Reviews and more!

 What a fabulous series is Shonda Rhimes’ first foray on Netflix! Bridgerton is everything I wanted it to be: sexy, scandalous, lush, romantic. With Dame Julie Andrews narrating, the series introduces the Bridgerton family, headed by widowed Lady Violet, the only calm in a veritable storm of children, happy and unhappy. Her eldest daughter Daphne is being introduced into society this particular season in order to find a suitable husband. Intrigues ensue as a mysterious columnist, Lady Whistledown, reveals secrets and scandals in early 19th century London. The diversity of the cast and the steaminess of the sex scenes give a 21st century flavor to this series. It includes one of the most romantic love scenes I’ve witnessed on film in quite a while. Gorge yourselves with this sumptuous meal. 🎥🎥🎥🎥+

  I happened upon this docu-series while channel-surfing for something that I could half-watch while practicing Spanish or checking out social media. It took about 5 minutes before I was all in — watching every moment of this inspiring series. The focus is two-fold: following the older students in the School of American Ballet as they work towards becoming apprentices with the NYC Ballet and watching the younger students audition for and eventually perform in the Lincoln Center Nutcracker. I can’t count how many times I teared up or outright sobbed as these children (along with their families) live  their passion for dance. Watch it and prepare to be dazzled. So amazing — I might be a little emotional even as I’m writing this review. 🎥🎥🎥🎥+

 This program is an excellent reason to try out an international show with subtitles if you’ve never done so. I might be biased since the main character teaches 15-16 year-olds (my teacher comfort zone for 18 years). And maybe there’s merit in why she became a teacher: to protect the kids from their parents. Anyway, Rita is passionate, wild, caring, with a steamer trunk full of baggage. Follow her through five seasons of love, sex, joy, depression, all with her quirky sidekick Hjørdis, off-again on-again lover Rasmus, her own children, and a plethora of endearing kids. You won’t be disappointed. 🎥🎥🎥🎥+

If you’re looking for a sweet holiday movie with a side of female empowerment, check out this one! Santa Claus has passed away, and his son Nick is practicing at the North Pole to become the next Santa. His sister Noelle is making pretty holiday cards and watching with dismay as her brother’s stress level keeps rising. When she suggests a weekend getaway, Nick takes her advice but then disappears. It’s Noelle’s task to find him before Christmas Eve. Just a candy cane confection of a movie, the perfect antidote to pandemic/holiday blues. 🎥🎥🎥🎥

  This delightful little movie is based in fact — Harry Hallowes successfully won the right to live permanently on a small parcel of land on the edge of Hampstead Heath. That fact is a part of this romantic story of a widow who meets Harry and encourages him in his quest to keep his acreage. At first glance Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleason seem an unlikely couple, but somehow it works. Beautiful scenery is also a part of the story. Nice way to spend an afternoon. 🎥🎥🎥

I watched this one just to see what these stars brought to the roles that the Broadway cast couldn’t bring, and I just don’t get it. Wouldn’t it have been nice in these pandemic times to give the high powered star roles to the actors who certainly could play those roles and definitely could have used the money more than Streep, Kidman, or Corden. The show itself is okay — a Broadway riff on gay issues just as Hairspray was a riff on racial and body issues. The songs were okay, the story predictable, the singers decent. I didn’t love it — I’d rather see a new episode of Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist.... 🎥🎥+

  This fast-paced political thriller is a gem! Bonus — one of the leading actors in this show, Jacki Weaver, was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in one of my favorite Philly-located movies, Silver Linings Playbook. And Bubba from Forrest Gump has a cameo as well. The first season deals with journalist Harriet Dunkley following the trail of deception, cyber crimes, and Chinese duplicity in Canberra, Australia’s capital. There’s also a self-immolation in China, another fascinating sub-plot. Who is the spy? What needs to be kept secret? Absorbing. Season 2 continues with Harriet, now working for Independent MP Karen Koutoufides as a media consultant, digging to discover the motive behind a house blowing up in a residential neighborhood near Canberra. There’s also an Afghanistan connection of some sort. And then there’s Harriet’s former prison mate Mina and her issues. So many disparate threads eventually tied up in a satisfying package. Don’t miss this one! 🎥🎥🎥🎥

 FYI — Acorn TV has a 30-day trial if you like British+ tv — code is FREE30. Want a show that fits like a pair comfy slippers? Doc Martin is perfect for pandemic viewing — 9 seasons filmed in lovely Cornwall. Dr. Ellingham moves from being a surgeon in London to setting up a family practice in fictional Portwenn because he’s developed an aversion to the sight of blood. He’s arrogant with limited people skills, but he’s a very good doctor, so the townspeople put up with his brusque manner — most of the time. And there are lots of quirky characters in Portwenn and even a guest appearance by Sigourney Weaver! Enjoy.  🎥🎥🎥+

  This series consists of a 1 1/2 hour pilot and then six 45-minute episodes, set in eastern parts of Australia. The pilot is a complete story centering around Eve Winter and a team of Aussie feds brought in to solve the mystery of a missing girl. The search widens as a killing field of bodies are discovered. The subsequent series revolves around a young woman murdered by being pushed off a cliff near her home. Secrets abound, and Eve must wade through the lies to discover the culprit. Decent procedural story with a hint of romance.  🎥🎥🎥

I passed on this when it was on PBS a few years ago but thought I’d give it another shot. A slow-paced unraveling of the mystery surrounding the murder of police officer Stevie, the show focuses on her partner John River and the “demons” surrounding him. He talks to himself, sees dead people, and totally lacks social skills. These qualities should isolate him, right? Well, initially they do, but by the last episode we realize, as does River, that that’s not the case anymore. Yes, the mystery is solved, too, but for me John’s epiphany about himself still resonates. 🎥🎥🎥🎥