Nailed It
#FIRSTLOOK: WHAT TO WATCH OCTOBER 2021 – “SQUID GAME”, “MAID”, “CONTROLLING BRITNEY SPEARS”, “BRITNEY VS SPEARS”, “NAILED IT!”, “RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE UK”, “LEGO STAR WARS TERRIFYING TALES”, “MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION”
By Mr. Will Wong
Lots of wonderful streaming options to share with you as we enter my favourite season! Put on that cardigan, grab a blanket and cozy on up with your Pumpkin Spice Latte and enjoy some of our recommendations!
SQUID GAME (NETFLIX)
This South Korean Series is bloody violent and a sleeper hit for Netflix, just now garnering all the buzz! The nine-episode Drama pits 456 contestants who are deeply in debt, against one another in a game of survival where they are to compete in children’s activities with deadly consequences. But who exactly will go on to win the 456 billion (Korean dollars) prize with the stakes being upped as each contestant gets killed? At the center of it is Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), divorced and a single father with a gambling addiction who gets in way over his head, literally gambling his life away – but this might be his only shot left at reclaiming back his life. Will he succeed and at what cost does this come? The Series is overdubbed in English for those of us who are just too tired to read and the Voice Actors do a very capable job translating the emotions and fears of these Actors. We’ve never quite seen anything like this deadly game of survival, which is one-part The Hunger Games, one-part Tarantino and all sorts of crazy! SQUID GAME streams now on Netflix.
MAID (NETFLIX)
This ten-episode Mini-Series is based on Stephanie Land’s New York Times best-selling Memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. It centers on a young single mother Alex (Margaret Qualley) who decides to leave her manipulative partner Sean (Nick Robinson), following her struggles in poverty and finding shelter, while also battling for custody of their daughter Maddy (Rylea Nevaeh Whittet). Alex aspires to be a Writer but to survive, she takes on the job of maid, with costs adding-up while she makes very little money. Qualley delivers a sympathetic performance which really gets into the soul of Alex, who wants the best for her daughter knowing this can’t come if Sean gets full custody. But also, she must carve out her own path in life, which has taken a backseat in an unhappy relationship. We explore all aspects of Alex’s life including her troubled relationship with her Artist mother Paula (a commanding performance by Qualley‘s real-life mother Andie MacDowell), and what it might look like for her to begin pursuing romance again and the gray areas that come with it. A phenomenal layered performance also from the well-to-do and frenetic Regina (Anika Noni Rose), who is one of Alex‘s clients, and with production taking place in Vancouver, we see many familiar Canadian faces like Raymond Ablack and Théodore Pellerin who also turn-in great work in supporting roles. We are a huge fan of Qualley, so it is a treat getting to see her really show her range. So excited for you to discover this when it streams October 1, 2021 on Netflix.
BRITNEY vs SPEARS (NETFLIX)
Erin Lee Carr directs this new Documentary shedding light on Britney Spears‘ struggles with her conservatorship. Carr teams with Rolling Stones Writer Jenny Eliscu, who prior has profiled Spears, to give us a clearer focus on the events leading to the much-talked-about conservatorship and more so the strained relationship between Spears and her father, as well as her deep unhappiness. Unlike other Documentaries we have a clearer motive on the deliberateness of Jamie Spears’ intentions in controlling his daughter and it becomes more apparent the fear instilled in others involved or engaged along the way. Once again we meet among others, Felicia Culotta, a friend and Assistant to Spears, shedding light how she was separated from the Artist. Interestingly, we get firsthand interviews with often-vilified ex-boyfriend Paparazzo Adnan Ghalib and former manager Sam Lutfi and the narrative is that perhaps maybe they weren’t as evil as we were led to believe. Carr uses dramatic music to build a bit of tension and overall, this was an informative watch. BRITNEY VS SPEARS streams now on Netflix.
