I truly wanted to stand and applaud at the ending of the Tom Cruise-led “Top Gun: Maverick.” I honestly don’t know where to begin. I remember seeing the original in college and loving it, playing the soundtrack over and over on a cassette player in my car. This movie may surpass the original. There are a handful of cuss words, no nudity and a very pro-America theme. Several veterans were in the theater when I saw it, and everyone was thanking them for their service. Please see this on a big screen! The sound and the flight scenes are astonishing.

I took my oldest daughter to see it, and she liked the movie a lot but I think she would have shared my enthusiasm if she had watched the original version first. (Although the original is much more racy.)
I think Mr. Cruise may have saved the movie industry. I’m not being melodramatic here. I listened in on conversations after seeing “Top Gun: Maverick.” Across the board, people agreed with me. The use of music from the first film is genius. It’s an A+ in my book!

I actually saw two more movies in the theatre I could recommend for some families. The Channing Tatum-led film “Dog” is a moving film about the plight of veterans and the amazing dogs that serve aside them. There are many slapstick moments young boys will love. It is rated PG-13 for war scenes and mild language. “Family Camp” is a faith-based film about a family trying to reconnect by attending their church’s family camp. Adults will be moved by the last 20 minutes, but the silly humor will keep your young elementary kiddos entertained. Also, I loved the new “Downton Abbey” movie so much I saw it twice!

Here are my streaming suggestions divided by services:

Hulu
“Every Breath You Take” This is one of the better psychological thrillers I have seen in a hot minute. Casey Affleck plays a therapist whose client commits suicide, and her brother suddenly, mysteriously appears at his door.
“Candy” I could not wait for this Jessica Biel docuseries. My childhood best friend’s aunt lived in the same neighborhood and we knew the entire story. It is a crazy story that seems unbelievable! The attention to the details of the late ’70s and early ’80s is exceptional.
“Under the Banner of Heaven” Based on the bestselling novel, Andrew Garfield is excellent as a conflicted Mormon detective; all clues start to point to the fact that the killers may be Mormon as well.
“This is Us” If you gave up on the series in poorly executed season three, I highly encourage you to pick it back up as the final season is excellent.

Netflix
“Stranger Things” I have been anxiously awaiting season four. I love this show because the attention to details take me right back to middle school in Montgomery and Eastdale Mall. Yes, it is sci-fi, but it is actually a story of family and the family we create with loyal friends.
“White Hot” The documentary of the rise and fall of Abercrombie & Fitch was riveting! All I can say is WOW!

Apple
“The Shining Girls” I was looking forward to this Elisabeth Moss led drama with Phillipa Soo of “Hamilton” fame. It was so dark I could not finish it.
“Then and Now” This is a story of teenagers learning how covering a secret never ends well. It is part Spanish (dubbed) and English. Not family friendly, but probably a good wife/husband viewing choice.

Until next month, pass the popcorn please!

The Screen Actor Guild Awards (SAG Awards) were handed out Sunday, February 27. It was its first live awards show in two years. The fashion was fun to watch, as were the folks mingling around tables at the event. I was pleased to see one of my favorite films, “CODA” (available on Apple + TV), win for best ensemble cast. Also the deaf actor from the film, Tony Kotsur, became the first deaf actor to win a SAG. It was inspiring to watch Helen Mirren (always lovely and humble) receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. The HBO Max drama “Succession” won for TV drama, and my beloved “Ted Lasso” (Apple + TV) won for best comedy. Honestly, I was quite pleased with myself as I recommended many of the SAG winners. Next up, the Oscars!

In theaters last month, I thoroughly enjoyed the Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson romantic comedy, “Marry Me.” I had such low expectations for this film but found myself smiling and laughing out loud at times.

This month’s reviews on streaming services are as follows:

Hulu
“Dead Asleep” is a documentary about a man accused of murder, who claimed he was sleepwalking and mistakenly killed the victim. If you enjoy true crime, this is a decent pick.

