So, 1st Blackheath Scouts had a movie night at the Scout hall, and we needed a solid data projector to show the movie. We’ve used a very old Epson projector in the past, but this time, we got our hands on the brand-new LUMOS AURO v2 Home Cinema projector. Big shoutout to LUMOS for letting us try out their latest model. Spoiler alert: It was a game-changer.
Unboxing and Setup
The kit arrived in two boxes: one for the stand and one for the projector. Setting up the stand was a piece of cake – join the two poles, attach the base plate, and top it off with the 360-degree ball head. It took less than five minutes, and voila! A rock-solid stand ready for action.
Unboxing the LUMOS AURO v2 was like opening a present. Inside, there was the projector, a remote control, a power cable, and an HDMI cable. The only thing missing? Two AAA batteries for the remote. No biggie, though.
Setting up the projector was just as easy. I attached it to the ball head adapter on the stand, plugged in the power cable, and switched it on. That’s it. Simple as that.
Projection Magic
I initially placed the projector in the middle of the Scout hall, thinking I needed some distance to fit the screen I had set up. Boy, was I wrong! The image filled the entire back wall of the hall, which is 9m wide and 3m high. Next time, I’m bringing a bigger screen to take full advantage of this beast’s capabilities. It can project up to a massive 200-inch screen if you have the space!
Once I adjusted the projector’s distance to the screen, it went into an auto-focus routine that left me in awe. In just a few seconds, the image was pin-sharp. Super impressive.
Testing and Performance
The LUMOS AURO v2 is Wi-Fi enabled, so I quickly connected it to my phone’s personal hotspot. Streaming YouTube videos was a breeze, and the preloaded officially certified apps (YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and more) worked flawlessly. Just log in, and you’re good to go.
The image resolution is top-notch – super sharp, with vibrant colours and great contrast. Even with the hall lights on, the brightness was incredible. A quick peek at the manual revealed why: 1080p native resolution and 6000 lumens. No wonder it was so bright!
The audio was equally impressive. Despite its compact size, the AURO v2 pumped out loud, clear sound with decent bass. Its certified Dolby Audio Dual (2) Speaker system had rich, strong bass and immersive sound. It was more than enough for a home cinema setup, though I added extra speakers in the large Scout hall to combat the inevitable Scout chatter and popcorn fights.
Next, I tested a film loaded onto a USB stick. Again, the AURO v2 didn’t disappoint. The image quality, colour vibrance, and contrast depth were superb. The Scouts started arriving, popcorn was popped, bean bags were prepped, and we were ready to roll.
The remote control was a pleasant surprise too. Easy to navigate in the dark and worked all the way from the back of the hall. A big win in my book.
Additional Features and User Experience
The projector’s user interface was a breeze to navigate. Everything was intuitive and easy to find, with no confusing menus. The remote control was just right – no unnecessary buttons, making it easy to use even in the dark.
The AURO v2 was silent during operation, a delightful contrast to the noisy old Epson. And it stayed cool throughout the movie, just lukewarm at the end, so we could pack it away immediately without waiting for it to cool down.
One standout feature was the automatic keystone and focus adjustment. Move the projector, and it quickly and accurately adjusted itself. Super handy and very impressive.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the LUMOS AURO v2 Home Cinema projector is an impressive piece of kit. The build quality is solid, the image and sound quality are mind-blowing, and it’s incredibly easy to use. At $498, it’s a steal compared to other projectors that cost three times as much. The Scouts loved the viewing experience, and so did I. It’s five stars from me.
Top marks, LUMOS. You’ve got a winner here.
Grab A Discount
If interested, you may use the promo code “MUMTPO25OFF” for a special -$25 off any purchase during website checkout.
“A man finds himself at war with a bee while house sitting a luxurious mansion. Who will win, and what irreparable damage will be done in the process?” IMDB.com
I recently watched Man vs Bee on Netflix and to say it stressed me out is an understatement. I got very uneasy and was shouting at the TV when disaster was going to strike and as you can imagine inevitably it did. As a person who never likes to see damage happen, I found it hard when priceless items were destroyed….all to rid the house of one bee!
However it was like wanting to know what happened in a disaster, I had to find out what happened, was Trevor going to triumph over the bee? Or will the bee get his revenge to Trevor’s demise?
What is Man vs Bee About?
“Man vs. Bee is a 2022 British comedy created and written by Rowan Atkinson and William Davies. The show consists of nine episodes, each of them directed by David Kerr. Atkinson stars as a down-on-his-luck man who finds himself entrenched in a battle with a bee while house-sitting a rich couple’s modern mansion. Jing Lusi, Claudie Blakley, Tom Basden, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Greg McHugh, and India Fowler also feature. Man vs. Bee premiered on Netflix on 24 June 2022 and received mixed reviews from critics.” Wikipedia
Rowan Atkinson is Trevor Bingley who is obsessed with removing a bee from a mansion that is filled with expensive everything; statues, artwork, clothes, cars, books, and more.
