For What It's Worth


Friday, January 7, 2022

That's a wrap(up): What I'm watching/reading this week

Happy New Year everyone! This year will be better. Right? RIIIGHT??!!! I'd say it can't be worse - but the world somehow keeps proving us wrong. 

I saw this on Instagram and I laughed so hard but also...TRUE



In the meantime watch or read something fun! (good topic transition there lol)


Disney+

Cruella - 2021 Live Action version - Consider me totally shocked by how much I loved this movie. I had NO urge to see it and accidently started it by hitting the wrong button and was too lazy to back out lol

It's a bonkers movie in all the best ways. Everything is over-the-top and dramatic and the retro music (Ike & Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, Nancy Sinatra, Supertramp, The Doors, Bee gees...) was a blast from the past and added a whole other level. And it's a really great origin story. P.S. No pets were harmed in the telling of this story....

The Book of Boba Fett - I'm not a big Star Wars fan but I have been enjoying most of these new shows, like Mandalorian but this one is underwhelming so far. It's not bad but it's not particularly compelling either. We're only a few episodes in though and I know Kevin is going to watch the whole thing anyway so hopefully it gets better. 

Paramount Plus

We have Paramount Plus for 30 days and watched a couple of things so far but we're not going to sign on after the 30 days expire

The Quiet Place 2  - Eh. I liked the flashbacks to how things started and a few of the action scenes but otherwise I saw no need for this one. 

From Cradle to Stage - Is a documentary hosted by Dave Grohl and his mom Virginia Hanlon Grohl, based on her book of the same name. The interview 6 different musicians and their moms to discuss what they were like as kids, when the mom's knew they had *it* and the rise to fame/struggles. Really great show. Dave's story is woven throughout the series. Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons), Miranda Lambert, Pharrell, Brandi Carlile, Tom Morello, Geddy Lee (Rush)  & their moms comprise the 6 epsiodes. 

Brandi, Dan, and Dave's stories were favorites of mine. Geddy Lee and Tom Morello's moms were the best! Geddy's survived the holocaust and Tom's mom is quite the rebellious thinker, activist & a hoot with incredible stories to tell.

Amazon Prime

With Love is a 5 episode romcom that follows siblings Lily and Jorge Diaz, over the course of a year, each episode taking place on a holiday - starting with Christmas and ending on 
Día De Los Muertos
.

This has been my virtual date watch with my friend Jen and we have one episode left. It's light hearted, fun (a little drama, of course) and mostly works. Some of the fast forwards make you feel like you missed stiff but it's a cute show with a fun concept.

The Expanse   I am not much of a sci-fi watcher but I love so many characters on this show - especially the women who are powerful, vulnerable and complex. Same with all the relationships ( I'm not talking about just the romantic ones - which are few - but friendships, family, co workers, political alliances)




I'm reading The Lucky Escape (an arc I received from the publisher) and it's light, kind of quirky and kind of what my brain needs right now. 

Never Tell  was originally published in 2004 and just republished. I assume because Selena Montgomery is well known as powerhouse Stacey Abrams now. It's romantic suspense and it does have a dated feel. Also, there are very graphic descriptions of violence and death from the pov of the victim and I'm not sure I'll be finishing this one. (Received review audiobook via libro.fm)









My not so helpful reading assistant....




What are you reading/watching/doing this week?

33 comments:

  1. I was cackling from that insta post. Light and quirky is something I love. Can't wait to hear what you think of The Lucky Escape

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  2. I really loved Cruella too. I need to watch it again. It was so so good. I love the backstory and how things aren't always as they seem.

    I love love love your little doggy and Figgy illustrations. Whoever did them for you did such a great job. They make me so happy looking at them!

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    1. I would totally watch Cruella again. I was so surprised by it!

      Thank you - I do the graphics myself in picmonkey. I found sheltie graphics last year and I may be a little out of control using them in everything lol

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  3. I saw that on instagram too and I took it to heart. I don't think I'm gonna let my expectations get too high for this year just in case. I saw The Quiet Place 2 at the cinema and I know what you mean about it not being necessary but I enjoyed it. I think it developed the family more and I really enjoyed the flashbacks to how it started. It might have been a bit unnecessary but it was a sequel that didn't detract from the original at least.

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    1. I agree. It didn't ruin my love for the first and I enjoyed it enough.

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  4. Hope your New Year is starting off right lol. I've only seen the first boba Fett and it did seem a little underwhelming especially after The Mandalorian.

    Geddy Lee huh? I love those guys and have seen Rush like 12 times, so... :)

    The Expanse! I LOVE drummer!!!!!!!

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    1. She's my favorite!!!! Great rules all around for the amen though. And I love Amos too.

