Annual "What I Was Watching" - Movies/TV 2022

With a basement gym equipped with treadmill, elliptical and a big TV ... watching while working out is a main motivator, and it keeps me entertained while exercising.  Switching between television series and movies, I get in plenty of shows. Some are sans exercise, upstairs with Hubs, winding down at day's end. I included quarterly recaps in previous posts (with small reviews), but I like an annual look too. 

Movies

I can really only remember watching ONE movie with Hubs (CODA) ... I guess we were more into series (easier to break up into smaller before bed sections). Mission Impossible and Forrest Gump were actually upstairs, #3 watching them in the family room, and I counted those as a rewatch for me as I saw most of them while in the kitchen working. The rest ... were in the gym. 

Q4 ~ October/November/December 2022

Quarterly Recap and Stats. It's February (I will be backdating) I'm so very late. I really lost motivation. September was tough with some family stuff going on, and I really didn't recover and get back on track until December.  Here's the data, for what it's worth...

My low here is 10 pounds up from where I was in August. The scale went the wrong way in November, and I had to work hard just to get back to where I was at the start of the quarter.

Steps (above) and minutes ( below)

Here's a little look at my activity record ...

Food and Fasting ... I didn't keep very good records in October or November. On days I didn't track, I was likely pretty high intake.  I tried to get back to it for December and actually kept calories in check for the first part of the month. 

My Fasting App (Zero) updated and put the calendar graph behind a paywall :( ... If I'm going to have to pay, I'm going to go with a different app. I liked Window, it has good graphs and shows the eating window in addition to the fasting time. I started it up in December ...

Here's a look at sleep ...

... and my LifeCycle look (I'm a homebody, I know!)

Food, Fasting and Fitness aside ... I did a post to remember What I Was Watching and then I always have an audiobook in my ear whenever I can multitask. Here's a look at my books ... #jenBsBooks

... and the family photo collages

2022 ~ #JenBsBooks

 

Another year of reading in the books ... literally ;)  Similar stats to last year, with most numbers bumped up just a little. This graphic is a GoodReads recap... I record, rate and review all my reads there.  Here's a look (with tiny covers) of my year of books organized by rating.  27 5* reads, which is the most I've ever had in a single year. A cousin had posted some favorite reads right when I'd finished up all my holds at the library, so I put his top10 on hold. I had to wait weeks for some of them to come in, but several 5* were from that recommendation.

I've shifted even more to audiobooks ... I didn't keep track of how many I actually read myself, but it wasn't many. I just have more ear time (being able to multi-task while working, driving even while watching #5's basketball games) than eye time ... and my eyes continue to deteriorate. I finally got glasses this year.

Here's my Audible stats ...

Audible is only one of the platforms I listen to audiobooks on. I use my local library/Libby more than Audible, plus other apps like Chirp, Kobo, Hoopla. I added a second library this year too. Love the library! I noted in my monthly collage that all my May books were from the library, I try to note on a GoodReads shelf which are library loans,  AudiblePlus/KindleUnlimited (started a six month gift subscription in November), or ones I've purchased. Ironically ... the recommendation "It Ends With Us" was one of my first reads in January 2023 (before this Audible report came out). 

You can glance at previous annual reading recaps ... 

2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

At the end of each month, I'd create a collage of the covers of the books I'd read. You can check out the monthly collages on the family blog (JenBsBooks2022). I LOVE Goodreads, but have heard about another book tracking site called StoryGraph. I was able to import my Goodreads history and get some additional data and graphs. 

These are my imported tags from GoodReads ... going forward on Storygraph, I'll be streamlining my tags to (1) if it was audio or read with my eyes (2) stand alone or series and (3) where I accessed it ... from the library, a purchase, KU, Audible Plus, and if I have the book in my KindleCloud. I'll continue to use ALL my tags in GoodReads.

Below you'll find the annual GoodReads reflection ...

What I Was Watching ~ Q4

Quarter four ... the last three months of the year. 15 series, 15 movies ... that isn't counting all my Christmas Movies (in their own post). While several of the series were watching upstairs, seven of them were watched while working out, as were all the movies this month. But surprisingly, Hubs was in a watching mood, so SIX series were with him, and Ally McBeal is one I watch when I can't sleep ...

