TV Show Reviews

The Crown (2016-)

the-crown

The Crown (2016-)

Network:

Netflix

Starring:

Claire Foy

Matt Smith

Vanessa Kirby

Plot:

The early reign of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is portrayed.

Review:

I almost didn’t watch this. My mom told me it was awesome, everyone on the internet pretty much loves it, but I’m not a fan of historical fiction based on real people especially when the people are still alive. After finishing 3% though I found myself in need of an hour long TV show to watch while nursing and so I tried one episode. Then I couldn’t stop. I’m a fan of British television and since I was born in the UK I’ve always been interested in the monarchy, so I really never should have fought the inevitability of watching this show.

The show feels romantic almost, but if anything it shows you how unromantic being queen is. Elizabeth, Claire Foy, sacrifices so much, but people just keep asking more and those closest to her don’t seem to see all she’s giving up. Foy does a great job portraying the Queen, not showing emotion but also not coming off as a robot, which I’m sure was difficult to do.

I have no idea how historically accurate this show is, which is really my only issue with it. I don’t know if I’m taking in information that is completely wrong but absorbing it as fact, because of that I’ve started looking into biographies on Elizabeth II, if anyone has one to recommend I’d appreciate it.

There’s something about the show that makes me want to read a biography or classic literature. I feel very American while watching and lately that’s not a good feeling.

4.5/5

Side note: Matt Smith butt

3% (2016-?)

3-percent

3% (2016-?)

Network:

Netflix

Starring:

João Miguel

Bianca Comparato

Michel Gomes

Plot:

A thriller set in a world sharply divided between progress and devastation, where people are given the chance to make it to the “better side” but only 3% of the candidates succeed.

Review:

There’s a lot you still don’t know about the world by the time the series is over. Most of the episodes and time were spent on developing characters, explaining why they were there, and showing just how far they would go to be chosen. It was interesting and compelling enough to keep me awake in the middle of the night while I was nursing my newborn.

The one character I really liked, Fernando, Michel Gomes, ended up getting shafted which I didn’t like. I didn’t hate the other characters, though, so it didn’t kill my desire to find out what happens next.

I was really happy to see that it has already been picked up for a second season. I hope we find out more about the world, specifically the Offshore which is where the 3% go.

4/5

2016 Favorites

Movies

Wow, so I did not see many new movies this year. I re-watched a lot of old stuff and caught up on some 2015 stuff. Overall, though, apart from the re-watches of favorites, I didn’t like many movies this year.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens– I liked the new characters a lot, but was disappointed by the story so I’m not sure if I would call it a favorite. It was nice to see a new Star Wars, though.

Deadpool– I didn’t write a blog for this movie, at least I don’t think I did. I went through a period there where sitting in front of a computer screen made me physically ill so there were a few movies and books I missed. Joys of pregnancy. Anyway, I really liked Deadpool and was lucky enough to pick it up Black Friday and re-watch. So I guess that’s a favorite for this year.

The Big Short– Really liked this movie, even though it made me mad. Enough that I read the book, then read more by the author, and then purchased the movie even though it was on Netflix at the time.

Star Wars: Rogue One–This might be my favorite movie of the year, I need to watch it a few more times to decide exactly how much I loved it though.

Books

Book wise I also did a lot of re-reading but I was lucky enough to read several books I loved that were new to me.

Lois Lane: Double Down– This series has become such a surprise favorite of mine. Once again I gave this book as a Christmas present and I’m excited for the next to come out. I rarely find a YA book that isn’t filled with whinny emotional stupid teens and this really fills that void for me.

Carry On– Rainbow Rowell is now a must buy author for me. I’ve loved every book she’s written even though none of them are in a series or like the books I normally read. Her characters are awesome and this book was just perfect.

Stars of Fortune– I was really surprised by this Nora Roberts book. It was like reading an old favorite of hers but for the first time with no knowledge of what was going to happen.

