#1 This Caregiver's Watchlist. 'Feel the feels', escape reality or be transported by music.

Recommendations TV, Film and Streaming online.

Dec 21, 2024

Hello, dear Readers. I’m Victoria (She/her/hers). I cared for my Dad through to his passing (the hellish dark days with grains of joy), and now I look after Mum (calmer waters, with moments of joy and several giggles). You can read more about why I’m publishing Carer Mentor here: Who Started Carer Mentor and Why?’

‘On-demand’ streaming has given me control over when and how I watch TV series and films. On these calmer days, I can watch a movie or concert in the evening, stopping and starting as needed.

I can’t remember watching many movies or series in the dark days. We tried to have movie afternoons, but we, especially Dad, quickly lost the plot. There was no time to get into storylines. My mind was in hypervigilance mode, watching over Dad, anticipating his needs.

My three ‘mind-release aids' during those challenging, full-on days of caring were meditative games like Candy Crush and Candy Crush Friends, reading books using the Kindle app, and 20-minute walks with a Spotify playlist!

Now, I curate watchlists for Mum, and she’s become quite the Netflix expert!

I prefer films/series with substance and solid storylines that explore our humanity, but blockbusters for brain-free watching are good, too.

I avoid overly violent dystopian films and images/sequences. We’ve had enough grim, traumatic events that unwittingly get replayed enough as it is.

Online streaming is a crucial source of entertainment for both Mum and me. Netflix, in particular, is great because I can watch films/series in French— I miss speaking and hearing it— and Mum gets to watch her period Chinese dramas where the costumes and headdresses are amazing.

I have included some of my recommendations below.

P.S. As part of the ‘For Caregivers’ section of iCARE Stack, I’m curating a ComfortZone, a Reference for Caregivers seeking something to change their mood or mindset. This article will be housed there. Watch out for new articles like this.

P.P.S. Check out the Kerri Russell article by Beth Lisogorsky, who writes Beth's TV & Film Recommendations. I appreciate the way she gives us more context about the actors—their background and previous work. Plus, we have similar TV and films preferences. Here’s a quote from her About page

I’m a film and TV analyst and pop culture critic. I’ve written on culture for PopMatters, Valleywag (part of Gawker media), The Boston Globe, and The Jerusalem Post. I gravitate to TV and films that center around relationships, drama, mysteries, and comedy - the stuff of life. It’s eclectic, but somehow all comes together.

Movies Under Two Hours - because our time is limited.

1. Out of my Mind (2024) Disney+ (1h 50m)

It is a feel-good, heart-wrenching dramedy about a young girl with gumption, cerebral palsy and a badass family and neighbour. Inspiration.

2. Dumplin (2018) Netflix (1h 50m)

Jennifer Aniston and Danielle Macdonald. Anniston is a former teen beauty queen. This is a hidden gem! Guts, attitude, and some Dolly Parton make this sparkle.

Willowdean Dickson grows up in a small Texas town, raised primarily by her Aunt Lucy. Her mother Rosie – who calls her "Dumplin’", much to Will’s chagrin – is a former beauty queen, too committed to various pageants to spend time with her daughter, and remains the planner of the town's annual Miss Teen Bluebonnet Pageant.
Lucy introduces Will to Ellen Driver, who becomes her best friend. Six months before they start their final year of high school, Lucy dies. Rosie finds difficulty connecting with Will, who often feels judged about her weight and is embarrassed by her mother's pageant world. (Wikipedia)

3. All Together Now (2020) Netflix (1h 33m)

A talented teen keeps a big secret—she’s homeless and living on a bus. This is painful to watch in a few places. Tissues required. Chloe Auliʻi Cravalho plays the lead,Amber Appleton. She played Moana in the Disney Film. She was discovered via a charity video contest! It sounds like someone needs to make a film about her.

4. A Dog’s Purpose (2017) Apple Store (1h 40 m)

It is a super-cute story about how a dog is reincarnated over five decades, hoping to reunite with its original owner.

5. A Dog’s Journey (2019) Apple Store (1h 48m)

In the sequel to A Dog’s Purpose, Bailey embarks on a lifelong quest to watch over his owner’s granddaughter.

6. Mrs Harris Goes to Paris (2022) Netflix (1h 55m)

Mrs Harris, a widowed housecleaner during the 1950s, is inspired when she sees a Christian Dior Gown. Lesley Manville is humbly magnificent in this heartfelt film.

Food and Travel Programmes - to inspire and dream

Presenters connect with different people worldwide through their love of food—humour, empathy, a little music, dance of delight, and connection.

