What We’ve Been Watching – January & February

I thought I’d start a new series of posts, I was kind of doing this whilst I was doing my weekly recap posts but I’ve fizzled out of doing them again! Our 100 movie challenge hasn’t been off to a successful start this year as I’ve been really tied up with wedding admin most evenings in January and February! I said when I did a recap of last years 100 movie challenge that we might struggle to make the list this year but we were going to try. We’re only in February and I can already smell failure! (We’d watched 18 by the end of February last year)


Television

The Office (US Series)

This could be partially to blame for progress on movie watching being low! I bought the box set of the office between Christmas and new year as Ben has never seen it and I missed finishing the series before it was removed from UK Netflix! Because the episodes are short it often means we get into bed with a cuppa and relax a minute before going to sleep – if I’m downstairs I’m doing some kind of wedding admin, so I like taking an hour upstairs before going to bed. I love it even more than the first time I watched and and we’re already up to Season 5 (almost 6), and I don’t even have any shame over how much I’ve watched in such a short space of time. Dwight Schrute is my Spirit Animal

Say Yes To The Dress Canada

When I say what ‘We’ve’ been watching, Ben would really not rather I include him in this and he has had to catch a few glimpses of it as I usually binge watch it on a Sunday as it records 5 episodes of it I haven’t seen at a time. I think Say Yes To The Dress Canada might be my favourite one, the Brides are less Diva-ish, they don’t put the brides in $10,000 when they only have a budget of $1,000, and the bridal party usually gives helpful feedback. Still obsessed with the whole Yes To The Dress series, but for now Canada is the one I’m loving the most.

The Walking Dead

I can’t fail to mention the Walking Dead, we’ve never watched it before and after I’ve been pestered and ground down with basically everyone I work at to watch it we’ve watched the first season. I’m not sure I’m sold on it yet, I found the first and last episode gripping but all the ones in between a bit uneventful. I’ve been told series 3 is where it really gets good, so I’ll give it another season or two before deciding whether I’ll be continuing or whether Ben will be by himself!

Impractical Jokers

The second part of the S5 has just hit UK screens and now my Monday’s are filled with Joy again. I kind of wish that they didn’t put two episodes on at time as it only increases the wait in between series. I love this show even more now I’ve seen them live and met them.

Sherlock

I know there were mixed feelings on this series of Sherlock, but personally I thought it was glorious. The end episode was very different but I thought it was a masterpiece, Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch are complete geniuses in these roles. The only thing I hate about Sherlock is that there’s only 3 episodes in a series and we normally have to wait two years for the next one to happen. Sigh, here’s to the next ones in Christmas 2018.

Modern Family

Another show to come back and hit the UK screens is Modern Family. This was a show we discovered as we were moving into our house and has been a firm favourite of both of ours since. I think the show gets better over time and the dynamic between the characters is fantastic. Phil Dunphy is my alternate spirit animal.


Movies

Scott Pilgrim vs the World

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A film I’ve seen many times before, but haven’t watched in at least 2 years. We have a drawer in our coffee table of unwatched Blurays & DVDs, as well as it being a cycle for films that we fancy watching soon. This went in my box after hearing Stashy talk about it on Cat’s Podcast. Still a good film, I have a feeling in about 3 years that it won’t have aged well though.

Zoolander 2

zoolander2

We watched the the sequel to the much loved classic on a lazy Sunday night when neither of us could be bothered to concentrate on anything serious. I’m not a big fan of the original and I was even less so a fan of this, it’s okay – not very funny IMO and the best part was the cameo spotting.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

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We Watched this after Ben’s mum raved about it all through Christmas, I love the original MBFGW, but the sequel had me bored, I didn’t find it as amusing as the original and I found the story line a bit all over the place. Worth watching if you’re a fan of the original, but don’t have high expectations – otherwise, it’s not really worth a watch.

Bad Neighbours

bad-neighbours

(In the US this is just called Neighbours, the one with Zac Efron, Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne!) We had watched the sequel right at the end of December and cracked out the original version, I actually think the sequel is funnier than the original, but I do have a soft spot for anything where Zac Efron takes his top off so it’s a thumbs up from me. I also love Rose Byrne, I first watched her in Damages (which is on my list to try and rewatch this year) and have loved her in everything I’ve seen her in since.

10 Cloverfield Lane

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The only film we’ve managed to tick off to fit into one of the categories that we’re trying to watch this year. I’d heard good things about this film from several people saying it was one of their favourites from last year. I didn’t realise until I was googling where I knew the actress from (Scott Pilgrim) that it was part of the Cloverfield series once I knew that story became quite predictable, I didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t as good as I’d heard.

