#grace and frankie review

[alexwatchesshows]

Grace & Frankie non-spoiler wrap-up

Plot: Grace and Frankie, two women in their seventies, are horrified to learn that their husbands have been having a twenty-year long affair with each other and now want to get married. They're even more horrified by the fact that this pushes the two of them together as-- despite being complete opposites-- they're the only ones able to understand each other's situation. Their lives have not been ended by this news, however, and this show shows them and their families as they find new ways to live their lives.

Genre: comedy

Themes: nontraditional relationships, aging, gender/women

Content warnings (note: this is not all the content warnings, just the ones that are present for all/a lot of the show): infidelity, talk of death, chronic/potentially terminal illness, addiction & drug abuse (primarily alcohol & painkillers)

Representation: This show centres the lives and experiences of older women, something I see very rarely. There are very few characters of colour-- only two recurring black characters, one who is part of the main cast, and another who is a key character for a few earlier seasons. There are a lot of queer characters, but they are almost all cis white gay men, with the exception of two lesbian characters who are relatively important in a season 6 plotline. One of the main two families are jewish. Disability is discussed quite a lot, mainly from the perspective of older characters who are becoming disabled only at this point in their lives (and this is almost entirely physical disability). There is one younger disabled character (introduced a few seasons in) who has a number of disabilities, most notably a lot of food allergies. These are mostly mocked and make her the butt of jokes. This gets better as the show goes on but it is a lot in the earlier seasons. One of the younger characters is a recovering addict. It's also heavily implied that Grace is an addict, but this is never fully addressed/taken seriously.

Final thoughts/would I recommend this show?: I have a lot of mixed feelings about this show. It (for reasons I can't figure out) is one of my comfort shows, and I really enjoy watching it, but it's not necessarily an all-round brilliant show that I'd recommend to anyone and everyone-- most notably because of its lack of diversity (discussed above) in portraying almost entirely white, upper middle-class lives and experiences. Still, it's good for a laugh and is pretty rewatchable, as well as having some big names in the main cast (e.g. Lily Tomlin & Jane Fonda).

What next for this account? The poll has closed, and I am officially reviewing Black Sails as my next show!

[lorrhett]

Does anyone else have the problem with never having enough TV show recommendations? If so, here are some of my absolute favourite shows:

1. Grace and Frankie - a show that explores the unlikely friendship of two older women who, after their husbands reveal they are in love and plan to get married, begin living with each other.

I began to really feel myself attached to the characters and it is definitely a need to watch show.

2. Fleabag- A woman navigates through life and love in London whilst trying to cope with the tragedy of her life.

It is dark humoured, witty and I personally found it very relatable.

3. Dirk gently's Holistic Detective Agency - A man finds himself involved in an otherworldly criminal investigation involving murder, kidnapping, pets and an odd detective.

I really enjoyed watching it, it's one of those shows that you don't understand why you like it so much.

4. BBC Ghosts - A cash-strapped young couple inherit a country mansion, only to find it teeming with needy ghosts.

If you loved horrible histories as a kid/if you still do, you would absolutely love this show.

5. Interview with the vampire - A reinvention of Anne rice's epic tale of seduction, blood and immortality.

If you enjoy vampires, twisted love and brilliant acting you will find yourself enamoured, as I was, with this show.

[thatgeekwiththeclipons]

Happy 85th Birthday to Academy Award Nominated, 7x Emmy Winning, Golden Globe Nominated, Grammy Winning, SAG Award Nominated, 2x Tony Winning actress and writer Lily Tomlin! ^__^

[aritany]

Do you have any pets? If yes, can we see pictures? If no, what kind of pet do you want, if any, and what would you name them?

Also, what are your top 5: Books by other people, songs, movies, and tv shows?

Also, what's the most important or best piece of feedback you've ever gotten on your writing? The one that's stuck with you the most. (From tumblr, an ARC review, a publisher, a friend, your partner, anything!)

