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Reviews
Kentucky (1938)
Loretta Young is lovely, but the Kentucky Derby and it's thoroughbreds are the real stars of this classic film.
This 1938 film is a real love letter to the Kentucky Derby and it's Southern rooted thoroughbred history. It begins just prior to and during the Civil War, which sets the stage for a feud between the Dillon Family and the Goodwin Family. Then fast forward to 1938 and two grandchildren of the Dillion and Goodwin Family meet, have conflict and fall in love all over training thoroughbreds and racing in the Kentucky Derby.
Jack Dillon, played by the handsome Richard Greene, returns home to the family ranch in Kentucky from London England where he had been studying to go into the banking business with his father. The problem is Jack doesn't want to be a banker, he wants to be a horse trainer...when he has a disagreement with his father at the bank, he goes incognito as a trainer with the Goodwin Family after setting eyes on the lovely Sally Goodwin, played by the beautiful Loretta Young. The Goodwin family has all their hopes pinned on a single horse that they win from the Dillon Family making this year's Kentucky Derby high stakes!
There is definitely some Hollywood-ized Southern flair to this film, but it is worth seeing for its beautiful time capsule of 1938 Kentucky Derby and all it's fanfare. Great film for a Kentucky Derby family night.
Falling Together (2024)
Fall colors and a new transplant who is trying to unite her warring neighbors in this Hallmark romance...heavy on community.
Ashley Williams was lovely in this fall-centric Hallmark romance and Paul Campbell was an excellent foil or calm to her exuberant enthusiasm, but the real star was Rryla McIntosh who played the beautiful and quirky Drea.
Natalie moves from Florida to the city of brotherly love (aka Philadelphia) and finds her condominium complex is filled with anything but. She decides to try to bring her neighbors together and she eventually ropes the handsome young super Mark into helping reluctantly. Natalie befriends the local diner owner and pie maker, Rryla and volunteers for a local walk for Alzheimer's befriending Lynda Payne in the process. The Alzheimer's cause is near and dear to Lynda's heart and I think the addition of this cause was the heart of this romance which seems to be built around finding a balance between "me time" and bringing community together.
Overall, I think the message was good and I liked the fall backdrop. The two main characters supported each other well. I always find it funny to hear so many Canadian accents in the heart of America, but maybe others don't hear it?
Kind of a middle of the road Hallmark romance, but I think their core fans will enjoy it.
Kör Nokta (2024)
Legal series focused on a car accident and the fallout in four families with a love story in the middle.
This is a very short fall 2024 Turkish TV series, totaling just four episodes. It has an interesting premise built around a car crash that involves four families and some great actors.
Aslim Gencer (Rabia Sovtürk) is a young lawyer who works for one of the Alptekin family businesses. Her serious boyfriend is Cihan (Ismail Ege Sasmaz), the eldest and pride of the Alptekin family who is on the verge of proposing to Aslim, the love of his life. Gece Kutlu (Çagla Boz), is Aslim's troubled best friend and it is the occasion of her older brother Emre's return from military service that unites Gece, Aslim, Emre and Memo (Aslim's studious, soccer playing younger brother) in one of two cars that have a tragic accident one night. The other car involved in the accident belongs to Cihan's younger sister Ipek on the occasion of her birthday, which she has taken out to celebrate with her wealthy, spoiled friend Ugar Sayman. When the driver Emre comes upon the reckless driving of Ipek, he swerves to avoid a collision, sending their car over the side of the road and into a crash that results in serious injuries by most parties in the car. Ipek, stops the car and both she and Ugar end up outside observing the fallout of the accident. Instead of calling for an ambulance, Ipek returns to her car to flee the accident...and in her haste, runs over and kills Ugar.
The series is really about the fallout of this accident and it's effect on the four families involved...two rich and two poor. Aslim wakes up after being in a coma for a month to find out she lost her and Cihan's baby, her brother Memo and Ugar are both dead, with Emre taking responsibility for the "accident" and Ipek claiming to have not been there at all. As Aslim gets her memory back she not only tells a different story, but blames Ipek for being the cause...pitting her and Cihan's against one another as the Alptekin family has perpetuated a big cover up which includes paying Gece and Emre for their silence. Cihan is loyal to his love for Aslim and devastated for the loss of their child...but after a suicide attempt by Ipek, tries to determine if their is any truth to ipek's claims of being clean and sober and yet having no memory of the accident.
My favorite thing about this short series was the character of Cihan. I absolutely loved his unfailing loyalty to his love, Aslim. He understood her need for justice for her brother (and I think their unborn child), but stayed true to the vision of the two of them together forever. I liked how he consistently avoided and stayed out of Gece's clutches. Continually sidestepping her moves to insinuate herself in his life...including moving out immediately when she moves into his family home. There are so many men who could take a lesson from him on how to avoid even the idea of impropriety. Three cheers for that portion of the storyline. I also highly approved of Cihan's continued support of Aslim, even taking a rod to the head while she raged. His love and protection, where really the best part of the series.
My second favorite aspect was Aslim's drive for justice, in the face of so much adversity she persisted. Failed by her friend, family and eventually her boss, she kept looking for a way to overcome the cover up and get justice for what she knew was wrong. I loved the courthouse trick she pulled at the end of episode three and I also really enjoyed the introduction of a kind of trickster character in the form of Ugar's brother Kerem, who shows up and is an unlikely ally to Aslim.
