Here’s a fun trivia fact - the term “summer blockbuster” didn’t exist until the release of “Jaws” in 1975. Since that year, movie enthusiasts have anxiously awaited summer movie releases. COVID-19 certainly has had an impact on this tradition, but that’s not to say there are not movies to be excited about this summer. So this month, I’m starting with the movies that I believe deserve your time and money in the theaters.

“The Little Mermaid” My husband loved the original and was excited to see this one as it reminds him of our No. 2 daughter, Sally. While Ursula would definitely be scary for young children, I think 9- or 10-year-olds and older will enjoy this movie. We thoroughly enjoyed singing along with our oldest daughter, who happens to be 31 and remembers the original fondly.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3” This is truly one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while. This movie is basically a story of self-sacrifice and loving a “chosen” family. I laughed and cried throughout this film. You can see this without seeing the first two, but I would recommend reading a summary.

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” Forget that awful “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” debacle. This is like the energy and writing of the earliest Indian Jones. Phoebe Walker-Bridge is excellent as Harrison Ford’s goddaughter, and characters you love from previous films make appearances. Side note: My adult children who had never seen the original were bored, so if you haven’t seen the original, take time to stream it.

The movie you can skip is “Android City.” I really love some of director’s Wes Anderson’s films, especially “Moonrise Kingdom,” but this is a pretentious, no-story mess.

I CANNOT wait for “Barbie.” This movie is directed by Greta Gerwig, whose version of “Little Women” is the best. I grew up with every Barbie accessory and could play Barbies for hours with my friends. I’ll update you next month!

There are several recent theatrical releases now available to stream. Max has “Evil Dead Rise” (skip!); Peacock has “Polite Society” (charming) and “Book Club - The Next Chapter” (if you liked the first one you will enjoy this one); and Prime has “Jesus Revolution” that I reviewed a few months ago. It’s a film worth watching.

Streaming Services this Month

Netflix

• “Black Mirror” I’ve had to wait FOUR years for more episodes. This series gets its name from a turned-off phone or tablet - it becomes a “black mirror.” Charlie Brooker is the English creator and you should google his interview on CBS Saturday Morning. This show is about technology gone amuck. Some episodes are creepy, some are scary and some are downright mind-blowing! This is not for everyone, but I love it so much.
• “Take Care of Maya” This documentary really hit home for me as I have a friend being accused of Munchausen by proxy. This documentary made me want to go into legal defense work.
• “Missing” This theatrically released movie is thrilling. A mother goes missing and her daughter uses technology and a friend to track her down. A fun Friday night view!
• “Break-Point” This sports docuseries focuses on up and coming tennis players during four Grand Slam tournaments. This is so well done you don’t even need to love tennis to enjoy this series.
• “Red Rose” This series reminded me of “Black Mirror” so I loved it. It’s about an app some high school seniors download, and all kinds of trouble begins. Again, technology run amuck is scary and timely!

Hulu

• “The Split” This is a great summer binge. I recommended this fabulous BBC series when it first came out. It was a show we could watch as a couple, which is hard to find for us!

John and I are currently still streaming “Brothers and Sisters” and “Blue Bloods” (John’s fav).

Prime Video

• “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” Honestly, this was the most horrifying docuseries I’ve watched. This is the story of not only Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar but also Bill Gothard, famous for his Institute in Basic Life Principles. This four-part series exposes what the Duggar’s knew about their son committing sexual abuse on his own sisters, what Bill Gothard was actually teaching and how The Learning Channel encouraged the cover-up. I could not stop thinking about this series. If you watch it, please message me on Instagram @merriles. A warning: If you or someone you love has been sexually abused, especially in church, this may be very triggering. Along this same vein, listen to the podcast “Scamanda.” It’s a true story of Amanda C. Reilly who scammed her church and people nationwide by faking cancer.
• “Jack Ryan” The final season of this action packed series goes out with a bang. John Krasinski is almost perfect in the lead role.
• “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (season two)

I loved the first season and I cannot wait for season two.

Max (formerly HBOMax)

• “The Curios Case of Natalia Grace” This is a crazy documentary about an adult who poses as a child and is adopted by an American couple.
• Another adult recommendation you can binge this summer is “Succession.” I know I raved about it last month, and it’s still just as fantastic. Again, adults only.

Apple TV

• “Hijack”  The fabulous Idris Elba stars in this gripping drama about a hijacked plane. It’s an “are they bad or are they good” rollercoaster ride.
• “Ted Lasso” I have several friends who have not watched this series due to adult language and themes. I can appreciate this, yet every single character illustrates a story of redemption and the power of forgiveness. It will forever be my favorite comedy.
• “Silo” My oldest daughter and I are obsessed with this science fiction series. Even if you think you hate science fiction, you should give this a try.

