Month: June 2021

Inspired by true stories of refugees in Australian detainment centers, Stateless dives deep into the complexities and struggles surrounding the issue of governance of refugees and a system that feeds off of xenophobia. And in the middle of systems and governments are the real human lives affected by politics beyond their control.

Created by Cate Blanchett, Elise McCredie and Tony Ayres, Stateless, a limited series now available on Netflix, tells the stories of four strangers whose lives become intertwined at a state run detention center for refugees. Sofie (Yvonne Strahovski) is an airline hostess on the run from a cult, Ameer (Fayssal Bazzi) is an Afghan father escaping persecution, Cam (Jai Courtney) is a young father in a dead-end job and Claire (Asher Keddie) is a mid-level bureaucrat stuck in an impossible situation. Each have their own secrets and their own burdens yet they are each as trapped in the broken system as the others.

In just six episodes, viewers are taken on an unexpected and deeply emotional journey that highlights the complicated bureaucracy behind the global refugee crisis. It is a common hope for all to carve out a safe and secure life. To make a home and a future for ourselves and our loved ones. But in far too many countries, security is threatened and hope is illusive. This is when brave, weary and desperate people begin the uncertain journey to find safety in distant lands.

As an ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, 2012 news reports about the conditions at border control camps caught Cate Blanchett’s attention. Her passion for human rights collided with her passion for story-telling and this ambitious series was born at her kitchen table with writer, Elise McCredie. Their hope was that these stories, with relatable hopes and emotions, would spark deeper conversations about refugees with people across the nation.

“It’s more about identity and the loss of people’s identity when they are faced with long-term detention, when they become a number, when they are dislocated from markers in their life like home and culture, and separated from their families. That’s something I very viscerally felt speaking to stateless people and refugees in the field.” Blanchett said while speaking with Deadline in February 2020.

This theme is so well done throughout the series. The viewer connects with the storylines of each main character on a deeply personal level as they live out the tragedy of statelessness that unfolds around them. Trauma is compounded as damaged people collide into each other in the clumsy system that is meant to give structure to the global refugee crisis.

The writing is superb and the acting is divine. Stateless swept the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards in 2021, often competing against itself in many categories. In all, it won in thirteen categories and was a fan favourite when it aired in Australia in the spring of 2020.

And if all that isn’t enough to persuade you to watch it, I’m not sure what more I can say. Just check it out. You won’t be disappointed. Stateless on Netflix now.

 “I’d like to think I can still summon the total carpe diem, reckless abandon, bulletproof sense of invincibility that I once had wearing that shirt.” Emily Spivack writes in her book, Worn Stories. How relatable is that? We all have that favourite shirt, that shirt that is comfortable and familiar and makes us feel invincible. That one shirt that holds a million memories. That one shirt that we genuinely love.

That inexplicable love for certain items of clothing is what inspired Emily Spivack to write a book that eventually inspired the Netflix limited series by the same name. Worn Stories is funny, poignant, a little cheesy and entirely relatable as it tells the very common human experience of weaving our memories and emotions into the very fabric we wear.

The series opens with a story that requires no clothes at all. And still, there is sentimental attachment to the shirt that he was wearing when he met her. Then there’s the lady who found confidence and joy in a gifted sweater during a time when she was rebuilding her life. And the there’s the coat that was the focus of a cousins’ caper that lead the duo on a chase through Manhattan.

Each story, whether hilarious or heart-wrenching, evokes familiar emotions of attachment and fond memories. While watching other people’s stories unfold one can’t help by remember and reminisce about our own significant life moments and the clothes we associate with those moments. This idea has resonated so much that it has spawned its own hashtag, #wornstories, on Instagram and Facebook.

If you are looking for a feel good series that evokes sentiment and nostalgia look no further, Worn Stories is just the show for you. Streaming now on Netflix.

I’m going to tell you, straight up, that this is the best worst movie I have seen in ages. The Kitchen was a box-office bomb and the had the worst opening weekend of both Melissa McCarthy and Tiffany Haddish’s careers. But it’s still so good!

