We’ve decided to change our newer feature slightly: Reviews of the Month. Instead of including all our “mini” reviews in one list every month, we’ve decided to break up our mini-reviews into themed reviews. So, we’re reviewing new movies and new TV shows only this time. A few of the reviews you’ll find below include Sisyphus: The Myth, A Discovery of Witches, Season 3, Murder in Provence, A Castle for Christmas, The Big Leap, and more!
We also decided to keep period drama reviews (even the new ones) completely out for a separate list soon!
RELATED: ‘The Gilded Age’ HBO Review: A Superb and Luxurious New Romantic Period Drama
Expect to see more of these shorter reviews (a way for us to make more recommendations than in our regular, longer reviews.) within themed lists in the future.
Today, we’re reviewing many new movies and shows from various genres. These reviews got a little backed up by us, but we wanted to share them with you anyway!
Enjoy!
To read the movie and TV reviews, scroll down, or click on the title of interest.
Mini New Movie Reviews:
- A Castle for Christmas (Romantic Comedy)
- Dune (Sci-fi, Action, Adventure, Drama)
- Encanto (Animation, Comedy, Family, Musical)
- Eternals (Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance)
- Father Christmas is Back (Comedy)
- He’s All That (Romantic Comedy)
- Love Hard (Romantic Comedy)
- Reminiscence (Romance, Sci-fi, Thriller, Mystery)
- Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It (Documentary, Biography)
- Roadhouse Romance (Romance)
- Taking the Reins (Romance, Comedy, Drama)
Also, check out our longer review of Until We Meet Again, a new paranormal romance movie!
Mini New TV Show Reviews:
- 4400 (Drama, Sci-fi)
- The Big Leap (Romance, Comedy, Drama)
- A Discovery of Witches, Season 3 (Fantasy, Romance, Drama)
- Doctor Who: Flux (Fantasy, Sci-fi)
- Ghosts (Comedy, Fantasy, Ghosts)
- La Brea (Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama, Mystery)
- Madame Blanc Mysteries (British Mystery, Romance)
- Murder in Provence (British Crime Drama, Mystery)
- Ordinary Joe (Drama)
- Our Kind of People (Drama)
- Sisyphus: The Myth (Korean Drama, Action, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-fi)
22 NEW MOVIES AND TV SHOWS REVIEWED
NEW MOVIES:
REVIEW ONE
#1 A Castle for Christmas Movie Review
Official Netflix Synopsis: “To escape a scandal, a bestselling author journeys to Scotland, where she falls in love with a castle – and faces off with the grumpy duke who owns it.”
Review (By Autumn):
Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride) as a grumpy duke who owns a Scottish castle and reluctantly falls in love with a famous author? Sign me up. Seriously though, this Christmas movie is also a fantastic romantic comedy worth watching any time of the year.
Sophie (Brooke Shields) is a best-selling author not so popular at the moment after killing off a beloved character. So, she escapes to Scotland, in the land her father once lived.
She wants to check out the castle he once worked at. However, the castle needs assistance and is run by an ill-tempered Duke who doesn’t want to sell.
So, he gives Sophie a deal. He’ll sell the castle to her if she can live there for a certain amount of time. Of course, he’ll make her life miserable before then and boot her out! But nothing goes to plan.
Naturally, there are sparks and romance in this fun Netflix movie, and you’ll find yourself smiling the entire film through.
In short, if you love Hallmark movies but are looking for a film with a better script and movie star presence, A Castle for Christmas is just the film for you!
Content Note: TV-G
Where to Watch: Netflix
REVIEW TWO
#2 Dune Movie Review
Official Synopsis: “Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people.
As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence, only those who can conquer their own fear will survive.”
Review (By Autumn):
Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, Dune is a masterful adaptation of the famous Sci-Fi Books. Telling the story’s first half, Dune effectively creates a futuristic world with beauty – the cinematography stunning.
For those unfamiliar with previous adaptations or the book itself, Dune follows Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, the heir of House Atreides. Paul will one day be the ruler of the ocean planet Caladan. However, political powers are at play with the emperor wanting to eradicate the Atreides family.
Thus, to plan his coup, he sends the family to the desert land of Arrakis, known for their spice, vital to interstellar travel.
It’s easy to see why Dune is such a critically acclaimed film with suspense, effortless dialogue, palpable chemistry between Chalamet and Zendaya, eye-catching costumes, likable characters, and phenomenal world-building.