When I write to you next month, I will have seen “Barbie!” Until then pass the popcorn …

Needing cathartic viewing after a whirlwind of events and emotions, I easily found good-to-great options on both the big screen and the small screen this month.

Theatres offered three movies that I found entertaining and moving in very different ways. If you are anywhere near my age, you most likely read “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” by Judy Blume. I read it so often I had two copies. The movie starring Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret, is simply magical for those of us who grew up loving this precious book. The newest “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Big George Foreman” were also thoroughly entertaining and stirring emotionally.

Before I break down the streaming services, I want to tell you my top five streaming offerings I watched. The first is “Ted Lasso.” This is the final season, and the 11th episode of this season, called “Mom City,” shows what true forgiveness looks like. Minus the language, this series on Apple TV is my favorite comedic series ever.

More favs were on Max (formerly HBOMax). “Succession,” the series based on the Rupert Murdoch family, is very adult viewing. I found it simply fascinating and highly addictive. The final episode of the series is literally a modern day “Macbeth.” The other series I loved was “Band of Brothers.” This is the story of “E” Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, from their training to D-Day. It gave me an entirely new appreciation for those who serve.

My last two favorites were on Hulu. I pride myself on always figuring out the ending of any mystery book or movie, and the Jessica Biel-produced “Cruel Summer” had me guessing the entire time. I was totally shocked at the ending. I started the old series “Brothers and Sisters” starring Sally Field and Calista Flockhart. A dear friend recommended it because she thought I would find the story of an addict brother cathartic. I did. It helped me to see the many family dynamics played out, and it helped me have compassion for a few people in my own family.

So now for the other streaming options:

HBO Max

• “Bama Rush” While this was hailed as “revolutionary,” I did not find it to be so. Maybe it was because I was raised in the South and had gone through rush at a big SEC school, but I thought the documentarian made the documentary more about herself and exaggerated her being “in danger.” It is fascinating but I didn’t think it lived up to the hype.
• “Love and Death” A few months ago Jessica Biel released a mini series called “Candy” on Hulu, which follows the true story of Candy Montgomery, who allegedly killed her neighbor Betty Gore with an axe. This mini series starring Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemons is superior. It is riveting!

Amazon Prime

• “80 for Brady” The Jane Fonda-led comedy is now available to stream, and it is sweet and funny if you need a good smile.
• “There’s Something Wrong with the Children” This is a movie for thriller/horror fans. It starts off with a bang and leaves you guessing. Not an A-plus movie by any means, but if it’s a rainy afternoon and you want a scare, this will fit the bill.

Netflix
Well, this was the month Netflix came out with its new password sharing policy. I honestly think it will backfire as Max, Apple and Peacock continue to offer quality original material.

The only thing I watched on Netflix was “Firefly Lane.” It was the final season, and, as someone needing a good cry, this was a great choice for me.

Apple+
Another excellent original series is “Silo.” It is a science fiction piece based on society being forced to live underground. It’s a brilliant story that has so much to say about Covid-19, our current alienation from people who disagree with us, and other hot topics.

Several people have asked if I could choose a few movies and streaming series to watch this summer so here is my list:

1. “Friday Night Lights” It will always be No 1. Coach and Tammy Taylor will forever be my favorite TV couple. (Hulu)
2. “Gilmore Girls” It’s a must and a great way to encourage mother/daughter bonding. (Netflix)
3. “Ted Lasso” See  the above notes. (Apple TV+)
4. “About Time” How do our families shape us and what’s really important and not important in families? I LOVE THIS MOVIE. (Hulu or Prime)
5. “Lars and The Real Girl” This is one of my two all-time favorite movies. Please note it does NOT go down a dark road in the beginning! I’ve had a friend suggest pastors and others in counseling roles watch this movie. Ryan Gosling is amazingly perfect. (Apple TV+ or Prime)
6. “Schitt’s Creek” It’s just a sweet laugh fest. (Hulu or Prime)

I’m getting excited about “Barbie” and “The Little Mermaid,” so I’ll keep you posted!

Until next time, enjoy catching up on some of my favorites and keep passing the popcorn …
P.S. If you have Peacock, you can watch a lot of NBC options anywhere you have a smart phone or tablet!

Before streaming became more popular than network television, March and April were great months for TV because advertisers looked at ratings in a method commonly called “sweeps.” With the exception of “The Good Doctor,” “Law & Order,” and “Law & Order: SVU,” I don’t watch any network television, and I usually stream those shows the next day so I don’t have to watch commercials.

Truthfully, I quit watching more shows than I finished this month. I do not know what executive at Netflix decided nudity and heavy sexual content is acceptable. It may be one of the reasons that Netflix is losing money faster than any other streaming service.

