Whew – still a hot one here in AZ! Spring never even really sprung but the forecast looks like it’s going to cool off some at the beginning of April. Otherwise, we’re in for a long hot summer! I think I say that every year (for thirty years – yes, 3-0!) but this feels extreme.
Casa Rushia is officially Easter-fied! Got some new decorations to add to the mix this year. My Easter haul is nothing like Halloween or Christmas though, it’s pretty minimal for me…and for my close friends and family reading this, you understand that statement. Christmas and Halloween are beyond normal at our house, seriously. I don’t even think the Griswolds top our holiday hot mess!
I’ve been busy couch-potatoing, since there are sooo many new shows and movies out. I guess that’s the one good thing about it being hot outside. I can enjoy my AC and watch with my favorite sidekick, Alvin. He only opens up an eye from his couch-lounging when he happens to hear animals on the screen. He’s certain they’re invading and has to bark and leap up to check the perimeter. He’ll be 11 on April 4th and still zooms around like a puppy. He also wakes up from a deep sleep when he hears the fridge open and close and any crinkle of snack paper. He never misses out on a possible treat. I’ve been walking him much more since I have a lot of great time on my hands and he’s loving it…and doing better about not being so beat on the journey back home so I know the exercise is helping. The vet said he should lose a few pounds so trying to help him with that.
Anywho, here are some more recommendations from my growing list. Still chipping away at it so more to come in early April too!
The Comeback – HBOMax – Season 1-3
Lisa Kudrow’s quirky documentary-style comedy is back after Season 2 wrapped in 2014! Her cherished (IYKYK) character is unlike any other and the fans of this show must just be so tickled it’s back. I know I am and I’ve seen some of my favorite pop culture Insta accounts raving about it too. It’s tough to be another beloved character like Phoebe but she really is in this. And, much of the original cast came back too. Watch an episode a week through May 10 for eight total episodes.
Ever since my sweets got too cool for school and stopped wanting to go see animated movies at the theater (or even watch them with us at home), my hubby and I have been missing out. So we decided to start watching them ourselves. The Zootopia sequel was great! I love when animated movies started including jokes for adults – not even sure when that started happening but when it did, I loved seeing them even more. I also think it would be fun if any of the Disney Parks incorporated some portion of Zootopia and maybe that’s already in the works. It’s such an awesome world to be a part of it, even for a bit. Super fun and cute!
Sunny Nights – Disney+/Hulu – Season 1
This show was originally released in Australia and the two main characters, who play siblings trying to conquer the tanning industry, are played by awesome comedic actors. I’m working my way through the eight episodes and it’s a ton of fun. Lots of laughs but also lots of action too.
Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat – Prime – Season 1 (technically second)
I loved Jury Duty and when I saw the creators were coming out with a second season but this time as a company retreat, I was giddy! The premise is everyone is an actor EXCEPT one poor soul and so far this season is every bit as awesome as the original. The cast is full of unknowns too that likely will become more known after more people discover the show. It’s just like Punked on steroids with a splash of The Office. Eight episodes total that are all out now. Hilarious!
Project Hail Mary – in theaters!
I achieved my goal of finishing the book before seeing the move but just barely! Both were excellent and lived up to the hype. It’s making bank at the theater and Ryan Gosling is just, well, Ryan Gosling. I think all studios know they can just print money now if he’s cast in anything. Next up for him is the starring role in a Star Wars movie (that Shawn Levy directed) so I rest my case. Go see this movie on the biggest screen you can – it’s actually at IMAX at AZ Mills and worth braving that crazy mall. We saw it on a Cine screen at the Chandler Mall and although it’s nice to pause a movie to run to the bathroom at home, there’s still nothing like seeing a movie at a packed theater on a Friday night and laughing, crying, cheering and clapping all together.
Imperfect Women – AppleTV – Season 1
My favorite girls Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss are back in a new mystery thriller. It’s really great and I knew it would be. There are actors that you know will always be excellent in anything they’re in. My hubby gives me a hard time about that. He only watches shows if he’s interested in the show premise, not for the cast. Opposites attract AND more times than not, after he begrudgingly takes my advice and recommendation and watches the show, he loves it. I watch waaaayyy more than he does and he’s always OCD about having too many shows at one time but once in a while he’ll surprise me and tell me he finally watched something I recommended to him. We do watch some shows together but not many.
When I’m missing my parents, I flip on our DirectTV movie channels and I always find an old favorite. This one I can never not watch. The movie celebrates its 37th anniversary this November. My ma and I watched it over and over and over again. I knew in 2025 when we watched it for the last time that she really wasn’t well or all the improvements that seemed to be helping were mostly false. It was right before I moved her into her new assisted living apartment and she was barely acknowledging all the funny lines from our favorite cast. It was a strange moment in time, like many moments I have from that 5-month experience, but at least we got to watch it together one more time. I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again – when I look at the movie guide and I see an old favorite of ours, I know she’s here with me or my pop is or both. Same with music in my car. It’s silly but I believe it. This movie is also technically kind of an Easter flick since the holiday occurs twice in the storyline so there you go – watch it this Spring and laugh and cry like I do every time!
I’ve had a helluva time getting through this show but it’s good. My attention span is just limited sometimes for shows that are kinda slow. I love the main character though so I need to finally finish Season 1 so I can move on to Season 2 that came out recently. It’s based on James Patterson’s beloved character in many of his books. Morgan Freeman of course played him in a couple movies and even Tyler Perry – both excellent with the character too. I guess because it’s sort of a procedural cop drama that it’s tougher to get into…and my phone distracts me. But, I’m sticking with it. Sixteen total episodes and it’s been greenlit for Season 3.
RJ Decker – ABC/Disney+/Hulu – Season 1
So I rarely and I mean RARELY watch ANY network television shows. There are just too many great shows on streamers that don’t have their strict guidelines (i.e. they can say and do (mostly) whatever the fuck they want!). BUT, when I saw that Ben from Felicity was going to be starring in this show, based on Carl Hiaasen’s awesome book, welp, I had to give it a watch. It’s Florida fun and Scott Speedman is great, in all his Aloha-shirt-wearing hotness. It’s Spring Break Lauderdale for crime 24/7 for this PI and full of Florida man (and woman) crazies. Comes out weekly on Tuesdays, next day on Hulu, for a total of nine episodes through April 28. Looks like it’s doing pretty well in the ratings too so maybe it will see the light of day for a Season 2.
Young Sherlock – Prime – Season 1
I’m a Sherlock sucker. I watch anything and everything from whatever era of his life they create. Love him! This show is pretty fun and Guy Ritchie is the creator so it’s full of lots of fun action and slow-mo camera work. It’s a solid origin story. Eight episodes out now and not officially greenlit for Season 2 but industry rumors and my Magic 8 Ball say it’s likely going to get another season. So buckle up and enjoy!
Stay cool (if you’re in AZ) and anyone else that’s reading this elsewhere that’s actually getting a true Spring, good for you! Take lots of flower pics for the Gram!
From Rushia With Love 