HBO Max
My two favorite new shows were here this month. The exceptional BBC miniseries “The Girl Before” is stellar and is perfectly acted by Gugu Mbatha-Raw and David Oyelowo. Also the new Julian Fellowes (“Downton Abbey” creator) show, “The Gilded Age,” is quite entertaining. It is NOT as good as “Downton,” but it is good.

Netflix
“Inventing Anna” had me hooked from the first episode. It is based on the true story of a “fake” German heiress who took many well known New York businessmen and socialites for an insane amount of money. Julia Garner (“Ozark”) and Anna Chlumsky (“VEEP”) are pitch perfect in their roles of the con and the journalist.

Amazon Prime
“The Tender Bar” is based on the memoir written by J.R. Moehringer. George Clooney directs Ben Affleck and a talented cast in this sweet, moving coming of age story.

And finally, my newly acquired streaming service, The Daily Wire, offered its first film, “Shut In.” There is language and some violence, and it is an intense film, but both my husband and I liked it and thought the theme of coming back to faith and fighting for your kids was at least an honorable theme. If you do not like thrillers that make you nervous, skip this.
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Next month, yes, NEXT month, I’ll be talking all things Oscar! Until then, pass the popcorn please …

November is the month I could pay just to go watch previews of upcoming movies. November and December are typically the months that blockbusters and Academy Award hopefuls are released. This month I saw two such films. “King Richard” is the true story of Richard Williams and his unorthodox training of his daughters Venus and Serena. I loved this movie so much. It is incredibly pro-family. It’s rare these days to see a movie that offers forgiveness, redemption and family values all in one film. I would vote for Will Smith to get an Academy Award nomination for best actor.
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The second major theatrical release I saw was “House of Gucci.” The book by Sara Gay Forden is a page-turner at almost 500 pages, so I knew the film would be long; it’s over two and a half hours. I am a massive Lady Gaga fan, and if she doesn’t get an Oscar nomination, I will be most upset. In my opinion, the movie needed editing desperately; there were sexual situations, long silent shots and side stories that did nothing to add to the actual telling of this twisted tale of love and revenge.

This past month Netflix hit several home runs for me, the first being “Holiday Rush.” This is a sweet movie about a successful DJ who loses his job right before Christmas and must deal with his spoiled children’s reactions and his growing feelings towards a co-worker. My husband and adult children loved this one. I also thoroughly enjoyed “Father Christmas is Back,” although the rest of my crew did not enjoy it as much as I did. The other two Christmas movies I devoured were “Love Hard” and Brooke Shields’ “A Castle for Christmas” with its magical Scottish setting.

The two non-holiday Netflix offerings I enjoyed were “Catching Killers” and “Hypnotic.” “Catching Killers” is a docuseries about the detectives and prosecutors who were in charge of some of the most notorious cases of our time. “Hypnotic” is from the husband-wife duo that brought us one of the smartest Netflix thrillers ever, “Hush.” It follows a therapist who uses hypnosis to control his patients.

And while we are discussing bad therapists, I am loving Apple TV’s “The Shrink Next Door.” Based on the incredible true crime podcast of the same name (try to listen to the podcast first), Paul Rudd plays the therapist who literally takes over the life of his patient, who is portrayed by Will Farrell. You will not believe this is even a true story! Apple TV also offers the Robin Wright directorial debut “Land.” I enjoyed this movie, though at times it could drag a bit.

Amazon Prime served up two sweet, fun Hallmark holiday movies this month. “Christmas on the Menu” and “The Santa Squad” felt like warm peppermint mocha lattes.

Hulu had my favorite dramatic, non-holiday shows. The Michael Keaton-led “Dopesick” is not to be missed. It’s the story of Purdue Pharma and the cover-up regarding the dangers of OxyContin. “Trust Me” is gripping right from the start. It asks the age-old question “how far would you go to protect and provide for your child?”.

