This Week’s Binge 1.1.21
While I usually would have gone to the movies during the holidays to see something new, I’m loving that the streaming services are stepping up. Both Disney+ and HBO Max offered major feature films to stream from the comfort of our own home.
Note that HBO Max will be streaming Warner Bos movies for only 31 days so WW84 leaves HBO Max on January 25th.
Watch | Series
Bridgerton
Netflix
A cheeky 19th-century version of Gossip Girl, ‘Bridgerton’ delivers all of the high society drama I’ve been missing. Set in London, the series focuses on the Bridgerton family and it’s 8 kids, in varying chapters of their lives.
Aside from the drama, the costuming and music are perfection. The costuming is Cinderella meets Alice in Wonderland, going to a ball but in perhaps what is too bright of colors. I’m a sucker for any music played outside its expected genre, if you listen closely you’ll hear the classical music is actually modern-day. Hot tip – if it’s driving you crazy what song is playing and you can’t figure it out, go back to when the song starts and put the closed caption on for a minute, it will tell you the name of the song and who is playing, i.e. Vitamin String Quartet playing Thank You, Next.
Executive produced by Shona Rhimes, this series is a little (ok a lot) more steamy than her previous network television series, but I am NOT mad about it. What I will be mad about is if it doesn’t get renewed for a second season. No confirmation yet but it’s based on a literary series, of which there are 8 books, so here’s hoping.
I am: Obsessed
Watch | Movies
Soul
Disney+
A new film by Pixar, ‘Soul’ is the best-animated film of 2020 (my first 2021 Acadamy Award prediction.)
Featuring an all-star cast, Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey just to name a few, this movie explores the meaning of life, and what happens after it’s over. When a tragedy befalls a jazz musician about to get his big break, we get a glimpse into what happens pre and post-life.
The message is that life itself is beautiful. We need to stop taking the small things for granted. And for those people who may not get what they need from organized religion, ‘Soul’ does a beautiful job of explaining…souls.
I am: Obsessed
Wonder Woman 1984
HBO Max
2020 is not Gal’s year. WW84 is entirely too long at ~2.5 hours. While I really enjoyed the 2017 ‘Wonder Woman’, the sequel does not deliver.
Diana is now set in 1984 and takes on a scam artist who comes across a magical force. Yes, it’s as lame as it sounds. There is no chemistry between the actors, no humor in the dialogue, and pretty bad special effects. The best part of the film is Kristin Wiig, who can do no wrong.
Batman seems to be the only franchise DC consistently gets right. Call me a Marvel girl.
I am: Entertained
Jingle Jangle
Netflix
As Destiny’s Child says ‘no, no, no’. I paused Jingle Jangle twice to turn it off but persevered because I thought it just had to get better. It doesn’t. A Christmas (I use that term very loosely) movie about an inventory who loses everything finds the true meaning of family.
I say Christmas is used loosely because the only thing Christmas about it is that they mention the day twice. That’s it.
Keegan-Michael Key and Phylicia Rashad are the bright spots in the film, which happens to be a musical but I swear 40 minutes in the middle go by without music. I’m a fan of musicals, especially when John Legend has a hand in the music, but this missed the mark.
I am: Annoyed
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