(I know that's a lot. Feel free to skip some of that if you don't wanna answer it all.)

Congrats on publishing dgdss!!! I'm thrilled to have followed you for as long as I have (a year-ish??), and I can't wait to continue to follow your publishing adventures! (also, thanks for the commission of my boy Rook, ages ago! <3)

~ Morri (@memento-morri-writes)

ahh hello @memento-morri-writes!

i do have a pet! (technically, she's not Mine per se, but she lives in my house and shreds my furniture, so i take tax where it feels appropriate. here she is in all her slutty, slutty glory

TOP FIVES (CURRENTLY):

BOOKS:

THE DREAM THIEVES - maggie stiefvater

IF WE WERE VILLAINS - m.l. rio

SIX OF CROWS/CROOKED KINGDOM - leigh bardugo

BELOVED - toni morrison

EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMONE - benjamin stevenson

SONGS:

CAN I CALL YOU TONIGHT - dayglow

SLEEPLESS NIGHTS - ayokay (ft nightly)

HOPE THEY LOVE YOU - wingtip

WITH YOU - dotan

EYES WIDE - alfie jukes (yes it came out yesterday nobody talk to me)

i'm not a huge screen media viewer so this is just a collection of movies and shows i've seen and enjoyed semi-recently

MOVIES:

STARDUST (this gets a permanent #1 spot though)

A SIMPLE FAVOR

GLASS ONION (KNIVES OUT)

JULIE & JULIA

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

TV/(ACTUAL PLAY) SHOWS:

THE GOOD PLACE (this also gets a permanent #1 spot)

DIMENSION 20 FANTASY HIGH JUNIOR YEAR (so far)

GRACE AND FRANKIE

THE WOMAN IN THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE GIRL IN THE WINDOW

LUPIN

as for advice i've gotten, i think the most impactful advice i've ever gotten actually came from my agent. after the edits for DGDSS i'd really let that feedback impact my writing in a way that was not helpful. in initial edits for dead girls, my prose was stripped of anything descriptive and reduced basically to plot beats and stock actions. i still have some screenshots of what happened to my prologue before i realized nobody was advocating for me and that i'd have to do it myself - PM me if you want to see those.

anyway, i edited my second novel (the one we have on sub right now) to match the general direction i'd gotten during edits, handed it in to my agent, and she went heyyyyyy bestie this is bad. and she was actually very correct. and i realized i was going to have to re-configure my voice and find the space felt like mine in prose. and i do believe i've done that now, and i would have just continued on sulking and writing stilted, awkward prose indefinitely if she hadn't given me the little kick in the butt.

anyway, thank you morri! i'm so glad you're here, and i can't wait to tell you all about the next exciting thing (very soon). :)

[danbenzvi]

On The Jukebox: Trevor Horn - "Echoes: Ancient And Modern"

Bit of a different spin on a covers album as it's been put together by a producer, not an individual artist. As such, the album features a variety of vocalists. This feels very much like a "not to everyone's taste" kinda project and the reviews have been all over the place. Track listing as follows:

Tori Amos - "Swimming Pool (Drank)" (originally performed by Kendrick Lamar)

Seal - "Steppin' Out" (originally performed by Joe Jackson)

Rick Astley - "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" (originally performed by Yes)

Lady Blackbird - "Slave To The Rhythm" (originally performed by Grace Jones)

Marc Almond - "Love Is A Battlefield" (originally performed by Pat Benatar)

Iggy Pop and Lambrini Girls - "Personal Jesus" (originally performed by Depeche Mode)

Steve Hogarth - "Drive" (originally performed by The Cars)

Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp - "Relax" (originally performed by Frankie Goes To Hollywood)

Andrea Corr and Jake Lukeman - "White Wedding" (originally performed by Billy Idol)

Jack Lukeman - "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (originally performed by Nirvana"

Trevor Horn - "Avalon" (originally performed by Roxy Music)

[wanderingmind867]

For someone so afraid of being harassed for sharing my opinions, I have quite loose lips. For example, we'll be going into why I don't care about Oppenheimer or Barbie. I guess this counts as a preemptive review?

