Suggestion for films/shows to watch with my mom
August 22, 2023 3:52 PM Subscribe
I'm visiting my Mom and need some stuff to watch with her. Problem is, I only know of things like Aliens and John Wick. She won’t enjoy that at all. So I’m requesting some suggestions.
She likes:
- British stuff
- Crime, but not like Heat. More like Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels
- Satire
- Women. She loved Wonder Woman. She was into Buffy back when it was popular.
She dislikes:
- Crap.
- Testosterone.
A male lead is ok — she loved Spider Man.
But she’d reject Miracle or Wall Street.
Thanks!
She likes:
- British stuff
- Crime, but not like Heat. More like Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels
- Satire
- Women. She loved Wonder Woman. She was into Buffy back when it was popular.
She dislikes:
- Crap.
- Testosterone.
A male lead is ok — she loved Spider Man.
But she’d reject Miracle or Wall Street.
Thanks!
Mrs Maisel?
posted by jacquilynne at 4:02 PM on August 22, 2023
posted by jacquilynne at 4:02 PM on August 22, 2023
If streaming shows are on the table:
Mrs. Davis
Only Murders in the Building
Killing Eve
If she’s ok with cannibalism Yellowjackets
GLOW
posted by forkisbetter at 4:20 PM on August 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
Mrs. Davis
Only Murders in the Building
Killing Eve
If she’s ok with cannibalism Yellowjackets
GLOW
posted by forkisbetter at 4:20 PM on August 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
The Bletchley Circle.
The Miss Fisher mysteries
Ms Marvel
Vera.
posted by suelac at 4:22 PM on August 22, 2023 [6 favorites]
The Miss Fisher mysteries
Ms Marvel
Vera.
posted by suelac at 4:22 PM on August 22, 2023 [6 favorites]
Persuasion 2022: British, breaks the fourth wall, satirical like all Austen, anachronistic while still true to source material
About Time :British, romantic, time travel, fantasy
The Host: strong female hero, science fiction
Maleficent: strong female lead, fairytale fantasy, satire on Sleeping Beauty
Moulin Rouge: Britishish (Australian director, and lead actress, Scottish lead actor) musical, fantasy
Strictly Ballroom: Australian, over the top, fantastical, ballroom dancing, romantic
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 4:27 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
About Time :British, romantic, time travel, fantasy
The Host: strong female hero, science fiction
Maleficent: strong female lead, fairytale fantasy, satire on Sleeping Beauty
Moulin Rouge: Britishish (Australian director, and lead actress, Scottish lead actor) musical, fantasy
Strictly Ballroom: Australian, over the top, fantastical, ballroom dancing, romantic
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 4:27 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Nothing The Miss Fisher Mysteries.
Warrior Nun has a fairly Buffy vibe.
Derry Girls.
posted by ourobouros at 4:28 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Warrior Nun has a fairly Buffy vibe.
Derry Girls.
posted by ourobouros at 4:28 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Bad Sisters (Apple)
Collateral (BBC/Netflix)
Happy Valley (AMC)
Dublin Murders (Showtime/Roku)
posted by thivaia at 4:28 PM on August 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
Collateral (BBC/Netflix)
Happy Valley (AMC)
Dublin Murders (Showtime/Roku)
posted by thivaia at 4:28 PM on August 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
My mom really liked Collateral (BBC/Netflix as mentioned above) and Carey Mulligan is fantastic as usual.
posted by Juniper Toast at 4:34 PM on August 22, 2023
posted by Juniper Toast at 4:34 PM on August 22, 2023
The Hundred Foot Journey with Helen Mirren.
The Miss Marple seasons with Geraldine McEwan especially.
Miss Fisher Mysteries for sure.
posted by Glinn at 4:59 PM on August 22, 2023
The Miss Marple seasons with Geraldine McEwan especially.
