaming service, either. Most of these services offer a three month, six month, or full year package.

Food, Glorious Food:

Is your giftee handy in the kitchen? If so, a meal kit subscription like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh could be a great choice. These kits offer meals for all kinds of different diets and are mindful to any allergies or restrictions. Not only will it be fun for your giftee to whip up something brand new but it is also a huge time savor too. A meal kit means that no grocery shopping is required – score! 😀

If your giftee isn’t too keen to cook, you can also do a subscription for DashPass to eliminate delivery fees on DoorDash. This is something that my Johnny would love because his favorite Sunday activity is DoorDashing Popeye’s or Steak N’ Shake lol.

Beauty:

It’s always nice to try out new makeup, bath and body care, and skin care and subscriptions to Ipsy, Sephora Play, or BirchBox allow you to do just that every month. This is a subscription that will be sure to please the beauty guru in your life and it gives them the opportunity to try products out without committing to a full price and full size item. As someone who deeply enjoys testing out new products, I would be thrilled to receive a beauty box subscription!

Ride Sharing:

Although ride sharing programs like Uber and Lyft don’t have a subscription, per se, they do offer gift cards. If your giftee lives for a night on the town, this could be a wonderful way to go. It’s always a blast to have a night out at a restaurant, bar, or theater but it’s never as good when you have to worry about transportation. A ride sharing gift card will fully eliminate this issue and can allow your giftee to let loose safely.

Oh You Crafty, Huh?

If you have some kiddos on your shopping list, fear not – there are lots of cool subscriptions for them too! Options like Little Passports and Cratejoy can provide your littles with a fun and educational craft every month. You can sweeten the pot of this gift by offering babysitting services to their parents so that they can have a night out and you and your lil giftee can complete the craft together. This is a total two for one gift deal and one that parents and children will both love!

Pet Parents:

Is your giftee the parent to a spoiled rotten pet? If so, you can’t go wrong with BarkBox! Pet subscription boxes will send you toys, treats, and chews for the beloved pet and will help deepen the bond with their owner. This is a really good option for pet parents because they are going to be receiving things that they would more than likely end up buying anyways. The money that they save can go to even more pet products! 😀

There is, truly, a subscription for every hobby and interest and it is a gift that everyone on your list will enjoy. The best part? No gift wrapping required!

Do you use any monthly subscription boxes? What is a subscription that you would like to receive? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct28

What Have We Been Watching? Scary Movies Edition

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What Have We Been Watching? Scary Movies Edition

Hello!! Johnny and I have been watching scary movies pretty much exclusively since the last week of September to prepare ourselves for spooky season. Of course, we do make exceptions for Lego Masters, Impractical Jokers, and Last Week Tonight! This month long scary movie marathon has been a hoot and I thought I would share a few of the ones that stood out for good or bad if you plan on watching some horror flicks this weekend. Now, let’s get to it:

Scream:

Very surprisingly to my husband, I have never seen the original Scream before and it was a really fun watch. This is the perfect flick to turn on for people who aren’t huge scary movie fans because, although it is a slasher, there is so much humor incorporated into it. Scream straight up makes fun of horror franchises as Ghostface does his thing and it achieves a nice balance of scary and silly. I would say Johnny and I watched more of the Scream movies but literally every single one BUT the second was on streaming services. *Face palm*

Old People:

This is a German Netflix movie that I put on while Johnny was taking a snooze and it was pretty good. As you can surmise, the old people are the villains and this was an interesting twist since it’s almost always a youngster lol. I can’t say that I would watch it again but it was worth the watch for what it was. Some parts were freaking nasty so be wary!

Nobody Sleeps In The Woods Tonight:

The plot of this Polish horror film on Netflix intrigued Johnny and me. In the summary, it says it’s about a group of technology addicted teenagers who go on a retreat where no cell phones can be used. The movie was about this for maybe ten minutes and then it turned super weird thanks to two ogre looking men who were transformed by a meteor. The first one was good and we were excited that there was a sequel. Don’t bother with it, however, because it sucked on ice and we turned it off before we even finished it.

Random Acts Of Violence:

Shudder is a streaming service that only has horror movies and TV shows. Random Acts Of Violence is a Shudder original and it was one of mine and Johnny’s favorites. Basically, a comic book writer begins to notice similarities of real life killings inspired by the serial killer in his books. The movies on Shudder can be hit or miss so we were surprised by how good it was. The artwork was also amazing and we loved when it would go from real actors to comic book style animation.

Dreamcatcher:

Dreamcatcher was another movie that we watched on Shudder and it was a bust. Actually, let me restate that. It was alright until the grand reveal began unfolding and *then* it was a bust. Long story short, there is a killer amongst a DJ, his management, and his fans. For a while, we had a good enough time trying to figure out who it was. Then, we did find out who it was and it was so stupid lol don’t bother with this one.

