We recommend: The best new movies and TV series
Scoop: This is for those who like movies around journalism and media. 'Scoop' is a biographical drama that follows the journalists from BBC’s ‘Newsnight’ and their explosive 2019 interview with Prince Andrew about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein which led to the downfall of Prince Andrew from public life. Our Big Story has more details. The cast is fantastic: Gillian Anderson—from ‘Sex Education’ fame—as the interviewer and Rufus Sewell—who is known for his villainous roles—as Prince Andrew. Lol.
The reviews find the movie to be mediocre. The Guardian considers it to be a “laboriously acted and distinctly self-admiring, self-mythologising drama”, while The Hollywood Reporter says there is “nothing new” in this film and it is “self congratulatory”. Our take: We love films set in the world of media. This one features a big scandal for the Buckingham Palace and we’re going to watch it for all the drama behind the Royal Family. The film is now available on Netflix.
Ripley: This is a limited series starring Andrew Scott, that adapts from the popular novel ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’ by Patricia Highsmith. Set in the 1960s, Tom Ripley is a conman hired by a wealthy industrialist to travel to Italy and search for his son Dickie Greenleaf. The goal: convince Dickie to come back home. In accepting this job, Ripley finds himself in a world of deceit, lies, drama and murder.
The reviews are fantasti! Rolling Stone loves Andrew Scott’s performance and calls it “one of the best shows of the year”. BBC doesn’t hide its praise and writes that the show is a “Hitchcock series that Hitchcock never made”. Our take: We’re big fans of hot priest Andrew Scott, so anything starring him, we’ll be watching. It’s that simple. The series is out on Netflix.
Sugar: Here’s a thrilling noir series with a different take on the heavily glorified jobs of private investigators. Academy Award nominee Colin Farrell plays John Sugar, the PI, who has been tasked with finding Olivia Siegel, the granddaughter of a famous Hollywood producer. Of course, he uncovers secrets about the family that may put him in danger. But there is more than what meets the eye about our protagonist who is obsessed with Hollywood and films himself! The series is helmed by Oscar winning director for ‘City of God’—Fernando Meirelles.
Reviews are good! Collider gives an impressive review: “Sugar doesn’t feel as if it's wasting our time by throwing in needless subplots; instead, it focuses on gradually building up to the big reveal as well as delving deeper into the mystery.” Empire speaks for the film buffs—saying that: “In style and framing it’s like a fun game of spot-the-reference for film nerds.” However it also warns that the real plot of the series is revealed when there are only two more episodes to go. Our take: We love genre-bending shows, we will definitely put this one on our list. You can stream the series on Apple TV+.
Parasyte: The Grey: This Kdrama series is loosely based on Hitoshi Iwaaki’s iconic manga ‘Parasyte’—which was also adapted into an anime in 2014 and remains as one of cult favourites for many. This live action adaptation introduces a completely new set of main characters along with location change from Japan to Seoul but the basic plot remains the same: an alien species takes over humans as hosts and our protagonist is a rare hybrid. FYI: It is directed by Yeon Sang-ho—best known for the zombie movie ‘Train To Busan’ .
Only one review is out which says it is a mixed bag. According to South China Morning Post, the show "isn’t without its charms" but "one can’t help but feel that the series falls short of its promise." Our take: This one is definitely more for the fans of the original manga but the plot is interesting in itself for us to give it a try. You can stream in on Netflix.
How to Date Billy Walsh: This is a British high school comedy movie starring ‘Bridgertons’ diamond Charithra Chandran and ‘Heartstopper’ antagonist Sebastian Croft who play child besties Archie and Amelia. The plot is simple: There is a new American boy in town and Amelia has a crush on him. But Archie is insecure about losing his friendship and plots to keep them away.
Fair warning, the review is kinda bad. The Guardian concludes: “It’s a weird facsimile of a movie – plot with no momentum, plenty of character facts without substance, a pastiche of better movie moments and classic romcom notes.” Yikes. Our take: Sometimes formulaic teen drama, comfy pajamas and a tub of popcorn is all you need to get through the weekend. Watch it on Amazon Prime.
Girls State: In 2018, documentary filmmakers Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss filmed over 1,000 boys during a weeklong program in Texas for students interested in politics. This movie ‘Boys State’ went on to screen at Sundance in 2020 and became a hit. The filmmaker duo have come back with ‘Girls State’ where they try to capture teenagers in a similar government boot camp-like workshop during the Roe v. Wade case that fell through in 2022.
Reviews are not too great but not too bad either. The Atlantic says that “the film offers a sharp study of how a supposedly empowering environment can simultaneously inspire and limit aspiring female leaders.” New York Times writes: “They seem to intuit that camaraderie goes hand in hand with political ambition… Here, cute selfies and résumé building receive equal attention.” Our take: We want to know what goes in a teenage girl’s head. Sign us up! The movie is streaming on Apple TV+.
One Life: This 2023 film is finally releasing in India! This is a biographical drama set during World War II that depicts the true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton—played by Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins. He was a young broker who rescued 669 Jewish children from the Nazis. Now in retirement, he re-examines a scrapbook of all the details of these Jewish children and wonders what has happened to them. Also an excellent reason to watch: Helena Bonham Carter.
Reviews are great! Deadline writes: “This film, like Spielberg’s Schindler’s List 30 years ago is testament to that fact, and a reminder that heartbreaking stories like this are still happening to families around the world.” Telegraph UK cryptically says: “One Life’s wholehearted embrace of that sentiment is the root of its limitations – and its potency too.” Our take: We are in it for the casting choices. Catch the film in the cinemas.
Here’s a new chapter…
Loot Season 2: This critically acclaimed sitcom follows Maya Rudolph (who plays Judge Gen in 'Good Place'), a billionaire with the net-worth of $120 billion and her struggles of trying to give all of that money away to charity through the Wells Foundation. Being a career philanthropist isn’t as easy as it sounds, and the latest season unpacks the comedic issues of Maya as she deals with letting go of her fortunes. It is out on Apple TV+.