Miss Fisher Mysteries for sure.
posted by Glinn at 4:59 PM on August 22, 2023
I feel like she might enjoy The Banshees of Inisherin. I sure did!
posted by saladin at 5:09 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by saladin at 5:09 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Agent Carter
Little Women
Gaslit
Hustlers
Fosse Verdon
Mrs Wilson
Slow Horses
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:13 PM on August 22, 2023
Little Women
Gaslit
Hustlers
Fosse Verdon
Mrs Wilson
Slow Horses
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:13 PM on August 22, 2023
Beforeigners (Norwegian, subtitles) (2 seasons)
The Boat That Rocked (2009)
An Education (2009)
Bright Young Things (2003)
Good Omens (2 seasons)
She’s probably seen Endeavour on PBS (9 seasons)
Shetland (season 1 is episodic, after that it’s whole season arcs)
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:13 PM on August 22, 2023
The Boat That Rocked (2009)
An Education (2009)
Bright Young Things (2003)
Good Omens (2 seasons)
She’s probably seen Endeavour on PBS (9 seasons)
Shetland (season 1 is episodic, after that it’s whole season arcs)
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:13 PM on August 22, 2023
Hot Fuzz
posted by janell at 5:43 PM on August 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by janell at 5:43 PM on August 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
In The Loop - the movie from 2009
Philomena
Ocean's Eight
posted by soelo at 5:46 PM on August 22, 2023
Philomena
Ocean's Eight
posted by soelo at 5:46 PM on August 22, 2023
Agreeing with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and Good Omens.
An Inspector Calls
Hot Fuzz (based on her liking "Lock Stock...")
Army of Thieves
The original What We Do In the Shadows movie. (I can't speak to the show as I've not seen it.)
posted by Saucy Possum at 5:56 PM on August 22, 2023
An Inspector Calls
Hot Fuzz (based on her liking "Lock Stock...")
Army of Thieves
The original What We Do In the Shadows movie. (I can't speak to the show as I've not seen it.)
posted by Saucy Possum at 5:56 PM on August 22, 2023
The original What We Do In the Shadows movie. (I can't speak to the show as I've not seen it.)
The show might, in fact, be better than the movie. All five lead characters--Natasia Demetriou, Matt Berry, Harvey Guillén, Kayvan Novak, and Mark Proksch--are delightful. The fourth season might be a bit of a slump but the fifth is back in fine form.
On that note, in the British humo(u)r/satire vein, I'd also recommend Stath Lets Flats, with Jamie Demetriou (Natasia's brother; she's in it too). Alternately, if you or your mom like Matt Berry, try Toast of London.
Finally, all of Diane Morgan's Cunk on... shows are also fantastic
posted by pullayup at 6:08 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
The show might, in fact, be better than the movie. All five lead characters--Natasia Demetriou, Matt Berry, Harvey Guillén, Kayvan Novak, and Mark Proksch--are delightful. The fourth season might be a bit of a slump but the fifth is back in fine form.
On that note, in the British humo(u)r/satire vein, I'd also recommend Stath Lets Flats, with Jamie Demetriou (Natasia's brother; she's in it too). Alternately, if you or your mom like Matt Berry, try Toast of London.
Finally, all of Diane Morgan's Cunk on... shows are also fantastic
posted by pullayup at 6:08 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Derry Girls (#1 pick, so good)- hilarious teen comedy set in 1990s Northern Ireland
Shetland - Scottish crime drama, male lead but not bro-y
Killing Eve- fun, zany, crime/assassin with 2 female leads
Broadchurch- dark UK crime drama featuring Olivia Coleman
Deadloch- funny Australian lesbian Broadchurch
Sex Education - English teen comedy featuring Gillian Anderson as the lead's mom
The Fall- dark Northern Irish crime drama starring Gillian Anderson, OMG it's so good, my #2 pick)
posted by emd3737 at 6:21 PM on August 22, 2023 [4 favorites]
Shetland - Scottish crime drama, male lead but not bro-y
Killing Eve- fun, zany, crime/assassin with 2 female leads
Broadchurch- dark UK crime drama featuring Olivia Coleman
Deadloch- funny Australian lesbian Broadchurch
Sex Education - English teen comedy featuring Gillian Anderson as the lead's mom
The Fall- dark Northern Irish crime drama starring Gillian Anderson, OMG it's so good, my #2 pick)
posted by emd3737 at 6:21 PM on August 22, 2023 [4 favorites]
Also this movie doesn't match her interests but The Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a such a charming movie from New Zealand, everyone should watch it.
