Movie #1982 ........................."Normal People" (Hulu streaming)

 Movie #1982 "Normal People" (Hulu streaming) limited series, 12 episodes, each about 25 minutes.  This series is  evidently based  on a  very popular book (that I missed reading) so I came to this  show with a blank slate --- I wondered about the title.  How "normal" will this couple be?  or is it being ironic?  Well,   I quickly figured out it was going to  be a teen angst love story, and I was  going to be watching it alone in this household.  That is okay, and since it was short, I was able to see it in about 4 days,  later  in the evening.  I found it quite intriguing for a number of reasons.   First,   it is sparse in dialogue ---the two leads are quiet, shy loners, for one reason and another.  She (Marianne) is well off, smart and a bit standoffish -- doesn't trust people, coming from a very cold family.  He (Collin) has a  mom who cleans the big house Marianne lives in , and he's popular in sports and good looking.   So the castle system (this is in Sligo, Ireland --- and later at Trinity College in Dublin) looks to make it to be the big conflict that would not put these two together.  But there's something sensitive/smart/empathetic  about him --- and that's what attracts him to Marianne.  The series is sparse, but it is, I think, terribly believable --- when they say things , oftentimes what they say is  pertinent (as in every relationship) -- but oftentimes  we, the audience, search for the meaning, as do they who are  teens, dealing with first love and self-worth issues.    They make  mistakes and misspeak many times, but the audience senses what Collin confirms later on in the series, that Marianne and Collin "get" each other --- of course, a lot in the series is physical -- but never are  the sex scenes  gratuitous to me (and believe me, I look for that in films and  will be quick to  label them  as such) because even clues as to the why's is within many of these scenes.  That in itself elevates this teen romance for me --- also, the believability of the characters, the subtleties in what is said, the quietness in the scenes, the looks and pauses ---- there's a focus on the minute details here ---I must admit that  at  times it was frustrating to me, (who is a person  who sometimes loses patience when action in film  doesn't seem utilitarian), but I had to step back and experience the film in a different way.  I usually am walking/moving in late night watching, or working on the computer, etc.  but I had to put everything down because this show demanded my attention.  I was pulled in that much -- It made me think about so many subjects concerning first love and building relationships:  the masks we put on, the importance of just one word being said,  the feeling of self worth within the confines of a  couple, jealousy as a indicator of imbalance, the balance of power in a relationship, co-dependency, which is a foremost subject here -- the ups and down of any relationship, esp. first love -- what are soulmates? There were  lots of times that the two weren't together, but the show still pulled me in, allowing me to watch  the individual growth  while hoping THAT  growth would feed into the growth of the couple.,  I watched the end last night, and I'm still thinking about it and appreciating it --- the last discussion got to me,  and I felt it  was poignant and satisfying while still remaining subtle, sparse, and quiet.   I would give this 4.5 out of 5, but not recommending it to everyone at all.  It is purposefully slow, quiet, sparse, frustrating at times, awkward, and full of a lot of sex scenes, that I realize might put people off.  But never have I ever seen in a film,  such a concentration on first love and that difficult search for what you want in a soulmate, while learning that no one is perfect.  I will miss these two characters, and that's a good mark of a successful show.

"NORMAL PEOPLE"        R-rated (includes:  nudity, abuse, suicide)  12 episodes, 25 mins each -hulu

Follows Marianne and Connell, from different backgrounds but the same small town in Ireland, as they weave in and out of each other's romantic lives.

Stars:

 Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal, Desmond Eastwood

Movie #1981 ........................."Father of the Bride Part 3-ish" (streaming netflix)

Movie #1981 "Father of the Bride Part 3-ish" (streaming netflix) When I heard that director Nancy Meyers was gathering the cast from the Steve Martin "Father of the Bride" film, I made sure to know when and where to stream this gem.  It is on netflix and not sure for how long, but stream it when you have 26 minutes to watch because it is a  funny reflection of the times, and it will be a few minutes of delight in these trying times, esp. if you like the franchise. And there are a few suprises if you tune it that I won't say a word about, but I think you would enjoy it.  I would give this a 5 out of 5.  Highly recommend.  And it is for a good cause.  

"FATHER OF THE BRIDE PART 3-ISH"  - 26 minutes   2020

Twenty-five years after the second movie's release, the Banks Family gathered together for a Zoom call and a very special wedding-related announcement.