13 reasons why Trevor should never house sit
Breaks priceless statue When Trevor first arrives at the house he walks around admiring all the art and objects. You slowly realise that there are a lot of very expensive and priceless objects. He turns around and bumps a statue off a table. Trevor tries to remember how to open the kitchen cabinets from the information shared by Nina and Christian the homeowners but is finding it difficult, as he is looking for glue to fix the broken statue. Trevor finally finds super glue and fixes the broken statue by glueing the broken part back on. However, this scene has been found to have a continuity error. “One viewer couldn’t help but notice the moment during the first episode when the head of a broken statue hilariously flies across the room after Trevor tries to speedily glue it back together and dry it with a hairdryer. However, in the next shot, as Trevor looks on horrified, the head inexplicably appears back attached to the main body of the statue.” Hello Magazine
Trevor breaks the statue on the first day
Burns manual to house When Trevor met Nina and Christian they explained that the house has a manual, all that he will need to know is in this manual. The manual also had codes to unlock doors and other such items, if Trevor doesn’t have these codes the only way to open doors is using Nina’s voice as it is voice activated. Trevor put the manual on the induction stove top, he thought that he had turned on one area of the stove for a saucepan to heat up some food but had actually turned on the back part of the stove that the manual was sitting on and therefore set it alight. As you might guess the food never cooked or heated up and Trevor was not sure why it wasn’t working.
The instruction manual to the house
Locks Cupcake the dog in the library Cupcake the much-loved dog of Nina and Christian is not allowed in the library. The library is the home of some very rare books and one, in particular, is a manuscript that is on display on a platform that is carefully lit. Trevor was given explicit instructions to make sure that the dog was never allowed in and in his panic to try and rid the living area of the bee didn’t realise that Cupcake snuck inside while Trevor was distracted making it easy for the door to lock after him. Trevor remembers that the codes were to do with famous naval battles and magically remembers what the code is but then the door will not open unless he sounds like Nina, so Trevor spends time perfecting his female Nina-like voice to open the library door.
Cupcake destroys priceless manuscript While Cupcake is trapped in the library she destroys the priceless antique manuscript that the homeowners were protecting and valued. It is torn to shreds and as you can imagine the rest of the library is a mess too.
Cupcake destroys priceless manuscript
Ruins a Kandinsky sculpture Trevor breaks parts of the Kandinsky sculpture and works hard to fix it. He replaces the artwork with a metal hand beater and other things to make it appear like it was before it was broken.
Rips a Mondrian painting Trevor accidentally rips the painting by using a hammer to try and open the door to the library that is locked. He attempts to break the glass on the library door and then the hammer slips out of his hand and flies backwards to then slide and rip down the expensive painting. Trevor fixes this issue with tape and colouring it to appear like the red on the painting. At one point the tape falls down to show that there indeed has been damaged and that it is not perfect.
Painting with a hammer stuck in it
Makes cupcake the dog sick Trevor has been warned that Cupcake cannot eat peanut butter, if she eats it she has diarrhoea and farts a lot…and as you can imagine it was not good and very stinky. Due to Cupcake having an upset belly and doing terrible poos inside it affects Trevor when he crawls back inside the house with Cupcake’s collar that opens automatically the dog door. Trevor accesses the house with the dog door due to locking himself outside of the house and then lands right into the dog poo.
Cupcake eats peanut butter and then gets very sick
Wears the furs of the homeowners while covered in dog poo Trevor is covered in dog poo when there is a police officer at the door. He doesn’t know what to do as he is not dressed adequately, he panics and finds a fur coat to wear when he answers the door, he is also still wearing the dog collar. While speaking with the police officer the officer finds that Trevor is rather smelly and finds his outfit rather troubling. The police officer is letting homeowners know that there is a band of burglars that are breaking into houses and to be aware.
Posions Cupcake the dog In an effort to rid the house of the pesky bee, Trevor traps it in the pantry and then has a poisonous bomb of cleaning chemicals. To lure the bee into the pantry Trevor put peanut butter on a knife and left it in the pantry with the door open, this then also lured in Cupcake the dog. Trevor thought it was just the bee and shut the door trapping Cupcake in the pantry when he let off the chemicals. House sitters are trusted to look after animals, not kill them or try to…well you hope this never happens.
Freaking out after he nearly kills Cupcake the dog
Torches the house In one last-ditch effort to rid the bee from the house and away from Trevor he torches the house. As you might imagine this caused terrible damage and burnt the house too. Torching houses of course is not what a housesitter should do and one that you would think that a bee would not survive, but this bee is rather clever and cunning…. Yes maybe the bee has a cunning plan Trevor
Torches the house to remove the bee
Damages a priceless E-type Jaguar After nearly killing Cupcake the dog Trevor needs to get her to the vet. Trevor decides to drive the very rare and super expensive E-Type Jaguar to get much-needed medical help for cupcake. On the way to the vet he damages the car, to make sure he had all the broken bits he made sure to put them in the car and magically made it to the vet, and spoiler alert….Cupcake was okay.
Bombs the house Trevor is so over this bee and is dead set on wanting to get rid of it for good. He believes he has captured it and then devises a bomb to kill it for good. He lets off the bomb in the garden but it impacts the house and also the car too.
Unknowingly let burglars into the house Trevor had no idea that he let the burglars into the house. The team of men were locked in the house and was in the process of robbing the house of Nina and Christian’s valuables. As a house sitter, you should really know if you have burglars in the house and poor Trevor had no idea.
