Where I Watched It: My local PBS station.

Would I Recommend It: Yes.  A big big yes.

My Review: Do you have even a passing interest in Hamilton and/or American history?  This documentary tracks the creation of the Broadway sensation as well as the history that inspired.  It also gives us the best look we've seen of a professional recording of Hamilton on Broadway as well as much more of their performance at the White House.  Interviews with the cast and a wide range of historians and politicians (including President Barack Obama) explain to us just how important Hamilton​ is as both an art form and a political statement.  Do yourself a favor and watch this the first chance you get.

Where I Watched It: Netflix.

Would I Recommend It: Yes.

My Review: I can say for sure I was not expecting to love Luke Cage as much as I did.  It proves that Netflix's ability to meld superheroes and the current societal culture in Jessica Jones wasn't a one off.  Mike Colter is Marvel's first black lead actor, and he leads a cast of mostly minority actors.  You can read about people unironically complaining about the lack of white representation at Salon.com.  The show fully embraces the unique struggles a black superhero crusading through modern day Harlem would experience, all while set to an amazing hip hop soundtrack.  Although it was filmed before the Black Lives Matter movement began to dominate headlines, it fully embraces the movement's crusade.  As is said in the finale, "Who would have thought a black man in a hoodie would be a hero?"  Log on to Netflix and watch this show as soon as you can.

Where I Watched It: Xfinity On Demand.

Would I Recommend It: Yes.

My Review: Considering how much I love baseball, it's amazing I didn't catch the pilot episode when it first aired.  This is the first show to feature unprecedented access to Major League Baseball.  That means no awkward alternate universe with fake baseball teams like we've seen in the past.  This allows the show to focus on the real issues that would accompany being the first female athlete in any of the four major American sports leagues.  It's a complex situation that would impact so many different societal issues that you can expect new and interesting storylines each week.  The show itself is high quality and shows it, which concerns me because a high price tag could require higher ratings to keep the show going.  But it would be worth it.  The characters are interesting enough right now to keep me coming back.  And the visuals are spectacular enough for this baseball nerd to watch over and over again.  My only complaint is that her first victory had to come against my beloved Giants.

by Christina

Hi everyone!  I'm starting some new features here at ALNM (which I'm sure Kelly will be THRILLED about when she returns).  So be sure to keep an eye out for some new interactive posts and original content in the new future.  Let's start off with "What I Watched This Weekend" below!

Where I Watched It: Hulu

Would I Recommend It: Yes.

My Review: This may not satisfy people who want a deep comprehensive look at The Beatles career or the men who changed the face of pop culture, but that is not what this documentary is meant to do.  This film takes a look at a specific moment in history and shows the impact it had on the band and society as a whole.  The touring years are a period often looked over in other Beatles anthologies it seems.  Seeing the impact it had on the band (leading to them not performing live anymore) helped give you a better understanding of how young they were at the time and unprepared for the fame they garnered.  That fact is often buried beneath their legacy.  Also seeing celebrities talk about being young themselves and how much seeing the band live meant to them was one of my favorite parts of the film.  Definitely give it a watch when you have a chance, even if you don't think you're a fan of The Beatles early work.