LATEST REVIEWS BY THE POPCORN PANEL
No-holds-barred reviews of movies, TV series, and streaming shows by Alex Cearns. 

MH370: THE PLANE THAT DISAPPEARED

In an age where you can be tracked 24/7 through your smart phone, how could Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 just disappear? This three part documentary tries to answer that question and puts forward several theories on what possibly occurred, some more plausible than others. The MH370 story is told through a combination of archival footage, eyewitness testimonies, and interviews with the families of the 239 passengers and crew members aboard the flight. It highlights the Malaysian government’s inadequate response to the situation and their unsatisfactory communication with the families of the victims. Someone must know something … but who? Ultimately, it is up to the viewer to draw their own conclusions about the events of this tragic journey. The circumstances are both frustrating and perplexing, leaving numerous questions unanswered, and the plane still missing.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

ALIEN ROMULUS

A group of Gen Z friends decide to leave their home planet, weary from relentless toiling in the mines. They escape to a derelict space station, seeking cryogenic pods to use during a voyage to a new world … but they encounter something far more sinister – aliens. It’s hard not to compare the original ‘Alien’ films to this one and this instalment lacks the elements that make those movies so iconic. Maybe it was the Sigourney Weaver factor? Despite having an ‘R’ rating, it fails to deliver sufficient gore, horror, or scares to warrant such a high classification. The alien interactions felt predictable, possibly due my familiarity with the earlier films and with six main characters you know some of them are going to be expendable. SPOILER ALERT! The two ‘synthetics’ (robots) were irritating (one weirdly reminded me of JarJar Binks and the other was a resurrected character, CGI’d into existence using the likeness of an actor who has passed away) and there were a few disconnects in the story line. On a positive note, the sets were realistic and detailed, and the lead actress Cailee Spaeny (who I panned in my review of ‘Civil War’) did a reasonable job. It didn’t (face) suck but it wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be. There will blatantly be a sequel. Also where do aliens get grillz from?

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

OWNING MANHATTAN

This reality series steps into the world of real estate mogul Ryan Serhant (of ‘Million Dollar Listing New York’ fame) and opens the doors to some of the most expensive apartments in the Big Apple. It predominantly focuses on the New York real estate industry, showcasing the intense competition among agents and delving into themes of rivalry, conflict, and personal challenges. While consummate professional Ryan consistently navigates these dynamics with poise and skill, his firm (‘Serhant’) appears to attract cut throat individuals who prioritise their own ladder climbing above all else … including loyalty. Theres no real depth to this show but it serves as an entertaining option for background viewing. Ryan is the stand out star.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

BORDERLANDS

Based on a video game, ‘Borderlands’ is set in the dystopian land of Pandora, home region of the main character, bounty hunter Lilith (Cate Blanchett.) After a 36 year absence she returns to Pandora and teams up with a diverse ensemble of eccentric characters, including soldier Roland (Kevin Hart), obnoxious child Tina (Ariana Greenblat), irritating robot sidekick Claptrap (voiced by Jack Black), scientist Tannis (Jamie-Lee Curtis), and psychopath Krieg (Florian Munteanu). Their collective mission is to rescue Tina from her predetermined fate. The film is a blend of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Mad Max,’ with elements of ‘Wall-E’ thrown in. Its fast pace is punctuated by a few humorous exchanges and retorting one liners. The special effects are average in places and there are several plot holes that left me with unanswered questions. The dialogue is quite basic, suggesting an intended appeal to a younger audience. As someone unfamiliar with the video game, I approached it purely as an action film clearly designed as the first installment of a franchise. With that in mind, it almost delivered.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY

Scientist Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) pushes back against the 1950’s patriarchy in an era where women are relegated to domestic roles. When she’s asked to host a cooking show on television, Zott frequently challenges the status quo and turns mundane meals into lessons in chemistry … inspiring a city of housewives in the process. With subplots featuring personal tragedy, racial discrimination and finding joy again, this gem of a series is worthy of its 10 Emmy award nominations. Heartfelt, heartbreaking and maddening at times. Every woman will relate!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