Really short Turkish series that does tell a complete story if you are looking for some language practice or don't want to tackle a lengthy series.
My review is based on watching this series in it's original Turkish language with English subtitles.
Trap (2024)
Good premise that fell short on execution.
A little slow moving and the acting seemed stilted and awkward especially in the beginning. When it went full serial killer mode, I thought Josh Hartnett was great...but as quirky dad, he was uncomfortable and it showed.
There were multiple things that didn't make sense in this film and there wasn't a big M. Knight shyamalan twist, which was disappointing. It was a great vanity piece for his daughter, who did a remarkable job as the pop star Lady Raven.
When I initially saw the premise of this film I thought it would be really good and I feel a bit let down with the execution.
A dad takes his daughter to an afternoon concert of her favorite pop star only to discover that the FBI has set an elaborate trap for the serial killer they have given the moniker of "the butcher" to. And news flash...our goofy Dad is him! The rest of The film is about how he avoids getting caught...while dragging around his unsuspecting daughter.
84 Charing Cross Road (1987)
This is an absolutely charming film based on an even more endearing true life story.
I came to this film by way of Helene Hanff's book of the same name. I happened upon the book, which I purchased for $0.50 off of a local book cart. (A price I think that would thrill Helene herself, even if it is for one of the nasty American cardboard covered sort.) The book is so utterly and endearingly charming that I read it aloud to my husband over two consecutive lunches. I chuckled and cried I was so touched by this true story of starving New York script reader/writer Helene Hanff and her correspondences with a London "antiquarian bookseller". Over several decades and many correspondences, books, payments, gifts, etc. Helene manages to befriend the staff at 84 Charing Cross Road and their families...and in one case a neighbor.
There is beautiful history and a touching and very human story in this film that contains some phenomenal actors...Anne Bancroft plays Helene, while the purveyor of books is played by Anthony Hopkins with his wife being played by Judi Dench.
There were some letters in the books that I missed in the film...like some of the offers for a place to stay and the post card from her friends who visit and say they were treated like royalty at the mention of Helene's name (they barely got out of there alive!). I highly recommend the book and do think it is slightly better than the film, but the film is wonderful.
I think people who love books and cherish human relationships will absolutely love this charming film. You can't go wrong with 84 Charring Cross Road...it will brighten your day with both hope and love, especially in today's day and age.
Karadut (2024)
Great cast and an intriguing story that was cut short too soon.
This was a 2024 Fall Season Turkish TV offering that I thought had a lot of promise. Unfortunately, it was canceled prematurely leaving us with only 5 episodes in total...and an ending that not only feels rushed but abrupt. I was excited to see. I was unfamiliar with Irem Helvacioglu, who plays the lead Zuhal Erdem. She is a professional self help guru, who is celebrating success in her professional life, but has a sad story at home where she has taken care of her exacting retired military father and three younger sisters. Having been dedicated to family, she has been denied the normal and active social life that you would expect of such a lovely and successful young woman. For her birthday, her friend and colleague sets up a fake profile on a dating site where she meets the handsome photographer/former surgeon Tayfun Karca (played by Sükrü Özyildiz). He seems like the perfect match and is understanding of her unusual and oppressive home life, he also ends up being related to a good friend and work colleague of her younger sister Asli, Bora. Any dating on Zuhal's part seems like a betrayal to her father and the breaking of her promise to make him and the girls never miss their mother. Figan, is the next oldest sister and a bit of a daddy's girl. She is married to Ayhan Yüksel and they have two kids of their own. Resented by the others for not keeping their secrets, she seems to lack the empathy that she should have for her sister Zuhal. Asli, the next oldest, was almost entirely raised by Zuhal and is on the cusp of marrying her six year boyfriend Alp Velioglu. In her wedding dress on the way to the ceremony, Zuhal has to break the news to Asli of Alp's infidelity...which is only the beginning of their issues. Begüm Erdem is the youngest and most rebellious of the sisters...she gets caught stealing an expensive perfume that her sister won't buy her in order to impress the wealthy private school kids she attends school with. When she is subsequently teased for being a thief, she attempts to commit suicide. Meanwhile the relationship between Bora, his mother and his "cousin" Tayfun is not what it seems. There is some great acting in this series. I have always been a big fan of Sükrü Özyildiz, but was equally impressed with the lovely Irem Helvacioglu. I thought the two had excellent chemistry together and made for a striking couple. I really appreciated how Tayfun seemed to be perfect how he stepped up to handle just about any situation...leaving the relationship between him and Bora to be such an anomaly until the big reveals in the final episode (which as stated seems really rushed, but did explain a lot). Mert Dogan, who played the character of Batman, was fantastic. It seemed like a fun role to play and it suited him very well. He was great with his charming sly smiles to Begüm. Likewise Selin Türkmen, who played Asli Erdem, had a dream role. She really did a phenomenal job with her role which had the biggest emotional roller coaster of emotions in the series. She really put on an acting clinic, swinging from the happiest of moments to the depths of despair. I can't wait to see more from her. I'm left not knowing how I really feel about the series. I think for the acting alone it's worth watching...but be prepared for a quick summation like wrap up. My review is based on watching the series in its original Turkish with English subtitles.
