Movie #3055 ........................."The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" Season 5 - Amazon Prime

 Movie #2055 "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" Season 5 - Amazon Prime -- just finished this wonderful series the other night, and I can say in all honestly that it went out with a bang!  and lots of wonderful moments.  We were actually cheering her on from our couches as we watched the amazing "Four Minutes" episode --- her very last chance at snatching that dream of hers!  And I don't want to give anything away, but I think fans of this great show will enjoy every sweet and poignant moment in this last season , when we say goodbye to all the wonderfully quirky characters we met along the way as we  watch Midge, abandoned mother of two, become the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel that we have come to know and love. Besides having the best costumes, sets, music, acting and storylines, it becomes a one-of-a-kind show that I would never forget --- full of laughs, and gasps, and heart!  So I fondly say goodbye to a great and complete send off, while secretly hoping that this show updates us periodically on her life in the future because I will miss the time spent with her.

"THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL"  Season 5 - amazon prime     about 57 mins each   2017-2023

After her husband leaves her, young mother of two, Miriam "Midge" Maisel discovers that she has a talent for stand-up comedy.  Could this be her calling?  (but the show was about so much more! and definitely a show about women bonding)

Director:  Amy Sherman-Palladino

Actors:  Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen

Movie #3054 ........................."Book club: The next chapter" - theatre

Movie #3054 "Book Club:  The Next Chapter"  - Theater --- I enjoyed the first one, and I love watching these 4 women work --- I have the greatest respect for each one, so it was going to be a given that I would go to see this one --- esp. since I purchased a movie pass and now need to go 2 or 3 times per month to get my money's worth through the app.  Anyway, a few of our retired teachers book club members came along, and we all enjoyed it a lot.  It is full of more jokes and more heart than the first one.  I like what the film has to say thematically about friendship, marriage, getting old, etc.  I also enjoyed the way it moves from one unbelievable adventure to the next --- the opening very quickly catches us up on how these women dealt, individually, with Covid and zooming and reading for their book club.  This is done with ease, creativity, and lots of jokes  that hit home   Example:  when we zoomed , we, like them,  spent a lot of time telling each other to unmute, etc.  Now, I'm sure we, the  more seasoned audience members,  enjoyed more of the jokes than a younger crew because we've lived it --- we get the jokes more easily.  but it should be entertaining and fun to watch for most adults.....I'd give it 4.7 out of 5 (note:  rotten tomatoes gives it 45, which appears low, but not for a comedy --- it's tough to find the critics all agreeing on comedy (in comparison to dramas) but audience is giving 85% so that score does suggest it will be a popular movie this summer in the theaters.  

"BOOK CLUB:  THE NEXT CHAPTER"     1 hour, 47 min  pG-13   2023

This follows the new journey of four best friends as they take their b book club to Italy for the fun girls' trip they never had.

Director:  Bill Holderman

Writers:  Bill Holderman Erin Simms

Actors:  Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen

Movie #3053 ........................."Schmigadoon" - Season 2: "Schmicago" (Apple )

 Movie #3053 "Schmigadoon" - Season 2: " Schmicago" (Apple)  I didn't think  I could like this one better than the first, but I did, mostly because the first one represented Rogers and Hammerstein -type musicals, and this one is more Sondheim --- the music is far more interesting and the way they wove into the storyline, and mixed two or more shows together with the songs was amazing!  The Songs and Lyrics were sooooooo witty, and sondheim- like (a lot of rhyming, which is twice as difficult, in my opinion).  Just one example of a great idea:  mashing together Mrs. Hannigan with Sweeny Todd --- Brilliant.  And the actors are all more than capable --- what fun!  I highly recommend this!  5+++

"SCHMIGADOON" - SEASON 2:  "SCHMICAGO"   (Apple)    2023 30 min.  6 episodes, 40 mins each

Season 2 investigates the darker side of Broadway plays - shows like "Chicago," "Sweet Charity," "Sweeny Todd," "Annie," Into the Woods," "Company,"  etc.