Our family has a tradition of seeing a movie together on Christmas afternoon, so I look forward to next month’s reviewing! Until then, pass the popcorn …

My second daughter and I were counting down the days until we could see Jamie Lee Curtis in “Halloween Kills” on the big screen. We were so disappointed. I love the Halloween franchise but this one had no great storyline and was beyond violent. “Dune” on the big screen is the way this movie should be seen, but at over 2.5 hours it’s a commitment. Stellar cast but you must be able to do some science fiction and a long movie to enjoy. And that is everything I saw in the theater this past month but boy, did the streaming services deliver!
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Hulu definitely hit it out of the ballpark this month with five series and one documentary that I enjoyed. I can’t honestly say I “enjoyed” the documentary “Jacinta” about an adult daughter and her mother being locked up in the same prison, but it opened my eyes to generational drug abuse, incarcerations and how even being a mother cannot get addicts clean. This is an honest look at three generations working through the consequences of drug abuse.

“Only Murderers in the Building” starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez is a highly stylized comedy/drama about an apartment building that is housing a murderer and many other secret lives. I loved this show. There is adult language.

While “Ordinary Joe” is currently airing on NBC, you can watch it on Hulu. It’s a fascinating look at one man’s life from three different views based on three different options offered to him on the day he graduates from college. “The Good Doctor” is still airing on ABC but if you’re new to this amazing show about a doctor who is on the autism spectrum, you can start from the beginning on Hulu. Freddie Highmore is brilliant in the lead of this drama.

“The Big Leap” is set with the backdrop of a reality dance show, but it’s really more about second chances and finding a healthy path for families and individuals who seem to have lost their way. I love dancing, and I love some of the many storylines of the contestants.

If I got an Emmy vote, I’d give my vote to Michael Keaton for his work in “Dopesick.” This limited series is based on two documentaries following the Sackler family and Perdue Pharma and the crimes they committed in marketing, making and distributing OxyContin. I’ve mentioned before that it’s a struggle for me to find any entertainment that my hubby and I can agree on but this is one we both loved.

Apple TV offered up the second season of Octavia Spencer’s brilliant “Truth Be Told” and the second season of “Ted Lasso.” John and I both love “Ted Lasso,” although we wish the language was PG. (I even dressed up as Ted for Halloween.) “Truth Be Told” is rapid fire crime solving while also offering a look at what it takes to make a popular podcast.

Netflix dropped another season of the thoroughly delightful and entertaining “The Great British Baking Show.” This show is like a warm hug. To see regular folks who love to bake compete while being kind to other competitors is a breath of fresh air. The second show I watched on Netflix was “Maid.” Similar to “Jacinta” on Hulu, this is a rather hard show as it’s about a mom leaving an abusive relationship only to be totally out of money. It was eye opening to me to see how hard it is to navigate getting help, government and other sources. Real life mother and daughter Andie MacDowell and Margaret Qualley give exceptional performances.

Finally, HBO Max offered up two extraordinary documentaries. “The Crime of the Century” is the documentary about the Sackler family and Perdue Pharma. It is one of the documentaries that the exceptional “Dopesick” on Hulu is based upon. The second is “15 Minutes of Shame.” This documentary follows real life people who have been publicly shamed and the fallout that occurs in their lives. One story has a local Chattanoogan featured. I was very conflicted about how I buy into some of these “shaming” stories, that may or may not be accurate.

So the pumpkins went away and that means Hallmark Christmas movies.  And blockbuster releases for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Color me happy and pass the popcorn!

by Merrile Stroud

A friend requested I try to find some “family friendly” movies. I’ll be honest, this is an incredibly tough request for me because parents have different standards for what is acceptable for their children. Obviously, different age groups have different guidelines. For example, when our girls were younger, if a story had a redemptive, moral or a powerful life lesson, we would allow a bit of offensive language. I will try to recommend family viewing for both the big and small screen, with descriptions that I hope will be helpful for parents.
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I can safely recommend the film “I Still Believe” to any age group, although young children may be bored. It portrays the true story of Jeremy Camp, one of the best selling contemporary Christian singer/songwriters of all time and stars K.J. Apa of “Riverdale” fame. You can view this movie on Hulu.

