It would appear that new series and films are debuting on Netflix, Amazon Prime and even the broadcast networks. Make sure you have plenty of time to watch if you start watching my Pick of the Week, Midnight Mass on Netflix. I don’t know where my day went yesterday, but I sure enjoyed the wild ride. Meanwhile, here are some other suggestions for you:
Amazon Prime
Le Bal des Folles/The Mad Women’s Ball (in French with English subtitles, 2 h 2 m) A woman who is unfairly institutionalized at a Paris asylum plots to escape with the help of one of its nurses. Based on the novel “Le Bal des Folles” by Victoria Mas. Incredibly touching and beautifully filmed. If you enjoyed Le Bazar de la Charite (aka The Bonfire of Destiny) you will love this.
Goliath (Season 4, 8 episodes) Recovering from a world-shattering injury, Billy reunites with Patty at a prestigious white-shoe law firm in San Francisco to take down the opioid industry. Although he may have found a friend in the firm’s managing partner, Sam Margolis, who’s dealing with a slew of physical struggles of her own, Billy’s discomfort in the corporate environment causes a stir with the rest of the firm. Stars Billy Bob Thornton. I haven’t caught up with this yet, but it’s on the list.
Nine Perfect Strangers (8 episodes) Nine stressed city dwellers visit a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation. The resort’s director is a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. The terrific cast includes Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, Luke Evans, Asher Keddie (from Offspring) and Samara Weaving. Nicole Kidman reminds me of Melania Trump with her slavic accent and mysterious slitty eyes. Mysterious and engrossing initially, it kind of sputtered out by the end, and I can’t say I will miss it.
Apple
Mr. Corman (10 episodes) A deep cut into the days and nights of a public schoolteacher in the San Fernando Valley. A wonderful cast includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Arturo Castro, Debra Winger star. The latest episode explores all the different paths Corman’s life could have taken.
Ted Lasso (Season 2, 12 episodes) The sweetest soccer coach returns with 12 new episodes. A sports psychologist joins the team. Oh, how I love this wonderful series about optimism and hope, although the latest episode deals with the subject of fathers and sons and Ted finally reveals the tragedy that is at the heart of his optimistic veneer. Very touching.
Foundation (10 episodes) A complex saga of humans scattered on planets throughout the galaxy all living under the rule of the Galactic Empire. Stars Jared Harris, Lee Pace. I haven’t caught up with it yet, but it’s on my list.
The Morning Show (Season 2, 10 episodes) Controversy and betrayal strike TMS as a new year approaches. Alex faces a difficult decision. Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup and the rest of the gang are back for more behind the scenes intrigue at UBA. I have to say, that in this case, real life has been far more compelling than this unnecessary dramatization of the Matt Lauer (et al) “Me too” movement stories. This series really does remind me of Aaron Sorkin’s dramas, and I’m not an awfully big fan of his trademark “walk and talk” scenes.
Crave
American Rust (9 episodes) A compelling family drama that will explore the tattered American dream through life in a declining town in southwest Pennsylvania. Stars Jeff Daniels, Maura Tierney, Mark Pellegrino, Dallas Roberts. Having now watched the first two episodes, it is much less engaging than Mare of Eastown, and lacks a really compelling central mystery, as its about the cover-up of a crime, more than solving the crime itself.
Billions (last part of Season 5 returned last week) US Attorney Chuck Rhoades goes after hedge fund king Bobby “Axe” Axelrod in a battle between two powerful NYC figures. Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff and David Costabile star.
CTV
Animal Kingdom (5 seasons) The Codys are forced to tie up loose ends with the cousins and learn what life is like without Smurf. Ahh, Ellen Barkin, I will miss her!! Scariest grandma ever.
Superman and Lois (16 episodes) This series has returned after a long hiatus. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch star in a very family oriented series as the couple raises two teenaged sons.