• AllyMcBeal (S2&3): As mentioned above, my Ally McBeal sessions are when I can't sleep. I've seen the shows before, so I don't need to pay close attention and it's okay if I drift off. I wasn't sure it would stand the test of time, but I'm really enjoying it as much as I did years ago. Hulu. 
• For All Mankind (S3): For some reason this one was on my mind last quarter, and I thought my viewing of season 2 (which was way back in the first quarter of the year) was more recent, and was season three. I then realized I hadn't seen season three and was excited to watch it. I would have subscribed to Apple+ just for this, but #1 son got a new phone, and a free trial, so he signed in on the gym Roku so I could watch. I REALLY like this show! Another big time jump.
• Physical (S2): While I had Apple+ I watched the second season. As I'm into Zumba, the dance aerobic aspect is interesting. The show itself is a little dark, not really a "feel good" type. 
• Dead to Me (S3): This was getting a LOT of buzz. I'd really enjoyed the first two seasons, but it had been a while. I had to watch recaps to remember all that was going on. Nice to have a conclusion (even if the very end is open to interpretation). 
• Ghosts (S1): Like "The Office" and some other shows, this is one that originated in the UK, and then a US version was made. When I thought to start, I only had access to the UK version, so I went with it. Cute, but not super compelling to keep me coming back to the gym. 
• BlackBird: Another Apple+ ... and this one kept me coming back. The main bad guy was so weirdly but almost innocently evil. I didn't recognize him from CobraKai!
• ShiningVale: I didn't care for this ... had to push to finish.
• From Scratch: Lots of buzz about this one too. I liked it, yes, there were tears.
• Succession (S2): Watched with Hubs ... had to push to finish. No likeable characters and it was starting to drag some.
• CobraKai (S5): Perhaps this has run its course? Losing interest in the series.
• Welcome to Wrexham: I don't know that this would have appealed without some Ted Lasso love. Lots of humor, lots of proFanity. Interesting making a documentary about this, not knowing how it would turn out. Not sure if we'd watch a second season. 
• House of Dragon (S1): Hubs and I had watched Game of Thrones together back in the day. We waited until all the episodes were out before we started the season. I didn't love it to start, and was a little thrown by the time jump and change in actors, but it ended up holding my interest in the end. Wasn't quite ready for it to be done.
• Wednesday (S1): Lots of buzz on this one, but I was still surprised when Hubs queued it up, I wouldn't have figured it being one he'd want to watch. We're not really fans of Adams family (have seen a movie or two). This was cute, but we were ready to be done as it wrapped up.
• White Lotus (S2): The first season was SO weird! This isn't one I would have chosen on my own, but I was willing to watch with Hubs. The intro music is bizarre (Hubs said it was included on a Peloton playlist which really surprised me). Lots of sex and such

• Oblivion: Saw this on a list of "underappreciated sci-fi movies" and figured I'd give it a watch. Didn't see it on any of our streaming services, so I grabbed the DVD from the library (which Hubs teased me about). Liked it. Noticed it then was on a streaming service, so saw parts again as #3 watched it upstairs one day.
• Race: This was quite compelling. Interesting story and fun to see "Ted Lasso" coaching track in earlier days ;) 
• Luckiest Girl Alive: This kept my interest.
• Extremely Loud and Exceedingly Close: This one seemed a little slow ... but it has stayed with me. I've continued to think about it months later. Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock are in it, but the main role is the young boy. He reminds me a little of my nephew with some of his quirks and thought direction. The events of 911 are the impetus of everything. I was surprised a mother would let a child wander so much, yet the ending still caught me off guard. Loved it.
• District 9: This was a rewatch ... I was pretty sure going in that I had seen it before but didn't have a super strong memory of it.
• Alive: I'd read the book this is based on not long ago and wanted to see how the movie compared. I thought the film was good, although of course as always, left out so much detail that the book provides. 
• Passengers: I'd seen this one before and really liked it. One of the boys wanted to watch it, not on any streaming services, so we did an Amazon rental. I went ahead and rewatched it in the gym.
• Perks of Being a Wallflower: I'd heard buzz about this (movie and book) but hadn't seen or read it and thought it was time to remedy that. Liked it, didn't love it. 
• The Guardian: This movie was mentioned by my son's coach, and I figured I'd give it a look (also a library DVD borrow). Liked it a lot.
• Promising Young Woman: Sometimes I'll browse the "leaving" sections of the various streaming services to decide what to watch next (although ironically they often leave one service just to show up on another). That's how I selected this movie. Very sad.
• Lou: Ummm, didn't like this one. I'd actually started watching, then stopped a little way in and switched to the Christmas movies, and then remembered I hadn't finished. Not sure it was worth the time to finish. I was rolling my eyes.
• Still Alice: I actually started with the book ... but couldn't get into it (author narrating, and it wasn't working for me). Went straight to the movie. Very sad!
• The Outsiders: I think I've seen this before, read the book, but it's been ages for either. Borrowed the DVD from the library, and the sound was so low, I had to turn the volume up as high as it would go. I then noticed it was streaming on HBO, and the quality (picture and sound) was so much better. I know this is a classic, so many recognizable names in their younger years ... but it felt so dated and over the top to me. 
• Road to Perdition: Saw this advertised by Netflix on Facebook ... and couldn't find it on Netflix. Had to borrow from the library. Dark and slow and sad. I didn't really care for it.
• RIPD: Super silly, over the top ... but enjoyable enough for a workout show.

