The Three Tomatoes Streaming Picks
With so much streaming content out there, it’s sometimes a challenge to pick your next watch. We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking for heartfelt drama, uplifting stories, or classic comedy, The Four Seasons (film and series), The Miracle Club, and The Nonas offer a mix of nostalgia, humor, and inspiring journeys. Grab your popcorn and get ready for a weekend of memorable storytelling!
The Four Seasons (Series & Original Movie)
Series: This Netflix adaptation of Alan Alda’s 1981 film follows six friends who take quarterly vacations together, only to have their dynamics shaken when one couple announces their split. The show, created by Tina Fey, features a star-studded cast including Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, and Will Forte. It takes a different arc from the movie, which I highly recommend rewatching or watching for the first time. I really enjoyed the series, although the reviews are mixed…some people found the characters annoying and some unlikeable. A highlight was a cameo appearance by Alan Alda! It originally was supposed to be a limited series, but due to its popularity, Netflix has given the green light for a second series. We give it 3 stars out of 5.
Original Movie (1981): I never saw the original but watched it after seeing the series. The film, written and directed by Alan Alda, is a romantic comedy about three middle-class couples navigating friendship and marriage through seasonal vacations. It takes a different track from the series. It’s a wonderful movie with witty dialogue and strong performances from Alda, Carol Burnett, Rita Moreno, and Len Cariou. And all of the characters were likeable. We give it 5 stars for the outstanding cast.
The Miracle Club – Maggie Smith’s Last Film
This is a perfect little movie with a marvelous cast, include Dame Maggie Smith in her last role. Set in 1967 Ireland, this heartwarming film follows three generations of women who win a pilgrimage to Lourdes, hoping for miracles. Starring Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates, and Laura Linney, the movie explores themes of faith, friendship, and reconciliation. It is gem. We give it 5 stars.
The Nonnas
This Netflix comedy-drama, starring Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, and Brenda Vaccaro, tells the true story of a grieving man who opens an Italian restaurant staffed entirely by grandmothers. It’s lovely, heartwarming story celebrating food, family, and Italian heritage. Whether you had a “nonna” or not, you will find the charm in this little more, and all the more so since it’s a true story based on a real restaurant in Staten Island. Now the Nonna chefs represent many ethnic groups. It’s a solid 3 stars.
The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato
