Movie #3649 ........................."The Four Seasons" - Season 2 - netflix

 Movie #3649 "The Four Seasons" - season 2 (Netflix)  Tis continues to be a very solid show, even thought this Season started out a tad slow.  The first couple of episodes seemed to be filled with exaggerated situations and characters --- hard to believe, but they were going through grief from their best friend and traveling companion in Season 1 -- esp. Forte.  Thank god for Tina Fey to keep all of them in line --- she's very natural, and she along with Colman Domingo can handle the dramatic scenes really well.  I am very impressed with the woman who plays the widow of Steve Carell in this season -- she can handle drama and comedy and she's fun to watch.  As this season progressed, it got more focused and funnier --- better writing , esp. in the funny area, and it came to a good ending for season 2 --- and it looks like it is a for sure to come back, so looking forward to season 3 already.  These characters are fun to watch.  I'd give this season a 4 and recommend.

"THE FOUR SEASONS" SEASON 2      2026    30 minutes per episode,  eight episodes

  Spring:  A trip upstate to spread Nick's ashes on a mountaintop becomes an uphill battle as tensions climb between anne and Ginny. Summer:  the group unwinds at the beach, but Kate and Jack aren't on the same wavelength.  A recent arrival turns the tide in Ginny and Ane's relationship.  Fall: Thanksgiving - Danny and Claude dish out big news at an overstuffed Tday gathering.  Jack and Kate "hack marriage by each doing their own thing.  Winter:  Kate gives Danny the cold shoulder on a visit to the Italian Alps.  Anne's resemblance to a Christmas witch leaves her questioning her life choices.

Creators:  Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, Tracey Wigfield

Actors:  Tina Fey, Will Forte, Colman Domingo 

Movie #3648 ........................."Toy Story 5" (theater)

Movie #3648 "Toy Story 5" (theatre)  Well, I can't say this is the best of them because it isn't --- mainly, for me because the beloved characters like Woody et al, don't say very much at all.  This is Jessie's movie and Buzz (because he tries to profess his love to her through the whole thing) , and I must say, her character got a bit annoying to hold the whole movie.  However, Conan O'Brien  (the pooper) and his two friends  were so good, I wish they would have slowed them down a bit so we could appreciate even more their humor.  They were kind of fast!  and talking under and over each other.  It also seemed a tad long, with two high points ----and when the whole crew is together they are boxed in a garage, so it is difficult to see each one exclaim their funny lines.  But the humor and emotions are still there, and it comes to a very nice close.  And I am so glad I got a chance to see it --- wouldn't have missed it for the world.  I'd give it a 4 out of 5 and highly recommend it.  PS - I forgot to say what I loved most about this particular movie --- it was the smart treatment of the electronics toys vs. real toys --- what great nostalgia -- hope it gets kids back to playing with their real toys and less on the electronics!!!!

"TOY STORY 5"     2026    PG    1 hour and 42 mins

Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang's jobs are challenged when they're introduced to electronics, a new threat to playtime.

Diorectors:  McKenna harris, Andrew Stanton

Writers:  Andrew Stanton, McKenna Harris

Actors:  Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack

Movie #3647 ........................."A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" (plane)

 Movie #3647 "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" (plane)  Beats me what this one was about, although with its winning actors, I bought into the entertainment of it but story?  hmmmm.  Missed it --- It was cinematically pretty, but didn't get much else about it --- I like rom-coms and this one was in that genre, along with the road trip genre, but didn't get much out of this.  I'd give it a 3.8 for style, thought,

"A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY"      2025     R    1 hr and 49 mins

Two strangers who meet at a mutual friend's wedding have the chance to relive important moments from their pasts, illuminating the path that led them to the present and gain the opportunity to change their futures.  In this tale, David heads o a wedding in his old car with unique GPS. He met Sarah, and together, they embark on a journey suggested by the GPS.  Along the way, they confront their pasts and explore painted landscapes, leading to a deeper connection.  As they contemplate their future, they face a crucial decision about their  relationship.  (fantasy, ah hah!  that's why I wasn't enthused with the plot)

Director:  Kogonada

Writer:  Seth Reiss

Actors:  Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie

Movie #3646 ........................."Now You See Me , Now You Don't" (plane)