I must admit, my workouts have been more quantity than quality. I've been choosing a simple walk on the treadmill (3.5 mph) over the elliptical, which feels harder, even though it's nice to be able to jump on it quickly (I wear slippers instead of shoes on it).  Walking while watching ...

Christmas Movies 2022

Last year (in 2021) I only watched a couple Christmas movies. The year before that, in 2020 ... I watched 29 Christmas movies! I really hadn't watched many (beyond the most traditional ones, "Elf" etc), but it was in 2019 that I dedicated December to Christmas movies, while I was working out at least. I watched 13 Christmas Movies in 2019. And this year, I did it again. After Thanksgiving was over, I started watching "Christmas Movies".  From new releases with big name actors, to the cheesy "Hallmark" classics. From Netflix to Amazon, to HBO and Hulu. My treadmill time and elliptical exercise were also an attempt to get into the holiday spirit.

I started off with the "bigger" movies, with mainstream actors, on the HBO and Netflix. Amazon had quite a few movies, but some of the "freevee" ones were slipping into my "recommended" list (free with ads ... I do NOT do ads). Hulu ended up having a lot of movies (Lifetime, Halmark) - sometimes they wouldn't show up on my "watching" (I watch in stops and starts, during several workouts) and I'd have to manually search them. I gave up on a couple movies on Amazon after subtitle issues (no captions coming up, and another with the timing off).

I started the day after Thanksgiving, and got in 25 Christmas movies ...

Here's a recap/review ...

• Spirited: I thought this was cute. The dancing was SO energetic! Fun to see some of these stars (Ryan Reynolds) sing and dance. Ended up turning it on upstairs on Christmas Day too, to make the family watch a little. "Good Afternoon!"  HBO.
• Harmony Holiday: This was pretty cute, gal/singer on the road, needing repairs, cute town/cute boy. I wasn't sure about the "class" of kids ... only five kids, but I did enjoy their number. I liked the main gal's voice, and the original Christmas song. HBO.
• A Christmas Story Christmas: I didn't grow up on the original "A Christmas Story" but it's legendary in my husband's family (seriously, my BIL has a "leg lamp" and hosts a party every year for the unveiling. He has a big pink bunny suit too). So this was a fun look at Ralphie in the future, as well as many of the other "kids" now grown. Too bad they couldn't get the original parents to play parts.  HBO.
• The Noel Diary: A new release, featuring the guy from "This Is Us" ... cute enough. Netflix.
  
• Christmas With You: The "famous singer relationship with regular person" story (like "Marry Me and "The Valet") ... it's been done several times, but I liked this. Freddie Printze Jr .. a lot older than whenever it was I saw him last. Netflix.
• Falling for Christmas: Another 2022 release getting a lot of buzz (not all good). Lindsey Lohan, filmed in Utah resorts (not that I'm that familiar with them, I'm not a snow/ski gal). It was the story done in "Overboard" and it was cute enough.
• Christmas Catch: This felt pretty low-budget, and a little (a lot?) silly. Female detective, falling for the suspect, trying to find a stolen diamond reindeer ... Netflix.
• Father Christmas Is Back: Some big names in this one. Released in 2021, but I'd never heard of it. Four sisters, a father who hasn't been around but now comes to Christmas with his new wife. Not great, but watchable, at least while multi-tasking. Netflix.
• Naughty or Nice: This was cute. The gal from "One Tree Hill". Santa's magic book listing naughty or nice activities from anyone. A bit of a moral to the story too. Amazon.
• Surviving Christmas: Silly, over-the-top, but I didn't mind it. Big names in it. Amazon. 
• Hollywood Christmas: A "Hallmark" type, even though it was on HBO. Cute enough, story about making Christmas movies ...
• Nothing Like the Holidays: A little older, 2008 release, more mainstream (although I hadn't heard of it). Several recognizable faces. About a family from Puerto Rico. Amazon.
  