Director:

 Nancy Meyers

Writer:

 Nancy Meyers

Stars:

 Kieran Culkin, Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton

Movie #1980 ........................."Same Time Next Week" (Hallmark)

Movie  #1980 "Same Time Next Week" (Hallmark) I saw that this rom-com dealt with grief, and since I was dealing with that some what (in fact, we all are with this pandemic) I dvd'ed this and I'm glad I did.  Grief is a very popular subject matter for films; in fact, the percentage is high for just how many films cover the topic generally.  And rom-coms are no different --- many times, either the guy or girl have lost their partners, and as we all know, grief is an individual thing, so there are a variety of ways shown that people grieve.  What's different about this film is that BOTH the guy and girl have lost partners within a year.  Neither are really ready to move on.....when they get together they find it a safe place to talk about their partners because they feel talking to their friends, they are showing they are having a hard time, or that they are boring their friends, etc. So their discussions didn't seem forced, and to me  it was  a very believable way for them to bond.  Then, he is warned by a caring friend  not to get too close to the widow  because that's all they may have in common --- the grief. And that was  another believable part to put into the film.  The way it works out from there is slow and deliberate, as it needs to be, but I thought it worked really well.  I would give this a 4 out of 5 --- just enough humor mixed with the sadness.  ( esp. love the sarcastic pie waitress!)

"SAME TIME NEXT WEEK"     1 hour, 26 mins      2017        PG

A widow and a widower struggle to let go of the past as their friendship blossoms into romance.

Director:

 Monika Mitchell

Writers:

 Rick Garman (screenplay), Sean King

Stars:

 Travis Milne, Jewel Staite, Chris McNally 

Movie #1979 ........................."Once Upon a Prince" (Hallmark)

 Movie #1979 "Once Upon a Prince" (Hallmark)  I have a hard time passing up the prince subgenre in Hallmark rom coms, so when I saw this title, and I read the premise, I wanted to see this, and I'm glad I did.  I really enjoyed the film ---  but not a big fan of the girl  -- she seemed really middle of the road natural, but the prince I really enjoyed --- he was so down to earth, and acted something like I would expect Prince Harry to be like --- no nonsense, speaks to the point, doesn't overly try to  charm (not every prince is charming?)  and so much willing to do some work and break the stereotype of a Prince Charming!  Win Win for me.  As far as the story, I liked the idea that for two people to fall in love, they start as friends who share common moments, not necessarily balls and ballgowns, etc.  These two people seemed to be able to keep their relationship strong in either environment ( a castle or a lawn shop) and that was refreshing...... and with the snobby prince's mom, the film shows that as different as these two worlds are, the couple CAN work in both and survive.  I liked that idea of getting along and give it 4 out of 5.

"ONCE UPON A PRINCE"     2 hours          2018          rated-G

A prince visiting the U.S. falls for a commoner when he helps her. But his mother isn't pleased with the match and tries to prove that the American gal isn't suitable to be a royal bride.

Director:

 Alex Wright (as Alexander J.F. Wright) 

Writers:

 Rachel Hauck (novel), Tracy Andreen

Stars:

 Megan Park, Jonathan Keltz, Kayla Wallace 

Movie #1978 ........................."Britt Marie Was Here" (Amazon Prime streaming)

 Movie #1978 "Britt Marie Was Here" (Amazon Prime Streaming) I had not heard about the release of this film, because I would have sought it out to see, since I read the book and also read "A Man Called One" by the same author and LOVED that film.  When I saw this available on Amazon, I watched it immediately.  I must say the opening is stunning in presenting the unique characteristics of Britt Marie and her stale relationship with her husband ---This swedish housewife  is kind of like her husband's  slave: washing, cookie, cleaning, setting out dinner and waiting for him when he comes home.  That is, until one day, she finds out in a rather startling way , that he has had a woman on the side for several years of their marriage.  She walks out and immediately takes  a job (for the first time, it looks like? she fears being on her own now)  where she is supposed to be a camp counselor, must live in the camp house, and coach a soccer team?  Yep, this elderly lady who had to sit on the sidelines while her husband at night would focus on a soccer game is now ironically putting all that sidelines work  to the test.  Backman, the author,   seems to want to focus his books on the dismissed people of our society and prove to us that there's something there, if you work at getting to know them better. Therefore, like "Ove", Britt Marie is an acquired taste --- perhaps not for everyone, but I enjoyed her and the book and movie a lot! But a disclaimer   Both the book and the movie are slow going...... This is definitely her journey, and it was heartwarming to see her gather all her bravery to get up every morning and slowly learn to do more what she wants to do rather than what she has to do.   It's a universal journey to find individual worth, and that's what she's doing here.   Some people might think the film doesn't end happily ever after for her, but I thought the ending was right on the mark -- and it follows the book.  I liked, but it's slow and I realize not everyone would stick with it --- this movie is not as funny as "one" but still well worth the watch.  I'd give it 4 out of 5.