Creators:  Ken Dario, Cinco Paul

Actors:  Keegan-Michael Key, Cecily Strong, Dove Cameron, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth, Aaron Tveit, Ariana DeBose, Jane Krakowski, Martin Short, Titus Burgess

Movie #3052 ........................."A Picture of Her" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3052 "A Picture of Her" (Hallmark)  Well, I watched this because it was supposed to be about photography, and one of my favorite actors was in it, Tyler Hynes.  This ended up to be just meh --- the conflict was stretched out too much, and he actually told her the truth, and then changed it because he noticed how it hurt her feelings --- so what's the big deal about??? She never seems to grow in the film, so the weight of the acting is on the photographer --- the script doesn't fill in blanks as to where he is at and where he needs to go.... he felt he should have told her he took her picture, and he feels the same way afterwards.  She is just all lovey dovey when he is around and naive --- she isn't fleshed out enough of a character.  I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 -- pretty scenery.  

" A PICTURE OF HER"    2023   1 hour and 24 mins

Beth becomes the subject of an award-winning magazine's cover and goes on a quest to find the photographer who snapped her photo.

Director Michael Robinson

Writers:  Donald Davenport, Jeff Wood

Actor:  Tyler Hynes, Rhiannon Fish, Samantha Ferris

Movie #3051 ........................."Raise a Glass to Love"" (Hallmark)

Movie #3051 "Raise a Glass to Love" (Hallmark)  I always like the wine Hallmark films, and this was a good one.  That's because it focussed on the sommelier, which is what the girl in the film wants to be.  And it's tough to be a female one, so she keeps studying through the whole film -- that's her stage business.  His is taking care of her family's vineyard.  This film strongly supports the theme that whomever you pick for a partner, he/she needs to be supportive of  you --- and that's what wins in this film.  Laura Osnes (a broadway person) is usually good/believable, and although I didn't like the guy at first, he grew on me with his sincerity.  I'd give this a 4 out of 5.

"RAISE A GLASS TO LOVE"     2021    1 hour and 24 mins

Director:  David Weaver

Writers:  Emily Schmitt, Laura Rohrman

Actors:  Laura Osnes, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Matthew James Dowden

Movie #3050 ........................."A Dash of Love" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3050 "A Dash of Love" (Hallmark) In this film, I learned about what it takes to open up a pop up business , and how chefs can steal recipes from the not so famous, up and coming chefs and pass them off as their own.  This show was a great supporter of integrity, which is good for us to watch in this day and aage, and it also had a cute couple.  This actress is always really nice, and he's usually full of angst, but they work well together in this one --- and the stage business is cooking, but with creativity!  There was a difference there!  I'd give it a 4 out of 5.

"A DASH OF LOVE"       2017      1 hour and 25 mins

When an aspiring chef lands a dream job at her idol's restaurant, she befriends the handsome executive chef.  After they are both wrongly fired from there,  the duo decides to open their own eatery to prove their food is better.

Director:  Christie Will Wolf

Writers:  Sandra Berg, Judith Berg, Sib Ventress

Actors:  Jen Lilley, Brendan Penny, Peri Gilpin

Movie #3049 ........................."Love At First Glance" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3049 "Love At First Glance" (Hallmark) If you watch this film, and make it through to the end, the title becomes ironic --- Love is so much more than a glance.  A glance whets her appetite (and ours, watching )  but she learns so much about the guy  by interviewing all the people in his phone address book.... but this is a weird and unbelievable growth in any relationship, because we are expected to believe she falls in love with him by interviewing others (never meeting him until the end) and he learns about her through texting?  right.  You should have capable actors here, but they aren't showing it, maybe because the script demands too much.... 2 out of 5

"LOVE AT FIRST GLANCE"      2017    1 hour and 22 mins

After being dumped by her fiancé for being unadventurous, a woman sets out to prove him wrong by tracking down the handsome stranger whose cellphone she found on the subway.