In March, I lost my mother. In April, my brother (a man who struggled with addiction all his life) was found dead under suspicious circumstances in a hotel room. After this, I wanted to watch what I call “grief comfort viewing.” I re-watched “Terms of Endearment,” “Beautiful Boy” and “Ordinary People.” During this painful time, I discovered the one new show that I LOVED and NEEDED was “Tiny Beautiful Things” on Hulu. I adore the actress Kathryn Hahn, and she shines in the role of Claire, a woman whose life is falling apart, and she can’t seem to put any good decisions into action. The language is very adult, but I needed an emotional exploration of complex mother/daughter relationships. It’s one of the best things I’ve watched this month. Again, very adult-themed. Hulu also gave us the full first season of “Alaska Daily” starring the excellent Hillary Swank as a reporter out to solve a crime and save a small newspaper. I also enjoyed the movie “Collide,” which weaves four stories together in a surprising way.
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Before I address the other streaming services, I thought it would be helpful to share the shows I stopped watching. Up first is “Beef” on Netflix. I have friends who loved this show, but the sexual content and language just made me throw into the towel. “Yellowjackets” on Showtime was one of my favorite shows last year but the second season? NO THANK YOU. “Significant Other” is a thriller on several streaming services but I had to opt out! On to other streamers now …

HBOMAX

• “Succession” In its fourth and final season, this is the mind-blowing series based on the Rupert Murdoch family. Very adult oriented, it is the best-written and best-acted show out there in my opinion. If language is your line in the sand, this is not your cup of tea.
• “Love and Death” Elizabeth Olsen shines as a suburban housewife who rocks her small Texas church and neighborhood by her decision to have an affair. This is a true story. It’s INSANE. (Let me just say that someone buys an axe.)

NETFLIX

• “Beef” This show started with a bang and loved it but soon ran away screaming.
• “Love is Blind” Can people spend time together without seeing each other and fall in love sight unseen? I LOVED this show! It’s not great cinematic viewing but so entertaining
• “The Glory” (season 2) If I haven’t sold you on this season in last month’s edition, I don’t know what to say. This is a dubbed Korean TV show that follows a bullied teenager as she educates herself and seeks revenge. I love justice/revenge stories, which probably says something about my deep psychosis.
• “Leanne Morgan: I’m Every Woman” I saved the BEST for last. Leanne is hysterical and does not say one swear word. I have rewatched parts of this comedy special many times. DO NOT MISS THIS.

In Theaters
“Air” This Ben Affleck - and Matt Damon-led true story of the creation of the Air Jordan sneakers is fabulous. It’s true, it’s fascinating, it’s uplifting. Go. Seriously. Go. (Adults only due to language.)

“Evil Dead Rise” Seriously, come to a dead stop if you’re considering this horror movie. Yes, pun intended. It’s so awful. I saw it with a young couple I didn’t know. At one point he looked back and said, “Ma’am,” this is horrible, right?” Yep. Enough said.

“Are you There, God? It’s Me, Margaret” Grab your daughters, your girlfriends and go NOW. By the time you read this, this precious film based on the book anyone my age read at least 10 times growing up may be on streaming services. If you loved the book, you will not be disappointed in this adaptation. This was the happiest theatrical experience I’ve had in a long time, and I got to experience with my oldest daughter (who’s 31), and she loved it as well.

I’m hoping late spring or summer will offer us fare that makes us want to go to the theater together. Until then, pass the popcorn please ….

If you missed The Oscars, here’s the condensed version: the champagne carpet got dirty and washed the stars out (they all looked a weird color); “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” and “All Quiet on the Western Front” won essentially everything; everyone agreed Tom Cruise saved the movie industry with “Top Gun: Maverick.” Almost all nominated films are streaming. Most are almost three hours long, so you may want to view in several sections.

The Lookout Mountain Club hosted such a fun Red Carpet and Oscar viewing party. My fearless “fact checker” Mary Evans and I had the best time. I’m crossing my fingers that LMC does that again next year, and I hope many of you will join Mary and me.

I loved the acceptance speech by Ke Huy Quan from “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.” Quan was a child actor who left the business and returned right before this movie. I also loved Jamie Lee Curtis’s speech because she thanked all the fans (me!) of horror movies who stayed with her films all those years.

I saw three films in theaters this month. “Champions” stars Woody Harrelson as a fired college coach who is assigned community service; he must coach a Special Olympics basketball team. (If you’ve never attended a Special Olympics event, you should). It’s a sweet, endearing story.

I’ve been a Rocky fan since the original film. My daddy took me to the one theater in Montgomery and he wept. I had never seen him cry. I was hooked. I’ve never missed a Rocky sequel, so of course I LOVED “Creed 3.” Like all Rocky movies, there is a great redemption and forgiveness storyline. Another franchise I’ve never missed a sequel from is the “Scream” series, but unless you’re a major fan of the series, just stream it later.