The Duff

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I saw this advertised at the cinema a while ago and decided to put it on when it appeared on our Netflix. Starring Mae Whitman as Bianca, ‘The Duff” out of her group of friends (the Designated Ugly Fat Friend) and she decides to seek help of her next door neighbour to teach her now to not be a DUFF. Not the most original teen comedy, but we both actually enjoyed this and I thought Mae Whitman’s comedic timing was brilliant.

Castaway

Original Cinema Quad Poster - Movie Film Posters

Who hasn’t seen Castaway? Rewatched this as in our 11 years together, we’re not 100% sure that we’d watched it together. Everyone knows the story of Castaway, and more importantly Wilson, so I’ll stop there!

Me Before You

  

I had a tip off that I would enjoy this film from Ben’s sister, and I really did. Heartwarming and Heartbreaking and it had be tearing up in the last 20 minutes or so, I was close to full on bawling but was being distracted by two dogs who needed a wee at the same time. I had thought about reading this on honeymoon prior to watching the film, but I don’t need the heartbreaking emotion on my honeymoon.

Beautiful Creatures

We’d been watching a DVD and seen this advertised and we both said we were surprised we hadn’t seen it. I visited Poundland and they had a load of blurays for a £1 (Including some really awesome ones like American Hustle, recommend a browse of your poundland’s bluray section!) and this happened to be in it. Once we started watching this Ben said we’ve seen this, I didn’t remember it at all, but it was absolutely terrible, so I must have mentally blocked it out. A crap version of Twilight (we like Twilight, but if you don’t imagine this being worse).

Pitch Perfect

My favourite movie (and one that Ben loves too!) somehow we didn’t watch this at all last year I couldn’t quite believe it when I reviewed the 100 movie list and we hadn’t watched either of the Pitch Perfect movies once. Featuring two of my favourite actresses, Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, and one of my other favourite things – Accapella singing.

Bridge of Spies

Our most recent movie watch, and on we’ve had on our sky movies recorded for ages and haven’t gotten round to watching yet. Starring Tom Hanks as a defence lawyer and negotiator during the coldwar for the trade of American and Soviet spies. I’d heard good things about the film, but didn’t expect to love it as much as what I actually did!


What have you been watching this month? If you joining in the 100 movie challenge (or your more realisting amount) how are you getting on?

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Helpless Whilst Drying

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27 Comments

  1. February 28, 2017 / 8:14 am

    Finally! Someone else thinking Sherlock was great this season! I loved it so much!!

    • February 28, 2017 / 9:15 am

      I think the problem people had was that it was different, it was less about solving cases and more about solving mysteries about people around him – I liked it though, thought it kept the series fresh! xx

  2. February 28, 2017 / 1:03 pm

    I’ve watched many of the movies you mentioned. Some were better than others. Cast away and Bridge of Spies are really great, you can never lose with Tom Hanks. And Me before you? All the tears. I’m getting kind of sick of the walking dead, to be honest. Do you like the new season? xo

    • February 28, 2017 / 1:36 pm

      It’s a new show for us so we’re only mid way through season 2, I’ve been told season 3 is where it really gets good but my interest is already dwindling in it! And no, Tom Hanks is great! xx

      • February 28, 2017 / 1:38 pm

        Oh, I’m sorry I sad I’m sick of the show, that might give you a bad idea. But that is just me. Some people love it right now. I guess I just lost interest.

        • February 28, 2017 / 2:01 pm

          I know what you mean, there’s some shows I still watch even though I’m not into them that much any more but I feel like I’m in too deep to give up! x

  3. February 28, 2017 / 1:06 pm

    The Duff is such a good movie! Great post 🙂

  4. February 28, 2017 / 2:41 pm

    Haha I used to watch Say Yes To The Dress. Total guilty pleasure even though I loathe the wedding industry – I think I mostly watched it as it reaffirmed my decision to never have a traditional wedding. If I had to hear “I want to look like a princess” one more time… But, glad to hear the Canadian version was less diva-ish.
    Scott Pilgrim vs the World was filmed in Toronto near my hood! I’ll always have a soft spot for it. 🙂
    Bridge of Spies surprised me too – I expected a snoozefest.
    We watched the Batman Lego movie – it was a lot of fun. 🙂 We haven’t watched many movies this year in the theatre, just been a lack of new releases we’re willing to pay for.
    We’re still working out way through the Sopranos – we’re finally on season 5.

    • February 28, 2017 / 2:47 pm

      Hahah, I know – there was someone browsing whilst I was in one of the bridal shops and she turned round and snapped at her mum and said ‘I WANT TO LOOK LIKE CINDERELLA, STOP SHOWING ME DRESSES LIKE THAT.’ I just went in and said “put things on me, I don’t know what I want” despite watching approximately 3000 episodes of SYTTD in the first two weeks of our engagement!
      We haven’t been to the cinema once yet this year, I wanted to go see La La Land but not sure we’ll have time over the next few weeks, I’m guessing it will be gone by the time we get around to it! I do definitely want to see Beauty and the Beast though, definitely dragging Ben to that!