Chapelwaite (10 episodes) In this remake of Salem’s Lot (from the Stephen King novel), in the 1850’s, Captain Charles Boone relocates his family to his ancestral home in the small, sleepy town of Preacher’s Corners, Maine. Charles will soon have to confront the secrets of his family’s history and fight to end the darkness. Long and dull. Great for snoozing through.
FX
Impeachment: American Crime Story (10 episodes) The Monica Lewinsky story that led to Clinton’s impeachment. I haven’t had a chance to watch this yet, but the early reviews are very positive. Stars Sarah Paulson, Beanie Feldstein, Annaleigh Ashford, Margo Martindale and Edie Falco.
American Horror Story: Double Feature: Blood Buffet (10 episodes) The dark history of Provincetown is explored. Stars Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Finn Wittrock, Frances Conroy, Macaulay Culkin, Denis O’Hare who are among Ryan Murphy’s repertory players. The violence in this vampire tale is not for the faint of heart.
What we Do in the Shadows (Season 3, 10 episodes) The Staten Island house of vampires is back for a third fun filled season. Guillermo has been promoted from familiar to bodyguard and the vampire crew now have a leadership position within their vampire association.
Global
Family Law (10 episodes) Uh oh. It’s Canadian and despite beautiful scenery in Vancouver, this one-hour drama follows a group of flawed family members who reluctantly work together at their father’s law firm in downtown Vancouver. Awful and cliched. Hated it. If you’re a Victor Garber fan (and who isn’t) prepare for disappointment as he sleepwalks through his role as the patriarch.
Much Music
Awkwafina is Nora from Queens (Season 2, 10 episodes) She’s back for a new season! With help from her dad and grandmother, Nora Lum navigates young adulthood in Flushing, NYC. Delightful!! If you are just discovering Awkwafina you should seek out some of her films including The Farewell, Crazy Rich Asians and today’s box office smash, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Netflix
Pick of the Week
Midnight Mass (7 episodes) An isolated island community experiences miraculous events – and frightening omens – after the arrival of a charismatic mysterious young priest. Hamish Linklater (Legion, Tell me Your Secrets) is excellent as the priest, and Zach Gilford (Friday Night Lights) is wonderful as his foil, a man released from prison for a crime he can never forgive himself. This religion based horror series may stay with you long after you have finished watching. Wonderful hymns provide the hauntingly evocative musical score.
Dancing Queens (1 h 50 m) The story of Dylan Pettersson, a 23-year-old girl from a small island in the Swedish archipelago with big dancing aspirations. As a lover of all things Scandinavian, I can now attest that this little film stands as evidence that the Swedes can make very sweet family entertainment as well as gritty crime dramas. So interesting that this little movie about drag queens has come out on Netflix at the same time as Amazon Prime has released Everyone’s Talking about Jamie.
Kate (1 h 46 m, although it seemed much longer.) a female assassin has 24 hours to get vengeance on her murderer before she dies. Have we seen this type of action flick starring a female protagonist before (oh yes), but not with the actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the title role. If you are in the mood for an action thriller set in Tokyo then you might like this one.
Ganglands (in French with English subtitles, 6 episodes) Mehdi, an expert engineer of heists, and Liana, an apprentice thief, get involved in a turf war between drug dealers, and have to collaborate in order to save their loved ones. More twists and turns than I can count. Brutal and fast paced crime series with a French twist.
CBC/CBC Gem
Moonshine (8 episodes) Moonshine is a raucous one-hour dramedy that tells the story of the Finley-Cullens, a dysfunctional family of adult half-siblings battling to take control over the family business. I really wanted to love this very Canadian show featuring Etobicoke’s own comic treasure (Emma Hunter who went to the same school as my children) and the great Jennifer Finnigan (you will recognize her from many previous roles including Tyrant, Salvation, Prom, etc.) However, it is extremely cartoonish in its depiction of most of the characters even though it shows off Nova Scotia as the beautiful place it is.