It’s nice to see science fiction receive notice at all. Hopefully, there will be room for more epic adaptations of the sci-fi genre. Thankfully, the book’s second half has already been greenlit for another movie!
Content Note: PG-13 for violence
Where to Watch: Rent/buy on digital streaming.
REVIEW THREE
#3 Encanto Movie Review
Official Synopsis: “Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto,” featuring all-new songs by award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the Colombian mountains.
But when Mirabel, the only ordinary family member, discovers the magic surrounding their home is in danger, she may be her family’s last hope.”
Review (By Amber):
Encanto is a delightful new Disney musical full of wonder, Romanticism, and enchantment. Lin-Manuel Miranda created catchy new songs for the film, and its Colombian setting is a beautiful backdrop for the story.
The characters are charming, the animation is delightful, the humor just right, and the message about the power of family is heartwarming. I highly recommend Encanto for families looking for a magical movie experience.
Content Note: PG for mild peril and thematic elements.
Where to Watch: Stream on Disney+. Rent/buy on digital streaming or DVD.
REVIEW FOUR
#4 Eternals Movie Review
Official Synopsis: “Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” follows a group of ancient heroes from beyond the stars who had protected Earth since the dawn of man. When monstrous creatures called Deviants, long thought lost to history, mysteriously return, the Eternals are forced to reunite in order to defend humanity once again.”
Review (By Amber):
Eternals is a movie that should be better than it is: the brilliant cast, the Oscar-winning director, but it is instead a mediocre addition to the Marvelverse.
Overall, the film has some beautiful moments and interesting ideas but gets bogged down by a convoluted plot, poor character development, and an uninteresting romance.
The love story between Ikaris and Sersi is meant to be epic, but there’s no actual development to make you care about their love story.
Still, it’s mostly an entertaining movie with good acting, and I think there’s much potential for a sequel. The ending left me wanting more, especially with Kit Harington’s underused character, Dane Whitman.
Content Note: PG-13 for fantasy violence, language, and a brief love scene.
Where to Watch: Disney+. Rent/buy on digital streaming or DVD.
REVIEW FIVE
#5 Father Christmas is Back Movie Review
Official Synopsis: “Four feuding sisters get a crash course in family togetherness when their long-lost father shows up for Christmas at their posh ancestral manor.”
Review (By Autumn):
With a fantastic cast, I was expecting a brilliant British Christmas comedy. Instead, Father Christmas is Back is a mess with dialogue that feels more like improv than a structured screenplay.
In Father Christmas is Back, four unlikeable sisters reunite for a holiday. Uptight Caroline Christmas-Hope (Nathalie Cox) only wants a perfect Christmas at the family manor with her sweet husband (Kris Marshall), children, mother, and sisters. However, her sisters aren’t in the Christmas spirit Caroline so desires.
Grad student Paulina Christmas only thinks about her Beatles thesis while shallow, fashion-obsessed Joanna Christmas (Elizabeth Hurley) merely cares about fashion and her latest boyfriend.
Meanwhile, the youngest, wildest sister Vicky Christmas (Talulah Riley), is too immature to have a mature conversation. At one point, Vicky even steals her sister’s boyfriend’s car to give away as a prize at a Christmas event.
To make matters worse, the Christmas sisters’ mother is having a romantic relationship with their Uncle on their father’s side (John Cleese), and their long-lost father (Kelsey Grammer) shows up after years of abandonment with his young girlfriend (April Bowlby).
But can the sisters forgive him and welcome him back to the Christmas home? Shenanigans occur, accidents happen, and hearts heal as secrets come out in this mediocre Christmas movie.
While the cast is excellent and there are a few good comedic moments, Father Christmas Back suffers from a weak script, underwhelming reveals in character motivation and hilariously awful scenes.
Nevertheless, the film’s messiness is entertaining just because it’s so bad. Embrace the bad and enjoy this one for what it is: a fun disaster. Extra points for Paulina Christmas embodying a strange but somehow fitting, modern version of Pride and Prejudice’s Mary Bennet.
Content Note: PG-13 for suggestive content and language.
Where to Watch: Stream on Netflix.
REVIEW SIX
#6 He’s All That Movie Review
Official Synopsis: An influencer specializing in makeovers bets she can transform an unpopular classmate into prom king in this remake of the teen classic “She’s All That.”