Somebody Feed Phil Netflix. Duration approx. 40-50 minutes
So far (2024), there are seven seasons of this series. Phil Rosenthal takes boyish delight in savouring food, which is fed to him by chefs in numerous locations he travels to. I loved the early episodes where he Skype-called his parents at the end of each episode—comedy runs in his family. Sadly, Phil’s parents died but he still likes to Skype call friends and ask them for a joke in memory of his father Max.
One of my most memorable episodes is Season 2, Episode 1, Venice. The view from the restaurant's rooftop at the end of filming, where he had dinner with friends—A Canaletto!
Salt Fat Acid Heat (2018) Netflix Duration approx. 40-50 minutes.
Samin Nosrat, chef and food writer, travels the world exploring how these four elements ‘can make or break a dish’. Her passion and joy for food are infectious.
Breakfast Lunch Dinner (2019) Netflix Duration approx. 40-50 minutes. 4 Episodes
David Chang, (founder of Momofuku Noodle Bar) explores food as an expression of culture and identity with celebrities like Seth Rogan and Chrissy Teigen.
Ugly Delicious (2020) Netflix
David Chang takes his friends on a cross-cultural food exploration.
Chef’s Table. Netflix. Seven volumes (seasons) explore Michelin-starred restaurants, acclaimed chefs and the culinary world they live in. It’s eye-opening, a little pretentious in places and startling in the plate-precision. But if you view it through the lens of how much passion, creativity, and invention goes on in these minds, perhaps, like me, you’ll feel inspired by the end of each episode!
1. My favourite episode - Christina Tossi. Volume 4-Pastry, episode 1. This episode introduced me to David Chang and made me see Bodegas and Cornflake milk in a new light! If you like the Great British Bake Off, you’ll love this. Just don’t watch it when you’re hungry!
The food travel series that kickstarted this genre (in my opinion) is Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. 7 Seasons on Amazon Prime.
While working in Moscow, I had a limited choice of TV channels, so I watched CD-DVD packs of CSI. But Anthony Bourdain was on CNN, interesting, funny and irreverent—he gave us Real human connection, with a VERY big R. (crickets and bugs, beware!)
World-renowned chef, bestselling author, and Emmy-winning television personality Anthony Bourdain travels across the globe to uncover little-known areas of the world and celebrate diverse cultures by exploring food and dining rituals. Including some war-torn parts of the world - and meets with a variety of local citizens to offer a window into their lifestyles.

Documentaries - learning / behind the scenes/nature

1. Disney+ “Music By John Williams” (1h 46m)

2. David Attenborough (2023) “Our Planet” and “Our Planet 2” (Netflix) each episode is 50 minutes.

TV Series - reliable content-rich, substance per episode

I stop watching those dragged-out, slow thrillers with all the action in the last 20 minutes of the final episode.

1. “Death Comes to Pemberley.” (Netflix) Three episodes, each 59 minutes.

It is a period drama sequel to Pride and Prejudice starring Matthew Rhys and Matthew Goode. Richly executed exploration of human weakness, societal expectations, love and compassion. It's worth watching twice!

2. “Lost in Space” (Netflix) Three Seasons. Episodes approx. 60 minutes.

Yes, this is SciFi, a total overhaul of the original storyline. It is expertly acted and directed, and the scriptwriters and storyboarders must be congratulated.

I’m confessing now - I watch this every year for its feel-good factor. Numerous interwoven threads are being pulled in every episode, and it ALL neatly ties together, NOT just in the last 20 minutes of the final episode, but a gradual evolution of the family dynamics over each season.

3. “The Diplomat’ with Kerri Russell and Rufus Sewell. 2 Seasons

This series is SO good. Here’s Beth’s article:

Beth's TV & Film Recommendations

Keri Russell's Current Era is Spy / Diplomat

ZERO Spoilers in this drop…

a year ago · 28 likes · 36 comments · Beth Lisogorsky

French Series and Films

“Friendzone” - film, romantic comedy. Thibault gets a makeover by his girl-pals.
“The Hookup Plan” - a series, romantic comedy. Elsa, still infatuated by her ex, is ‘helped’ by her two best friends. One word - Jules. Hmmm I may need to watch this again!
“Call My Agent” - I prefer this original series to the English version. Comedy-drama of agents, their famous clients and relationships after the head of the agency dies.
‘Lupin’. The first season was the best. Slick, brilliant and cleverly done.
La Famille Béllier. THIS film is a gem, and I was sad and disappointed that the original French film did not get an award, but the American movie CODA received numerous international awards. Perhaps I loved it more because I’m so francophile. It works SO well in French.
Untouchables. Omar Sy (who also plays the lead in Lupin) is the star of this film.

YouTube - music, documentaries, and artist discoveries.

