Monday, October 28, 2013

"Personalize"

The new Personalize tab allows you to further personalize your Netflix experience. Taking the short survey helps Netflix give you better suggestions. The tab is located next to the Just For Kids tab at the top of the page. Clicking on the tab will bring up a pop up screen with the following information, "Finding suggestions for you just got easier... Simply start rating and we'll find hidden gems just for you. The more you rate, the smarter our suggestions get. It takes just 2 minutes... First, tell us how often you watch these genres..."

After clicking "Lets Go" a list of genres appears, and you must choose one of three answers on how often you watch each of them. The three choices are: Never, Sometimes, and Often; on the right of the page, you can click to have examples shown. Next, a ton of movies will appear with five stars underneath each, rate each movie. After rating movies from each genre, Netflix provides you with suggestions based on the data you have completed. Rating more movies/shows gives Netflix more accurate information that is used to make your Netflix experience, as enjoyable as can be. Your interests will be shown in your suggestions on the main screen. I would recommend going through the personalizing steps, it is fast and helps your Netflix reflect you and your interests. I will continue to rate programs so i get more suggestions that fit my personality and interests. 

Holiday Programs

The holidays are near, and Netflix has a variety of programs available to watch. Some titles include: Christmas Angel, Christmas Cupid, Christmas Lodge, A Christmas Puppy, and more traditional titles such as Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer, Christmas Carol, Charlie Brown's Christmas, and many many more. Children and adults alike love to watch a good Christmas movie. This Christmas season, find your favorite holiday film on Netflix. 

ABC Family has posted several great holiday movies. These, just like others involve a love story. TLC has also posted Extreme Christmas Trees which shows many well, extremely decorated Christmas trees. Other programs range from children's cartoons to adult love stories. Each ties in the Christmas spirit that we all love. Although not everyone celebrates Christmas, the movies and television shows may still interest those who don't. 

Cuddling up on the couch next to the warm fire, holding a mug full of your favorite hot chocolate will be even more comforting while watching a Netflix film. Whether funny or serious, the films incorporate the holiday season and all the good (or not so good) things that come with it. There are children's holiday movies listed under the "Just For Kids" tab but also in the regular Netflix setting. Be sure to check the rating before letting the family watch the film together, just in case but enjoy the holiday time spent together with a great Netflix program. 

Long Island Medium

Long Island Medium is a television series that shows the life of Theresa Caputo. She lives in Long Island, New York and has the special talent of communicating with the dead. Theresa can help families, friends, or others by letting them know what the dead have to say. It can be like the final message the loved ones get to hear. On Netflix there is two seasons available. Season one contains nine episodes, and season two contains fourteen episodes. Long Island Medium is a TLC network series and is listed under the genres of TV Shows, and Reality TV. The show is rated TV-PG. 

Long Island Medium shows Theresa in different situations and gatherings, some may be random people on the street that she feels a connection with, and some may be organized meetings. One episode, she even had to go to a baby shower. She is able to connect with their loved ones on the other side. This helps her clients find closure from people who have passed away. 

Whether the show is a hundred percent accurate, I am not sure. I do find this series to be very entertaining and a bit emotional. Seeing people connect with those who have passed is very interesting but also sad.They are reminded of their horrible deaths, but can also find happiness with Theresa's help.  A review on Netflix says, "You know, this show is amazing just because it shows you that everyone has a story and is struggling with something. I don't care if it's real or fake, she gives happiness and peace of mind to others around her." There were many similar posts, such as, "Look, I don't care if it's made up gibberish. It's entertaining and inspiring. She's giving hope to these people." Others disagree... the following quote was also a review on Netflix, "This woman is a con artist and a fraud who should be in prison. It makes me sick to see her manipulate people's emotions and get paid for it. Only a sociopath could be so cruel as to bilk the bereaved for money." This user had also rated the show one out of five stars. 

