Ellerina97 Reviews

Good Witch (2015–2021)

Such a comfort show!

[8/10 · 7 October 2023]

This show is one of the best comfort shows for me. Minimal drama, small town setting, likeable main characters.

The plot lines can be a bit predictable, and from the first episode, it's obvious there is going to be a romantic connection between the main character and the next door neighbour.

Admittedly, I've never watched the entirety of the show, and it seems season 7 isn't particularly popular, looking at other reviews. Not many shows are able to keep the success and momentum going for 7 séries, and coupled with new writers, this seems to be the case.

If you're looking for an easy-watch, comforting and cosy programme, this is definitely worth a try. Netflix only seems to have up to season 5 currently, so I'll have to try and find the other two seasons elsewhere.

Free Rein (2017–2019)

Enjoyed season 1 but couldn't get past the second episode of season 2.

[5/10 · 24 May 2023]

This show has a nice premise. Most of their characters are interesting, the setting (although such a stereotypical portrayal of England) is cute, and I like the horse plot line (though other reviewers have said it's unrealistic).

Unfortunately, this is another teen show where the main character is the worst character. She is incredibly self-centred and thinks that just because she has a connection with a horse that she knows better than everyone else and refuses to follow any instructions or training. She does what she wants and makes problems for herself and other people which makes the programme hard to watch.

I am aware that this is for teenagers/children, but normally these kind of shows are sweet and entertaining but unfortunately I couldn't stick with this one.

That '90s Show (2023– )

I liked it, but it is a bit jarring.

[8/10 · 28 January 2023]

So I actually quite liked This 90s Show. It's certainly not award-winning stuff but it's an easy and fun watch. I've watched about half of the season so far and here's what I've noticed:

I wasn't really onboard after the first episode. I am not a fan of laugh tracks (seriously I normally will avoid programmes with a laugh track), and it also had a cheesy vibe where it felt they were 100% playing up to the audience. That's probably because they brought in so many of the old characters so it was an on-screen reunion. Since then I've got into the plots more and started enjoying it.

I really liked seeing Red and Kitty again - and really they're the stars in many ways. But then again, they've got decades of acting experience, so I think it's a bit unfair to compare their performances to those of the children.

I think some of the reviews have been a bit harsh on the kids. We're all so used to watching programmes with teenage characters who are actually played by people in their twenties and even thirties. I personally think that the teenage actors in That 90s Show have done a great job. I mean one of them is only 13 in real life and he's a real star (Reyn Doi).

Something a bit jarring about the programme in my opinion is that it has aspects that make it feel like a Disney sitcom - the way some of the characters speak and interact with each other, some of the plot lines and bits like where they're at the world's tamest rave - and then you have the teenage characters talking about sex and drugs etc. Which I find funny each time as I remember I'm not watching a Disney programme (which are known for being very PG).

I think you probably have to persevere through the first episode to get into this programme, and the episodes are very short so that is easily done.

Is It Cake? (2022– )

Good premise, okay execution, terrible host.

[5/10 · 2 April 2022]

I like this kind of easy-watching, no drama, tv programmes. I think the premise is quite creative and the contestants are very talented.

However, the jokes and laughter are so cringe and seem really forced, and the interactions between everyone on the show are really awkward.

I've never heard of this host, but he's awful. He's annoying and a bit creepy for some reason. Hosts are meant to bring the best out of the contestants on the show, but the way he interacts with them is really jarring.

The whole programme is lacking the comfortable atmosphere that a show like this should have and tries a bit too hard to be something it isn't. However, I like the content and what the contestants are doing so it's alright to have on in the background while doing something else.

Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)

Not the best-written programme ever but I love it

[9/10 · 7 November 2021]

I love this show. I struggle with watching new things, and so this is one of my comfort programmes. It's admittedly very predictable and I can guess what is going to happen almost all of the time but that's one of the things I like about it. I can watch it without anxiety because it's predictable and had very little serious drama. The town, Star's Hollow, is idealistic, and the townspeople are funny to watch.