Review (By Autumn):
In this gender-flipped remake of She’s All That, Padgett Sawyer is a social media influencer who is humiliated by her cheating boyfriend to all of her followers. To make matters worse, her explosive outburst (snot-filled nose and all) at her boyfriend ruins her sponsorship deals.
For the first time, she needs an image boost. Enter in unpopular (and anti-social) Cameron Kweller.
Padgett decides to take on the ultimate challenge to win back her followers: transform the most unpopular guy in school into Prom King. Naturally, she falls for him along the way.
RELATED: She Loves Me – An Old-Fashioned Romantic Musical Jimmy Stewart Style
As a retelling of Pygmalion, He’s All That may actually be the worst version of the story. Shallow, weak script, abysmal acting from a couple of the actors, zero chemistry between the leads, and unoriginal, this remake is only worth watching for the return of Rachael Leigh Cook and Matthew Lillard as the endearing principal.
This teen rom-com is the ultimate example of why not to hire TikTok stars in leading roles. Honestly, the entire movie felt like a painful, cringe-worthy, prolonged TikTok video.
While sweet at times, I’m looking for more depth in my romantic comedies. Sure, She’s All That wasn’t award-winning, but at least it was fun with good chemistry between the leads and starring actors that could, well, act.
Content Note: TV-14 for suggestive dialogue and language.
Where to Watch: Stream on Netflix.
REVIEW SEVEN
#7 Love Hard Movie Review
Official Synopsis: “After meeting her perfect match on a dating app, an LA writer learns she’s been catfished when she flies 3,000 miles to surprise him for Christmas.
Review (By Amber):
Nina Dobrev and Jimmy O. Yang star in this cute romantic comedy about a woman who flies across the country to surprise the man she’s falling in love with online – only to discover he’s not who he said he was.
Despite the betrayal, they soon become friends as she pretends to be his girlfriend for his family’s benefit while he helps her connect with the real guy he initially pretended to be.
RELATED: The Best Vampire Diaries’ Couples, Ranked From Worst To Best
Overall, the chemistry between Dobrev and Yang is just okay, but the movie itself is enjoyable. Yes, the premise is a little questionable, but the characters are likable enough to overlook the story’s flaws and still root for their happy ending.
Content Note: TV-MA for brief strong language and suggestive material. Mild overall.
Where to Watch: Netflix.
REVIEW EIGHT
#8 Reminiscence Movie Review
Official HBO Max Synopsis: “A private investigator of the mind who can access lost memories searches for his missing lover in this stylish neo-noir sci-fi thriller.”
Review (By Amber):
Hugh Jackman stars in this mostly clever sci-fi noir about a detective with the power to access people’s memories – including the woman he’s lost.
Despite this film’s flaws, Jackman is fantastic, and I’m always up for a good romantic noir. The love story is what carries the movie as Jackman sinks deeper and deeper into despair, obsessing more and more about the past.
Overall, Reminiscence makes intriguing philosophical points but never entirely soars. The film is gorgeously shot, and the story is interesting enough to keep you hooked.
That said, I imagine the cool futuristic premise would work better as a TV procedural.
Content Note: PG-13 for violence, language, and non-graphic sensuality.
Where to Watch: Stream on HBO Max and HBO. Rent/buy on Digital and DVD.
REVIEW NINE
#9 Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It Movie Review
Over a 70+ year career, Rita Moreno defied both her humble upbringing and relentless racism to become a celebrated and beloved actor, one of the rare EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) Award Winners of our time.
Born into poverty on a Puerto Rican farm, Moreno and her seamstress mother immigrated to New York City when Moreno was five years old. After studying dance and performing on Broadway, Moreno was cast as any ethnic minority the Hollywood studios needed filled, be it Polynesian, Native American or Egyptian.
Despite becoming the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award for her role as Anita in “West Side Story” (1961), the studios continued to offer Moreno lesser roles as stereotypical ethnic minorities, ignoring her proven talent.
RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT illuminates the humor and the grace of Moreno, as well as lesser-known struggles faced on her path to stardom, including pernicious Hollywood sexism and abuse, a toxic relationship with Marlon Brando, and serious depression a year before she emerged an Oscar winner. Moreno’s talent and resilience triumphed over adversity, as she broke barriers, fought for representation and forged the path for new generations of artists.
Review (By Autumn):
For anyone who loves Old Hollywood, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It is a fascinating documentary about the Oscar-winning West Side Story star.
Rita tells her own story with archive footage, interviews from stars like Lin Manuel Miranda, Gloria Estefan, and Morgan Freeman, and scenes from her current acting roles.