"BRITT MARIE WAS HERE"    1 hour , 37 mins       2019           PG

Britt-Marie, 63 years old, has just left a 40 year old marriage and her long life as a house wife. Being told she is a nagging passive aggressive aunt, the new, only job, in small town Borg, will be quite challenging. Small town of Borg has no pride left except the young soccer team and Britt-Marie's new job is to coach them. This is the start of a journey filled with not only struggles and challenges, but also warmth and love.

Director:

 Tuva Novotny

Writers:

 Anders Frithiof August, Fredrik Backman (novel)  

Stars:

 Pernilla August, Vera Vitali, Lancelot Ncube 

Movie #1977 ........................."Love Wedding Repeat" (hallmark)

 Movie #1977 "Love Wedding Repeat" (hallmark) Ready for a pretty silly but still funny rom com?  I was and watched this. The pacing is frenetic, and everyone brings to this wedding a backstory and a reason to be tense   --- it reminded me of my much loved film  "Death at a Funeral" (both versions -- the british and the Chris Rock one) where the same thing happened at a funeral, instead of a wedding.  Anyway, in  "Love" and "Death", there is no lack for jokes that are set up -- it's just that some moments are just silly and depend on physical humor, but then some jokes are based on the dialogue --- and I like the variety.  The added one here is the "repeat" in the title because they run out of schtick about 3/4's of the way through, take a pause, and rewind, and show you how the rest of the wedding reception would go if the sleeping pills were mistakenly taken by others at the same table --- that was a cute idea and the director dealt with that idea in a montage --- so it fit in snugly  with the rapid pacing and was a cute groundhog gimmick within  this film.  Oh,  but the film does have naughty humor, too, to be sure --- there's one guy fixated on his physical parts, and whenever it's his turn in the story, of course, he'll come up with another dirty comment, but the film finally comes to an end, which to me wasn't very believable, but in the confines of this silly story, it tended to work.  What bothered me the most, though, was the lead guy rips off Hugh Grant --- every line, every hand movement, etc.  And it got in the way for me because it reminded me that I would rather wATCH Hugh Grant.  So I'd give this a 4 out of 5.... just the lead and some silly moments I didn't like about this.  

"LOVE WEDDING REPEAT"      2020     1 hour and 40 mins

While trying to make his sister's wedding day go smoothly, Jack finds himself juggling an angry ex-girlfriend, an uninvited guest with a secret, a misplaced sleep sedative, and the girl that got away in alternate versions of the same day.

Director:

 Dean Craig

Writers:

 Dean Craig (screenplay), Francis Nief (Based upon the motion picture "Plan de table" by)  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Sam Claflin, Olivia Munn, Freida Pinto 

Movie#1976 ........................."Love Guaranteed" (netflix streaming)

 Movie #1976 "Love Guaranteed" (netflix streaming) -- this popped up when I logged in to netflix the other night, and I'm a fan of Rachel Leigh Cook (since Psych, She's all that, Perception) and never saw Damon Wayans really in a movie, so I decided to take a look at it.  The premise looked intriguing, as well.  I realize there are a lot of these dating apps and here was a lawyer taking on a guy's case where he says the promise that the app made didn't come through --- I wondered how many people he would have had to date and how he could prove that he hasn't found anyone.  It was obvious that he would fall in love with he lawyer (no, you're kidding?) but I just wondered if a movie could stand on that kind of silly (but is it possible?) idea.  It didn't because it seemed obvious he was suing for the money and the lawyer didn't want anything to do with it --- that was a surprise; she proved to have some integrity!  But then when you get to know him, he proves to have an equal amount of integrity, and then the case seemed to turn around a bit.  I started seeing it as a case against false advertising, and it made the court case a bit more worthwhile to me.  So I continued watching the obvious love develop between the two of them, which was somewhat believable.  And everyone knows, the end has to work in rom coms --  I usually don't like announcements of love in front of others, but the ending was a nice one here (albeit a bit dramatic,) but all in all, because the actors were competent and natural and the story seemed topical, I liked it ---- Never did either one lie to the other, and I liked that especially about it --- most rom coms have stories that revolve around some kind of lying to the other person, and this didn't.  I'd give it 4 out of 5 and recommend it, if you like rom-coms.  (and I recommend these kinds of movies during hard times because they can make you smile, which  isn't a bad thing at all! And also, they remind us what life could be, if people tell the truth and have integrity) 