The screenplay, written by Andrea Berloff, was based on a limited DC/Vertigo comic series by the same name that follows three low-level Irish mob wives as they make their own way following their husbands’ arrests. The three women team up to take on the male dominated streets in their neighborhood, Hell’s Kitchen, to earn their piece of the pie. As they reach extends beyond their husbands’ original territory the women attract enemies and allies that throw them into the middle of the contentious organized crime scene of New York in the 1970s.

Fans of the comedy powerhouse, Melissa McCarthy, may have missed the mark if they, like me, were waiting for the laughs. McCarthy plays against type in this decidedly unfunny mob drama. She is strong and savvy and caught in the middle of a personal crisis as she struggles to protect her family and maintain control of the accidental empire she built. Once you wrap your head around the fact that this movie is about grit and not laughs it is easy to see the genius of the performances.

Aside for McCarthy’s impressive performance, Haddish also strides across screen with confidence and determination. She gives a steel backbone to a character that could have easily fallen into one-dimensional stereotypes. As does Elizabeth Moss. Her portrayal of a formerly abused wife coming into her own and regaining her own power is stunning. She has moments onscreen that are simultaneously brutal and beautiful.

Like I said, unfortunately audiences did not see the brilliance of this film. The storyline is a bit clunky and, at times, convoluted. Perhaps that’s a byproduct of jamming a whole comic series into a one and a half hour movie format. Or perhaps it was a short-coming in the marketing. Whatever it was that kept audiences from coming out and connecting with this film it is surely not the fault of the three leading actors.

McCarthy, Haddish and Moss each owned their own characters brilliantly and gave voice the the struggles and determinations of the group in a memorable way. They deserve more recognition than they received for this film and I hope they will each continue to stretch their dramatic muscles for they are a talented and versatile trio of actors.

The Kitchen is streaming on Netflix now. Settle in, give it a go and see some incredibly talented women work their craft.

Kevin Hart plays against type in this beautiful story about the bond between a daddy and his daughter. Based on Matthew Logelin’s memoir, Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love, Fatherhood tells the story of a single dad muddling his way through single-parenthood after the sudden loss of his wife – and his journey to trusting himself to rebuild their life.

Matt (Kevin Hart) and his wife, Liz (Deborah Ayorinde) were prepared to welcome their baby girl into the world. they were not prepared for Liz dying moments after wee Maddy made her entrance. Grieving and suddenly on his own, Matt struggles with the idea of raising a little girl alone when he is barely a mature adult himself. Sharing the same concerns, Matt’s in-laws (Alfre Woodard and Frankie Faison) soon descend on Matt’s house to take care of baby Maddy.

Matt leans on family for a while but slowly realizes that, sink or swim, he is responsible for Maddy and they have to find their way together. After sending the in-laws packing, Matt fumbles through Maddy’s infancy before eventually find his groove. He builds an unconventional support system with his two best buds who, although not experienced with kids, love Maddy and do their best to be family for her and her exhausted dad.

As Maddy grows, it is evident that she may not have a balance of female influences in her life. Maddy’s teachers grow concerned with her free-spirit and unorthodox ways but Matt is proud of his independent daughter. It’s not all smooth sailing, though. Matt wrestles with his responsibilities at home and at work and continues to doubt his ability to raise his daughter as his wife would have wanted. Through it all, Matt and Maddy stay hopelessly devoted to each other.

Fatherhood was originally slated for a theatrical release but due to the pandemic, Netflix purchased the film and released it in June 2021. Though being bumped repeatedly on the release schedule, the film was able to still gain some traction and build anticipation among fans. Fans of Kevin Hart, in particular, were eager to see the comedian stretch his acting legs in a role that is atypical for him – and he did not disappoint.

Critics and fans alike were impressed with Hart’s acting chops. While still funny and entertaining, he brings genuine care and emotion to his role as a grieving dad. He creates great chemistry and trust between himself and his mini co-star, Melody Hurd. Hurd is a pint-size dynamite actress in her own right. She governs her emotions with such practiced finesse that she easily draws the audience in and wraps them collectively around her little fingers. She is simply wonderful and Maddy.

