Thursday 31 January 2019

What I'm Watching - January 2019

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


The new series of Call the Midwife is currently showing and I'm really enjoying it. It's such a lovely gentle programme for Sunday night viewing, though I admit I usually record it and watch it later. This current series is set in 1964, just four years before I was born. It's hard to imagine how things were back then when we look at the advances in all areas of life since. There's some new faces this time and lots of the old familiar ones too.


Cold Feet was my favourite programme when it was first shown towards the back end of the 90's and into the new century. It had been off our screens for thirteen years when they decided to bring it back in 2016 and I wasn't sure it would work, but it does. I'm enjoying it as much now as I did back then.


If you read my post about Netflix you'll know that we've got a one month trial at the moment. I still haven't explored everything on offer but I have watched Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes. I'm fascinated by true crime, what makes a person kill another human being, and it was quite chilling hearing Ted Bundy's own voice discussing his crimes. However, Netflix's warning not to watch this alone is a bit over the top. In my opinion it's a mediocre documentary with very little new material to that which has been offered in other documentaries which I've seen in the past.


Me Before You was my favourite of all the books I read in 2016. I don't often go to the cinema but I went to see this film when it was released not long after I'd read the book, and it's premier on Channel 5 was on Sunday night. I recorded it and watched it on Monday afternoon. The book is far superior in my opinion but I enjoyed the film for what it was and would recommend it. If you missed it, it's being shown again on Channel 5 on Friday 1st of February at 11pm.

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

40 comments:

  1. I also prefer the book to the film of Me before you, the film was good but the book was clever and funny. We also watch Call the midwife, and I am a big fan of Les Miserables, also on Sunday evening, it's the last one this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think there's only so much of a book which can be included in a film so they're usually better, I still enjoyed it though, so sad, but as you say, funny bits too. We've been watching Les Miserables too, I think it's really good. I haven't read the book and have only seen the musical version on stage and film in the past so didn't know if I'd enjoy it but I think it's excellent.

      Delete
  2. I used to watch Call the Midwife, but my shifts have changed and I'm usually working the weekend now. The good programmes are usually on in the early evening before I get home. I like sci-fi films; mostly the oldies, but quite a few newer ones too and remakes of the oldies. Like you I enjoy them for what they are rather than comparing them to the originals. I don't like real crime or the grisly TV crime shows, but I like Vera, Grantchester, Father Brown, Poirot, Death in Paradise etc. Best, Jane xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a shame you're missing Call the Midwife, I always look forward to a new series starting as it's one of my favourite programmes. I've never watched any of the programmes you mention but they all seem very popular.

      Delete
  3. Love Call The Midwife - I was born in 1964 when my mum & dad were just 18!! It must have been very hard for them - especially as my mum fell pregnant with me before she married my dad (I was born in October and they got married in May) - apparently my grandad (her dad) wouldn't speak to her until a few weeks before the wedding due to the pregnancy. How times have changed (thank God!). Sadly my daughter's friend (25) had a baby last year with cleft palate - it can all be sorted though thankfully.
    Use to love Cold Feet when the very first series came out - but have never got back into the new series.
    Oh that film on Sunday!! My daughter recommended it - what a brilliant film that was - tears here though!! So sad!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mum was pregnant with my sister when she got married in 1956, she didn't have any of her family at her wedding, only my dad's family were there. As you say, thank God that times have changed. My cousin had a baby with a cleft palate and it was all fixed. The advances in medicine are pretty amazing. Yes, Me Before You is very sad, isn't it? I found the book even sadder, I'd definitely recommend reading it even if you've seen the film.

      Delete
  4. Oh yes I love Call the Midwife, AND Cold Feet. I wondered how long it would be before Karen and Adam got together! Now we just have to see how long the scriptwriters drag out the denial storyline...

    I also like Grantchester, pity that my main reason for watching it has now left though! Oh, and another favourite, Endeavour, is back with a new series a week on Sunday. Seems there's either lots to watch or nothing at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm really hoping that Karen and Adam don't end up together. I think it was inevitable that there'd be a dalliance but I'm hoping it's not going to be a lasting relationship. I've never watched Grantchester or Endeavour, though I did used to like Morse.

      Delete
  5. With few exceptions I've nearly always found the book better than the film. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, and I often find that the casting isn't done very well. The characters are sometimes way off how I've imagined them when reading about them.

      Delete
  6. I don't watch much TV but I do make an exception for Cold Feet on a Monday evening. It is so well written and I was thrilled when they brought it back again. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm enjoying seeing the next generation in the mix too giving scope for new storylines.

      Delete
  7. Like you I enjoy Call the Midwife and Cold feet, also Holby and Casualty, Chris is an avid Corrie fan, has been for many years even in NZ (although they were way behind apparently) most other things I can take or leave. Although I am quite interested in the new Sewing Bee coming soon xcx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I watched the odd Casualty many years ago but have never watched Holby. I'm looking forward to the Sewing Bee too, I don't think they did one last year which was a shame as I've enjoyed all the other series.

      Delete
  8. I love British tv, but never got into 'Call the Midwife' for some reason.

    Never heard of 'Cold Feet' but may look for it, on Prime. Which has lots of British tv.

