january 2025 BREAkdown
- 24 films/series total (not including Hallmark films)
- 7 foreign films/series
- 10 re-watches
- 7 classics
- 3 tv series
Biggest Disappointment: One Christmas
Favorite Discovery: The Trauma Code and Mr. Plankton
Television Series
Virgin River Season 6 – It’s nice to have the Charmaine baby drama mostly resolved. This season turns the focus to wrapping up the seasons long arc on Preacher’s legal issues, Mel & Jack’s wedding and the love triangle between Brady, Brie and Mike. This was definitely an improvement on last season although Mayor Hope continues to annoy beyond all endurance with her stubbornness. I’m especially interested in seeing Denny and Lizzie’s relationship continue to develop and watch how they handle being parents while navigating his ALS diagnosis.
Miss Scarlet Season 5 – Formerly know as Miss Scarlet and the Duke, I had quit this show last season out of frustration with the self-centered, manipulative heroine, but my mom convinced me to give it another chance. I’m glad I did. Although I still don’t love it, a new Detective Inspector who is able to withstand Miss Scarlett’s wheedling for new cases, is a much needed new development. The fact that his family circumstances mirror her own childhood gives them a necessary connection. I still miss some of the earlier characters like the Duke, Moses and her gay benefactor, but it’s nice to see some other familiar faces reoccur.
Darby & Joan Season 2 – Another season of our retired cop and his investigative partnership with a retired nurse who enjoys sleuthing. I’m not liking Joan’s haircut at all this season, but I do like her potential new romance with a doctor she meets while on a case. I really appreciate Jack and Joan’s friendship, but the way that all the other characters assume there is some kind of romance between them has me fearing the writers are wanting to take their relationship that direction. I was thrilled to see a familiar but long unseen face show up as Jack’s ex-wife. Sigrid Thornton once played Jessica in The Man from Snowy River, so it’s thrilling to finally see her again.
Foreign Films & Series
Blossom (2024) – Another Chinese 2024 drama with blossom in the title. This one has a nice balance of action with romance and a little mystery thrown in for good measure. It’s nice to see this actor in a lead role. He acquits himself well with his performance, although he lacks the aura and physique to be believable as a brilliant and skilled general. The heroine was nicely written; emotionally strong, intelligent and strategic without becoming what some dramas would turn into a modern day feminist character. She felt appropriate for her time. Watching two independent, resourceful and clever people go from strangers to partners in crime to truly understanding each other and falling in love was delightful. But the relationships they also had with their subordinates and friends were equally a joy to watch and also reinforced that the two protagonists were generous, fair-minded and unselfish people.
When the Phone Rings (2024) -From the start, the quick pace of this series throws you right into the middle of things while slowly revealing the backstory as the plot develops. This starts off with a strong mystery and suspense thread while the romance slowly builds before becoming the main focal point which is a switch from most K-dramas where the romance often gets derailed by a murder mystery plot later on. This actually works, because the chemistry between the two leads is sizzling enough to carry this show through plot holes, unanswered questions and illogical happenings. It WAS hard for me to buy that the male lead had been in love with his “hostage” wife for years, given the way he treated her throughout their marriage and also hard to believe the very quick turnaround he makes when he decides to pursue her. However, Yoo Yeon Seok totally sold it! Ultimately his self-sacrificing, thoughtful, desperate love for his childhood first love was totally moving. I also have to give props to Chae Soo Bin for believably portraying a heroine who communicates through sign language.
Mr. Plankton (2024) – What an absolutely heart-rending yet life-affirming story! Despite the fact that the the main character is dying, he’s also extremely chaotic in how he chooses to deal with that information and so it’s a lot of fun watching his journey. Reading the summary, I honestly didn’t think I would like this show, but the very strong character portrayals, the thoughtfulness of their growth and the development of the plot won me over easily. All of these people are dysfunctional and broken and the way they relate to each other vacillates between odd and endearing burrowing right into my heart. Woo Do Hwan gives a fantastic and career defining performance as the dying hero. His eyes are fathoms deep in expressing all of his inner turmoil. Watching him broke my heart, but his ultimate realization that despite all the bad luck in his life, love makes it all worth it had me in happy tears by the end.
Light Shop (2024) – Disjointed story telling with seemingly unrelated characters and eerie settings make the early episodes confusing. However, the mystery behind these same characters and their circumstances drew me in right away and kept me watching to see what would happen. Mid-way through, pieces start to fall into place a bit more. Without spoiling things, the plot explores the intersection of life, death and the in-between. Though the writing doesn’t match with my personal beliefs about such things, I appreciated what the light ultimately stands for and the two characters on either of side of the divide who stand witness for those caught in between. Park Bo Young is a favorite actress of mine and the sole reason I watched this series which is darker, somber and more creepy than my usual fare, and I was disappointed that she didn’t have more screen time.
Fiery Priest Season 2 (2024) – Almost the entire cast returns after five years for the second season of this comedy series. This time around this civilian detective crew led by former secret agent turned fiery priest, seek to bring down a drug ring in Busan. They are joined by some new characters including an antagonist that gave me Bond villain vibes. This season is more silly and over the top which was originally a bit off-putting but eventually, I came to really appreciate this one on its’ own merits. It’s highly entertaining, made me laugh and I really hope there is a third season.