CONTROLLING BRITNEY SPEARS (CRAVE)
This follow-up to The New York Times’ FRAMING BRITNEY SPEARS gives us additional insight into Britney Spears’ conservatorship. We get interviews with former members of her touring/management and security team with some shocking revelations about some of the perhaps illegal surveilling, that had been put in place over the Popstar. The Documentary sets-out to paint a portrait of the motions that occurred as a result of the #FreeBritney movement and the concern and love of fans and it is even clearer that Spears is a woman imprisoned against her will by red tape and legal deadbolts. Not that we didn’t know this before, but one can’t blame the Filmmakers for catering to public interest seeing how well this Film’s predecessor did. In the end the Film rides its hopes on first-hand eyewitnesses and footage. What we really want is Spears to tell us her truth on-screen and we feel this is coming with the latest movements in this story. CONTROLLLING BRITNEY SPEARS streams now on Crave.
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE UK SERIES 3 (CRAVE)
You know how much I love RuPaul’s Drag Race, so while we wait for a new season of the U.S. flagship Series, our thirst is quenched by this latest season of the UK sister Series. We get 12 new Queens and we were wowed by some of the fashion and style here, definitely a step-up from the prior season. While I find it interesting that legalities in the UK prohibit these Queens for competing for cash like the other versions of the Series, these “girls” are ready to bring it to win a badge! Victoria Scone makes things super-interesting being a contestant assigned a female at birth and competing as a Drag Queen, and we love the Show is embracing a wider inclusion in its contestants. There also are a couple Queens who are as young as 19-years-old but show an amazing level of professionalism against some of these seasoned performers. New episodes arrive Thursdays on Crave.
NAILED IT! SEASON 6 (NETFLIX)
I adore this Series so much and it never fails to make me laugh. I somehow missed this Series amidst all the TIFF ’21 bustle but finally put aside some time to catch up with my favourites, Nicole Byer and Jacques Torres! My jaw dropped even seeing surprise contestant Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) surface! Challenges include a Veggie Patch Cake, Alien Candy Apples, Cakes celebrating Black Women in history (!!!) and more. My only complaint ever is that six episodes a season simply isn’t enough. I love celebrating these culinary flops and need more already! NAILED IT! Season 6 streams now on Netflix.
LEGO STAR WARS TERRIFYING TALES (DISNEY+)
By Justin Waldman
Just in time for October, we have an all new LEGO Star Wars Feature, Terrifying Tales which is a series of Shorts re-telling classic Star Wars stories with a dark side twist to them! All of your favourite characters return in this all new Feature, including Kylo Ren, Luke Skywalker, Darth Maul, BB-8, Poe, Darth Maul, Darth Vader and more.
Directed by Ken Cunningham and written by David Shayne, who wrote and directed the last Lego Star Wars Holiday Special, the Duo team together to bring forward this new terrifying Tale. What would have happened if these dark stories that the Siths are trying to pass as fact were actually true, what would have happened to the Galaxy? Our hero Poe Dameron (Jake Green) must see through these evil rehashing’s to escape the Siths and make way back to his friends.
The Voice Casting is the most distracting part of this new Short, as its clear that none of the characters are the original Actors that voiced them, and the Voice Actors are doing their own voices. While there is no issue with moving forward and having Voice Actors do voice work, hearing someone other than Mark Hamill deliver Luke Skywalker lines just feels off. However, the younger audience that this feature is targeted to, will be delighted by the Feature, delivering the entertainment the feature provides. Disney+ Canada release LEGO STAR WARS TERRIFYING TALES October 1, 2021.
MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION (DISNEY+)
The Muppets never disappoint and this latest Halloween Special is pure laughs! The Story centers on Gonzo, who while being known as a bit of a daredevil, must step-up to face the scariest challenge of his life – staying one night at the Haunted Mansion. Pepe the King Prawn joins along for the adventure and all the while, they are tasked with finding the MacGuffin – a device necessary to the Plot, explaining the motivation of the characters. Along the way, we meet the charismatic Host (Will Arnett), The Caretaker (Darren Criss) and Constance Hatchaway (Taraji P. Henson) who tries to seduce Pepe into marriage – although it is clear she has other motives! Will Gonzo be able to make it out alive and save his buddy from doom? This Special while cute and filled with silly musical numbers, with jokes that connect to an audience of today (the Pumpkin Spice jokes don’t quit!) certainly speaks a bit more to its older audience. Nonetheless, these 50 minutes are whimsical and full of joy, a nod to those classic Muppets Specials we loved in the ’80s! MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION arrives October 8, 2021 only on Disney+.
We love our Movies too! Don’t forget to check-out some of our Reviews for the latest theatrical releases like VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE, THE GUILTY, NO TIME TO DIE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 and more right here.
Several other new releases like THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE, DEAR EVAN HANSEN and more can be found in our TIFF ’21 coverage here.
(Photo/video credit: Disney+/WOW/Netflix/Crave)
#FIRSTLOOK: WHAT TO WATCH APRIL 2021 – “STAGED”, “DEADLY ILLUSIONS”, “CALLS”, “FAKE FAMOUS”, “GENERA+ION”, “BAD TRIP”, “NAILED IT: DOUBLE TROUBLE!”, “THE SERPENT”, “THUNDER FORCE”, “RUN”
Spring is here and so is some awesome Television for you to enjoy! Here are some recommendations what to watch this month!
STAGED (HOLLYWOOD SUITE)
BBC Lockdown Series STAGED centers on Michael Sheen and David Tennant playing fictionalized versions of themselves as they prepare for a stage protection over video conferencing. Time is ticking and Writer/Director Simon Evans (as himself) is losing faith as we see the two Actors banter, back and forth, their egos on full display in these exaggerated incarnations of themselves. In addition to their real-life spouses appearing as themselves, Anna Lundberg and Georgia Tennant, we also get appearances from Samuel L. Jackson, Adrian Lester and Judi Dench. The writing is smart, the acting is sharp and the episodes have been formatted in watchable less-than-30 minute morsels for us to enjoy. If you enjoyed Michael Winterbottom‘s The Trip franchise, this will be right up your ally. All the jabs, hypnotic conversation of that one, minus the gorgeous Mediterranean landscapes and cuisine. The Series was so well-received in its native UK that a second season followed. For now, we can enjoy the first six episodes of STAGED on Hollywood Suite in Canada beginning April 1, 2021.
DEADLY ILLUSIONS (NETFLIX)
If you love ’90s Thrillers with a dash of seduction, deception and bit of mind games, this is for you. I am not embarrassed to admit I loved DEADLY ILLUSIONS, written and directed by Anna Elizabeth James. The story centers on famed Writer Mary (Kristin Davis) who is experiencing a bit of pressure and writer’s block to follow-up on her successful Book Series. She hires a nanny named Grace (Greer Grammer, daughter of Kelsey) and everything seems to fall in place and is harmonious as Mary finally is able to focus on her book. Mary and Grace however, start getting really close and Tom (Dermot Mulroney) begins seeing Grace in a different way. Next thing we are caught in a deadly tale which gets a little risqué, but is 100% juicy and we’re on-board even if things at time feel a little predictable. We loved seeing Davis back on the screen and she is great, committed and in on some of the ridiculousness. Grammer also delivers a highly-entertaining performance in this ode to obsession that is some parts The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and some parts The Babysitter and we never, ever get bored of it! DEADLY ILLUSIONS streams now on Netflix.
CALLS (APPLE TV+)
I’ve always been of the school of thought that things are scarier when you can’t see them on-screen and CALLS absolutely is that. The Series, available now on Apple TV+ features a star-studded Cast including the likes of Nicholas Braun, Lily Collins, Ben Schwartz, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Judy Greer, Rosario Dawson, Aubrey Plaza, Riley Keough, Pedro Pascal and more. This story is told through interconnected phone calls and characters, who experiencing something disturbing and traumatic leading-up to an apocalyptic type-event. Through minimalistic visuals and phenomenal voice work and distortion, Director and Writer Fede Álvarez really creates a great sense of urgency, danger and intensity as the great threat looms closer and closer and these characters find themselves stick in their own mysteries. Because we can’t see visually what is going on, we are left with our own imaginations and this truly is eery and haunting. The Series features nine episodes, available now on Apple TV+!