posted by emd3737 at 6:25 PM on August 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by emd3737 at 6:25 PM on August 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
I just re-watched Clue on Amazon, it is a great movie.
posted by mersen at 6:39 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by mersen at 6:39 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
My mum likes the same things as your mom, and my mum loves Keeping Mum.
posted by EllaEm at 7:36 PM on August 22, 2023
posted by EllaEm at 7:36 PM on August 22, 2023
I couldn't believe it but my mom really loved Burn Notice (I've mentioned this before). Only Murders in the Building is also a favourite of hers.
posted by sardonyx at 7:55 PM on August 22, 2023
posted by sardonyx at 7:55 PM on August 22, 2023
2nding Hacks. It's a great satire of showbiz, fame and aging and explores a smart, prickly friendship between 2 sharp women.
Also, I would not recommend The Banshees of Inisherin to someone like your mom who dislikes testosterone. That film soaks in a tub of unpleasant testosterone.
posted by mediareport at 7:57 PM on August 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
Also, I would not recommend The Banshees of Inisherin to someone like your mom who dislikes testosterone. That film soaks in a tub of unpleasant testosterone.
posted by mediareport at 7:57 PM on August 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
Black Books (in USA, can be streamed on crackle.com).
posted by jabah at 8:20 PM on August 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by jabah at 8:20 PM on August 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
I'm a grandmother, getting together with friends this week to watch Galaxy Quest.
other movies on my re/watch list: Ghostbusters, have not yet seen #3, Groundhog day, Scrooged, Sneakers, Pitch Perfect - the 1st 2, Animal House, Time Bandits, Blues Brothers.
My son loves action movies, we both loved Brian and Charles, quirky and fun.
Currently watching Hacks on (hbo)Max, loved Firefly, Poker Face, Yesterday, The Crown, Shetland, Broadchurch, Vera.
I google what's good on %Streamingservice and pick stuff.
posted by theora55 at 8:35 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
other movies on my re/watch list: Ghostbusters, have not yet seen #3, Groundhog day, Scrooged, Sneakers, Pitch Perfect - the 1st 2, Animal House, Time Bandits, Blues Brothers.
My son loves action movies, we both loved Brian and Charles, quirky and fun.
Currently watching Hacks on (hbo)Max, loved Firefly, Poker Face, Yesterday, The Crown, Shetland, Broadchurch, Vera.
I google what's good on %Streamingservice and pick stuff.
posted by theora55 at 8:35 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
I just finished watching the Divergent series, and it was great.
Bones
The Mentalist
Psych
Fisk
Chuck
posted by Enid Lareg at 8:47 PM on August 22, 2023
Bones
The Mentalist
Psych
Fisk
Chuck
posted by Enid Lareg at 8:47 PM on August 22, 2023
The Diplomat. Mom and I watched it and then tried to go back to watching Grace and Frankie, formerly a fave of hers, and she expressed dissatisfaction verging on boredom. She just wants more of The Diplomat, and I can't fault her.
The Diplomat has the ice-cold mom from The Americans and Michael McKean as POTUS and a whole host of other great people and tons of gorgeous scenes of England, both London and countryside and it's just a delight. If it doesn't get another season, I don't even know what I'll do.
Mom loudly hated Breaking Bad and kept insisting it wasn't appropriate for a mother of her age and sensibilities, but she also watched every episode and when we suggested maybe one was enough for family movie night this time, she almost always said that she thought she could handle one more as long as nobody got dissolved in acid right away. She adored Better Call Saul, though toward the end when it started to shade into Breaking Bad levels of ultraviolence (Howard...), she was sad. The Diplomat, though? Perfect for mothers.
posted by Don Pepino at 8:54 PM on August 22, 2023 [4 favorites]
The Diplomat has the ice-cold mom from The Americans and Michael McKean as POTUS and a whole host of other great people and tons of gorgeous scenes of England, both London and countryside and it's just a delight. If it doesn't get another season, I don't even know what I'll do.
