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Writer's pictureAlisha Bhandari

Mother-Daughter Watches

Updated: Aug 14, 2020

My mom is awesome so there will be ZERO judgement here. Keep in mind, these are movies and shows that I have watched with my mother, but that doesn't mean that they're all about the magic of family and that nauseating theme.


Never Have I Ever: Netflix


Never Have I Ever: I mean, wow. Everything about this show was wonderful. The funny parts are hilarious and the sad parts make you bawl. A part of this show that I relate to the most are the suppressed memories that resurface later in the show. Devi remembers some hurtful conversations that occurred the night her father died, and they come to her in spurts. The way the show described and portrayed them were phenomenal and I don't believe that I have seen this level of accuracy in other teenage shows. Devi is traumatized by the fact her father died at her recital, to the point where she 1) could not walk, and 2) could not play the harp. Both of which are things that she loved doing. She is able to walk now, but her ability to play the harp comes back to her, and she learns to re-frame her memories to associate the harp with relief instead of grief. Another thing that's relatable is the fact that Devi fucks up. A lot. When faced with the decision to help her best friends, or the guy she was planning to have sex with, she chose wrong, which impacted their friendship temporarily. But since this ended on a positive note, everything works out in the end. Which isn't always the case, but we could use some positivity in our lives.


Community: NBC, Yahoo! Screen


Community: When I first saw the promos, I was bored. Then I gave it a shot because my best friend said it was funny, and I'm really glad I did! These characters are complex and give us lots of surprises in the 20 minute episodes. The root concept of a bunch of community college students trudging through life is rich with possibilities and Dan Harmon did not hold back. Annie, Britta, and Shirley are the stars of the show in my opinion. While there were unnecessary love lives (Jeff and Annie? Gross...), it doesn't divert the crux of the story, which is pretty rare in shows like this. Abed and Troy's friendship is so wholesome and, unlike many people, I never grew to like Pierce. I suppose it's different times, or the fact that he would so often use gay as an insult, but I could never like the choice the writers made with Pierce.


Friday the 13th: Paramount Pictures, Warner Brothers


Friday the 13th: I'm probably being too critical of this movie since it was released in 1980, but it was so predictable! This movie follows all the horror movie tropes to a T. I study films of all genres so that I can become a well-rounded audience member and film student. But I caught myself laughing at gruesome moments because of the old technology. The intense rain falls in lines, the lighting is unrealistically bright, and the POV shots are... not great. I will say, that none of these teenagers deserves to die, they did not do anything wrong, but died because of the choices their predecessors made. This was fun to watch with my mom, she mentioned that this was considered peak horror back then.


We're the Millers: Warner Brothers


We're the Millers: It has its moments. This movie is often funny but mostly preposterous comedy. There is a lot of predictability involved but I did find myself laughing at the dumbest moments. The ending was rushed, cheesy, forced, and fake but it was not enjoyable to watch with my mother. There were way too many "old comedy" jabs that are no longer funny, and are plain embarrassing. In general, this is not worth re-watching, and is not a memorable movie-watching experience.


Captains Courageous: Hallmark Entertainment


Captains Courageous: A truly beautiful piece of work. The story's progression and development is accurate and believable, where the spoiled, rich, brat learns the ways of the ship since he wants to survive the four months stranded out at sea. There was a plot twist that I was not expecting to happen, and it shot right to my heart. Overall, this was a pretty good film. It was very obviously made for TV, as seen with the fade-to-black transitions after major acts. As far as TV movies go, this was pretty good.


Dead to Me (Season 2): Netflix


Dead to Me (Season 2): Jen and Judy's relationship is so twisted and deep that it's hard at times to tell if they love each other or want to kill each other. Often times, it's both. I watched the first season last year and didn't realize the second season had come out until my mom suggested we watch it together. This show is filled with twists and turns that work almost organically. Jen and Judy's personalities complement each other, using their strengths and weaknesses whenever necessary. The writers know exactly what they're doing, and none of the "oh dip" moments were out of place or half-assed. Although this doesn't always pass the Bechdel test, but I feel like it should get a pass since they're mostly talking about their dead spouses or Jen's sons. Either way, this is a wonderful distraction from the world-wide pandemic happening right now.


