Movies #3684 ........................."Ted Lasso" - Season 4 (Apple)

Movie #3684 "Ted Lasso" - Season 4 (Apple)  -- hard to compare to the other seasons because this one goes in a totally different direction --- he is only an assistant, and this time it is to a Girls' team, so there are all kinds of different stories that show up about the various women he comes in contact with.  I thought there would be more on his wife and kid living with him in London, but that was pushed aside for other characters getting an arc in this season -- like Rebecca Welton with her boyfriend she met in Amsterdam, the woman bar owner, Juno and her relationship with Brett Goldstein, and then there's the comic (Tracey Ullman)  who buys all the stock (I didn't think she was a necessary part of the story at all - and not funny) , and finally the best creation --- the female coach who has so much to learn about working with others, and what better teachers to have  than Ted Lasso and Coach Beard (he had a side story too that was okay, but a tad slighted by all the other stuff going on). --- It is obvious to me that they have more in their wheelhouse  with these new characters for a couple more seasons....which is great!  I'd give this season a 4.5.

"TED LASSO" - SEASON 4   10 episodes           Apple        2026

Creators:  Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Bill Lawrence

Actors:  Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddington, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein 

Movie #3683 ........................."Last Seen" (Apple)

 Movie #3683 "Last Seen" (Apple)  I found this to be an engrossing story from beginning to end.  And it didn't feel stretched out like a lot of these 8 episode type shows.  It deals with how a kidnapping greatly affects 2 families.  By the time I got to the ending, it didn't go the way I wanted it to go, but I totally understand why it went the way it did; it was much more realistic to its approach.  Usually shows on this subject deal with one side, but this is quite a complex script, and I respected that.  It also investigates the consequences (a topic we could use more thought about these days) and the question:  What happens when you do the right thing, but the right thing will just cause so many problems for others????  I'd give this a 4.5.  And ironically, the lead in this show was the comedy lead in "Colin from Accounts" --- I'm a new fan of his.

"LAST SEEN"    6 episodes, 50 minutes each --        2026     Apple

Police dispatcher Ian Ridley's daughter Maggie disappeared years ago.  He receives a call, believing it's her, and embarks on a relentless quest to find her and reunite his family, disregarding consequences.

Director:  Christian Schwochow

Writers: Ryan David Jahn (book), Kris Marisa (screenplay)

Actors:  Patrick Brammal, Brendan Cowell, Chloe Jean Lourdes

Movie #3682 ........................."Tommy & Tuppence" (Britt Box)

 Movie #3682 "Tommy & Tuppence"  (Britt Box) -- this is a 4 episode whodunnit, 2 murders followed and solved.  This is not premier Britt Box, because with that, we could get more to follow and solve. For now, we are fine with the two.  I enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads, but I was not enamored with the scripts --- I was constantly thinking,:Why didn't they do this?" in their investigating.  I'd give it a 4 and recommend it and would love to see what you thought about it.

"TOMMY & TUPPENCE"    2025 -- miniseries --- 4 episodes, about 50 minutes each

A modern take on Christie's Tommy and Tuppence, set in upscale London.  The duo tackles murders and mysteries while their playful chemistry and witty banter raise questions about their true feelings for each other.

Creator:  Phoebe Eclair Powell

Actors:  Antonia Thomas, Josh Dylan, Imelda Staunton

Movie #3681 ........................."Widow's Bay" (Apple)

Movie #3681 "Widow's Bay" (Apple"  Not for everybody --- borders on comedy horror --- I am not a horror fan at all, but I was able to get through this without nightmares, but by myself.  Dave didn't care for it at all.  Episode 4 was just bonkers and if you get through that and 5, you've got it made.  The premise gets clearer as the story unfolds, and once you know that, it makes it easier to understand and follow, and thus enjoy.  But really, this is not a true comedy, and I'm not sure why it is in that category (just like Bear was in previous years/)  In episode 7, the cop tells one of the residents who is in the middle of catching him up on all the weirdness in the town, ":I'm good --- I know enough:"  and he's ready to leave, and I laughed out loud at that because that was me -- after 7 episodes I was really good to go and had seen enough.  And I'm not sure i will need to see any more of this show.  But it was a wild ride for 11 episodes..It seems Hollywood really wants to sell Horror to us --- they've  been putting in really strong actors for years, and now trying to put comedy in it..... I still don't buy it!  4 out of 5, Rhys is a wonder in this and fun (a little) to watch!   PS - the secretary and the lighthouse keeper have the best moments toward the end of the season , in my opinion. 

"WIDOW'S BAY"    11 episodes, 40 minutes each    2026     Apple

A skeptical mayor leads the superstitious residents of a cursed New England island.

