Connection Corner: TV/Movie Recommendations

For this edition of Connection Corner, we share TV and movie recommendations from Meredith community members.

Catherine Rodgers, Professor of Theatre:

“The Gilded Age just premiered on HBO Max on January 24 and it doesn’t disappoint.  It is a new series brought to us by Julian Fellowes and it deals with the privileged folks who reside in New York City in the 1880s.  So, instead of the turn of the 20th-century British aristocracy found in Downton Abbey, we are treated to the battle of old American money versus new.  As expected, the costumes and scenery are exquisite, but it is the fine acting that sets this drama apart from the others.  All of the leads are members of the Broadway theater elite, showcasing the likes of Carrie Coon and Audra McDonald, plus talented newcomer Louisa Jacobson, Meryl Streep’s youngest daughter.  If you like historic charm and pure escapism, I highly recommend this show!”

Amanda Sullivan, Research and Instruction Librarian:
Shows:
“Ghosts – This is a cute new show for the States as the original was on the BBC. A couple moves into a gorgeous country mansion after inheriting it. They find the place falling apart, and plot twist(!), the wife can see and hear the ghosts who have died on the grounds. It’s a sweet and clever show and a perfect balm for these times.

Yellowjackets – I heard so many great things about this show, we ended up getting Showtime to watch it. Lighthearted it is not, but the story, acting, and anticipation of what will happen next had my husband and I hooked. I don’t want to give too much away, but there are two storylines, one takes place after a plane crashes in the wilderness with the high school girls’ soccer team. The other takes place in the present with the players who survived still dealing with the trauma of it all. Bonus, the older timeline takes place in the nineties so the music is great overall.

A Discovery of Witches – Of course as a librarian I’m going to say read the books first, but you should, and we have them at the library. It’s hard to describe the story in a few sentences, but here it goes. Diana Bishop, historian and witch, is the main character and accesses Ashmole 782 (a rare book) and knows she must solve its mysteries after looking through it. The main one being that species, which includes vampires, witches, and demons, are dying out. She meets Matthew Clairmont, a vampire, but witches should never trust vampires, and off we go! So many good characters, so many libraries, so many rare books, and time travel! And the author is herself a historian.

Movies:

Summer of Soul (Hulu) – This documentary, which just got nominated for an Oscar, deserves one! It’s about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which celebrated African American music and culture, and promoted Black pride and unity. For the length of this film, all feels right with the world and you can’t be thankful enough that this footage was found. Yes, it’s that good!

The Power of the Dog (Netflix)- This movie was so powerful, sorrowful, and beautiful. I can’t wait to read the book now though as the actors did such a great job getting across their inner dialogue I want to know more of the details of their characters inner workings.

Old Henry (Netflix) – This is an interesting, and at the end violent, approach to the Western trope and just a great movie to boot (no pun intended).”

Liza Bunce, Web Developer and Designer:

“The Imposters – Netflix – TV Show, 2 seasons – Drama, Mystery, Comedy – I rate it 5/5 it was so fun! Three people’s lives become intertwined after all being involved with a con-artist ring in one way or another. With someone after them, they must decide what’s worth it and what’s not as their lies grow. 

The Old Guard – Netflix – Movie – Action, Drama, History – 5/5 EXCELLENT action sequences, character relationships, plot, and use of history. Based on a comic series of the same name, four immortals who have been around for varying amounts of time are suddenly targeted for their powers. The character growth is *mwah*

Galavant – Netflix – TV Show, 2 seasons – COMEDY, Medieval, Musical – music by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater – Pretty great plot lines for what you would think, great serious parts and development but also a my-sides-hurt-from-laughing-so-hard comedy, 6/5.  Galavant has been described as “the illegitimate child of Monty Python and Princess Lady”.  A disastrous knight goes on a journey to win back the love of his life from the evil king and makes new friends, bonds, and realizations along the way. 

Over The Moon – Netflix – Movie – Animated, Grief, Love, Adventure, Family – Great animation, great plot and storyline with important messages, fun adventure. Really great characters and music.  When Fei Fei loses her mom and her Dad falls in love with someone else she travels to the moon to try and convince her dad that the legendary moon goddess exists and is still holding out hope for her true love. 

Kim’s Convenience – Netflix – TV Show, 5 seasons (completed) – COMEDY, Family, Drama, Love – 6/5 it’s so good and so funny, I need more people to watch it. I finished it before Shang-Chi came out, but Simu Lee is a main character in it! While running a convenience store in Toronto, members of a Korean-Canadian family deal with customers, each other, and the evolving world around them.”