Knight Flower (2024)– A comedic drama about a virgin widow who acts as a sort of masked Robin Hood at night, this one was highly rated. Having just seen Honey Lee’s comedic chops in Fiery Priest, they are even more of a center focus here since she is the main character. And she IS good as a woman constrained by the expectations of her time, but who refuses to do nothing in the face of injustice. Thankfully, this show doesn’t focus as much on the palace politics as other historical dramas do. Nor does it play up the tropes. While it was an amusing watch, it’s probably not that will stick in my memory.
Trauma Code: Heroes on Call(2025) – I love a good trauma surgeon hero story and this is a really good one. It’s like Dr. Romantic on speed! Fast-paced, humorous and with more action than most medical dramas, this was highly enjoyable! And also highly binge-able thanks to eight brief episodes. There is more to the hero than his abrasive personality and the medical genius he appears to be. He is able to recognize talent, patiently teach and also inspire those who have grown complacent, even able to turn a nemesis into an ally. I love the loyal team he forms as well as his nicknames for them. Unlike most medical shows, the writing doesn’t waste too much time on hospital politics and romantic storylines, instead focusing on the battles and devotion the doctors experience in saving lives. With a shorter run time, the series packs a lot in, including character development which left me even more curious about these people who risk it all to save others. I really really hope there will be a second season.
Classics
Public Hero No. 1 (1935) – A federal agent goes undercover as a prisoner to buddy up with a notorious gangster in the hopes of eliminating his entire gang. Only to later fall in love with the gangster’s innocent sister. A fairly average film, I’m still drawn to it, due to my affinity for Chester Morris in the lead role and of course Jean Arthur. These two don’t make a very believable couple, but they work hard to sell it anyway. Arthur isn’t all that credible as the gangster’s sister either, but I’m able to overlook it. Lionel Barrymore is wasted (literally) in a supporting role as an alcoholic doctor to the gang. Despite these flaws, I still like to revisit this one every so often.
Rear Window (1954) – It had been so long since I saw this famous Hitchcock film, it was almost like watching it for the first time. My mom and I kept exclaiming how beautiful Grace Kelly and her wardrobe were! Although it’s a bit weird watching her romance an aging and less attractive James Stewart. Thelma Ritter as his nurse just about stole every scene she was in and made a great third leg for their amateur investigative trio. As usual the master of suspense kept the tension high and my nerves were taut as Stewart and team took more and more risks to prove their murder theory. One thing I especially appreciate about this movie, is the way Hitchcock framed all the neighbors within their individual apartment windows. It’s not only a striking tableau of visuals, but also made me feel a bit like a voyeur taking peaks at others’ private lives.
Way for a Sailor (1930) – The only reason to watch this outdated clunker is if you are a John Gilbert completist like me. He brings his normal charisma to these vignettes about a flirty sailor with the merchant marine fleet who woos and marries an upright woman with no intention of changing his ways. Wallace Beery is his usual obnoxious self as Gilbert’s frenemy. The transitions between scenes are rocky, the plot practically non-existent and the ending extremely unrealistic,
Three Loves Has Nancy (1938) – At just over an hour, this little programmer is improved by it’s star cast of Janet Gaynor, Robert Montgomery and Franchot Tone in stereotypical but well- acted roles of naive country girl, sarcastic playboy and drunken second lead. Add the usual MGM gloss and you’ve got a charming if shallow entertainment.
Little Miss Marker (1934) – One of Shirley Temple’s early films, it’s a cute as one would expect, but with a questionable story line about a little girl who is turned over to a gambling syndicate in payment for her father’s debt. While she is softening the hearts of those around her, they are influencing her to be more cynical. But in the end it all works out as it does in these movies.
Hearts Divided (1936) – I expected more from this Marion Davies vehicle, especially with such an exceptional cast, some beautiful costuming and sets. Playing loosely with historical facts, Davies plays an American woman who falls for the brother of Napoleon. It’s very pretty to watch, but Davies just isn’t plausible in a historic setting like this, especially with her curly blonde bob and penciled on eyebrows. On top of that, I’m not a fan of Dick Powell as a romantic leading man, especially opposite Davies.
Re-watch – Blondie of the Follies
Post 1980’s
One Christmas (1994) – With a cast list including Katharine Hepburn, Henry Winkler and Swoozie Kurtz, I really expected more. Based on a short story by Truman Capote and set in 1930’s New Orleans, this story about a young boy reconnecting with his estranged, con-artist of a father had potential. Unfortunately, it was ultimately boring and hard to connect with the characters.
Roughing It (2002) – Based on a a somewhat autobiographical book by Mark Twain, this two part series has an aging Twain, played by James Garner re-count his adventures at his daughter’s college graduation. Most of his stories feel like tall tales, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that this is a light-hearted and fun watch.
The Little Kidnappers (1990) – Charlton Heston stars in this obscure film about two orphans who are sent to live with their father’s family in rural Nova Scotia. The child actors playing the two brothers are adorable and really made this a pleasure to watch. The animosity their grandfather (played by Heston) feels towards their neighbors confused me a little as it had something to do with the Boer war which happened a world away and which I know nothing about.
Rewatch – You’ve Got Mail, Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Safe Haven
Hallmark – Jingle Bell Run, Trading Up Christmas, Leah’s Perfect Gift, The Spirit of Christmas, Christmas on the Bayou, Autumn at Apple Hill, Falling Together, Small Town Christmas, Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas, Christmas Next Door, Brush With Fate, A Glenbrooke Christmas, Chateau Christmas, My Argentine Heart, Love of the Irish, Autumn in the City, Picture a Perfect Christmas, Project Christmas Wish, A Royal Queens Christmas, Magic Stocking, Snow Bride, The Perfect Setting, Christmas on Call, Finding Christmas