FAKE FAMOUS (HBO/CRAVE)
This actually was released a while back but we finally got a chance to check out this Documentary by Nick Bilton, Technology Expert-turned-Filmmaker. Bilton uses his expertise on Advertising and Social Media and takes three everyday people and runs an experiment with a goal to construct them into Social Media stars by buying them followers to create the perception that they are famous. You’d be surprised at the results. One particular subject, an aspiring Actress named Dominique Druckman works in Beverly Hills at the back of the store fulfilling online orders till her world changes, getting caught-up in the chase. We see also how the Pandemic impacts the big picture as the experiment is halted somewhat and through all of this Bilton asks the question what being an influencer really means and why it is despite sketchy tactics being employed behind the scenes, why the system isn’t exactly driven to make ethical corrections. An engaging watch, available now on Crave with the HBO add-on.
GENERA+ION (HBO/CRAVE)
Lena Dunham serves as Executive Producer of this inclusive Gen Z Dramedy Series, totaling seven episodes. Set on a group of teenagers pondering and exploring their sexuality, the Series takes a cue from HBO‘s acclaimed Euphoria, but with a very gawdy, in-your-face way about its humour. These teens are the very out-there personalities many of us wish we had the courage to be and if some kids take something from that and apply it to living as their more authentic selves, then something good has come of this. At the center of it all is the flamboyant and rebellious Chester (Justice Smith) who goes all in, but beyond the antics, he is a mature soul – even thought we wished the at-times-funny Screenplay give him more a chance to explore this and this Ensemble’s connections with meaningfulness than trying to push the envelope with shock. The Series has potential with three episodes available now on Crave with the HBO add-on, and we’ll be seeing more as the remainder of the episodes arrive later this year.
BAD TRIP (NETFLIX)
This normally isn’t my thing at all, but I got sucked-in just like Eric Andre‘s coveralls into the vacuum in this Prankster-Hidden Camera-Buddy Comedy which has him starring along Lil Rel Howery. Andre stars as Chris and Howery stars as Bud and they take the latter’s convict sister’s (Tiffany Haddish) car on a road trip to pursue Chris‘ high school crush in New York. The antics are unreal, over-the-top and to be honest, any laughs right now are welcome. The gags are gross, but I cannot deny I chuckled hard at some of the unsuspecting bystanders’ horrified reactions. This is a gutsy starmaking vehicle for Andre whose work I’ve only known from afar prior and Haddish is ferocious as loose cannon Trina, out to kill her brother and his buddy for taking her car. The Film’s crowning moment is their appearance a la White Chicks and a fundraiser, hi-jacking the stage! So ridiculous. BAD TRIP streams now on Netflix.
NAILED IT: DOUBLE TROUBLE! (NETFLIX)
I can never get sick of NAILED IT, this comedic reality baking competition Series which returns again with six new episodes amidst the pandemic. The twist this time around is that competitors are paired buddy teams, but the tasks if anything are even harder, i.e. jewelled broach cookies, a grandma cookie jar cake and more. The Series’ heart and soul, Host Nicole Byer is as funny and energetic as ever and while our judges are seated noticeably further away, all the camaraderie is still there. We live for these flips and can’t wait for more episodes. These six new episodes stream now on Netflix.
