Hey everyone! I hope you all are doing well. I had grand intentions to do full reviews for all of the films and series I’ve watched recently but as more is opening up I got more behind. I am afraid my mini reviews will have to do. I am going to start with all the series reviews (yes I’ve watched a lot of series lately! I don’t know how I’ve become a TV person but here we are).

Make sure to also check out my review of Schmigadoon Season 1

Loki Season 1

I loved Wandavision but I think I might like Loki Season 1 even more. What an inventive, unpredictable, engaging show! I have always been a huge fan of Tom Hiddleston’s Loki and he is in top form here. I loved I never knew where the series was going. I loved his chemistry with both Owen Wilson as Mobius and Sophia di Martino as Sylvie. It was weird in just the right ways with immersive world-building and production. Are we sure this is the MCU? It’s like Marvel meets Brazil and I’m here for it. So excited we are getting more!

9 out of 10

Smile Worthy

Ted Lasso Season 2

When everyone else has seen all of season 2 of Ted Lasso I may do a more detailed review but this show is just great. Everything you’ve heard about it is true and more so. I loved season 1 and season 2 has kicked it out of the stadium once again. I know many will disagree but the highlight for me was the Christmas episode (episode 4) that will go down as one of the best holiday episodes of any show ever made. I adored it.

Aside from obviously Ted (Jason Sudeikis) and Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) Higgins (Jeremy Swift) was a real highlight of the season. Also whenever you see Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) with his niece Phoebe (Elodie Blomfield) it is so charming. There is a new cast member, a therapist, played by Sarah Niles that brings out much of the heart of the season. My only real criticism is I want more! The season is too short!

9 out of 10

Smile Worthy

Virgin River Season 3

I have to admit if I had written my review of Virgin River Season 3 right after I watched it I would have been a little bit higher. I like being with these people and it’s pleasant enough entertainment to watch. However, the more I’ve thought about it more asinine a lot of the decision-making is for season 3.

The positives are the chemistry between Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson) has gotten really good. I actually wasn’t sold on them at first but they’ve grown on me. Also we have less of the Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley) drama than last season. In general the town has a lived-in feel to it and whenever they have group scenes it feels natural and authentic.

However, I have never been a big fan of the conflict in the show and that doesn’t change here. The whole drug ring plot is dumb and I don’t love the plotlines for Preacher (Colin Lawrence) or the young lovers Ricky (Grayson Maxwell Gurnsey) and Lizzie (Sarah Dugdale). I won’t give any spoilers but the cliffhanger was completely unbelievable and didn’t work with the character in question as we’ve come to know him or her.

Also obviously they had COVID problems with Annette OToole but the plot they came up with for Hope was bad. It wasn’t believable and the town missed her presence.

I’ll still watch season 4 since I’m invested, but I wish the writing was better.

3 out of 10

Frown Worthy

Big Shot Season 1

When I first saw the preview for Big Shot it looked like a throw-away show on Disney Plus. Something similar to the comedies we see on Disney Channel which are fine for their demographic but not for me. However, over the last few months a number of friends recommended the show so I decided to give it a try and color me surprised how much I enjoyed it!

Big Shot stars John Stamos as Marvyn Korn, a college basketball coach who is sent to a private girls high school to coach after he embarrasses himself getting angry at a game. Naturally the girls are something different than he is used to but they all eventually warm up to each other and the team begins to improve. As we watch the season all of the girl’s characters are fleshed out as well as the coach.

The writing is solid here and all the actors are up to the task. Veteran TV producer and writer David E Kelley brings his expertise to the program and it really shows. I hope it gets renewed for a second season. A hidden gem!

8 out of 10

Smile Worthy

Hacks Season 1

I’m normally not a big fan of the HBO type of raunchy shows but I heard enough good buzz about Hacks that I decided to give it a shot and I’m glad I did.

It’s greatest standout is Jean Smart’s performance as an aging comic in Vegas named Deborah Vance. She has been coasting on her old material for a while when in walks Ava (Hannah Einbinder), a young hipster writer forced to work with Deborah because of some bad publicity.

If I’m honest sometimes Ava was a little too grading for my taste but she fits the role of the entitled millennial perfectly. Jean Smart is the best as Deborah. She’s funny, relatable, sad, and engaging all at the same time. Kaitlin Olson from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia also puts in strong work as Deborah’s daughter DJ.

All in all, Hacks is a well written, engaging show with an incredible lead performance.

7 out of 10

Smile Worthy

There are other shows I’m caught up on but I haven’t finished airing yet like HSMTMTS S2, Monsters at Work, Good Witch S7, The 100 Ft Wave, and more (seriously how am I this TV person!)

What about you? Have you seen any of these shows? Let me know what you think?

I have a bunch of movie reviews coming to you tomorrow so much more to look forward to!