Movie Review: Thursday Murder Club

I had been waiting to watch this movie and it did NOT disappoint. 

A group of three people who live in senior house meet to discuss cold cases. When a person accidentally interrupts their meeting, they decide to invite her to join them - temporarily. 

In current times, there's a financial fight going on between the co-owners of the senior housing. When one of the men dies, everyone is in an uproar over what will happen.

The four club members decide to look into the murder and see what they can find. They start with getting someone on the inside in the police department. Can they solve the mysterious events happening in current day as well as the cold case from the past?

I really enjoyed this movie. I loved Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. To be fair, everyone in the cast was great. This movie had lots of funny moments and a few sweet moments. There were twists and turns in the movie. The ending is open for a sequel, which I really hope happens.

* This movie is on Netflix

** Highly Recommended  

TV Review: The Residence

 

Haven't done one of these in a while, but this show spoke to me.

What I like:

The multiple suspects

The birding - which was usual

Detective Cupp was funny - direct - and smart

White House setting

Randall Park

The jurisdiction questions - especially the Park Service  

The Twists and Turns

The Reveal

I highly recommend this show and I do hope there's another season planned.

Movie Review: Butterfly in the Sky

Butterfly in the Sky is a documentary about Reading Rainbow.

Was this something you watched as a kid?

My Thoughts: I watched this as a kid - the theme song gets stuck in my brain.

But I don't remember too much about it. 

So, I was excited to see this documentary, and it was everything I wanted it to be.

I did tear up a little at the end.

I had no idea that this program lasted for 26 seasons.

I loved how they used kids with created book reviews - and from all backgrounds.

They all shared a love of reading

And of course, there was some celebrity narrators who helped with the publicity for the show

I loved the passion behind the show - you could that everyone really believed in this project.

I loved seeing behind the scenes moments - like the bat cave (I wouldn't go in there either)

The fashion was fun to watch.

Also Loved that this featured Jason Reynolds. 

I have half a mind to go back and re-watch all the episodes.

Here the wonderful LeVar Burton

* On Netflix

TV Season Review: Bridgerton Season

 

Netflix

Having read the books 10+ years ago, I don't remember most of the details, but I LOVED them. 

I do think the show captures those feelings!

Things I Loved:

Polin

The moments between Penelope and her mother

The final ball  

Release the Bugs!

Eloise and Pen making up

Dowager Bridgerton and Lady Danbury

Francesca and John

Penelope and Madame Delacroix 

Benedict and Eloise moments - especially on the swings

the fight over the macarons 

Things I Wished:

That Colin wasn't so annoying over Lady Whistledown discovery and that he asked Penelope to give it up

More Polin scenes (less angry scenes)

I wished we saw more of Colin falling in Love

More scenes between Penelope and the Bridgertons

The mentioned why Daphne wasn't at either wedding

Kate and Antony's trip to India seemed strange

I didn't mind how Lady Whistledown ended - because I feel that Penelope will still be writing.  And that will be shown in the next series.

Overall, I really enjoyed the show. I hated that they split up the season. It's annoying.
I'm also not crazy about waiting 2 years for the next season. It's only 8 episodes. 

TV Review: The Diplomat

 

* This is from Netflix * 

Keri Russell stars as the wife of a wife and husband political power team (of sorts). It's been her husband in the limelight with her behind the scenes. Now, the roles have switched. The President asks her to be an ambassador in England - but she prepped for a very different type of post.

I really liked it, but I did have some thoughts:

I hated her husband - I can't tell if I'm supposed actually root for them or not. But he's terrible.

I love how she only wants to wear suits - and black ones.

She's smart and determined.

I loved the scenery.

I hated the ending - it does end on a cliff hanger (Which is fine) but I wish there had been more answers. I'm just happy there is another season coming! 

Have you seen it? Did you enjoy it?

Christmas Movie Reviews (5)

 

Another set of Christmas movies....

From Hallmark:

Royal Corgi Christmas

Misunderstood Prince needs a dog trainer

He is about to ascend to the throne if he can show he's matured.

She turns out to have a positive influence on him

Lots of cute dog moments.

I'm a sucker for Royal movies - this one gave me a little bit of the Prince and Me vibes.

A very fun movie - highly recommended. 

