What I’ve Been Watching #1

I’m [usually] watching something, so I thought it would be fun to also start up a series to see if we all have some common entertainment interests. Now, I don’t know if I’ll like some newer shows that I start, but I’ll give any a shot. Some shows and movies take a bit longer to get into, right? I’ve been wanting to talk about shows, but my main posts don’t have enough room to talk about the things I’ve watched. So, here’s that space!

I thought it would be fitting to post on a Saturday since my current weather predicament includes rain and thunderstorms. So, what better way than to spend some time blogging and watching some entertainment with a yummy cup of coffee?

TV Shows

The Bachelor (2002)

Season 24 (Ep. 1)

Here’s the synopsis for this season:

Peter Weber, an airline pilot who caught the attention of Hannah Brown and fans alike during Season 15 of The Bachelorette comes back to Bachelor Nation looking for a co-pilot who will join him for a life full of love, laughter, dancing and adventure. Peter, who has his heart broken after expressing his love on “The Bachelorette,” is back and ready to capture hearts across America yet again as he looks for another shot at love. Peter’s parents — who met working on the same flight more than 30 years ago — set the perfect example of lasting love for him, and he’s more ready than ever for his love story to take flight.

Wikipedia: The Bachelor Season 24

This is one reality show that I’ve watched for the past few years since discovering it, but not sure if I like the direction that it’s going. I have two friends that I watch the show with, but I would love to hear more opinions of it! My favorite bachelor was Ben Higgins, and I do like Peter.

Highlighted thoughts:

• Have some of these girls never seen what a cow looks like? That was so painful to hear them call it a horse
• Someone’s gotta be the one to keep swooping in for some more time with the bachelor. I’m not one to do that and I’m sure it’s frustrating, but these girls have to know what usually happens, right?
• This second group date is not one that I would ever be comfortable with talking about. I read that Peter cancels the sexual story date, but we’ll find out in a few days
• Enough of the windmill jokes. It was funny for about five minutes after The Bachelorette ended, but I’m already sick of it being brought up in this season.
• Peter’s parents are goals and them renewing their vows is one of the sweetest things I’ve seen on the show.

So far, how the story ends is a toss up, but I’m really hoping it’s not going to go the way that I’ve read, which is a popular prediction of Peter and Hannah B. ending up together.

Reign (2013)

Season 1 (2013)

Synopsis:

The highly fictionalized series follows the early exploits of Mary, Queen of Scots. The first season opens in 1557, with Mary living in a convent in France, but she is quickly returned to the castle where we learn she is awaiting her marriage to Prince Francis, to whom she has been engaged since they were six. Mary has to contend with changing politics and power plays, as well as her burgeoning feelings for Francis and the romantic attentions of Francis’s bastard half-brother, Bash. Francis’s mother, Catherine de’ Medici, secretly tries to prevent the marriage following Nostradamus’s confidential prediction that the marriage will lead to Francis’s death. The series also follows the affairs of Mary’s Scottish handmaidens Kenna, Aylee, Lola, and Greer, who are searching for husbands of their own at French Court.

Wikipedia

This is my second time around watching Reign and I’ve always loved historical TV shows with some fiction in it. Okay, maybe it’s more fictional than factual, but I’m still enjoying the show and I’ve taken my own initiative to look up the real facts — so that counts, right? I’m almost finished with this season and it’s nice to go back and watch what I’ve nearly forgotten.

I want to believe that Mary Queen of Scots and Francis really did love one another, because I love love, so I’ll keep hoping so. Despite the countless historical inaccuracies, I really enjoy this series, and it teaches me a few facts in between the drama.

Highlighted thoughts:

• What Lola and Francis did was a very low blow and I’d have a hard time forgiving if I were in Mary’s shoes, but royals, ya know?
• Not marrying for love stinks. I couldn’t imagine that set up
• King Henry II is so rude and quite insane for having Bash and Kenna marry — which was way earlier than I remember
• Met a man for the first time and then agree to marry him hours later? Sounds promising and well thought out
• Lord Castleroy deserves more but I love Leith, so I’m conflicted

Lots of things are lacking from this list, but you get the idea, maybe. Even though most of what’s on the list is complete fiction, it’s becoming personal in my realm, haha.

