Wednesday 26 June 2019

What I'm Watching - June 2019

TV and film that I've been watching this month.


I'm really pleased to see that The Handmaid's Tale is back for its third series, I loved the first two and this series has started off just as well, picking up from where series two left off. During the first episode June is given a new posting with Commander Lawrence, the man who tried to help her escape in the previous series. I thought this was setting the scene for a revolution in Gilead but the next couple of episodes left me feeling a bit bewildered and I didn't know where this storyline was taking us but I think the end of this week's episode left us in no doubt that June is still no pushover.


I read Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty back in 2016 and really enjoyed it. The story is set around a group of kindergarten parents and a school event where the murder of one of them takes place. The book was made into a television series starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley and shown on Sky last year. I thought the story echoed the book well. Series 2 has just started on Sky Atlantic and takes up where the book, and Series 1 ended so it will be interesting to see what happens to each of the characters. Meryl Streep has joined the cast and is taking the part of the murder victim's mother.


Dead To Me is an American dark comedy which I watched this month on Netflix. Jen and Judy meet at a bereavement group which Jen attends after her husband is killed in a hit and run accident. It isn't long before she invites Judy to move in with her and her two sons but Judy is harbouring a secret. I really enjoyed this series and I'm pleased to hear that it's been renewed for a second season.


My knitting and reading mojo may have left me just recently but it's freed up a little time to discover a couple of new podcasts, one of which is Sew Ray Me. Rachael is a crafter from Scotland and has an Etsy shop where she sells her project bags and other crafting paraphernalia. This month she's been sharing June Vlogs, showing a little snapshop of her life each day and it's been lovely viewing. There's a little bit of everything in there, knitting, sewing, cooking, gardening, and she even takes us along to Falkland Palace where she volunteers. If you haven't yet discovered Rachael's podcast I'd recommend you giving it a go.

Have you been watching any of these? What else have you been watching this month?

38 comments:

  1. I've been enjoying the Summer of Rockets and the Tennis but that's about it really.

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    1. I know lots of people are watching the tennis, something I don't watch at all and one of the few sports which Mick doesn't watch very much of either.

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  2. I only realised The Handmaids tale was back on last Sunday, but our system has it on series link, so I have to watch all 3 so far, I too loved the book and last series. Not seen any of the others, this month I am a book worm.

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    1. I loved the first two series of The Handmaid's Tale and I'm really enjoying this one too, I was really pleased when I saw it was coming back on.

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  3. I am late to the Handmaid's Tale, like only on the first series. It's just so harrowing! I remember reading it when it first came out and hoping that the world would never get to the point where women lost automony over their reproductive choices...
    And Big Little Lies has been recommended by so many people, I think my Now TV subscription will come in useful after all (I was going to cancel after Game of Thrones, and then we watched Chernobyl... thank goodness it's a monthly subscription and not a contract for X months!)
    I've never caught on to the idea of vlogs but I'll give this one a go, thanks for good recommendations!

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    1. You just can't imagine living in a place like Gilead, can you? Truly awful. I really enjoyed reading Big Little Lies, I've read a few of Liane Moriarty's novels and enjoyed them all, and the series is good too. I only really bother with knitting podcasts but I enjoy it when they do daily vlogs too showing a little more of their everyday lives, I'm a bit nosey like that.

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  4. I read the book of the Handmaids Tale and it wasn't really for me but had to read to the end as so many had been raving about it. Not watched the series but that may have been portrayed better than the book. Not seen any of the others. I do follow Sew Ray Me on Instagram and she has some lovely things. Mot watched her pod casts probably because then that would be something else I would be obsessing about watching when I should be do other things.

    Mitzi

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    1. Ha ha, it's finding time for everything, isn't it? I haven't read The Handmaid's Tale so I don't know how closely the series is following it, but I'm really enjoying watching. Some podcasters, including Rachael from Sew Ray Me, do daily vlogs occasionally and they're much shorter in length, just right to watch whilst eating lunch.

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  5. Not seen any of those things! I'm really enjoying Gentleman Jack on Sunday evenings. I was looking forward to the new ITV drama (also on Sunday evenings at 9pm, so one has to be recorded) Beecham House - well, I really want to like it, but am a bit disappointed. I don't think it's acted particularly well, in fact it seems a bit juvenile and amateurish, almost. But the sets, costumes, etc are just lovely.

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    1. I'm really enjoying Gentleman Jack too. I'd learned of Anne Lister when we visited Shibden Hall back in 2012 and thought she sounded like an interesting woman then so I was pleased when I heard they were making a series about her life. I haven't watched Beecham House, it's a shame you're disappointed by it.

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  6. The is so much for the mention! Really pleased you’re enjoying the vlogs - I’ll certainly be a bit lost without them next week!

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    1. So will I, ha ha. Enjoy the summer, I'm sure you'll have plenty to keep you occupied without vlogging every day.