• Your Christmas or Mine? This was perhaps a favorite. Taking place in England, so heavy accents. Cute "switch" story as they each end up with the other's family. Amazon.
• Mistletoe Mix-up: Pretty classic "Christmas Movie" story, silly, over-the-top. Amazon.
• A Christmas Movie Movie: Two sisters get transported into a "Christmas Movie" ... silly, but kind of cute. Hulu.
• The Enchanted Christmas Cake: Corny title ... but that was what the movie was about. It actually wasn't as bad as the title makes it sound! Hulu.
• The Holiday Fix-up: I remember both these leads from last year's Christmas movies. A successful home improvement star returns to her little home town to help rebuild, meeting up with her old flame. Main memories of this were the handmade mantle built ... it was awful! And the dress the gal was wearing at the end ... it was awful! I really wanted to pull it up and show Hubs and ask if it was just me or if he thought so too. Hulu.
• A Merry Christmas Wish: I didn't care for the female lead. The male lead was familiar from a soap opera, back in the day when I watched those. Successful city gal inherits a childhood farm and puts on one last Christmas party at her late, great-uncle's request. Hulu.
• Christmas on Repeat: A slight break from the traditional romance Christmas story, with a little paranormal, groundhog day type thing. Kindof cute. Hulu.
• Christmas at the Drive-In: The gal from "The Wonder Years" all grown up. This one really stretched credibility ... forcing the owner into good-faith effort and making a drive-in work rather than selling it? A perfect wrap-up at the end.  Hulu.
• Secretly Santa: Cute movie about two app developers (both with an app to help you find the perfect gift) forced to work together. They met at a "santa crawl" - a term I hadn't heard of before, but heard a couple of times during Christmas movies this year - in disguise, so they don't know who the "mystery santas" were, but reconnect (still incognito) in chat, before they finally figure out who it is. Hulu.
• Catering Christmas: Cute movie about a gal/caterer and the grandson of a wealthy client. Hulu.
• My Christmas Fiance: Cute American gal/student at a resort restaurant in Italy helps out her boss pretending to be his fiancée for the holidays. This really had nothing to do with Christmas (stretch to included it as a "Christmas movie") ... It started out strong, but then got super ridiculous with his family, the spurned love interest (who his family wants him with) and the "duchess" played by Denise Richards ... and WHY was that character included? What did she bring? She even gets on the cover, although isn't even listed on IMDB (which has a trailer for a completely different show). Just weird feeling with this show (although I liked the cooking aspect and the other chefs, even though it was silly).  Hulu.
• Merry Kiss Cam: This didn't have to be a "holiday" movie ... a stretch to have it a Christmas theme. Otherwise, it was actually quite cute. I liked several songs playing in the background of the movie, but most weren't recognized when I tried to Shazam them.
  
• Christmas Movie Magic: Turned out to be a cute movie. A reporter comes to a small town to a small town to write an article about a popular old movie, trying to find a unique angle. Romance between her and the grandson of the owner of the theater. A music number at the end had a weird lip-sync feel though. Hulu .
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special: This one wasn't downstairs during a workout, but upstairs on Christmas Day. My son turned it on (Disney). Corney, but kind of cute. Funny, with Kevin Bacon theme. 

I couldn't quite fit the Guardians Christmas cover into my collage, so I'll show it here, along with the two movies I watched last year, that didn't get their own post (as there were only two!)

 

 

 

General "Christmas Movie" thoughts from this year ...

• I got married shortly before I turned 22 ... very young. Most of the "romance" in Christmas movies (and more) now are featuring much older adults. Mid to late 30s, established in careers. Some even later, with kids (after a divorce or death).
  
• Mainstream movies definitely have a different feel than the ones for the Hallmark/Lifetime channel. I didn't play any "Christmas Movie Bingo" but just Google that to see some of the stereotypical repeated themes. I had to laugh that a few of these Christmas movies had "Christmas movie" themes.
  
• Hulu surprised me by having the most options (that I hadn't already seen). There were still tons I didn't get to. I do like that Amazon has a basic "rating" (the Amazon stars) and the IMDB rating (the two do not always coincide) - that would give me at least a general idea when picking my next picture, which ones might be worth a watch ... although I was pretty random, often just going with whatever popped up next or was showing as a similar selection.
  

Still so many Christmas movies unseen, but there are more Christmas seasons to come.