I’ve cut back on my reading over the last couple of years. Initially it was because of work commitments, but almost a year of unemployment has meant this hasn’t been an issue.
So though I’ve continued to read and review I’ve spent evenings in front of the television rather than in the bath with a book. I loved both television and books when younger and it seems little has changed.
Given I’ve got no other commitments however, I’m thinking it’s not necessarily a bad thing. I rarely (never) watch TV live, though accidentally watched an interesting movie the other night (The First Grader – set in Kenya and based on a true story of an 84yr old man who enrolled in primary school!). Most of what I watch I view online and here’s some of my recent viewing fodder in case you’re on the lookout:
On Becoming a God in Central Florida (SBS on Demand – 11 x 45min episodes)
Kirsten Dunst’s return to the screen. The acting’s great and this show – about pyramid selling, poverty and faux glamour in the early 1990s – is clever and addictive. It’s also the type of show I find annoying. So I often delay watching newly released episodes online but once I start watching binge on several at once.
High Seas / Alto mar (Netflix s2 8 x 50min episodes)
I watched season one of this show earlier this year so felt obliged to tune in for season two. The new season centres around the disappearance of a woman before the ship sailed. It’s very dramatic – telenovela-style – but the sets and wardrobes are beautiful. I kinda hope there’s no season three though as I think it’s kinda ‘done’.
6 Underground (Netflix)
I felt obliged to watch this cos I wanted something mindless to do on the night it was released. I spent the first 5, 10, 15, 30, 80 minutes thinking ‘What the actual fuck?’ as it seemed so crappy. I suspect it’ll divide audiences. My final verdict was that I was glad I hung in there, but my tweets tell the story.
Virgin River (Netflix (10 x 45min episodes)
A somewhat predictable TV series about a nurse practitioner who moves to small town America to escape her sad past, only to discover the ‘package’ she gets is far from what was promised. It’s kinda naff but kinda quaint at the same time with nice small-town characters and story arcs. It offers some great cast members including Martin Henderson, Annette O’Toole and Tim Matheson.
The Twelve / De Twaalf (SBS on Demand – 10 x 50min episodes)
This show is annoyingly being released weekly. I didn’t realise this when I started my binge-watching so now have had to wait impatiently. It follows the trial of a woman for killing her baby and her best friend (18yrs earlier). The accused and most of the cast members are terribly unlikeable and I’m not loving the acting (though that could be a translation issue). A lot of the plot doesn’t make sense or seem feasible… but secrets are everywhere and it’s weirdly intriguing. It’s in Dutch and set in Belgium and meant to be a ‘behind the scenes’ story of a jury.
Terminator – Sarah Connor Chronicles (7Plus – 31 x 60min episodes)
I watched this when it was released a decade or so ago. It picks up after the second movie was released with a teenage John Connor. Fans of Game of Thrones will love that Lena Headey plays Sarah Connor. Summer Glau is excellent as the machine sent back to defend a teenage John cos she does blank and robotic really well! I’m one season into the two season show and from memory season two jumps the shark and it was axed at a cliffhanger at the end. I remember the frustration at the time but (for reasons unknown) I’m doing it to myself again.
Home for Christmas / Hjem til Jul (Netflix – 6 episodes)
This series (six episodes), set in Norway is about a young woman who lies about having a boyfriend to appease her family so then has to find aforementioned boyfriend before their Christmas gathering. It’s pretty obvious from the get-go but there are some funny moments as nurse Johanne goes on a series of dates to try to find ‘the one’. (Or at least… the ‘vaguely acceptable’.)
Holiday Secrets / Zeit der Geheimnisse (Netflix – 3 episodes)
This German miniseries was a bit of an anticlimax and the big secret wasn’t that interesting, but for reasons unknown I kept watching anyway. It’s more about long-kept family secrets and relationships. The acting was okay though and I suspect watching in subtitles lessened the gravity of the revelations.
Three Days of Christmas / Dias de Navidad (Netflix – 3 episodes)
Another made-for-Xmas TV miniseries. Like Holiday Secrets the preview of this implies there’s a thrilling climax or element of suspense (of sorts). #Spoiler: there isn’t. It features an isolated family with three daughters who take in the daughter of a criminal on the run. Years later (at Christmas) secrets are revealed. The shit hits the fan and another thirty years pass before the whole family reunites again. It felt overacted. Almost like a play. Very telenovela-like. Yet I hung in until the end.
Frayed (ABC iView)
Set in the 1980s Sammy is forced to return to Australia after her husband unexpectedly dies. She and her two teens were living a lush life in England but is now broke, so she and her kids have to adapt to living in her childhood house with her hippy mother and Dynasty-loving brother – who resents her return. I didn’t LOVE love this but enjoyed it and it ends on a weird cliffhanger so I hope it returns. It also includes some great Aussie talent.
The Knight Before Christmas (Netflix)
This was as corny and as you’d expect, but the knight (Josh Whitehouse) sent back in time (for reasons unknown even when known) was kinda cute and Vanessa Hudgens is likeable. My favourite part of this is the eye-candy and I don’t mean the objectifying human-kind. Rather the OTT christmas decorations and amazing houses.