    Actually, I've not been watching such, on my tablet, of late. That's where I have Prime, and had Netflix. I've been reading some. And "getting lost" in pretty IG's. :-)

    Being as we are snow covered, at present, I love looking at Nordic countries IG's. Love how they love the cold and snow! And how delightfully, they decorate their homes, for warmth and etc.

    ☃ ❄ ❅ ❆ ⛄

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love Call the Midwife, I look forward to the Christmas special each year and then the new series is aired shortly afterwards. We're lucky these days that we have such choice, as you say there's always Instagram when there's nothing on TV and I enjoy podcasts too.

      Delete
  9. I love Call the Midwife it's one of the few things I watch on TV, I chose not to see the film Me before you because I don't think I can face the sad ending again haha I'm such a softy. I agree with Sooze I love Grantchester but the best part of it has left time will only tell if it remains as good. I've never seen Cold Feet. I spent ages last night scrolling through Netflix and didn't fancy a thing so I crocheted a baby hat instead. Have a great weekend. :) xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know many people don't like watching sad films and this one is particularly sad, but there's lots of funny bits too. I don't think I've missed an episode of Cold Feet, I was thrilled when they brought it back.

      Delete
  10. I enjoy Call the Midwife and have read the books too which are quite a good read. I watched Me Before You this afternoon, which I must admit to shedding a tear or two.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've read the Call the Midwife books too, I thought they were really good. I don't think you could watch Me Before You without reaching for the box of tissues.

      Delete
  11. we dont have any tv channel provider here. but we do have plenty of dvds and the occasional series that someone shared with us. we are watching the series New Girl which the older kiddos are enjoying - its almost a spin off of the the series friends. It does offer a few laughs. The small ones are back to watching Toy Story (all three) and are eagerly awaiting the fourth one later this month. bright blessings xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never heard of New Girl, I shall have to ask Eleanor if she knows about it as she absolutely loved Friends and still watches all the repeats. The Toy Story trilogy are brilliant films, I'm looking forward to seeing the fourth too.

      Delete
  12. I'm excited to hear there is a new series of Call the Midwife as I love that show. I hope it comes to the US soon! Thanks for the good news! BTW - I often find books are better than movies of the same title. P.x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always eager for a new series of Call the Midwife and it never disappoints. I'm the same, I much prefer a book over a film.

      Delete
  13. Hi,I have read the books,Me before You,Me after you and mid read of Still me.I didn't think much of the film prefer the books.Not a fan of Call The Midwife but Love Cold Feet,the original, and the new, great acting.I too am facinated by True Crime and WHY do they do it,often wonder WHY was my brother murdered.Hope Archie ok.xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read After You but haven't read Still Me. I thought that Me Before You came to a good conclusion and didn't need a sequel. I'm sorry to hear that your brother was murdered, what a terrible thing and so traumatic for your family who have to live with this horrendous event.

      Delete
  14. We don't watch a lot of TV, but I know many other family members enjoy Call the Midwife.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Call the Midwife is a very popular programme and I can see why, I love it.

      Delete
  15. I read Me Before You, saw the film too, I thought it was a good portrayal of the book. I love Call The Midwife, my great aunt lived in Poplar at the times they have shown and she always said it was so true to real life. Cold Feet fan too (and Grantchester like one of your other commenters).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How lovely to know someone who lived in Poplar at the time that Call the Midwife was set and that the portrayal of life there is accurate. I think the programme is so popular because people can remember what it was like in those times. I'm really pleased that Cold Feet wasn't a flop when it was brought back as so many programmes are, I really enjoy it.

      Delete
  16. I am particularly enjoying your first two choices. Cold Feet is so well put together and hasn't been spoilt by the passage of time. So glad you've found something to watch on Netflix,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was surprised how seamless the revival of Cold Feet has been, it's as though it's never been off our screens. I've now got a few programmes lined up on Netflix which I want to watch.

      Delete
  17. Yep - love Cold Feet too - I think this series is going to be emotional. I was born in 1966, so loving the new series of Call the Midwife. I love Vera too - Sunday night is a juggle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this series of Cold Feet is going to be emotional too, they tackle quite sensitive subjects. I've never watched Vera.

      Delete
  18. I haven't seen any of these but daughter said the exact same thing as you re Bundy.xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's thirty years this year since Ted Bundy went to the electric chair so I don't suppose there's very much more which can be said, it's all been said before. It was quite chilling hearing him speak on the tapes though.

      Delete
  19. I don't tend to watch a lot of tv unless it's one of the murder series eg midsummer murder, lewis etc or a good film. My husband likes anything cars - build, fix, sell, race but I find it quite boring. I tend to crochet or read so I'm not really bothered. I do say when I've had enough though.
    Me Before You is one of the books that I'll read in the summer for the book club. Enjoy your viewing, Cathy x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoy having something to watch or listen to whilst I'm knitting, I really should try audio books. Have a box of tissues handy when you read Me Before You, be warned.

      Delete
  20. I've just started to watch Call The Midwife on catch-up and I've also been watching Granchester and Vera too. I watch most things on catch-up as i seem to forget what is on when, lol. I've been sitting and stitching this afternoon while catching up :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I usually go through the Sky planner at the beginning of the week and record anything I want to watch. It's very rare that I watch a programme at the actual time it's being shown.

      Delete