"LOVE GUARANTEED"       2020       1 hour, 30 minuets       PG

To save her small law firm, earnest lawyer Susan takes a high-paying case from Nick, a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees love. But as the case heats up, so do Susan and Nick's feelings for each other.

Director:

 Mark Steven Johnson

Writers:

 Elizabeth Hackett, Hilary Galanoy

Stars:

 Rachael Leigh Cook, Damon Wayans Jr., Heather Graham

Movie #1975 ........................."William & Mary" (Amazon Prime streaming)Season 1, 6 episodes

Movie #1975  "William & Mary (Amazon Prime  streaming) Season 1:    Well, we found another tv series we are enjoying.  He (Martin Clunes, whom we know as Doc Martin) is wonderfully kind; she is full of energy, intensity and hotheadedness.  He has two daughters and a dead wife; she has two sons, a troublesome  ex husband and an equally meddlesome mother.  He is an undertaker, and she is a midwife.  As they see it, they make a full circle of caring for others into and  out of life.  And they are in love, and isn't that all they need? Check it out.  It is a British/Scottish show that covers a lot in the 48 minutes for each episode --- the grief and poignant moments of death are juxtaposed to the excitement and wonderfulness of birth and then throw in problems in raising kids and dealing with other needy people in your lives and you have this dramedy.  I am learning a lot about what the two jobs entail, as well.  I recommend it as a balance to some of the violent offerings that seem to overpower other streaming offerings.  And give it 4 out of 5 so far.  

"WILLIAM AND MARY"     2003, season 1: 6 episodes, 48 mins each      Total:  3 seasons, 18 eps

The lives of William (an undertaker) and Mary (a midwife) cross. They become romantically involved, but what happens for the rest of the series is far less predictable.

Stars:

 Martin Clunes, Julie Graham, Cheryl Campbell

Movie #1974 ........................."Puzzle" (Netflix DVD)

 Movie #1974 " Puzzle" (Netflix DVD)  Any time I see Kelly McDonald in the cast, I know her part will be strongly represented.  What even moreso lured me into this film was to see the wonderful Irrfan Khan in the cast as well.  And a film on making puzzles?  How risk taking, since the action itself could be a bore --- it's too bad so little was focused on the puzzle making itself because that would have been the challenge.  Otherwise, it became a film I have seen again and again:  a bored wife whose family takes her for granted, and she goes on a journey to find her worth --- It was done better in "Purple Rose of Cairo" for sure, and the story is very slow, methodical, much like a puzzle, and takes a long time to build a  relationship between the two leads.  And that relationship is so ho hum --- lacking passion.  This poor woman can't even have passion in her love life?  So sad.....   The two boys were interesting, but used more in the background, as is her husband, who is just used for conflict.  And the puzzle making?  just background.  So it was a disappointment to me.  Everything in the film seemed in the background, so   the film is all on the shoulders of Kelly MacDonald, who gets  across the character so quietly, where every little movement becomes an ocean of emotion with her.   She's the only positive here .   And she's the reason  I would give it a 3 out of 5, but I would  not recommend it.  What I would like to look into, though, is the original.  No where did I see it mentioned until I IMDB'd this film and saw "The Puzzle" a European original of this made in 2010.  I wonder if it was any better?  I want to check that out some time because I find sometimes the originals are better.  (like "The Intouchables" was soooooo much better than the Kevin Hart/Bryan Cranston "The Upside").  

"PUZZLE"     1 hour and 43 mins          R               2018 

Agnes, taken for granted as a suburban mother, discovers a passion for solving jigsaw puzzles which unexpectedly draws her into a new world - where her life unfolds in ways she could never have imagined.