What did I think of Man vs Bee?
I found the show reminiscent of Mr Bean but the character of Trevor was different. Trevor was more caring and human and Mr Bean is rather selfish in his behavoiur. The drama that Trevor got into as a result of a bee was horrible and there was so much destruction. I found myself yelling at the television about certain things, and telling Trevor loudly, “NO don’t do that!!!!” “Oh NO!”
The show has very short episodes and some by the time you start have ended, so it is very easy to watch the whole season in one go. I did find myself annoyed at all the destruction and rather upset about it but had to watch it to the end. Some things were very funny and others I found rather troublesome. I wasn’t a fan of showing how to poison a bee or kill a bee as they are needed for our survival. Bees pollinate our food and help everyone. However, I know the bee was used as a demonstration of something that plagued Trevor, leading to him not letting go and focusing on that above anything else.
I am not sure that Man vs Bee is for everyone. If you were like me you might get upset with all the destruction and be too stressed out to watch more.
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What have you been watching lately? Well, I have a few things I have binged watched, and thoroughly enjoyed. Below is a list of shows in no particular order.
In this post are 12 shows to binge-watch – I hope you enjoy them as much as I did
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4
I have watched all the other seasons of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and was keen to see what would happen in the fourth installment.
What is the 4th season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel About?
“The fourth season finds Midge enraged and humiliated after being fired. She struggles to restart her career and vows to only do headliner gigs, not opening acts. Complicating matters, a Daily News reporter continually disparages Midge’s performances in print. Meanwhile, a jealous Sophie Lennon again thwarts Midge’s career. Joel’s landlords are unhappy that his successful club draws attention to their illegal activities. Joel also copes with girlfriend Mei’s unexpected pregnancy, his mother’s meddling, and his father’s heart attack. Midge becomes the comic emcee at a strip club, seemingly content to languish there until police raid the place. Lenny Bruce gets Midge out in time, then helps reboot her career.” Wikipedia.
Severance
Severance is a very mysterious show that only reveals little bits of the story and makes you question everything. It always ends with you learning a little bit more but in fact still not knowing mostly everything and yes leaves you with more unanswered questions. Even though the show makes you want more it is intriguing, and engaging and has you wonder what is going to happen next.
What is Severance About?
“From Ben Stiller and creator Dan Erickson, Severance centres around Mark Scout (Adam Scott), a leader of a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives.
Poster for Severance
This experiment in ‘work-life balance’ is called into question as Mark finds himself at the centre of an unravelling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work… and of himself.
Severance features Adam Scott, who stars alongside Academy Award winner Patricia Arquette, Emmy-winner John Turturro, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Dichen Lachman, Jen Tullock, Tramell Tillman, Michael Chernus, and Academy Award winner Christopher Walken.”
The last episode ends with you learning more about Hellie R and I had no idea about her real life (referenced as her outie). I am sure you will be shocked when you see this too… and no I will not give you any spoilers.
Russian Doll
I was wondering what to watch and found Russian Doll on Netflix, and yes I am late to the party to have suddenly discovered season 1. This late discovery has an upside, season 2 comes out April 20th, and looks very interesting. The show has taken a turn that I had not thought of. In season 2 it appears that it is playing with time travel. At the time of posting this post, I have only watched 2 episodes of the second series and so far it is very good and not the way I thought the time travel would occur.
Russian Doll Season 2
What is Russian Doll About?
Nadia Vulvokov who is played by Natasha Lyonne dies in horrible accidents and also silly accidents that you think couldn’t kill you but they do kill Nadia. She always comes back to life and relives the same night of her birthday. Nadia ends up in the bathroom every time she comes back to life and then wonders why she is there and no one else is going through what she is. No one knows that she is living the same day. Although she lives the same day over and over again (yes a little like groundhog day) Nadia manages to have a few things change, but she keeps on dying and yes ending up back in the bathroom at her birthday party yet again.
During a freak meeting, Nadia meets Alan Charlie Barnett who is going through the same thing as Nadia. Alan keeps on dying and reliving the same day soon. Nadia and Alan work on a plan to try and break the cycle and finally live a different day and of course not die.
It is a clever and funny show that also has dramatic and touching moments. Be prepared for a lot of swearing and Nadia smoking what appears to be boxes and boxes of cigarettes (as a nonsmoker I find this harder than the drinking in the show). Even with the smoking, it is a fun and addictive show that is a refreshing take on reliving the same moment over and over again.
The Chestnut Man
What is Chestnut Man About?
The Chestnut Man is a Danish drama. It starts in 1987 with a horrible murder of a whole family but with only two survivors, kids from the family were the only people to live after a terrible violent event. ” More than thirty years later, in present-day Copenhagen, a young woman is found murdered in a playground with one of her hands missing. Detective Naia Thulin is assigned to the case. With her reluctant new partner, Mark Hess, they notice a tiny figurine made of chestnuts lying next to the body. A mysterious piece of evidence is soon discovered on the chestnut man—the fingerprint of a missing girl, the daughter of politician Rosa Hartung.”
