The most shocking movie you see all weekend will be on Netflix
Da dun... da dun...
I’m at a bit of a loss on what to tell you this week. It is one of those weeks where there’s actually quite a bit of promise to your viewing weekend.
In terms of returning shows, there’s some reliable programming like the 17th (!!!) season of Criminal Minds, cult comedy We Are Lady Parts, and the really good, more under-the-radar-than-it-deserves Sweet Tooth. There’s also some huge dork programming like Transformers: EarthSpark (shout-out to Transformers-loving ABW-reading dweebs Damien Fitzpatrick and Jason Murray).
In terms of big spectacle, the latest Star Wars show has dropped: The Acolyte. It is a bit more grown-up and a bit more Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon than previous Star Wars shows have offered, but it is still very overly-recognisable as Star Wars. I’d have liked a few more risky departures from the expectations of the franchise than this offers.
Netflix has a new Richard Linklater film, which immediately has my interest. Hit Man stars beefcake of the moment Glen Powell and is a better than average, entertaining crowd-pleaser. It’s probably your safest bet for the weekend.
But you know what you, and I, should probably not dismiss. And I can’t believe I’m throwing this chum out in the water like this… Netflix’s French shark movie Under Paris has some truly shocking very positive reviews.
Here’s Michael Nordine at Variety:
Look no further than “Under Paris” for an answer to the hypothetical that surely keeps Emmanuel Macron up at night, as Netflix’s new thriller swims rather than sinks as it adds life to a genre that’s been bloodless for far too long.
But, my big recommendation of the week… I carry on a bit about some of the really greater older shows worth revisiting or seeing for the first time. Cheers and Homicide: Life on The Street are two big hobby horses of mine. Another title I do often carry on about is ER.
Regular ABW reader Sam R. has let me know that the first three seasons of ER are streaming via ABC iView in Australia (it’s also on Max in the US and, I believe, Hulu). The show still holds up so exceptionally well. Especially that first season.
If you have never watched it, check it out. And then thank me next week after you are bleary-eyed after watching episode after episode of this very bingeable drama.