It was a rather awful week, and I fell out of my chair and into the TV. (Actually my iPad)
Oh What Fun (Prime)
Claire Clauster is a housewife who goes all out for Christmas. She decorates fantastically (though her lawn inflatables are tacky), and she bakes everyone's favorites. Everyone gets the perfect gift.
Claire really wants to be appreciated more, and she keeps asking and hinting to her children to enter her in the Best Holiday Mom Contest, which includes a trip to Burbank, CA and an appearance on her favorite TV show.
The kids have ignored her hints and requests. She's someone who is demanding and controlling and asks too much of everyone, from their point of view. They are all terrible people and selfish. When she gets left behind from a special concert she's arranged for everyone, and they don't even notice she's not there right away, she packs a small bag and she's on the road to Burbank.
Her trip there isn't terribly interesting, but it is amazing she finds a way into the studio and up on the stage.
Not a cheery film, really, but I liked Claire and her husband's characters.
The Wheel of Time Season 2 Episode 2
I loved season one of Wheel of Time. When I watched it though, I was reading the books and there were some large character and plot changes that bothered me.
When Season two arrived, I watched one episode and then never went back to the show till now. I thought for a moment that I should re-watch episode one to catch up. Then I reasoned, whatever put me off after watching it might do so again. Episode two was good. I no longer have the book story so much in mind, so I can enjoy the story as presented. I'll finish and go on to season three, I'm sure.
Isn't It Romantic
From a list of Leaving Soon from Netflix films I picked Isn't it Romantic. I like Rebel Wilson. She's funny and talented.
Architect Natalie gets taken advantage of by everyone in the office. Even her best friend there who is supposed to be her assistant watches movies on her laptop all day long.
Her friend thinks Natalie would enjoy romcoms, and that they're lighthearted and sweet, and mood lifting.
Natalie has been trained hard by her sour mother on men and sneers at the idea of romance and happily ever after. Somehow Natalie knows all the tropes used in romcoms, though she doesn't watch them? Or does she?
When someone tries to mug Natalie in the subway, and she hits her head, she wakes up to find the world is shiny, bright, and full of romantic young men. Her new boss suddenly has an Australian accent and he is smitten with her. Every man looks at her as if she is a revelation.
Natalie hasn't time for any of this, and moves through the romcom at breakneck speed, trying to find a way out of this absurd world.
My favorite part is karaoke night at a local bar where she follows yet another trope and cuts loose.
Nashville Pilot and Episode 1
I was just bopping around, and thought to try Nashville. I was aware of it while it was on, but never watched.
Because I grew up listening to my parents country music albums, I loved the music playing and being played throughout the episodes.
There are two main characters, Rayna James, who plays traditional country and who has a huge fan base. Even so, her concerts aren't filling the venues, and her resistance to changing how she handles promotion (no social media) is getting her in trouble with the music company she has always been with.
Newcomer Juliette Barnes is a powerhouse, mixing pop with her country with great success. She embraces any way to promote her self she can find. She is wildly popular with young teens in particular, and she doesn't seem to like that.
Add to this, Rayna doesn't like anything about Juliette's music or person. Juliette seems to feel the same. In order to keep Rayna marketable, her record company first offers Rayna the chance to open for Juliette on a concert tour. Nope, not happening.
How about if she goes on tour in smaller venues with her long ago singing and songwriting partner Deacon Claybourne instead?
There are so many twists and turns and stabby stabby dramas. I might be in the mood for this, I sure like the music.
Mama Mia Re-watch
I confess I don't know how many times now I've seen this. I can't get the songs out of my head, and regularly look for the songs on YouTube.
When I saw this the first time, I loved how these middle era older women were so fun and lively, definitely having the time of their lives.
My Secret Santa
This is my favorite new Christmas movie in a long time. I thought it was completely charming. I didn't realize how much I enjoy Alexandra Breckenridge, who I first saw in The Walking Dead. There's something gentle and sweet and calming about her.
Here, she plays Taylor Jacobson, a single mother who just got fired from her job. She's behind on the rent. Her daughter just got accepted to a competitive snowboarder's camp at a snow resort nearby. The fee is huge.
In desperation she applies for a job as the Santa for that same resort under the name Hugh Man. Her brother is a skilled costumer who creates an outfit for her with latex mask, wig, and a body suit that is filled with some sort of grain to produce a jolly old elf. I think the job pays $2000 a week, which will help with her rent and pay for the snowboard school. What's a mom to do?
Once Taylor is in costume and pitches her voice lower, she's a completely captivating Santa. I loved her in her Santa costume every time she had it on. Talk about a show stealer. And a character with a life of his own when talking to children and adults.
A Royal Date For Christmas (Netflix)
2023's A Royal Date For Christmas is a Christmas romance, not trying for comedy, but for a sweet little Christmas movie. It succeeds.
Bella runs a high end boutique featuring men's clothing. She and her coworker offer advice dressing for all occasions. When a man comes arrives in a hurry needing a full set of clothing for the week, having lost his luggage, Bella is able to put this order together and deliver it to his home two hours north.
He's so pleased, and is also in need of a Plus One for an event. Would she be willing to attend at double her usual fee? Bella is nonplussed but agrees.
The Duke, as he turns out to be, is a bit of a stiff. Bella, however, was so talented, hardworking, and determined to do well by her charming new client. Despite the business nature of her being the Duke's Plus One only, there they were, a vivacious woman in red, and he, an increasingly dapper (thanks to her) man who finds himself falling in love.
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