Y’know… production and exhibition has been limited due to the pandemic, which has led to a slow-down of the availability of new TV and movies. But… there’s still quite a lot to watch.
That said - if you’re looking for more viewing options, I have two suggestions for you. First is the Stephen King adaptation Mr Mercedes. Three seasons have aired in the US already (with, I believe, the series now at an end), but the show is now streaming on Peacock (and here in Australia, on Foxtel/Binge). It’s Brendan Gleason as a recently retired police detective involved in cat and mouse games with the man responsible for running down a large number of people with a car. The show is very watchable and one of the more compelling shows I’ve seen in some time. It’s certainly an under-the-radar series.
Here’s a trailer:
Another suggestion - with For All Mankind returning in two weeks time to Apple TV+, now is a great time to check out the first series of the show. It’s an alt-history of the US space race with Russia constantly just a step ahead. The perspective of the show is focused on the men and women of the space program as their lives intersect with the needs of their various missions. As we enter season two, we’re in the 80s and the technology gap between the real 80s and the 1980s of the show is becoming far more divergent. It’s great fun.
podcast:
On this week’s Screen Watching, Dan and Simon talk about the Golden Globes nominations, the TV reboots/revivals we’d like to see (following news of new Frasier and The Wonder Years series), an interview with A Nightmare Wakes director Nora Unkel, and they review both WandaVision and the new Justin Timberlake film Palmer.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocketcasts, and all the usual places you listen to your pods.
returning:
The Mallorca Files (s02), Coroner (s03), Harrow (s03)
new:
Firefly Lane - Netflix
Stars: Beau Garrett, Sarah Chalke, Roan Curtis, Katherine Heigl
Tully and Kate support each other good times and bad with an unbreakable bond that carries them from their teens to their forties.
Malcolm & Marie - Netflix [Film]
Stars: John David Washington, Zendaya
A director and his girlfriend's relationship is tested after they return home from his movie premiere and await critics' responses.
Invisible City - Netflix
Stars: Marco Pigossi, Alessandra Negrini, Jéssica Córes
An underground world is inhabited by mythical creatures evolved from a deep lineage of Brazilian folklore. One detective who finds himself caught in a murder investigation that puts him in the middle of a battle between these two worlds.
The Snoopy Show - Apple TV+
Stars: Ethan Pugiotto, Terry McGurrin, Rob Tinkler
The world's most iconic dog is ready for his close-up. Dive into new adventures with the happy-dancing, high-flying, big-dreaming beagle, who's joined by best friend Woodstock and the rest of the "Peanuts" gang.
Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready - Netflix
Stars: Tiffany Haddish, Tracey Ashley, April Macie
Tiffany Haddish introduces her favorite comedians in a series of stand-up performances.
Aftertaste - ABC
Stars: Erik Thomson, Natalie Abbott, Susan Prior
The story of Easton West, an internationally-renowned yet volatile celebrity chef who has a spectacular fall from grace and returns to his hometown in the Adelaide Hills, Australia.
The Investigation - HBO Max | SBS On Demand
Stars: Søren Malling, Pilou Asbæk, Pernilla August
Copenhagen Police's Homicide unit, headed by Jens Møller, tries to solve the murder of Swedish journalist Kim Wall.
Earwig & The Witch - HBO Max [Film]
Stars: JB Blanc, Thomas Bromhead, Alex Cartañá
It follows an orphan girl, Earwig, who is adopted by a witch and comes home to a spooky house filled with mystery and magic.
Bliss - Amazon Prime Video [Film]
Stars: Owen Wilson, Salma Hayek, Nesta Cooper
A mind-bending love story following Greg who, after recently being divorced and then fired, meets the mysterious Isabel, a woman living on the streets and convinced that the polluted, broken world around them is a computer simulation.
That’s it for this week. Rest up. Enjoy some watching.