Director:  Kevin Connor

Writer:  Kathy Kloves

Across;  Amy Smart, Adrian Grenier 

Movie #3048 ........................."A Ring by Spring' (Hallmark)

Movie #3048 "A Ring By Spring" (HALLMARK)  this was a bit different  --- usually in these Hallmark films you witness a relationship grow and blossom by the end of the film.  In this one, you watch one deteriorate, while the real one remains in the wings.... And by some streak of karma, the ending works out --- It's hard to believe in parts.  Esp, the way it  is set up, it almost suggests everyone has to be married. hmmmm.  Good theme, though:  You have to love yourself before loving others.  I'd give this 3.8 out of 5.

"RING BY SPRING"    2014    1 hour and 28 mins.

Always cynical of marriage, a confident business consultant finally gets a wake-up call when a fortuneteller predicts she will have a ring by spring or never marry and scrambles to avoid a destiny of a lifetime alone before it's too late.  

Director:   Kristoffer Tabori

Writer:  J. B. White, Jean Abounded

Actors:  Rachel Boston, Kirby Morrow, Ali Liebert

Movie #3047 ........................."Are you there, God? It's Me, Margaret" (in theaters)

 Movie #3047 "Are you there , God.  It's Me, Margaret" (in theaters)  Well, when I saw this was coming out, I quickly got the book to read (able to do that in one afternoon --- YA book) , and then saw the movie the next day.  I was not familiar with Judy Blume books, but if I had a child, I would try to get him/her to read this because I think it is terribly universal, but then I am not the demographic group this is directed at. I just like film, and I like good stories with strong themes that can help us move in a positive direction to have better lives.  And this film does that.  Both the book and the film appear to be about growing up,  menstruation,  a kid's relationship with god and her family, and it does cover all  those areas, but I think it's about a lot more.  And I think it speaks to us now --because some of us are so set in our ways and refuse to relish in the diversity and individuality of each and every person we know, that we make it impossible for others to grow and be themselves.  This theme hits us very much in the divisive society we live in today --- if we don't be careful, we will stifle the next generation -- we will stunt their growth because we prevent them from thinking and being themselves.  Yes, we need to lean on each other, (the mother daughter and mother granddaughter relationships show that so well in this book/movie), and look to a god for some answers (the prayers she says whenever she wants a wish to come true)  but she learns by watching her family members that religion must include and not exclude, because by doing that it can tear a family, or in a more universal way, a society apart. Of course, since I read the book and saw the movie in a matter of two days, the big question is:  which did you like better?  I liked the movie better (Judy Blume, I think, would agree with me) because the high point (bringing in Kathy Bates to the gathering ) helped the blow up scene much more.  And the denouement in the film is glorious --- I had tears in my eyes when she finally steps on the ladder to becoming a woman --- the two actresses elevated that scene and reminded me just how important that moment is.  Also, the constant praying/ the title of the book became annoying while reading it, but in the movie, the transitions into those times was much better.  I'd give this a 4.5 out of 5 --- and recommend  it for not just female tweens, but male, as well.  And everyone, really --- we all went through growing up, and peer pressure, and dealing with families, etc..... if you go see it, look for yourself and I bet you find you in it!

"ARE YOU THERE, GOD?  IT'S ME, MARGARET"   2023  PG-13 1 hour and 46 mins

When her family moves from the city to the suburbs, 11 -year-old Margaret navigates new friends, feelings and the beginning of adolescence.

Director:  Kelly Freeman Craig

Writers:  Kelly Freeman Craig, Judy Blume

Actors:  Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates   

Movie #3046 ........................."Joyride" (Hulu)

Movie #3046 "Joyride" (Hulu)  I saw this in passing and wrote it down to come back to it because I thought it looked interesting and had Olivia Coleman, one of my favorites, in it.  And it was an interesting watch.  This movie ended up to a nice variation on a road trip film.  This time a 12 year old kid (grieving for his dead mom) rums away from his abusive father, and with the street smarts he has, he steals a cab and drives it away, not knowing a mother and her new baby are in the backseat.  The two, of courses grow to like each other (there's one weird scene where because the boy has had to take care of his little brothers and sisters, he has the knowledge of breast-feeding that this mother does not --- so he shows her how to do it --- odd scene but it worked)  Mom has all kind of baggage --- not planning on keeping the baby through most of the film, so you can see the conflicts that arise from this ride to "who knows where" for both of them.  It really becomes an excellent piece on what post partum  mothers go through, and it has a nice emotional ending.  I'd give it  a 4.  It's tough in parts, though.

"JOYRIDE"  2022    1 HOUR AND 34 MINS

A headstrong solicitor's plan to offload her new born baby to her sister, is derailed when a vulnerable but opinionated teenager steals their taxi.

Director:  Emer Reynolds

Writer:  Alibi Keogen

Actors:  Olivia Coleman, Charlie Reid, Lochlann O'Mearain 

Movie #3045 ........................."Love Under the Rainbow" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3045 "Love Under the Rainbow" (Hallmark)  Jodi Sweetin is cute and bubbly usually, and she brings her energy into this film about a teacher who welcomes a new girl into her classroom.  The new girl becomes even more important to the teacher when she finds out her widowed dad and she are still grieving over the dead mom who loved rainbows.  The teacher gets the little girl (who played a younger Jodi Sweetin in the t.v. show "Full House") to move on from the tragedy by making a rainbow project that would make her feel closer to her mother in a different way --- and that worked.  And the little girl is cute.  It just took so darn long --- and they always used the little girl for the stage business --- he was supposed to be building bridges (that story went nowhere) and she was a teacher --- how can she take so many walks and have so much free time?  Both stories seemed hard to believe --and phony.  And then the end came too quickly ---- It's like as long as his daughter likes her, she's the one!  I'd give this a 3 for that reason.  

"LOVE UNDER THE RAINBOW"       2019    1 hour,  20 min (see?  they had 4 more mins to use on end)

Lucy wasn't sure if she would find true love, until Jack moves to town with his daughter Sophie.  Together they teacher her it's never too late to start chasing rainbows.  (ugh!)

Director:  Tony Dean Smith

Writer:  Kirsten Hansen

Actors:  Jodie Sweetin, David Haydn-Jones, Dakota Guppy

Movie #3044 ........................." A Pinch of Portugal" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3044 " A Pinch of Portugal" (Hallmark)  The title suggests this might be something different, and it was --- first of all, it was in Portugal (a place I might like to visit some day, so I watched it for that reason), and the pinch refers to a food metaphor because it is about a woman who is supposed to help set up a cooking show that a famous on -air chef runs --- but he's cranky, and he hasn't shown up, so she is forced to do it all ---- and, surprise!  surprise!  She can!  Well, with the support of her photographer and friends.  There are drop dead gorgeous shots of Portugal,  But the girl is a bit bland --- too hesitant and slow for me.  Her photographer assistant is cute, but he spends too much time telling her sh'e pretty and awesome, that it gets to be lame.  Food is the stage business here which kept me watching --- that and the scenery.  I'd give it a 3 out of 5

" A PINCH OF PORTUGAL"        2023     1 hour and 24 mins.   

A prep cook is elevated to the spotlight on a cooking show after the celebrity chef quits.  The cute cameraman plays a key role both in her love life and work life.  (Aw!!!!)

Director:  Clare Niederpruem

Writer:  Nicole Baxter

Actors:  Heather Hemmens, Luke Mitchell, Amy Louise Pemberton

Movie #3043 ........................."A Summer Romance" (Hallmark)

Movie #3043 "A Summer Romance"  (Hallmark) You can't tell by the title, but this is a cowboy romance --- she knows all about running a ranch, riding horses, etc. , and he's a fish out of water. He is just a business guy who is trying to buy this place for possibly condos or a modern extravanga piece of property out in nowhere land that would make money?  I don't know because the stage business falls by the wayside, and he forgets why he's there --- just enamored with living off the "fat of the land" and looking at the stars --- there must have been 5 scenes  with those stars --- doesn't it ever rain?  Anyway, this has very few sparks in it and lots of talking....about stars....and it's tough to believe that a city slicker like him in 2 or 3 days becomes John wayne, but that's what the film expects us to believe.  Its positives include beautiful scenery and a lot of information on running a ranch.   The long talk they have at the end and the fact that this film takes its time to develop the relationship saves the film, in my opinion.   So I'd give it a 3.8.  Less scenes with stars in it would have helped boost it to a 4.

