I wrote last month that I was not excited about the Oscars. With the exception of Jessie Buckley’s win for best actress in “Hamnet” (and one of the best two speeches of the night - hooray for a woman praising motherhood!), Michael B. Jordan’s win for best actor in “Sinners” (and the other best speech), and the humble and immensely talented screenwriter and director Ryan Coogler’s win for best original screenplay, the night was one of one undeserving winner after another.
But there is reason to watch a category you’ve most likely never watched: best animated short. You can watch the absolutely charming film “Forevergreen” on YouTube. I have watched the short at least 10 times. The composer Isaac Wardell is a Covenant grad and the son of local residents Toni and Mark Wardell. Isaac developed a beautiful, tender soundtrack with vocals by singer-songwriter Josh Garrels. Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears directed this gem. It follows a bear cub that is abandoned and raised by a tree until he decides to eat trash. What follows is a story of sacrificial love. I’d highly recommend watching with your children!
Great news on the theater front! There is a film worth any amount of effort and money to see: “Project Hail Mary” starring Ryan Gosling. This movie is simply wonderful, both moving and action-packed at times. It is about 35 minutes too long, but the theme of loving to the point of sacrifice is powerful. It is a great film to see with teenagers, and it is so refreshing to have no sexual content and almost no foul language! This is a film that does need to be seen on a big screen. I saw this with a dear friend who claimed not to like science fiction but exclaimed after watching that she loved it. Make plans to see it now!
On the streaming front, there is a lot of quality entertainment and some mindboggling reality TV!
Apple
Amazon Prime Video
HBO
Netflix
Hulu
Hulu also gave me my two favorite reality shows. The first being “A Sorority Mom’s Guide to Rush.” Who knew there were “rush coaches” and that they needed a show? I did not, but, boy, I am glad someone at Hulu did.
The next is “The Secret Lives of Mormon Housewives.” The drama was tripled this season as two of the wives were on “Dancing with the Stars,” and Taylor Frankie Paul (creator of the “MomTok” account that made her stand out before the TV show) was the new “Bachelorette.” ABC even aired a special after the Oscars. Then two days later after TMZ website gained footage of her physical altercation with the father of her third child, ABC canned the entire season of “The Bachelorette.” This is a 14 million dollar loss to ABC. The thing that has me scratching my head is we already saw footage two years ago of Taylor being arrested after the altercation that took place in front of her daughter. Seriously. Only reality TV can create this drama! And to make the financial loss keep happening, Hulu has canned the rest of this season of the housewives. Yikes!
So, that’s it friends, from the great to the good to the ugly! As always, there are snacks, prizes and friends! Hope to see you then and until then, keep passing the popcorn …
But there is reason to watch a category you’ve most likely never watched: best animated short. You can watch the absolutely charming film “Forevergreen” on YouTube. I have watched the short at least 10 times. The composer Isaac Wardell is a Covenant grad and the son of local residents Toni and Mark Wardell. Isaac developed a beautiful, tender soundtrack with vocals by singer-songwriter Josh Garrels. Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears directed this gem. It follows a bear cub that is abandoned and raised by a tree until he decides to eat trash. What follows is a story of sacrificial love. I’d highly recommend watching with your children!
Great news on the theater front! There is a film worth any amount of effort and money to see: “Project Hail Mary” starring Ryan Gosling. This movie is simply wonderful, both moving and action-packed at times. It is about 35 minutes too long, but the theme of loving to the point of sacrifice is powerful. It is a great film to see with teenagers, and it is so refreshing to have no sexual content and almost no foul language! This is a film that does need to be seen on a big screen. I saw this with a dear friend who claimed not to like science fiction but exclaimed after watching that she loved it. Make plans to see it now!
On the streaming front, there is a lot of quality entertainment and some mindboggling reality TV!
Apple
- “Hijack” Season two of this edge-of-your-seat thriller starring the fabulous Idris Elba was fantastic. Both seasons are short and a great couples watch!
- “Shrinking” I keep raving about this tender, sweet, and funny series starring Jason Segal and Harrison Ford, which is one of my favorite comedies ever. Jump in now!
- “Imperfect Women” At the time I am writing this, only two episodes have dropped. Starring Kerry Washington, Elizabeth Moss, Kate Mara and Joel Kinnaman, this drama follows the investigation into the death of one of three best friends. It is gripping and does contain adult material. I am hooked.