 Movie #3646 "Now you See Me, Now you don't"  (plane0  I watched a couple of these back in the day, and not sure where this fits in, but since I had slim pickings on the movies on the return flight, I made time to watch another one from this franchise.  I caught up quickly even with the new characters I wasn't introduced to yet.  I like mostly the magic they perform, and less interested in the plot turns and twists but this one wa good.  Not outstanding but good....I'd give it a 4 out of 5

"NOW YOU SEE ME NOW YOU DON'T     2025    PG-13     1 hour and 53 mins

The Four Horsemen reunite and team up with a new generation of young illusionists to expose a diamond heiress's global money laundering scheme for criminals.

Director:  Rubin Fleischer

Writers:  Michael Lesslie, Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese

Actors:  Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco 

Movie #3645 .........................."Kiss of the Spiderwoman" (Plane)

 Movie #3645 "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" (Plane)  Years ago I was bedazzled watching Chita Rivera as the Spiderwoman on Broadway ---I remember it being very entertaining, wondrous to watch her dance,  & entertaining because of the bossanova beat vs. the serious lives being shared in the prison by the two lead guys (the structure of dark vs. light set up much like the musical "Cabaret" where the prisoners in this show dream of a better life while daily living with little food or water and being tortured).  As much as I like Jaylo , she wasn't Chita Rivera (who could be?)  so her dancing was just average --- the staging was so elaborate in the film that it took away the "dream" idea --- would be better if the sets were being transposed from what was on stage into the dream sequences.  And the story lost its luster because of the way it was told.  It was plodding along, and only got better when the dramatic scenes took over.  That is, the musical sequences seem to interrupt instead of enhance the story.  That being said, it still is an interesting overall idea and I give it 3.8 and moderately recommend for seeing an out-of-the-box broadway musical.

"KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN"  2025    R    2 hours and 9 mins

Valentin, a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina, convicted for public indecency.  An unlikely bond forms as Molina recounts a Hollywood musical plot starring Ingrid Luna.

Director:  Bill Condon

Writers:  Bill Condon, Terrence McNally, Manuel Puig

Actors:  Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, Jennifer Lopez

Movie #3644 ........................."Midwinter Break" (plane)

 Movie #3644 "Midwinter Break" (Plane)  Whew this one was another slow one --- podded along, but I knew it going into it.  What I was interested in is Lesley  Manneville  (Mrs. Harris) and Ciaran Hinds  (Belfast)  were the actors in it , and I respect both of them for their acting.  People married for eons reckoning with the future and how it will play out --- the same thing day after day?  Leslie's character is looking for something different --- very different, and she tries to convey that to her husband.  I'd give it a 3.8 and not recommend it really --- unless you, too, like thee two characters, and you, too, are wondering where your life goes from here....

"MIDWINTER BREAK"      2026     PG-13     1 hour and 30 minutes

A longtime couple take a life-changing trip to Amsterdam.

Director:  Polly Findlay

Writers:  Bernard MacLaverty, Nick Payne

Actors:  Lesley Manville, Ciaran Hinds, Julie Lamberton

Movie #3643 ........................."Escape Net" (plane)

 Movie #3643"Escape Net" (plane)  This one's memory did no stay with me like the others, but I remember the story being an interesting one.  Basically, it's about a woman who plays on a basketball team with the major reason that she wants to ross the Iron Curtain to reunite with her beloved brother who is prisoner there.  I remember that she went through a lot to do this, and I thought it was a witty way to beat the system.  A nice historical film centered on a woman athlete (bur recently a new mother).  I would give it a 4, and if you don't mind all the subtitles, you might enjoy it.  I kept getting names and faces mixed up a bit, but the lead woman was really good.

"ESCAPE NET"      2025    1 HOUR AND 50 MINUTES

In the Soviet era, a young woman plays basketball as her only chance to cross the Iron Curtain and reunite with her brother.