The topic of being able to communicate with the dead is a very controversial one, which explains why the comments were varied. I'm not sure if the show is accurate, but putting that aside, I think the show is worth watching, just like most of the TLC programs. I think TLC does a great job of opening people's minds to lifestyles that most wouldn't consider "normal". The show is worth watching to experience different aspects of life, and that everyone has their own story and struggles. 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Baby Daddy

Baby Daddy is an ABC Family series about a young bartender Ben, and his story of becoming a father. His daughter Emma is dropped off on the doorstep of his apartment, by an ex-girlfriend. Ben learns that the mother plans to put Emma up for adoption, but after the first day he is emotionally attached and wants to keep the baby. Although this news comes to a surprise to all of them, Ben, his mother, roommate, brother, and friend (who has a crush on Ben) all plan to help out to help raise baby Emma. They all become a sort of family and although it is difficult and very confusing, they start to figure out what to do.

Season one (ten episodes) and two (fifteen episodes) are available on Netflix under the genres of TV Shows, TV Comedies, and Sitcoms. The show is characterized as goofy, quirky, and feel-good. I find the show to be very funny and entertaining and a bit addicting. The plot is easy to relate to because the situations are very realistic. Although you don't find a baby on your door step everyday, the family conflicts, relationships, and the everyday struggles are realistic. 

The show was created by Daniel Berendsen and is rated TV-14. Comments include: "I think this show is hilarious and has definitely became one of my favorite shows! Netflix has to keep on playing these shows and more episodes," and "Loveee this show! Its a feel good and is always a good laugh." Reading through other comments I came across a couple that said Baby Daddy is a lot similar to Raising Hope, whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, depended on the viewer. If you are familiar with Raising Hope and enjoyed it, I would recommend watching Baby Daddy and seeing how it compares. Overall I think it is a great show and I can't wait for more episodes!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was created in 2008, based on the tragedies of World War 2, especially concentration camps and the conditions of them. A family, including the commandant of the concentration camp (as the father) moves to the country side, which happens to be near one of the camps. While exploring the house, the eight year old son, Bruno sees the camp outside his window. He thinks that it is a farm, in which the farmers wear pajamas (which are actually the prisoner's uniforms). Bruno becomes very curious about the "farm" but his mother forbids him from exploring the back yard (where the two fences meet). While his parents and guards aren't looking Bruno sneaks off to the fence and finds a young Jewish boy his age on the other side. 

Being so young, it is hard for Bruno to understand why these people are put in these horrible camps and why they aren't allowed to be friends. Throughout the movie, Bruno sneaks off to talk, give his friend food, and play games. But it can be hard to maintain a friendship with an electric fence in the middle of the two children. After watching one of his father's propaganda films, Bruno views the camps with a different perception. He believes they are fun and supply the needs of the members.

Because of the horrible things happening at the time, the movie was very hard to watch. I found some parts (especially the ending) were disturbing. The movie definitely gave a realistic impression of what was happening during the war. Seeing what the time was like for a family on the other side (not in a concentration camp) was very interesting. I felt bad for the mother, she didn't agree with what her husband had been doing. After finding out about burning the concentration camp members in the ovens, she becomes very sickened and depressed. The father doesn't care about his families views on the issue. He says he is doing what is best for the country, his view point changes at the very end of the movie. Overall the movie is very sad but an eye opening film; I wish it had ended differently but I thought it was very good.

The movie is based on the novel by John Boyne, and is rated PG-13. Opening weekend (in the U.S) profits were $253,085 and was rated a 7.7 out of 10. On Netflix it is listed under the categories of: Dramas, Dramas Based on Books, Tearjerkers, British Movies, Dramas Based on Contemporary Literature, 20th Century Period Pieces, and British Dramas. The movie is listed as dark and emotional.