I found “Turner and Hooch” on Disney Plus to be sweet and acceptable for family viewing. There is, however, an occasional storyline that is not in line with more traditional family values.

I liked “Poms,” starring the incomparable Diane Keaton as a woman starting a competitive cheer squad at a retirement village. There is some questionable language, but the movie is sweet and explores the meaning of true friends beautifully. It is available on Netflix.

For families with teenagers, I would highly recommend the film “CODA” on Apple TV. It stars Oscar winning actress Marlee Marlin as the deaf mother of one deaf child and one hearing child. Ms. Marlin insisted that all the deaf characters be portrayed by deaf actors. I even convinced husband John Stroud to watch, and he loved it.

Speaking of Apple TV, if you haven’t yet watched “Ted Lasso” after my many recommendations, please start! The language is definitely adult, and there are adult situations, but if you watch with older teens, it could lead to meaningful conversations.

If you were a fan of “Big Little Lies,” you may like Hulu’s “Nine Perfect Strangers,” written by the same author, Liane Moriarty, and starring Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy and one of my favorite actors, Michael Shannon. It a twisted mysterious tale of nine strangers who all end up at a resort with the promise of “changing the life you have.”

On HBO Max, I do NOT recommend “The White Lotus.” You may be lured in by the great lineup of actors led by Connie Britton, but do not go there!

On Peacock, I highly recommend “Dr. Death,” based on the widely popular podcast of the same name. It follows the unbelievable true tale of University of Tennessee trained Dr. Christopher Duntsch. You will fly through this highly addictive true crime saga. Also, check out “Parks and Recreation” on Peacock. I’m late to this party but I’m glad I joined!

Finally, on Netflix, I recommend the movie “The Last Letter from your Lover.” I’m so thankful my friend Jennifer Foley told me to watch this romantic film. Another recommendation from our friends Linda and Tad Dacus led us to start the Revolutionary War spy drama “Turn.” It takes an episode or two to really recognize all the players and which side they’re helping, but it is worth the work, I promise.

The past month I saw four, yes, FOUR, movies in the theaters. It reminded me how much I love the big screen, the amazing surround sound and all the previews! I have one friend I see movies with who totally gets my “you do not miss previews” rule. She wishes movie theaters had one theater where you can watch previews for an entire hour. Count. Me. In.

All four movies I saw had divided reviews from both critics and audiences. The first I saw was the Matt Damon film “Stillwater.” This is not an easy film. It’s very reminiscent of the Amanda Knox story but with a stunning twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Matt Damon’s acting is stellar.

The second film I saw was the new M. Night Shyamalan film “Old.” This thriller takes place on a beach that mysteriously ages visitors years in just a few hours. I felt like Mr. Shyamalan was trying to make a film that is a commentary on big pharmaceutical companies. I loved this film. I’m a huge Shyamalan, fan so I may have some bias. The friend who accompanied me to the theater thought it was “mildly entertaining.”

I loved Jennifer Hudson’s masterpiece, “Respect,” the story of Aretha Franklin’s early life. It’s sad, moving and truly redemptive. I saw it with two friends and we were still talking about the film the day after.

Finally, I saw the Hugh Jackman film, “Reminiscence.” I didn’t know what to expect from this film. It is a love story with some science fiction and post apocalyptic influence. I loved this film because it made me think about how we romanticize the past, and how sometimes being stuck in that mindset influences our decisions in the present.

I want to give a big shout out to the staff at the AMC Majestic Theater. They are working incredibly hard to keep the theaters clean and provide great service at the snack bar.

