Episode 1 of "Big Little Lies"

I'm writing this literally five minutes after having watched the first episode of season 2 of HBO's Big Little Lies. Spoiler alert if you plan to watch and don't want details. Historically I'm pretty bad at accurately describing everything I think or feel about a Streep performance very shortly after seeing it, but I also think there's something good about a fresh reaction. So please bare with me and my tendency to ramble.

Suffice it to say, Meryl has done it again. She's managed to surprise me. I pictured the character of Mary Louise Wright as someone a little bit "off," and I think I'm right in that respect. But Meryl figures out a way to undermine our suspicions and expectations of who we think a character is going to be in the first few scenes. There's an unsettling quirkiness about Mary Louise as she settles in Monterey to get to the bottom of how her son died. At the same time, she's the most put-together and in control of anyone in the town. There are enough glints, however, of her own (obviously mistaken) perception of her son, and how that opinion will shape her need for answers.



Basically, the first episode showcases how Bonnie is struggling with the fact that she's killed Perry by pushing him down the stairs to save Celeste. Celeste is having nightmares, and OMG all I could think about seeing Nicole Kidman with Meryl was how fucking awkward it would be to have to be hugged by the mother of your abusive dead husband, especially when that woman happens to be a little cuckoo (see scream scene). Madeline is maddeningly able to just seemingly move on fret about forcing her daughter to go to college, while Renata is not-so-politely instructing a super sexy teacher on how to educate her daughter. Jane's got a romance brewing with a co-worker and is refusing to accept estate checks from Celeste (since Perry was Ziggy's biological father).

I like how the directing seems to be consistent with the style of the first season. It would have been strange to feel like it was a completely different mood. Andrea Arnold has done a great job of maintaining that feel, as well as fashion a sort of melancholy tone for what's supposed to be an angsty return to the first day of school for the Monterey Five--contrasting that with the necessity for the moms to put on a show of normalcy.

As it stands Sunday night, the second season is at a whopping 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic. Both of those scores are higher than the very well-received first season, but could possibly go down a smidge as more reviews come in.

Two years ago I binge-watched the entire first season in one day on the advice of my friend Scooter. I'm mad I have to wait seven days to see episode two and six more tortuous weeks for the whole story. But it'll be fun taking in the slow burn of all the fun twists and turns that the show and Mary Louise have in store as season unfolds.

First reviews of "Big Little Lies" cite Streep as standout

We're exactly a week away from the debut of the first episode of season 2 of Big Little Lies. A couple of days ago, reviews started to come in from critics, whom I believe were made privy to the first two episodes. The general consensus is that the second season is very good. More excitingly, Streep is being singled out for Emmy love in most accounts I've read. Not that this is particularly shocking...Meryl is usually best in show. But up alongside the likes of Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and and Laura Dern, it's still a tall task to stand out.

There are only five official reviews on both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, but the season is charting at 80% on RT and whopping 81 on MC. Certainly we'll get more reviews once the show actually airs and everyone gets to see all the episodes. But so far, things look pretty promising for how viewers are going to react to the quality of round two of the series. 

Can't wait 'til next weekend!

Streep attends premiere of season 2 of "Big Little Lies"

Along with the rest of the cast, Meryl walked the red carpet at the premiere of season 2 of Big Little Lies last night in New York City.

Looking lovely as always. I was also happy to find a video of a panel she was part of earlier in the day with costars Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern and Nicole Kidman. The best I could find was the Facebook feed from The Wing's page. Nothing on YouTube I'm able to embed unfortunately, so click on the link below. Some wonderful pearls of wisdom from the ladies of Monterey. Don't worry, it's only sideways for the first couple minutes:

https://www.facebook.com/thewingnyc/videos/2461167733903172/

The men of "Big Little Lies" talk season 2

Jeffrey Nordling, James Tupper and Adam Scott stopped by Good Morning America the other day to discuss the upcoming season of Big Little Lies. Normally I wouldn't post a video like the one below, but they talk about Meryl a bunch, so thought I should share. My favorite little snippet comes at 1:52. Enjoy.

Streep to narrate "Charlotte's Web"

People has announced that Streep will be the first to record a narration of E.B. White's Charlotte's Web since the author did so way back in 1970. I normally don't get too into Meryl's audio work, but this book was my favorite growing up, later followed by a wonderful animated feature starring the voice talents of Debbie Reynolds.

According to the article, Streep will lead a full cast of voices for the audiobook. I didn't see why they're re-recording the novel at this point. Perhaps they thought fifty years was long enough between versions.  The book is set for release by Listening Library this October.

New look to Word on the Streep!

Happy Friday, everyone. I've been kind of itching to switch up the look of the blog a little. So as I'm sure you've noticed if you've ever visited before, the layout has changed. This is probably the third or fourth(?) iteration of the blog's background since I started it in 2011. I just chose one of the simple options Blogger has to offer, and I have to say I enjoy how clean and easy to read all the fonts are. 

You might also notice that I've added a couple of new items off to the right. There's a list of the most-visited posts from the last year, as well as a translate button for those who may prefer to read the blog in a non-English language. Blame Google if it doesn't translate well, but I expect it will be adequate. 

Hope you like the new look!

New trailer for season 2 of "Big Little Lies"

HBO has released a second, full trailer for the upcoming season of Big Little Lies:



This trailer is juicier and showcases how on edge the "Monterey Five" are following Perry's death. A detective is on the case, and more importantly of course Meryl's character is particularly skeptical of how everything went down. She gets a little prickly with Nicole Kidman and I like how she sneers "You left that out, too." We don't know where Mary Louise is getting her info (maybe the detective), but it makes for good drama. 

Can't wait for when this returns on June 9!