November 2024 BREAKDOWN
- 9 films/series total (not including Hallmark films)
- 3 foreign films/series
- 1 re-watches
- 2 TV series
- 1 documentary
- 1 classic film
Biggest Disappointment: Kill Me Love Me
Favorite Discovery: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
TV SERIES & Documentaries
Moonflower Murders (2024) – A continuation or second season of the Magpie Murders, it’s not quite as much fun as the first, but still very entertaining. It’s great to see an older but chic heroine who is brave, intelligent and also flawed. The structure of the show and how it switches back and forth between two time-lines; one real and one fictional, makes it rather unique. As does the friendship between our real heroine and fictional hero detectives.
George Stevens: A Filmmaker’s Journey (1984) – I’m always hopeful for glimpses into the private lives and thoughts of public figures, and this documentary fails to provide such insight into the famed director. If focuses mainly on his career and growth as a director over decades. I especially liked learning about his emotional growth in his career. Like other film luminaries, his outlook was dramatically changed by his time serving in WWII. While I didn’t think the long clips that were played from many of his films were necessary, I was very moved by the clips of his live action footage while serving before and after the war. The images he captured from D-Day, the Dachau concentration camp and the destroyed cities of Europe was extremely sobering. It was also encouraging to learn what a genuine person he seemed to be.
The Marlow Murder Club (2024) – In yet another cozy murder mystery series set in a quaint English town, this one is unique for it’s female protagonist team. Led by actress Samantha Bond three women who are formerly strangers band together to solve a string of murders in their town and offer assistance to the police. I enjoyed the fact that this was a female friendly show that highlights the strengths and bonds of women in a natural way without getting all preachy about. It’s also unique in that the setting is the very real town of Marlow itself. The final reveal to the serial murders was unexpected and rather smart too. I really hope to see more seasons of this one.
Foreign Films & series
On A Starry Night (2023) – Although I generally don’t love Japanese romance dramas, this one surprised me in a good way, once I got past the shock of seeing the male lead surprise kiss the female lead without her consent. The age-gap romance between the young, deaf hero and the older female doctor was well done and believable. I loved seeing how their interactions helped both of them become better people. And it is nice to see a deaf leading character acting just like a normal character without a disability would act. He didn’t allow his disability to hamper his life in any way. The sweetness of their relationship was balanced out by some of the deeper, more serious discussions and scenes that stem from their careers dealing with life and death.
Kill Me Love Me (2024) – This revenge drama had so much going for it; a memorable soundtrack, beautiful, textured costumes (especially for the hero), a good cast, intense action scenes and amazing visuals including the set designs. Sadly, it failed to remain consistent in both plot and character development. The first several episodes instantly grabbed me with a great set up of a disgraced prince and an orphaned woman who use each other to seek revenge for a tragedy that affected them both. I loved seeing Liu Xueyi play such a dissolute, seemingly wicked protagonist and I wished that the writing had carried that part of his character longer into the story. Even though I disliked that the romance eventually overpowers the initial revenge story, he had good chemistry with his co-star and transitioned well into a dedicated lover. Aside from the leads, the supporting characters were mostly dull and uninteresting by comparison although the Crown Prince’s malicious actions were intriguing due to his back story. Once the revenge is fulfilled in the first half, the story quickly lost steam and I had to fast forward through the remaining episodes in order to finish this one.
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (2024) – Initially I thought this fantasy drama looked too cheesy, but I’m glad I gave it a chance. It started out being ridiculous fun before morphing into a story with an important message about loving and accepting oneself. I’m always a fan of plots about writers and books and even more so when one or more characters in the story actually become part of the book like this. The two leads, Esther Yu and Ryan Ding have great chemistry together which is not a surprise given this is their second show together. Their grumpy-sunshine relationship lends itself well to the initial humor and later to the deeper message. The second lead couple were a bit dull by comparison, but I love the group’s friendship and how they each contributed in their own way to the larger quest.
Classic Films
You Can’t Take It With You (1938) – The best part about this film is the outstanding cast, including the deeply talented pool of supporting character actors. I did find a few of the performances a bit more manic then I remembered and the transitions between screwball comedy scenes and the more serious dialogues somewhat disorienting. But it’s still a lot of fun.
Post 1980’s
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024) – Such a sweet and simple film that has vintage vibes similar to A Christmas Story. The child actors get the most screen time and did a good job carrying this family film. The final message is a touching one that brought tears to my eyes about what truly makes the biblical Christmas story special. This will be a holiday picture I watch for many years to come.
Re-watch – The Christmas Candle
Hallmark Movies: – My Sweet Austrian Holiday, The Christmas Charade, The Real West, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, The Christmas Contract, A Godwink Christmas Second Chance First Love, Our Holiday Story, Christmas at Castle Hart, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Christmas in Notting Hill, A Fabled Holiday, To All A Good Night, The 5-Year Christmas Party, Holiday Crashers, A Bramble House Christmas, Two Turtle Doves, Tis the Season To Be Irish, Santa Tell Me. A Paris Christmas Waltz, My Norwegian Holiday, ‘Twas the Date Before Christmas, A Reason For the Season, A Gift Wrapped Christmas, The Christmas Club, If I Only Had Christmas, Write Before Christmas, Five Gold Rings, A Biltmore Christmas, A Christmas For the Books, A Princess for Christmas, Christmas Camp, Checkin’ It Twice, Five Star Christmas, With Love Christmas, A Godwink Christmas Meant for Love, My Christmas Family Tree, An Unexpected Christmas, Long Lost Christmas, Ghosts of Christmas Always, A Novel Noel, Three Wiser Men and a Boy, Christmas Encore, Once Upon a Christmas Miracle, A Merry Scottish Christmas, Christmas at the Plaza, A Not So Royal Christmas, A 90’s Christmas, Christmas with the Singhs, Operation Nutcracker, Christmas Waltz, Holiday Road, One Royal Holiday