SIMONE BILES: RISING

Another timely watch to coincide with the Paris Olympics, this two part doco reveals what happened when the world’s greatest gymnast, USA’s Simone Biles, got the “twisties” at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With compelling insights from her husband, family, and teammates, Biles opens up about her mental health management and her relentless pursuit to rise once again to the top of her sport. Favourite quote – responding to the internet trolls, Biles confidently states “They can’t even do a cartwheel!” Touché, they definitely can’t. A champion who came back from the brink and won her 5th Olympic gold medal today.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE

When their dead former boss gets framed the bad boys, Mike Lowry (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), must clear his name and flush out a rat within the Miami Police ranks. Before too long the tables turn and they find themselves on the run from the law, with their families lives at risk. In keeping with the previous movies from the franchise, instalment four is filled with big shoot outs, pumping action and witty banter. Laurence steals the show with the best one liners. There’s also some very up close and personal camera angles which are pretty unique. Slightly cheesy but in a good way. Easily watchable!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

PRESUMED INNOCENT

A thriller filled with atmospheric tension, suspense and plot twists. Jake Gyllenhaal leads as Rusty Sabich, a married Chicago prosecutor with two teenage kids, who is charged with the murder of his lover and colleague Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve). While Rusty faces a very public legal trial, behind-the-scenes he tries to repair his relationship with his wife Barbara (Ruth Negga.) The cast delivers solid performances, the script is finely crafted, and the cinematography exudes a stylised yet sombre atmosphere. Under the helm of showrunner David E. Kelley, this miniseries keeps viewers engaged until the last 10 minutes, when it falters in its attempt to neatly tie up all loose ends in a far-fetched way. The conclusion fell short of expectations and left much to be desired. Had so much promise!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

FAKE

When journalist Birdie Bell (Asher Keddie) meets farmer Joe Burt on a dating app she has high hopes for their burgeoning relationship even though they don’t seem overly suited. When numerous red flags appear, Birdie begins to question Joe’s intentions. As time goes on, she becomes paranoid and wonders if she’s imagining his indiscretions or if he really is playing her. Soon the truth becomes obvious to everyone except Birdie. A well written and strongly acted Aussie drama featuring two infuriating main characters – one who’s blinded every step of the way and the other who’s a manipulative lying con artist. You’ll be yelling at your TV screen! A depressing true story based on how much some people are willing to endure in the pursuit of love.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

DEADPOOL VS WOLVERINE

Vulgar, graphic and violent – essentially everything you’d expect from a Deadpool movie. Like its predecessors, this final instalment is action packed and frequently breaks the 4th wall to directly address the audience. It has a slightly convoluted plot padded out with lots of butt jokes and crude humour. Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) on screen together is a treat, even if they do spend most of the movie fighting each other, then regenerating, and fighting each other, and regenerating, and … you get the idea. Fave scene is the Madonna song massacre (no spoilers here – you’ll know it when you see it) and fave character is DogPool (aka Peggy who won the Britains ugliest dog in 2023.) Least fave part was the villain who wasn’t convincing. There’s a cool cameo by Blake Lively though. With a banging sound track and big stunts this is a fitting end to an iconic anti hero franchise. Wait until after the credits for a bonus scene.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

UNDER PARIS

Someone had a macabre sense of humour when they decided to release a film about a mutant mako shark in the Seine River, six weeks before it hosts several open water swimming events as part of the Paris Olympic Games. What a mind f@ck! The rampant shark in ‘Under Paris’ is much larger than she should be and is breeding at a rapid rate … and eating people! A shark researcher and water police team are tasked with eliminating her before she turns a large triathlon swim into a bloodbath. I was expecting this to be very b-grade and a total rubbish but I enjoyed it and was pleasantly surprised overall. The CGI was mostly decent thanks to the 30 million AUD budget and the acting and script didn’t totally suck. There are the usual cliched characters who you know won’t survive but someone has to be the sacrificial shark food. I was on the side of the shark for the whole film and thought the ending was fitting. With this being one of the most watched movies of the year for Netflix, part two is already in the works. Oh and definitely don’t swim in the Seine, no matter what they tell you. It’s yuk.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

