Summer sun has been in good supply and as we head back into the routine of a new year there are many great local and international shows to savour, binge, and enjoy.
What's trending on NETFLIX...
Bridgerton
Already a fast favorite with a wide range of people, from 17 year old girls to middle aged men, Bridgerton is delicious historical escapism. With rich opulent sets and a cleverly developed cast of characters it is a total escape from the current almost dystopian reality created by Covid-19. Described as Netflix’s Downtown Abbey with a dash of Gossip Girl, it is full of storylines that sit on the edge of being cliche but then somehow manage to shake it up, addicting a wide audience to binge several episodes at a time.
Shonda Rhimes has produced a witty historical drama complete with a pop aesthetic and a great soundtrack. It’s a wonderful one to watch together with family and friends.
4 stars
TVNZ onDemand
Island of Mystery
Let the kids crash back to a time when moa roamed the earth, taniwha talked, and the land was full of mystery and surprises. Two determined and fearless sisters join up with a thoughtful boy and his dog from the future to follow clues and outwit menacing creatures as they search for what has been lost. Fantastic animation and talented voice actors, including Cohen Holloway and Tainui Stephens, combine with an incredible soundtrack by Moana Maniapoto and Paddy Free to make this a great series to enjoy with younger viewers (5-10 year olds).
4.5 stars
Good Grief
Nothing beats local comedy and this is a fantastic combination of talented writing, believable screen dynamics and a brilliant cast. It’s a great reason to support homegrown storytelling.
Two sisters, Ellie and Gwen, played by real life sisters Grace and Eve Palmer, are polar opposites and must take over their koro’s funeral home. It is impossible not to be drawn in by the awkwardly humorous situations that emerge. This is a series that will have you smiling, cringing and laughing out loud.
4.5 stars
Amazon Prime
I Care a Lot
The concept of this film is chilling. The idea that older people become targets for unscrupulous personalities in the ‘aged care’ industry is more than just unsettling; it seems all too possible.
Rosamund Pike, (Gone Girl), stars as a professional ‘carer’ and legal guardian for those who lack family support. A lucrative business model that is a wonderful money maker until she targets the wrong older woman - Jennifer Peters played by Diane Wiest.
With an incredible cast that includes the very talented Peter Dinklage, I Care a Lot is an interesting blend of dark comedy and psychological thriller. It shouldn’t be scrutinised for its procedural accuracy, but instead should be admired for its clever analysis of (in)human nature. It is rare for a film that is dominated by thoroughly unlikeable characters to be so beguiling. A critics favourite at the Toronto Film Festival, it will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime from 19 February.
4 stars
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