During this Everything-and-Everyone-at-Home-Time, we have found ourselves watching a lot more TV and movies. Admittedly, my family is terrible at binge watching. Usually, we only watch an episode or two and save the rest for another day. I’m sure we could binge any of these, we just have other stuff to do.
I have put together a list of the movies and TV shows we’ve watched since March and a short list at the end of the ones we’re looking to next.
If you’re looking for kids shows specifically, check out this post: Favorite Kid Shows.
Family-friendly Movies
Description: In “Onward,” teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt) get an unexpected opportunity to spend one more day with their late dad, embarking on an extraordinary quest aboard Barley’s epic van Guinevere.
My Thoughts: I do think this one was cute and it had some great side-humor (you know – those jokes they slide in on the side for parents), but overall I wasn’t terribly impressed. I know My Husband and My Child really enjoyed it, but we’ve never watched it since the first time, if that tells you anything.
Description: Based on the first two books in author Eoin Colfer wildly popular children’s fantasy series, Walt Disney Studios’ Artemis Fowl tells the story of adolescent criminal genius Artemis, who captures a vicious fairy, and attempts to harness her magical powers in a bid to rescue his family.
My Thoughts: Okay. I’ve known about these books since college (15+ years), but have not read them – they are still a bit above My Child’s level and interest. Regardless of knowing anything about the premise, this movie is a mess. Half of the time we were pausing the movie to ask the others if they knew what was going on/did we miss something or looking up some reference to see if it would provide more clarity. We love the James Bond and Men in Black (the originals) movies and had SUCH high hopes for this one. Super disappointing.
Description: We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson’s case, by shouting out one word–SHAZAM!–this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam, courtesy of an ancient wizard.
My Thoughts: This isn’t new to quarantine, but I’m including this one on my list because we watch it every time it’s on. A bit of a slow start, but this is one of my favorite origin-story movies in the entire (vast and bloated) superhero movie options. The scenes where they try to figure out what Shazam’s powers are is still my favorite.
Description: In an adventure that will take them well beyond what they’ve known before, Poppy and Branch discover that they are but one of six different Troll tribes scattered over six different lands and devoted to six different kinds of music: Funk, Country, Techno, Classical, Pop and Rock. Their world is about to get a lot bigger and a whole lot louder.
My Thoughts: This one has me split. I did not enjoy Poppy’s bratty behavior throughout the movie, but I loved expanding into the other 5 troll tribes. I’m moving in with the Funk tribe (if they’ll have me).
Description: After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle, famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company. But when the young queen falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures.
My Thoughts: Yes, I know this got terrible reviews – don’t let that scare you. It was so cute!
Family-friendly Shows
Description: Not-just-another-cooking-competition. Teams of elite chefs vie to impress the world’s toughest palates as they whip up iconic dishes from nine nations in this star-packed competition.
My Thoughts: This one is REALLY good.
Description: In this competition show, daring home chefs tempt the food gods with reinvented classics and fanciful feasts in their quest to win a golden apple.
My Thoughts: This one is all about reinventing dishes, which trips up many of the contestants.
Description: Ten pairs of florists, sculptors and garden designers face off in a friendly floral fight to see who can build the biggest, boldest garden sculptures.
My Thoughts: This is a competition like we’ve never watched. It was SO FUN to see how these artists created some awesome sculptures and scenes with flowers and living plants.
Big Thumbs Up!
Description: In the National Geographic series Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, chef Gordon Ramsay journeys to some of the most incredible and remote locations on Earth in search of culinary inspiration, epic adventures, and cultural experiences he will never forget.
My Thoughts: Reminiscent of Feasting on Asphalt and No Reservations, this show truly immerses the viewer in the culture of the host country. We love this one.
Forged in Fire: Beat the Judges
Description: In each episode, previous Forged in Fire Champions return to the forge for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—to square off against our renowned Forged in Fire Masters in the highest stakes forging competition yet!
My Thoughts: We enjoy this show in its regular format, so being able to see the experts actually do what they judge others for is really fun.
Description: Hostile Planet is a ground-breaking wildlife series that explores Earth’s most hostile environments. Over the course of six episodes, we explore the extremes of deep, high, cold, hot, wet and dry and reveal the truly extraordinary ways in which animals have adapted to survive in the face of great adversity.
