Part of growing up is leaving our parent’s house and setting up our own residences. The room that I spent my teenage years in looks pretty much like it did decades ago. But some decide to change it up a bit.
In the new home renovation show, Empty Nest Refresh, actress Liza Koshy and designer Orlando Soria meet with young people who are moving out of the nest. Their former bedrooms are turned into spaces that reflect the older’s generations changing lifestyle.
I watched the first two episodes last weekend. I was impressed. It is not a concept that is not a copy of a previous program. It takes a generic narrative and puts a spin on it that many can relate to. I was also swayed by the creativity that was the final result.
Do I recommend it? Yes.
The complete season of Empty Nest Refresh is available for streaming on The Roku Channel.
The tale of Cinderella is universal. A young woman rises from difficult circumstances to find her happy ending is a desire that we can all relate to.
In 2021, Amazon Prime released a movie musical adaptation of the beloved fairy tale. Actress/Singer Camila Cabello played the title role. Her Cinderella is not content to be a servant in her own house. She wants to be a dress designer. But her stepmother Vivian (Idina Menzel) is quick to destroy the girl’s dreams.
Prince Robert (Nicholas Galitzine) is the heir to the throne and is being pushed to marry. His reputation is that of a listless young man who is not living up to his responsibilities. Nor is he interested in the potential brides that have been presented to him.
Upon seeing Cinderella one day, he is immediately smitten and wants to get to know her. When she shows up at the ball, their future seems to be assured. But it is not so easily sewn up.
I have to give props where props are due. Director and screenwriter Kay Cannon adds flavors and layers that were missing in some previous adaptions. Using both top 40 hits and original songs, the music provides a wide appeal.
I very much appreciated that the characters were fleshed out. Cinderella is not looking or interested in getting married. Her professional future is more important. In previous versions, the prince was a thing to acquire. Galitzine’s Prince Robert is fully human. Throughout the film, he grows from a boy to a man. Menzel’s Vivian is equally as strong. Though she is as bitter as her predecessors, her reasons when revealed, show a woman who had to live with the painful consequences of her past.
It’s not Shakespeare. But it is entertaining and a vast improvement on the original text.
Do I recommend it? Yes.
Cinderella is available for streaming on Amazon Prime and Freevee.
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