Movies and TV you had a low opinion of going in, but were pleasantly surprised by

Cafe Society
121

I saw the show, first season anyway, before I watched (or even knew there was) the movie. I enjoyed both.

122

Back in 2018 I wanted to see the DC Universe’s Aquaman in the theater. My kids argued that we should see the animated Into the Spiderverse instead. I thought, “It’s a cartoon Spiderman !? Can’t be any good.” But I relented and they were right. It’s a funky, trippy interpretation of Spiderman with a clever story, lots of action and some humor.

I eventually did see Aquaman, and meh…

123

Zombieland - Jesse Eisenberg has locked down the cover of Punchable Face magazine like Oprah has with O. Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone are not a draw for me at all. And a comedy about zombies is as stale as the pizza you find under a couch cushion at a frat house. But somehow it was funny despite all of that and I am glad I watched it.

124

Agreed that that scene is dodgy - there was no suggestion that she was too drunk to make decisions, or that he’d use force or manipulation, but it still felt wrong, especially compared to the rest of the movie. However, going on the title and summary I’d have expected the whole movie to be that level of almost-wrong, so it still exceeded my expectations.

And the woman he got together with was an adult woman with a complicated background and kids from more than one relationship, like often happens for people in their forties looking for a new relationship. Seeing a 40ish single Mom as a positive, cheerful, complex character is unusual in any movie, all the moreso when she’s the love interest rather than the main character.

Most of the characters didn’t seem like jerks to me, just ordinary people with flaws and overall good intentions.

125

I had no desire to watch Downtown Abbey, expecting it to be about a bunch of old nuns in the rundown part of town. After several years, someone pointed out that I was misreading and misunderstanding the title, and I gave it a try. VERY pleasantly surprised!

126

That’s Call The Midwife.

127

That’s set where I live but is filmed everywhere except here. Which is extra strange since some roads here actually do look the same, if you move the cars away (like you have to do in every filming location).

128

Around '76 mum brought SNL to my attention, and initially I was like - well, if mum’s recommending this…
But then came the Bass-o-matic, and for the next four or so years I was a buyer!!!