  5. February 28, 2017 / 3:40 pm

    I enjoyed watching DUFF and Pitch Perfect
    I can’t wait to see more of the movies you have watched, I hope I enjoy them.

  6. February 28, 2017 / 4:04 pm

    Great idea for a post, it’s always interesting to see what other people watch, gives me ideas on what to look up. I haven’t heard of some of those films, not sure I’ll be watching them going by these reviews lol. I didn’t realise there was a Canadian say yes to the dress, the original is a guilty pleasure and I binge watched so many in a couple of months and overdid it a bit. Good to hear they’re less diva-ish so will probably be looking that one up. I haven’t seen many movies but loving some old TV shows I was too young to see at the time, loved endeavour, ncis and death in paradise at the moment. I guess it’s mainly detective series have been watching but I’m sure there are more I can’t think of now.

    • February 28, 2017 / 5:04 pm

      Yeah, I’m totally over the original one, they always pick the same 3 pnina tournay dresses and it’s so boring, definitely recommend the canadian version for one that’s more about the actual dresses!
      We had a good old binge of crime and detective shows last year, we’re always behind the times on programs, we’ve only just watched Prison Break!
      xx

      • February 28, 2017 / 7:17 pm

        Will definitely look it up then! I think most of the TV shows I watch tend to be detective or comedies. I still haven’t watched prison break, I kept meaning to but then it seemed to be so long to start on.

  7. February 28, 2017 / 6:02 pm

    I pretty much a lot of what You watch
    what a great creative idea for a post xo

  8. February 28, 2017 / 6:56 pm

    We’re on film 5 of 50! Watched a grand total of 2 films this month😂 Not great. I like Me before you but loved the book a whole lot more. Defo not a honeymoon book as the end had me blubbing. I must have seen Scott Pilgrim 20 times. Great film x

  9. February 28, 2017 / 7:37 pm

    Niiiiiceee!!! The office US is such a great show!! I’ve seen it so many times! Lol.

  10. February 28, 2017 / 9:01 pm

    I’ve been binge-watching TWD on Netflix and am on Season 5. People are right, season 3 is where it gets really good. I think you also connect with characters more in later seasons, so it makes it that much more gripping when they might die at any time, lol. I’ve also heard the show goes downhill though, so we’ll see.

    I never knew Canada had its own version of SYTTD! I’ve watched the original on and off, but couldn’t handle it because some of the brides were cray. Plus I rarely liked any of the dresses the brides ended up picking – you really want to wear a dress with a see-through corset top in front of all your family and friends?

    We went through a period of time near Christmas where we watched a handful of movies that coincidentally had Zac Efron in it (Neighbours being one of them), and we’ve come to the conclusion that he takes his shirt off in every movie he’s in 😛

    Your post last year inspired me to try watching 50 films with my fiancé and 50 films on my own this year. I think I’m on track with the movies I’m watching on my own, but we’re failing at watching movies together. It’ll be better once the wedding is over, hopefully!

    • February 28, 2017 / 10:16 pm

      Yes it’s always the same bloody pnina dresses on the original one, the Canada one is much better, more real brides with more real budgets and family and friends who you don’t want to slap hahah!
      One of my friends at work is really into the walking dead comic books and said the series gets better and better I don’t know who to believe, or if I can be bothered continuing 😟
      Yes I think we’ll do better once the wedding is finished, although June will pretty much be a write off as it’ll be wedding then honeymoon for 3 weeks so we’ll have a lot of making up to do July onwards!

  11. February 28, 2017 / 9:15 pm

    Hate to tell you this, but that last ep of Sherlock might be the last one EVER. It’s gotten very tricky to get all the key players together to film now that Ben & Martin are in demand for movies. They did seem to leave things open though so we’ll see.

    PBS here finally started airing Victoria, which I’ve been hooked on. We get the season 1 finale this coming Sunday. I saw it’s getting a 2nd season. Yay!

    I’m personally excited we’re FINALLY getting new Doctor Who in April.

    • February 28, 2017 / 10:18 pm

      I think they’ll do another series because they love doing them, it might just be that we have to wait for a long time for their schedules to align! I had Victoria saved up ready to watch but our recorder got too full and I had to sacrifice it, I’m guessing it will be repeated sometime over summer so I hope to catch it then!
      I’ve not been into doctor who since Christoper Ecclestone was the doctor!

      • March 1, 2017 / 2:09 am

        I didn’t get into Doctor Who until David Tenant was almost done with his go about. Went back and watched everything and was hooked. Tenant is my Doctor, but I’ve been really enjoying Peter Capaldi. Sad this will be his last season as The Doctor. But I’m curious who his replacement will be.

  12. March 12, 2017 / 8:22 pm

    For some reason I feel like Phil Dunphy would be my perfect SO!

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