Comments on Netflix include: "This movie didn't turn out the way I planned it would. It is one of the most tear-jerking movies I have ever seen. I usually do not get anxious during the peak of the story but in this case I did. It is definitely a must-watch!", and "It shows a side of the holocaust and the Germans seldom portrayed in films or documentaries, and the innocence of the children in the midst of evil. This is a MUST WATCH film, and I think if more people knew what the film was really about it would get more media attention." People on Netflix enjoyed the movie and thought it was very powerful. I would recommend it... but be prepared for tears. I would not recommend this movie for young children because of the harsh history involved in the film.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Tanked

Tanked is a reality TV series about the nation's largest and most extreme, aquarium companies. While their headquarters is located in Las Vegas, two friends Wayde King and Brett Raymer travel the country building the most outrageous fish tanks (hence the name Tanked). On Netflix, Tanked is categorized as Reality TV, TV shows, and Animals and Nature Reality TV. The series is rated TV-PG.

Although there is only one season with 6 episodes, the show got many positive reviews, such as: "You will enjoy it! It is creative, interesting to me to watch the two build the tanks and find the fish and decorations to put in the tank for their clients. I hope Netflix adds more episodes," and "Please Netflix get the other seasons for this awesome show." 

Along with the amazing fish tanks, there is plenty of drama. Between the organization of projects or conflict between members of the work team, each episode shows the struggles with the job and the relationships. The end is my favorite part because you get to see the final product and how great it looks. I also like to see the clients reactions to the products. The wide variety of materials it takes to complete each project is very interesting. Wayde and Brett find a way to incorporate many tools to create the right look for the client, such as the container style, the decorations, and the type of fish. It is fascinating how they are familiar with so many different types of fish and their requirements. 

Many reviews find the show to be comical. One review states, "three words: MY, FAVORITE, SHOW! It is hilarious, I cant sit there for an hour watching this and not laugh." The main complaint about the series is that Netflix hasn't put any more seasons on. People enjoy the show a lot and want more episodes to continue to watch the show. Overall it is a great show and it is amazing how creative and talented the two men are. 

Disney

Most children have watched at least one Disney program; whether they outgrew them or still watch them, like reliving their childhood by watching these movies. Netflix has plenty of Disney movies and television shows to keep any group entertained, old and new. Some titles of older movies include Hercules, Pocahontas, The Fox and the Hound, Dumbo, and many others. New twists on movies include Mulan 2, Lilo and Stitch 2 and Leroy and Stitch, The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2, and more. New Disney movies include Read it and Weep, Geek Charming, Lemonade Mouth, and several others. The originals and the sequels, or twists are sorted together to make watching your favorite Disney movies easy.

Recently I have watched Mulan, Pocahontas, Hercules, and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Lilo and Stitch is one of my favorites, so I have watched that recently as well. Another I have watched recently, that is available on Netflix is The Emperor's New Groove. I enjoyed all of these as I have when I was younger. I believe you are never to old to watch a good Disney movie!

Disney programs can be found under the "Just For Kids" tab, under the Disney category. Because these movies are placed in "Just For Kids", they are appropriate for young kids. Disney also has choices of TV series such as Phineas and Ferb, Jessie, and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Both of these series are popular on the television network. Teenagers may also enjoy programs on the "Just For Kids" tab because it gives them a chance to relive their childhood and watch their favorite movies from when they were young.

Disney Channel movies are movies that are premiered on the television network instead of on VCR or DVD  a list of these include: Cadet Kelly, Cow Belles, Camp Rock, Cheetah Girls, Cheetah Girls 2, Girl vs Monster, Geek Charming, Lemonade Mouth, Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, Read it and Weep, Avalon High, High School Musical, High School Musical 2, Princess Protection Program, and Phineas and Ferb the Movie: across the 2nd Dimension. These movies vary from old to newer and are found, again in the "Just For Kids" tab under the Disney category.

Because Disney has multiple programs such as Disney Junior, Disney Channel, and Disney XD, there is something available for every interest and age group. Netflix allows you to have all three in one convenient place. Also, with Netflix available on a wide range of devices, the children can all be watching what they choose, instead of fighting over what movie or channel to watch.