I hate the idea of Oppenheimer because it sounds dark and creepy. I also hate it because I hate Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale/Whatever their name is (I know one's an actor and ones a director, but they both suck and I've blurred them together). Besides, Masterpiece Theatre best you to it. There's already an 80s Oppenheimer miniseries that probably goes more on depth than this film! (It stars Sam Waterston, famous for Law and Order and Grace and Frankie).

Now, let's discuss Barbie. I already wasn't as interested as some people were, but I was curious. But the director didn't interest me at all. I've never seen any of her films because I don't watch a lot of drama, and they all seem not my cup of tea. Sadly, I've heard rumours that the film will be like all her other dramatic works. The trailer I saw implied it will be, and that just seems boring and unfunny. If you're doing a Barbie movie, make it sincere! I've no time for this ironic and cynical take on things! I like satire, but I like it when it's clearly satire. Not when it seems to be genuine! So neither of these films seem interesting.

PS: Not like these opinions matter. I never watch films in the theatre. I've never even been to a theatre (because they scare me, the crowds and noise). So even if I liked them, I still wouldn't see them.

[cloud-based-and-rainpilled]

Tysm @hereforthelizardsex !🦎 I think I got tagged in one of these once & I lost it so tysm for thinkin’ of me lol

3 ships: For ones I’ve written/am writing fic for;

1st: Succession— tomgreg (they are so broken <3)

2nd: Good Omens— ineffable husbands (they are broken in a different special awful way!)

(Shameless Ao3 plug)

3rd: Tie between Grace & Frankie— Grace x Frankie (do they have a ship name?,) Homura x Madoka (they’re kids tho so I don’t really ‘ship’ it, I just love their angst)

First ever ship:

Aside from having IRL friends on here now (lmao outed help,) this was a teeeeeny tiny ship, but I shipped the nerds from Drake and Josh (Craig and Eric) because they were clearly gay coded in the show and I liked the angst.

Only one other person wrote fic at the time; I thought she was so wise ‘cause I was 13 and she was 16 lol. AyanamiEraclea, wherever you are, I remember you…

(Cringe review help lmao)

Also book! Johnlock pre-BBC show; didn’t think it made sense in the show but I liked it book-canon (one of my fav fics of all time <3

Last song: Ventura Highway— America <3

Last movie: EVE OF DESTRUCTION which is simultaneously one of the worst and most bizarrely entertaining movies of all time (on tape, of course)

Currently reading: Absolutely nothing because I’m awful! Maybe I’ll read Brideshead Revisited again idk (oh and I ship Charles/Sebastian/Julia because I'm a bisexual mess lol)

Currently watching: Our Flag Means Death <3 (cannot wait to start shipping them hard af lol)

Currently consuming: Kratom! (it may be bad for me)

Currently craving: Just for everything to stop being so….. aaaaaaaa *Crowley screaming pic here*

9 people! (jk 12 b/c i couldn’t choose)

If you’ve done this before/tagged me once sorry lol & not all y’all are mutuals but anywayz, @fantasticskystuff , @missoneminute , @cordeliaflyte , @aspiringasparagus , @ingravinoveritas , @dumbbitchawards , @blueayame , @gregmarriage , @charitycase33 , @bluebeewings , @faggyangel , @neiltheyrehomosexuals✨

[midnightcowboy1969]

Grace and Frankie is perhaps a good show to nap to as one reviewer said but it’s also a great show to calm my nerves to so there’s that

[xumoonhao]

what i read in may 2023 💖

WHAT I READ THIS MONTH: MAY 2023

(entries marked with an * indicate favourites; entries marked with a ! indicate things i didnt like)

