If you aren't completely tired of zombies at this stage, HBO's The Last of Us is rather good. Strong performances by the main cast, and incredible production values. For what it is, it's a flawless production. Except... back in the day I played the game that this is based on. And from watching the first few episodes, the only time it really came alive for me (excuse that pun) is when it deviated completely away from the game.

The Last of Us video game is great fun, but the real value of it comes from how cinematic they made it. That was the novelty of that gaming experience. And then now there's this show that is so similar to what I experienced with that game. I don't really understand why the show exists. It is like directly remaking a movie ten years after the original.

Peacock this week debuted a remake of classic 80s sitcom Night Court. The first two episodes are not just unfunny, but they also feel juvenile. Did the writers learn about the sitcom format from late 90s/early 00s Disney teen sitcoms? The writing and performances suggest so. And it's not like Night Court is alone in this - also see shows like the How I Met Your Father reboot. It is a shame, and especially noticible here, because the Night Court premise lends itself to a more adult take - after all, the show is supposed to be about the weirdos and edgy people going through the New York justice system at 2am in the morning.

And for any of my Australian readers curious about Night Court, know that the show hasn't been picked up locally yet. I suspect the fact it really isn't very good put off prospective buyers. That said, US critics who have seen more of the show do say it picks up in quality. We'll see...

returning:

Godfather of Harlem (s03), Your Honor (s02), The Legend of Vox Machina (s02), Truth Be Told (s03)

new:

The Last of US - HBO

Stars: Bella Ramsay, Pedro Pascal, Anna Torv
Tasked with escorting a teenager across a post-apocalyptic world, a dreaded smuggler joins hands with a young apprentice to fulfil the mission unscathed.

That 90s Show - Netflix

Stars: Kurtwood Smith, Callie Haverda
In the summer of 1995, Leia Forman makes friends with a new generation of Point Place kids while visiting her grandparents, Red and Kitty, in Wisconsin.

Shahmaran - Netflix

Stars: Serenay Sarikaya, Burak Deniz
When Sahsu goes to Adana for a lecture, it's the perfect chance to face her estranged grandfather. But soon, she finds herself in the midst of a legend.

Represent - Netflix

Stars: Jean-Pascal Zadi, Eric Judor, Benoît Poelvoorde
A youth center leader from the suburbs of Paris becomes a candidate in the presidential election. But is France truly ready for a Black president?

Shanty Town - Netflix

Stars: Ini Edo
A group of courtesans attempts to escape the grasp of a notorious kingpin – but political corruption and blood ties make freedom a near-impossible goal.

Night Court - Peacock

Stars: John Larroquette, Melissa Rauch
Judge Abby Stone, the daughter of the late Harry Stone, follows in her father's footsteps as she presides over the night shift of a Manhattan arraignment court and tries to bring order to its crew of oddballs and cynics.

The Way Home - Hallmark Channel

Stars: Chyler Leigh, Andie MacDowell, Evan Williams
Three generations of strong and independent women living together in the small farm town of Port Haven embark on an enlightening and surprising journey none of them could have imagined as they learn how to find their way back to each other.

movies

Jung_E - Netflix

Stars: Kang Soo-youn, Kim Hyun-joo
In a post-apocalyptic near-future, a researcher at an AI lab leads the effort to end a civil war by cloning the brain of a heroic soldier -- her mother.

Mission Manju - Netflix

Stars: Sidharth Malhotra
Set in the 1970s, an undercover Indian spy takes on a deadly mission to expose a covert nuclear weapons program in the heart of Pakistan.