Rita Moreno’s career spans over 70 years. Naturally, her story is inspiring as she goes from poverty in Puerto Rico, immigration in New York City, to racism in Hollywood.
As a Puerto Rican actress, Rita was mainly offered stereotypical ethnic roles but still amazingly wins an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, a rare feat. She also shares intimate details about her torrid romance with Marlon Brando.
Ultimately, if you love learning about fascinating women who overcome insurmountable obstacles in Hollywood, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It is an honest and brave film well worth a watch.
Content Note: PG-13 for mature content, including strong language and suggestive references.
Where to Watch: Stream on Netflix, Hoopla, Kanopy. Rent/Buy on Digital.
REVIEW TEN
#10 Roadhouse Romance Hallmark Review
Official Hallmark Synopsis: “Country music fan Callie is determined to continue her late grandfather’s legacy. While TV director Luke is in town, he teaches her that sometimes it’s best to look forward instead of back. Stars Lauren Alaina and Tyler Hynes.”
Review (By Amber):
Roadhouse Romance is a great choice if you’re looking for good, old-fashioned Hallmark comfort. Yes, it’s cheesy, and the script is just okay and formulaic, but it’s still a fun watch.
Roadhouse Romance is one of country star Lauren Alaina’s first roles, and she does a decent job, revealing a ton of potential. Plus, the romance is cute with the handsome Hollywood guy strolling into town.
RELATED: The 25 Best Hallmark Thanksgiving Movies To Watch This Holiday Season
Now, I don’t recommend this one unless you really LOVE Hallmark films! Roadhouse Romance is about as Hallmark as it gets with the gorgeous fall wardrobes, beautiful fall decor, and unrealistic romances set in a perfect town!
Sometimes all you want to watch is a cute, escapist film amid these turbulent times.
So, watch this one if you love formulaic romance movies and country music and don’t mind lots of cheese.
Content Note: TV-G
Where to Watch: Check your local Hallmark listings (it re-airs on March 6, 2022)! You can also buy it on Digital and DVD.
REVIEW ELEVEN
#11 Taking the Reins Hallmark Review
Official Hallmark Synopsis: “A writer goes back to the family ranch to write an article about her passion for horses and discovers what ended her marriage and why she stopped riding horses. Stars Nikki DeLoach, Scott Porter, Corbin Bernsen and Janine Turner.”
Review (By Amber):
Nikki DeLoach and Scott Porter star in this delightful Hallmark romance about second chances.
I went in with high expectations because I’m a fan of both DeLoach (I’m an MMC fan, so I’ll watch anything with her in it!) and Porter.
I’ve also been impressed with Clare Niederpruem as a director. She previously directed As Luck Would Have It, probably my favorite Hallmark romance since Crown for Christmas.
Well, Taking the Reins did not disappoint. Sure, it has the familiar Hallmark trappings with some unrealistic plot points, but it’s all done with great style and in an entertaining fashion. Plus, the actors’ romantic chemistry was great!
Overall, this is a sweet, charming romance movie.
Content Note: TV-G
Where to Watch: Check your local Hallmark listings (it re-airs on April 5, 2022)! You can also buy it on Digital and DVD.
NEW TV SHOWS (INCLUDING RETURNING SHOWS WITH NEW SEASONS):
REVIEW TWELVE
#12 4400 (Remake) TV Review
IMDb Synopsis: “4400 overlooked, undervalued, or otherwise marginalized people who vanished without a trace over the last hundred years are all returned in an instant, having not aged a day and with no memory of what happened to them.”
Review (By Amber):
I admit, I only made it through a couple of episodes before tuning out, so maybe it gets better. I absolutely loved the original series, so I went into this one with high expectations.
And maybe this would have been better if I hadn’t recently watched the original show.
Still, in comparison, 4400 is a bit of an incoherent mess with only passable acting, a mediocre script, and bizarre, illogical plot points like putting a social worker and a community corrections officer in charge of the refugees instead of FBI agents.
Still, I love the idea of marginalized people returning from the last 100 years as a mystery. It makes it different from the original and is highly relevant. But the writers and filmmakers did not execute the story well, and I found it underwhelming overall.
That said, I may revisit the series in the future to see if it improves. But for now, I’ll have to stick to watching the original.
Content Note: TV-PG for language, thematic elements, and racism.