My Thoughts: Divided by ecosystems – Jungle, Grassland, Deserts, Oceans, etc. – each episode focuses on the natural inhabitants. This is very fun and interesting to watch.
Description: Everyday people take the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in epic head-to-head challenges designed to test the mind, body and heart.
My Thoughts: We are big fans of Sasuke/Ninja Warrior and American Ninja Warrior, not to mention the original American Gladiators, so this show is right up our alley.
Movies for After
the Kid is in Bed
Description: The beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the king and queen of England soon unleashes scandal, romance and intrigue — leaving the future of Downton hanging in the balance.
My Thoughts: I know of the series, obviously, but had never watched. This movie is so fun and adorable, even My Husband enjoyed it.
Description: Visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles together battle corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.
My Thoughts: Honestly, My Child watched the end of this one. There’s nothing inappropriate for kids, we just assumed (mostly correctly) that she would be bored.
My Husband and I really enjoyed this one – he is a car guy, though.
Description: With the world’s smartest, bravest, and most highly trained women all over the globe, there are now teams of Angels guided by multiple Bosleys taking on the toughest jobs everywhere.
My Thoughts: Admittedly, I was not interested in watching this one. I’m not a fan of one of the main actors, not thrilled with a second, and just bored with the franchise after the early-2000s versions.
This movie was really good. They expanded their universe without relying on just a remake. Soundtrack was great, action scenes were both exciting and hilarious, and the onscreen chemistry really worked. I was very impressed.
Description: Midway centers on the Battle of Midway, a clash between the American fleet and the Imperial Japanese Navy which marked a pivotal turning point in the Pacific Theater during WWII. The film, based on the real-life events of this heroic feat, tells the story of the leaders and soldiers who used their instincts, fortitude and bravery to overcome the odds.
My Thoughts: This one was really good. Yes, I’m was a history major and I’ve written several papers on the war in the Pacific, so I might be a niche audience member, but I really enjoyed this movie.
Shows for After
the Kid is in Bed
Description: Reunited by their father’s death, estranged siblings with extraordinary powers uncover shocking family secrets — and a looming threat to humanity.
My Thoughts: My Husband and I just finished this series and really enjoyed it.
We’re very glad the second season releases next week.
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
Description: When a grisly murder shocks Los Angeles in 1938, Detective Tiago Vega and his partner Lewis Michener become embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of the city.
My Thoughts: My Husband and I watched this entire series and SO OFTEN we said out loud: What is the F*CKING point?!?!?
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend this one.
LOVED Natalie Dormer’s primary character (she plays 4 different ones) and her acting ability, but she couldn’t save this one for us.
Our TBW (to-be-watched) List
Description: Knives Out pays tribute to mystery mastermind Agatha Christie in this fun, modern-day murder mystery where everyone is a suspect.
My Thoughts: The cast list alone has us hooked. Can’t wait.
Description: When CIA analyst Jack Ryan stumbles upon a suspicious series of bank transfers his search for answers pulls him from the safety of his desk job and catapults him into a deadly game of cat and mouse throughout Europe and the Middle East, with a rising terrorist figurehead preparing for a massive attack against the US and her allies.
My Thoughts: My Husband watched all of Season 1 – I only saw maybe 2 episodes. We’ll see how much I pay attention to this one. Jack Ryan, in any iteration (Alec, Harrison, Ben, or Chris), is just not my thing.
Description: Chef and food writer Samin Nosrat travels the world to explore four basic keys to wonderful cooking, serving up feasts and helpful tips along the way.
My Thoughts: Yep. Another cooking show.
Description: Super spy Lance Sterling and scientist Walter Beckett are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave and debonair. Walter is…not. But when events take an unexpected turn, this unlikely duo is forced to team up for the ultimate mission that will require an almost impossible disguise.
My Thoughts: Looks cute and hilarious.
Description: “SCOOB!” reveals how lifelong friends Scooby and Shaggy first met and how they joined with young detectives Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the famous Mystery Inc.
My Thoughts: Purely for the nostalgia and potential origin-story.
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Categories: Music & Movies, This and That
I am Sandy Kay 
My family really enjoys Forged in Fire; they have another show called Knife or Death where put some knives to the ultimate test trying to cut through various materials in the fastest time possible.
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We’ve watched that one, too and were just commenting that we’re guessing they might be bringing it back because a couple of the recent episodes have used tests that are similar to the challenges on Knife or Death. Fingers crossed.
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