This Week’s Binge 6.4.21

This is Us | Season 5

Hulu

There’s not much I watch that is produced by network tv, but This is Us is the exception. It’s an excellent dramedy with realistic stories about racism, aging, and alcoholism wrapped in many different love stories.

As you know I love a good flashback, flash forward and there is no shortage of seeing the Pearson family throughout all of the years…and the future.

There wasn’t one episode in season 5 that I didn’t get teary-eyed or my jaw didn’t drop in shock. The surprise twists, the cliffhangers, I don’t know how they continue to do it. The bad news is, next season, season 6, has confirmed to be the last season. They have a lot of ‘splaining to do Lucy!

If you haven’t watched This is Us yet…first, I’m jealous of you. Second, start at the very beginning. You won’t regret it.

I am: Obsessed

Friends: The Reunion

HBO Max

The reunion we’ve all been waiting for. And the only way I could have loved it more if it was twice, ok, three times, as long. And yes I realize I’m categorizing this under TV when it’s an hour and 40 minutes long, but that’s how I’ll always see my Friends.

After not seeing a new episode of Friends for 17 years, it was so nice to see the quintessential ensemble comedy cast back together. What I especially loved was that the format was constantly changing so you felt engaged the entire time. There’s a part where they are just by themselves reminiscing, then they are getting interviewed, then they are doing table reads, then we see behind-the-scenes footage. And that’s not including the bomb revelation that was dropped and the cameos from some of the actors that made guest appearances.

It’s not going to win any awards but it’s great. It is an hour and 40 minutes of pure joy. And the best, best part about it was that the cast seemed as happy to be there as we all did to watch it.

I am: Obsessed

Cruella

Disney+

It’s not every day you get an Academy Award Winner (Emma Stone for La-La Land) in a Disney live-action remake. And based on previous live-action movies I was prepared to be disappointed. And maybe that’s why I wasn’t. This is the best live-action Disney movie I’ve seen.

Emma Stone plays Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmations and Cruella is her origin story. I love a great origin story. As we know, people aren’t born bad, so how does a villainess happen? Emma Stone is perfect as Cruella, in a perfect origin story that leads perfectly into where 101 Dalmations picks up. I am very much hoping for a sequal.

Oh hot tip, stay for the post credit scene.

I am: Entertained