"A SUMMER ROMANCE      2019    1 our and 27 mins.....(the extra 3 mins here for that long talk!)

Richard flies to Montana to buy a 2500 acre ranch with money problems from Sam, and build a resort.  Sam turns out to be a cute, single woman.    (who wrote that?)

Director:  David Winning

Writer:  Robert Tate Miller

Actors:  Erin Krakow, Ryan Paevey, Sarah Strange

Movie #3042 ........................."My Summer Prince" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3042 "My Summer Prince" (Hallmark)  He was cute, but she was iffy  --- it bothered me that she took all this verbal abuse from her female boss, and when it got to the point she was fired, I thought "good", but she came back to work for her --- ugh!  I liked the idea that the prince was getting in trouble because he disliked all the rules he had to follow and he was more liberal thane what his mother hoped him to be --- he seemed to have a more caring nature and was very creative, and I'm glad to see that he was valued by the end of the film.  But what I didn't get was that the public relations lady he wanted by the end of the film wasn't a princess or anybody, and the fact that she wasn't one never popped up as a problem --- the ending, therefore, was up in the air to me.  I'd give it a 3 out of 5.

"MY SUMMER PRINCE"    2016     1 hour,  27 mins (why couldn't it end better?  it took 3 extra mins.!)

PR crisis manager Deidre and her assistant Mandy fly in when rebellious royal Prince Colin is arrested in small-town Idaho.  But when Deidre faces her own fiasco, Mandy finds herself with unexpected career (and romantic) opportunities.

Director:  Peter Sullivan

Writers:  Jeffrey Schenck, Peter Sullivan, Topher Payne (all male writers, hmmm)

Actors:  Taylor Cole, Jack Turner, Lauren Holly

Movie #3041 ........................."The Wedding Cotrage" (Hallmark)

Now for a few Hallmark movies, non Christmas, but still not bad.... they keep me busy while I walk in my living rooms (no matter what house I'm in)  at night  --- we cut the cord on cable t.v. and use You Tube TV now, and it will dvr ad infinitum of any movie I miss..... you should check it out.  

 Movie #3041 "The Wedding Cottage" (Hallmark)  Speaking of missing, I'm glad I didn't 't miss this one because I liked it, and it seems to be quite memorable because I saw it several weeks ago.  The stage business was fixing up a very old, historic home in need of repair, for a wedding.   It belongs to this artist who just wants to find a quiet place to work and  who couldn't care less about the house he's inherited (so he's hostile from the get-go), but the woman relentlessly pursues him until he gives in ---- and because he's a sculptor , they share values of the old home and art, and find a middle group, and even though the work is noisy next door when he is trying to creative, the act of falling in love feeds his creative juices.  They kissed a bunch of times through the whole movie, which seems to break the rules for the xmas hallmark movies, I noticed.  Working with the house creatively was interesting to watch, and they had a small conflict which, of course, came out of a small (almost too small) misunderstanding.  However, it same to a satisfactory conclusion, and the couple was likable, so I'd give it a 4 out of 5.

"THE WEDDING COTTAGE"     2023      1 hour and 24 mins

A wedding guide creator must convince an uninspired artist and owner of a special wedding cottage to renovate the run down cottage to host a contest winning couple for their dream wedding.

Director:  Terry Ingram

Writers:  Judith Berg, Sandra Berg, Laurie B Turner

Actors:  Erin Krakow, Brendan Penny