So until next month, from the theater and my couch, please pass the popcorn …

After the quarantine lifted, the first movie I saw in the theaters was “A Quiet Place 2.” I traveled to Asheville, N.C., to see it with my oldest daughter because none of her friends like suspenseful movies. I loved this movie as much as the first. I cannot recommend both of the “Quiet Place” movies enough. They are NOT horror movies. Yes, they are tense and suspenseful but the first one is a true picture of the true meaning of parental love and sacrifice. I go as far as to say the last few minutes are a clear illustration of the Gospel of Christ that I cling to for life. The movie explores the love and dedication of the love between siblings and our “chosen family,” which is the only family I have. This is my favorite movie I’ve seen all year.

The second movie I saw is indeed a horror movie. It’s an installment in “The Conjuring” universe, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.” True horror fans will love it. The reason I love “The Conjuring” series is because the movie stars Lorraine and Ed Warren, actual people who are Christians who historically did “house cleansing” and exorcisms for years. Their faith and dedication is inspiring to me, and I love their quotes at the end of each movie.

The final movie I saw in the theater was “In the Heights,” which is based on “Hamilton” creator Lin Manuel Miranda’s lesser-known Tony award winning musical. I love-love-love the original musical, and I really enjoyed the movie. However, the movie left out important plot lines and tried to scramble them in too late in the movie. If you aren’t familiar with the musical, you’ll probably like the movie more than I did.
I’ve had requests to recommend shows by the services on which they air. So here goes:

HBOMax
“Mare of Easttown”
A stunning performance by Kate Winslet as a down-on-her-luck detective trying to solve both a heinous cold case and a current case. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. Warnings: adult language and some sexual content.
“The Crime of the Century”
A documentary about the oxycodone epidemic and the politicians that have blood on their hands. It’s fascinating and anger-producing, as well. It’s excellent.

Apple TV
Please go watch “Ted Lasso” now before season two drops. It’s one of my favorite shows in years.

Netflix
“Murder on the Coast”
The documentary about catching one of the most horrible and anonymous murderers of women.
“Blue Miracle”
A heart-warming movie about a couple that runs an orphanage that is on the verge of failing. The pair joins forces with a crusty fisherman to win a fishing competition to save the orphanage.

Peacock
“Girls5eva”
The hysterical 80’s girls band that reconnects for a comeback when the hit their 40s. It’s only appropriate if you were in high school somewhere from 1982-1989.

Amazon Prime
“The Woman Who Wasn’t There”
This is an unbelievable documentary about a woman who lied about being at the Twin Towers on 9/11and found celebrity and money in that lie. (Yes, I watched a lot of documentaries this month because wedding planning did that to my brain.)

So, I hope I see you the movies in person soon, and as always, pass the popcorn!

Well, the good news is that there was an Oscars award show; the bad news is that most people didn’t see many of the nominated movies or performances. The ratings for the show “tanked,” according to Variety. Not one of the movies nominated debuted in theaters. Of the eight nominated films, I saw seven. Two, I highly recommend, “Nomadland” and “Minari.” “Nomadland” not only won best picture but also earned Oscar gold for best actress Frances McDormand, who is honestly pitch-perfect in this role. Chloe Zhao won her statue for her impeccable direction. This film centers around Fern (McDormand) who takes to the road in her van after her husband dies, and her entire town of Empire, Neb., disappears after the U.S. Gypsum plant closes its doors. This movie is a slow, thoughtful, symbolism-packed masterpiece.

“Minari” is the tale of a Korean family who moves to Arkansas to become farmers. This poignant movie subtly pulls on your heartstrings without being predictable in any way. Youn Yuh-jung won the Oscar for best supporting actress. While unknown to most filmgoers, she is the Meryl Streep of Korea. Google her speech. It is priceless!

