Hello lovelies, how has your January been?! Has it been as long as mine?
I thought I would start sharing monthly what I've been watching on the TV and the book I've read that month, I nearly said books but I don't think I'll ever manage two in one month I don't think!
FILMS -
Antlers Netflix - This is a thriller/ horror/ mystery.
In an isolated Oregon town, a middle-school teacher and her sheriff brother become embroiled with her enigmatic student, whose dark secrets lead to terrifying encounters with an ancestral creature.
This was a very odd watch, I would give it 2/5 just because the ending really ruined it for me, I think they could of done with leaving that bit out. It had a good story through out though. I really felt for the poor little school boy during the film. I can't say too much without giving the whole story away.
Encanto Disney Plus - Family Animation Film
The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift -- every child except Mirabel. However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.
I absolutely loved this film so much, when I watched the trailer me and my eldest son thought it would'nt be up our street but I watched it one night with my youngest son and fell in love! I adored Antonio so much, the music and the feeling it gives you after you've watched a film like this. Mirabel although she didn't get the unique gift she is truly one of the special ones and this film teaches young children that its ok to be different! I would highly reccomend but don't blame me if you get addicted to the songs.
Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeywoman Documentary Amazon Prime
The film begins with a montage of glamorous female leads from the Hollywood Black and White Era that Aileen Wuornos grew up watching. From her childhood, Aileen was obsessed with damsels who flaunted a weapon of destruction and took charge of their own destiny. She was fascinated by these larger than life personas and wanted to become famous like them someday.
This was an interesting watch but you just don't know if its really true or not. It's a film made by an interviewer on showing another side to Aileen and what hasn't been filmed before. You really feel for her because it sounded like she had a really rough childhood, seperation from her parents then abused by her grandparents. It talks about her short marriage to a wealthy man who owned a yacht but like I said when you get to the end you honestly don't know what to believe.
Book Thief Amazon Prime - Drama/ War
While subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. In the basement of her home, a Jewish refugee is being protected by her adoptive parents.
This was a truly heartbreaking film, Liesel was such a brave young girl throughout, it gave you a glimpse on how life must have been during the world war and I cried a lot through out!
The Shack Netflix - Drama/ Fantasy
A grieving man receives a mysterious, personal invitation to meet with God at a place called "The Shack."
I think this film was the best thing I watched this month and it really moved me! It has grief in it and obviously loss. I think because I've lost my mum it hit me even harder. Again I cried a lot during this film. I've never been someone to really believe in God, I'm a spiritual person but in other ways, I don't go to Church or anything although I was christened as a child. But this film honestly made me want to start going to Sunday School and everything! There was so many conversations in the film such as "If God is real why does he cause so much pain" which is something I've always thought but it really opens your mind up once you've watched it. Obviously if your someone who is really against religion this film won't be for you at all. It was a lot for Dan to take in but I liked it, in the sense it moved me so much. It's by no means a happy movie as there is loss in it like I say but if you like a film to cry to, this ones for you.
SERIES/OTHER -
After Life Netflix -
After Tony's wife dies, his nice-guy persona is altered into an impulsive, devil-may-care attitude; taking his old world by storm.
Me and Dan had been waiting for season 3 for what felt like forever! We absolutely adore Ricky and he didn't dissapoint again. I cried less in this season until near the end and laughed more. It has such funny one liners thorughout. It is a hard watch if you've lost someone to cancer and if you're struggling with grief and mental health but I love how he portrays it all so honestly. It is truly a piece of art and my favourite ever series from him, 10/10!
Stay Close Netflix -
The lives of a photojournalist, a soccer mom and a homicide detective are disturbed by a terrible event from the past.
Another fantastic series that me and Dan binge watched in a couple of days! It was full of suspense and I was guessing all the way until the end who did it! Harlen Coben is phenonomal.
The Tourist BBC iPLAYER -
When a man wakes up in the Australian outback with no memory, he must use the few clues he has to discover his identity before his past catches up with him.
This was a slow burner for me to begin with but then it got exciting near the end. A totally strange scenario and not the best ending but it was ok.
The Responder BBC iPLAYER -
A crisis-stricken, morally compromised first-responder tackles a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool, while trying to keep his head above water personally and professionally.
Now this BBC drama didnt dissapoint! This was absolutley fantastic, Martin Freeman was amazing as always and actually really suited the scouse accent! A dodgy cop but for the right reasons... I left you on tender hooks from episode 3 and I binge watched it all in 2 days!
The Bay ITV -
Series 3, I havent enjoyed this one as much as the other two but I did really love the detective Lisa in the previous 2 series. It's still worth a watch and I do like the new detective but the story line just isn't as good for me this time around.
And Just Like That NOW -
I have been missing the Sex and the City girls for so long and couldn't wait for this to be out but I do get what people are saying about it being to WOKE, it's like theyre trying way too harf to be all inclusive and it's coming off too strong rather than being just natural but on the other hand its nice to see them putting out there especially in children with finding it hard to knowing what their identity is. Making conversations in the home. I still adore Sarah Jessica Parker and her amazing dresses its just not the same anymore! I shall watch it until it ends though.
The book I read through out January is Mike Gayle - The To Do List, its not as exciting as his other books I've read, his most recent books I absolutely adored! It made me love him as an author so I went hunting for more books from him. This book is literally what it says on the cover. His very own to do list!
What did you watch throughout January? Did you watch any of the ones I did? Let me know in the comments.