ONLINE ARTICLES

The Millennial Vernacular of Fatphobia by Anne Helen Petersen | Culture Study

The Medical Medium and the True Believer by Dan Adler | Vanity Fair

How Many Well Intentioned People Dehumanise Children by Racheous | Racheous

How Horror Reflects Societal Fears by Frankie Wallace | The Review Geek

* What If You Actually Cared About Tea? by Jordan Michelman | TASTE

Here’s How to Actually Be Kinder to Yourself by Jenna Ryu | SELF

Inside the Delirious Rise of ‘Superfake’ Handbags by Amy X. Wang | The New York Times

* Fish Are Not Insentient Dullards by Ben Goldfarb | Nautilus

Listening To The Creatures Of The World by Karen Bakker | Noema Magazine

The plastic road to Everest Base Camp by Madigan Cotterill| Canadian Geographic

! The 10 most iconic jewels through history by Daisy Woodward | BBC

The Titanic of the Pacific by Tyler Hooper | Atavist

TIMELINE: Deinstitutionalization And Its Consequences by Deanna Pan | Mother Jones [may 17]

World's Best--And Worst--Places To Be Mentally Ill by Allen Frances, MD | Psychiatric Times

BOOKS

! Son of a Trickster, Trickster #1 by Eden Robinson (2017)

! Blind Tiger, The Pride #01 by Jordan L. Hawk (2021)

* Tastes Like War by Grace M. Cho (2021)

! Don't Believe It by Charlie Donlea (2018)

! Untamed by Glennon Doyle (2020)

[ncisfranchise-source]

Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS DVD have officially announced and detailed their physical release for ‘NCIS: The 20th Season’. The latest season will arrive home on DVD beginning August 22, 2023. Continue below to check out the full announcement for the release including bonus content listings, disc specs and more.

The Best Team in the Biz is Back with Over One Hour of Exclusive Special Features

Street Date:                August 22, 2023

Description:               Special Agent Alden Parker attempts to clear his name when NCIS: THE 20TH SEASON arrives on DVD August 22nd from Paramount Home Entertainment. The release will include all 22 episodes on 6 discs, plus 3 crossover episodes from the NCIS universe, exclusive special features, and behind the scenes looks with the cast and crew in the season review, Unforgettable: NCIS Season 20.

NCIS is more than just an action drama. With liberal doses of humor, it’s a show that focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Following the cliffhanger Season 19 finale, with Special Agent Alden Parker still on the run with his ex-wife Vivian, the team investigates who from his past might have a personal vendetta against him in hopes of clearing Parker’s name.

NCIS: THE 20TH SEASON stars Sean Murray (Hocus Pocus), Katrina Law (TV’s “Arrow”), Wilmer Valderrama (TV’s “That ‘70s Show”), Brian Dietzen (From Justin to Kelly), Diona Reasonover (TV’s “Grace and Frankie”), and Rocky Carroll (Crimson Tide).

Special Features:       NCIS: Hawaiʻi Crossover Episode, “Prisoners’ Dilemma”

NCIS: Hawaiʻi Crossover Episode, “Deep Fake”

NCIS: Los Angeles Crossover Episode, “A Long Time Coming”

A Killer Crossover (Featurette)

Unforgettable: NCIS Season 20 (Featurette)

20 Years at the Top (Featurette)

20 Years of Locations (Featurette)

20 Years of Visual Effects (Featurette)

20 Years of Cinematography (Featurette)

Audio Commentary by Brian Dietzen, Diona Reasonover and Scott Williams (Select Episodes)

[chalamst]

2023 GIFS IN REVIEW:

thank you @rachmcadams and @minho-knows for tagging me <3

rules: link your favourite and/or most popular post from each month this year and tag some creators you love!

