It’s Friday! (and finally almost February!)
I wanted to share some of my favorite Prime shows and movies we discovered in 2019. These are still on Amazon Prime if you are looking for something to watch (or at least start) this weekend.
[Carnival Row]
Carnival Row is a Victorian fantasy world, starring Orlando Bloom as “Philo”, a human
detective, and Cara Delevingne as “Vignette”, a fairy. Carnival Row is filled with
immigrant mythological creatures who are trying to coexist with humans after being
driven out of their lands. The growing immigrant population struggles to coexist
because they are “forbidden to live, love, or fly with freedom”. As Philo investigates
gruesome murders, he and Vignette rekindle a dangerous, forbidden love affair. The
setting of the series has a steampunk kind of vibe. Parts of it reminds me of The
Greatest Showman although there is no singing and dancing that even compares. I
was honestly quite surprised that I like this show because I am hardly ever into sci-fi
type shows.
[Aeronauts]
Based in 1862, Aeronauts tells us the story of scientist and meteorlogist James
Glaisher and Amelia Wren, a daredevil ballon pilot, and their quest to fly higher than
anyone in history and to expand human knowledge of the weather. While they are
breaking scientific records and flying “higher than ever before”, they discover things
about themselves and each other. As they fly higher, the air gets thinner and colder,
and with a rapid descent, the experience becomes a death-defying fight for survival. I
wasn’t sure that I would like this movie and did take me a little bit to get into it but when
I did, I was totally there for it!
[Brittany Runs a Marathon]
Brittany Run a Marathon is about Brittany Forgleris, played by Jillian Bell, who lives in
NYC, parties too much, is underemployed and overweight, but seems to be
everyone’s best friend. She visits a doctor’s office trying to get a prescription for
Adderall but he tells her she needs to get healthy. She doesn’t have the money for a
gym membership and doesn’t want to ask for help, so she decides to run. She starts
with one block one day, then two blocks the next day. She runs more and more and
eventually sets a goal of running the New York City Marathon. What I love about this
movie is that is shows the struggles with friendships/relationships when others aren’t
supportive of one’s decisions and positive health goals, but also the encouragement
and community of those who do support and “get it”. As a runner, I really felt like I
connected with Brittany and some of her struggles.
side note: This is based on a true story about Brittany O’Neill.
[Late Night]
Late Night stars Emma Thompson, a late-night talk show host, whose world is turned
upside down when she hires her first and only female staff writer, played by Mindy
Kaling. Thompson’s character suspects that she is about to lose her job and decides
that her team of male staff writers are not enough. Originally intended to smooth over
diversity concerns, and to hopefully save her job, her decision brings about
unexpectedly hilarious consequences as the two women who are separated by
culture and generation become united by their love of a biting punchline. Of course,
there is some jealousy (from some of the male writers) and even a little love-interest
thrown in. This is a light, not too deep, comedy-drama (more comedy than drama in my
opinion) that has a little of everything (well, except maybe violence).
Linked up with Andrea, Narci, and Erika for Friday Favorites. Have a great weekend!