Christmas Concerts

1. Michael Buble Home for Christmas Special 2011 Full Show

2. Josh Groban His First Ever Holiday Concert - Livestream - December 19th, 2020

Does anyone remember that first episode of Ally Macbeal where Josh Groban materialised? Ally McBeal - Ally at the Graduation - KC and the Sunshine Band - I'm Your Boogeyman

Actors: Tom Berenger and Josh Groban and Calista Flockhart

Pop Music

1. NPR Music Channel For Tiny Desk Concerts

Sting And Shaggy (July 17, 2019)
Alicia Keys (June 22, 2020)
Adele (February 14, 2011)

2. RAYE - Worth It (Royal Albert Hall, November 10, 2023)

3. Ed Sheeran (November 20, 2018) The Full show by Magic Radi

4. Cold Play A Sky Full of Stars (April 3, 2023) Live at River Plate

5. Bruno Mars 24K Magic Concert (Dec 21, 2021) Live at the Apollo Theatre. The full show

Folk Music

Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now (Live at the Newport Folk Festival 2022) [Official Video]
Joni Mitchell stunned the Newport Folk Festival audience last summer when she gave a surprise performance – her first in 20 years – delivering a heartfelt set in partnership with Brandi Carlile and a remarkable cast of musicians and friends that formed The Joni Jam. Her triumphant return to the stage on July 24, 2022, will be featured on a new live album, AT NEWPORT. Available on July 28, 2023 and produced by Brandi Carlile & Joni,

Powerful performances - wickedly good ;-)

Cynthia Erivo's powerhouse performance of 'Nothing Compares 2 U' | Next at the Kennedy Center(Jan 5, 2024) Through a powerhouse performance of Prince’s chart-topping hit, "Nothing Compares 2 U," Cynthia Erivo enters the New Year in unforgettable style. Filling every note with soul, Erivo shares her heart with the audience through this timeless tale of love
Cynthia Erivo Performs "When You Believe" | 2024 National Memorial Day Concert Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner and two-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo performs "When You Believe" in tribute to our wounded, ill & injured veterans, at PBS
Cynthia Erivo and Joaquina Kalukango Sing 'Killing Me Softly' | Next at the Kennedy Center
"The Color Purple" co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Joaquina Kalukango perform the Hip Hop Trio Fugees’ funky rendition of "Killing Me Softly." The global hit steeped in unrequited love is told by two friends, whose friendship can be felt through the screen. PBS
Cynthia Erivo Performs "I'm Here" From "The Color Purple" | (April 4, 2017) MAKERS Conference
Everyone needs to hear the messages of this song.
Tony-winning actress Cynthia Erivo performs “I’m Here” from the Broadway musical “The Color Purple” at the 2017 MAKERS Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

Classical Music - concerts

Hauser Classical Gala Concert with the Royal Philharmonic Concert, Conductor Robert Ziegler, Caroline Campbell, violin Aida Garifullina, soprano Lara Fabian, singer. LIVE at the Royal Albert Hall, London, (May 2024)
2CELLOS Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser performing their favourite classical pieces with the Zagreb Soloists at their classical "Back to the Roots" concert at the Lisinski Concert Hall in Zagreb, June 2015.
Luciano Pavarotti sings "Nessun dorma" from Turandot (The Three Tenors in Concert 1994).
Playlist on YouTube
Renowned Italian tenor Pavarotti (1935–2007) sings the aria from the final act of Puccini's opera Turandot, live in concert with The Three Tenors in Los Angeles in 1994. Watch the full performance, newly available in digital video: https://w.lnk.to/The3TenorsLY. (Warner Classics)
Deutsche Grammophon (DG) on YouTube. Here is the Website. There is a wealth of music concerts on YouTube.
Recording great performances of classical music in the best audio quality has been Deutsche Grammophon's mission since it was founded in 1898. The list of artists who have collaborated with the label reads like a roll call of the greatest musicians of the past 100 years: Abbado, Argerich, Barenboim, Bernstein, Boulez, Domingo, Dudamel, Gilels, Horowitz, Karajan, Kleiber, Mutter, Netrebko, Salonen, Zimerman, and so on. Discover legendary recordings from past and present. Whether it’s works for opera, orchestra, piano or violin, indulge in the variety of classical music on our Youtube channel and enjoy repertoire by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, and many more.
1. Top Videos of Deutsche Grammaphon
2. John Williams & Vienna Philharmonic – Williams: Theme from “Jurassic Park” (July 1, 2020)
3. John Williams & Wiener Philharmoniker – "Main Title" from "Star Wars: A New Hope" (Oct 2, 2020)
Hans Zimmer Live 2023 Prague FULL CONCERT. Available to rent/buy on Amazon. On May 7th 2016, Hans Zimmer's critically acclaimed European Tour arrived at the O2 Arena, Prague, in the Czech Republic.