But the most important takeaway from this weird Oscar production was Tyler Perry’s speech for winning the highest humanitarian award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. I am a huge Tyler Perry fan, and his speech made me love him all the more. You can Google the speech but his “I refuse to hate someone because they’re Mexican or because they are black or white, or LGBTQ. I refuse to hate someone because they’re a police officer. I refuse to hate someone because they’re Asian. I would hope we would all refuse hate,” quote brought thunderous applause and cheers. It was the highest moment of the night in my opinion.

I would like to do something different this month and recommend three stand-alone episodes that continue the theme Mr. Perry so eloquently brought up. The first is season five, episode 13 of “This Is Us.” The other episodes are “Law & Order SVU,” season 22, episode 12, and my all time fav, “Friday Night Lights” season three, episode 12. On another note, the final stand-alone episode I want to recommend is for parents of middle schoolers. After watching “The Social Dilemma,” I’ve become so concerned about cell phones in young hands. Season three, episode one of “Black Mirror” was written a few years ago, and what’s frightening is that we are already in the midst of the technology this episode is warning us about.

My most favorite series I picked up this month is “Little Voice” on Apple TV. It’s the sweet story of a songwriter in NYC struggling to find her musical voice and navigate forgiving family members. Please do not watch “Them” on Amazon Prime. Just don’t do it. I continue to love “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” on Hulu and Peacock. A friend recommended I take up “A Million Little Pieces” on Hulu, and I’m enjoying it. If you’ve never watched “Downton Abbey,” now is your chance; do it before the newly announced second feature length film is released later this year.
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Spring is here! Things are opening slowly, and I look forward to being in the theater regularly again. Until next month, pass the popcorn (and not from six feet) …

No one wants to hear the words “unprecedented” or “extraordinary” anymore this year. It’s incredibly hard to write a movie and streaming article about the Oscars without using either of those words when describing the first post-pandemic Oscar ceremony. So, I’m going to start this article a bit differently and will address this unusual Oscar season later in this article.
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A dear friend suggested I use part of my article to discuss movies that open the door to meaningful conversations with high-schoolers. But, I want to start this section with the BEST family movie I’ve seen in a long time: “Yes Day” on Netflix starring Jennifer Gardner. It’s the most wholesome, entertaining and conversation-starting movie! It’s so sweet without being syrupy and is just a plain happy movie!

All of the following are available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV plus. Please note these are for high school aged children and should be viewed with a parent. Amazon Prime has developed a rating system for its viewing content, but I’d add at least two years to its recommendation. In no particular order, here are movies or shows for discussion starters:

“To Kill a Mockingbird” What it means to do the right thing even when no one is going to stand with you. Gregory Peck won an Oscar and his is still one of the best performances on screen.

“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” Jimmy Stewart plays a politician who stands up to corruption.

“Juno” An honest portrayal of teenage pregnancy.

Any Tyler Perry movie in which he portrays Madea. Please note these movies cover heavy subject matter at times.

“Lars & the Real Girl” This is the single best movie to discuss what does really sacrificially loving someone look like. You will think this movie is going down a deviant path but I assure you it does not.

“Friday Night Lights” (the television series) Again, you must watch WITH your teens and be willing to pause, discuss, and occasionally fast forward.

“I Am Legend” A suspenseful post-apocalyptic movie starring Will Smith that gives great lessons in sacrificing for others.

Some of these movies cover very sensitive subject matter, and I am not recommending your teens be allowed to watch these alone. They offer many teachable moments, but are to be viewed with your teens.
Now, back to the Oscars! Many of the nominations this year were never seen on the big screen in a theater. I’ve seen two of the eight nominated best picture films but plan to see a few more. I loved “Nomadland” on Netflix. It is the true story of Empire, Nevada, completely disappearing after the closing of the local U.S. gypsum plant. Frances McDormand may very well win another Oscar for her performance. It’s a very thoughtful, quiet, slow movie. Another film nominated that I loved but will not be everyone’s cup of tea is “The Sound of Metal,” which is about a drummer in a heavy metal band who is going deaf. It is not light or happy, but is an honest and raw look at addiction and losing yourself.

