Thanks to our not-so-friendly neighborhood pandemic, many of us are spending more time at home this summer. And if you’re like me, you’re finding the entertainment options challenging. No sports (I’m particularly missing the Olympics as well as the tennis grand slam tournaments) and few normally scheduled summer programming options.
I am watching a lot of Food Network, my go-to for clean TV in the summer. (I’m currently enjoying Big Time Bake and Guy’s Grocery Games.) However, one cannot live on Food Network alone.
Thankfully, I’ve run across a handful of new options on Netflix lately that I have enjoyed, and I thought I would share them with you.
The English Game – This historical mini series is set in 1879 England and chronicles the the invention of football and how it quickly rose to become the world’s most popular game by crossing class divides. I really enjoyed the juxtaposition between upper and working classes, and how the main characters grew the more they came to see things from the other’s perspective. My favorite part of the entire piece was the relationship between Arthur Kinnaird and his wife. I loved reading the historical notes at the beginning of episode one and end of episode six. There is a tiny bit of language, but overall, it is pleasantly clean. I even got my hubby to watch since it featured soccer. He played, coached, and now refs the game.
Crazy Delicious – I’ve already shared my penchant for watching cooking competition shows with you, but this one was a fun new discovery. It’s like the Great British Baking Show in an enchanted fairy tale forest. I’m loving the creativity and imagination of the home cooks. Not to mention the fabulous sets and adorable hostess with her pet bunny! If you like cooking shows and fairy tales, you’ll love this one.
Ride Like a Girl – I watched this movie last weekend with my daughter. It’s the inspirational true story of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup despite facing odds of a 100 to 1. She was the youngest of 10 children, raised without her mother who died when she was just 6 months old. Her father was in the racing business, so his children tended to gravitate to that world, but none more strongly than Michelle. I love watching stories about strong women who defy the odds, and if there are horses and Aussie accents involved, even better! There was a lovely spiritual element to the show, as well, which I enjoyed.
What have you watched lately that you would recommend?
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I have recently started watching “The Crown” on Netflix. Love it!
I’ve heard great things about that show, Rebecca. I haven’t watched it yet, but I have it in my queue. I really need to try it out.
I have recently found and binged in the dark on Netflix, there’s only season one till Friday, when season two is up. It’s about a young, twenty something woman, who’s blind. Now, I’m going to add that, it’s not for the faint at heart, because Murphy, the young twenty something woman, isn’t only blind, but is very rude, snarky and blunt. She’s also one to drown her moods, attitudes, everything, with sex. So if you’re ok with that, enjoy, if not, not a biggie. Outside of those two points, it’s really a great show.
Sounds interesting, Eva. I’ve brainstormed a couple book ideas with blind characters, and it sounds like that would make great research fodder if I ever decide to move forward with one of those. Thanks for the content warning, too.
We binged on all the seasons of Foyle’s War and loved it. Now I’m sorry it’s over.
I haven’t seen that one, Lynn. I’ll have to look it up!
I’ve been watching a show called When Calls the Heart it’s about a young woman who goes to be a school teacher in a little town in the west called Coal valley where she makes it her home it’s also on Netflix
I SO recommend it!!!!
I saw the first season of that show, Anna. It’s loosely based on the classic Janette Oake novels. I enjoyed it a lot! Great recommendation.
I have The English Game on my list next!
My oldest son and I started watching Supermarket Sweep from the 90’s on Netflix. We’ve gotten really tickled at how Johnny Gilbert announces like a sports color commentator when the contestants are rushing around filling their carts. And oh, the hair and the clothes! What were we thinking?!!
A little caution on The Crown: I have enjoyed watching it, but was shocked when Season 2 Episode 7 contained nudity and some rather graphic sex scenes (for me). I was watching with ear buds while my son was in the room doing schoolwork! 😳 I do intend to finish watching this series, however, as I don’t think this is the norm. I just wish someone had told me ahead of time.
Watching those throw-back shows can be hysterical, Melissa. As a child of the 80’s “What were we thinking?” is a common phrase. Oh, those big bangs and giant glasses! . . . And thanks for the warning on The Crown.
