I had planned to do these at least once a month but the last one I did was in February… where did time go?! But I am back again, just in time for holiday binge-watching, with, let’s call it, the 2nd edition of Friday Five: Netflix/Amazon Prime…and clearly, we were in the mood for Christmas movies😊
[Carnival Row] (Amazon Prime)
★★★★.5
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 but it is honestly one that I can’t wait to see what happens next. There is only one season available right now but I did read that there will be a second season. 5 stars is perfect and, in my opinion, it’s not what I call perfect but very close!
[Holiday in the Wild] (Netflix)
★★★★
Holiday in the Wild stars Kristin Davis and Rob Lowe. Kate, played by Davis, is set to embark on a second honeymoon with her husband when he decides to leave her the night before. Kate decides to take the trip alone. While vacationing in Africa, she ends up helping rescue a baby elephant who had been orphaned. Kate, a vet, helps at an elephant sanctuary. While there, she falls in love with Derek, played by Lowe, who is a conservationist and pilot. This has some romance and animals and is an all-around feel-good movie so I give it 4 stars.
[Brittany Runs a Marathon] (Amazon Prime)
★★★★
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. While there were a few things that the producers didn’t really think through and get exactly accurate, I still give this 4 stars because…I totally get it!
side note: This is based on a true story about Brittany O’Neill.
[The Knight Before Christmas] (Netflix)
★★★.5
The Knight Before Christmas stars Vanessa Hudgens as Brooke, a high school science teacher, and Josh Whitehouse as Sir Cole, a medieval knight who is transported to present-day Ohio by a sorceress. He has a quest to fulfill but falls in love with Brooke in the process. He soon struggles with whether he wants to go back to being a medieval knight. It is a cheesy rom-com but it is cute, is about Christmas and has snow so I give it 3.5 stars.
[Travels by Narrowboat] (Amazon Prime)
★★★★.75
Travels by Narrowboat shows Kevin Shelley’s life on the canals and waterways of the United Kingdom. He starts out an unhealthy, sad, stressed-out man (due to some life changes) but transforms into a much, much happier person after purchasing Aslan, his narrowboat. He takes us through the day-to-day activities on the canals, including locks and bridges. He documents/records everything himself. He cooks; he navigates; he sometimes has to make repairs to Aslan. If you are someone that likes to travel, I would recommend this show because it is as if you are travelling the canals yourself. There are 5 seasons right now but I’m impatiently looking forward to the 6th to come out.
Bonus Christmas movie: [Christmas Break-In] (Netflix)
★★★.5
Christmas Break-In is about Izzy (played by Cameron Seely), a rather independent and intelligent girl who is left at school, during a snowstorm, by her parents (mom played by Denise Richards) who are so busy that they forget to pick her up. The janitor (played by Danny Glover) of her school comes back to be with her while her parents try to get through the storm to get her. While the janitor and Izzy are at the school, a trio of not-so-smart “bandits” take refuge from the storm in the school. When the bandits take the janitor hostage, Izzy saves the day. This is a cute movie with a Home Alone type vibe (just watch it; you’ll see what I mean). It is cute and Christmas-y. Definitely a funny movie worthy of 3.5 stars. I don’t think you’d be disappointed:)