Last Shift:

This movie was on Netflix and it was one that actually scared me and Johnny. It’s about a rookie cop who is working a late shift alone at a rundown police department. What should be an easy night turns nightmarish when the lights go out and a cult leader and his followers appear to be making a comeback. This one was a wild ride and I would definitely watch it again.

The Collector/The Collection:

The Collector series is your basic booby trapped setting film but it’s done so well and Johnny and I have watched these movies a few times. Is the Saw-esque style the most original? No. But, the overall plot was good, the visuals were insane, and we also love Josh Stewart a la Criminal Minds who plays the main character. If you’re looking for a more fast paced horror movie and aren’t scared of some gore, then this is a great option.

Creep 1 & 2:

The Creep movies are on Netflix and Johnny and I are HUGE fans of them. It isn’t a jump out and scare you movie but it is so unsettling. In a found footage style, it covers whomever the “bad guy” feels like being on a given day and the person he hired to film him. Part hilarious, part plain weird, the Creep franchise definitely lives up to its name and we wish there were more of them!

Johnny and I have watched so many scary movies this month that I have forgotten some of them lol. However, the ones above were the first ones that stuck out to me for this post as a green light or a cautionary tale to not watch. Regardless of what you choose, enjoy your movie night!

Have you seen any of the movies that I mentioned? What did you think of them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun7

What To Watch When You’re Bored Of Netflix

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What To Watch When You’re Bored Of Netflix

Finding it tough to find something to watch these days? We’ve all been there. You’ve binged your favorites in two days, and now you’ve got the big black hole of Netflix where you’ve either seen everything or nothing appeals. You can waste a lot of time flicking between menus and never really watching anything!

So what can you do instead? The good news is that there’s a whole wide world out there of film and TV to watch. Who knows, you might even discover some hidden gems! Ready to dive in? It’s time to step away from Netflix and try the following:

Go to the movies:

While not particularly innovative, going to the movies can feel like a rare treat in the post-pandemic world. With most new movies making their way on-demand either instantly or in a matter of weeks, a lot of people take to watching them at home. But while watching movies at home is convenient, there’s still something magical about watching them on the big screen.

Take a look at the most anticipated movies of 2022 and book your tickets to see something at the theater. Dinner and a show, anyone?

Discover TV and movies from overseas:

What’s great about platforms like Netflix is that they help you discover shows you never heard of before. Great TV shows and movies are produced all over the world, and there are a lot of platforms where you can find some incredible new content. If you’re into anime, you can get access to a range of content at https://clearvpn.com/blog/entertainment/best-anime-torrent-sites/, and perhaps fall in love with a whole new genre. Or if you prefer reality shows, you can find the new series of Biggest Liar in Ghana to get your fix.

It’s fun to check out what’s popular across different countries and find some new shows that appeal to you. It’s also a great way to get introduced to a new language! Websites like 링크모음 also offer reviews from viewers which can be most helpful when you’re trying to find your next binge worthy series.

Rewatch childhood favorites:

If you can’t find something new to watch, then why not discover some old favorites instead? Revisiting some of your top shows and movies from when you were a kid is a great way to reminiscence and even share your nostalgia with others. From classic Disney to the shows you watched on Nickelodeon, it’s time to go back in time and give your old faves another watch.

Explore other on-demand platforms:

There’s a lot more to on-demand than simply watching Netflix. There are a lot of streaming services out there to choose from, including Amazon, Disney, and HBO – all with a lot of content to help you make some new discoveries. Most on-demand services come with free trials, giving you the perfect excuse to try something new!

While Netflix is home to some incredible shows and movies, it’s nice to branch out once in a while to keep your viewing fresh. When it is time to return to Netflix, there are some fantastic hacks to upgrade your evenings that will help you get the most from your chill time. Happy watching!

Featured Image By: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Mar4

Having A Laugh

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Having A Laugh

Hello! When it comes to mine and Johnny’s usual entertainment after the work day, we tend to enjoy more dramatic shows like Criminal Minds, Wentworth, and all of the true crime. Then, before bed we will turn on something funny. However, recently, all we have wanted to do was laugh and have been in hysterics over the following:

Step Brothers:

Step Brothers is my favorite comedy movie in the whole world and Johnny and I quote it daily. No matter how many times we watch it, we still laugh like it’s the first time we ever saw it. We have seriously watched it three times in the past month because it is such a comfort film and we never feel like scrolling through all of the movie options on our streaming services. Why Step Brothers didn’t win an Oscar for Best Movie Ever is beyond me!