Autumn at Apple Hill (2024)
Fall-centric hallmark film with two attractive stars on a lovely set.
The small town Inn in this Hallmark Rom Com is lovely and filled with charm and character until they put an ugly arcade game right in the middle of the lobby! Do young people really want to stay at a place like that? And are they so vindictive that they would try to turn away a paying customer to their struggling business?
I was bothered by these and other things in the film. I understand that they had to manufacture some animosity between the two at the beginning...but it seemed really artificial and forced.
On the flip side, the romance and chemistry between the two leads seemed genuine which will appeal to romantics and the overall fall setting with a Halloween party was delightful. I can't believe that any bank in the world would give her a loan after she failed to meet her financial goals just strictly based on a happy photo of their grandkids?!?!? Said no banker on the planet.
The two leads are lovely and the setting is fall-tastic. Those are the reasons to watch it if you are a Hallmark movie fan. Be prepared to overlook annoying and unrealistic bits of the storyline. And why did she have to divorce or be a divorcee?
Karadut (2024)
Intriguing storyline with great acting that was cut short before we really got to appreciate it.
This was a 2024 Fall Season Turkish TV offering that I thought had a lot of promise. Unfortunately, it was canceled prematurely leaving us with only 5 episodes in total...and an ending that not only feels rushed but abrupt. I was excited to see.
I was unfamiliar with Irem Helvacioglu, who plays the lead Zuhal Erdem. She is a professional self help guru, who is celebrating success in her professional life, but has a sad story at home where she has taken care of her exacting retired military father and three younger sisters. Having been dedicated to family, she has been denied the normal and active social life that you would expect of such a lovely and successful young woman. For her birthday, her friend and colleague sets up a fake profile on a dating site where she meets the handsome photographer/former surgeon Tayfun Karca (played by Sükrü Özyildiz). He seems like the perfect match and is understanding of her unusual and oppressive home life, he also ends up being related to a good friend and work colleague of her younger sister Asli, Bora. Any dating on Zuhal's part seems like a betrayal to her father and the breaking of her promise to make him and the girls never miss their mother.
Figan, is the next oldest sister and a bit of a daddy's girl. She is married to Ayhan Yüksel and they have two kids of their own. Resented by the others for not keeping their secrets, she seems to lack the empathy that she should have for her sister Zuhal.
Asli, the next oldest, was almost entirely raised by Zuhal and is on the cusp of marrying her six year boyfriend Alp Velioglu. In her wedding dress on the way to the ceremony, Zuhal has to break the news to Asli of Alp's infidelity...which is only the beginning of their issues.
Begüm Erdem is the youngest and most rebellious of the sisters...she gets caught stealing an expensive perfume that her sister won't buy her in order to impress the wealthy private school kids she attends school with. When she is subsequently teased for being a thief, she attempts to commit suicide.
Meanwhile the relationship between Bora, his mother and his "cousin" Tayfun is not what it seems.
There is some great acting in this series. I have always been a big fan of Sükrü Özyildiz, but was equally impressed with the lovely Irem Helvacioglu. I thought the two had excellent chemistry together and made for a striking couple. I really appreciated how Tayfun seemed to be perfect how he stepped up to handle just about any situation...leaving the relationship between him and Bora to be such an anomaly until the big reveals in the final episode (which as stated seems really rushed, but did explain a lot). Mert Dogan, who played the character of Batman, was fantastic. It seemed like a fun role to play and it suited him very well. He was great with his charming sly smiles to Begüm. Likewise Selin Türkmen, who played Asli Erdem, had a dream role. She really did a phenomenal job with her role which had the biggest emotional roller coaster of emotions in the series. She really put on an acting clinic, swinging from the happiest of moments to the depths of despair. I can't wait to see more from her.
I'm left not knowing how I really feel about the series. I think for the acting alone it's worth watching...but be prepared for a quick summation like wrap up.
My review is based on watching the series in its original Turkish with English subtitles.
Haunted Wedding (2024)
Fun Halloween offering by Hallmark that would have benefited from a tighter script and more screen time for Malcolm!
At first I was a little turned off by the ridiculous premise of two ghost hunting enthusiasts who get engaged and then want to get married in a haunted house, but the actor Dominic Sherwood kind of saved the day with his lovely Scottish burr used for his historic character Malcolm.
The soon to be married Jane and Brian arrive at their haunted B&B only to discover that they can actually see Angelique, the ghost in residence. She has a tragic love story and doesn't want to let Jane and Brian have their happy ending...which sends them in search of Angelique's other half, Malcolm.
Then there are some false starts to moving a reuniting the ghosts...but eventually the two kooky ghosts lovers persevere just in time for their own wedding.
Tons of goofy comedy, which really isn't my thing, centered around the maid of honor and best man who are continually running interference for the missing soon to be bride and groom.
Also, I am sure they wanted the two characters to be very different, Malcolm and Brian, as they were played in a dual role by Dominic Sherwood...but I found the awkwardness and dropping things by Brian to be really off-putting and Jane's manufactured previous jilting seemed unnecessary to the plot.
The one really bright spot of this haunted Hallmark Halloween offering was Sherwood's portrayal of the historic Scottish character Malcolm. His Scottish burr was fantastic and I really enjoyed the romanticism of his character.