I really enjoyed The English Game. I just finished watching the first three seasons of The Crown for the third time. (Love it.) And last night I watched the made-for-the-big-screen new Tom Hanks movie, Greyhound (released on Apple TV+ instead of theaters). It is a WWII movie. So good. Those two hours went by fast.
My in-laws watched Greyhound and raved about it, Robin. I hope it comes to Netflix eventually.
I’ve discovered two interesting murder mysteries on Ovation network – Midsomer Murders, a great British series, and Miss Fisher mysteries set in Australia.
I’ve had Midsomer Murders pop up in my suggestion list several times, Betty. I think I might just need to dive in.
“The English Game” is on our list! We’re also enjoying many classic movies and the current season of “Grantchester” on PBS, one of our favorite shows. It features an easy-on-the-eyes vicar who helps a local police inspector solve crimes in 1950s England. It addresses many of the harsh realities of life in some unsettling ways (not everyone will appreciate this), but each episode also ends with Davenport reflecting in what has happened in a Sunday sermon. His struggles are real. I also love “Beecham House” (PBS again) for its unique and colorful setting, but worry there will not be a Season 2! I really, really, really want to see “Greyhound,” but how many streaming services can one actually afford?
Thanks for the additional recommendations, Janice. I love your “easy-on-the-eyes vicar” description. That alone makes me want to watch. Ha!
I thoroughly enjoyed The English Game! No surprise since we’re both romance writers… but my favorite aspect was also the relationship between Arthur and his wife. 🙂
I watched Julian Fellowes Belgravia recently. Great premise!
Ooo – That does look good. I’ve added it to my Prime watchlist. 🙂
I recommend reading “Belgravia” by Julian Fellowes before seeing the adaptation. The novel was published in 2016. It’ll make for a fun comparison!
I’ve read there are no plans to continue “Beecham House” for future seasons. So this is a limited series.
I’ve been enjoying the new 5th season of “Grantchester” too! The finale is this Sunday. Will will be grappling with the dark secret about his boxing buddy Vic and his mom remarrying. I’m looking forward to the new 7th season of “Endeavour” next month. Shaun Evans doubled up for the series premiere: directing and acting.
Thanks for the list of favorites, Elisa. I haven’t seen any of those. I’ll be sure to investigate. 🙂
I loved The English Game! I especially liked that the two main characters sought to understand the other side, instead of just perpetuating their differences.
I recently enjoyed Doctor Thorne, based on a novel by Anthony Trollope. (I had never read him, but listened to this on audiobook after watching the 4-part series.Now I want to read more.) It was done by Julian Fellowes, and he introduces each part.
A few other movies I’ve enjoyed recently:
This Beautiful Fantastic (it had me both laughing and crying)
Under the Greenwood Tree (based on a novel by Thomas Hardy, someone else I have never read but want to now. A new school teacher comes to town and attracts the attention of three very different men)
The Winslow Boy (Starring Jeremy Northam, my favorite Mr. Knightley. Here he is a lawyer defending a boy who was expelled after being accused of stealing. It’s a quiet movie–not a lot of edge-of-your-seat action. But I really liked the subtle ways the effects of the case were shown on the family and the growing attraction between Northam and the defendant’s sister, who are opposites in many ways.)
The Aeronauts (about two people seeking to surpass the record for the highest flying hot air balloon plus explore ways it could be used for weather prediction. Based on a true story but made a little too fantastical in places. But a good story.)
Wish You Well (with Ellen Burstyn as an older woman who takes in two great-grandchildren she has never met and their catatonic mother after an accident that killed the father. The father was a writer and the daughter has aspirations to be.)
The new Little Women that came out last year. They did change some things up and rearranged the timeline, but it was still very good.
I watched most of these on Amazon Prime while riding my exercise bike. Watching something keeps me there for the allotted time. 🙂 But I did talk my husband into viewing some of them with me in the evenings.
Great list, Barbara! I’ve seen the Aeronauts, and enjoyed that one. I have Dr. Thorne and Under the Greenwood Tree in my watchlist but I’ve never gotten around to watching them. That obviously needs to change. I’ll have to investigate the others you mentioned as well. Thanks for sharing!