UHF:

Johnny and I are huge “Weird Al” fans and, shockingly, I have never seen UHF until this past Sunday and it was SO. Funny. Taking a peek into Weird Al’s brain while watching this flick was nothing short of a delight and we have every intention of watching it again really soon. There were so many “wtf” moments in UHF and I truly couldn’t even lol. It has already become a much loved film to quote in our wide arsenal of movie quotes after just one watch.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022):

My husband and I both have a special spot in our hearts for all things horror and, despite the lackluster reviews of the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I really wanted to watch it. I am so glad that we did because we actually both ended up really enjoying ourselves regardless of the naysayers. Is it a traditionally funny film? Absolutely not. But like all classic slasher flicks, it was just so goofy and there were parts where we were in stitches.

If you are expecting the masterpiece that is the original TCM (My all time favorite horror movie), then don’t bother with the new one. However, if you are looking for a way to kill an hour and a half and you’re a slasher fan, then I say: Go for it!

Superbad:

Superbad is another movie that Johnny and I will put on when we can’t think of anything else to watch and it never disappoints. We’ve probably watched it over fifteen times in the two and a half years that we’ve been together! Superbad is yet another movie that works its way into our daily vernacular and it is much beloved by us and literally every single person in our friend group.

Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie:

Johnny and I love us some Tim & Eric and had a viewing of their Billion Dollar Movie after watching UHF on Sunday. They are straight up ridiculous and come up with some of the weirdest shit that I have ever seen and that is why we love them! Tim & Eric formed DOBIS (Doing Business) to earn the money back from a billion dollar movie they made that flopped and work to renovate an old mall. It is just as crazy weird as everything they always do and I would never expect anything less.

Maybe it’s the crappy weather Ohio has been having lately or the good old fashioned seasonal depression that have put Johnny and I in a comedy mood and I am so not mad about it. Everything seems a little better after a laughing sesh with all of our favorite funny movies!

What is your favorite comedy movie? What is your favorite streaming service? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar1

Using Tech To Improve Your Mental Health

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Using Tech To Improve Your Mental Health

Mental health is something that goes overlooked far too often. Throughout the pandemic, everyone’s screen time increased exponentially. Today, we’re going to explore some effective ways that we can use tech to improve mental health:

Entertainment and destressing:

Many of us feel like we need to destress and unwind at the end of a busy day or a stressful week. Technology offers us a host of entertainment options, which can lift our spirits, distract us from stressors, and help us to feel calmer and more relaxed. From interviews with music stars on TV shows like Tavis Smiley PBS and the latest movies to online games, TV box sets, and customized playlists, you can choose from a vast array of platforms, sites, apps, channels, and shows to enjoy your downtime, boost your mood, and chill out.

If you are finding it difficult to destress and unwind, even during a relaxing evening spent watching TV, then you may want to explore the amazing world of cannabis or CBD to enhance your relaxation. While this is not an option for everyone, it can be helpful. You can start by purchasing some CBD gummies or by visiting a well-established online weed dispensary Emeryville, or one more relevant to your location, to discover a strain that’s right for you.

Boosting physical health:

Looking after your body often has benefits for your mind. Mental and physical health are intertwined. More and more people are using tech to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and disease. Examples include using wearable activity trackers, food diary apps, and devices that monitor sleep quality and duration. Increasing activity levels, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can make a huge difference to your psychological well being.

Exercise makes you feel good, it aids sleep and it is also a natural stress buster. A nutritious diet fuels your body, preventing you from experiencing low energy levels and ensuring your body gets all the vitamins and minerals it needs. Sleep is vital for optimal mental health. If you’re tired, you may be irritable, your energy levels will be low, and you may experience mood swings. A lack of sleep can also increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.

Connecting with others:

Socializing and interacting with others is proven to enhance mental health. Human beings are naturally sociable creatures and we enjoy talking to others and spending time with friends and family. Technology has been instrumental in bringing people together and encouraging us to make new friends and stay in touch with family and friends even when we can’t get together in person. Technology can help to prevent isolation and loneliness.

Finding help and advice:

Many people find it hard to talk about mental health and they are reluctant to seek advice. Technology can help those who are struggling to find charities or organizations that provide help and connect with others who have been in the same situation. Using smartphones, tablets, and computers can also make it easy for people who want to reach out to find the relevant support by providing easy access to websites or contact details for doctors, therapists, and organizations that offer free advice. It can also be beneficial to join forums or social media groups to meet people who experience similar problems, particularly if you don’t feel comfortable opening up to people you know.

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Many of us are making an effort to protect and improve our mental health. Technology plays an increasingly integral role in modern healthcare and it can help to boost and nourish mental health. You can use tech to destress and have fun, connect with others, enhance physical health, and find help and support all from the comfort of your couch!

Featured Image By: Pixabay