CBC Docs/POV: Born Bad (1 h) There is currently a $600-million class action lawsuit moving through the courts for the horrific abuses that took place in Ontario’s system of “training schools”. These were jails for children from poor families who were summarily classified as “juvenile delinquents” and shuffled off to small towns where they were routinely physically and sexually abused by a staff the was often ex-military or ex-police with no training in education. Heartbreaking and tough to watch, it is an eye-opener to this period that lasted from the 1950’s to the 1980’s where children from the working poor who often came from families with drug or alcohol problems were routinely locked up and thrown away.
PBS
Muhammad Ali (8 h) Directed by Ken Burns, this is an in-depth look at the life of boxer, Mjhammad Ali, including his years as an activist and philanthropist.
NBC
The Big Leap (3 episodes) A group of diverse underdogs from all different walks of life who compete to be part of a competition reality series that is putting on a modern, hip remake of “Swan Lake.” Stars Scott Foley (The Unit, Felicity, Scandal) as an unscrupulous producer. This show is kind of batshit crazy as it purports to show the behind the scenes maneuvering at a reality program, but I have fallen under its nutty spell.
Showcase
Dr. Death (8 episodes) As patients entering the operating room of Dr. Christopher Duntsch for routine spinal surgeries start leaving permanently aimed or dead, two fellow surgeons and a young District Attorney set out to stop hm. Stars Joshua Jackson, Christian Slater, Alec Baldwin and Grace Gummer. Based on a true story.
W
Five Bedrooms (Season 2, 8 episodes) The house sharing gang is back in Melbourne and they’re looking for a new house. Poor Kat runs into her ex-husband which may have unforeseen consequences. Great ensemble comedy. If you liked Offspring, this may be right up your alley.
Streaming
Kin (made for AMC+, 8 episodes) Kin tells the story of a fictional Dublin family embroiled in gangland war and speaks to the enduring unbreakable bonds of blood and family. Charlie Cox, Aiden Gillen, Maria Doyle Kennedy star. So Irish! Shows the gritty side of Dublin.
Heels (8 episodes) Two brothers and rivals – one a villain, or “heel”, in the ring; the other a hero, or “face,” – war over their late father’s wrestling promotion, vying for national attention in small-town Georgia. There is more than a passing resemblance to Friday Night Lights in the vibe of this show which paints a picture of small-town life in a struggling community. I am really enjoying this show. And I am not a wrestling fan.
Guilty Pleasure Viewing
I can’t help myself: The Rookie returns tonight on ABC; New Amsterdam returned this week on NBC; I tape Jeopardy every night to watch Matt Amodio steamroller his way past another two hapless contestants; I turn to The View (which I record daily) hoping that fisticuffs will break out amongst the panelists who almost always agree with each other these days; every Sunday morning after I write this blog I reward myself with CBS Sunday Morning for its wonderful human interest stories and celebrity profiles.
Closing Words
If you’re a fan of Broadway, don’t forget to watch the Tony Awards tonight (9 pm on CBS). Life has been tough on a darkened Broadway for the last year and a half of theatre closings and that will be reflected in tonight’s broadcast. Most of the awards will be announced during the first two hours (starts at 7 pm and is available only on the streaming service Paramount+).
The second half of the evening will consist of a concert at which stars of the theatre world will perform classic and contemporary show tunes. That portion of the event, called “The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back,” will be hosted by Leslie Odom Jr. and broadcast on CBS, and it will include three big awards, for best musical best play and best play revival. Plays and musicals that opened between April 2019 and Feb. 2020 will be eligible. Because of Covid, the whole process has been cancelled and rescheduled several times. I am rooting for Aaron Tveit of “Moulin Rouge” as best actor in a musical. He is the only nominee as there were so many jukebox musicals which lacked original scores. He needs a 60% vote so I’m hoping the theatre community loves him. Watch for the razzle dazzle musical numbers this show is known for.
Here’s a preview of the awards:
What's Lorraine watching? 