This is a sweet and funny family flick that will tug on your heartstrings without going over the top into sentimentalism. Check it out, streaming now on Netflix.

An unexpected victory in the middle east sets off a chain reaction of suspicion and espionage in Washington, D.C.. A missing marine corps sniper, held captive for years, is liberated from al-Qaeda. But is he still a patriot or has he been turned? This is Homeland.

After years of captivity, Nicholas Brody (Damien Lewis), returns to American soil but not everyone welcomes him home as the conquering hero. The media are ecstatic to have the celebrity soldier to feed the propaganda machine and the CIA is grateful to have the fresh intelligence to further their cause. But one lone CIA agent, Carrie Mathison (Clare Danes) is filled with skepticism. She had heard chatter about a soldier, an al-Qaeda captive, who had turned informant for the enemy. Could Brody be the soldier?

Homeland tracks the story of CIA agent Carrie Mathison, her struggles with mental illness and her dedication to protecting the nation. The initial seasons focus on her relationship with Nicholas Brody and his divided loyalties fueled by a deep sense of morality. As the series progresses, Carrie finds herself working for the government and in the private sector. No matter where she is employed her focus remains the same; protect the nation.

Homeland debuted to rave reviews. In the premier seasons it was nominated for a slew of awards and won fistfuls of them, including Outstanding Drama Series and Best Lead Actor and Actress at the PrimeTime Emmy Awards. It has also received nods at the Golden Globes and Peabody Awards.

The show has also had more than its fair share of controversy as well. In 2012, the Lebanese government threatened to take legal actions against the show runners for their depiction of Beirut. They claimed that the show was damaging the image of the city by portraying it as war-torn, terrorist haven. There was also backlash, over the years, for how the show dealt with topics of torture, the portrayal of Muslims in the western world and the conduct of CIA agents in the field.

Despite the criticism, Homeland developed a loyal following of fans who were in it with the series for eight seasons. rarely has a show been able to release and introduce main characters without losing its momentum and fan-base the way Homeland has been able to.

Through it all, Homeland remained an honest to goodness, political thriller and engaging action series. The writing is strong throughout and the story continues to evolve and shift to reflect current political issues and climate. This is a binge-worthy series that you are sure to return to time and time again.

A delayed flight results in five missing years – but it happens in a blink, in a flash of lightening. Five years passes in a three hour flight for everyone but those on the plane. And once those passengers land, questions pile up with no answers in sight. This is Manifest.

A woman, her parents and her brother and his family are waiting to board their flight after a family vacation in Jamaica. A snap decision by Michaela Stone ( Melissa Roxburgh) and her brother Ben (Josh Dallas) to take a later flight with Ben’s son Cal (Jack Messena) changes all of their lives forever. After experiencing some unexpected turbulence and lightening, the flight arrived on schedule but 5 years late.

As the passengers deplane, it quickly becomes evident that something has happened, some emergency has occurred. Although all of the passengers are fine, the folks on the ground are astonished and confused. Flight 828 was lost 5 years earlier yet here they were. As authorities question passengers and crew about how they spent the missing years, the mystery seems to just go deeper and deeper.

Manifest is a supernatural thriller series that launched on NBC on 2018 to wide interest and praise. The ensemble cast is diverse with great chemistry. Their strong showing propels the storyline forward for three seasons (two currently available on Netflix). Through the initial re-entry to a world that has moved forward without them to the enormous task of finding their footing in their new reality while trying to solve the mystery of the plane, the cast continues to deliver strong performances throughout.

The show gives a well-rounded view on the complexities of the reality of loss and relationship. The cast, each in their own way, display a range of emotion and grief with authenticity as their stories unfold. The passing of parents, the loss of love and the rekindling of relationships are running themes throughout the series as the larger question of what happened on the flight and who is responsible for it all.