It is always interesting to me which streaming service has the best content. In March, I’d say it was a tie between Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Amazon

• “Daisy Jones and The Six” This series is based on the Taylor Jenkins Reid novel that I read in one day. I loved both the book and this series so much I cannot find the adjectives to express my utter fandom. Yes, there is drug use, addiction, and some adult content, so you are warned. I had not cried after my mother’s death as I shed many tears four years ago, but the final episode of this series had me weeping. It was cathartic, and I was reminded I am not alone in parts of my story. Elvis’s granddaughter Riley Keough stars as Daisy, and Sam Claflin (made famous by “Hunger Games” series) stars as Billy Dunne. They are perfection.
• The next two shows I watched were a bit heavy, so I added a comedy show after each - a practice I highly recommend. I call it the “comedy chaser.”
• “Alice Darling” This film stars Anna Kendrick as a smart woman in an abusive relationship. Her friends read the red flags and encourage her to leave her boyfriend. This is such a good lesson in watching out for our loved ones and being willing to step in when necessary. My “comedy chaser” after this was my favorite comedian Nate Berghatze (a Tennessee man!) in his “Hello World” special. Not a single swear word!
• “Jared from Subway: Catching a Monster” This three-part docuseries covers the rise to fame of Jared Fogle, the man who famously lost 150 pounds while eating at Subway. He started a program to “educate kids on healthy eating” while he was actually a sexual predator.

Apple TV

• “Ted Lasso” Season three is up and running! How I wish I could convince the editors and writers to remove some of the language because it is the sweetest show.
• “Dear Edward” Based on the fabulous novel, this series follows the sole survivor of a plane crash. Eleven-year-old Eddie moves in with his aunt and uncle who he barely knows to start life over as Edward. The team behind “Friday Night Lights” (best TV show ever - I’ll never stop saying that) produced this one, and yes, Connie Britton is a lead, as is Taylor Schilling from “Orange is the New Black.” I love this series, which may have a season two.
• “Truth Be Told” Please watch this season of this spectacular show. It’s in season three now but you do not need to watch the first two seasons. This season podcast investigator Poppy (uber talented Octavia Spencer) tackles sex trafficking. Everyone has probably heard the statistic that the United States is the country with the most trafficking. Called “Romeo Trafficking,” young girls are lured in by someone who becomes their boyfriend and overwhelms them with gifts and attention and ultimately gets them to a party where they are passed around and taken away by someone else. This is an important season, and I would even recommend watching it with your older teens.

Netflix

• “The Best Beer Run Ever” Based on a true story starring Zac Efron and Russell Crowe, Chickie Donahue (Efron) decides to transport beer to all his friends who are fighting in Vietnam. I was scared this was going to be an anti-American story, but it is a story of love, sacrifice for country and finding your story.
• My next two loves only apply to my fellow thriller/horror fans. “The Glory” is the story of a horrifically bullied high schooler who plots revenge on her tormentors. The other thriller I liked was “The Strays.” This film has seriously the most surprising ending I have ever seen. It’s the story of a mother whose life begins to unravel as her past catches up to her.

Paramount

• “The Visitor” This is another thriller about a couple that moves into the wife’s childhood home and discovers her husband is mysteriously in paintings that are decades old.

Hulu

• “Alaska Daily” You can now stream the entire first season of this superb newspaper mystery solving show. The superb cast is led by Hilary Swank.
• “Accused” This series follows a different case each week. If you’re a courtroom drama fan, this is for you.
• “Ritual Killer” This thriller stars Morgan Freeman as a detective about to retire when he is handed a case of murders being committed using a black magic known as muti.
• “Lullaby” This is a straight up, old school horror movie by the “Annabelle” team. A set of new parents accidentally open an evil spirit in their home through an ancient lullaby.
• “Boston Strangler” This is an excellent film chronicling the women who would not stop investigating the Boston Strangler even though women were not allowed often in investigative reporting. Kiera Knightly and Carrie Coon are superb.

And because I had four surgeries in 10 months, each recovery gets a pass on a “pure trash but can’t look away” show. This last one was “Southern Charm Savannah.”
Until next month, pass the popcorn please …

By the time you read this, the Oscars will have aired. In 1990, Billy Crystal opened the ceremony with a beloved musical number that included the title of this article. So, every year I watch that video on YouTube and sing that song.

Last month, I reviewed most of the movies nominated. The condensed version of my reviews were in the “skip it” category: “The Banshees of Insherin;” “Tár;” “Triangle of Sadness;” and “The Whale.”

The “yes, see it” list included: “The Fabelmans;” “Maverick: Top Gun;” “All Quiet on the Western Front;” “Elvis;” and “Everything, Everywhere All at Once.” All of these films are available to stream.

I rented “To Leslie” because of all the controversy surrounding the best actress nomination for lead actress Andrea Riseborough (I still don’t understand the campaigning rules). This was a hard movie for me as it’s about an addict, and my brother is an addict. I think Andrea earned that Oscar nomination. It’s a well done movie; just know it can be very triggering for those of us with addicts in our lives.

