Streaming Without A Paddle

This week on the podcast "Streaming Without A Paddle" Andrew and Ted talk about the Jake Johnson (New Girl, Minx, Let's Be Cops) written and directed Hulu original "Self Reliance" (1 hour 29 min.). Tommy (Jake Johnson) is plucked from the streets of L.A. by Andy Sanberg (playing himself) and offered to take an adventure for which he (Andy Samberg) knows nothing about. Tommy agrees and off to an abandoned L.A. warehouse where Tommy is offered the opportunity to participate in a "dark web reality series". For thirty-days, Tommy must elude a number of individuals who are playing / trying to kill him. Should Tommy survive the thirty-days he will win 1 Million Dollars. The movie also stars Anna Kendrick with appearances by Emily Hampshire (Schitts Creek), Natalie Morales (No Hard Feelings), and Bill Wiff.

This week on Streaming Without A Paddle Andrew and Ted sat down to discuss, spoiler free, what they thought of the Peacock TV release of the Golden Globe nominated film "The Holdovers", starring Paul Giamatti, first-time feature actor Dominic Sessa, and Tony Award winning actress Da'Vine Joy Randolph. "The Holdovers" is about a smart but angry at life professor at an all boys prep / private school and a smart yet troubled teen student who are left in each others care and company at the school for Christmas break after the student's parents decide to have him stay at the school while they go on their honeymoon and a professor who draws the short stick. The two, through the course of a number events, strike a bond ultimately enriching their own lives as they find common ground.

This week Andrew and Ted sit down in the Streaming Without A Paddle Studios to discuss, spoiler free, their thoughts about HULU's sequel to HULU's 2021 release Vacation Friends ... Vacation Friends 2. The question is, as with any sequel, did it live up to the original? Well and Andrew and Ted definitely have an opinion about that as well as Andrew and Ted take a sidebar to discuss, once again, who the better wrestling actor is amongst Cena, The Rock, and Bautista. The surprise to that sidebar is that name Jeff Jarrett (Spring Breakers) gets thrown into the mix. Special, albeit a short visit, guest Ted's wife Paige calls into the show. It is yet another fun show.

This week Andrew and Ted sat down an watched Netflix's original "Heart of Stone" from the production company that is behind all the "Mission Impossibles" ... Skydance. Starring Gal Gadot, Alia Bhatt, Jamie Dornan, with supporting roles by Matthis Schweighofer and Sophie Okonedo ... in this mulit-governmental intelligence based mystery / thriller. Tune in to listen to Andrew and Ted as they share their thoughts about performances, script / story, and much more as they tend to stray from time to time.

This week Andrew and Ted watched the Netflix original "Happiness for Beginners" starring Luke Grimes (Yellowstone) and Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt). This Rom/Com co-stars Gus Birney, Ben Cook, Esteban Benito, Nico Santos, Alexander Koch, Julia Shiplett, and Shayvawn Webster. Helen (Ellie Kemper) has just gotten divorced from her husband, a guy apparently no one within her family really cared for, so she sets out on a week long adult only guided hiking trip. Low and behold her little brother's (played by Alexander Koch) best friend Jake (played by Luke Grimes) happens, not by chance, to be on the same guided hiking trip. The plot twist is that Jake has always, even since childhood, been in love with Helen and since the families are close, Jake knew Helen was going on this hike so he signed up as well. Helen isn't the only one going through "life issues", Jake had to stop being a doctor because he suffers from retinitis pigmentosa a disease that causes on to lose their sight. The question is ... does this week long escapade lead to Helen and Jake finding true love or does the week provide a new light about Helen to Jake and he realizes he has been wrong all these years. Well Andrew and Ted won't tell you that but they will let you know if they recommend the movie or not.

The acting / portrayal performances were, across the board, outstanding. It was surprising as well as refreshing to see Mark Wahlberg step out of his typical acting methodology into this role. Mel Gibson, once again, makes viewers forget his personal issues / troubles, at least for a moment, and reminds them that he is truly an artisan of his craft. While the story itself seems to have "moments" that might cause one to reach for their electronic devices to check weather or social media, in the end it is a heart warming / feel good movie.