Where to Watch: Stream on the CW app. Buy on Digital.
REVIEW THIRTEEN
#13 The Big Leap, Season 1 TV Review
Official Synopsis: “A group of diverse underdogs attempt to change their lives by participating in a reality dance show that potentially offers them each a second chance at their dreams.”
Review (By Autumn):
The Big Leap tells a fictional story about a dancing reality show based on the British reality series Big Ballet. A show about second chances, The Big Leap tells several stories about a group of underdogs looking for something better in their mundane lives.
Enter in a reality competition, where non-professionals compete to be in a reality TV series to put on an amateur production of Swan Lake.
Each cast member tells a layered story. From Gabby, the plus-sized single Mom who falls for the famous football player canceled by social media, a Cancer survivor, twins emotionally abused by their backstage mother, to a wife betrayed by her husband.
But the real standout is reality TV producer Nick Blackburn played by the always great Scott Foley. He’s charming, manipulative, cutthroat, and sometimes sweet underneath all his gruff.
In short, The Big Leap is romantic, hilarious, and empowering. If you missed this one, you can now watch the show in its entirety! Unfortunately, FOX canceled the show, but I still recommend watching this little gem of a series.
Content Note: TV-14 for language, suggestive dialogue, and sensuality.
Where to Watch: Stream on Hulu and FOX. Buy on Digital.
REVIEW FOURTEEN
#14 A Discovery of Witches, Season 3 Review
Official AMC+ Synopsis: “Adapted from Deborah Harkness’ best-selling trilogy of novels, A Discovery of Witches is a bold and romantic thriller that uncovers a secret underworld of vampires, witches and demons. Binge all 3 seasons now.”
Review (By Autumn):
A Discovery of Witches is back for the third and final season for an epic conclusion you don’t want to miss! With twists and turns, A Discovery of Witches continually keeps your attention from start to finish.
While book readers may be disappointed by some cuts (there are no ghosts), overall, the production stays true to the books’ essence.
In season 3, Diana and Matthew are back from the Elizabethan age and ready for a fight. Diana is pregnant and entirely in control of her powers.
Not to mention, she’s on the verge of reuniting the pages with the Book of Life. If only she can get there before her enemies do and discover the truth about witches, vampires, daemons to save all of their species.
Meanwhile, a foe from Matthew’s past sets out to ruin his life and everyone he loves.
Without giving spoilers, A Discovery of Witches is a vampire show that offers us genre fans the perfect ending.
While there seem to be a few budget cuts and the show had to recast Baldwin sadly (they lost the other actor to the new Lord of the Rings), overall, the Discovery of Witches is still swoony, full of adventure and action, and one of the best vampire series of all time.
Content Note: TV-MA for sensuality (not overly explicit), fantasy violence, and strong language. Mild overall. Many episodes feel like TV-14.
Where to Watch: Stream on AMC+, Shudder, and Sundance Now. You can also buy it digitally.
REVIEW FIFTEEN
#15 Doctor Who: Flux (Season 13) Review
Official Synopsis: “Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill, John Bishop and Jacob Anderson star in an epic six-part adventure which will take the Doctor and her friends to the edge of the universe and beyond, in a battle for survival.
Packed with action, humour, terrifying new villains and iconic returning monsters such as the Sontarans and the Weeping Angels, the new series of Doctor Who tells one story across a vast canvas.
It features a host of acclaimed British acting talent including Rochenda Sandall, Annabel Scholey, Craig Parkinson, Kevin McNally, Sam Spruell, Robert Bathurst, Steve Oram and Thaddea Graham.
From Liverpool to the depths of space, via the Crimean war and a planet named Atropos which shouldn’t even exist, fighting old foes and new creatures from beyond our dimension, the Doctor and company face a race against (and through!) time to uncover a universe-spanning mystery: what is the Flux?”
Review (By Amber):
Doctor Who, Series 13 was the best the show’s been in years! Full of adventure, a fascinating story arc, Weeping Angels, Daleks, mysteries, romance, and more, I was riveted from start to finish.
Jodie Whitaker shined as the Doctor while Chris Chibnall did some of his best writing on the show. John Bishop hit it out of the park with his likable and relatable personality as the new companion. He’s been my favorite since the original Russell T. Davies era.
RELATED: Doctor Who Theory – Was “The Moment” In Day Of The Doctor Actually Bad Wolf?
