"The Bureau of Magical Things"

Harry Potter meets Sabrina in this definitely tween level series.  It's cute, fun, fast-paced and has a kind of lightness to it which I am beginning to expect from Australian streaming shows.  Which is odd, because the YA lit I've read from Australia is dark.  Very very dark.  Not this production, which touches quickly on the sad stuff and goes skating on to fun.  The teens, in a magic school of sorts, always mess up and then run around for 20 minutes or so trying to fix their goofs, learning some not-too-preachy life-lessons along the way.  It can be repetitive but is entertaining.  Lead actor Kimie Tsukakochi is talented and engaging.  Is it fabulous?  No.  But it is a delightful palate cleanser to the news of the day and a great way to get out of yourself if you just want to escape it all for a brief time.  

"The Mitchells vs. the Machines"

Having watched all the SAG nominated films I was able to delve into some Oscar picks.  "The Mitchells vs. the Machines" is delightful, smart and laugh-out-loud funny.  A great film which young and old will appreciate it is packed with terrific artwork, good twists and lots of messaging which you understand without feeling preached to.  It was a great two hours.  You know it's a good review when I have nothing to pick at.  It was simply great.

"The Endgame"

I love, love, love Morena Baccarin.  So, yes, I was a little biased even before I saw the first episode.  But it was good.  Fidgeting fell by the wayside and I was riveted by this con/action/crime/mystery series.  "Blacklist" meets "Jack Ryan" meets "Nikita" meets "Killing Eve" ... I think (?) ... in this vibrant show.  Baccarin plays an arms dealer/head of a mercenary army mastermind.  She's a bad guy.  Or is she?  Clearly, she's killed and doesn't mind killing but there are hints of something greater.  And that's the key.  This is a mastermind who doesn't just look at the board in front of her, she runs the game.  The first episode is non-stop action with an interwoven "fairy tale" and twists you will not see coming.  Ryan Michelle Bathe is the Yang to her Yin and together they make every scene a fiery battle of wills.  I can't wait to see what happens next.