Entertainment – Maria Lokken https://marialokken.com I just wanna tell stories Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:03:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://marialokken.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/emptypixel.png Entertainment – Maria Lokken https://marialokken.com 32 32 The Diplomat https://marialokken.com/2023/04/25/the-netflix-series-the-diplomat-starring-keri-russell-is-a-fast-paced-political-thriller-that-demands-your-full-attention/ https://marialokken.com/2023/04/25/the-netflix-series-the-diplomat-starring-keri-russell-is-a-fast-paced-political-thriller-that-demands-your-full-attention/#comments Tue, 25 Apr 2023 23:34:40 +0000 https://marialokken.com/?p=16046 Read more]]> The Netflix series -The Diplomat, starring Keri Russell, is a fast-paced political thriller that demands your full attention.

If you’re thinking of tuning in while you make dinner, do your nails, or balance your financial books – you might have a re-think. With each episode featuring political maneuvering and subterfuge – you’re going to want to give the story your full attention.

Keri Russell delivers a standout performance. In fact, all the women in this series are bona fide kick-ass-take-no-prisoners complex characters. Well written. Well acted.

The series ends on a cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers. I’m talking about a four-wheel drive dangling at the edge of a mountain cliff by one inch of tire tread on the left rear wheel.

Created by Executive Producer Debora Cahn. She was also the writer and executive producer on the Showtime series Homeland, Grey’s Anatomy, and The West Wing. The Diplomat is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys political thrillers. I highly recommend it!

]]> https://marialokken.com/2023/04/25/the-netflix-series-the-diplomat-starring-keri-russell-is-a-fast-paced-political-thriller-that-demands-your-full-attention/feed/ 1 Aging https://marialokken.com/2023/04/23/ever-heard-of-the-expression-grow-old-gracefully-theres-a-certain-amount-of-wisdom-in-that/ https://marialokken.com/2023/04/23/ever-heard-of-the-expression-grow-old-gracefully-theres-a-certain-amount-of-wisdom-in-that/#comments Sun, 23 Apr 2023 23:34:01 +0000 https://marialokken.com/?p=16043 Read more]]> Ever heard of the expression – grow old gracefully? There’s a certain amount of wisdom in that.

We all grow old. Perhaps with technological breakthroughs, we’ll be able to maintain our physical youth well into our eighties. That time is not yet here.

Faces sage. Bones get brittle. It takes more effort to run a marathon. Chores take longer to do. But hey—there’s an upside. By the time you reach your 60s and 70s, you are so comfortable in your own skin that it doesn’t matter if there are lines, wrinkles, and poor eyesight because you’re no longer trying to keep up with everyone else. You’re just trying to keep up with yourself.

Here’s where I’m going with this. Have you seen what Madonna has done to herself in the name of chasing the fountain of youth? And she’s not the only one—“Housewives” of….name a city—Beverly Hills, Orange County, New Jersey; these women are not just chasing the fountain of youth, they are riding the wings of jet propulsion packs to reverse the signs of aging. Lips so big they don’t fit their faces.

Anyway—back to Madonna.

She is unrecognizable. If you hadn’t told me that was her, I wouldn’t have known. But trying to turn back time on your face, instead of embracing the beauty that is about a ‘lived’ life, is sad.

I, for one, will not erase the badges of courage, defiance, joy, laughter, sorrow, enlightenment, sickness, health, celebrations, anger, desire, fulfillment, disappointment, failings, and successes that I wear on my face! I wear them proudly and this face loudly proclaims – this is ME!

Deal. With. It.

]]> https://marialokken.com/2023/04/23/ever-heard-of-the-expression-grow-old-gracefully-theres-a-certain-amount-of-wisdom-in-that/feed/ 1 What to Watch on Netflix https://marialokken.com/2015/07/27/what-to-watch-on-netflix/ https://marialokken.com/2015/07/27/what-to-watch-on-netflix/#respond Mon, 27 Jul 2015 11:02:51 +0000 http://marialokken.com/?p=2819 Read more]]> RITA
I’m hooked on this Danish import. Rita is a 40-something teacher and single mother who is as outspoken as she is smart. Her unconventional wisdom juxtaposed against a personal life in shambles makes for compelling television.

This series highlights a woman devoted not only to her own children, but the children she teaches, bringing to the forefront subjects not easily tackled yet handled with ease and grace in this one-hour drama.

Fortunately, all 3 seasons are available for binge worthy watching.

20 feet from20 Feet From Stardom
This Oscar winning film looks at the unsung voices behind some of the biggest superstar legends. From Sting to Springsteen and Michael Jackson to Jagger – they’ve all been backed up by voices you’ve heard but never really seen.

This bittersweet, touching and very dynamic documentary takes you into the lives and careers of the women who helped shape popular music.

WallanderWallander

My husband is a fan of Henning Mankell, the Swedish author whose Wallander novels have been produced for television in Sweden and the BBC. I haven’t read the books or watched the series – not really my cuppa – a bit too depressing for me. I’m in my “tra-la-la” phase. Looking for happy endings and all that.

In any event, the BBC’s version stars Kenneth Branagh who took home the BAFTA award for his portrayal of the brooding inspector Wallander. I’m told this is not your usual crime/mystery fare. This one is well written, well acted and I’m told totally binge worthy.

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