Mom loudly hated Breaking Bad and kept insisting it wasn't appropriate for a mother of her age and sensibilities, but she also watched every episode and when we suggested maybe one was enough for family movie night this time, she almost always said that she thought she could handle one more as long as nobody got dissolved in acid right away. She adored Better Call Saul, though toward the end when it started to shade into Breaking Bad levels of ultraviolence (Howard...), she was sad. The Diplomat, though? Perfect for mothers.
posted by Don Pepino at 8:54 PM on August 22, 2023 [4 favorites]
I watched Glass Onion with my mom the last time I visited, and she enjoyed it a lot. So that and Knives Out might be good options.
Ocean's Eight might work, too.
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:43 PM on August 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
Ocean's Eight might work, too.
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:43 PM on August 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
Slightly left field, but since you’ve already had the correct answer that there are three seasons of Happy Valley, lemme throw this in there. If she loves women then ya got to try her on the latest Terminator movie, Dark Fate. And if she hasn’t seen the second Wonder Woman movie you should do that. And if she just kinda low-key fancies Gal Godot, she has a new action movie on Netflix, Heart of Stone. Oh and the Barbie movie why not.
If she likes happy valley then Sally Wainwright has loads of other stuff, including Gentleman Jack which had a great first season and the star of which is also in a great show called Doctor Foster that she might enjoy.
posted by Iteki at 1:29 AM on August 23, 2023
If she likes happy valley then Sally Wainwright has loads of other stuff, including Gentleman Jack which had a great first season and the star of which is also in a great show called Doctor Foster that she might enjoy.
posted by Iteki at 1:29 AM on August 23, 2023
The UK Taskmaster series - 15 seasons available on YouTube. Often laugh out loud even during the pandemic funny.
Lion (2016) with Dev Patel. True, amazing story.
Advantageous (2015) - dystopic near-future, woman’s perspective, with beautiful moments that soften the edges.
(maybe) Wild Tales (2015) - Argentinian film (so, subtitles) with highly watchable vignettes. Can be tense and dramatic, but satisfying and sometimes funny.
posted by vitabellosi at 2:54 AM on August 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
Lion (2016) with Dev Patel. True, amazing story.
Advantageous (2015) - dystopic near-future, woman’s perspective, with beautiful moments that soften the edges.
(maybe) Wild Tales (2015) - Argentinian film (so, subtitles) with highly watchable vignettes. Can be tense and dramatic, but satisfying and sometimes funny.
posted by vitabellosi at 2:54 AM on August 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Diplomat is a great suggestion! The tone is sort of odd (teeters between comedy and thriller) but Keri Russell is great in it.
Uk Taskmaster is funny but features mostly male comedians and often the female comics seemed especially inept which bugged me. Or maybe that's just me unfairly holding them to a higher standard especially when there's only one woman in an episode I feel like they need to make a good showing. Alas
posted by emd3737 at 4:15 AM on August 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
Uk Taskmaster is funny but features mostly male comedians and often the female comics seemed especially inept which bugged me. Or maybe that's just me unfairly holding them to a higher standard especially when there's only one woman in an episode I feel like they need to make a good showing. Alas
posted by emd3737 at 4:15 AM on August 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
Cruella fits your requirements perfectly. And it's one of the best films of 2021!
Deadloch TV show is amazing.
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 6:53 AM on August 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
Deadloch TV show is amazing.
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 6:53 AM on August 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Casketeers is a reality series about Maori funeral directors that is SO heartwarming.
Watched with my son recently:
My son enjoyed White House Plumbers and I got a lot of "I remember that!" moments from it.
The Expanse. Sci Fi. We both enjoyed it. I liked how every character had to make huge decisions every episode. Like real life! Interesting to watch with my grown child, hard to explain why. I like how to cast was so diversified. (Not like real life but a glimpse of the future?) Lots of "strong" woman roles.
