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I love storytelling and always want my readers to have options. You can find my blogs on my YouTube channel and listen to them on the go.

Charlene Eckstein 11/14/22 Charlene Eckstein 11/14/22

Holiday Movies To Watch This Season

It is that time of year again and if you want easy, stress-free, commercial-free, and yes a romantic Christmas comedy full of cliches, I have the list for you. Who doesn’t love a cheesy, romantic holiday movie? I know I do. I love watching them while cooking meals, baking cookies, online shopping, wrapping presents, or just vegging out on the couch or in bed.

While I love me some Love Actually and have finally conceded that Die Hard is a Christmas movie, don’t judge me, you will find neither on this list. You can just sit back with a glass of wine or hot cocoa and enjoy the fun, silliness, and the somewhat predictable Christmas movie love fest.

Here’s what to watch now on Netflix.

9 Holiday Movies Worth Watching Now

Falling For Christmas

In the days leading up to Christmas, a young and newly engaged heiress experiences a skiing accident. After being diagnosed with amnesia, she finds herself in the care of the handsome lodge owner and his daughter.

It was good to see Lindsey Lohan in a new movie. This is a typical cheesy Christmas movie but is also sweet and funny. You can watch it now on Netflix.

Love Hard

An LA girl, unlucky in love, falls for an East Coast guy on a dating app and decides to surprise him for the holidays, only to discover that she's been catfished. This lighthearted romantic comedy chronicles her attempt to reel in love.

This holiday rom-com encompasses all the typical elements and has just the right amount of cuteness and humor, and a little lesson on the perils of online dating. Sometimes people are not who they seem to be.

A Castle for Christmas

To escape a scandal, a bestselling author journeys to Scotland, where she falls in love with a castle - and faces off with the grumpy duke who owns it. - IMBD

It was great to see some familiar faces in this holiday romantic comedy. Think Blue Lagoon and The Princess Bride. Okay maybe that’s taking it back a little too far but you get my point. Holiday romance is not just for twenty-something-year-olds.

Operation Christmas Drop

Congressional aide Erica (Graham) forgoes family Christmas to travel at her boss's behest. At a beachside Air Force base, she clashes with Capt. Andrew Jantz (Ludwig), who knows her assignment is finding reasons to defund the facility. - IMBD

Set in the backdrop of real-life operations that help small pacific islands every year, this fictitious romance is a sweet reminder of the importance of generosity and the true Christmas spirit of giving.

The Holiday

Two women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other's countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love. - IMDB

The Holiday came out over fifteen years ago, but it’s still fun and relatable, and in some ways, and perfect for this time of year.

A Snowbound Christmas

Marketing exec lands a spot on a big project but before the presentation, a snowstorm traps her and her boss at a resort where they realize there is more to their relationship than just business. - IMBD

I believe this originally appeared on Hallmark but nevertheless, this is a sweet, and family-friendly holiday movie.

A Christmas Prince

When a reporter goes undercover as a tutor to get the inside scoop on a playboy prince, she gets tangled in some royal intrigue and ends up finding love - but will she be able to keep up her lie? - IMDB

A Christmas Prince is great for the family to watch together. Very cheesy, and Disney-like but also sweet and heartwarming. It is actually a trilogy now, so you can also watch A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: A Royal Baby.

Holidate

Fed up with being single on holidays, two strangers agree to be each other's platonic plus-ones all year long, only to catch real feelings along the way. - IMDB

This was a surprisingly entertaining rom-com. This is funny and cute but it is not family-friendly due to language and content.

The Holiday Calendar

A struggling but talented photographer inherits an antique holiday advent calendar, the contents of which seem to predict the future. Will this magical calendar lead her to love this holiday season?

I love the magical elements added to this holiday story. This is another family-friendly Christmas movie that everyone can sit down together and watch.

Some of these are old and some of these are new but they are all perfect for this time of year to curl up on the couch and watch. Or to just enjoy as you wrap gifts or relax. I have watched them all and hope you give a couple or all of them a try too! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Charlene Eckstein 7/13/22 Charlene Eckstein 7/13/22

Summer 2022 Streaming Watch List

It’s summertime and the perfect time of year to go on vacation or to just get out and about to the beach or the pool. But on those days when it’s just too hot outside, or for the nights you want to stay in, kick back with your favorite streaming service and enjoy some great shows.

For the month of July 2022, I am providing a list of a few older shows, and some newly returned shows to indulge in and binge-watch this month.

Here’s What to Watch This Summer

Stranger Things

When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying supernatural forces in order to get him back. - IMDB

Season 4 of Stranger Things just premiered this summer on Netflix. It’s dark, it’s nostalgic, and it’s fun. Watch all seasons 4 now and get caught up on the upside down.

Westworld

At the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, waits a world in which every human appetite can be indulged without consequence. - IMDB

Westworld is a little bit of everything. It’s a mix of sci-fi, action, and mystery all packed into this beautifully shot show. New episodes of season 4 of Westworld are currently airing on HBO on Sunday nights. You can catch up on all prior seasons on HBO Max.

Anatomy of a Scandal

A sexual consent scandal amongst British privileged elite and the women caught up in its wake. - IMDB

This is a great limited series, that has a nice twist at the end. It’s the perfect binge show for a lazy Saturday, and it will leave thinking about people and perceptions. Available now on Netflix.

The Staircase

Tells the story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and the 16-year judicial battle that followed. - IMDB

I originally learned of this story a few years after watching the Netflix documentary. This current production is a HBO limited series, with an all star cast. Very interesting, true crime story that leaves you asking yourself if you believe in coincidence.