One of my favorite things I watched in March was “Years and Years” on HBO Max. It takes place in the not too distant future in England. It portrays what could actually happen if we continue to let technology run amuck. This BBC six part series starring Emma Thompson is very well-acted. I think it would be great viewing with college students.

On Netflix, “The One” has a similar theme as it explores what would happen if a dating site used DNA to find “soul mates.” Neither of these are child friendly, but college viewing adults with parents would open a lot of conversations regarding social media, privacy and personal safety.

On Netflix I watched two docuseries that I thoroughly enjoyed. One was “Murder Among The Mormons” about a series of murders in Salt Lake City in 1985. It’s fascinating. The other docuseries I binged on was “The Trials of Gabriel Hernandez,” which is about the death of Gabriel Hernandez due to the incompetence at the Los Angeles Department of Family and Child Services. It portrays the privatizing of child services and what that brings to communities. It is a horrific story of child abuse so please be cautioned.

If you are looking for happy and funny, I’d recommend the Amy Poehler film “Moxie.” It’s the story of girls who don’t quite fit in finding their voice through an anonymous high school magazine. Also, on Hulu, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” is such happy entertainment.

The Golden Globes were an unwatchable mess in my opinion, so here’s to hoping the Oscar producers learned a few things and create something worth watching. Until next month, pass the popcorn....

I’m writing this on the day of the first bicoastal Golden Globes Awards. Most critics I follow and other entertainment sites I read are most excited about Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosting. That’s an easy vote for me as my beloved red carpet will be virtual. How does that even work?
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One of the more conservative sites I read for perspectives on current entertainment is “The Gospel Coalition.” Some months I struggle with my recommendations because my level of sensitivity to R rated movies is very different from that of my closest friends. I love the disclaimer that opens “The Gospel Coalition” each month:

“TGC reviews media that is not suitable for everyone. To help readers make wise decisions, we recommend reading ‘Should I watch this?’ at www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/should-i-watch-this-5-questions-for-the-discerning-viewer/.” You may also email me at merriles@epbfi.com to ask more specific questions or share something you love!

A few readers noticed I love scary movies and shows and asked that I recommend some entertainment in this genre. Skip ahead if this isn’t you! One thing I recently enjoyed is “Malevolent” on Netflix. It’s the story of four young people who stage “house cleansing” services and then have the tables turned on them. It’s actually a family drama, but it does have some gore and violence. I also love “Servant” on HBO Max, a series produced by one of my favorite directors, M. Night Shyamalan. And finally, I love “Midnighters” on Hulu. It’s in the vein of “The Undoing,” where one bad decisions leads to another.

My favorite series this month is “Your Honor,” starring and directed by the incomparable Bryan Cranston. Mr. Cranston plays a judge who seeks to protect his son after he commits a crime and goes to awful lengths to do so. There is language and implied violence. It seems lots of successful series coming out during the pandemic are asking the age old question, “How far would you go to protect a loved one?”

My favorite movie this month is “Nomadland” on Hulu. I adore the actress Frances McDormand, and she is stellar in this quiet, slow, thoughtful movie. It is based on the true story of Empire, Nevada. The U.S. Gypsum plant was the biggest employer in Empire. When it closed its doors in 2011, the town’s entire zip code disappeared in a few years. Frances portrays widowed Fern who loses everything and takes to an RV in order to travel to find work. There are only three professional actors in the film; all the other actors are real people who actually lived this life. The music is so beautiful and haunting that it almost plays a character in this film.

Another film I enjoyed this month is “Our Friend” on Amazon Prime. It is a true story of a young married couple with two daughters who rely on the help of their best friend as the wife battles cancer. It takes place in Fairhope, Alabama. It is sad, but I’m so glad I saw it. It made me really reflect on the friendships in my life and the definition of a true friend.