My son thought I'd like Thief with James Caan. I did.
Some shows I enjoyed recently:
The French Village, a French Village that has been taken over by Nazis during the war. I've seen it twice.
Timeless. Time travel to important historical events. Strong female lead.
posted by cda at 7:02 AM on August 23, 2023
Watched with my son recently:
My son enjoyed White House Plumbers and I got a lot of "I remember that!" moments from it.
The Expanse. Sci Fi. We both enjoyed it. I liked how every character had to make huge decisions every episode. Like real life! Interesting to watch with my grown child, hard to explain why. I like how to cast was so diversified. (Not like real life but a glimpse of the future?) Lots of "strong" woman roles.
My son thought I'd like Thief with James Caan. I did.
Some shows I enjoyed recently:
The French Village, a French Village that has been taken over by Nazis during the war. I've seen it twice.
Timeless. Time travel to important historical events. Strong female lead.
posted by cda at 7:02 AM on August 23, 2023
Doc Martin! It's a sweet, intelligent, beautifully filmed and slightly silly "drama" about a (very) carmudgeonly but oddly loveable doctor who moves to a coastal town in Cornwall and deals with the town's quirky and also loveable citizenry. My mom and I like it.
Also, in movies, we liked Knives Out. It's a mystery, and quite clever.
posted by bluesky78987 at 7:23 AM on August 23, 2023
Also, in movies, we liked Knives Out. It's a mystery, and quite clever.
posted by bluesky78987 at 7:23 AM on August 23, 2023
Screwball comedies from the Golden Age, especially Preston Sturges and Lubitsch. Something like the Lady Eve or Royal Scandal. A lot of these are available on YouTube for free.
Ealing comedies from the 50s. Ladykillers and the like.
posted by indianbadger1 at 9:52 AM on August 23, 2023
Ealing comedies from the 50s. Ladykillers and the like.
posted by indianbadger1 at 9:52 AM on August 23, 2023
Oh, yes to Doc Martin. My mom loves that one. Tons of excellent women on the show.
posted by Don Pepino at 10:52 AM on August 23, 2023
posted by Don Pepino at 10:52 AM on August 23, 2023
I watched Glass Onion with my mom the last time I visited, and she enjoyed it a lot. So that and Knives Out might be good options.
Seconding this - both my parents loved Knives Out. (Plus - I'd seen it already, and I got a huge kick out of listening to them both shouting out guesses about the mystery as the movie went on.)
My mother also loved Everything Everywhere All At Once.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:17 AM on August 23, 2023
Seconding this - both my parents loved Knives Out. (Plus - I'd seen it already, and I got a huge kick out of listening to them both shouting out guesses about the mystery as the movie went on.)
My mother also loved Everything Everywhere All At Once.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:17 AM on August 23, 2023
Strongly seconding Everything, Everywhere, All at Once and Slow Horses.
posted by TEA at 5:39 AM on August 24, 2023
posted by TEA at 5:39 AM on August 24, 2023
Out of Sight is a rock-solid Jennifer Lopez/George Clooney movie. The Elmore Leonard novel provides the criminal capers acted out by a very good cast, directed by Steven Soderbergh.
posted by JDC8 at 4:16 PM on August 24, 2023
posted by JDC8 at 4:16 PM on August 24, 2023
Came back in here to say I shouldn't have said Thief with James Caan because it is testosterony, but still, liked the Tuesday Weld character.
And wanted to add I have enjoyed every one of Harlan Coben's mystery series. He is American but several of the mysteries take place in the UK, a couple in Poland, one in France, one in Spain, one in the US. So international.
posted by cda at 8:39 PM on August 24, 2023
And wanted to add I have enjoyed every one of Harlan Coben's mystery series. He is American but several of the mysteries take place in the UK, a couple in Poland, one in France, one in Spain, one in the US. So international.
posted by cda at 8:39 PM on August 24, 2023
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posted by SPrintF at 3:57 PM on August 22, 2023 [1 favorite]