Posted in Reading

My Top Binge-Worthy Movies and TV Shows

I’m want to share with you my top binge-worthy movies or TV Shows I can watch over and over again. Sometimes I find it’s hard to carve out the time to sit and knit on bigger projects. But it can be easier if you’re watching a great movie or TV show to sit and find a couple of quality hours knitting to your day.

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A Knight’s Tale

Perhaps the number one binge-worthy movie for my family is A Knight’s Tale. It is a romantic comedy set in medieval England. It stars some great actors; Heath Ledger, Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany, and Alan Tudyk to name a few.

The story, in a nutshell, is about a man that takes advantage of a situation to change the projection of his life, win the heart of a woman, beat the bad guy, and all on his own terms. What great movie is ablut these things? But hthis story is loosely inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.

For me, the cast of supporting actors makes this the great story it is. Specifically, with the addition of a character going by the name of Chaucer, played by Paul Bettany, this tale truly comes to life. It’s funny, heartwarming and has a great soundtrack. The sets and the costumes and the music, all lend themselves to a period drama yet adding a whimsical touch of contemporary flair making this a stand out movie for my whole family.

I’ve seen this about 100 times and could watch it 100 more!

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Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge is a musical set in the Red Light district in Paris 1899. SO scandalous! The main characters are played by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor who are not singers, this really adds to the sweet vulnerability of their characters. Although I believe that they did some training to sing for this movie, and they basically sing the whole movie.

In this story, the girl is promised to marry a Duke but loves another. They secrectly plot to be together. But of course, it is never simple. There’s a bigger secret lurking in the background that cannot be hidden forever.

The soundtrack for this is fabulous, Some of the greatest songs ever, adjusted to suit each scene making them feel new. The songs are perfectly chosen, doing a great job of explaining the feelings these characteristics are experiencing every step of the way. All the costumes are beautifully detailed. I like the vibe of this movie as it is set up to feel as if you were watching a play.

Pride and Prejudice

There are a few adaptations of Pride and Prejudice. However, the only one to make it to my top list of binge-worthy, has to be the BBC mini-series. You know the one with Colin Firth. It is by far and away the best version. It’s approximately 6 hours of glorious knitting time! Would this be a binge-worthy movie or tv show? I think it had aired on PBS the first time I watched it. Every time my son Tim asks me my favorite movie, I always answer Pride and Prejudice.

This is based on one of Jane Austin’s most loved books also named Pride and Prejudice. Worth the read if you’ve never actually read the book.

Pride and Prejudice is about a boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love story. But it has so much more substance than that. The characters are endearing and are so ridiculous at times. I love the relationships explored in this story. For example, the relationship between the two oldest sisters, Elizabeth and Jane. I love how the characters of their mom and dad play off each other. And of course, Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.

To be honest, I really just think Colin Firth as Mr.Darcy is so dreamy. He’s reserved and expects so much of himself, always putting what he thinks is best for his family first. Watch it. You won’t be sorry.

Harry Potter anything

I would be remiss not to include this on any top binge-worthy movies and TV shows list. And you probably don’t need to me to tell you who or what Harry Potter is.

However, the story of Harry Potter is timeless and appropriate for all ages. It’s about the underdog winning the day, good guys vs. bad guys, THe relationships and superb characters are so well developed, with flaws and all, which makes them so real. Stories and backstories and then you can’t help but mix in your own wishes for their future. It’s a recipe for success, and there’s real magic, unless you are a muggle.

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Harry Potter Audio Book

As I said you already know all about Harry Potter. So instead I want to make sure you about the wonderfulness of audiobooks of the Harry Potter series. And audiobooks and knitting are a perfect fit.

Let’s talk about the narrator, Jim Dale. He has had a varied career, acting, directing, singing and composing. He probably is an excellent dancer, too, but don’t quote me on that.

As Jim is narrating this story you feel as if there are a whole cast of actors working with him. Drawing you into the story as if for the first time. I know for me I didnt want to stop listening. As a side note, this is an excellent long car ride audiobook for everyine!