In theaters this month, I saw “80 for Brady.” I am not a Tom Brady fan, but I love true stories. I love movies about healthy female friendships, and with Lily Tomlin, Sally Fields, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno starring? It was a no brainer for me. If felt good to laugh, cry and just experience a movie in a group setting.

I also saw “Knock at the Cabin.” I’m a huge fan of the director M. Night Shyamalan (“The Sixth Sense”). This was not his best work, but I took a bunch of 20-something-year olds to see this film and they were all entertained. It is a thriller about the end of the world, but it didn’t work in my opinion.

The final movie I saw in theaters was “Jesus Revolution.” My oldest daughter asked my husband and me to go with her. It’s the true story of the Jesus movement in the ’70s in California. Kelsey Grammer does a good job of portraying Chuck Smith, the man who ultimately started Calvary Chapel. I appreciated that the three pastors were not portrayed as perfect. It’s definitely a movie families can see together.
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Still recovering from major foot surgery gave me time for lots of streaming, so here are the things I watched. I will say it again, HBO and Apple are killing it.


HBO

• “The Last of Us” I didn’t think I would like this series. It is based on the video game that changed the world of video games by creating characters with actual stories you care about. I haven’t finished this series as of this deadline, but so far I’m all in.

Apple

• “Dear Edward” Based on the bestselling novel by the same name, this one was brought to life by the brilliant writers and directors of “Friday Night Lights” (best TV show ever FYI). Connie Britton and Taylor Schilling give excellent performances. I loved the book, and I think the series is doing a great job of staying true to the book.
• “Sharper” This was my favorite movie of the month. It’s a twisty, turny who-is-good and who-is-bad starring Julianne Moore and Sebastian Stan. It had me guessing to last minute.
• “Shrinking” This comedy stars Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. It’s hysterical, but be warned the language is very adult.
• “Servant” The creepy M.Night Shyamalan series is coming to an end. Unless you really enjoy horror, you can skip this.

Netflix
Basically Netflix provided my just senseless binge material for lying on your back with your foot elevated. Watch “Black Summer” for your zombie fix, and season three of “Love is Blind” and  “Bling Empire” for your “surely this doesn’t exist” fix. The one very pleasant surprise was the Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher romantic comedy “Your Place or Mine?” Great date night movie! Also, the documentary “Pamela, A Love Story” by Pamela Anderson’s son was very moving.


Hulu

• “The Sacrament” A brother goes to find his sister who he is convinced has joined a cult. What he finds is even more terrifying. I loved it, but I do love a well done scary movie.
• “Stolen Youth -The Cult at Sarah Lawrence” is a true cult story. This documentary is absolutely SHOCKING. And how an Ivy League school let this happen on its campus is horrifying.
• “Accused” This anthology series covers a different legal dilemma. It’s so good and makes you think.

     
Well, next month we will have Oscar winners, and I’ll have lots of opinions. Pas the popcorn please …

I say it all the time: I love writing this column. I love movies and television and Broadway. I love the way well done visual art can literally move me to tears or laughter. The hard part of this job is knowing that what I love and find wonderful may not be for everyone, so, as 2023 begins, I want to give a blanket statement: please always investigate my, or anyone’s, recommendations.
Since I am writing this on January 1, 2023, I think it is fitting that I give you my list of the best films of 2022.

• 1. “Top Gun: Maverick” I love this movie for many reasons. I love the actor Miles Teller, and it’s a movie that families can see together. It also honors our military and sees value in our past.
• 2. “Devotion” This is based on the incredible true story of honor, pride in country and racism, with the Korean War as backdrop. A must-see for families in my opinion.
• 3. “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” My face hurt from smiling so much during this movie! It is simply the sweetest movie of the year and again, family friendly.
• 4. “NOPE” Don’t immediately start with “Nope, I’m not seeing it because it’s a horror movie.” There are a few jump scares but this is about family and what lengths we will go to to preserve our family and our family’s particular culture and values.
• 5. “The Fabelmans” This is the “semi-autobiographical” Steven Spielberg film. In a world with anti-semitism on the rise, this film feels a bit more weighty than I’m sure it did when Spielberg first wrote it. I loved this movie.
• 6. “Elvis” A study in what can so terribly wrong when your trust is put in the wrong person, this film boasts amazing performances and of course, music.
• 7. “Jerry and Marge Go Large” The true story of a couple figuring out the lottery to save the town they love, Annette Benning and Bryan Cranston are fabulous!
• 8. “Tár” I warn you that this film is almost two and a half hours long and moves slowly. However, I hope Cate Blanchett wins for best actress. She portrays a conductor who is a self described “U-haul lesbian” and has become a robot basically to succeed. This movie addresses sex and gender in a brilliant way, and features my favorite film quote of the year, “Don’t be so eager to be offended, the narcissism of small differences leads to the most boring conformity.”
• 9. “What is a Woman?” This documentary is compelling. Watch it just to see the University of Tennessee professor (whose salary you and I are paying) expound on how the word “truth” is triggering. I just have no words.