JANUARY

most popular: han on skz-talker ep 56 my favorites: jimin in the black swan mv and vegas in kinnporsche

FEBRUARY

most popular: misung minsunging my favorite: grace & frankie's last episode

MARCH

my favorite and most popular: scream (1996)

APRIL

most popular: howl's moving castle (2004) my favorite: hoshi / cheers mv

MAY

most popular: spirited away (2001) my favorite: autumn sonata (1978)

JUNE

most popular: but i'm a cheerleader (1999) my favorites: above ↑ and la mala educación (2004)

JULY

most popular: stu in scream (1996) my favorite: troye sivan's rush music video

AUGUST

most popular: kit connor's ass heartstopper my favorite: selena gomez's single soon mv

SEPTEMBER

most popular and favorite (only one post): friday the 13th (1980)

OCTOBER

most popular and favorite: scooby doo on zombie island (1998)

NOVEMBER

most popular and favorite: the fall of the house of usher (2023)

DECEMBER

most popular: scott pilgrim vs. the world (2010) my favorite: playboyy the series ep 1

tagging @moonlight @hellboys @sheryl-lee @zanephillips @nick-nellson if you want to do it!

[alexwatchesshows]

Grace & Frankie conclusion (spoiler)

Spoilers for the whole show.

That was a wild ride. I have to say that I've watched the show (or at least the first 6 seasons) enough times that very little came as a massive surprise to me and, whilst this is, in my opinion, a very rewatchable show, it isn't the kind of show where new things are revealed with every watch.

Generally, my thoughts on the show remain very positive. I think the themes around aging are ones that I rarely see portrayed in such a positive yet realistic way, and the focus on non-romantic/non-traditional relationships was something that I really appreciated. The whacky sense of humour, especially in the scenes focussed around Grace, Frankie and (in later seasons) Joan Margaret is definitely my kind of thing, and I was generally thoroughly entertained throughout.

I do have to put some criticisms out there, though. Although this show definitely didn't just ride the initial premise to death throughout the seven seasons, and was able to adapt to maintain interest, it did sometimes feel like plotlines were taken up and dropped as and when they were convenient for the characters. I'm also going to explore what I would argue is a noticeable lack of diversity in some areas in my non-spoiler conclusion (coming soon).

The characters were definitely the strongest element of the show (as I've mentioned, the plot could be a little hit and miss), and I was glad to see the full extent of their development over the seven seasons. I also appreciate how the show didn't end with everyone married off with kids-- although Brianna and Barry's breakup did feel a little rushed. All the characters were deeply flawed and incredibly complex and realistic-feeling. I laughed with them, got mad at them, (nearly) cried with them many, many times. When I first watched it (probably about 4 years ago now) I was shocked at how much I could empathise with characters so different from me, and honestly I still am. This is a deeply emotional comedy, and I love it for that.

[teenageread]

Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Synopsis:

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

Plot:

Monique Grant always wanted to be a writer. Publishing some of her best work, Monique got her break when she was offered the job at Vivant, and she jumped at the chance to work with journalism legends. That was until they had her writing only puff pieces, and her unwillingness to move had her husband of almost a year leave her. Monique was in a rut until Frankie called her to their office with a non-puff piece. A Vivant exclusive with 50’s movie star legend Evelyn Hugo, who at the age of 79, divorced 7 times, was selling some of her dress collection for charity. Evelyn specifically requested Monique to write her article, and not wanting to argue with Hollywood’s eldest diva, Frankie sent Monique on her way. In Evelyn’s apartment, Monique was transfixed by Evelyn’s beauty, her grace, and her boldness in the fact that despite her seven failed marriages, Evelyn does not regret a single thing she has done. This is why Monique was not there to write a puff piece on Evelyn’s dresses. Evelyn wanted a memoir to come out after her death, a book deal that would be worth millions, as Evelyn explained her entire life, the secrets she hid, the seven husbands she married, and which one was the true love of her life. Evelyn chose Monique to write her story, for some unknown reason to Monique, but not willing to let this golden goose slip away, Monique agrees, despite having to lie to Vivant about doing the article. Spending hours listening to Evelyn speak, Monique got the see the megastar in a new light, as she explain poor Ernie Diaz (husband #1), to clever Rex North (husband #4), as Evelyn exposes herself with no guilt from her greatest tragedies, to her greatest loves.