I was hooked on this show and needed to find out who the Chestnut Man was and more about the 30-year mystery. It is not a show for kids and is just for adults only. Many of the images are quite grizzly and would give kids nightmares. I for one love murder mysteries and a show that has good suspense as well as a story gets me hooked, and that is what the Chestnut Man did for me.
Safe
What is Safe about?
Tom Delaney played by Michael C. Hall is a widowed surgeon. During the first episode Tom’s teenage daughter goes missing and during his search to find her he begins uncovering the dark secrets of the people closest to him.
I quite liked this show as it was a thriller and a who done it and one that had you guessing what would happen next. However, due to Michael C. Hall’s English accent, I was rather curious about that due to the fact that he is indeed American and has never to my knowledge played anyone that is not American. It took me a while to see him as an English father, and mind you he did a good job but for me, it was his accent. I felt that he could have been an American father in England and that would have made his role much more convincing.
Bridgerton Season 2
I watched series 1 of Bridgerton and thought it was very entertaining, mainly the very good-looking men, and the scenes where they are naked were a nice touch to the story. I was not only taken by the good-looking cast but also by the pomp and pageantry of costumes, decor and so much more of the show.
What is Bridgerton Season 2 About?
Did you know? “Bridgerton‘s second season is the most-watched English-language television series on Netflix with 627.11 million hours viewed since its March 25, 2022 launch.”
Grey’s Anatomy Series 18
I have watched Grey’s Anatomy since it started 18 years ago…wow it has been running a long time. In one episode in Series 18, they did flashbacks of when some characters started at the hospital and gosh they looked so young. If you have never watched an episode you have 18 years of shows to catch up on, I have been totally involved in the characters’ lives.
“Grey’s Anatomy is an American medical drama television series. The show “focuses on the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they develop into seasoned doctors while balancing personal and professional relationships.” Wikipedia
Dead to Me– Season 3 (Final season – hopefully this year)
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I read a little about the show, and of course love Kristen Bell so watched the first episode and was hooked. I think I finished the whole first series in a weekend. You could do it in a day if you didn’t have interruptions with kids and other things to do.
The show is a suspense thriller but also has some dark humour rolled into it as well. I found myself guessing and yes there is a HUGE plot twist that I didn’t guess at all, so make sure to keep watching until the end.
This is one show that I now cannot what for series 2, and yes, I binged it.
The way it ends it indicates that there will be another series, and I hope I am right.
What is The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window about?
Anna (Kristen Bell) is homebound due to a tragedy that you don’t learn about until later in the show. You see her staring out her window and loosing herself in copious amounts of red wine. She sees a new handsome neighbour move in across the street and she starts to wonder about him and his little girl. One night while watching the world through her window sees a murder, well she thinks she did, but no one believes her. Now she is doubting herself and trying to prove what she saw to the local police by doing her own detective work.
This is another show that uses the whole Hitchcock Rear Window theme, the plot is advanced by the main character Anna staring out her window. I will be writing soon about another show “Only Murders in the Building” where it is very similar to Rear Window and in that post I will address why.
Here are two lines that I loved from the show:
“No thank you I don’t drink wine anymore.. I’ll have a vodka”
“You are no longer in my prayers”
Have you loved The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window? What is it you liked so much?
Also I wondered about the extremely long title. The meeting with the executives about this title would have been interesting, and it definitely gets you interested. I for one was curious about it and then got hooked. Maybe it is clever marketing and we will see longer titles?
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Would you like a list of some new shows to add to your watch list? If you said yes, then I have a few for you.
I’ve been watching some really great shows and I thought it might be nice to share them with you.
Panic
What is the show about?
“In the summer after their senior year, 47 graduates participate in the annual Panic competition. Winning Panic with a cash prize of $50,000 will allow them to escape their small Texas town of Carp. After the rules change they must decide what risks they will take to escape their home town.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_(TV_series)
The show is based on Lauren Oliver’s book Panic which was released on March 4, 2014. The story is about high school seniors that play a daring competition that gets more dangerous as the activities and actions for each level exceed the danger of the previous ones…in fact, the things that the kids are asked to do are downright horrible and silly. I would never participate in this game.
Even though personally you would never do the things in the game Panic, you get invested in the main character, Heather Nill (played by Olivia Welch) and want her to win to allow her to follow her dreams.
I really enjoyed the show, although I cringed a few moments due to the dangerous actions. I liked the way the friendship group of Even though personally, you would never do the things in the game Panic, you get invested in the main character, Heather Nill was very supportive even though they were from vastly different backgrounds.
If you want a show that makes you wonder what is going to happen next, then this is for you.
We have Stephen King to thank for this mini-series, the show is based on his book of the same name. The Outsider is also produced by Jason Bateman (Bateman is only in 2 or so episodes) and Ben Mendelsohn, both also star in the show.
If you truly wanted a show that makes you second guess things, question what has happened, and have supernatural storylines, this is your show.
What is the show about?
The show is about one horrible crime that has police second-guessing themselves. The evidence contradicts everything the police know about the case. Not only is this not the first horrible crime that has contradicting evidence no one believes that the person accused of the crime is actually innocent.
