To ask you to recommend soothing films, tv or books

[Youwonjane]

Dh and I, like probably everyone have found ourselves glued to the news and social media. I need a mental break and want to find some soothing things to watch/read/do.

Tonight I’m rewatching Pick of the Litter on Netflix which I just found a joy the first time around, and have bought a Maeve Binchy on kindle, but would love some more “switch off” ideas. Aibu to ask for your recommendations

If you have Disney plus - the world according to Jeff Goldblum is hilarious

Labyrinth, never ending story and the princess bride.

Repair Shop, slow and lovely.

@Thepigeonsarecoming so I’m fairly eclectic but do like a good crime novel - or generally read the latest contemporary fiction. For lighter reading I adore Marian Keyes, haven’t really found another author like her (I find the Sophie Kinsella books awful for example). I’ve just re read the night circus as found that quite soothing.

@parrotfashionista Little Women is a great shout... but... without spoilers - there is one part which maybe not so good in current situation 😊

Downton abbey is a good shout.
I cant remember, is there sex scenes in it? Fir watching with pre teens

Agatha Christie is quite soothing as far as crime goes, or some of PD James.

My favourite books for really calming, grounding philosophical commentary on the good of humanity in amongst the darkness and difficulties we all face, are the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency books. I save them for those times when my mind really, really needs soothing. The stories are lovely, the characters are great, the lessons are simple, gentle but wholly appropriate across the human experience. I love them.

Read them in order, if you can.

I like watching the following channels on YouTube which are very calming, soothing, positive, and help me to focus on self care and mindfulness:

m.youtube.com/user/rheaybanez

m.youtube.com/channel/UCazay-C-shtEEUO78ObKGJg

m.youtube.com/user/MadeByMarySweden

Race Across the World is a good tv series to watch at the moment.

Also, Mallory Towers on CBBC is good escapism.

Eugenius is afeel good musical which provides light relief.

Eugenius

Apparently Wind of the Willows is also online to watch.

My Name is Eve is really good and worth reading.

Also Turn up Charlie on Netflix was brilliant.

Just watched the first Bad Boys film starring Will Smith - good old fashioned buddy cop movie,

7days there’s definitely mentions of sex in Downton, I remember early on that Mary takes a lover to her bed and there’s drama around it all! Also there’s a bit where the Spanish flu does the rounds which might not feel like escapism!

I’m watching Gavin and Stacey again, it’s my go-to comfort watch.

Don’t watch the Downton series-isn’t there a bit where they all get Spanish flu?!!!

I've read a few books (before this started) which I found easy to get through. Two by Dawn O'Porter, Mad Cows and So Lucky, and a few by Ben Elton though the only one I can remember the name of is Identity Crisis. There was another of is that I enjoyed but I can't think what it was called, it was about a sort of Big Brother/Love Island type of household.

Of his*

Just had a local cinema post this on social media! link to comfort movies [[https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/12/comfort-films-to-watch-while-self-isolating-coronavirus-ranked]]

Oh and I always enjoy reading the Enid Blyton St Claires and Mallory Towers books.

link fail

Friday night dinner, Shakespear and Hathaway, Midsomer, Death in Paradise and Friends are our go to watches here.

Another vote for The Detectorists which I can’t recommend highly enough. I also love Gavin & Stacey for pure comfort (not alone in this as apparently BBC are showing it again from the beginning as of this weekend).

Book wise - if anyone enjoys fantasy (but not high fantasy) then I can wholeheartedly recommend The Magicians (and its two sequels) by Lev Grossman. It’s sort of adult Harry Potter crosses with Narnia. Pure escapism. I’ll also be rereading the entire works of PD James and Dorothy L Sayers!

The Sound of Music and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

@BloomedAgain - I agree - we've recently started re-watching Jonathan Creek - we've watched it many times, but there is something so 'familiar' about it. I'd definitely recommend it!

Book: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café.
Film: Last Holiday (the Queen Latifa version)

They are my go-to's when I'm feeling down and need a morale boost

Do Podcast suggestions count?

I've recently discovered 'Walking The Dog with Emily Dean', which I've found nice and comforting the listen to on a night. I just pick out the people who I've wanted to listen to, they basically go on a dog walk round the local park (these were before this outbreak!)

Dead Famous - Ben Elton is the Big Brother one.

Gridlocked is another good Ben Elton book.

The Jilly Cooper books with girls’ names, Emily, Bella, etc. They were a great distraction from the hell of being a teenager.

Films: the big chill, almost famous, ferris bueller, Austin powers, the kids are all right, American beauty, napoleon dynamite, romy and michele’s high school reunion.