Director:  Dzintars Crelbergs

Writers:  same as above, Ligita Lukstraupe

Actors:  Agnese Budovska, Arturs Skrastins, Artur Smolyaninov

Movie #3642 ........................."Housemaid" (plane)

 Movie #3642 "Housemaid" (plane)  Well, the major thing I would say about this movie is that it is better than the book..  Thank goodness, because I found the book quite silly and wondered why I even read it --- except it is a popular one that people were talking about.  I like thrillers but the book was just too silly to take seriously.  Anyway, in the hands of this director and two very capable actresses (Seyfried and  Sweeney)  the script seemed a tad more plausible and I was quite entertained by the film.  Still there are problems with it --- it borders on horror, I think, and that's a genre I don't care about at all!  If you google the differences film vs. book, there are several --- movie characters aren't as deeply structured (that makes sense since there is less time to develop them) the punishments are more violent in the movie (to keep watchers more entertained?) , the little girl shows she understands by using a doll house to show her feelings (shortcut method used in film) the atmosphere of the house was evidently better in the movie, and I agree with that, too.  What's the big deal to me is the ending --- I don't want to give anything away, but the movie ending has both women involved and to me that was more satisfying to watch.  Made it smarter, to me.  I would give this a 3.5 and not overly recommending it.  I watched it to compare it to the book, and I'm glad I did.

"HOUSEMAID"     2025     R    2 hours and 11 minutes

Millie a struggling young woman becomes live in maid for a wealthy couple Nina and her hubby Andrew.  She enters a mansion of secrets, manipulation, and escalating psychological games that pull her into a dangerous relationship dynamic.  

Director:  Paul Feig (the director who won best director  oscar for "One Battle after Another" this year)

writers:  Rebecca Sonnenshine , Freida McFadden (author of the popular book)

Actors:  Sydney Sweeney (Millie), Amanda Seyfried (Nina ) Brandon Sklenar

Movie #3641 ........................."Roofman" (plane)

Movie #3641 "Roofman" (Plane)  This was a fun one I watched on the plane --- fun with a mixture of drama --- very poignant ending.  Billed as a true story it concerns a guy who is in need of money and goes about getting money in an unconventional way.  Enough said, because I wouldn't want to give anything away.  Lots of chuckles here, a competent staff, and a storyline that kept me interested all throughout the time I spent on the plane watching it.  I'd give it a 4.5 and recommend it for its quirkiness.

"ROOFMA"      R    2 hours and 6 minutes      2025

A charismatic criminal, while on the run from the police, hides in a hidden space of a toy store.  There,l he adopts a new identity and becomes involved with an employee, beginning a relationship as unlikely as it is risky.

Director:  Derek Cianfrance

Writers:  Derek Cianfrance, Kirt Gunn

Actors:  Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Lakeith Stanfield 

Movie #3640 .........................The History of Sound (on a plane)

 Movie #3640 "The History of Sound" (on a plane )  Why did I watch this?  Well, I was on a plane for many hours and didn't feel like reading and there wasn't much to pick from.  And the second reason is the cast:  it had Josh O'Conor and Paul Mescal, two of my favorites so I chose it.  I have to say it is not a film for everyone --- it is sooooooo slow paced  that many viewers might say:  "Nothing much happens here."  And it is about a very particular subject that not a lot of people will probably be interested --- the making of sound canisters of folk songs , but what made the story a tad more significant or universal is the relationship between the mentor and his assistant --- it struck me as a "Brokeback Mountain" kind of love, ie., what was considered "forbidden love" at this time in history they are recording the songs.  The two guys are outstanding so if nothing else, the film not only gives you the flavor of the music at the time, but a tremendous exercise in acting.  I'd give it a 3.5 but not recommend it to everyone.  (beautiful cinematography, forgot to add)

"THE HISTORY OF SOUND"    2025      R    2 hours and 8 mins

Two young men during WWI set out to record the lives, voices nd music of their American countrymen.

Director:  Oliver Hermanus

Writer:  Ben Shattuck

Actors:  Paul Mescal, Josh O'Connor, Chris Cooper

Movie #3639 ........................."Hacks" Season 5 (HBO Max)

 Movie #3639 "Hacks" Season 5 (HBO Max)  We hate to see this show leave because it was always something we would look forward to for so many reasons, mostly the amount of humor in each show, dependent on mostly character, but sometimes on the stories they brought with or some bit of physical comedy. I must say, this season had a slow start --- some real out of the box kind of things happening, especially. some clown choreography that jean Smart did with her daughter for a contest (which i remember her losing) -- and a lot of drinking, and carousing, and hanging out in beautiful locations, mostly Vegas (and that's not bad) but the story lines weren't as tight as other seasons.  But what a sendoff!  The two women walking off into the sunset with Barbra and Judy (Streisand and Garland) singing  their famous duet of "Happy Days are here again" --- all the little sub stories ended, and we were left with a reminder of just how far these two women grew throughout the show and how they cemented this special relationship even though they were years and years apart.  Loved it and miss it already -- I would give the very last show a 5, but the season a 4 out of 5.