Director:

 Marc Turtletaub

Writers:

 Polly Mann (screenplay by), Oren Moverman (screenplay by)  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Kelly Macdonald, Irrfan Khan, David Denman   

Movie #1973 ........................."A Valentine's Match" (Hallmark)

Movie #1973 "A Valentine's Match" (Hallmark) So it's cold and rainy yesterday, and I didn't want to walk in the pouring rain, so I walked in my living room for an hour while watching part of this movie, and the time went by very quickly, I must admit.  I  liked this one a lot.  And, I have to admit, I have never seen any Valentine Day Hallmark film (just a Christmas fan, right now).    It had  the usual stuff --- woman loses her job right in the opening and the reason "too fake,"  "not authentic enough" -- and that was just when I was going to turn it off because she wasn't likable off the bat, but I'm glad I waited --- because the whole focus of this chick's journey was to get back the realness in her personality, and I liked that.  Her boyfriend seemed to cater to all her needs, but he was on the phone a lot and doing business, so I figured he wouldn't last long.  She goes back home (ho hum used a lot in Hallmark films) and enter ex boyfriend --- Luke McFarlane, whom I have liked since the t.v. show "Brothers and Sisters" with Sally Field (he was the gay partner of Matthew Rhys -- the couple I most liked in that series) -- and their break up was, of course, confusing and unexplained --- even to them.  But they were childhood sweethearts, and we know how that goes, usually.  Of course, there is some made up festival that they have to work on together.  But what made this different is that their two moms were in cahoots to try and get them back together.   --- that was funny, and believable to me.  Just how much influence can they exert here?  How much can they horn in without being too much?  But what really won me over is the ending --- I  absolutely HATE  when there is this big pronouncement in front of tons of people as to how they feel about each other, but this was ironic and cute, and I had never  seen that particular take on the  ending, and I liked it.  Everyone knows if you have seen many rom coms, that there is just so much you can do to tweak the formula of boy meets girl stuff --- so endings are usually done with the kiss in Hallmark, with no denouement,  but this one went further and left the audience with a laugh, and I appreciated that, as well.  I would give  this a 4.5 out of 5 and recommend it as one of the better ones on Hallmark --- if you ever get to see it.  Probably around Valentine's Day, is my guess.

"A VALENTINE'S MATCH"     2020       1 hour and 22 minutes

Fired from her job as a reality TV host, Natalie (Lenz) returns home for Valentine's Day, only to find herself running the town festival's auction with her ex-fiancé (Macfarlane) thanks to two scheming mothers.

Director:

 Christie Will Wolf

Writers:

 Cara J. Russell (teleplay), Kim Beyer-Johnson (teleplay) | 2 more credits »

Stars:

 Bethany Joy Lenz, Luke Macfarlane, Mary-Margaret Humes

Movie #1972 ........................."Get Shorty" (tv series - amazon prime)

Movies #1972 "Get Shorty" (tv series - amazon prime) Right off the bat, I have to tell you that we have not seen the movie nor read the book so we went into this blindly.  The only pull to watch this was the cast:  Ray Romano and Chris O'Dowd.  We had no idea the premise --- if we did, we might not have watched it because we would have guessed it would be very violent for us (our threshold is different from others, we think --- for example, "Ozark" is too dark for our stomachs).  And we  are tired of watching mobsters and think "The Godfather" is the best, so why watch more?   Anyway, if we keep reminding ourselves that this is dark humor that is being used a lot, that helps us get through the show.  That, and there isn't a lot of lingering or attention on the violence --- one shot in  the forehead and person gone.  Very little time spent --- If you can get through the first episode, and it becomes clear what O'dowd and his dimwit sidekick does for this mob they are working for, you can pretty much get through the rest (although, halfway through the first season, there is a Valentine's Dayish attack on another mob and some blood is shed -- but something like that is seen a lot in mobster films).  I guess what really drew us in is that it takes a typical mob idea (like Godfather, but this time with a woman in charge -- equal time, even for mobsters) and mixes it with the film industry, and poses the question:  What if the mob took their violent ways and came into an industry that oftentimes  bullies and depends on mob mentality, but doesn't usually use the violence on each other.  Voila!  the film industry.  So we know there is a lot of cheating, backstabbing, money grubbing stuff going on in making films, but (we hope) there aren't mob actions usually involved (for example --- you don't like  what the writer wrote, you go to his house to get him to change it, and in order to do that, you put his fingers in a vice --- or offer to cut them off one by one)  I know the idea is a couple of years old, but I saw it as a reflection of the  times right now --- we have , what I think, is a mob mentality in  the government right now and if taken to even more extremes.........well, who knows?  And  besides, the cast is more than competent.  In addition to the wonderful   Chris O'Dowd, there's  Ray Romano as a seasoned producer whose values himself are a bit shaky, but how far will he go?  The cast is diverse and talented, and I really like Chris O'Dowd's family:  wife, daughter (Shorty) and his sidekick --- all to whom he is very loyal and would do anything for them, but of course constantly cause  conflict with what his job entails.  He wants to go straight, so you like him for that, but you don't like the ugly things he does at times, and that makes for a tragic character.  We aren't sure if we will continue watching --- Season 1 left them in a precarious situation.  If you have finished this series and recommend it, maybe we will..... still thinking about this one.  But I would give season 1 a 4 out of 5 and recommend it ---- but not to everyone.