Chapter four of Doctor Who: Flux, “Village of the Angels,” was exceptionally brilliant, introducing the scene-stealing guest star, Kevin McNally, as Professor Eustacius Jericho.
All in all, the series was a fantastic, entertaining spectacle.
Unfortunately, the season finale fell apart, ending the story with confusing plot holes and head-scratching creative choices. It was as if the BBC cut half of the episode out, leaving viewers with more questions than answers.
Now, did the finale make the entire season meaningless? No. But it was disappointing the show didn’t have a memorable conclusion like “Parting of the Ways” in season one or “Journey’s End” in season 4.
But I still enjoyed the ride even if the destination wasn’t exactly where I wanted to go.
(Note: This is just a review of Flux and not any of the specials after!)
Content Note: TV-PG
Where to Watch: Buy on Digital or DVD.
REVIEW SIXTEEN
#16 Ghosts TV Review
Official Synopsis: “Samantha and Jay throw both caution and money to the wind when they decide to convert a rundown country estate they inherited into a bed and breakfast – only to find it’s inhabited by the many opinionated spirits of deceased residents who now call it home.”
Review (By Autumn):
After inheriting a beautiful estate in the country, Samantha and Jay believe their dreams are coming true. They even plan to start a bed and breakfast.
Sam and Jay don’t realize that their dream estate is haunted by several ghosts of people who died there! That is until Samantha has an accident of her own and can suddenly see ghosts, ghosts that don’t want them to open up a B&B.
RELATED: 200 of the Best Gothic Romance Movies and TV Shows – Period Drama Style
From there, hilarious antics ensue, and the ghosts with the new residents all become friends in this adorable remake of a British comedy series.
There’s a lot to recommend this feel-good comedy series with several scene-stealing ghosts to a sweet marriage between the leads. There’s also a blossoming love story between a murdered Jazz singer and a Boy Scout leader killed by an arrow. It’s really that strange.
Overall, Ghosts is quirky, witty, and has some fun (though not historically accurate) period flashbacks. If you’re looking for a lighthearted new show with a side of romance, you can’t go wrong with Ghosts.
Content Note: TV-PG for suggestive references.
Where to Watch: Watch new episodes on CBS and Paramount+. You can stream the series thus far on Paramount+ and Pluto TV or buy episodes digitally.
REVIEW SEVENTEEN
#17 La Brea, Season 1 Review
Official Synopsis: “When a massive sinkhole opens in the middle of Los Angeles, it tears a family in half.”
Review (By Amber):
La Brea is like Lost but as a B movie. Indeed, La Brea has a wild, insane premise with hilariously bad dialogue sometimes, ridiculous plot twists, a cheesy teen romance, historical inaccuracies, and plot holes, but it’s as if the writers know it.
Make no mistake, La Brea is not a show that takes itself seriously, and that’s why it is sort of fun to watch.
When half of a family falls down a sinkhole, they (and the other people who fell through) find themselves in a strange land with extinct animals. So, where are they?
Meanwhile, the other half of the family still in L.A. set out to solve the mystery. I’d say more, but giving anything away would take away the enjoyment of watching.
Overall, I recommend La Brea if you’re looking to watch escapist television with a bit of fun and romance in the mix.
Content Note: TV-14 for mild violence and language.
Where to Watch: Stream on Peacock or Hulu. Buy digitally.
REVIEW EIGHTEEN
#18 The Madame Blanc Mysteries, Season 1 Review
Official Synopsis: “Antiques dealer Jean White (Sally Lindsay, Mount Pleasant) is nearly bankrupt after her husband’s sudden death, and so she heads to their one last asset: a cottage in antiques hub Sainte Victoire, France.
There, Jean begins investigating his death, aided by sympathetic taxi driver Dom (Steve Edge). She soon finds the colorful locals have a treasure trove of other mysteries for her to assess, too.”
Review (By Amber):
The Madame Blanc Mysteries is a lighthearted British show that is perfect for watching when you need a break from the stresses of life. It’s a murder mystery series with a French twist.
The show is set in the beautiful countryside of France and has some charming characters and gorgeous antiques.
The plot isn’t very complicated, but it doesn’t need to be. The focus is on the characters, the slow-build romance between Jean and the sweet taxi driver, Dom, and a murderous nemesis!
Overall, cozy British mysteries and Antiques Roadshow fans should love this one.
Content Note: TV-14 for language and violence. Mild overall.
Where to Watch: Stream on Acorn TV or buy on DVD.
