May 2026 Quickie Reviews

may 2026 BREAkdown

• 1 films/series total (not including Hallmark films)
• 5 foreign films/series
• 2 re-watches
• 0 classics
• 3  tv series

Biggest Disappointment: Angel’s Last Mission: Love 

Favorite Discovery – The WonderFools, Seeking Persephone

TV Series

The Count of Monte Cristo (2024)– Though I have not read the book, this seemed like a really well done adaptation.  The fact that it was a six part series allowed it time to really explore the characters in more depth as well as their connections and interactions. The movie, though I know it is not a faithful adaptation still holds a special place in my heart, but this is a close second.

A Taste for Murder (2026) – When his wife is killed, a London detective takes his daughter for an extended visit to his in-laws and finds himself working as a consultant for the Italian police.  The bright and colorful scenery of the island of Capri belies the dark intensity of the criminal bedrock that this series is determined to explore. It’s a very jarring juxtaposition.  If this series gets a second season, I’ll be curious to see the further exploration of the father-daughter relationship which is fairly complicated.

My Life is Murder Season 5 – Same old, same old, although Alexa and her girl Friday, Madison have toned down their crazy wardrobes a bit.  This is more of a comfort, background watch for me at this point.

Foreign Films & Series

Romance is a Bonus Book (2019) Re-watch- I enjoyed this even more than the first time I saw it. This younger man-older woman romance is just sunshine and roses all the way around. And as an avid reader, I really love that it is set in the world of book publishing and witnessing the characters’ love for books as well as the process of how they are produced.

Sudden Marriage (2025) – I liked the first half of this Japanese drama about a couple who marry after a drunken one-night stand only for her to discover her new boss at work is now her husband! There is some mystery twined into their relationship as to why he’s determined to stay married to her despite the fact that he is way out of her league. I loved that his support enabled her to go on this journey of self discovery and confidence that she didn’t previously have.  Sadly, the last half of this drama is ruined by the inclusion of the husband’s overbearing and selfish father interfering both in their marriage and their careers.

Perfect Crown (2026) -Glossy,  exuding wealth, class and beauty, this was an easy and entertaining watch. One of the K-dramas I was most looking forward to this year and it didn’t disappoint.  I loved the way IU played her character Seong Hui Ju, a wealthy woman who had fought prejudice her whole life. She was tough, diligent and driven, yet was fiercely protective of her people and had a kind heart hidden under her exterior. She had great chemistry with both her love interests, though I was disappointed to see the second male lead turned into a villain by the writers. I often say a series could have been shortened but this one could have benefited from a little more exploration of the characters and their backgrounds. The little king was adorable and I loved his relationship with his uncle the Prince Regent who seemed to be the only one who was trying to protect him. I was a little surprised by the ending, but on second thought it was the happiest ending for all.

The WonderFools (2026) – A retro feeling misfit-superhero drama, this is going on my list of favorites for the year. I haven’t laughed so hard in a while as I did at the antics of this bunch of overlooked nobodies who suddenly inherit superpowers and must figure out how to use them. Park Eun Bin as the only heroine of the bunch once again proves her enormous talent in a very expressive role which is unlike any of her previous characters. While this one is a lot of fun, it is balanced out with some darker themes and story lines and has a somewhat open ending.

Angel’s Last Mission: Love (2019) – Re-watch – I liked this show less this time around. I have major issues with the theology of this show in making God the villain.

Post 1980’s

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) – Though not quite as good as the original, this exceeded my expectations for a sequel. It was great to see all the original cast return, especially Stanley Tucci who is a personal favorite. The writers did a good job modernizing the story, including having a PA who is constantly correcting Miranda’s non-PC language, while also paying homage to the first film. I noticed a couple of Andy’s outfits looked very similar to ones she wore in the original.  Giving Emily’s character an expanded role was smart, and I was thrilled to see her and Andy finally agree to be friends. However, Lucy Liu and Kenneth Branagh were criminally underutilized!

The Case of Christ (2017) – I was pleasantly surprised by how well done this film is. Based on a true story (told in a book titled the same name) it tells the story of a skeptic investigative reporter who determines to prove the resurrection of Christ is false after his wife becomes a Christian. I appreciated how the story focuses on his discovery of factual evidence which is a nice contrast to his wife’s more emotional journey of faith after their daughter nearly dies.

Seeking Persephone (2026) -This historical mini-series adapted from a novel by Sarah M Eden was so good I immediately wanted to watch it again as soon as it finished. The story leans heavily into the myth of Hades and Persephone (which is a bit Beauty and the Beast-ish) and focuses strictly on the developing romance between them after an arranged blind marriage. This romance is about the small, subtle details and the actors portray the yearning so well. The camera shots of the exteriors & interiors of the estate are beautiful and I love the Duke’s fried/pseudo-brother who is the voice of reason for everyone.

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