"GET SHORTY"   2017     comedy/crime     1 hr episodes, 10 eps Season 1,  total: 3 seasons, 27 epsThe adventures of a mobster-turned-movie producer in Hollywood. TV show based on Elmore Leonard's novel and subsequent film.

Creator:

 Davey Holmes

Stars:

 Chris O'Dowd, Ray Romano, Sean Bridgers

Movie #1971 ........................."All Summer Long" (t.v. movie on Hallmark)

 Movie #1971 "All Summer Long" (t.v. movie on Hallmark) -- Did you know Hallmark offers movies other than their Christmas ones?  You're kidding!!!!! Yes, I am, but I haven't really watched too many of them,  that's for sure. Anyway, felt pretty lazy the other night and instead  of streaming something,  I just put on Hallmark and started watching this one, and it ended up to be just okay.  What drew me in is that I recognized the actors --- disclaimer:  if you have seen as many Hallmark xmas movies, you get to know the clientele pretty quickly, so that  shouldn't be surprise.  Anyway, I had seen the female lead in another movie and thought she was weak, and a bit cold for the movie I had seen her in --- but she was much better here.  Albeit, she had to play a lawyer who really wanted to be a commander who steers a big cruise boat --- now that was a bit of a stretch!  But, you get the picture.  The guy was pretty outgoing, almost effusive in some scenes.  So it worked  with the lead lady, who still plays a somewhat cold character --- it's  just that that kind of person fits more here. He's a chef, so that was fun to see what delicious stuff he was cooking up in the "galley" --- yep, he works on the cruise ship she is running --- and they are exboyfriend/girlfriend.  Oh!  Now I get it the plot, and so do you, I'm sure!  I'd give this 3.8, a little better than average because the conflicts were more realistic than other Hallmark films!

"ALL SUMMER LONG"    1 hour and 24 mins          2019

Tia's dream job of captaining a dining cruise hits rough water when her ex Jake is hired as the restaurant's chef.

Director:

 Peter DeLuise

Writers:

 Sandra Berg (teleplay), Judith Berg (teleplay)  |

Stars:

 Autumn Reeser, Brennan Elliott, Peter DeLuise 

Movie #1970 .........................Episode: "Please, Baby, Please" from t.v. show "Blacklish" (Hulu)

Movie #1970 "Please, Baby, Please" from t.v. show "Blackish" (Hulu) Finally got to see this controversial show that was shelved a couple of years back (see note by creator of the show Mr. Barris, and a link to an article in "Variety").  The family is reacting to a very scary storm taking place outside, and it is keeping the baby awake, so Dad tells him a story that is obviously based on Trump being the evil bad guy.  Then each kid steps in some time during the night to divulge fears that they might have about how times are changing in the government and how blacks have new fears with Trump in office.  It was well done, and gave food for thought.  It was meant to generate talk at the water cooler, and it's too bad it wasn't shown at one time so people could do that.  But I am glad it is available to see it anyway, even though people will be seeing it at different times.  If you see it, I would welcome comments here in place of the water cooler.  I would give it 4 out of 5 --- I wanted the story to the little kid to go a bit farther..... it was dropped too soon, in my opinion.  