I Am Not Okay With This: Netflix


I Am Not Okay With This: This show is a breath of fresh air. It personifies anxiety and rage attacks as a superpower, and I can assume that in the next season will follow her taming her power and learning coping/grounding techniques. Lillis is a wonderful performer, where the audience can see every emotion she's feeling in her eyes. She fully embodies Syd, understands the ins-and-outs of her, from the superpowers to thigh pimples (honestly, I thought those were gonna be a bigger deal, but it's just puberty). This is truly the perfect coming of age story and tackles puberty, grief, mental health, and sexuality (100% shipping Syd and Dina).


Dangerous Lies: Netflix


Dangerous Lies: SNORE-FEST! This sad attempt of a "whodunit" movie was lazily executed, with below average acting and writing. All the characters are dumb and forget all logic. I have no other words. This was a boring movie with predictable twists and a crappy and rushed ending.


Locke and Key: Netflix


Locke and Key: Absolutely wonderful world building to a point where it is realistic. My mom and I inhaled this show in a full day. I was worried that it would be a cheesy teenage drama similar to Riverdale, but I am so happy that we gave it a shot. The character development of everyone is wonderful (except the mom, I really didn't like the actress they chose). The ending was predictable, my mom and I saw it coming as soon as Dodge fell through the banister. I'm just worried that the next season will lose the spooks and frights since they attracted a younger audience.


100 Humans: Netflix


100 Humans: I watched this right after I submitted my thesis essay so I was very much the Expert™ in conducting experiments. Jokes aside, it was pretty educational in a fun and interesting way. I especially loved the last episode where they were testing questions from the subjects. The experiments are wacky, but the first episode is purposely out there to reel in viewers. Doesn't mean that it was bad! It was just a bit clickbait-y.


Catch Me If You Can: DreamWorks


Catch Me If You Can: It's a period piece, a chase film, a drama, a comedy, and all parts entertaining. It follows the chase of the youngest person on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List, and set in the 1960s (the peak of pilot fame and glorification). This movie flowed beautifully, everything working as it should: the lighting complements the shot, the acting complements the script, and the scenery is absolutely stunning. The choice of actors was amazing, and I couldn't have thought of a better cast.


The Number 23: New Line Cinema


The Number 23: I didn't actually watch this with my mom because she said it sucked, but I watched it anyway and boy do I wish I listened to her. When I tell you not to waste your time with this movie. Please listen. Please.


Jumanji: The Next Level: Columbia Pictures


Jumanji: The Next Level: This sequel is by far better than the original movie, and I believe that it's because the actors were able to showcase their acting more. This successfully avoided sequel fatigue (which I was expecting) by including new characters (and Danny frickin DeVito) and even gives room for a third movie to come out. It's also genuinely funny, the addition of the old people (Eddie and Milo) gives this film more depth and becomes way more relatable with the audience. I mean, have you tried to talk to your grandparents about a video game? I mean, I haven't, but I can assume that it sounds a lot like it does in the movie. Overall, this movie is very enjoyable to watch with your family.


The Old Guard: Netflix


The Old Guard: Hi, Charlize Theron, I love you <3.... I think that she was the only good part of this movie. The other actors too, but I personally am not a fan of huge action movies without comedy embedded, and this movie was not comedic at all. It's diverse, but it's not for everyone. But watch it... because Charlize Theron <3


Good Girls (Season 3): Netflix


Good Girls (Season 3): How is Rio still alive. That is my main question. Also those FBI/CIA officers following Ruby... man I feel bad for them. 90% sure that they'll be dead by the end of next season. Although I usually love this show, there isn't anything new to spice it up. Rio's still the bad guy. Stan stays with Ruby. Beth stays with Dean. To be completely honest, I think Ben was the best addition to this show. I love how they showed his transitioning process, his voice is significantly lower, he started binding, and he's wearing the boy's uniform. I ESPECIALLY LOVE HOW BEN'S CHARACTER IS REALLY TRANS. Wholesome.

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