Ben Mendelsohn who plays Ralph Anderson is troubled about how the case is not adding up, why is their evidence of the person being in two different places at the same time and places that are not possible to travel to if you are already in one town. Ralph powers through his sensible nature and finally comes around to the supernatural forces at play with all these crimes.
I loved this show and am rather sad that currently there is no series two. After looking it up on the internet, Stephen King said that a season two was written and planned but HBO has not renewed the series, and therefore the show is shopping it around to see who will back the next series.
I started watching this series ages ago and although it is more wholesome than other shows listed here, I got attached to finding out what happened to the characters.
What is the show about?
“Virgin River follows Melinda “Mel” Monroe, who answers an ad to work as a midwife and nurse practitioner in the remote Northern California town of Virgin River, thinking it will be the perfect place to start fresh and leave her painful memories behind. But she soon discovers that small-town living isn’t quite as simple as she expected. She must learn to heal herself before she can truly make Virgin River her home.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_River_(TV_series)
This show is based on the Loki character from the Avengers film. The television show is rather quirky and although it is set in the future the set and props seem to be based in the past and very retro.
Owen Wilson plays the main investigator (Mobius) who gets special permission to have Loki help him find the other Loki’s in the different times across the other universes.
Loki is played by Tom Hiddleston and some of the dialogue is very amusing and Hiddleston delivery of the character is very humorous at times.
The show “shares continuity with the films of the franchise and takes place after the events of the film Avengers: Endgame (2019), in which an alternate version of Loki created a new timeline. Loki is produced by Marvel Studios, with Waldron serving as head writer and Kate Herron directing for the first season. Tom Hiddleston reprises his role as Loki from the film series, with Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wunmi Mosaku, Eugene Cordero, Tara Strong, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, Sasha Lane, Jack Veal, DeObia Oparei, Richard E. Grant, and Jonathan Majors also starring.” (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9140554/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)
I rather like the quirky nature of this show and the fact that it looks like a 1960’s or 70’s show with the set design.
This show is another quirky one and is rather funny. The whole style of the show is very much like Wes Anderson’s style. It is a very very strange but fun show, that, of course, makes you want to find out more of the story and of course you on get bits and pieces, which makes you want to find out more.
What is the show about?
“During a global emergency from a suffering economy and other factors, Mr. Benedict, a very talented and smart individual, recruits four kids for a dangerous mission to infiltrate The Institute. The Institute is a school run by Mr. Curtain, who is sending messages that infiltrate one’s subconscious, which makes him able to slip in ideas and thoughts into people’s minds. Mr. Benedict sends the four kids he has recruited into The Institute to stop this nefariousness and to save the world from Mr. Curtain’s control.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mysterious_Benedict_Society_(TV_series)
The show stars Tony Hale who also played Gary in VEEP.
This is a very interesting documentary about money, the economy and the rich. One thing that I liked, was does money make you a dick or do dick’s attract money?
The documentary is presented by Kal Penn and it is very informative, entraining and also funny.
I loved the Leverage series and Leverage Redemption is pretty good. The new show is missing Timothy Hutton, and this might have something to do with a lawsuit that is against him (this was from over 20 odd years ago but the studio wanted to distance themselves from the bad press, so new series without Hutton happened)
Move forward to the new show, the same cast is there and to balance the missing link without Hutton, Noah Wylie is the new person and I must say fits in nicely.
What is the show about?
“Reformed criminals put their unique skills to good use by helping ordinary people fight back against corporate and governmental injustices.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leverage:_Redemption)
Evil
I love this show, it is scary and also rather funny. Some of the dialogue the way it is delivered is very clever and funny.
What is the show about?
“A skeptical forensic psychologist (Herbers) allies with a Catholic seminarian (Colter) and a technology contractor (Mandvi) to investigate purported supernatural incidents.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_(TV_series)
There are funny scenes with a ghost or supernatural creature called, ‘George’ and he is very creepy but the way he interacts with the lead character Dr. Kristen Bouchard is played by Katja Herbers.
One of the evil characters is Dr. Leland Townsend who is played by Michael Emerson, and you will know him from LOST and Person of Interest.
I am sure you will love this show too and you can find Evil on Stan.
While compiling this list I have noticed that the following shows have new seasons available:
I hope you like this list of shows that will keep you occupied during lockdown, it is nice to go somewhere but not having anything to watch is even worse.
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Emerald Fennell who is nominated for best director at the 2021 Oscars for Promising Young Woman
Two women have been nominated for best director at this years Oscars. I don’t understand why more women haven’t been nominated over the years.
Not only have there been nominations for women in this years Oscars but there has been more people of colour nominated as well, and about bloody time.
Emerald Fennell who is nominated for best director at the 2021 Oscars for Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman is a black comedy thriller that is stunning to watch. I was lucky to see it at Mt Vic Flicks a while ago now.
The film was written, produced and directed by Emerald Fennell who has been the show runner for Killing Eve (another one of my favourite shows). Promising Young Woman was Emerald Fennell’s directoral debut.
Promising Young Woman received the best original screenplay at the Critics’ Choice Awards, has been nominated at the Golden Globes for Best Screenplay, Best Film and Best Director.