"PLEASE, BABY, PLEASE"      2017    22 minutes, episode from BLACKISH

 In November 2017, we made an episode of "Blackish" entitled "Please, Baby, Please."  We were one year post-election and coming to the end of a year that left us, like many Americans, grappling with the state of our country and anxious about its future.  Those feelings poured onto the page, becoming 22 minutes of television that I was, and still am, incredibly proud of.  "Please, Baby, Please" didn't make it to air that season and, while much has been speculated about its contents, the episode has never been seen publicly....until now.

I'm excited to share hat "Please, Baby, Please" is now available on Hulu.  Following the re-airing of "Juneteenth" and "Hope," I asked Walt Disney Television to revisit making the episode available.  Recognizing the importance of this moment, they listened and agreed.

I cannot wait for everyone to finally see the episode for themselves and, as was the case nearly three years ago, we hope it inspires some much-needed conversation -- not only about what we were grappling with then or how it led to where we are now, but conversations about where we want our country to go moving forward and, most i portantly, how we get there together,.

Thank you to ABC Entertainment for allowing this moment to happen.  And thank you to the entire "black-is" family for never shying away from touch conversations, making telling stories like this possible,.

Kenya Barris

link to article even more about this episode:  https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/black-ish-episode-please-baby-please-released-hulu-shelved-abc-1234730838/

Movie #1969 .........................'Hamilton: in Depth" (streaming on Disney +)

 Movie #1969 "Hamilton :  in Depth" (streaming on Disney +1) After watching "Hamilton,"  you might want to watch this hour long documentary/zoom discussion of the workings of the play, listening to the leads of the show.  We found this very informational about how the actors and production crew  were brought to the project and what it felt like to go through the "Hamilton" experience, etc.  I would rate this a 4 out of 5.  

Movie #1968 ........................."What the Durrells did Next" (amazon prime)

 Movie #1968 "What the Durrells did Next" (amazon prime)  --- a t.v. documentary based on the t.v.  series we just watched.  The actress who plays the mother Louisa goes through all the children in the series and tells us where they went after leaving Corfu before WWII (for safety --- Greece was in a danger zone at the time, so they went back to England) The last episode has them saying goodbye to all the people they met in Corfu and moving on --- so watchers wondered,....what happened to these wonderful people next?  And this documentary covers it.  I won't be telling you the information because a) it won't matter to you if you haven't seen this series at all, and b) I don't want to give any surprises away, but if you watched the series you'll want to top it off by watching this , as well.  The only negative I have about it is that this documentary could have covered Leslie and Louisa and the secondary characters more.  Otherwise,  it covers mostly Gerald, the one who wrote the trilogy of books based on this trip the family took in the 1930s when he was 10-14.  I'd give this a 4 out of 5

"WHAT THE DURRELLS DID NEXT"

The Durrells in Corfu (2016) star Keeley Hawes hosts this documentary about the extraordinary lives of The Durrell family after WWII forced them to leave Corfu, with special focus on Gerald, his seminal naturalist work and his visionary zoo.

Directors:

 Toby Roebuck, Ewen Thomson

Stars:

 Keeley Hawes, Eamonn Andrews, David Attenborough 

Movie#1967 ........................."Dream Wife" (TCM)

 Movie #1967 "Dream Wife (TCM)  --- I thought I had seen all of the Cary Grant/Deborah Kerr films they made together (the best, of course, is "An Affair to Remember") , but this one popped up so I had to dvd it and watch it.  It was pure silliness (as you can tell if you read the short plot line below).  Especially tedious scenes occurred when the princess he is to marry can't speak a word of English --- and then, there are the scenes where she learns about freedom for females from Deborah Kerr, the chaperone and state representative assigned to the merger.  But all is well when the two wonderful actors (Kerr and Grant) come together in their scenes, and they have some good ones at the beginning, when he thinks he is being ignored by her because of her busy job (echoes of another famous duet Hepburn and Tracy in "Woman of the Year"?) and finally, the one at the end when you can see they are so comfortable together and belong together.  I'd give this a 3.5, but it is well  worth the watch to see these two in action together again.....in more a  comedy than the tearjerker famous one they did together.

"DREAM WIFE"       1953      1 hour and 40 mins

A business tycoon decides to wed a Middle Eastern princess whose customs dictate the pair must live apart for several months before marrying; even more complications settle in when the tycoon's ex-fiancée is assigned to chaperone the pair.

Director:

 Sidney Sheldon

Writers:

 Sidney Sheldon, Herbert Baker  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Walter Pidgeon