Publicity image A PRIVATE AFFAIR in white uneven letters. Arturo, Andrés, and Pablo standing in back with street lights shining on them. Marina in a red beret, holding a magnifying glass looking directly at viewer. Héctor standing lightly behind her in a bowler hat with one finger extended looking at viewer as well.
Rachel Amazon Prime, Binge Watch, Comedy, Comfortable, Meh

UN ASUNTO PRIVADO (A PRIVATE AFFAIR) 2022: Fell Short of My Expectations

A Spanish period series with a richly saturated palette that is all about a woman who, with the help of her loyal butler, and much to the chagrin of an all-male police force, outstrips the professionals in hunting down a serial killer? On paper, it sounds like Un asunto privado (A Private Affair) would be … Continue reading UN ASUNTO PRIVADO (A PRIVATE AFFAIR) 2022: Fell Short of My Expectations

Rachel Amazon Prime, Binge Watch, Comedy, Comfortable, Distressing, Drama, Meh, Movie, Netflix, Rom-Com, Romance, Series

Short Reviews: PURPLE HEARTS (2022), WEDDING SEASON (2022), and THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY (2022)

Choose from the list below or scroll down to read them all: PURPLE HEARTSWEDDING SEASONTHE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY PURPLE HEARTS Two people getting fake married and then really falling in love is a romantic movie staple as old as celluloid. But getting fake married so one person can afford life saving prescriptions and pay … Continue reading Short Reviews: PURPLE HEARTS (2022), WEDDING SEASON (2022), and THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY (2022)

Anne, wearing a white dress, with her eyes closed and her right hand reaching up to Wentworth's stubbly face. Wenworth, in his blue with gold buttons Naval uniform, his lips just touching Anne's forehead. It says PERSUASION across the middle of the image. Sparse blades of grass are along the bottom.
Rachel Comedy, Comfortable, Drama, Meh, Movie, Netflix, Romance

PERSUASION (2022): Call Me a Heathen, But I Didn’t Hate It

Allow me a moment to hoist up my petticoats before I wade on into the controversy surrounding Persuasion—Netflix's most recent Jane Austen adaptation—by saying that I didn't hate it. Go ahead, call me a heathen, but I'm generally not a purist when it comes to period pieces and enjoy the inclusion of a little camp, … Continue reading PERSUASION (2022): Call Me a Heathen, But I Didn’t Hate It

A wide shallow river with sand bars that have many birds on them. The banks are covered with closely growing fir trees. In the background are mountains in show. Virgin River is in white letters.
Rachel Binge Watch, Comfortable, Meh, Netflix, Romance, Series

VIRGIN RIVER SEASON 4: Better Than Last Season, But Beware of VRSO Syndrome

Virgin River Season 4 is here! And you know what that means. Yes, it's time again for us to gather round our screens and gorge our eyes on mountains of bucolic scenery, heaps of uneaten baked goods, and oodles of folksy charm mixed with soap operatic drama-rama. Fortunately, this season is definitely not worse—I think … Continue reading VIRGIN RIVER SEASON 4: Better Than Last Season, But Beware of VRSO Syndrome

Against a yellow background and drawing of Roman ruins Lina stands in a red dress holding a cone of Pistachio gelato. Alessandro is to the left in a suit behind her and Lorenzo on the right behind her her. Both are also holding gelato. Above it says Love and Gelato
Rachel Cringe Watch, Drama, Meh, Movie, Netflix, Rom-Com, Romance

LOVE AND GELATO (2022): A Flavorless, Sticky Mess…With Good Scenery and a Goat

Please note: This review is based on the movie adaptation only. I have no prior knowledge of the book. Even if you appropriately adjust your expectations for Love and Gelato to be a just passable coming-of-age, rom-com adjacent movie, it's still kinda a slog to watch. The acting is exhaustingly forced. The characters are barely … Continue reading LOVE AND GELATO (2022): A Flavorless, Sticky Mess…With Good Scenery and a Goat