The characters are interesting and unique while also being flawed which makes them more relatable.

This is such an easy programme to binge watch and luckily there are loads of episodes!

Superstore (2015–2021)

Why did I wait so long to watch this?!?

[10/10 · 5 April 2021]

I love this programme! Netflix had been recommending it to me for ages, but I never really bothered clicking on it. Eventually, when I was bored and looking for a show to replace my binge-watching of Modern Family, I decided to give this a try. It is my new favourite programme for easy watching! I feel like Superstore is one of those programmes where it doesn't take itself too seriously or try too hard to be funny, and that's why it's so successful. The characters are completely ridiculous, and yet, believable. The setting of a "big-box store" is perfect for that mix of crazy comedic scenarios and also the realistic situations that retail workers actually face.

If you are a fan of things like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, etc., then you should give Superstore a watch. Only annoying thing is only the first 5 series are on the UK Netflix so far. Can't wait to watch the final series at some point! I only starting watching Superstore about a month ago and I've already binge watched it twice.

A Week Away (2021)

Made me want to go to camp

[9/10 · 5 April 2021]

So this film is really cute. Obviously it's cheesy, so if that isn't your thing then maybe this movie isn't for you. The plot is predictable, and a little bit reminiscent of a Camp-Rock esque style of film, but the songs are good and the characters likeable. Even the necessary rival character isn't really a bad guy. Overall it's a fun family film and I enjoyed it. Plus the contemporary Christian songs are catchy.

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)

Loved it!

[9/10 · 18 February 2021]

I really loved this film! It's a very cute, kinda predictable teen movie. It's a format we've seen before but despite this it's still a really good film. I thought the two main characters were likeable and the actors did a good job playing teenagers despite them both being in their twenties. Definitely worth a watch in my opinion 😊

Interior Design Masters (2019– )

Useless judging on a programme with potential.

[4/10 · 7 February 2021]

This programme is an enjoyable watch. However, the judge is so bad and unlikeable. I reckon they need more than one set judge as it's important to have more than one person making a decision. She consistently sent the wrong person home which really bothered me. The winner in my opinion, and a lot of other peoples' based on the other reviews, was undeserving. Every episode I feel the winner ignored the clients and just did what she wanted, which often was incredibly impractical and ugly. All of this made watching this programme really frustrating. I know there's a new season out so hopefully they have more than one judge this time and hopefully they've read some of these reviews on things they should improve on.

Property Brothers (2011–2019)

Great show concept, awful buyers

[7/10 · 31 January 2021]

I like this show a lot. I love renovation programmes and this one is great. I also really like the Property Bros. However, the majority of buyers are dreadful on this programme. They're either incredibly rude about other people's houses, or they spend all their time bothering Jonathan by constantly changing their plans and making his life difficult. I was just watching an episode where the owner of the house actually knew the buyer and even offered him an amazing deal on the house, and the wife of the couple proceeded to call the house tacky, ghetto and awful while they were looking around. How incredibly rude considering the owner was giving them such a good deal and actually knew the husband! I sometimes find this programme a bit difficult to watch due to how rude some of the buyers are.

Dream Home Makeover (2020– )

Entertaining and nice enough but also odd

[5/10 · 28 January 2021]

I'll start by saying that I'm British so our home design shows are very different I think. I actually quite enjoyed watching this, and the family that the show features are really sweet. However, the interior design is a bit samey... white and boho seems to be the theme for every property. I love that style don't get me wrong but that's a bit boring after a while. Also, I would say that a house that is 2000 square feet would be considered fairly big for most Brits, I don't know if it's the same for Americans or not but I assume not everyone in America lives in a mansion. The people on this programme have like 8000 square feet houses...and one of them is 22,000 square feet. I've never even heard of a property that big in my life. How could one family need that much space I don't understand. Anyway, I find that this makes it really hard to watch because the houses are really unrelatable for the vast majority of people. To be fair there were a few more normal houses but I actually don't think enough of the actual design was shown in the episode.