PHOTOGRAPHER

Seven world renowned photographers open up about their childhood experiences, motivations, and passion projects in this engrossing documentary series. Featuring breathtaking cinematography that embodies the quality of a National Geographic production, each episode profiles a different photographer and showcases the mastery of their chosen genre. Colourful, inspiring and with a “wow” factor.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

ALL OF US STRANGERS

A poetically melancholic story about a middle aged adult trying to reconcile the death of his parents when he was 12 years old. Adam (Andrew Scott), a solitary writer residing in a nearly vacant apartment building, travels back to his family home and engages in poignant conversations with his deceased parents, exploring the unspoken moments of his childhood that he never had the chance share. When he meets mysterious neighbour Harry (Paul Mescal), the possibility for love presents itself. As two of the most in-trend male actors on the planet right now, both Scott and Mescal are excellent, giving their characters prefect measures of vulnerability and fragility. Perplexing, dark and deep, its open-for-interpretation ending may leave some viewers wanting a more clearly defined outcome.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS: DALLAS COWBOY CHEERLEADERS

The intense audition process and tough training regime of the iconic Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders (DCC) is exposed in this 7 part documentary series. Filmed over 12 months with unfettered behind the scenes access access to the young women who secured a coveted place in the 2023 squad, this is an eye opening look at the rigorous physical and emotional demands of the job and the coaching team who are responsible for putting their performances together at every home game. For the women who dream of being on the DCC team, the sacrifices are worth it and they put all other aspects of their lives on hold, while questions are raised about mental health, eating disorders, body image, crippling lifelong injuries, and gross underpayment. There’s a zero tolerance policy for bullying in the DCC and it was refreshing to see so many women supporting each other without a single nasty comment or raised eyebrow. Compelling, perplexing and often problematic, I’m not sure if the DCC brand is better off for this expose.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

TWISTERS

Pretty much got what I expected with this one. 80% of the screen time was epic tornado action, with masterful special effects and gripping sound. It really conveyed how terrifying these phenomenon can be and the visuals were 10/10. The other 20% was schmaltz, over-acting, predictable dialogue, jerk characters, country music, nonsense about ploymers taming a tornado, and putting sensationalism over science. Daisy Edgar-Jones as lead Kate wasn’t commanding as a main star with her one expression and Glenn Powell (as self proclaimed cowboy ‘tornado tamer’ Tyler Owens) feels same-old given he’s being cast in so many recent roles. It’s also unrelated to the original ‘Twister’ film other than featuring tornadoes so fans of the first one will be disappointed. Was good to see the action on the big screen but don’t expect much more than a lot of blustering. Also, a reminder that humans will never win when Mother Nature decides to kick off.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5.9/10

THE MAN WITH 1000 KIDS

An eye opening investigation into Dutch citizen Jonathan Meijer who is accused of fathering more than 500 children all over the world. He signed up to multiple sperm donation websites in different countries and abused their donation limits (on average 25 donations only to 12 families maximum are allowed) due to poor checks and balances and no legal precedents. He seemed like the perfect donor with his long luscious locks and popular YouTube channel. A sickening story of a man with a god complex who was eventually stopped by a group of committed parents and a dedicated lawyer. Kids at what cost? Buyer beware!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

