Siren

This is a Canadian show on Freeform. It's a soap opera based around mermaids and mermaid lore. It's predictable and not well acted. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

House Rules

I like Jodi Picoult because each chapter adds to the story and is told from a different point of view. This is the story of a kid with Aspergers put on trial for murder. It is also told from his brother, his mother, his lawyer, and the cops point of view. She does such an amazing job at researching that you really get a real look inside the world of an autistic kid and the legal system. All in all, I say: READ IT or in my case LISTEN TO IT on the way to and from work.

I Feel Bad About My Neck: And other thoughts on being a woman

This book written by the famous comedian Nora Ephron is a series of essays on her life. It's a comical way to read a biography. It's funny... All in all, I say: READ IT if you like biographies.

Maniac

On Netlifx and from Japanese writer/directors this follows 2 main characters with all sorts of emotional issues. Jonah Hill (22 JumpStreet) and Emma Stone (The Help) enter a drug study that makes them take 3 different drugs and submit to three different sessions with a "smart computer". It is designed to help them figure out their issues without therapy.  The scenery is really well done - it's retro. Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters), Julia Garner (Ozark), Gabriel Byrne (War of the Worlds), and Justin Theroux (The Leftovers) also star. It's strange and additive. All in all, I say: STREAM IT

Ozark

On Netflix with 2 seasons done and the next one currently being filmed, this follows Jason Bateman (Game Night) who launders money for a huge Mexican drug cartel. When his partner is caught skimming, Jason moves his family and in an attempt to become indispensable to the cartel. Laura Linney (Molly) plays his wife who we find out in season 2 is a force to be reckoned with. Julia Garner (The Americans) does an amazing job - accent and all in this. It is binge worthy indeed. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Isn't It Romantic

Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect) stars in this romantic comedy that makes fun of all your favorite romantic comedies like Pretty Woman for example. Adam Devine (Pitch Perfect), Liam Hemsworth (The Dual), and Priyanka Chopra (Quantico) also star. There is singing, dancing, and fade out sex scenes which are pretty funny. It's light and fun - the scenery and how it changes is pretty cool. All in all, I say: RENT IT

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

Same actors as the first. The two kids from the first are older and so their designs have changed. The first focused on the father-son relationship, and this one focuses on the brother-sister relationship. We get to see their mom this time around played by Maya Rudolph (SNL). It drags in part, but like the first one there are some references that only adults would get. There is some weird time travel stuff in this too. All in all, I say: SEE IT - if you saw the first.

The Story of Us

Maggie Lawson (Psych) stars in this Hallmark valentine's movie. She's a bookstore owner trying to save the historic part of her small town from a big firm who wants to modernize. It's cute and they have chemistry. All in all, I say; SEE IT

Cold Pursuit

This is an American version of the European version. It leaves out some of the important character traits of the main character. It leaves a little too much for the audience to figure out compared to the original. This is a good - dark humor - action/drama for Lian Neeson (Taken) though. He does a good job - I'm just partial to the original. Laura Dern (Wild) and Emmy Rossum (Shameless) also star. The ending is different as well. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Hate U Give

Amandla Stenberg (Every Thing) does such an amazing job at the adaption of the amazing book of the same name. I thought they did an amazing job not taking too much away from the book. It has to be read and the movie has to be seen. It is powerful. I like the narration they did - it works. I rented this on OnDemand. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Mary Shelley

I saw this on HBO or SHO - it stars Elle Fanning (Super 8) so I thought it might be good. She did good, but it was painfully slow and boring. If you know her story then you know enough. All in all, I say SKIP IT

Pure

Ryan Robbins (Sanctuary) plays a newly chosen Mennonite preacher who is tasked to get rid of the criminal element among them. One family in particulr is bringin drugs from south of the border all the way to Canada. The acting is good - the plot is very new and original. It was surprising. It's on Hulu and worth binging. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Miss Sherlock

A version of the BBCs Sherlock but made in Japan. It's on Hulu and it's good. I like the story lines, the actors, and I hope they get another season. I like that it's female version of the famous duo also. All in all, I say: SEE IT. They are clever episodes.

Snowcoming

A Hallmark romance movie. It has a happy ending, but the plot is very shaky in this. The acting isn't that great either. It follows the typical Hallmark plot. I got kind of bored with it even though I typically like Lindy Booth (Dawn of the Dead). All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Halloween (2018)

This is the "true" third movie after the original 70s versions of 1 & 2 in the series. Jamie Lee Curtis (Perfect) stars again as the woman who is targeting by the serial killer who has been locked up for decades. He gets loose on the anniversary of the original killings and he goes to find her. She is ready though. Judy Greer (Ant-Man) also stars. It was well done for a horror trilogy. All in all, I say: RENT IT - if you're a fan.

Winter Love Story

From Hallmark channel a romance. A new writing who famous a parent wants to get her own work appreciated. She goes on a road trip type book tour with a very famous science fiction writer. The fall in love. It's cute and well done. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Ruby Herring Series

From Hallmark, a new mystery series, starring a consumer reports reporter for a local paper and a detective new to town. Taylor Cole (Green Hornet) stars. The plot of the first one was shaky, as well as, some of the acting. It's something new though. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

This is based on the true story of a writer in NY who had a bestseller and then gets a case of writers black - which last years. Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) got an excellent job hitting that sweet spot between comedy and docu-drama. The writer gets caught by the FBI for selling forgeries of famous writer's letters. She made thousands. The movie is very dark - scenery and plot. Richard E Grant (Hudson Hawk) also stars. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Cardinal

A Canadian crime series - now in its 3rd season. Billy Campbell (The 4400) is the lead detective. He has a gift, but he is also dealing with the fallout of his last undercover gig that involves his bipolar/manic wife. Karine Vanasse (X-Men) plays his new partner - or is she? I have watched the first 2 seasons on Hulu. The two main detectives do a good job. The crimes are okay plot wise. The background characters aren't very interesting or played up well. Season 3 will determine if I keep watching - they need some new angles. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Goliath

An Amazon Prime series in its second season from David E. Kelley (LA Law). Billy Bob Thornton (Slingblade) is a once hot shot attorney who is struggling to keep his family, work, love life, and sanity together. In season 1 - he is helping a woman sue a company for the death of her brother. It ends up being a huge conspiracy. In season 2 - it gets very dark - and gross - there is a drug cartel and a serial killer and there are body parts and it's just gross, gross, gross. The acting is okay considering I don't really like him. All in all, I say: SEE IT - season 1 only.

Glass

The last movie of the trilogy that started with Unbreakable then Split. M. Night Shyamalan puts all the characters together in one place. Why would anyone risk it? The ending of the movie will show you the one thing that's been missing from the graphic novel like movie trilogy. Who is the real bad guy? If you have seen the first two films then this one is well done and good. It's not great though - it struggled plot wise toward the end in my opinion. All in all, I say: SKIP IT