Carey Mulligan who plays Cassie Thomas seeks revenge for her best friends rape at medical school. Mulligan plays the strategic Cassie so well that you are in the world of revenge and you want to help Cassie get justice too. I did find it sad that both Cassie and her best mate lost their lives to a horrible tragedy with the sexual assault and rape. You find out that her friend who was raped killed herself and Cassie has been seeking revenge for her bestie ever since. Both girls were at the top of their class and could have been amazing doctors and who knows, cure a disease we have been trying to rid the world of. I do understand the anger and upset but I am saddened that something like this ruins lives and makes people drop out of school, change direction and not live the life they deserve or have been working towards. It is also sad that it shows yet again that men and boys get protected and the women and girls doubted and not taken seriously when they take incidents like this to higher channels to get resolved and of course have the boys or men charged and answer for their crimes. After seeing this movie with a girlfriend of mine I remarked that it is horrible to think that these talented girls let the boys win by taking their dreams. I know being raped and assaulted is horrible and I do agree that the men responsible needed to pay and be probably punished but losing your life to one horrible incindet is horrible too. If you have seen the film let me know your thoughts.
Chloé Zhao is nominated for Best Director for Nomadland
Frances McDormand and Peter Spears optioned the film rights to the book in 2017. McDormand saw After seeing Chloé Zhao’s film The Rider at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival and wanted Zhao to direct the
The nominations for the 2021 Oscars are….. drum roll please……
Best Picture The Father Judas and the Black Messiah Mank Minari Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Director Thomas Vinterburg, Another Round Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman David Fincher, Mank Lee Isaac Chung, Minari Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Best Actress in a Leading Role Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman Frances McDormand, Nomadland Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
Best Actor in a Leading Role Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Anthony Hopkins, The Father Gary Oldman, Mank Steven Yeun, Minari
Best Actress in a Supporting Role Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy Olivia Colman, The Father Amanda Seyfried, Mank Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7 Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah Leslie Odom Jr., One Night in Miami Paul Raci, Sound of Metal LaKeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah
Best Adapted Screenplay Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (Peter Baynham, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jena Friedman, Anthony Hines, Lee Kern, Dan Mazer, Erica Rivinoja & Dan Swimer) The Father (Christopher Hampton & Florian Zeller) Nomadland (Chloé Zhao) One Night in Miami (Kemp Powers) The White Tiger (Ramin Bahrani)
Best Original Screenplay Judas and the Black Messiah (Will Berson, Shaka King, Keith Lucas & Kenny Lucas) Minari (Lee Isaac Chung) Promising Young Woman (Emerald Fennell) Sound of Metal (Derek Cianfrance, Abraham Marder & Darius Marder) The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Aaron Sorkin)
Best Costume Design Emma Mank Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mulan Pinocchio
Best Original Score Da 5 Bloods Mank Minari News of the World Soul
Best Animated Short Film Burrow Genius Loci If Anything Happens I Love You Opera Yes-People
Best Live-Action Short Film Feeling Through The Letter Room The Present Two Distant Strangers White Eye
Best Documentary Feature Collective Crip Camp The Mole Agent My Octopus Teacher Time
Best Documentary Short Subject Colette A Concerto Is a Conversation Do Not Split Hunger Ward A Love Song for Latasha
Best International Feature Film Denmark, Another Round Hong Kong, Better Days Romania, Collective Tunisia, The Man Who Sold His Skin Bosnia and Herzegovina, Quo Vadis, Aida?
Best Sound Greyhound Mank News of the World Sound of Metal Soul
Best Production Design The Father Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mank News of the World Tenet
Best Film Editing The Father Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Cinematography Judas and the Black Messiah Mank News of the World Nomadland The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Visual Effects Love and Monsters The Midnight Sky Mulan The One and Only Ivan Tenet
Best Animated Feature Film Onward Over the Moon A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon Soul Wolfwalkers
Best Makeup and Hairstyling Emma Hillbilly Elegy Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mank Pinocchio
Best Original Song “Husavik” from Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga “Fight For You” from Judas and the Black Messiah “lo Sì (Seen)” from The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se) “Speak Now” from One Night in Miami “Hear My Voice” from The Trial of the Chicago 7
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It is so great to see more women getting nominated. Have you seen any of these films? If so what are your thoughts?
I don’t know if I’m late to the party but I just recently finished watching the Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit”
I was tempted to start watching by myself but decided to include hubby in my tv watching decision. I must say that we both loved it and consumed the episodes at great speed.
Netflix poster for The Queen’s Gambit
So what is The Queen’s Gambit About?
The show is based on Walter Trevis’s 1983 novel called, The Queen’s Gambit.
It is about a girl called, Beth Harmon who gets orphaned after a car accident kills her mum. The show starts in the 1950s and progresses through the 1960s.
After Beth is orphaned she is taken to an orphanage for girls. She is then introduced to chess from the building custodian, Mr Shaibel. While at the orphanage she is exposed to taking daily tranquillizers as this is a way the home keeps the children under control. Due to taking these pills daily, Beth grew to rely on them.
Mr Shaibel teaching a young Beth Harmon to play chess
Beth sneaks downstairs to have secret chess lessons from Mr Shaibel and it is slowly revealed that she is a chess prodigy. Mr Shaibel introduces Beth to a contact at the local high school that has a chess group so that Beth can learn more and be exposed with other fellow chess players.