​All of the above movies are available for streaming for rental.

In theaters last month, I saw “Armageddon Day” and was so disappointed. It’s slow, and even Anthony Hopkins can’t save this film.

I think what is unsettling to me about the issue of “will the theaters survive” is a personal fact. For 16 years our family has seen a movie on Christmas Day in the theater. This year we stayed home and streamed “Matilda” on Netflix, which was a good call on our part.

Peacock
I’m listing Peacock first because if you do not have this streaming service, I highly recommend it.

• “NOPE” One of my favorite movies of the year. See notes above in my favorite movies of 2022.
• “Casey Anthony: Where Truth Lies” This three part docuseries did not change my mind about Anthony’s a role in her child’s death, but it gave me a lot to think about. It’s her first interview since her acquittal. She may not have physically killed Caylee, but I think she knows who did and participated in the cover-up.
• “Parks & Recreation” This series continues to bring me joy. I never watched it when it was on TV but I am loving streaming it.

Hulu

• “Fleishman is in Trouble” I actually do not know how to adequately describe and review this eight-part series. Claire Danes and Jesse Eisenberg star as a couple debating divorce and disappointment in their lives. I used the 15-second skip button often as there are sexual situations. The series follows Eisenberg and his two best friends (one female, one male) from college as they tread into middle age. Discussions on what is it like to be a mother; who really are our true friends; and what does postpartum depression and mental illness look and feel like, really affected me. Sometimes crying, I found myself needing to just sit and process. I’ve had postpartum depression and struggle with a mental illness similar to that of Clare Danes’ character, and there were times where I thought the writer had taken scripts from my brain to use as inspiration. This is not your feel good show, but it is one of the best. I hope Claire Danes and the excellent Lizzy Caplin (who portrays Eisenberg’s best friend) win every award possible.
• “Alaska Daily” Hillary Swank stars as a journalist seeking a fresh start in Alaska after losing her job and reputation at a large newspaper. She discovers an unsolved crime in Alaska and is determined to solve it.

Netflix

• “Matilda” Netflix wins the best original movie on streaming award for its slightly flawed, but still charming, adaptation of this musical. If you are not a rabid fan of musicals, as the Stroud clan is, you will not even notice the changes that bothered us. Also, the new song for the ending of the movie is exquisite.
• “Take Your Pills” This documentary about the addiction to Zanax and other anti-anxiety meds is fascinating.
• “Firefly Lane” I loved this book. I don’t love the adaptation, but I am sticking with it in hopes it will get to the heart of the novel.

HBO Max

• “Call me Miss Cleo” This fascinating documentary delves into the 80s phone psychic phenomenon and its shady characters.
• “The White Lotus” I should have read more about season 2 of this show. The 15-second button needed to be a 30-second button, but WOWZA!
• Live TV
• On live TV with the help of my DVR, I’m watching “The Good Doctor,” “Law and Order,” “Law and Order SVU” and “Yellowstone.” My husband, John, is tired of hearing about Beth Dutton.

So hoping our highs of 2023 include more popcorn passing at the theater!

By far the best thing I watched this past month was “Inside Man” on Netflix. Stanley Tucci shines as a lawyer who killed his wife and solves crime from behind bars. David Tennant (“Broadchurch” fame) is a vicar with a few secrets to hide. This show makes one question how far we would go to protect our families. The acting is excellent, and the surprising ending hopefully will lead to a second season.

Joining “Inside Man” on Netflix, the long awaited series “The Crown” finally dropped. Yes, I completed binged it. I thought Dominic West was horribly miscast at Prince Charles, yet Elizabeth Debicki was excellent as Diana. This was not my favorite season, but I plan to watch season six.

Netflix

• “Falling for Christmas” A new Netflix Christmas movie that I loved
• “Christmas with You” Another sweet Christmas movie to make your heart a bit lighter
• “1899” The creepy story of finding one young boy on a ship lost at sea for four months
• “The Wonder” An “art house film” set in Ireland during the potato famine
• “From Scratch” A romance recommended to me by several people

Apple TV

• “Spirited” The Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds led Christmas musical based on “A Christmas Carroll”
• “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me” A vulnerable documentary that offers hope regarding mental illness

Hulu

• “God Forbid” The fascinating documentary of the fall of Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University’s knowledge of the scandal it helped cover
• “Christmas on the Farm” A classic sweet, happy Hallmark type movie that is like a warm cup of hot chocolate
• Diane Sawyer’s Interview with Matthew Perry Highly recommended. Perry is vulnerable and raw in discussing his years of drug and alcohol abuse, and I think it is appropriate to watch with your older teens as his addiction began in his teens.