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  7. Not watched any of the TV programmes but I am loving Rachael's vlogs, I think vlogs and podcasts have replaced TV for me, they are much more entertaining :-)

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    1. I agree, I really enjoy watching podcasts and vlogs. Some of them get a bit samey though, I've just gone through all my subscriptions and have unsubscribed from some. I do enjoy finding new people to watch though.

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  8. Thanks for sharing these …
    We are enjoying Inspector Montalbano on a Saturday night although disappointingly they are repeats!!!

    I'm looking forward to my Autumn/Winter watch - Strictly Come Dancing, I do enjoy watching it :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. It's a shame when they repeat programmes instead of making new episodes, especially when it's a programme you really enjoy. Yes, I love Strictly too, it won't be long now until it's back on our screens.

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  9. I've not watched any of these, but should check them out. This past month I've been watching Chernobyl and Good Omens.

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    1. I don't know either of those programmes. There's just so much on TV these days with so many providers that you end up missing so many good things.

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    2. Chernobyl is a must. It's a drama based on the true story of what happened on and after that fateful day at the power station.

      Good Omens is based on the book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

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    3. Chernobyl sounds a good watch. I must be one of the very few who has never read anything by Terry Pratchett.

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  10. NO!!! But you know how I watch a little TV of a night whilst sewing/yarning & that is about all. Never watched a podcast or you-tube, though I love having my blogpals & seeing/hearing what they've been up to. Take care.

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    1. Podcasts are great to pop on whilst doing other things like crafting. There's so many to choose from now too that you're sure to find something which takes your interest.

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  11. NO, I HAVENT WATCHED THOSE. IT IS BASEBALL SEASON SO I REALLY SPEND MY TV VIEWING OR RADIO LISTENING TO CUBBIE GAMES! I DO ENJOY JONATHAN VAN NESS PODCASTS. HIS ONE ON VACCINES IS GREAT. I AM KNITTING WITH SUPER SOFT YARN , A 4 ROW REPEAT SHAWL, AND I HAVE A TEENY TINY START ON A SOCK GOING TOO.

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    1. Sport is often on our TV as there isn't much which Mick doesn't enjoy. I don't take any interest at all though. It's good to have some easy knitting on the go to work on whilst watching TV.

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  12. Glad you are still enjoying your Netflix subscription. :-)

    I have not been looking at Prime on my tablet, for some time. Now I have begun again, with Miss Marple shows. :-)

    ✨✨✨✨✨

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    1. There's lots of things to watch on Netflix, I'm really enjoying the subscription. I've never really watched any Agatha Christie dramatisations but I'm thoroughly enjoying reading the books.

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  13. I vaguely remember reading Big Little Lies after the book club read - The Husband's Secret. I think I only scan read it though as I had the next read to get on with. One day I may order it from the library and try it again. Cx

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    1. I've read a few Liane Moriarty books and enjoyed them all, I shall have to look out for more.

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  14. Handmaids tale is on my list but we are still working our way through Blacklist - I'm so late to the party (which is pretty much par for the course for me ;) Aside from the fascinating story line, the series is filmed locally in Toronto and a few other communities right near me such as Cambridge and Hamilton. Simply hearing all the rumblings of "the bonnets and cloaks were sighted in such and such an area" makes me impatient to start watching!

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    1. Oh, you must watch it. I love seeing programmes which are filmed in locations which I know, sometimes the places look unrecognisable but other times I can be watching something without realising it was filmed locally and recognise it straight away. The Handmaid's Tale is a really good series though, I definitely recommend it.

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  15. I loved both the book and Season one of Big Little Lies. I was so excited about season 2 although I will be missing the next two week sand will have to catch up on it later. Dead to Me was a great surprise to me. A friend recommended it to me and I really enjoyed it.

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    1. I'm pleased you've enjoyed them both too. I've read other Liane Moriarty books and they were just as good.

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  16. I watch The Handmaid's Tale, it is brilliant but so grim, sometimes I struggle watching it! I started watching Big Little Lies and am enjoying it so far.xxx

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    1. I know what you mean, I just can't imagine having to live that way. I'm looking forward to seeing where Big Little Lies goes in this series as season 1 ended where the book ended so it's all new to me now.

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  17. I've not watched any of these, but did read Big Little Lies.
    Like some of you commenters i'm a Montelbano fan, enjoying Gentleman Jack too.

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    1. I'd never heard of Montelbano before, I shall definitely have to check that out. Oh, I think Gentleman Jack is so good, I'll be sad when it ends.

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  18. I haven't watched any of these but I have recently read A Handmaid's Tale, which was really good. This is another one I can watch on catchup during harvest.
    xx

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    1. I haven't read the book but I really enjoyed the first two series of The Handmaid's Tale and this one is just as good. You're going to have some good programmes to keep you company during harvest.

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