Beth enters chess tournaments and gets better and better. It is interesting to watch how Beth grows up as a young woman and becomes her own person rather than relying on a mother figure or another adult.
Also, I was taken with the 1960’s fashion and furnishings. Just loved this part of the show too.
I loved this show, it was fun, griping and a good drama.
Many of my friends have raved about this series and I thought I will get to it one day. If you have heard good things about this show I would urge you to give it a go.
We have loved having Netflix and it has been godsent with lockdowns and not being able to travel or go anywhere in 2020 and also in 2021.
Send some more suggestions for more shows that I can binge watch.
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Kids can build a Piper Computer Kit – Great STEM Project
Television is great escapism and a fantastic distraction from your every day. Also as a busy mum having some fun being immersed in a fun new world that is just my escape is wonderful.
Are you into binge-watching TV? If you are a fan of Netflix or Hulu, you would know that they have all episodes available at
I love watching a few episodes of my favourite shows when the kids are at school and hubby is at work. This quiet time means that I can finally do my own thing and enjoy my own shows. Currently due to watching them all, I am now in waiting mode for the next season, however, this will most likely be next year before this happens.
Below is a list of shows I have loved and of course binge watched due to the fact that it was so good, and I had to find out what will happen next. I hope that they all have new seasons so that we can enjoy more fun from these great shows and creators.
Don’t worry NO SPOILERS SWEETIE
Dead to Me
I was on Instagram and saw Alyssa Milano’s post about Christina Applegate’s new show, “Dead to Me”. I like Christina’s previous work so thought why not give the new show a go. (Yes I follow Alyssa Milano and no she’s not following me.)
Alyssa was right Dead to Me is fantastic and so addictive. I watched it in record time as I was keen to find out what happens.
So what is Dead to Me About?
“A hotheaded widow searching for the hit-and-run driver who mowed down her husband befriends an eccentric optimist who isn’t quite what she seems.” Netflix
Christina Applegate plays Jen Harding who is a real estate agent. Her husband was killed in a hit and run accident and she is grieving his loss.
Harding (Applegate) attends a grief group run by the church to help her deal with her feelings. While there she meets Judy Hale who is played by Linda Cardellini. Hale appears to be a very nice and endearing woman who is grieving too until you learn about her dark secret. (I won’t spoil it for you, but it is a HUGE AND BIG SECRET!!!)
Jen doesn’t deal well with touchy feeling and woo woo stuff to make her feel good. She is all about saying FUCK and listening to loud rock/heavy metal music to deal with her feelings and grief. A glass of wine and a few joints are also in the mix as she is having a hard time working, dealing with her two kids, and the aftermath of losing her husband suddenly to a hit and run.
Anytime she sees a car that looks like it could be the one that hit her hubby she stops, takes pictures and writes down the number plate, and of course, reports it to the local police. The police that are tasked with her husband’s case have nothing to go on, so are finding it hard to impossible to track down who it could have been that killed her husband.
During Jen’s search she uncovers information about her husband that is upsetting and troubling, she then questions the marriage before the accident and herself.
The show is a drama but also a dark comedy as there are some moments that are hilarious and you will find yourself laughing out loud.
According to Wikipedia, “On June 3, 2019, Netflix renewed the series for a second season”
Yippeeee more Dead to Me to come soon.
If you haven’t seen this show, download it today and binge watch it when you have some time for you.
Good Girls
Good Girls stars Christina Hendricks from Mad Men and she is a mother to four kids who discovers that her husband has invested badly and they don’t have any money, oh and not to mention that he has been cheating on her with a young thing from his car dealership.
Her sister and bestie are also struggling financially and to help everyone they all decide to rob the supermarket that Hendricks sister works at. All three of them end up with more money than they bargained on and this, in turn, leads to a visit by a gang who wants their money back.
Due to spending some of this money, they find creative ways to try and pay it back, and during this period get sucked into doing more and more for this gang. The three friends end up money laundering for the gang.
Beth who is played by Hendricks realises that she is good at crime and actually loves it. It is different from being a stay at home mum, exciting, challenging and interesting, and of course dangerous and scary.
There have been two series of Good Girls and as I was new to it binge watched them.
The show is a drama and at times a comedy. I am sure you will love it as much as I do and now hanging for the next instalment for all the characters.
Who plays who:
Christina Hendricks – Beth Boland
Retta – Ruby Hill (best friend to Beth and Annie)
Mae Whitman – Annie Marks (Beth’s sister)
Good news, according to VarietyGood Girls has been renewed for Season 3! Happy days, and now to wait until the new shows are out.
Catch 22
Catch 22 is based on the novel written by Joseph Heller.
“The novel is set during World War II, from 1942 to 1944. It mainly follows the life of Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air ForcesB-25 bombardier. Most of the events in the book occur while the fictional 256th Squadron is based on the island of Pianosa, in the Mediterranean Sea, west of Italy. The novel looks into the experiences of Yossarian and the other airmen in the camp, who attempt to maintain their sanity while fulfilling their service requirements so that they may return home.” Wikipedia.