Fire Touched & Magic Binds & One Fell Sweep– It wouldn’t be a list of mine without Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews on it. I’m so happy with the speed that Ilona Andrews is able to write at and wish that Patricia Briggs would pick up the pace. I read One Fell Sweep as it was posted on their blog and don’t have a review written, however I did buy the book and plan on re-reading it so I’ll post a review then.

The Last Dragonslayer– Loved finding this Jasper Ffrode series, wish it didn’t seem to end with a cliffhanger, but the first book is awesome.

TV

I didn’t have much patience with TV the second half of the year. These things happen when your hormones are in overdrive though. There were still a few shows that I really enjoyed.

Agent Carter– It still makes me sad that this was canceled. Peggy Carter is such an awesome character and a wonderful role model for women/girls everywhere.

Fuller House– Sometimes you need a junk food show. Something that is fun and doesn’t make you think at all. First episode of the first season was bad, but they eventually found their feet and the second season was really good.

Marvel’s Jessica Jones– Jessica Jones is not a character to look up to, but I thought the show was great. She’d been through a lot and still kept fighting. Hope things get better for her, but if Daredevil is any indication of what happens with a second Marvel season on Netflix probably not.

Marvel’s Luke Cage– This is my favorite Marvel show on Netflix. It was so good. Loved pretty much everything about it.

The Librarians– I wish there were more shows like this out there. It’s like Eureka and Warehouse 13, it’s fun and light and I know that things are going to work out. I really just love it and I’m so glad that it keeps getting renewed, I dread the day it doesn’t.

Dark Matter– This was such an awesome find for me. I miss SciFi that isn’t about the world ending or after the world has basically ended or just a constant sink hole of depression. Dark Matter isn’t light by any means, but it doesn’t fill me with a sense of dread.

Video Games

Stardew Valley– I spent so many hours playing this it’s kind of crazy. I love Harvest Moon and Rune Factory games and this was a perfect version of both with a little bit of Animal Crossing thrown in. It’s like this game was made for me and I loved it. It just came out on PS4 and XB1 in case anyone doesn’t want to purchase it on Steam. There’s also a freakin adorable guide available.

Travelers (2016-?)

travelers

Travelers (2016-?)

Network:

Netflix

Starring:

Eric McCormack

MacKenzie Porter

Nesta Cooper

Plot:

Hundreds of years from now, surviving humans discover how to send consciousness back through time, into people of the 21st century. These travelers assume the lives of others, while attempting to save humanity from a terrible future.

Review:

Once again Netflix sprung something on me I hadn’t heard anything about. I think I might be hanging out in the wrong places on the Internet.

As soon as I saw this was about time travel I knew I had to give it a try. Sure it was set in present day so there would be no cool settings, but whatever, Continuum was pretty cool when I watched it.

After watching two episodes I had to bail. I just can’t handle the slow pace. The concept is fine, but there wasn’t any kind of reveal that made me want to stick around. None of the characters were super appealing either. I guess I was supposed to be drawn in by the fact that they were disarming a dark matter bomb, but I was never on the edge of my seat. I didn’t care. The stakes weren’t properly revealed to make me care, just little vague hints.

Oh well, one less show I have to watch.

2/5

American Housewife (2016-?)

american-housewife

American Housewife (2016-?)

Network:

ABC

Starring:

Katy Mixon

Diedrich Bader

Plot:

A family comedy narrated by Katie, a strong-willed mother, raising her flawed family in a wealthy town filled with perfect wives and their perfect offspring.

Review:

I know how crazy this sounds, but this was my most anticipated new show. A plus size woman, firmly middle class, living in a very affluent neighborhood surrounded by Stepford wives. That’s not quiet my life, but it feels like it sometimes. I have to force myself to take my daughter to story time because I swear the children there are little pod children. They’re the same age she is but the can all sit there, quietly, unmoving for almost half an hour. I comfort myself with the fact that my child has personality and is clearly amazing, but the looks the other women give me can be annoying. Pregnancy hormones don’t help either.

American Housewife ended up focusing more on the plus size thing than I was hoping for, but from what I’ve read the next episode isn’t like that so I’ve got hope. Katy Mixon and Diedrich Bader had good chemistry and I liked their report, I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.

4.5/5