THE SERPENT (NETFLIX)
Before this Series, I knew little about international serial con man and killer Charles Sobhraj (Tahar Rahim) but after seeing it, I cannot forget him. The half-Vietnamese/Indian criminal along with his sidekicks Ajay Chowdhury (Amesh Edireweera) and Canadian girlfriend Marie-Andrée Leclerc (Jenna Coleman) were the subjects of an international manhunt in the late ’70s before finally mastermind Sobhraj was captured. Targeting “Hippies” for their transient lifestyle, they would lure them in with his claims as a gem or drug dealer, before drugging and killing their victims, taking their money and passports. While parts of the Series don’t quite jive logistically who Sobhraj managed to keep escaping capture, it really happened and all this is almost unbelievable. Rahim is great as the icy and ruthless Sobhraj, and Coleman is a real revelation learning French in a Québecoise accent for the role. I literally could not stop watching resulting in a punishing day after for me, but it was worth it! THE SERPENT streams now on Netflix.
THUNDER FORCE (NETFLIX)
Two childhood friends Lydia (Melissa McCarthy) and Emily (Octavia Spencer) reunite in the unlikeliest of circumstances as adults and they join forces to fight supervillains (Miscreants) taking over Chicago under the orders of The King (Bobby Cannavale). They are granted superpowers to fight and must navigate their new strengths to defeat the enemy. While it is a novel idea joining fan favourites McCarthy and Spencer together for laughs, the Film doesn’t quite make the mark on the Superhero front. In focusing on the outlandish laughs – yes there is a love storyline between a Crab (Jason Bateman) and McCarthy – we lose a bit of that momentum that should’ve drawn us into this underdogs versus the world story. The Cast is fantastic and the Film is entertaining enough if you’re in need of something light-hearted this weekend. THUNDER FORCE is out now on Netflix.
RUN (NETFLIX)
Well this was dark! We love Sarah Paulson. While she’s built a brand on quirky, dark and deranged, this is a cut from the same cloth as some of her work with Ryan Murphy. She plays the controlling single mother of a disabled teenager, Chloe (Kiera Allen) who makes a startling discovery one day that her loving mother might’ve actually been responsible for holding her back all these years. This is incredibly-twisted and while highly-implausible, the message to take away is to trust your instincts and to trust no one, which actually are sentiments that many can relate to amidst these strange times we’re living in.
For additional Reviews new releases like TINA, NOBODY, FRENCH EXIT, THE FATHER and more, click here.
(Photo credit: HBO/HBO MAX/APPLE TV+/BBC/NETFLIX)
#FIRSTLOOK: 2020 PRIMETIME EMMY AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
Nominations for the 72nd annual Primetime EMMY Awards were announced today, with SUCCESSION, WATCHMEN, SCHITT’S CREEK and MRS. AMERICA leading the way. This is a first for Canada and the Cast of SCHITT’S CREEK with all four of its stars being nominated. It hasn’t yet been confirmed how the show will be presented in terms of a virtual or in-person format.
Nominees in major TV Series, Movies and Mini-Series are below:
Drama Series
“Better Call Saul” (AMC)
“The Crown” (Netflix)
“The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)
“Killing Eve” (BBC America/AMC)
“The Mandalorian” (Disney Plus)
“Ozark” (Netflix)
“Stranger Things” (Netflix)
“Succession” (HBO)
Comedy Series
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
“Dead to Me” (Netflix)
“The Good Place” (NBC)
“Insecure” (HBO)
“The Kominsky Method” (Netflix)
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon Prime Video)
“Schitt’s Creek” (Pop TV)
“What We Do in the Shadows” (FX)
Limited Series
“Little Fires Everywhere” (Hulu)
“Mrs. America” (Hulu)
“Unbelievable” (Netflix)
“Unorthodox” (Netflix)
“Watchmen” (HBO)
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman (“Ozark”)
Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”)
Steve Carell (“The Morning Show”)
Brian Cox (“Succession”)
Billy Porter (“Pose”)
Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston (“The Morning Show”)
Olivia Colman (“The Crown”)
Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve”)
Laura Linney (“Ozark”)
Sandra Oh (“Killing Eve”)
Zendaya (“Euphoria”)
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson (“Black-ish”)
Don Cheadle (“Black Monday”)
Ted Danson (“The Good Place”)
Michael Douglas (“The Kominsky Method”)
Eugene Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”)
Ramy Youssef (“Ramy”)
