January 2020 Update

I'm getting my groove back! I'm feeling a lot better in general now, and getting back into watching television and movies, and reading. Not to say that some days I don't want to do anything...but I'm definitely on the right track to being in a better place mentally and emotionally. So...what did I watch?

Started Watching:

pbs.org

Sanditon - season 1
This started airing in Canada a few weeks ago, and I started watching it right away. I had already been watching clips of it on YouTube because it had been out in the UK (so yes, I know spoilers). It's based on an unfinished Jane Austen story, and although I haven't read it yet, I knew I wanted to watch it. Apparently her writing only covers the first episode or two of the series, but I'm interested to see where the showrunners take it. I'm definitely enjoying it so far, and will probably read the original sooner than otherwise planned. If you need a selling point other than a period drama by PBS based on an Austen work, it also has Theo James in it (Four in Divergent, Mr. Pamuk in Downton Abbey).

ca.ign.com

Howard's End
Some people may be very shocked to hear I am watching this. Others will be confused why I wouldn't want to, considering I love period dramas and Hayley Atwell. Well, I remember watching the 1992 film with Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins...and I despised the ending so much that it ruined the whole thing for me (we can chat about this in the comments if you'd like, but I'm trying to avoid spoilers!). Seeing this fresh adaptation, I thought it might be worth giving it another try - perhaps I just found that version didn't work for me. I'm a good chunk of the way through it now - there's only an episode or two left - and although I am really enjoying parts of it, other aspects seem to be a bit, well, all over the place. Except, I don't get the feeling that that is any fault of the actors or director, and simply a fault of the original work (I haven't read it though). A few of the characters (especially Ms. Schlegel's brother) are absolutely insufferable, and I can't stand their scenes. Hayley is wonderful though, and I am enjoying Matthew McFadyen and Philippa Coulthard in their roles as well. We'll see how I react to the ending this time...

screenertv.com

Outlander - season 1 (rewatch)
I needed something swoon-worthy. Honestly, one day I just didn't feel overly motivated and wanted to watch something that would just make me happy, and I went for Outlander. I've watched about 3/4 of the first season, and I might finish it, or I might not. I'm not worried - I've seen it more than once, and read the book. But it is just as good this time around.

August 2019 Update

August was largely a month of rewatching comfort movies, so although I have watched a few things, I definitely didn't get through as much as I did last month!

Started Watching:

cbc.ca

The Office (US) - season 4
I've watched two or three episodes of this season, and I'm not sure if I'm going to keep going. There is nothing wrong with it, but the episodes are longer, and a lot of the dynamics have shifted...so I'm not very motivated to keep going actively. If it's on, I'll enjoy watching it, but I think I'm done binging this show!

netflix.com

Dark - season 1
To put it bluntly, this show is...well, dark. It's in German, and I personally chose to watch it with in the original German with English subtitles. Only 10 episodes long, this is good if you are looking for a dark science fiction show that is full of mystery and intensity, but also doesn't stretch on forever. Specific, eh? I've watched four or five episodes, and although am enjoying it, I find it a bit heavy to blast through in a few days. Definitely looking forwards to seeing where it goes though. Oh, don't watch this alone at night - trust me.

March 2019 Update

Well, I can't say that too much has been going on for me again lately. I'm nearly done my semester (end of April), and then hopefully things will pick up. However, what I did watch was good stuff!

Started Watching:

gizmodo.com.au

3% - season 1
This is an awesome show about a group of people vying for the opportunity of a better life in The Offshore. Once civilians reach the age of 20, they are able to compete to be one of the 3% that have what it takes to make it out of the slums and into a beautiful land of prosperity and medicine. It really takes a look at what lengths people will go to when pushed into desperate situations, and is kind of like reality television except less cheesy. Never heard of this show? I'm not surprised - it's in Portuguese. It's on Netflix though, so it will be relatively accessible. I started watching it with the default settings, which was the English dub, and was having a hard time getting into the acting, but thought the plot had potential. Partway through episode 2 I switched it to the original Portuguese with English subtitles, and my enjoyment grew exponentially. So, if you can handle the subtitles, it works so much better for the show. I have one episode left to go and then I'm on to Season 2. (P.S. I just heard it described as the Brazilian Hunger Games, and I kind of loved that).