Thoughts:

Taylor Reid does it again, giving us another fantastic tale, with so much depth the story could have been twice as long. The story is told from the first-person point of view, but switches between past and present. In the present, we have Monique, who is trying to get over her husband leaving her, figuring out what she wants to do with her life, and questioning why Evelyn Hugo chose her to tell the world their story. Monique is an extremely strong character, with likable traits, a dedication to her job, and her realistic infatuation with Evelyn Hugo. For us readers, Monique is a character we can relate to, as she wanted to be remembered, wants to do the hard journalism work, and does through her own emotions of David (her husband) leaving, and herself not feeling “Black enough” to be part of the Black community. Despite this story being about Evelyn, Reid does not shy away from making Monique human as well, thus when the big reveal comes to why Evelyn chose Monique, you feel the betrayal as if it was your own. In the past, we have Evelyn and her rise to stardom, as she tells Monique her story in chunks, focusing on which husband she is currently married to. Dividing the book into seven sections for Evelyn’s seven husbands, Reid does a perfect job keeping the story interesting and at a fast pace as Evelyn goes throughout her story revealing the secrets of her life. Some secrets, like who Eveyln’s greatest love was revealed pretty early on, but continue to be a critical piece of the story throughout Evelyn’s life. Other surprises came later, some making sense to Evelyn alone, and others seem fitting for the period in which Evelyn was a star. This book is honestly addicting, with its soap opera-style plot, you know there are seven husbands, so reading through Eveyln’s journey with each one, knowing it will end with a failed marriage, made this book difficult to put down. WIth twists to keep you interested, and a love story to sort out, Reid wrote a powerful novel, one that will stick with readers for years to come.  

Read more reviews: Goodreads

Buy the book: Amazon

[thatgeekwiththeclipons]

Happy 84th Birthday to Academy Award Nominated, 6x Emmy Winning, Golden Globe Nominated, Grammy Winning, Tony Winning actress and comedian Lily Tomlin! ^__^

[dianessunflower]

hiyaaa, im nat, ive been around a while but this is my new blog for my unhinged chaos thanks to twitter going insane slipping down the drain. im more of a bookish/artsy/history/theatre type but im a sometime tv/films lover when milfs (read gilfs) are involved or there's connections to be made.

so these are my fav shows to reblog. basically i like a bit of everything (oh, musicals, etc) but my comfort is always period drama. and of course, anything with a milf 🫠🫦

2024 edit: my letterboxd functions the same way as my storygraph - less reviews more dates - but i am trying this year...

The Sound of Music

The Good Fight (im in mourning)

Evil (underrated!!!)

Elsbeth (because I love everything the Kings do)

Outlander

Downton Abbey

The Gilded Age

All Creatures Great and Small (2020-)

Belle

Anne with an E

Sanditon

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Julia

Ted Lasso (ignoring the last 10 mins)

Killing Eve (also ignoring the last 10 mins)

A Discovery of Witches

Lord of the Rings / The Rings of Power

Grace and Frankie

Mary Poppins

Victor/Victoria

The Americanization of Emily

Duet for One

Darling Lili (ok anything with Julie Andrews basically)

Carol

Mamma Mia 1&2 (again, anything with Christine Baranski)

Cybill (and not for the main character OOP)

Princess Diaries 1&2

Dr Quinn Medicine Woman

Rebecca (1940)

Pride and Prejudice (2005, it's Keira Knightley im sorry)

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Mr Malcolm's List

Schmigadoon!

Pachinko

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (ok anything with Michelle Yeoh also)

Emma (2020)

Anna Karenina

Chicago

Tick, Tick... Boom

In the Mood for Love

Under the Hawthorn Tree

The Handmaiden

[capaldiera]

don't watch grace and frankie it's terrible. this is a glowing review and if you like suffering you should take it as a sign to watch grace and frankie