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”)
Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
Linda Cardellini (“Dead to Me”)
Catherine O’Hara (“Schitt’s Creek”)
Issa Rae (“Insecure”)
Tracee Ellis Ross (“Black-ish”)
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Jeremy Irons (“Watchmen”)
Hugh Jackman (“Bad Education”)
Paul Mescal (“Normal People”)
Jeremy Pope (“Hollywood”)
Mark Ruffalo (“I Know This Much Is True”)
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Cate Blanchett (“Mrs. America”)
Shira Haas (“Unorthodox”)
Regina King (“Watchmen”)
Octavia Spencer (“Self Made”)
Kerry Washington (“Little Fires Everywhere”)
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Giancarlo Esposito (“Better Call Saul”)
Bradley Whitford (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”)
Mark Duplass (“The Morning Show”)
Nicholas Braun (“Succession”)
Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”)
Jeffrey Wright (“Westworld”)
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Laura Dern (“Big Little Lies”)
Meryl Streep (“Big Little Lies”)
Helena Bonham Carter (“The Crown”)
Samira Wiley (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
Fiona Shaw (“Killing Eve”)
Julia Garner (“Ozark”)
Sarah Snook (“Succession”)
Thandie Newton (“Westworld”)
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”)
William Jackson Harper (“The Good Place”)
Alan Arkin (“The Kominsky Method”)
Sterling K. Brown (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
Tony Shalhoub (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
Mahershala Ali (“Ramy”)
Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”)
Dan Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”)
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Betty Gilpin (“GLOW”)
D’Arcy Carden (“The Good Place”)
Yvonne Orji (“Insecure”)
Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
Marin Hinkle (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”)
Cecily Strong (“Saturday Night Live”)
Annie Murphy (“Schitt’s Creek”)
Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Dylan McDermott (“Hollywood”)
Jim Parsons (“Hollywood”)
Tituss Burgess (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend”)
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“Watchmen”)
Jovan Adepo (“Watchmen”)
Louis Gossett Jr. (“Watchmen”)
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Holland Taylor (“Hollywood”)
Uzo Aduba (“Mrs. America”)
Margo Martindale (“Mrs. America”)
Tracey Ullman (“Mrs. America”)
Toni Collette (“Unbelievable”)
Jean Smart (“Watchmen”)
Reality Competition
“The Masked Singer” (FOX)
“Nailed It” (Netflix)
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1)
“Top Chef” (Bravo)
“The Voice” (NBC)
Variety Sketch Series
“A Black Lady Sketch Show” (HBO)
“Drunk History” (Comedy Central)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Variety Talk Series
“Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS)
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC)
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO)
“Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS)
The 2020 Primetime Emmys air on ABC Sunday, September 20, 2020, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
(Photo credit: ABC)
#FIRSTLOOK: APRIL 2020 NETFLIX RECOMMENDATIONS
More than ever, we are blessed to be living in the time of Netflix. I can’t even imagine how else I’d be passing the time during this period of isolation. If you’re like me and pretty caught-up on your theatrical releases, that leaves us with plenty of Television to watch and here are some of our favourites, which are worth your time the streaming service.
THE TIGER KING. If you still haven’t streamed this gripping Docu-Series, you are in for a treat. We’ve got murder, drugs, a gay love triangle, country crooning, felons and a heaping serving of spite in this deeply-enthralling look at the world of feuding Tiger Conservationists. At the center of it all is Oklahoma’s flamboyant Joe Exotic who recently was sentenced to a 22-year prison sentence for several counts of animal cruelty and two counts of murder-for-hire? Who did he try to have murdered? His arch-nemesis, Tampa’s Carole Baskin of Big Cat Rescue who also is at the center of some revived controversy surrounding the disappearance of her ex-husband, Don Lewis. Several too crazy to be true plot twists and turns are revealed, with even more unbelievable characters surrounding the story. The buzz was warranted. We remember it popping-up on our screen and not being interested at first, but are we glad we gave it a chance. Obsessed.
