It thrills me to learn The Weekend Edition is my most popular column on The Chapman Chronicles. I love writing this series every week and am glad you enjoy reading it. There will be soooo many great recs coming your way in 2025! In the meantime, as a way to close out the year, I compiled a master list of all the movies and shows I gushed about in 2024. Consider it my Christmas gift to you. xx – Leah

🎥 The Idea of You on Prime – Solène (Anne Hathway), a 40-year-old single mom begins an unexpected romance with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the 24-year-old lead singer of the popular boy band, August Moon. I really enjoyed this movie, even though I originally only watched it because I thought it was a Harry Styles fanfic, lol. It turns out that that’s not really true.

🎥 Hit Man on Netflix – a psychology professor who works undercover with the local police department by pretending to be a hit man finds himself in dangerous territory when he breaks protocol to help a desperate woman, who wants to leave her abusive husband, and ends up falling for her. A subtle first-rate comedy with superb acting (this might be Glen Powell’s best work), a compelling plot, and incredible filmmaking (it’s directed and co-written by Richard Linklater). Starring Glen Powell (who also co-wrote it!), Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, and Retta this movie is full of rich character development, absurd personas, and a sizzling romance.

🎥 Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion on Max – a documentary uncovering the toxic origins and culture of the uber popular teen brand, Brandy Melville. I didn’t know just how much dirty laundry was going to be aired when I selected this doc for my usual Friday night movie and nail painting session. I had heard of the brand Brandy Melville, but I’ve never bought anything from them, mainly because I didn’t fit into their one-size-fits-all sizing. I knew about their controversial sizing…one size fits all, REALLY?! But I didn’t know about all their other controversies, like racial and sexual discrimination, toxic workplace environments, and the fact that Brandy Melville isn’t even a real person. It’s bonkers how this brand can be so problematic, yet still have millions of followers on their social media accounts.

🎥 Happiness for Beginners on Netflix – A year after her divorce, 32-year-old Helen Carpenter (Ellie Kemper) lets her brother persuade her to sign up for a grueling wilderness survival course. She hopes this ‘adventure of a lifetime’ will give her a sense of clarity on life and her past relationship. She wasn’t expecting it to lead to love. If you’re looking for a feel-good rom-com that has moments of self-reflection, plenty of laughs, and a charming, rugged love interest, then add this one to your queue!

🎥 Twisters on Peacock – Haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado, Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar-Jones) gets lured back to tornado alley by her old friend, Javi (Anthony Ramos), to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. She soon crosses paths with Tyler Owens aka the Tornado Wrangler (Glen Powell), a charismatic but reckless social-media star who thrives on posting live streams of his storm-chasing adventures. As the storm season intensifies, Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves in a fight for their lives as multiple systems converge over central Oklahoma. With fast-paced action scenes, loads of charm (I’m talking about Glen Powell), and subtle hints at the importance of community and the threat of global warming, this disaster film is a thrilling ride. I guess you can say I was blown away by this remake of the 1996 hit, Twister.

🎥 Hot Frosty on Netflix – When Kathy (Lacy Chabert), a young grieving widow, places a gifted red scarf around a hunky snowman (Dustin Milligan), she magically brings him to life! Can her snowman help her rediscover romance, laughter, and holiday cheer before he melts away? Swooning over a hot snowman was not on my bingo card for the year, but here we are. Once you get over the preposterous storyline of a snowman brought to life, this really is a charming movie. Lacy Chabert is a natural at holiday romcoms, and Dustin Milligan was adorable at playing an innocent snowman brought to life. I also enjoyed the subplot of the Sheriff (Craig Robinson) and his deputy (Joe Lo Truglio) trying to solve the crime that Jack (aka Hot Frosty) unknowingly committed. If you’re looking for a silly feel-good flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously, then this is it.

🎥 A Biltmore Christmas on Netflix – Screenwriter Lucy Hardgrove (Bethany Joy Lenz) has finally finished her script for a remake of the Holiday classic “His Merry Wife!” just in time to enjoy the holidays…or so she thought. After meeting with the Hollywood producer, he tells Lucy her script is missing one thing: a happy ending, so instead of spending the holidays caroling with her family, Lucy will be heading to Asheville, North Carolina to visit the location where the original movie was filmed, in hopes it will inspire her to write a new ending. While touring the grounds, she accidentally knocks over a magical hourglass and finds herself transported back to 1946. Before she can return to the present, Lucy must make things right or threaten to alter the future forever. A super cute & cozy rom-com to watch while sipping on a warm mug of hot cocoa.

📺 Emily in Paris (Season 4) on Netflix – When writing this post, I had to go back and confirm (twice) that it’s the fourth season of Emily in Paris because I couldn’t believe this show has been on for FOUR years! Emily in Paris is the perfect show to turn to when you want to shut off your brain and escape from your mile-long to-do list. The plot is easy to follow, the costumes are very costumey, and overall it’s just a good time.

​​📺 The Artful Dodger on Hulu – set in Australia fifteen years after the events of Oliver Twist, Jack Dawkins has left behind pick-pocketing to become a surgeon. When someone from his past returns to haunt him, Jack finds himself moving back into the world of crime. Starring Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Love, Actually & Nanny McPhee) as Jack Dawkins, David Thewlis (Harry Potter) as Fagin, and Maia Mitchell (The Fosters & Teen Beach Movie) as Lady Belle Fox, this period/thievery/medical drama (who knew that was a genre I’d be into) has been one of my favorite new shows I’ve seen on a streaming service in a while.  

📺 Live to 100: Secrets of The Blue Zones on Netflix – Journalist & Author Dan Buettner travels around the world to share his discovery of 5 unique communities where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives. I’ve been on a bit of a health/wellness kick these past six months, so I was completely fascinated by this documentary series that explores the science and lifestyle behind longevity. There’s a lot of wonderful wellness tips sprinkled throughout the series.

📺 Nobody Wants This on Netflix – An agnostic sex podcaster (Kirsten Bell) and a newly single rabbi (Adam Brody) fall in love; discovering if their relationship will survive their wildly different lives and meddling families. I loved this show! It’s like watching a romantic comedy film, except it’s stretched out into a 10-episode series, which is way more satisfying. Also, Kirsten Bell and Adam Brody have insane on-screen chemistry! Netflix announced Nobody Wants This will be coming back for season 2. It sounds like everybody wants this show to continue.

📺 Maxton Hall – The World Between Us on Prime – All Ruby Bell (Harriet Herbig-Matten) wants is to get into Oxford University, which is why she’s on scholarship at the elite high school, Maxton Hall. She spends most of her time studying and trying to stay invisible to her snobbish classmates. When Ruby discovers an explosive secret about one of the most prominent families at the school, she’s suddenly not so anonymous anymore, and the most popular guy in school, James Beaufort (Damian Hardung), now knows her by name. I am OBSESSED with this show!! It’s a German show, but please do not let the language barrier keep you from giving it a chance. It’s so dang good. You can either watch it dubbed in English (that was the automatic setting on my Prime account), or you can watch it in German with English subtitles. Personally, I prefer viewing it in its original language and just reading the subtitles, but do whatever works for you. Prime has already announced season 2 will be released sometime next year. I can’t wait!

📺 Gilmore Girls on Netflix – is a dramedy centering around the relationship between Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), a thirty-something single mother, and her bookish teenage daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel) and their lives in the picturesque but quirky small town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Gilmore Girls is my favorite show of all time! I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve rewatched the show, especially seasons 2-5. The writing is sharp, the setting is charming (and very autumnal), and the characters are so quirky and lovable (Yes, even Emily. I LOVE her).