Manifest was cancelled by NBC at the close of its third season. After some back, Netflix decided to pick the show up. There was hope that the streaming service would order a fourth season but at this point its a no-go. Still, there are three full seasons of mystery and intrigue to keep you interested in this binge-worthy series.

Once a year, for about six months, a south African town is invaded by the cutest little waddlers on the planet. The come for rest, for love and for the sake of their own survival. They are African penguins and they are endangered.

Penguin Town tells the story of a colony of penguins who come ashore each spring to mate, to fish and to mature. They come ashore and immediately look for their mate and a safe nesting place. It all sounds very quaint and slightly boring but this isn’t your typical nature series. This is a penguin soap opera that is as entertaining as it is educational.

Narrated by Patton Oswald, Penguin Town is filled with drama, intrigue, romance and more cuteness than you can handle! There are bad guys and gangs and rescue worker, too. There is a whole mini-society to watch and learn from that includes families like The Culverts, The Wheelbarrows and The Bourgainvilleas.

Unlike most nature documentaries, Penguin Town does not display the usual hard truth of kill-or-be-killed in nature. It was an intentional decision by producer, Cayley Christos to keep this series light-hearted and fun. She refers to it as more of educational comfort food than a full meal. And after the year and a half we have had, I, for one, am so grateful for this little bit of sweetness in the viewing landscape.

Some critics have scolded the production for making light of an endangered species but, in reality, this quirky little bit of nature brings awareness to the endangered species, the climate, food chain and dangers of imbalance in nature – without driving the audience into a fit of despair. Patton seamlessly shares important facts and statistics alongside his charming commentary on the social structure of this little flightless birds.

Penguin Town is entirely charming and exactly the feel-good binge watch you didn’t know you were waiting for. It’s sweet and funny and quirky while being informative and completely entertaining. I had planned on only watching an episode or two but I became so invested in the lives of Mr. B, Twig and the rest of the wee waddlers that I just couldn’t stop! And you won’t be able to either!

Jane Austen. Sigh. There is no indulgence like an Austen romance. The wit and the emotion and the costumes. And the twisty, turny, up and down love story. it’s perfection. Really.

I am an Austen fan through and through and Pride and Prejudice is definitely one of my top six favourite stories (hint: there are only six novels completed by Ms. Austen) by the ground-breaking 19th century author. Her characters, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, are iconic and their complicated love story have inspired many film renditions over the years.

While the BBC production of 1995, starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, is by far my favourite adaptation the 2005 version with, Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen is an entirely respectable offering of Austen’s second novel. So respectable that it was nominated for a slew of awards including four Academy Award nods, one for Knightly as best actress and another for best costume design.

For those unfamiliar with the story, it centers around the Bennet family, an upper class family full of daughters in a county full of women. Male company being lacking, the whole community gets thrown into a tizzy when an eligible young man rents a house in the town for the summer. As the very witty eldest Bennet daughter, Elizabeth, points out cheekily, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

One young leads to another and before long all the young Miss Bennets are introduced to more eligible men than they can handle. Elizabeth catches the eye of the most eligible of all of the bachelors, Mr. Darcy. But Darcy has no intention of finding himself a wife, despite continually crossing paths with the beautiful and strong-willed eldest Bennet daughter time and again. Through missteps and misunderstandings, and against their better judgement, the pair seem drawn to each other.

The 2005 adaptation was imagined by producer Tim Bevan and screenwriter, Deborah Moggach. They intended to return to Jane Austen’s original story told, primarily, from Elizabeth’s point of view. This was truly a labour of love and a bit of a gamble but it all paid off with a beautiful adaptation that brought epic performances out of the incredibly talented cast.

Aside from Knightly and Macfadyen, screen legends the likes of Donald Sutherland (Mr. Bennet), Penelope Wilton (Mrs. Gardiner) and Judi Dench (Lady Catherine de Bourgh) rounded out the cast and added layers of richness and humour to the production. Up and comers of the time, Rupert Friend and Kelly Rielly also give memorable performances.