Jim Dale takes each character and creates a voice that weaves it’s own magic into your heart all over again. When Jim speaks as Hagrid, for example, you get the sense of Hagrid’s great half giant size, his sweet disposition and great love for strange animals. Professor Umbridge really becomes Professor Umbridge! You cannot imagine her any other way than the Jim Dale way ever again.

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I’ve listened to all of these books more than once, probably as many as 10 times honestly. I bought them all on cassette and again on CD because I can’t imagine my life without this audio version of my favorite book series turned favorite movie series! And I have also borrowed the audio files from my library to listen to via my phone. It’s just that good.

Pushing Daisies

Speaking of Jim Dale, have you seen Pushing Daisies? This is a great TV show with some big hitters from the stage. Also, this happens to be narrated by Jim Dale!

This show has been underrated in the mass market world in my opinion. It has terrific costumes and very colorful sets. Not to mention is also has bursts of Musical Flair, sung by the fabulous Kristin Chenoweth. My favorite character is the no-nonsense detective played by Chi McBride, who also just happens to be a knitter!

The show is about Ned, who has a special gift to bring something back to life by touching it. Of course, this gift has ramifications of the deadly kind. In between baking pies, Ned hooks up with a detective and they go on adventure filled crime-solving sprees.

This show only has two seasons but with great characters, matched with amazing costumes and colorful sets, you can’t go wrong. And as a said quite a few broadway actors that are always worth watching.

In fact, come on over right now and let’s watch it together while we knit! I’ll go pull out the DVDs right now.

One more binge-Worthy TV show

Outlander is a Starz tv series based on a book series by Diana Gabaldon of the same name. The first book specifically in the series is Outlander, There are 8 full books and several novellas featuring secondary characters in the books. The books on their own are amazing I can’t encourage you enough to go read them. I realize the books are on the large side, especially considering there are 8, but they are so worth the read.

Back to the show Outlander. Outlander begins in England just as WWII is coming to an end. As you are getting to know the main two characters, Clair and Frank Randall, something unbelievable happens. Clair unwittingly falls through a rock and back in time over 200 years! I know what your thinking. I’m not into all that time travel stuff. Trust me, this is neither here nor there. Clair has to find her way through this new world and navigate some really traumatic events. While Clair is finding her way in the 18th century you will fall in love right along with her. The characters come right from the author’s imagination into a charming mix of fiction and real-life people keeping you captivated every step of the way.

The transitions this shows directors create between the two different time frames is flawless at propelling the story forward and back in a way that feels to organic.

Another amazing transition can be found in how Tobias Menzies portrays both Jonathan Wolverton Randall and Frank Randall. He manages to make you love one as much as you hate the other. He is so good. And don’t we all love to hate the bad guy!?!

Even if you haven’t read the books I highly recommend this show. Outlander has something for everyone, a love story, some fiction grounded in true history, fighting and humor. There currently are 4 seasons and even though the show veers from the books some it stands aloneand is excellent.

What I’ll be knitting while I binge watch

While I hit one of these top binge-worthy movies or tv shows again Ill be knitting on my January Gansey Sweater that I’m so ready to finish.

top binge-worthy movies or TV Shows #knitting #binge-worthy #TV #movies #tvshows #movie #pushingdaises #harrypotter #jimdale #aknightstale #prideandprejudice #janeausten #moulinrouge #musical

Which of my top binge-worthy movies or tv shows have you seen? Find a new one and then watched it? Let me know if you have one I should add to my must binge-watch list!

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Happing binging and knitting.

Author:

I currently live in Williamsburg, Virginia with my husband and three youngest children. I'm trying to spend as much time knitting as I can.

One thought on “My Top Binge-Worthy Movies and TV Shows

  1. Mmmm, all of those shows and films sound fantastic for binge-watching. But sometimes we need an excuse of a snowstorm to stay home and watch it all!

    I’ve watched all of them but have yet to get into the Harry Potter audiobooks. Lately I’ve been listening to several Star Wars books while doing chores and commuting, which Marc Thompson does an excellent job with his voice. My friends have told me how amazing Jim Dale is in bringing the Harry Potter characters to life…so I’ll have to put that on my to-listen-to list!

    Thank you for the recommendations!

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