Two documentaries I devoured this month were “Crime Scene: The Vanishing at The Cecil Hotel” on Netflix and “Framing Britney Spears” on Hulu. I kept rewinding the Britney documentary to make sure I heard the facts correctly!

One of my favorite shows that is currently airing but also available on Hulu is “The Good Doctor.” Freddie Highmore brilliantly portrays a doctor with autism. Another show currently airing (both of these shows are on ABC) that I enjoy is “Big Sky,” which is about a small town hiding an insidious secret.

By next month we will have witnessed our first virtual awards show and will have Oscar nominations in hand, so get ready! And pass that popcorn, please ...

On Christmas night, my daughter Tay Tay’s future father-in-law, Andy Helm, generously rented an entire theater for our families to watch “Christmas Vacation.” To sit in a theater seat and watch previews almost made me cry. AMC is doing a fantastic job at cleaning and keeping things very sanitized, so much so that by the time you read this I hope to have gone to the theater several more times.
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The day after Christmas, my youngest daughter and I watched “Wonder Woman 1984.” While we loved the film, it begged to be seen on a big screen. So, this is the month I’m seeing movies in a theater. My Christmas night AMC Majestic experience was so positive I feel safe. I had COVID-19 in November so I’m venturing back.

It’s the time of year for “best of the year” lists. Doing a “best of 2020” list feels strange, as so much of 2020 was spent in ways that didn’t seem to be the best of anything. The year 2020 did provide a plethora of entertainment options, so I give you my personal “best of” list:

“Gilmore Girls” Yes, I am late to this party but I love this series. I laugh, I cry and I want to hug my girls when each episode ends.

“The Crown” - Yes, I watched it in two days while I had COVID-19, and I loved it. Do yourself a favor and go to YouTube.com and watch “The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast 2020.” Seriously. Go watch it now.

“Call the Midwife” - Another party I’m late to join, but it’s so, so good.

“The Social Dilemma” - This may be the most thought provoking documentary of the year. If you have given or are considering giving a middle schooler a smart phone, I’d suggest you watch this ASAP.

“Virgin River” - So Hallmark movie feelings can continue after the holidays.

“Christmas on the Square” - As if we need another reason to love Dolly Parton.

“Yellowstone” (parental guidance suggested) - Kevin Costner stars and it’s addictive. You have to have Peacock streaming to finish it.

“The Midnight Sky” - Recommended to me by our Mirror book reviewer Nancy Carstens. I’m so glad I watched it! I love space movies because my daddy took me to rocket launchings as a child, and he always wanted to go into space. He even applied to be on The Challenger. This movie is beautiful, and I wish I’d seen it on the big screen. I was reminded again why I love George Clooney and Kyle Chandler.

I’ve mentioned many times how much I love this job. I also feel the burden to warn adults about sensitive content. Please know like “Yellowstone,” the following recommendations are strictly adult. Both of these are on HBOMax (the one streaming service I’d add if you only have Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime). “The Undoing” starring Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman is the best acted, most engrossing “who dunnit” I’ve seen in years. The same goes for “The Flight Attendant,” but I used my fast forward button more in this series. “The Murders at White House Farm” is a true crime that took place in the 1980’s in England. Older teens could watch with parental supervision.

I also loved watching “Hamilton” (Disney Plus), “Enola Holmes” (Netflix), “Onward” (family viewing with discretion )(Disney Plus), “Magic Camp” (Disney Plus). There are not enough adjectives to describe how much I love “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”on Peacock and Hulu; it’s the story of a father preparing to die while his daughter finds her voice. It’s like a musical TV show that feels like hot chocolate.

Several people have highly recommended “Uncorked” on Netflix, and it’s on my list to watch.

I’m loving “Ted Lasso” on Apple TV. So funny and sweet.

So next month, I’ll have theater and couch recommendations, so definitely pass that popcorn!