Yossarian who is played by Christoper Abbott is keen to get out of flying his missions as he believes that the next one might be his last. Every time he gets close to the end of his missions, the number of missions get raised. Yes, he thought he was close to done and then has to do more!
Yossarian or otherwise known as Yo Yo tries to see if he can be classified as crazy to get out of missions but then finds out due to the Catch 22 issue this is not possible.
The show is a comedy-drama about World War II and the life of the bombers and the reality of the missions they were involved with. After watching this series it is a wonder that anyone survived being a bomber in the war. It would have been so stressful, scary and if you didn’t get hit by enemy fire you would be super lucky.
During the show, many of the characters die and the impact it has on Yo Yo and the other men of the squadron.
Hugh Laurie and George Clooney are in the show too and they play interesting characters. Clooney is one of the producers of the series.
I’m not sure there will be any more of Catch 22, but if there isn’t another season this one is a must see.
Daniel David Stewart who plays Milo is a fabulous wheeler and dealer and I’m sure this happened a lot during the war. Lewis Pullman who plays Major Major is great too, and the play on his name is so funny.
If you haven’t seen this series yet, download it now and you will love it as much as I do.
Killing Eve
Killing Eve is a spy thriller that is based on the Codename Villanelle novella series by Luke Jennings.
“Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh), a desk-bound British intelligence officer, begins to track down talented psychopathic assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer), while both women become obsessed with each other.”
The show is based in the UK and the relationship between Polastri and Villanelle and it is interesting to see how the relationship develop.
Killing Eve has just recently finished its third season. Hopefully, there will be a fourth season.
I love Villanelle’s playfulness and her comedy with Eve, although she is a killer there are times that are very funny.
Watch it now to get up to speed on all three seasons. I’m really hoping there is more to come.
Barry
Barryis a dark comedy about a hitman who is sent to LA to kill someone but ends up joining a theatre group and wanting to become an actor.
The theatre group is run by Gene Cousineau which is played by Henry Winkler. Winkler is superb as Gene guiding his acting students in the right way to do scenes, rehearse and audition for parts. He is larger than life character that makes you laugh out loud.
Barry is played by Bill Hader who co-created the series with Alec Berg. Hader plays Barry Birkman who is searching for more meaning rather than being a hitman and being at the beck and call of others. He would like to simplify his life and be normal like everyone else.
Barry is constantly dealing with a gang that draws him into killing people, his manager that sets up the hits and his newfound friendships with the other actors and a new relationship with Sally Reed who is played by Sarah Goldberg.
It is very funny and an interesting twist of events for a career-changing hitman. If you haven’t seen this show yet, I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I do.
I hope this gives you a few choices for what to watch now that Game of Thrones (GoT) has ended.
I’ve left out a few others that I have been watching but will write on those later.
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I saw everyone’s posts and comments about Marie Kondo and thought it looked interesting.
The rave reviews kept on coming in and not just from my network of friends, people I follow on Instagram and others online were now massive fans of Marie Kondo.
I like everyone else wondered what all the fuss was about, and had to see her new show , “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo”
Yes, I might be late to get with the KonMari Method or watch it. I did know about it before but never implemented it. My auntie read Marie’s book and followed what she recommended and has had great results.
Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, watch the new show on NetFlix
So just in case you have no idea who Marie Kondois here is a brief overview:
Marie Kondo is a tidying expert and a best selling author. Her latest show is featured on Netflix and if you haven’t seen it yet, I would recommend you watch all episodes. I’ve nearly completed the series and I must say that the results are stunning to say the least.
Not only does Marie help families, and couples with their clutter the flow on effect changes relationships and allows for a more harmonious home.
“The KonMari Method™ encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service – then let them go.
People around the world have been drawn to this philosophy not only due to its effectiveness, but also because it places great importance on being mindful, introspective and forward-looking.”
Only keep items that spark joy – The KonMari Method
I had no idea that the show had made a deep impact until I was shopping with one of my daughters and I tried on a dress. This dress looked okay but I was unsure about it. My daughter said I looked pretty in it, but deep down I felt dumpy and frumpy in it.
I then said to her after a lot of to and froing that “the dress didn’t spark joy”
Yep, Now I’m using Marie’s signature phrase, only keep or have things that spark joy.
I asked myself, “Does this dress spark joy?”
And the answer was a BIG NO! So this dress never got purchased and has saved my bank balance and the clutter that it would be adding to my chaotic house currently.
Who knew from a few episodes already that I would be looking for items that really spark joy and that I actually need.
My aim for 2019 is to implement the KonMari Method so that our house in all rooms and wherever you look is super organised. Once done, we should be able to find anything we want and be happy for guests to turn up announced. (Currently we need to clean for days so that we can have people over – busy mum with 3 kids)
I have noticed that charity shops have been overwhelmed with donations and I think that the KonMari method might be largely responsible for this. I do hope that all the usable items go to people and places that need them.
Some charity organisations have said that they cannot accept anymore donations. Hopefully when I start my process of tidying I can give away items that might help others.
Have you been watching Marie Kondo’s new show on Netflix?
Have you put her method into practice?
If you have let me know how using the KonMari Method has helped you, the house and family.
Not an actual picture of the kids desk but pretty accurate. Soon the KonMari Method will make this image of mess no more!
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