COFFEE & KAREEM. Ed Helms stars in this Buddy-Cop Comedy as disgraced officer James Coffee, who finds himself wanted for murder and the abduction of his girlfriend Vanessa‘s (Taraji P. Henson) potty-mouthed son Kareem (Terrence Little Gardenhigh). Little do they know that he actually is protecting Kareem as they are on-the-run from Detroit’s most dangerous gangsters after Kareem plots to scare-off James by hiring a criminal in the first place and it goes horribly wrong, all because Kareem doesn’t approve of James. The jokes are crude, the humour is purely-raunchy but the shock-fueled giggles are plentiful. We love Harris, and Gardenhigh stamps himself a name to look-out for. We just wish there was more Henson!
OZARK SEASON 3. The Byrde Family are back, launching their riverboat casino The Missouri Belle, and matters get even more complicated with the arrival of Wendy‘s brother Ben (Tom Pelphrey) who battles addiction and mental illness. He falls in love with one of our favourite characters, unpredictable firecracker Ruth (Julia Garner). The Drug Cartel’s fierce lawyer Helen (Janet McTeer) returns and we wonder whether or not she can be trusted, as she vies with The Byrdes for favouritism with Cartel leader Omar Navarro (Felix Solis). We go deeper into these characters’ minds as we see The Byrdes coping with their crumbling marriage with their fight for survival continuing to weigh them down. We see a bit more of Ruth’s vulnerability as Ben peels a layer off of her and he keeps us at the edge of our seats with his erratic behaviour, unsure if he will ruin everything for his family. Yet another cliffhanger of a season finale and we can’t wait for Season 4!
NAILED IT! OMG. How have we not heard of this Show sooner? Life has been changed forever after witnessing the greatness that is NAILED IT!, a Series which refreshingly gives mediocre bakers a shot at glory and a $10k prize as they are pit against one another to replicate some unattainable-level difficult baking creations each episode. Each episode has a new guest judge from a wide array of disciplines: sports, entertainment and culinary. The banter between Comedienne Nicole Byer and head judge, Mr. Chocolate himself, Jacques Torres is amazing. We love the vibe, we love laughing with everyone about the mediocrity. This hot mess aesthetic is exactly the lift in spirits we need right now and through it all we usually learn something out of these contestants’ failures. I zipped through all four seasons rapidly.
THE CHEFS’ LINE. This Australian series is a hidden gem and a must-watch for lovers of diverse cuisine. Each week the Series explores a new ethnicity of fare with four home cooks competing with a line of chefs each episode from some of Australia’s hottest restaurants. The judges, Mark Olive, Dan Hong and Melissa Leong, aren’t told who made each dish and you’d be surprised how great some of these amateur cooks are and how close a match it is sometimes! Lots to learn about process and details in what elevates good food to great. We adore Melissa Leong, such an eloquent beauty!
BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER. Travel with world-renowned Chef David Chang to Los Angeles, Phnom Penh, Vancouver and Marrakesh with Lena Waithe, Kate McKinnon, Seth Rogen and Chrissy Teigen. While this four-episode Docu-Series acts equal parts as celebrity one-on-one and an exposition of each city’s fantastic food finds, we found ourselves fascinated by the subjects and their paths to success. Above all the food looked amazing, and we’re taking notes what new places to try next time we visit L.A. It was trippy seeing Rogen and Chang enjoy Chinese Roast Pork at a hole-in-the-wall in suburban Vancouver! We are excited for Chang‘s UGLY DELICIOUS 2, which is coming soon on Netflix.
Some exciting new releases coming soon including a Documentary SURVIVING R. KELLY and LOVE WEDDING REPEAT starring Sam Claflin and Olivia Munn! Stay tuned.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com