nannykaplan

If you're a fan of Hallmark series or other Canadian series like Virgin River, Chesapeake Shores and Cedar Cove, you'll definitely enjoy Sullivan's Crossing. As importantly, if you loved Gilmore Girls, this show stars Scott Peterson who played Luke Danes, the owner of Luke's Grill in the fictional town of Stars Hollow. Now, he plays "Sully," short for his surname, Sullivan, owner of a campground-style resort in Nova Scotia called Sullivan's Crossing. His daughter, Maggie, a young neurosurgeon, returns to help him after she was taken away abruptly by her mother when just a child after the marriage fell apart. Her character is the lead and her love interest is none other than Chad Michael Murray, best known for his role as Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill. He plays a lawyer who left his career behind and is staying at Sullivan's Crossing as he seeks a new path forward and a simpler life. He is as hunky and handsome as can be. The series features plenty of drama, ups and downs, and soul searching, but always with a family-friendly tone and sympathetic approach. It can be a bit sappy and hokey, but overall, it's like the comfort food of tv series.

I must confess, I watched this movie only after learning it was based on a real story. The Sunday Morning show with Jane Pauley recently did a segment on the actual restaurant in Staten Island where nonnas serve as the chefs. They showcased its founder, Joe Scaravella, whose life is the basis for the movie. Vince Vaughn, who plays Joe, rarely disappoints as an actor and I am a big fan. His characteristic charm and charisma are on full display in this heartwarming tale of a man committed to honoring the memory of his mother by opening a restaurant where everyone feels like family. Admittedly, everything about this movie is predictable and schmaltzy, but you wouldn't expect it to be any other way. Be prepared to want to take a trip to New York after seeing it, or at minimum, becoming really hungry for your favorite Italian dish. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make lasagna!

The trailer for this film will automatically reel you in, at least it did for me. Plus, I am a big fan of Steve Coogan's. It's not a blockbuster, but it's enjoyable and tender, and you will no doubt experience it on an emotional level, especially if you have ever known the special love and bond of a pet. It quietly pulls at your heart strings and makes you smile, while also delivering some warm-hearted humor as well as a bit of a history lesson about strife in Argentina in the 1970s. Best of all, this is based on a true story. Now, I am eager to know more about the real man who wrote his memoir which became the basis for this movie.