Stream: What to Watch this Weekend

Hello, friends! After a rainy week, the sun is shining today and it feels like one of those gorgeous, Fall, New England days that you only see in movies. 

Let's talk streaming, starting with a few things coming up:

  • Wednesday, November 17 - I can't believe I am typing this, but Tiger King is returning to Netflix for a season two. I haven't decided if I'll watch. 
  • Friday, November 19 - I am oddly fascinated by Blown Away, the glass blowing competition on Netflix. They are releasing a holiday season with five all stars. Should be fun! 
  • Wednesday, November 24 - The day before Thanksgiving, Netflix will drop the new season of Selling Sunset. I am obsessed with this show, which follows the high fashion women of the Oppenheim Group as they sell some of the most luxurious homes in Los Angeles. 
  • Wednesday, December 1 - The Real Housewives of Orange County return to Bravo. Heather Dubrow rejoins the cast after many years away. Do you remember the mansion she and Terry were building the last time they were on the show? I can't wait to see it now. 
  • Friday, December 3 - The Great British Baking Show returns to Netflix with a holiday-themed competition. I don't watch this show, but I know many of you are obsessed. 

This week I have two recommendations for you. 

1. Taste of the Nation: Holiday Edition (Hulu) - I devoured the debut season of Padma Lakshmi's food show, Taste of the Nation, and now she's back with four holiday episodes. I loved these even more than the whole first season. 

Taste of the Nation

Episode one takes places in New York City and is all about the traditions of Hanukkah. Padma starts her food tour at Russ & Daughters, which she described as a "love letter to schmear." She also celebrates in the home of Deb Perelman of the wildly popular food blog and cookbooks, Smitten Kitchen

The second episode takes us to Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, as Padma speaks to members of the Wompanoag tribe about how they feel about Thanksgiving. She learns about the tribe's food rituals, all rooted in things that grow naturally on their land. 

From Massachusetts to Miami! Episode three is about Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) in the Cuban community in Miami. It features a pig roast, so if you are vegetarian or vegan and that makes you squeamish, you've been warned. 

In the Miami episode, Padma meets the chef owner of Ariete, who is putting modern spins on classic Cuban dishes. She also visits the Afro-Cuban food truck, the Rumcake Factory. The rum cakes looked so amazing that I am determined to get there on a future trip!

My parents moved to Miami in 2005, and for the past 16 years I have heard countless stories from Cuban immigrants about how they left the island and started over in Florida. The families featured in this episode shared so many memories that I've heard before. This is truly a collective trauma. 

The fourth and final episode takes place in Koreatown in Los Angeles. Padma comments on the rise of K-Pop, K-dramas, and Korean beauty and skincare in the U.S., and how that has also sparked many Americans to want to get know more about Korean food. 

I was drooling as Padma enjoyed dish after dish of seasoned vegetables, kimchi, and piping hot soups and noodles. She also spends a great deal of time talking with the children of the Korean immigrants to the U.S. People who are now in their 30s and 40s and struggling to balance their parents' traditions with how they want to live here in the U.S. For example, respects for elders came up in every conversation. 

The reason this show is so powerful is because it's all about how food can be an expression of love, joy, pain and grief. I can't recommend it enough. 

2. Justin Bieber: Our World (Amazon Prime) - I have watched a lot of concert documentaries in the pandemic - Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, Ariana Grande, Pink - and last night I decided to give this one about the Biebs a try. 

It's a mix of self-shot footage (by Justin himself), behind the scenes moments from rehearsals, and then the actual concert he performed on December 31, 2020 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. 

Justin Bieber

Though I don't love Justin's most recent music, so many of his early hits are true bops. I found myself singing along several times. Also, I forgot he can really dance! 

My favorite parts were hearing from the people who have been on tour with him for 10 years. His choreographer, his DJ, his bass player, his security lead - they've all stayed with him through his entire career. 

If you like these kinds of movies, this one is an easy watch! 

There you have it. This week's top picks. Happy streaming. 

*Images courtesy of Unsplash, CNN and uDiscover Music

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

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