Kismet Christmas

Legendary Cookies

Teenage Crush

Children's Book Author

Returning home

Second Chance Romance

Magic

This was cute one - of course I'm partial to the Children's Book author parts.

Lots of humor in this one. Recommended! 

From Netflix

Noel Diaries

A famous writer deals with his past while helping a stranger.

Road trip

One bed

Adorable dog

I did enjoy the book moments. 

Aside from the cheating, this was cute. Although it did need another 2 minutes at the end - it was too abrupt and SPOILER - the ending didn't feature the usual kiss. I read that they left it "open" for a sequel, but believe me, it's possible to do both. 

Still, it did showcase my favorite bookstore: RJ Julia's in Madison, CT

Christmas Movies (2)

Another week of festive movies:

From Netflix:

 Ok, I've been excited about this movie for a year now. Basically since it was announced.

And it did not disappoint. I loved the cast - the sweet moments - and the funny moments. All about family, community, and sharing moments together.

I can't wait to see what she does next. 

Add this one to your watch list! 

From Hallmark:

A security threat places this MI7 agent undercover as a royal nanny. 

It's funny, charming, and sweet. No stuffy royals here. 

Lots of fun - add this one to your list!

8 stories intertwined with the Golden Dragon Restaurant at the heart of this story.

This one was sweet, charming, and all about going after your dreams. I loved the story line about the "perfect" Christmas - just like the ones from the movies.

I did love it, but I wanted a little more wrap up at the end. 

Add this one to your list too!

 

If you like... Movie Edition

I watched some really good movies recently - that reminded me of other great movies!

 

Movie Review: Gray Man

Last weekend, I watched The Gray Man -  I did read the book last year. 

Here were my thoughts on the book. 

My Thoughts: I did like the movie. It was exactly what I expected. I remembered moments from the book. And there were some I did not. I did not remember Dani's character at all. Chris Evans plays a really good bad guy (and a really good Good guy). I wish that Regé-Jean Page had more of a role. Lots of action and danger. It did remind me of Bourne at times. 

I hope they continue with the series. It does sound like there are additional movies in the works. 

Did you watch it?

Holiday Movies (2)

Just a few Christmas movies I've watched this year:

A Castle for Christmas (Netflix) is about an author who gets into hot water with her fans after killing off a beloved character. She travels to Scotland to find the castle her father told stories about. When she learns the castle's for sale, she decides to buy it. But the Scottish Duke doesn't want to sell, even though he can't afford to keep the castle.

This one was super cute AND written by YA author Ally Carter. I loved the knitting group. I loved the banter between the heroine and the hero. And Drew Barrymore was a surprise!

Fun Fact: There was supposed to be a younger brother of the Duke. And he would have gotten his own movie for Valentine's Day.

This is a sequel from a movie several years ago based on a book from Sheila Roberts. This movie takes place 5 years later. Both the main characters have moved on (sort of) from each other and are making waves in their professional life. But when she comes home for Christmas - the chemistry is still there. 

The kittens in this movie are adorable. It was nice catching up with these characters and seeing how their lives have changed. 

Lara's mother convinces her to enter in a local Christmas contest where the winner earns money for their favorite charity. Lara's happy to learn she's secured a spot - until she learns that her ex-boyfriend also secured a spot. Ben broke her heart and she hasn't let go of her hurt feelings. The moments between them are full of banter and anger - until they begin to remember why they fell for each other.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I wasn't a huge fan of the hero. I did warm up to him by the end. I did enjoy the Christmas contest activities. And I loved Lara's team. 

Congressional Aide is sent over Christmas to an Air Force Base her boss wants to close. Erica's supposed to uncover a reason to close the base. But the more time she spends, the more she realizes that it would be a tragedy to close this base - especially with the celebration of Operation Christmas Drop.

This was a really interesting movie from last year - based on a real operation that's been happening since 1952. It's a heartwarming tale - and a fun movie. 

Having just been fired from their job, sisters Brooke and Margot travel to Ireland to find their relatives. During a castle tour, they overhear the owners mention their event planner for the party has backed out. Margot immediately volunteers them - giving them their formers boss's name as her sister's name. Things of course spiral out of control.

This was super fun - with the party planning, the scenery, and the moments between the sisters. Of course the truth comes out at the worst possible moment - but things have a way of working out. 

Holiday Movies

The Christmas Prince trilogy:

 

I re-watched the first one and then the next two. The first one was very enjoyable. The second was terrible, it lost the charm of the first one. I wanted to smack the characters. But it did have some charming moments. The third one was also enjoyable - I enjoyed the treasure hunt and uncovering the thief.  

There's someone robbing Christmas parties - and they all have the same Santa Claus. A rookie detective teams up with a fellow detective to uncover the mystery thefts. When they discover a house for rent next door to their key suspect, they move in an set up a surveillance operation. But their cover is blown and instead they're forced to play a newlywed couple and join in the neighborhood's festivities. 

This one was super cute. I loved how they were forced to join in. It almost makes me wish for a neighborhood like this. Lots of banter and holiday cheer. And of course - getting the bag guy. Plus this has one of my favorite Hallmark actors in it. 

When Paige comes home for Christmas, her parents don't tell her it's the last Christmas at their inn. They're thinking of selling their successful inn and start traveling the world. But when the potential buyer arrives a month early - everything is up in the air. Paige believes he's just a guest at the inn and she's helping him and his son have a great time. But...

This was great. I loved the moments decorating and creating the inn's festive party. Lots of charming moments here. 

A daughter returns home after several years after being away because her estranged father was hurt in an accident. She comes for Christmas with her own daughter. Both are excited about the holidays, but he is not interested

This one was funny with the grandfather warming up to the granddaughter. Also a second chance romance. Enjoyable.

An older movie - but a sequel is coming this year, so I wanted to watch it.

A fireman isn't interested in marriage. He goes through a series of women who are all wrong for him. He ends up running into a woman studying to be a vet. She has a secret cat in her apartment. Long story short - she ends up renting a place from him.

This one was charming and of course the cats are super cute. I really like the actress - she's one of my Hallmark favorites. I'm really curious to see where the sequel goes. 

Watched in July

A mother's never been without her children on Christmas, but since her divorce he husband and his girlfriend are taking the kids over the holidays. The girls are sad until the new girlfriend invites the mother to join them all. 

This was a cute story about blended families - with some jealousy and competition thrown in. The kids were cute and there's a fun romance.

Have you seen any of these? Are you a fan?

Movie Review: Moxie

 

It's super good. I was so excited when I heard that Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu was going to be a film. I loved the book  - you can read the reasons why here. 

And the movie captured the book really well.

I enjoyed the mother daughter relationship.

I loved the mother's new boyfriend. That broke up the movie a bit with some funny scenes.

Most of all, I loved seeing the zines come to life. And knowing they were based off real zines from back in the day. And of course I loved watching the friendships grow and build a feminist community among the students.

And it did make me angry.

These girls are fighting for so much and I wanted to hug them all. 

Have you seen this movie?

Check back tomorrow for a booklist after you've watched the movie!

Book Lists: Lara Jean Covey

 Always & Forever Lara Jean is out today. 

It's the final installment of this amazing book adaptation.  

It's going to be hard saying goodbye to Lara Jean Covey.

Here are my thoughts on the 2nd movie P.S. I Still Love You.

I know the third movie is going to be amazingly good.

And if you didn't hear the news, I'm excited for Belly's adaptation too.

photo credit: hypable.com

Here are some books to read if like me, you're sad about the Lara Jean's ending.

On my to-read list:

The Way You Make Me Feel

A Match Made in Mehndi

Loveboat, Taipei

I Love You So Mochi

Fake it Til You Break It

Read:

American Panda

There's Something About Sweetie

29 Dates

Movie Review: Enola Holmes

I really really enjoyed this movie adaptation.

First, it was VERY different from the book series. 

However, it captured the magic and charm of the series perfectly.

I loved the banter between Enola and Sherlock.

I wish there was a bit more about the disguises as in the book, they are genius disguises.

I loved the feminist perspective and how ladies do not need a husband. Both Enola and her mother are very clever and strong ladies.

The casting was amazing; the characters were played perfectly. I loved Enola's spunk and determination. 

I really hope they adapt the rest of the book series!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books that Should be Adapted

This week's topic is books that I would love to see adapted. And there are SO many great books that would make a series or a movie. Here are just a few favorites from books I've read recently. 

Also here are my picks from last year.

Movie:

Shows: