As the snow (yes SNOW) began to fall around the city this weekend, I spent some time catching up on the list of film and television shows that I have had on my radar or PVR. First, I have been a huge fan of HBOs drama series The Deuce telling the story of the rise of NYC's porn industry-- especially as I was sad to see the cancellation of its other 1970s-setting series Vinyl last year-- and have enjoyed watching the multiple and complex narrative unfold over its first eight episodes. I have blogged a lot (too much!) about James Franco and his art world ambitions in the past, but I must say that he does a fantastic and very convincing job playing two roles in the series (as twins Vincent and Frankie Martino), and Maggie Gyllenhaal is incredible playing street prostitute turned early pornography director/entrepreneur Candy Merrell. The finale episode just aired, and if you have not yet seen this very path-breaking series, I highly recommend binge watching immediately.

Second, I was able to catch a screening of Blade Runner 2049 in theatre, and all I can say is WOW!! I was not at all expecting to enjoy the sequel to one of my very favourite films of the futurist action genre as much as I did, but director Denis Villeneuve essentially channels the best of Ridley Scott's vision, and the pace, look, feel, and even sound design of the movie is kept true to the original. Rarely if ever do sequels measure up in this way, and so again, I highly recommend experiencing this film on the big screen. And finally, I am about halfway through Alias Grace, the CBC-Netflix adaptation of Margaret Atwood's novel by the same name. Not only am I enjoying the plot and narrative of the series in terms of how it is adapted from the novel, but it is impossible not to see the critical parallels of the series' themes concerning women's struggles and socio-economic systems that shape their lives past, present, and fututre (as with The Handmaid's Tale). I cannot wait to finish it up tonight! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday evening-- I hope you get to enjoy some of your screen favourites too-- and enjoy the links!