THE VAMPIRE DIARIES – Okay, y’all know how much I like The Originals. Through that viewing, I discovered Vampire Diaries which is actually the prequel to The Originals. In fact, the Originals storyline begins in Vampire Diaries and continues into their own show. I didn’t think I would like Vampire Diaries at all. It appeared to be a teenage series about high schoolers (although most of the actors playing those roles are older) And at first I didn’t. I was only viewing it to get a better understanding of the Originals. It’s also melodramatic (which usually loses me right away), but as I continued to view it, I found I didn’t care. It was drawing me in. I liked the humor, the music, the vampires and most of all – the relationship between two of the main characters played by Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder. The chemistry between them is palpable and I found myself rooting for them all the way. In fact, I basically watched all 8 seasons to the end solely because of these two characters. Even the melodrama had me bawling in one episode – and that most definitely never happens to me. It’s epic! Boyfriends – 1; Girlfriends – 1; Cheers!
THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR – To say the second season of this Haunted House series is a disappointment is an understatement. All the peeps agree – slow and boring. The first season, The Haunting of Hill House, was one of the scariest stories I have ever seen on screen (both film and TV). So we were expecting a frightening adventure as Bly Manor is written by Mike Flanagan, who also wrote Hill House, and features some of the same cast. Sadly no frights here. Most of the cast is quite good and Oliver Jackson-Cohen does an excellent Scottish accent. The kids are excruciatingly annoying and the story would have been better served had it been written without including the children. Of course, this would have completely changed the premise, but it needed a major overhaul anyway. Kelly said she was overjoyed she was finally on the last episode. Then she discovered she had one more to go. She bagged it. Mike said the whole thing was so-so with not much going on. Dana binged the entire season, but claims it’s hours she can’t get back. I’m on episode four. It’s doubtful I’ll be able to hang until the end, but I’m hoping some sort of plot will be revealed before I bolt for good. If you want something scary and engaging to watch for Halloween, replay Hill House. Boyfriend/Girlfriend Meter – 0. Toasts – 0.
LUCIFER 5 – I wasn’t impressed with the first few episodes of the fifth and final season of Lucifer. About halfway through the first eight, I found it delightful. There is a clever departure from the typical scenario with a film noir episode, allowing the actors and audience to enjoy role play and enabling the cast to reveal previously hidden talents. Episode eight ends with a fun, surprising twist. Lucifer’s season drops in segments on NetFlix, so we will be waiting a bit to see how this twist affects the storyline. But, they have once again recaptured my attention. Cheers! Boyfriends – 1, Girlfriends – 0.
DARK – Aptly named, this Netflix series is produced in German and dubbed in English. It’s a bizarre, sci-fi time travel extravaganza. The same characters exist in all time periods, and they can travel between them. There is a giant apocalypse threatening each world. If your head is spinning, join the club, because that is the extent of my understanding of this show. Now in season three, I’m even more confused than I was before. It’s also extremely slow moving which you would think would help process the storyline. It doesn’t. Still, something about it is intriguing. Maybe it’s just wanting to finally be able to say, “Oh, I get it. That’s how the puzzle fits together.” Alas, I have given up on that outcome. I think it’s going to be one of those shows where when we eventually reach the end of the journey, we’re just as perplexed and confounded as we were in the beginning – which is even more confounding. Lots of hours I can’t get back. None of the peeps are into this one (with good reason), but I am encouraged by Stephen King’s recent comment where he exclaims “just stick with it and it will all come together.” He’s obviously a fan. So I soldier on in my viewing. We shall see. No toasts yet. Zero boyfriends, zero girlfriends.
THE ORDER – This is another one of those comfort viewing shows Kelly and I enjoy watching…especially during a pandemic. In the same category as The Originals and Sabrina, it’s a fun romp through supernatural antics – this time in a college setting focusing on magic and werewolves. Werewolves have never been my thing, but werewolves in these modern shows are not the lame dressed-like-a-man but looks like a wolf type who transform during a full moon. Oh no. These wolves blast into and out of wolf form at will and thanks to CGI, appear as truly menacing lupine creatures (without clothes of course). Naturally, in their human form, they are all good-looking, good-natured souls fighting evil magic. So it meets all the criteria for light entertainment during these challenging times. And Jason Priestley shows up in Season 2 as himself with a few magical talents. It also rates pretty high on the boyfriend/girlfriend meter. Peeps’ tally, boyfriends – 3. Girlfriends – 1. Cheers!