In general really light hearted, but not quite strong enough of a story or offering for me to recommend. I do like that Hallmark is trying some new things and I really like that they are doing a more Halloween-centric movie.
Of note I loved the use of the Captain and Tennille song! Excellent choice which had me singing along and made me happy!
Drive (2011)
I found the driver to be one of the most interesting characters of the early 2000's...and probably the one I would be most interested in meeting.
I just rewatched Drive and was reminded all over again why I enjoyed it so much the first time. The film has a distinct Hollywood noir look, with great music, interesting camera angles, and unusual locations. The story is pretty simple, we meet the driver ...who interestingly goes the entire film without a name. We learn the driver is a part time mechanic, part time stunt driver, part time getaways driver for hire. He has discipline, rules for his clients to follow, and he isn't much of a talker. When his conscience paired with a broke down car set him up to help out a single mom from his building, he becomes drawn into their world. Irene's son's father Standard is released from prison and the driver witnesses him being beat up buy guys wanting him to pull a robbery to pay their boss back for protection in prison. Wanting to protect Irene and her son, the driver benevolently volunteers to be the getaway driver for the crime...which ends up going sideways. A few details of the crime are suspicious and have the driver questioning the job which resulted in Standard's death.
My favorite scene is the elevator scene when the driver goes into protection mode, first kissing Irene and then committing an act of violence. It's this pivotal moment that marks a true change in the film which is predominantly non-violent until this point. I loved the quiet, smart, efficient nature of the driver. The look and feel of the film is fantastic and worth watching. It was not lost on me the use of a song about a hero when our driver is going in to work mode. I don't think there was a bad actor in the group...but Ryan Gosling was particularly fabulous as the driver.
There was some comedy (intentional or otherwise) found in them eating Chinese food in a pizza place and a conversation and then violence happening in the dressing room of a stripclub where the con-versants are bracketed by mannequin-like topless women.
This is a wonderful and a bit art-y film based on a book of the same name by James Sallis. I highly recommend this film. I had forgotten a lot of the violence, which stood out the second time I watched it because I was in a more violence affected crowd.
The Real West (2024)
A mature romance set in the American West...horses, hats and cowboy boots!
In this Hallmark romantic film, Rebecca is a professor of the American West who is chasing tenure. She takes her kids, Ollie and Noah, to a working ranch with her Mother Maureen and her sister Cassidy. There she meets a handsome cowboy, who turns out to be a former rodeo star and current horse whisperer...who just happens to be her sister's new boyfriend.
I have loved Lucas Bryant ever since he played the romantic lead Nathan in the Haven series. So, I was thrilled to see him in this Hallmark film. My favorite scene was the meet cute in the hat shop, when Jake picks out three hats for the kind of woman Rebecca is. I loved seeing James Denton and I thought Lynda Boyd, who played Rebecca's mother Maureen, was wonderful.
Kimberley Sustad does a great job playing the widow Rebecca, who is not only trying to do the right thing...but questioning herself. I thought she and Lucas Bryant had great chemistry and I am hoping they will get more screen time.
I loved the song Cowboys Like Me...it was an instant Shazam for me and I will be adding it to my playlist.
This is a big recommendation to romantics who love hallmark films.
Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit (2024)
I am really warming to this mystery series and that kiss...wow!
I am loving how they are building the relationship between Goldy and Tom. The theme of this entry of the Curious Caterer is first date. Goldy and Tom are set to go on their first date and Tom has procured tickets to Goldy and Marla's favorite band from their youth.
I won't lie the fan girl and first date bits allowed for a dynamic that was stilted and awkward in the beginning...but that might have been intentional. As the show hit its stride, we got to see the Tom and Goldy that we know and are growing to love. And that kiss...let's talk about it because it was smoldering. Wow! Perfection. I think romantics like me will love it and as such love the Curious Caterer entry.
Before their first big concert date night, Goldy gets asked to cater the event at the last minute. I appreciated that Marla volunteers to help out so she doesn't have to skip her date with Tom altogether...and I appreciated that she brought him baked good by way of explanation and apology. I also appreciated how Tom handled the situation. I'm really starting to appreciate how they work together and play off one another to solve the actual crime. And the crime...murder. Before the first note is sung a member of the band is electrocuted once they touch the microphone.
Goldy and Marla make the most hysterical murder board ever, but my favorite scene has to be Tom and Goldy spit balling off of the murder board in between him guessing ingredients in her baked goods...but the kiss, well that was the best part for this romantic. I am happy to say it isn't the only one either!
This is one of the few Hallmark Mysteries that has really worked on building a solid partnership between the non-detective and detective. I really am starting to enjoy Nikki Deloach and Andrew W. Walker working together.
This is a strong recommendation from me to fans of Hallmark mysteries and romantics like myself.
A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery (2024)
Lonnie is a suspect, Hannah and her family are on the case...and Chad still won't eat any of Hannah's baked goods!
This is the latest in the Hannah Swensen Murder She Baked series. I am not going to say that I don't miss Mike and Norman, because that wouldn't be true, but I am warming to Chad and the slow build of their romance. I confess, I was starting to get annoyed by Chad not trying any of Hannah's baked goods, I can't imagine how she feels about it.