The Witcher (2019)

Season 1 (2019)

Synopsis:

The Witcher is an American fantasy drama series produced by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich. It is based on the book series of the same name by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski.

Set in a medieval fictional world on a landmass known as “the Continent”, The Witcher follows the story of solitary monster hunter Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra) and Cintran princess Ciri (Freya Allan), who find their destinies tied together.

Wikipedia

Stephen played the video games and since the first piece of information about the release of the series, he was so, so excited to watch. He found an old Polish version of it that was made in the early 2000s, but that that pales in comparison to the new one. I was afraid that this one would be disappointing for him, but he’s overall pleased with the first season. Some things he wasn’t a huge fan of, [like the rush and fiction of Yennefer’s backstory, how it wasn’t clear of the time their stories took place].

Highlighted thoughts:

• Yennefer and her glow up [which immensely pained me to watch] shows that people only pay attention to you if you’re pretty
• Just now discovering who Henry Cavill is. [I hardly pay attention to an actor’s real name anyway]
• I love the “Shrek” short story. I’m a super fan of the hedgehog man and his story
• The goat dude scene cracks me up
• Despite how messed up that was, I like the striga short story a lot, but how terrifying!

I don’t know if I would have watched this series if it weren’t for Stephen’s initial interest, but overall, I enjoyed the series so far. Sad that I watched and it ends on a cliffhanger, but I’m excited to watch the second season, whenever that may be. I’ll be sure to have a refresher before season 2 comes out. I hadn’t read the books, but it wasn’t too complicated to catch on. Some gory parts pained me to watch, but I got through them.

Movies

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Synopsis:

The Rise of Skywalker follows Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they lead the Resistance’s final stand against Kylo Ren and the First Order, who are now aided by the return of the deceased galactic emperor, Palpatine.

Wikipedia

I admit that I looked up some spoilers prior to watching this movie. But in my defense, Stephen didn’t seem as enthusiastic to see it since he didn’t care for the last few movies, so I figured we’d just rent it whenever it came out in months later. To our surprise, he found it to be better than he predicted. Although, he said he had low expectations for it to begin with. I’m not as critical of them, so I was looking forward to watching it.

Highlighted thoughts:

• I absolutely love the droids. They’re just the cutest. I request more porgs to be seen and adored as well
• I thought the fighting scenes dragged on a little longer than necessary
• I think Rey should’ve kept her discovered last name instead of taking the last name, Skywalker. She could’ve made the name better for people to remember in a positive light
• Sad that Kylo Ren had to die, but it wouldn’t make as much sense to let him live after what he’s done — then again, lots of forgiveness?
• Thank gosh they weren’t related or that would have been super awkward

As soon as this film came out, I saw a lot of friends on my Facebook saying that they loved the movie and to not listen to what the critics had to say about it. Palpatine did seem to spring up from nowhere, but I’m not that critical or passionate about the movies to argue with someone that is. I thought it was a nice wrap up of the trilogy as a whole.

The Great Rupert (1950)

Synopsis:

The story revolves around a little animated squirrel who, with lots of charm, accidentally helps two economically distressed families overcome their obstacles.

Wikipedia

The oldest classic of them all. It’s black and white, grainy, and you’re wondering half the time about what you’re actually looking at on the screen. Such a ridiculous movie, but it’s comical.

Highlighted thoughts:

• Why would the other squirrels be mean to Rupert? Of course they’re going to love him! Who wouldn’t love a dancing squirrel?
• Rupert is a kind squirrel to make it rain for a poor family in desperate need and wanting to better themselves
• Why would you want a polar bear rug with a radio built in its head?
• Someone please have a dancing squirrel. I’ll be your audience
• The man releases Rupert in a park and expects him to waiting for him a few months later. Really?

We watched this movie a few years ago during our Christmas movie tradition. My mind was a bit fuzzy, so it was a fun movie to rewatch. Although, the audio is pretty poor quality, but you’d probably expect that.

Have you seen any of these shows? Let’s discuss!

What have you been watching lately?