REVIEW NINETEEN
#19 Murder in Provence TV Review
Official Britbox Synopsis: “Bienvenue en Provence! Among the sun-drenched hills of southern France, chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque (Roger Allam) and his spontaneous partner and amoureuse, Marine Bonnet (Nancy Carroll), investigate the dark underbelly of the beautiful town of Aix. Based on the much-loved books by ML Longworth.”
Review (By Amber):
Roger Allam is at it again with another entertaining British mystery show! Murder in Provence is set in the south of France and follows the charming Antoine Verlaque as he investigates murders and shares witticisms with his romantic partner, Marine Bonnet.
The show has excellent chemistry between the two leads, beautiful scenery, and a healthy dose of French culture – despite the show oddly being very English. The mysteries are well-done, and the cast (including Patricia Hodge from Miranda and Keala Settle from The Greatest Showman) are all fantastic.
The series just premiered this week, and I look forward to watching the rest of the entire first season—this one is for viewers more interested in intellectual conversations and a slow-moving story than action and thrills.
Content Note: TV-14 for crime details and some mild language.
Where to Watch: Britbox
REVIEW TWENTY
#20 Ordinary Joe TV Review
Official NBC Synopsis: “Three parallel stories diverge from the night of Joe Kimbreau’s college graduation.”
Review (By Autumn):
In Ordinary Joe, the story asks a simple question: What would your life be like if you made a different choice? Well, what about three different choices? The TV series follows three very different versions of Joe.
In the first, Joe is a cop. In another, he’s a rock star. Finally, in the third, Joe is a nurse. The romance is completely different for each story, with consequences based on each life choice.
With touches of Felicity and Sliding Doors, Ordinary Joe starts great. Nevertheless, the concept teeters out into oblivion a few episodes into the show. Soon, I didn’t care what happened to any of the versions of the various characters.
Overall, an interesting concept but too convoluted to watch weekly. NBC also just announced its cancellation. Still, if the concept intrigues you, check it out!
Content Note: TV-14 for mild strong language and sensuality.
Where to Watch: Stream on Hulu and Peacock. Buy on Digital.
REVIEW TWENTY-ONE
#21 Our Kind of People TV Review
Official Synopsis: “Our Kind of People takes place in the aspirational world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. Strong-willed, single mom Angela Vaughn sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary hair care line that highlights the innate, natural beauty of black women.
But she soon discovers a dark secret about her own mother’s past that will turn her world upside-down and shake up this community forever.”
Review (By Amber):
Our Kind of People is an appealing melodrama with a brilliant cast. With romance, murder, family secrets, and more, this show is for you if you like shows like Revenge or Dynasty.
It also has an Upstairs, Downstairs quality to it, showcasing the different dynamics between the rich and the poor.
Now, the series is flawed, for sure, and the characters, at times, frustrating. And it can drag a little from episode to episode. But the cast is so charismatic, and the series looks so glamorous it’s easy to overlook.
Overall, it’s a fun, if imperfect, series to watch.
Content Note: TV-14 for language and sensuality.
Where to Watch: Stream on Hulu or Fox Now. You can also buy episodes on Digital streaming.
REVIEW TWENTY-TWO
#22 Sisyphus: The Myth K drama Review
Official Synopsis: “An unfathomable incident introduces a genius engineer to dangerous secrets of the world — and to a woman from the future who’s come looking for him.”
Review (By Autumn):
Time travel, romance, and suspense, what’s not to love about this Korean sci-fi Drama?
In the story, a genius engineer Han Tae-Sul (Cho Seung-Woo), meets the mysterious Gang Seo-Hae (Park Shin-Hye) from the future after she saves his life.
With conspiracies, mysteries, an evil killer, and fun-filled action scenes, Sisyphus is an addictive K-Drama that is a real nail-biter.
While not everything quite makes sense in time travel laws, you won’t care because this one is all about the entertainment factor. And swoony romance!
In short, if you love time travel love stories, Sisyphus: The Myth is well worth watching. That said, if you like happy endings, I warn you that the end is ambiguous and very much aligned with the Greek myth.
Content Note: TV-14 for fear, language, and suicide. Mild overall.
Where to Watch: Stream on Netflix or buy on DVD.
Have you watched any of these newer movies and TV shows? Which ones did you like? Or didn’t you like? Do you agree with our latest movie and TV reviews? Discuss in the comments below!
PIN THIS ARTICLE! AND MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST.