"HACKS"  SEASON 5    HBO MAX  2026     30 min episodes, 10 episodes 

This show explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old writer.

Creators:  Lucia Aniello, Paul  Downs, Jen Statsky

Actors:  Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs

Movie #3638 ........................."The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death is Listening" (Hallmark)

 Movie #638 "The Cases of Mystery Lane:  Death is Listening" (Hallmark series) I haven't really watched many of the Hallmark mystery offerings, but this one caught my eye because:  1) paul campbell had something to do with it, 2) husband and wife team up to solve the crimes, and    3)  they seem like a bumbling, typical couple who enjoy mystery podcasts, but who have better than average detective skills.  I am glad I tuned in because the story revolved around a podcast guru who was killed on her show and her two big fans, this couple, try to solve the case.  It has a silly substory with Paul campbell being deathly afraid of mice, and some exaggerated moments, but otherwise, it was a fun watch.  I'd give it a 4 and need to look for more in this series.

"THE CASES OF MYSTERY LANE:  DEATH IS LISTENING"   Hallmark   2024  1 hr, 24 m

As Birdie and Alden's relationship grows, they share a love of true crime podcasts.  When their favorite host dies, they help Officer Newton investigate sinister suspects.

Director:  Mike Rohl

Writers:  Joel Dovey, Margaux Froley

Actors:  Aimee Garcia, Paul Campbell, Matt Hamilton

Movie #3637 ........................."Devil Wears Prada 2" (theatre)

 Movie #3637 "Devil Wears Prada 2'"(theatre)  I saw this a couple of weeks ago,but was on a trip and not able to get to blogging how really good this movie is --- It's rare when the sequel is as good as the first one, but I think this is one of those examples of that happening.  The women are all strong in their parts and Stanley Tucci, too)  , and they all have substantial moments here and are important to the plot.  And the plot is logical, costumes are delicious,  and the pacing is strong,; that is, after the slowness of the opening where they re-introduce the major characters, which is necessary to catch us up from Part 1.  I must say this film is not for the filmgoer who enjoys slowly-paced storylines, with more stress on character study than action -- no chase scenes, here ,though --- just rapid firing of lines in usually a smarmy way.  I would give it a 4.5 and recommend it, esp. to those who enjoyed Part 1, costumes .  But this is still watchable even if you skipped the first one --- 

"DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2"     theatre     PG-13  1 hr and 59 mins

Andy Sachs reunites with Miranda Priestly as they navigate their careers amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing.

Director:  David Frankel

Writers:  Aline Brosh McKenna, Lauren Weisberger

Actors:  Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci

Movie #3636 ........................."How We Met This Christmas" (GMA channel)

 Movie #3636 "How We Met This Christmas"  (GMA channel)  The reason I watch this channel (ugh) is for Danica 's films == though she is on Hallmark periodically, as well.  This has the same tropes as all amnesia films -- and yes, this is another amnesia =romance film that is so popular , it might as well be a genre in itself ----but  it rarely differs .  This one has beautiful scenery, and an extra added ugh to it --- that is, the guy she doesn't know when she wakes up was an exboyfriend in the past , so the film is about how she falls in love with him again.  It's a 3.8 --- no need to see unless it might get you into the Christmas spirit.  I watched it during the Christmas season, but just noticed I hadn't done a blog on it.  Well, here it is.

"HOW WE MET THIS CHRISTMAS"    2025    1 hr 24 mins      

After a car wreck leaves her with amnesia, a real estate exec recovers at a small town inn at Christmas.  Unaware of their past connection, she falls for the innkeeper's son - until her returning memories jeopardize their budding romance.

Director:  John Morrison Newman

Writers:  Danica McKellar, Riley Weston

Actors:  Danica McKellar, Jesse Hutch, John Posey