Finding Your Way to the Abbey

Every winter season in Chicago, I find a TV show and series to carry me through the winter blues. It helps keep me sane. Last year, it was Friday Night Lights. The year before, Modern Family. And this year, while Dexter appeared to be my new favorite show keeping me trapped in my room dressed in sweats, it isn’t.

After hearing much about Downton Abbey on all of the blogs I read, I decided to look into this show, which I’ll admit, I thought was Downtown Abbey. This miniseries airs on PBS Masterpiece and follows the lives of one aristocratic family and their servants–a bit a rather enjoy. I’ve now found myself unable to stop thinking about the show and wondering when I’ll get to watch it again. And despite appearances, it has nothing to do with the accents. It’s all about the music and that library!

I’m sure my dreams appreciate going to sleep after watching an episode about the Crawley family instead of the serial killer ways of Dexter Morgan.

Take Me Home From the Fest

The 47th Chicago International Film Festival started last week and boy has it already been a whirlwind. After screening a plethora of films, I’m heading in to see others I missed.

Our Junior Board screened Take Me Home this past weekend and Director, Writer, Producer and actor Sam Jaeger made time to hang out in the Lincoln Lounge with all of us. His film was the first one I saw for the Fest and absolutely fell in love with it. Below is the synopsis I wrote for the film:

“Thom (Sam Jaeger, NBC’S Parenthood) just can’t win. After losing a job offer and getting evicted, he decides to buckle up as an illegal New York City cab driver. When he picks up Claire (Amber Jaeger), they embark on a trip neither one anticipated. This comedy finds solace in the back seat of a cab, the landscape of the USA, and even in a complete stranger. This classic road movie shows how a little cross-country drive can lead you to a different exit.”

Even got to present the film to the audience and conduct the Q&A afterwards. Not bad, clearly this Junior Board thing has its perks…

Aside from a great film, the music score is crazy good from a band called Bootstraps. They take all of your favorite Indie bands and roll them into one. Seriously hoping they tour and soon!

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