Creator:  Katie Dippold

Actors:  Matthew Rhys, Kate O'Flynn, Stephen Root

Movie #3680 ........................."Colin from Accounts" - Season 3 (Amazon Prime)

 Movie 33680 "Colin from Accounts" - Season 3 (Amazon Prime)  So sad to see this end --- one of our favorit comedies that we found looking through streaming services --- no one had recommended it to us and we haven't heard anyone talking about it.  But we thoroughly enjoyed it.  However, it is not for everybody -- the language and situations are sometimes very raw.  If you are a rom-com fan like I am and you wanted to see something different, here it is.  It is written and acted by a married couple in the business of t.v., and it has been up for Australian awards and won some.  The situations are right on the edge of craziness and believability -- but because they who they are, they oftentimes got worse --- and there's the comedy.  They deal in what-ifs --- what if your step father was a pervert?  What if your friends didn't like your new boyfriend at all?  What if when flirting, the guy accidentally hits a dog - then whose fault is that?  Well, here they both take on the job, and that starts this delightful journey this couple makes.  I give it a 5, but it is very potty-mouthed.  It does depend on rapid, overlapping dialogue many times --- and less physical comedy.

"COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS"     8 episodes, 27 minutes each,    2026

A  microbrewery owner snd a student doctor are brought together by a car accident that injures a stray dog they agree to adopt, forcing them to navigate each other's vulnerabilities.

Creators:  Patrick Brammall, Harriet Dyer

Actors:  same as above

Movie #3679 ........................."B breadwinner" (netflix)

Movie #3679 "Breadwinner" (Netflix)  Well, I wanted to watch this because the trailer looked so funny, but when watching the film, I quickly decided that the trailer  was better than the film.  Very disappointing.  I like Nate Bargatze, and I wanted to like it because of him.  but that didn't work.  It just went way past the stupid line for me.  There ARE a few laugh out loud moments, but mostly in the first half.  I'd give it a weak 3, and on the fence whether I would recommend it.  Probably not.

"BREADWINNER"   PG   2025    1 hour and 39 mins

When a supermom lands a Shark Tank deal, she switches roles with her breadwinner husband, who struggles to adapt as a stay-at-home dad to their three daughters.

Director:  Eric Appel

Writers:  Nate Bargatze, Dan Lagana 

Acors:  Nate Bargatze, Mandy Moore, Colin Jost

Movie #3678 ........................." A Second Chance Christmas" (GMA)

Movie #3678 "A Second Chance Christmas" (GMA)  I think I am pretty much done with this channel --- I put it on during the Xmas season last year because I noticed a few of my favorite Hallmark actors perform on both stations, but this is CLEARLY the weaker of the two.  So if you think Hallmark is bad, don't even stop to watch this one --- this is an excellent example of what it offers --- preachy, (religious) oftentimes weakly written films, and most of the time the acting is weak, too.  This is a Cameron Bure vehicle ---she was the first to jump ship from Hallmark to this station  due to that station occasionally showing  some homosexual love stories.  Perish the thought!  I would give this a 2.8 -- totally depends on two people in one setting mostly hashing out why they fell out of love, while falling in love again.  

"SECOND CHANCES"      GMA     2026     1 hour and 27 mins

After five years, divorced parents Anna and Jame reunite with their adult children for Christmas, only to find an unexpected ice story may give their lot story a second chance.

Directors:  Paula Ellie, Alton Glass

Writers:  Taylor Kalupa, Masy McLain

Actors:  Candace Cameron Bure, Jonathan Scarfe

Movie #3677 ........................."One Perfect Match" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3677 "One Perfect Match" (Hallmark)  I hadn't seen this one which probably played during Valentine's Day season, so I watched it late at night one night.  It was a cute idea:   matchmaker falls in love with one of her matches, and  it has been done a lot in Hallmark world.  But the obvious conflict, that it doesn't seem appropriate to do that, was stretched through the whole film.  Still, the couple was fun to watch.  I'd give it a 3.8 out of 5.

"ONE PERFECT MATCH'     Hallmark    2023     1 hour and 27 mins

Matchmaker Lucy Marks immediately feels a spark when she meets businessman Finn  Grayson, but things get complicated when he turns up at her office as her newest client.

Director:  Joanne Brechin

Writer:  Ansley Gordon

Actors:  Merritt Patterson, Joshua Sasse, Lynn Gilmartin

Movie #3676 ........................."Fabulous 4" (netflix)

Movie #3676 "Fabulous 4" (Netflix)  Well, this looked to be a high-powdered cast, but not much here --- clunky in many moments, cringey acting (esp. by Midler) and no surprises (the one that was in it, I guessed it easily), and the ending was just silly.  The one saving grace was Susan Sarandon -- she saved the film for me.  I'd give it 3.5 out of 5.

"FABULOUS 4"      Netflix     2024   R      1 hour and 38 mins

It tells the story of two friends who travel to be bridesmaids in a surprise wedding of their college girlfriend.  