Peacock

• “Friend of the Family” An unbelievable true story about a kidnapping by a family friend

Amazon Prime

• “The English” An Emily Blunt-led Western about an English woman seeking revenge on the man she holds responsible for the death of her son

In theaters, I saw three films.  Let me save you from wasting two hours of your life. Do NOT see “The Menu.” This movie had great promise because of its magnificent cast (Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Judith Light), but it quickly dissolves into a gory mess of a film. Do see “She Said,” the well done film based on the reporters who broke the Harvey Weinstein case, and “The Fabelmans,” the Steven Spielberg film loosely based on his own story of growing up. It’s interesting to see themes in Spielberg’s life that end up in his films.

This is usually the time of year big films are released for the holidays, but, honestly, the only one I am excited about is the Tom Hanks-led “A Man Called Otto,” which is based on the beloved book “A Man Called Ove.” So keep passing the popcorn, and we will see what this month brings!

by Merrile Stroud

I love all kinds of movies, including scary movies, Hallmark movies and Christmas movies. This should have been the best month ever. But oh-so-sad to say it wasn’t, but, hey, Christmas is coming!

Each month I try “to take the pulse” of the movie industry, especially after Apple TV’s excellent film “CODA” won the Oscar for best picture last year (first streaming movie to do so), and this month it is weak. The one highlight in theaters was the sweet, funny, somewhat predictable “Ticket to Paradise” starring the always entertaining Julia Roberts and charming George Clooney. Part of the joy of this film is just being in the theater with a friend who always makes a movie outing a special event. Shared viewing in a dark theater is still one of my favorite things to do. But the best movie I saw this month was on Netflix. “The Good Nurse” stars Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne in the shocking true story of nurse Charlie Cullen who killed anywhere from 40 to 400 patients as he was just passed to one hospital to another. It is excellently acted and written. Don’t skip this one!

My other theater views were all horror movies that I was excited about, but only one hit the mark. And speaking of horror and thrillers, I was shocked by the number of readers that reached out to thank me for covering this genre. I felt like Sally Fields in her 1985 Oscar speech for the fabulous “Places in the Heart.” “You like me! You really like me!” You can skip “Barbarian” and “Smile” but if you’ve been a fan of the Halloween franchise, I think you’ll like “Halloween Ends.”

So on to your streaming reviews for this past month …

Netflix

• “Luckiest Girl Alive” The long awaited adaptation of the best selling novel starring Mika Kunis did not deliver the punch the novel did. Kunis stars as the survivor of a school shooting but questions have followed her as to whether she was a survivor or a participant.
• “Last Seen Alive” Gerard Butler stars as a man on a frantic mission to find his wife who went missing in a matter of seconds at a gas station. It is a fun couples Friday night film.
• “The Watcher” Netflix created quite a stir over this true story thriller. Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale and Mia Farrow head a top notch cast in this entertaining thriller.

Prime Video

• “#Like” A teen discovers the man who bullied her sister and ultimately contributed to her  suicide and goes on a mission to take him down. I’m a big sucker for defending-your-sister films, having four girls of my own.

Peacock

• “Sex, Lies and the College Cult” The unbelievable documentary of one man who started a cult at the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College.

Hulu

• “The Patient” As much as I love Steve Carell, this is just depressing and too dark. If you’ve started it, STOP.
• “Alaska Daily” Starring Hillary Swank as a reporter disgraced and forced to start over in Alaska, this one is excellent.
• “The Handmaids Tale” After sticking it out for the horrible season three, this final season is hitting on all cylinders: forgiveness; versus; revenge; and what makes a mother.
• SKIP the Emma Roberts led “Abandoned” and also “Matriarch.”

While you wait for Christmas, here’s my list of favorites again:

• “Friday Night Lights” Peacock
• “Lars and the Real Girl” Amazon Prime
• “Jerry and Marge Go Large” Paramount
• “Ordinary People” Paramount
• “Schitt’s Creek” Hulu
• “CODA” Apple TV

So, what to get excited about? CHRISTMAS MOVIES!

The ones I’m most looking forward to include “Perfect Ending,” “We Need a Little Christmas” and “Christmas Bedtime Stories.” I’m suspecting all will be Netflix releases, but I’ll keep you posted! Until next time, pass that popcorn please!

by Merrile Stroud

In late June, I had to undergo incredibly invasive foot surgery that I had been trying to avoid for three years. I have issues with anesthesia, and it tends to linger in my body a bit longer so reading is out of the picture - but streaming is not. You would think that a person who loves entertainment as much as I do would have no problem finding things to watch. But if you watch TV often and go to the movies weekly, you’ve seen almost everything. The good news with foot surgery is that going to the movies is still something you can do.