      I was a fan of Rush. His mom's story was so compelling and his story about getting into music was good too.

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    2. Drummer and Amos are AWESOME

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    3. And wtf with those typos??? Lol *great roles all aims for the women*

      Only 1 episode left! :-(

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  5. See! You have other customised banner fans than me 😂. Valentine is more than 2 months away, but at least we'll have more time to enjoy your latest masterpiece! (I'm not joking. You have matched the dogs' expressions with the most appropriate message, and as for Figgy...LOL, hilarious as usual!).

    They're advertising Boba Fett here as well, and I was like...what kind of name is that? Who even is this guy? LOL. Shows what I know about movies 🤣.

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    1. lol - Just over a month away! I was going to do something New Years but Valentine's is cuter lol

      I know nothing of Star Wars so I was asking Kevin - wth is a Boba Fett??? lol I'm still not sure I get it after 2 episodes.

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  6. Yeah I wasn't expecting to love that Cruella movie either!! But yeah I adored it haha It was really surprising.

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    1. I *almost * backed out and stopped watching but I'm glad I didn't.

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  7. I want to try Expanse. Sigh, one day!

    We did start Boba Fett last night, will see, n

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    1. It took me a little bit to get hooked (I'm not usually into sci-fi) but it's good!

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  8. I was pleasantly surprised by Cruella too. I'd also recommend Becoming the Ricardos on Prime if you haven't already seen it!

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    1. I don't usually like, or see the need for, all these live action remakes so I was kind of snobby about watching it lol but it was fantastic!

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  9. Oh, good to hear about Cruella. Like you, it really isn't on my list, but you are the third (?) person to say good things. I'll have to convince the girl to watch with me. We just rented from home Sing 2 and loved it. I haven't started Boba Fett - also heard the first ep or so was underwhelming. Hmmmm... I don't think I've started anything new, so I'll have to find something.

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    1. Total surprise!!! But it was a lot of fun and the story had so many unexpected turns.

      I keep trying to remember if I saw Sing 1 lol

      I'm hoping Boba Fett picks up now that some of the groundwork has been laid out. It's not bad but also not interesting lol

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  10. Can I get that whole “this year will be better” thing in writing? Lol Is Cruella the one with Emma Stone and Emma Thompson? I keep seeing trailers for it on YouTube. I like both actresses and the trailer looks fun so I might actually watch it at some point.

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    1. No. I will not commit to anything anymore lol

      It is! It's the live action origin story for Cruella DaVille. It's bonkers and wonderful!

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  11. I watched The Expanse when it was on tv and liked it.

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    1. Amazon picked it up after it was canceled and this is the 6th and final season now.

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  12. Happy New Year, Karen! I got a kick out of the Insta-post advice for the new year. I felt the same way about Maleficent as you did about Cruella so maybe I should give it a go, too. We've start 1873 since we both love Sam Elliott and we're historical drama fans so jumped into Masterpiece's Around the World in 80 Days. First ep didn't wow us, but we'll see and we adore All Creatures Great and Small.

    Yikes, Serena's book would be too gruesome with the victims POV, for me. Hopefully it will capture you at some point. Cute reading manager you have there. :)

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    1. I've heard wonderful things about All Creatures but they don't have it on my PBS :-(

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  13. It is the year 2022. I am adding no qualifiers to that sentence. 😆

    I haven't watched Cruella yet but I do hear it's bonkers. There was a house in my neighborhood that did a Cruella theme for Halloween and it was intense! There was a skeleton cruella standing on top an old timey taxi (in their driveway). In their front yard they had a skeleton fashion show with smoke, music, and lights.

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  14. I've wanted to see the From Cradle to Stage show. Maybe I'll wait until they're all out and see if I can get a free trial. Ha ha. 🎶

    I found a deal for Hulu at 99¢ a month for a year, but I haven't watched anything yet. I think I've had it for two months already. 😅 I also currently have Discovery+ free for a month so I can binge watch Ghost Hunters, but I might watch one of the baking or cooking shows, too. 📺

    I hope you had a great start to your week.

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    1. All the episodes are out, I believe.

      Try The Great on hulu. Love that show!!

      We have Disney and Hulu free with our phone plan and paramount for the month.

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    2. Thanks for the recommendation! 📺

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  15. At least your reading assistant is cute! ;)

    I really loved the new Cruella movie too! It's crazy but fun.

    And I'd like to see From Cradle to Stage. I have the book, and I'm almost finished with it.

    Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. He's warm too! lol

      Cruella was so off the wall but we loved it.

      And I want to read the book because it has way more stories than the show. I would love if they made another season.

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