So much thought and planning went into every detail of this film that I am sure Miss Austen would have been proud of the efforts. It holds all the charm and tender wit that one would hope for while remaining utterly entertaining all the way through.

Pride & Prejudice continues to be the perfect choice for a cozy night in comfort watch. So brew a cuppa, snuggle in and enjoy the brilliant mind of Jane Austen, as told by the talents of Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen.

Netflix’s newest thriller surrounds the mystery and tension that fills the lives of the remaining townsfolk of a small community in southern Iceland following the subglacial volcano. Katla is one part thriller, one part folklore and entirely immersed in the Nordic tradition of storytelling.

The series has a post-apocalyptical slant as, following the eruption a year previous, most residents of the small town fled for safety. Those who remained are superstitious and on guard as old legends and questions seem to rise with the waters of the Markarfljot River. Curious happenings occur with little to no explanation and mystery layers on top of mystery as the townspeople struggle to carve out a new life for themselves in this unfamiliar landscape.

Critics have had mixed reviews of the series. Some are enthralled by the story and the cinematography while others find the pacing of the episodes to be as glacial as the icebergs that pass on by. Either way, Katla is turning heads and gaining traction.

Jonathon Wilson of Ready Steady Cut praises the cast for their performances. “A large cast of characters sell both the hardships of the existence that those in Vik are experiencing thanks to the environmental devastation of the volcano and the traumas unearthed by the various people and predicaments that emerge from it,” he says in the June 16, 2021 review of Katla.

Archi Sengupta of Leisure Byte has a different take on the series. He believes “the series is slow to a disadvantage” and it “borders on boring as there are just so many things that it juggles with but not at an equal pace.” That being said, Sengupta notes in his June 17, 2021 review that the series does have some interesting twists and boasts a haunting presence that keeps interest when the story lags.

Whether critics love it or pan it, there is nothing but pride in Iceland for this homegrown series. While many of the cast and crew are well-known in the Nordic film industry, this is the first time Netflix has partnered with Icelandic film makers to produce a series for the platform.

The show’s creator, Baltasar Kormákur, worked with his writing partners, Sigurjón Kjartansson, Davíð Már Stefánsson and Lilja Sigurðardóttir to put together a thriller that has elements of folklore, science fiction and a touch of dark mystery. It all comes together for a unique yet compelling series.

I’ll be making space on my watchlist to binge this international gem. You should to! Check out Katla, now streaming on Netflix.

A woman. Found. Unknown and unknowing. A mystery. But also holding the key to solving mysteries beyond herself. This is Blindspot.

In 2016, NBC launched another crime drama but it took no time to realize that Blindspot isn’t just another crime drama. This series quickly gained a faithful following and the network wasted no time in ordering more episodes and signing on for future seasons. Now, more than six years since its debut, Blindspot is a fan favourite on Netflix as well.

The pilot episode opens with the discovery of a naked woman, covered in freshly tattoos, discovered inside a bag in Times Square, New York. The woman has no memory of who she is or how she got there but it is soon realized that her tattoos hold clues to crimes that are on the FBI’s radar. Underneath her new tattoos is a partially covered Navy SEAL tattoo that triggers a shadowy memory of a training exercise with a mystery man for Jane Doe.

The series follows Jane’s tattoos and the crimes they solve as well as the memories they trigger. Over 100 episodes Jane’s identity, and her connection to the mystery man, are pieced together one clue at a time. As clues are linked together more questions are uncovered while answers remain elusive.

The show boasts a signature well-paced rhythm with a high-intensity thriller vibe. It has some genuinely good action sequences and earns its handle as a top-notch television watch.

Created by Martin Gero, Blindspot, stars Jaimie Alexander as Remi/Jane Doe and Sullivan Stapleton as FBI agent Kurt Weller. Their chemistry belies an unidentified connection that the show dances around, leaving the audience guessing and conjecturing. Throughout the series some truly impressive actors join the cast like Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michelle Hurd and Archie Panjabi.

Blindspot‘s first five series are available on Netlfix Canada now for your binging pleasure. Your welcome!