Last month I reviewed several of the successful miniseries based on true stories of people who swindled their way to the top - only to ultimately fail. I was honestly obsessed with theses stories. (Amazon Prime has a very artistic spin on this in “Chloe,” which is a bit reminiscent of “Inventing Anna.”) I kept wondering what it was with these stories that were becoming huge streaming hits. Well, I read an excellent article by Brett McCracken on this phenomenon, which he termed “failure porn.” His main point is that watching the mighty fall is cathartic; their failures make us feel better and satisfy a need for justice. Brett writes very thought provoking articles on pop culture for The Gospel Coalition. For parents trying to make wise family viewing choices, I recommend his articles highly.

Being confined to a sofa with an elevated foot gave me a chance to “be late to the party” for two favorites that I had never seen. “Parks and Recreation” is on Peacock, and “Schitt’s Creek” is on Apple TV or Amazon Prime, with the last seasons on Hulu. Laughter proved to be the best medicine, and I loved these pop culture hits.

While on family beach vacation, my oldest daughter saw an ad for the first movie to be made for Paramount + streaming service, and she suggested we save it for my season of recovery. “Jerry and Marge Go Large” stars Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening in the true story of a humble mathematician who breaks the code to winning the lottery. It is truly the sweetest, most charming movie I have seen in a LONG time. I have watched it three times already.

On the other side of the coin, I want to express my deep gratitude for good trash reality TV. I remember sitting in my in my granddaddy’s bed in the family room watching soap operas. That is such a vivid and fond memory for me, and I think at that young age, I understood that some “lower” forms of entertainment add joy to the lives of people who have very limited outlets due to health issues.
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“Southern Charm” on Peacock has been my granddaddy’s “Days of our Lives.” After falling in love with Charleston in May, I put this show in my queue. Good golly, Miss Molly! This is reality TV at its best. It reminds me of why the Oscars have been spiraling downward for years; the Academy has been choosing films that are not even shown in some parts of our country or that most Americans have no desire to see, as they perceive the films as too “high brow.” In my world, I want to be open to viewing both, and appreciating both.

On Netflix:

• “Stranger Things” This season of the beloved series is scarier. It makes me sad because part of the charm of this series for me was the fact that is was appropriate for family viewing for some families. I am looking forward to the fifth season, which will be the final one with the beloved teenage characters.
• “Keep Sweet, Pray and Obey” I have a deep fascination (some may say obsession) with cults. This story follows the brave women who escaped Warren Jeff’s abusive cult, a polygamist cult where children as young as 14 were married to adult men. The docuseries follows Jeffs’ trial, as well as the people willing to protect these girls and stop Jeffs.
• “Snowflake Mountain” Another reality show with a fun twist, parents whose adult children live with them and take full advantage of that send their lazy offspring off on a reality show. The parents are sending them to basically survive off the land, but the kiddos think they’re going on some luxury reality show gig. It’s quite entertaining!
• “The Lincoln Lawyer” By far my favorite series I streamed all month, it’s based on books by Michael Connelly. This is a road to redemption story of lawyer Mickey Haller, who runs his law practice from the back of his Lincoln.

On Hulu:

• “Keeper of the Ashes” I enjoyed this Kristin Chenoweth-produced true crime drama. As a child, Chenoweth missed Girl Scout camp due to illness, and three young girls were murdered while at the camp she missed. It illustrates how a crime not only changes families but communities.
• “Only Murderers in the Building” If you enjoyed season one, you will be pleased with this season.
• “The Old Man” It is so hard to find a series that my husband, John Stroud, will watch with me. He loved ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ and ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’ on Netflix, which I reviewed last month, and this series made the cut! Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow are fabulous in this tale of a retired CIA operative trying to live off-the-grid to protect his daughter and a long hidden secret.

On Apple:

• “Loot” Apple TV continues to produce quality, albeit not family friendly, entertainment. This Maya Rudolph-led comedy follows Molly, who has a very public divorce from her billionaire husband of 20 years. She decides to invest herself in a foundation she inherits in the divorce and begins to learn the extent of how her wealth has warped so much of her worldview.
• “Cha Cha Real Smooth” The only well known actor in the movie is Dakota Johnson. It is the sweet story of a 22-year-old college grad moving back home as he tries to figure out life. His relationships with his 12-year-old brother and a young autistic girl are endearing. There is adult language and content. I found this movie to be my second favorite streaming movie this month.
• Thankfully, there are movies in the theater worth the effort to leave the comfort of home to view. I reviewed “Maverick” last month, and I still think about that movie. It is truly excellent. If you want a family-friendly movie, see “Minions: The Rise of Gru.” It is sweet, funny and wonderful for kids and adults. “Elvis” delivers exactly what I wanted it to after seeing the first trailer. The acting is incredible.

So until next month, from the sofa and a handicapped seat at the theater, pass the popcorn!

by Merrile Stroud

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!

by Merrile Stroud