THE ORIGINALS – Okay lots of boyfriends and girlfriends on this one. As a matter of fact, pretty much the main reason for watching. This show has all gorgeous actors. If you happen to like supernatural fantasies which include vampires, witches and werewolves, all the better. And the story is quite appropriately set in New Orleans and the French Quarter which adds to the ambience. It’s fun, charming, dark and sometimes witty entertainment with lots of eye candy. Any fans of Sabrina will enjoy this show as well. Boyfriend meter 3, girlfriend meter 2. Cheers!
PERRY MASON – This is definitely not Raymond Burr’s attorney-at-law. In fact, this Perry Mason isn’t even a lawyer. He’s a private detective without the class, elegance and success of his famed predecessor. Paul Drake is now a black police officer patrolling the seedy streets of LA. And Della Street? Well she’s still an ace secretary, and now she’s also a lesbian. Maybe she always was. I thought about the old Della while I was watching this new one. It would certainly have fit the premise of the original series from the 60s where lesbianism could only have been alluded to without being clearly stated. Both series are based on the novels of the same name by Erle Stanley Gardner. This modern version takes place in 1930s Los Angeles and is more gruesome and sinister than the original. Filmed in dark and neutral colors, we get the feeling this is a true snapshot of the 30s. The dead bodies are realistically shocking and graphic. The work is exceptional, including that of Jonathan Lithgow, who is always at the top of his game. I have no boyfriends or girlfriends in this one, but the peeps’ vote for the show is unanimous. Toasts all around! Cheers.
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD – I’m not sure what I was expecting from this film. I guess more insight into Fred Rogers’ personal life and the affect his show had on millions of kids who grew up with Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. I was not one of those kids. Neither were my kids. I always felt the show was boring and mundane. I didn’t connect with it at all. So I was eager for this film to help me understand what exactly made his juvenile viewers seem enamored with him, even after they grew up. I still don’t know, although as an adult I can better appreciate that for some kids it must have been an anchor in a chaotic world. None of the peeps wanted to watch this movie, so you have only my commentary today. Tom Hanks was great as Mr. Rogers – at least so far as I can tell from the limited clips I have seen of Mr. Rogers and his program over the years. The film’s story is supposedly true about Mr. Rogers’ encounter with an adult reporter doing a magazine piece about the man and his show. Of course, the reporter has father issues and a smug regard for Mr. Rogers. The predictable turn-around in perspective occurs by the end of the film, but I didn’t care. I didn’t care about any of it. And the arc of the reporter’s character sort of went nowhere. For most of the film he doesn’t buy into the Rogers’ magic, then suddenly he does. It all felt contrived, boring and long. Worse, I didn’t learn anything new about Mr. Rogers or his program. I’m just as perplexed at his popularity now as I was before. I actually gained more insight watching Kidding – Jim Carrey’s show which is supposedly loosely based on Mr. Rogers and his Neighborhood. And I’m not crazy about that show either. The film does include Chris Cooper whose work you already know I admire. Beyond that there is not much to see here. Mr. Rogers fans will love him still, and the rest of us remain perplexed. Zero toasts, zero boyfriends, zero girlfriends.
HAMILTON – Okay all y’all already know what a spectacular and important production Hamilton is for a myriad of reasons. All the peeps and I have already seen it on Broadway, but most of us were still eager to see the film. Since it dropped on Disney Plus this weekend (a most fitting time indeed) I thought I would make a comment. There’s no need to tell you the story or how many toasts we gave this show when we first saw it. Suffice it to say there aren’t enough bottles of wine to do it justice. I merely wanted to add anyone who hasn’t seen it must. And I also need to give it my personal boyfriend/girlfriend rating. 3 Boyfriends, 1 Girlfriend. Cheers! And happy Fourth of July!
FORD VS. FERRARI – this film is everything the critics claim it is. In a word – terrific. It’s the true story of auto racing team Ken Miles and Carroll Shelby who work with Ford Motor Co. to unseat Enzo Ferrari as the leader of fast cars and big wins at the 1966 Le Mans race in France. I don’t usually care for Christian Bale, but his work as the quirky and gifted driver Ken Miles is exceptional. I loved every minute he was on screen. Matt Damon as car designer Carroll Shelby, and Ken’s best friend, is wonderful. The little boy portraying Ken’s son does a stand up job and I enjoyed watching Caitriona Balfe (Claire from Outlander) in a different role. The auto racing world of big power and big money is on full display against the racing scenes themselves which had me on the edge of my seat. I actually found myself gripping the sofa arm as the cars sped into warp speed. Ryan also enjoyed Bale’s character and found the racing scenes superb. Cheers all around for a job well done.
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