The Gilded Age

A wide-eyed young scion of a conservative family embarks on a mission to infiltrate the wealthy neighboring clan dominated by ruthless railroad tycoon George Russell, his rakish son, Larry, and his ambitious wife, Bertha. - IMDB

I absolutely loved The Gilded Age and cannot wait to see where the story ultimately goes. If you love period pieces, costumes, and great drama, you will love this show. Season 1 is currently available on HBO Max.

Slow Horse

Follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve as a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes. -IMDB

Slow Horse is for the viewer who loves a spy drama. The cast is great, and the story is intriguing. Reminds me of the first Mission Impossible. I recommend it. Watch now on Apple TV.

Persuasion

Eight years after Anne Elliot was persuaded not to marry a dashing man of humble origins, they meet again. Will she seize her second chance at true love? -IMDB

Persuasion premieres on Netflix on July 15th. This is for the Jane Austen lovers, who love the yearn and burn romances.

The Boys

A group of vigilantes set out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers. - IMDB

The Boys is violent, vulgar, offensive, and deliciously fun and entertaining to watch. It is not for everyone, but these superheroes give a different take on how a world full of people with superpowers might be. Season 4 just premiered on Amazon Prime Video. Watch all 4 seasons now on Amazon.

Shining Girls

Years after a brutal attack left her in a constantly shifting reality, Kirby Mazrachi learns that a recent murder is linked to her assault. She teams with a veteran reporter to understand her ever-changing present and confront her past. - IMDB

This series is a mystery, crime, and sci-fi all wrapped into one. The show and the acting are great. I highly recommend it. Watch now on Apple TV.

The Umbrella Academy

A family of former child heroes, now grown apart, must reunite to continue to protect the world. -IMDB

Season 3 of The Umbrella Academy just premiered on Netflix. Season 3 is just as fun and silly as ever, with a new problem for the group to resolve. All seasons are now streaming on Netflix

I’m a multi-tasker so I love to pop on a good show and fold laundry, stretch, or just walk on my treadmill. I hope you enjoy my recommendations and have a great summer!

Charlene Eckstein 3/7/22 Charlene Eckstein 3/7/22

What To Watch on Netflix in March 2022

There is always something new to entertain and delight from one streaming service or another. February was a great month for the return of some of our favorite shows, and March is shaping up to be even better.

I love a good binge-worthy show, and my recommendations all have two seasons with the exception of The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window and Murderville, which have just one season but are ridiculously binge-worthy. All my picks for March are light, fun, and not too heavy.

I have five recommendations for you and I think you will enjoy them all.

What To Watch On Netflix March 2022

The Woman In The House Across The Street From The Girl In The Window

When a handsome neighbor moves in across the street, Anna, a heartbroken woman for whom every day is the same, starts to see a light at the end of the tunnel. That is until she witnesses a gruesome murder - Or did she? - IMDB

I binged this show over a weekend. It’s weird, suspenseful, and kept wondering what the heck was going on. I didn’t know whether or not to take it seriously, although the strange title should have clued me in. The Woman In The House Across The Street From The Girl In The Window is a spoof of several other recent movies but is funny because it makes fun of some of the unbelievably silly plots of the other movies.

Kristen Bell is great and makes this series worth watching. I highly recommend it, but it should be noted this is not family friendly programming.

Bridgerton Season 2

Wealth, lust, and betrayal set against the backdrop of Regency-era England, seen through the eyes of the powerful Bridgerton family. - IMDB

I read all the Julia Quinn books years ago that this series is based on. Season 2 of Bridgerton follows Julia’s second book on the series, The Viscount Who Loved Me. Season 1 was very hot and sexy and I would imagine we are in the same treatment for season two.

Season 2 premieres on Friday, March 25th.

Sweet Magnolia Season 2

Three South Carolina women, best friends since high school, shepherd one another through the complexities of romance, career, and family. - IMDB

Season 1 left viewers on a cliffhanger and Season 2 picks right up on the same night. Sweet Magnolia is wholesome viewing and feels like it would fit right in on The Hallmark Channel. It is entertaining, and relatable for the most part. This is easy binge programming and enjoyable, with Season 2 ending on another cliffhanger.

There is no smooth sailing for the women of Sweet Magnolia. Available now on Netflix.

Murderville

Eccentric detective Terry Seattle teams up with clueless celebrity guest stars to investigate a series of murders in this improvisational crime comedy.

Murdervile is quirky and funny, with an interesting concept. I loved watching the guests improv as they try to assist in solving crimes in the most ridiculous fashion.

Murderville is available now on Netflix.

Space Force

The people tasked with creating a sixth branch of the armed services: The Space Force. - IMDB

It is hard to believe that Space Force is actually a real thing, but it is. Hopefully, its employees are a bit more competent. Steve Carell is as funny and quirky as ever, with John Malkovich being weird and hilarious. If you like The Office you will like Space Force.

There are two seasons to binge and belly laugh at. Space Force is available now on Netflix.

This Netflix watch list is meant to be light-hearted and fun. I hope you enjoy my recommendations and come back and share your thoughts with me. Tell me what you about the shows and share your own recommendations. Happy viewing!

Charlene Eckstein 11/29/21 Charlene Eckstein 11/29/21

Holiday Movies To Watch Right Now On Netflix

Did someone say cheesy, heartwarming, holiday rom-coms? It is that time of year again and if you want easy, stress-free, commercial-free, and yes a Christmas romantic comedy full of cliches, do I have the list for you.

While I love me some Love Actually and have finally conceded that Die Hard is a Christmas movie, don’t judge me, you will find neither on this list. Just sit back with a glass of wine or hot cocoa and enjoy the fun and silliness and yes the somewhat predictable Christmas movie love fest.