In this entry Hannah caters a reunion party at a Bed and breakfast for her sister Michelle's detective boyfriend Lonnie's high school reunion. One of the attendees ends up dead in her own home after the party. For the first time Hannah is willing to stay out of it, until Lonnie becomes the police's primary suspect. Then in true Hannah Swensen fashion, she is all in diving in dumpsters and everything.
Hannah has a new venture, she has opened a new bakery and is getting into the coffee business, which seems smart for a businesswoman. The small town of Lake Eden is becoming more of a metropolis...loosing a lot of the small town charm that I loved and that made the show special. That is a little sad for me. I, like a lot of other viewers, was confused a bit by the radical change in Hannah's mother, who was always very squeamish and against Hannah's involvement in murder and it's detection...and who is now a private investigator herself? I don't hate it and Barbara Eden is great. Her role is and always has been hilarious. So, while it seems strange (the metamorphosis her character has taken), I love her so much I am willing to let it pass.
I know that Hallmark lost the actor who played Mike to another network, which is a shame because he and Alison Sweeney had great chemistry, but I love Victor Webster. I thought he and Alison Sweeney had great chemistry in the Wedding Veil series and I am looking forward to them smoking up the screen in Hannah Swensen's Murder She Baked.
I was really glad Hannah's sister Andrea is back on the show....but where is the rest of her family. I think it's odd we aren't seeing her with her husband and child.
All of that sounds like a lot of criticism, but I am being very critical because I am a huge fan of the Hannah Swensen series. In fact my three favorite mysteries on Hallmark have always been Hannah Swensen's Murder She Baked, Aurora Teagarden (the original, not the reboot), and Mystery 101. After I said all of that, I do have to say I liked this one better than the last and am hopeful that it is only going to get better and better. I do recommend it to Hallmark mystery fans, I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Longlegs (2024)
This was less horrific than I thought it was going to be.
The pacing of this film is slow, which normally I don't mind...but it started to feel a bit like an FBI procedural except Agent Lee Harker is a terrible FBI agent. She is sharing information outside of the Bureau and with her own mother, she goes into a suspects house without backup and allows her partner to do it as well.
I did like things like the coded letters and the creep factor of Nicholas Cage's Longlegs character. It was interesting. The dolls were disturbing and I liked the tie in with Harker's childhood.
I had trouble getting over what a terrible FBI agent Harker was and I am afraid that I expected the film to be much scarier than it was. The scenery was fairly stark, almost simple, and that combined with the pacing gave this an old fashioned look and feel. I'm afraid it's not a recommendation from me, which makes me sad because I do like Nicholas Cage. I guess I will be rewatching some of his classics like Moonstruck. "My hand...."
Ruhun Duymaz (2023)
I'm kinda hoping they are going to do a season two...I thought Ece and Onur had great chemistry!
I fell in love with Sükrü Özyildiz watching him in Nefes Nefese (which is a short but great series you should watch), then started seeking out other shows...like Kiz Günesi, and I haven't been sorry. I think he is a fantastic actor and have enjoyed him in every performance I have seen. (I am looking forward to the upcoming series Karadut.)
Now back to this short 2023 series that gave summer vibes in a fun forced proximity story that brings together a thief and an undercover intelligence agent for the Turkish police. They meet trying to break into the same household safe and team up for mutual benefit...Ece, to stay out of jail and to find her missing sister who was adopted when they were orphaned and Onur to finally arrest Civan Koral, the owner of Turkey's largest jewelry company with proof that he is secretly smuggling guns and drugs for an even larger international crime organization. Onur is the team leader of a secret five person team which has a wide variety of amazing skills and collectively are on a mission to catch Civan (and if possible get an in to take down the international crime organization). Their cover is a small jewelry store of their own with a massive secret war room buried in its interior. Onur's team and his boss are against reading Ece in and using her skills (especially as she has already got an in with the Koral family). Onur takes personal responsibility for Ece and her skills as a pick pocket and thief almost immediately come into play. She is imbedded in the family as a friend of Civan's sister Hilal with whom she is going to open a restaurant with...and Ece can really cook!
Ece and Onur have amazing chemistry. He is detailed and focused while she is fast talking and a fly by the seat of her pants. These two shouldn't get along, but somehow they just work. It doesn't help matters when they are each paired romantically in their undercover roles with the two siblings Civan and Hilal. Jealousy abounds in this series as does a really sweet rekindled love story between two older characters as instigated by Onur's aunt and colleague Ayla.
This is a sweet but short 9 episode season one and I am hoping that it might come back for a season two as we are left with a bit of a cliffhanger. The actress who plays Ece, Burcu Ozberk, is not only lovely but really seems to have fun playing this kwerky thief. I liked her amazing ability to improvise and I really thought she had great chemistry with Sükrü Özyildiz. I would like to see them paired together again.
This wasn't war and peace, but it was fun light weight diversion wrapped in a romantic comedy.
My review is based on watching the series in its original Turkish language with English subtitles.
Lost Horizon (1937)
This is an amazing Frank Capra classic that if you have an opportunity to see in it's entirety (or as close as you can get) you should.
This is an amazing Frank Capra classic that if you have an opportunity to see in it's entirety (or as close as you can get) you should. The film based on the immensely popular James Hilton novel about a small group of British evacuees from China who are kidnapped only to crash land in the Himalayas where the discover a small utopia called Shangri-La. It soon becomes evident that no one ages in Shangri-La and that it's idealistic leader has intentionally brought one of the evacuees, Robert Conway, their for a purpose. Robert's brother George becomes increasingly paranoid and insistent on going home...even resorting to tricking his brother in order to accomplish his goal.