Black Spot / Zone Blanche (Netflix – season 1: 8 x 52 min)
I’m not entirely sure I know what happens in this series. It touches on the supernatural a little, but features enough brutality and psychopathy of humans to keep me watching the first season (I need a ‘why’). It’s in French and set in a small town in Belgium full of eccentric characters. I’ve started season two but not sure I’m going to stick with it.
So there you have it – what I’m watching.
Next on the agenda: Years and Years (which everyone is raving about), Revolution (something I watched when released though it was axed in the second year I didn’t get to see the second season) and I’ll have to rewatch season one of Lost in Space before season two comes out on Christmas Eve, cos… HOT ROBOT!!! Oh and I think there’s a Dr Who special due out shortly and though I don’t love the current ensemble, I’ll tune in anyway.
Any other suggestions? (Other than The Crown which I can’t be arsed getting into!)
December 23, 2019
Of all the shows you’ve listed there are only two I’ve watched … 1) Virgin River (I like easy viewing like this sometimes so I enjoyed this) 2) Home for Christmas (I enjoyed this one too). Many of the others you’ve listed look like something I’d like so thank you! I will refer to your list for my future viewing choices! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas Deb and that your 2020 is a great one! 🙂 xo
December 24, 2019
I enjoyed Virgin River as well – as you said easy viewing. Predictable but it’s nice to watch something feel-good. Mum’s overnighting with me so we watched Wish Man last night – about the advent of Make a Wish foundation and it was okay viewing. Mum appreciated it more than I did and shed a few tears.
December 23, 2019
Thanks Deb, lots to add to my viewing list now! (I’m LOVING Gods in Florida – love the costumes, sets, location…).
December 24, 2019
I think I’m an episode behind at the moment. I find myself unenthusiastic about watching it but once I start I like to keep going.
December 23, 2019
Haven’t watched any of these other than Frayed which I did think was pretty funny! 😀 I caught up on The Good Place and Bojack Horseman recently and then watched Happy Merry Whatever – cheesy, predictable but manageable.
December 24, 2019
Actually, The Good Place is on my list as I always hear good things about it and like Kristen Bell so I could kick that viewing off in the next few weeks. (I’ve not heard of Bojack Horseman so must check it out!)
December 23, 2019
We loved Black Spot – mainly because of the quirky characters – but it did get weirder and weirder. I love that you’ve got so many foreign language shows here, I’ll definitely be looking some of these up. Right now, I’m on a strict televisual diet of one Christmas movie a day – I’m living my best life! The Knight Before Christmas made me want to poke my eyes out but I got through it in the end. My favourite Netflix Christmas right now is The Christmas Chronicles – Kurt Russell is magnificent as Santa, it’s so fun and well worth a watch! Happy Holidays!
December 24, 2019
My niece and I eyerolled heavily through The Knight Before Christmas. I also read the funniest review of it by Jenna Guillaume: https://punkee.com.au/the-knight-before-christmas-questions/88788.
My mum stayed last night and we tried to watch Santa Girl but couldn’t get through the first 5mins.
December 23, 2019
Thanks! I will try to watch some of these on Netflix.
December 24, 2019
I hope you find something you enjoy!
December 24, 2019
Hi Deb, I’ve not heard of many of these at all, and i must admit to not watching much TV at the moment. If i do want to watch something I know here to look for recommendations, thanks a lot!! All the best to you for 2020. #lifethisweek
December 24, 2019
I used to watch a lot of TV when younger but in recent years haven’t watched much at all. My new(ish) TV is a smart TV and it’s so much easier to watch normal TV view their streaming options so I’ve been doing that. You still get ads but it’s more convenient.
December 26, 2019
I haven’t seen many of these so thanks for giving me a few to add to my list. I did start Virgin River but couldn’t get through the first episode. I’ve been doing a lot of rewatching so far these holidays – Parenthood and Friday Night Lights. I just binge watched the third season of Atypical last night, which was great.
December 27, 2019
I noticed Amy Andrews commented on Virgin River on Facebook today Lisa. I hadn’t realised it was based on a book (or series of books). It sounds as if it’s a bit of a departure from the books though!
I’ve heard good things about Atypical and it’s on ‘My List’ but yet to get to it!
December 27, 2019
My attention span is under 20 minutes…so that is how I watch something on Netflix. I can stretch to 30 minutes for some shows. I am not a movie fan but my husband and daughter are. I have never really been a movie fan but admit I got hooked on Downton Abbey as a series. Almost your birthday as I write..so I hope it some fun. Have a good one.
Thank you for being a “loyal linker” for Life This Week in 2019 and I look forward to sharing more stories and reading yours in 2020. Happy nearly New Year. See you on Monday 6 January 2020 for the first link up if you choose… 1/51 Word/Intention for 2020 6.1.2020. Denyse.
December 27, 2019
I actually like watching TV series far more than movies, though I don’t know why. More time to get into it I guess…
And thanks… xx