Ghosts (2019–2023)

Really funny and different comedy with excellent cast

[9/10 · 7 January 2021]

Having been a massive fan of Horrible Histories since I was a kid, I was obviously familiar with the actors in this programme. I also knew the main actress from when she was in Fresh Meat and Call the Midwife. Anyway, it's a properly funny programme, the ghosts all hilarious in their own ways. The cellar ghosts are also a right laugh with their boiler expertise! Definitely worth a watch if you're in need of a funny programme to binge watch. I've only just found out they've made a second series and I am about to watch it all now! Hopefully they keep making it for some time.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Ahh I loved it

[8/10 · 3 December 2020]

This film is sure to become a classic! I loved it! The plot is different but kind of reminded me of the Santa Clause films in the tone. Definitely worth a watch for kids and adults. The only thing which I didn't like at first was the elves. They kinda scared me and are not what I expected the elves to look like but once you get used to them they're really funny.

Holiday Home Makeover with Mr. Christmas (2020)

I watched it, but found it a bit odd

[3/10 · 3 December 2020]

Don't know if it's because I'm not used to watching American reality programmes like this but I found the whole thing not to my taste. The host wasn't anything special and I felt some of the choice of families to be odd. I really liked the episode where they make over the fire station after the fire chief had died as I felt those people really deserved it and had a good reason for writing in to the programme. The other families I'm not so sure about. They had pretty boring reasons for "needing" his help in my opinion. I think the programme would be a lot more interesting if it was all a bit more like the fire station episode. Maybe if the families they picked were more in need financially or have had a really tough time emotionally (such as the dad who died in the fire station episode). One of the episodes had a family with a huge house, who it seems already decorated their house incredibly Christmassy every year. Not too sure why they needed his help. I think it's a good concept overall but it just needs some fine tuning.

Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star (2019– )

Second season so far better than first

[6/10 · 25 May 2020]

First off, I would like to say that I thoroughly dislike the judges. They are pretentious and have no sense of style. I enjoyed the first season, but some of the MUAs were a bit up themselves and I didn't like the drama. Additionally, one girl who was consistently unreliable kept getting put through to the next round. However, so far I'm really enjoying the second series. The MUAs all seem genuine and are supportive of one another. If you're wondering about if you should watch this, I'd say give it a go, but it might not be for everyone.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019–2023)

Love it!

[9/10 · 23 May 2020]

I am fully aware that this programme is probably not for people my age (early 20s). However, I grew up with the High School Musical movies. When I heard they were making this, I thought it was a remake and that it would be awful, but I was wrong. It's not a remake. It's about a high school theatre production of the High School Musical films. The characters are interesting, and bonus: the actors actually look the age the characters are meant to be (I'm looking at you Glee!). Anyway, I think that if you grew up with the films like I did - or even if you're a bit younger and didn't necessarily grow up with the films - that you should give this programme a go.

Get Even (2020)

Interesting murder mystery drama

[7/10 · 29 February 2020]

So I'm not finished with this programme yet but I'm finding it really good so far. Not sure what age group this is aimed for but I'm really enjoying it and I'm 22. The characters are quite interesting and the plot isn't predictable. Looking forward to seeing how this ends.

Greenhouse Academy (2017–2020)

Not a bad programme for pre-teens/teenagers

[6/10 · 18 February 2018]

I actually quite enjoy watching this show on Netflix. I came across it recently, and find it really easy to binge-watch. Sure, the acting isn't always brilliant, and the plot seemingly fairly unrealistic, but it is a fun programme to watch. My main issue with it is the character Aspen's horrendous English accent. I have no idea where the actress comes from, but her English accent is quite possibly the worst one I have ever heard. Every time she speaks it makes it difficult to focus on what is going on in the scene because my sister and I honestly can not stop laughing over this supposed English accent. Overall, good programme with an interesting and captivating plot and likeable characters. I admittedly haven't made it all the way to the end of season two so don't know how it concludes, but I am enjoying it so far.