"Age is a limit we impose on ourselves."- the high Llama
Ronald Coleman is wonderful as Robert Coleman, but the real star is the amazingly picturesque Shangri-La. The architecture and the film are sweeping! The film in it's entirety was lost, but they have pieced together all but seven minutes of it, that if you are lucky you hear the audio in it's entirety with some stills filled in for the missing seven minutes of original footage.
If you are a classic film fan this film should absolutely be on your "must see" list. I highly recommend it. The clothing is spectacular, I absolutely love the 1930's designs and the cast Carrie's them off well. Then there is the cast themselves...phenomenal! Even the side characters like Lovett played by Edward Everett Horton are like a clinic in character acting. The overall film comes across as idealistic and romantic without really having a true romance even though both brothers seem to be paired with a Shanghai-La female who has only known Shangri-La.
The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death Is Listening (2024)
I still love Aimee Garcia, but I wanted this to be far better than it was.
It's me, the Med Tech who loved Aimee Garcia and her character in Lucifer. As previously mentioned I was excited to see her in a Hallmark mystery, but was a bit dissatisfied with the first "The Cases of Mystery Lane". I was pretty critical of the poor handling of marriage vows and several other aspects of the first film. I was happy to see the morose topic of divorce wasn't part of this second offering and that they leaned in to the comedic aspect of this mystery. But it's possible that the pendulum has swung too far and maybe they have gone a little overboard with the two "geek" or "nerd" personas.
I am going to say again that I absolutely love Aimee Garcia. She really won me over as a fan playing a quick talking, quirky nerd...but what is really turning me off of this series is the male lead. (Not a complaint about the actor, but a complaint about the character he has been asked to play.) The character is an unemployed man-child, who is afraid of mice and willing to let his wife work as a lawyer while he sits at home in his bathrobe playing with robots? He is socially awkward and shows up to yoga like he is a 1970's track star saying that "people want see thighs like these". Here is a tip...no, we do not want to see those thighs.
I'm sure someone thinks this is "cute" and "fun", but I just see a train wreck. I am not sure how Birdie Case is keeping her job as a lawyer, her mom has some really unhealthy boundaries with her at work. Both of the Cases are taking the P. I. Course at a community college, with no real explanation of how they are paying for their big house or anything really since Birdie is randomly MIA at her real job. Also, they keep making a big deal about Birdie hiding from her husband that she is playing cards on line and she's good at it. (In most states on-line poker is illegal...probably not something the "heroine" should be promoting and then there is the lying to one's husband.) Maybe she is less of a geek/nerd and more of an addict and this is a real cry for help.
As a nerd there are a few things that I did enjoy like the Rube-Goldberg set up...although using it for a house mouse trap is entirely ridiculous as that mouse would have had his snack and been gone due to the noise LONG before the Rubbermaid container came down to trap him, just proving that this is a tame mouse and not a wild one. Darwin, people, look it up.
In general I enjoy quirky nerdy characters, it's in my nature. Normally there is one on a show and it just works. Occasionally, they nerd out with someone else...but then it goes back to the normals. You need some normalcy to keep the muggles interested in the story. I appreciate that Hallmark is really attempting to do a comedic mystery series, but I think some real tightening of the script and some major tweaking of the characters needs to happen in order for this to be truly watchable and a recommendation from me. This is very far from my favorite Hallmark mysteries (Aurora Teagarden, Hannah Swensen, and Mystery 101) and not in a good way. I am all for trying something new. I am thrilled that hallmark is putting out new mysteries. I am all in favor of geeky or nerdy characters (but maybe just one) and I am definitely in favor of Aimee Garcia! Hopefully this is a series that can be cleaned up and saved, because I would like to support it...but in it's current form I can not.
His & Hers (2024)
I loved it! It was nice to see a healthy married couple interact with one another over work and their private life.
I love Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott. I particularly like them together as they have wonderful chemistry and seem to play off one another well.
The story follows two married lawyers, Dana and Mark, who are simultaneously assigned high profile clients while celebrating their own seven year anniversary. Normally, Mark handles domestic disputes and Dana handles corporate mergers, but they both end up on opposite sides of a reality tv couple's divorce (Tabby and Brett). Dana is doing a favor for her uncle Paul and initially thinks everything will be smooth sailing until it's clear neither Tabby nor Brett are going to give an inch...they also unwisely do not listen to their respective council. On the home front, not only are Dana and Mark celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary, but they are discussing the possibility of starting a family.
It was nice to see a healthy and supportive relationship as the one exhibited between Dana and Mark. They knew each other well and they treated each other with love and respect. Most importantly, they listened to one another. There was humor and love...and a fun wardrobe. I think romantics will love this Hallmark offering and I recommend it. There is some great dialogue and funny humor.
For Love & Honey (2024)
Bees bring to lovers together in Malta in this mature Hallmark romance.
An American Archeology professor meets a Maltan beekeeper...and they run smack into each other, for a slightly contentious first meeting. This is followed by a second meeting when she discovers he is afraid of bees and he discovers she doesn't revere ancient texts the way he does...but once they discover an ancient fresco, the two work together to solve it's mysteries. The fresco acts as a sort of map that leads them around Malta to some ancient ruins and with gold in the title could it be that they are actually looking for treasure? Lots of interesting facts about honey and bees, which makes them the true star of this Hallmark romance.