Amazon Prime Video
- “Scarpetta” I read several of Patricia Cornwell’s novels but never got into the Scarpetta series. Nicole Kidman does an excellent job portraying the title character. If you like multi-layered crime dramas, you will not be disappointed. Know there is a serial killer of women if that is triggering for you. Fun fact: Patricia Cornwell is the daughter of late evangelist Billy Graham.
- “Satisfied” A friend recommended this wonderful documentary about Rene’e Elise Goldsberry’s life off the stage of “Hamilton” (she won a Tony for her portrayal Angelica Schuyler). Anyone who has ever dreamed of being a mother and having a dream job that will take you away from home, or basically anyone who loves theater or women, will love this documentary.
HBO
- “Dead of Winter” A movie starring and produced by Emma Thompson proves women in their 60s can kick butt in an action movie! I really liked this movie because it had a twist I did not see coming, and I always like it when I can’t figure out a twist!
- “The Pitt” This truly is the best television series in many years, and I’ve yet to meet a person who disagrees with me on this! Noah Wylie (yes, of “ER” fame) as Dr. Robby is sheer perfection. I’ve talked to several people in the medical field, and they all agree not only is this series medically accurate, but Dr. Robby is the example of an empathetic physician from whom all doctors could learn. This series is worth the cost of HBO!
Netflix
- “The Glass House” This 2001 film starring Diane Lane and Stellan Skarsgard is such a fun, campy thriller about a couple who serve as guardians … but what are they really after? Leelee Sobieski stars as the older sister who starts to realize all is not as it seems.
- “The Penguin Lessons” My dear friend Wendy Robinson recommended this gem! Based on the true story of English teacher who goes to work in a divided Argentina during the ’70s and finds his life and the life of those around him transformed when he rescues a penguin. This is an excellent family film that I think would lead to great conversations.
- “A Sacrifice” (2024) Eric Bana portrays a social psychologist investigating a local cult while not realizing his daughter is on the brink of becoming a victim. I love anything to do with cults, so I was hooked early on!
- “Accused” This twisty roller coaster of a mystery is about a female doctor in England accused of sexual misconduct. Will she be able to clear her name? I enjoyed this movie on a rainy afternoon. There was some content I wished had been edited, so keep the fast forward button handy.
Hulu
- “Paradise” If you are not watching this series starring Sterling K. Brown (of “This Is Us”), why aren’t you? It is fabulous! In every single episode, I gasp at the twists and have to wait a week because I’m on season two. It raises so many questions, such as if there is a natural worldwide disaster, who should be protected? Does ultimate power ultimately corrupt? Really, itt is so well done!
- “Love Story” If you haven’t heard of the Ryan Murphy-produced story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s courtship and marriage, you must not have turned on a TV lately. I watched faithfully every week, and it was nice to have discussions about the show with my children. It is incredibly well acted. The saddest thing to me was that Carolyn’s mother lost two daughters that fateful day. Her mother, Ann Marie Messina, is beautifully and tragically portrayed by the talented Constance Zimmer, and her performance was the best in my opinion.
Hulu also gave me my two favorite reality shows. The first being “A Sorority Mom’s Guide to Rush.” Who knew there were “rush coaches” and that they needed a show? I did not, but, boy, I am glad someone at Hulu did.
The next is “The Secret Lives of Mormon Housewives.” The drama was tripled this season as two of the wives were on “Dancing with the Stars,” and Taylor Frankie Paul (creator of the “MomTok” account that made her stand out before the TV show) was the new “Bachelorette.” ABC even aired a special after the Oscars. Then two days later after TMZ website gained footage of her physical altercation with the father of her third child, ABC canned the entire season of “The Bachelorette.” This is a 14 million dollar loss to ABC. The thing that has me scratching my head is we already saw footage two years ago of Taylor being arrested after the altercation that took place in front of her daughter. Seriously. Only reality TV can create this drama! And to make the financial loss keep happening, Hulu has canned the rest of this season of the housewives. Yikes!
So, that’s it friends, from the great to the good to the ugly! As always, there are snacks, prizes and friends! Hope to see you then and until then, keep passing the popcorn …
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