Yeah - there's too much to watch right now and it's hard to know what's good and what might be worth your time. Heck, that's the entire reason this newsletter exists. But something that really rankles me is how poor a job streamers do to keep people up to date on what their new and upcoming shows are.

With all of the information that streamers have about my viewing habits, why am I not getting targeted emails? Why do I get push notifications reminding me to check out season 3 of The Kominsky Method when I tapped out after four episodes in season 1? And why is it that it was only when putting this newsletter out that I realised Lisey's Story on Apple TV+ is a series and not a movie?

The amount of money invested into all of these platforms. These shows. These movies. And that last mile of consumer information simply isn't there. It's frustrating.

That said, I actually think HBO Max has a great email every week. It's clean and simple - it highlights the big movie or show being dropped on platform this week and then showcases other worthwhile releases on platform that week. It's very effective.

What are you watching this weekend? I say it begins and ends with Sweet Tooth. Frankly, I've moved past the 'like' phase with this show and I'm ready to pop the question. It's the union I have been looking for and I'm ready to settle down with it.

It's an oddball, post-apocalyptic fairytale/road movie that juxtaposes adorable animal hybrid children with a harsh reality that has forced every adult on the planet to question their humanity and place within the world. It's funny, scary, deeply sad, and a wonderful catharsis. Everyone has been through a lot this past year and this feels like a wonderful tonic.

An interesting viewing note for this week too - If, like me, you were too cheap to plunk down extra money to watch Raya and the Last Dragon on Disney Plus, know that as of today it is streaming as part of the regular Disney Plus library.

podcast:

This week on the Screen Watching podcast we review:
TV: Sweet Tooth (Netflix) | Kung Fu (The CW / Foxtel) |
Movies: The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It ( In cinemas now / HBO Max) | Minamata (in cinemas now) | Breaking News in Yoba County (in cinemas now)

Interview: Kerry Godliman, star of Whitstable Pearl (Accorn TV)

Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocketcasts, and all the usual places you listen to your pods.

returning:

Why Women Kill (s02), Feel Good (s02), The Haves and the Have Nots (s08), Hells Kitchen (s20), American Ninja Warrior (s13), Van Helsing (s05), The Circle (s02), All American (s03)

new:

Sweet Tooth - Netflix

Stars: Nonso Anozie, Christian Convery, Stefania LaVie Owen
A boy who is half human and half deer survives in a post-apocalyptic world with other hybrids.

The Unusual Suspects - SBS On Demand

Stars: Miranda Otto, Aina Dumlao, Michelle Vergara Moore
Follows the theft of a multi-million-dollar necklace and the women from different walks of life who come together to ensure that justice is served.

Lisey's Story - Apple TV+

Stars: Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Joan Allen, Dane DeHaan, Sung Kang
A widow becomes the object of a dangerous stalker, obsessed with her husband's work.

Dom - Amazon Prime Video

Stars: Gabriel Leone, Flávio Tolezani, Filipe Bragança
Follows Victor, a police officer who dedicated his life to fight the narcotraffic war and to help his son Pedro, a drug addict who became one of the most wanted criminals in Brazil.

That's it for this week. Be safe. Enjoy time with family, friends, your dogs, and any loved ones. Let's be careful out there.