I really liked having a more mature female lead and I always enjoy Andrew Walker...I think having him take his shirt off was unnecessary, but I did like that he was mechanically inclined and learned from his father such a practical skill as to be able to fix her vehicle (especially since he was afraid of bees). Overall, this was a cute coming together of two working professionals who had loved and lost in the past. They were well suited for each other and I think romantics will enjoy this film.
" I love finding a piece of history that gives you a window to the past."
The Watchers (2024)
Interesting folklore or mythological story that was not quite as haunting or scary as I expected.
Pet store employee, Mina, becomes lost in this mysterious Irish forest when her navigation leads her astray and her car breakdown while on the way to deliver a bird. Alone, Mina walks with the bird until she eventually encounters one of three individuals, Ciara, Madeline and Daniel. These three have been trapped in the woods nightly following the same ritual. They lock themselves in a one room building with a one way glass wall to be watched by things they call the "watchers" after dark. Madeline is a retired history teacher who has been in the woods the longest. She is the sharer of "the rules"...they must be in "the coop" after dark, no one can open the door and they must stay away from the caves. There are parameter markings a 1/3 of a days walk in any direction warning "point of no return", beyond which no one returns from...like Ciara's husband John, who has been missing. Flaunting the rules, Mina convinces Daniel to lower her down into one of the forbidden caves where she finds a bicycle and a camera, which sets off a series of cascading events including Mina and Madeline actually seeing "The Watchers".
I can't tell you any more of the plot without potentially ruining the twists, but suffice it to say that I enjoyed the mythological "changeling" story and the role of the professor within the story.
Both Olwen Fouéré and Dakota Fanning did a wonderful job in their roles. I didn't think it had quite the punch of an M. Knight Shyamalan film, but it did keep my interest. Fans of light suspense...or maybe fantasy may enjoy this film. I would have like a darker story or a bigger twist.
IF (2024)
This film was not what I expected, was more tender hearted than slapstick.
I went into this film expecting a goofy, childish kids comedy and was left curious as to where this story was going while we watched an initially sad story unfold. I loved seeing the creator John Krasinski play the comical father. I also really enjoyed the conclusion of the story, how everything tied together and made sense...including Keith (my favorite of the IF's).
I was shocked to see how many bad reviews there are for this film and to be honest I might pad mine slightly higher to try to counterbalance the criticism...many of which do not seem to be very fair. The subject matter was very family friendly and by family I mean your whole family....not just a five year old, but a thirty-five year old and a ninety-five year old.
I think approaching the story blind is the best way to watch this film, but if you have small children and have to have prior knowledge...this is for you: The story revolves around a girl named Bea. Bea lost her mom to cancer and now is trying to be "not a kid" to deal with her father having to be hospitalized and have surgery. During this time she lives with her grandmother, who lives a solitary (one might say lonely) life in a New York apartment. There Bea sees something she shouldn't have, Blossom. Blossom is an IF (imaginary Friend). In fact she and this hodgepodge of other IFs have been displaced as their kids grew up and forgot about them. Bea, together with a character named Cal, attempt to rehome the misplaced IFs.
I won't share anymore, because it might ruin the wonder of how the story unfolds. My husband loved how after an initial failure or false start, the character of Bea has a new idea and tries again.
The topics you may have to discuss with your children are about imaginary friends, growing up, death and dying, etc. I think these are all normal and healthy topics you should be able to discuss with your children.
I liked the multigenerational story and I loved Fiona Shaw as the Grandmother. When she danced, I actually cried.
I really appreciated that there was no sociopolitical agenda, it was just a good idea turned into a good story.
Now for my couple of complaints...while I liked the slower pace, I can understand how kids might be impatient depending on their age. There were moments that felt a little choppy. Also, I don't know if it was direction or just lack of experience, but Bea came across a little stiff, which added an unnecessary detachment to her character. (Tough roll, trying to be stoically grown up...but probably still pretty scared about her dad's hospital stay.)
Krasinski's dad humor was spot on with the dancing IV and the escape sheets. I would have loved having a dad like that.
I say don't listen to the haters, go into this film with an open mind. Do not expect slapstick...but do expect to be charmed (oh! And you might have a tissue handy).
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
This strays dramatically far from the original Mad Max and I almost don't know what to say.
Overly loaded with obvious CGI, this is reported to be the origin story of Mad Max's Furiousa. The film left me with more questions than answers. Like how in the middle of the Australian desert is there a lush green oasis that grows peach trees? Also, if this is such a peaceful hidden oasis, why are they naming their children Furiousa and Valkyrie?
As a young girl Furiousa gets captured from her idyllic oasis and taken to the bleak wasteland ruler named Dementus. Chris Hemsworth plays the too coocoo for Cocoa Puffs character, Dementus, wonderfully. Dementus takes his nomadic tribe of motorcycle riders to "the land of plenty". The land of plenty, with its pale kamikaze disciples, won't share and doesn't feel threatened by Dementus' gang of miscreants. This forces Dementus to change tactics, ending in an agreement in which he would control gastown and they would provide them food in exchange for gas...oh and they would also get Furiousa. Furiousa is added to the harem of Rictus and Scrotus (worst name for a character ever!)...and eventually escapes what is sure to be a pedophilia situation in order to work on equipment that gets her noticed by my favorite character in this film Praetorian Jack. Jack teaches her the skills she will need to make it back to her home.