Director:  Jocelyn Moorhouse

Writers:  Ann Marie Allison, Jenna Milly

Actors:  Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, Megan Mullally 

Movie #3675 ........................."Wicked Little Letters" (Hulu)

Movie #3675 "Wicked Little Letters" (Hulu)  I would never have guessed how much we would have enjoyed this film from the first couple of minutes --- as we watched , the film got better and funnier --- once we were in on the jokes and understood what was going on --- I must admit it took a few minutes to get used to the histrionics of Colman's family and the our-there attitude of her neighbor, played impeccably by Jessie Buckley .  This film is based on a true story -- you can look the people up and find out even more about the details of this well-written story of two women (Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley) who are next door neighbors who can't get along.  Powerful, well-acted, and  well-written ;  we highly recommend.  4.5 out of 5

"WICKED LITTLE LETTERS"         disney/hulu    2023      R     1 hour, 40 mins

When people in Littlehampton - including conservative local, Edith -- begin receiving letters full of hilarious profanities, the rowdy, Irish migrant, Rose, is charged with the crime.  Suspecting that something is amiss, the town's women investigate.

Director:  Thea Sharrock

Writer:  Jonny Sweet

Actors:  Jessie Buckley, Olivia Colman, Timothy Spall

Movie #3674 ........................."Office Romance" (netflix)

 Movie #3674  "Office Romance" (netflix) There didn't seem to be a lot of chemistry between these two actors, but not a surprise to me because he presents a cold character most of the time in "Ted Lasso" so if we are fans of that show, it's a tough image to shake.  Juno Temple in that show is always overdoing her attention  on him, which helps soften him, but Jaylo is a very good actress who usually portrays a much more strong, but feisty and aloof person --- So result?  guy has to work harder, maybe?  There are some good moments in the film, a couple of laugh out loud scenes, but that's about it -- The flying scenes were ridiculous -- manufactured conflict where the two actors are asked to argue about silly details -- no surprises at all, except for the way the funny sidekick got across her character in such a mean way -- altogether the film seemed to have too much plot and then the love story seemed rushed and scattered.  I'd give it 3.5.

"OFFICE ROMANCE"     2026    R     1 hour and 54 minutes   netflix

Jackie, President and CEO of Air Cruz, runs a tight ship in her business, including a rigid anti-fraternization policy for all her employees, which is severely tested when a sexy new lawyer  begins working for her.

Director:  Ol Parker

Writers:  Brett Goldstein, Joe Kelly

Actors:  Jennifer Lopez, Brett Goldstein, Betty Gilpin

Movie #3673 ........................."Practical Magic - 2" (theatre)

 Movie #3673  "Practical Magic 2" (theatre)  I thought this was a nice set up for the sequel, starting with some nice action and catching up of the two women from the last  movie along with the setting re -established ---  An interesting surprise was that the film started with a death right off the bat, but then it was used throughout the film.  The acting was still well done, the film looked really pretty from sets, to costumes, to locations..... however, instead of putting even more humor or lightness into this film, which they could have done, it just got more horror-filled and may I say a bit silly by the end of it?  I really didn't like the ending they chose to  use,* but i can understand why it was chosen.  Once again, just not my type of film.,  I'd give it 3.8 again.  PS - the two adult daughters , especially. joey King , were nice additions.  Their stories a bit stretched, but their good  acting made them more believable.

*referring to bringing in another character for the conflict  --- why not just use Diane Wiest as the passage to the other world?

"PRACTICAL MAGIC 2"       THEATRE      2026     PG-13     2 hours and 10 mins

A multi-generational family of witches, cursed to be loveless for centuries, attempts to break the pell by confronting dark secrets and sacrificing for each other.

Director:  Susanne Bier

Writers:  Alice Hoffman, Akiva Goldfman, Goergia Pritchett

Actors:  Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing

Movie #3672 ........................."Practical Magic" (Disney)

 Movie #3672 "Practical Magic"  (Disney)  Kind of ironic a movie about witchcraft is on Disney back in the day, but in these days, not surprised when I was looking for where I could stream this classic.  I hadn't seen it before, so I sat and watched it to prep for the sequel, and I'm glad I did.  Why?  I love all the actors in it:  Bullock, Kidman, Wiest, Channing, and even the men.  I especially. enjoyed watching  Evan Rachel  Wood as the  oldest daughter of Bullock.  (and i was disappointed when she didn't play the same role in Part 2).  Anyway, This film did seem worthy of its cult classic status because it was entertaining, well acted, creepy in parts and well filmed.  However, I was surprised it took such a serious turn in the middle --- and i'm fairly sure that turn is another reason it is so popular, especially, nowadays.  (I'm talking about the curse with the beetle).. And the curse plus the two daughters Bullock has can offer a fairly good set up for part 2, which I will cover next.  Overall, I liked the film, but it just isn't my kind of film -- borders on horror.  I give it 3.8.

"PRACTICAL MAGIC"       DISNEY    1998    PG-13     1 hour and 44 minutes

Two witch sisters, raised by their eccentric aunts in a small town, face closed-minded prejudice and a curse which threatens to prevent them ever finding lasting love.

Director;  Griffin Dunne

Writers:  

Alice Hoffman, Robin Swicord, Akiva Goldsman

Actors:  Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, Diane Wiest