The entire film needed better writing and I know that because I knew what was going to happen to the teddy bear before it happened. There were some interesting ideas...and a resurfacing of an old idea, the motorcycle chariot. I imagine Chris Hemsworth had the time of his life playing this over the top Dementus character. It was probably loads of fun. But the film as a whole was a huge disappointment to me. I loved the original cult classic Mad Max. It was perfect. I feel like this big budget overly CGI'd film was almost the antithesis of the original film. I know it has to compete with all the super hero films...but the simplicity of the original was part of its charm. The other thing really lacking in this film was the heart. You understood Mad Max's emotional journey...this could have had an emotional journey for Furiousa, but it gets completely lost to all the CGI action nonsense.
This is not a recommendation from me unless you are absolutely the most die hard Mad Max fan.
The Fall Guy (2024)
I loved it, it was the perfect pairing of comedy and action!
This was fantastic. I think there was only one joke that fell flat for me. I loved all the movie and tv references...including one of my favorites, Pillow talk, with its famous split screen between Rock Hudson and Doris Day! I appreciated the dialogue within the dialogue...that was hilarious, and what girl doesn't have an ex who she would like to see lit on fire and slammed into a wall over and over again. I imagine that would be quite cathartic.
This was such a great love letter to stuntmen and women...with great nostalgia for the original TV series Fall Guy! I loved seeing Lee Majors and Heather Thomas in the end, and yet the film felt fresh to me. I liked that it in a way poked fun of Hollywood while at the same time celebrated it.
I imagine it's a huge hit amongst stuntmen the world round. It was great to see the canine stunt animals weren't left out of the love fest. I did appreciate that they didn't show the actual opening "accident". I think that was a good call on someone's part.
The film was funny, filled with action and for the most part family friendly. I enjoyed the film tremendously and it really elevated my spirits. This is a broad recommendation, and may be my broadest, because I can't think of anyone I wouldn't recommend this too...except the most boring stick in the mud or elitist. This was just good fun and was spear headed by some phenomenal actors, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Their comedic timing was perfection. I was have had trouble keeping a straight face on set, big hats off to them. Pure entertainment and a joy to watch!
Two Scoops of Italy (2024)
Go with that, the aromas you love and invite everyone to join you in that...an Italian culinary romance.
Chef Danielle goes to Italy, encouraged by her sister Sarah, to get inspiration for her failing restaurant. In the small Italian town, she meets the initially grouchy Giancarlo, who is helping his father at their family cafe. Her small rental is managed by the lovely Elida who recommends some light reading and becomes Danielle's friend. Eventually Giancarlo becomes Danielle's tour guide and in return she helps him make a special gelato flavor that will win over a local nine year old named Nico...in order to add a new flavor to his father's same old gelato flavors.
I really enjoyed the actor Michele Rosiello, who played Giancarlo. I thought he and Hunter King had great chemistry and kept me interested in the story, which had some highlights and a few annoyances. I was sad that Danielle could go to Italy and not come up with a totally inspiring new menu for her restaurant. It was fun to have a fictional story woven into the film. I also loved seeing the local games played and the small community.
Overall the film was very positive and I think most romantics will enjoy this film, making it a recommendation from me.
Alt du elsker (2022)
What I thought was going to be a modern Norwegian young adult love story ends up being much more sociopolitical.
This was a short...and I want to emphasize maybe too short, series built around two Norwegian youths, who meet one another after a long period apart. The two first met at a summer camp in their youth and reconnect randomly on the train. Sara has lost her college living situation and Jonas helps her move her stuff back to her uncle's. After they reconnect, the two start dating. Unbeknownst to Sara, Jonas has some pretty radical ideas about Norwegian nationalism...even going so far as to believe that immigrants are taking away jobs and eroding their local culture. Sara eventually finds a new living situation with a college student of color named Hina. Snooping on Jonas' phone, Sara discovers his radical conversations with others, leading to her breaking it off with him. Jonas, who initially seems very solid in his convictions, has a series of interactions that isolate him and leave him alone with his thoughts. One is meeting a long time internet friend and fellow radical from Germany, who ends up not living up to his expectations and eventually returns to Germany only to perform a horrible act of violence that leads not only to his death but to the identification of Jonas in his home country.
Hina ends up being my favorite character in this short series. She has some great writing for her character, but what I really appreciated was the incredibly thoughtful consideration she gives others. She wisely welcomes and builds up her new roommate, and sensing Sara and Jonas' relationship was on the rocks she becomes the peacemaker between the two, ultimately when she could have turned on Sara she doesn't...she forgives and goes beyond to encourage Sara to reach out to Jonas who may be struggling.
The end of this short series seems very unfinished to me. I don't know if that was the intent...if it was meant to provoke conversation? The reality is I imagine this lead to a suicide of someone who I think could have been saved with the care and kindness of characters like Hina.
There were beautiful bits to this series, but I am not sure that there is enough to redeem it as a whole and make it onto my recommendation list. So there it sits.
This review is based on watching the series in it's original Norwegian language with English subtitles.