SPRINT

From the creators of ‘Forumla 1 – Drive to survive’, this six part series peels back the curtain and takes you into the domains of the fastest runners on the planet – the men and women vying for the 100m and 200m sprint championship titles. It follows their riveting and engaging back stories, training regimes, pressures and rivalries. With unprecedented trackside access, you’ll be fist pumping for your favourites to win. It’s colourful, full of big personalities and fast. A perfect precursor to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

AFTERSUN

Sophie melancholically reflects on a holiday taken 20 years earlier with her father (Paul Mescal). Her memories are infused with hand-held video footage captured during the time they spent at a Turkish beach resort. This is the methodology of the entire film – short clips, some related and some seemingly random and unrelated, pieced together. Eleven year old Sophie views her dad through idealistic eyes and has her own coming of age moment while they are away. Frankie Corio expertly plays young Sophie with nuances beyond her years – she was chosen from 800 girls who auditioned. Lauded by critics, I felt like this film had too many gaps to fill and left subtleties open ended for viewers to interpret. Unpopular opinion – they chose art over substance. I missed the point … and what happened to Mescals character mostly went over my head.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Famous actor Chris Cole (Zac Efron) falls for widow and author Brooke Harwood (Nicole Kidman) who is 16 years his senior and the mother of his assistant Zara Ford (Joey King.) Zoey knows Chris all too well and does not approve of his burgeoning relationship, fearing her mother will get hurt. SPOILER ALERT: She subsequently tries to sabotage them. Cue the intervention of her wise grandmother Leila Ford (Kathy Bates) who talks sense into Zoey and helps her make things right. The older woman / younger man plot has been used in films a gazillion times before and this one slots in amongst them in the middle – it’s decent with a few funny one liners. Nothing outstanding but good enough to entertain for 2 hours.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

BLUE LIGHTS – Season 1 & 2

This gritty Irish police series set in Belfast follows the early careers of several rookies officers working as front line responders. It’s a gripping and intense drama with excellent acting, an impressive cast and strong storylines. The first episode waned a bit and led me to wonder where it was going, but then the characters evolved and the pace picked up. Was glad I stuck with it. While it’s not quite as authentic as ‘The Bill’ (best Police show ever, according to me, a former police officer) it’s still compelling viewing. Worth the time investment.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

THE HOLDOVERS

Cantankerous Barton Academy Boarding School teacher Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) draws the short straw and has to supervise students who are required to stay on campus over the Christmas break. They all have baggage and feel abandoned by their parents. When only one student remains, smart but antagonistic Angus (Dominic Sessa in his first acting role), he is forced to spend a tumultuous two weeks with Paul. SPOILER ALERT! As angry, flawed individuals they eventually being to understand each other and form an unlikely bond. Whilst the theme of “grumpy teacher winning over wilful student” isn’t new, this film has enough to keep it fresh – impeccable acting, engaging dialogue, and dreamy cinematography that transports you to the 1970’s. Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph who plays grieving school cook Mary Lamb won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. A heartwarming holiday classic with spirit.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

I AM: CELINE DION

A raw, unfiltered documentary on how stiff persons syndrome has impacted singer Celine Dion. She openly and honestly shares the way she’s managed the painful disease for the past 17 years and the repercussions it’s had on her voice and career – all without feeling sorry for herself or seeking sympathy. Despite everything, she’s held onto her sense of humour and remains kind. A scene where she impersonates Sia on the ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ is hilarious and shows her wit and willingness to play. Her entire life has been about performing and without it, she’s lost a huge part of her identity. By the 20 minute mark I’d cried … and again at the end. It’s devastating to see someone with such a gift no longer be able to use it and the scenes of Celine in the midst of a medical episode are distressing and difficult to watch. After 27 albums and 250 million album sales, she will forever be one of the greats with an unparalleled, belting voice but right now her story is truly heartbreaking. This doco serves as a reminder that life can be cruel, regardless of who you are or what you have.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9.5/10

MAY DECEMBER

The Mary Kay Letourneau story with a twist. Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton) have been together for 24 years and have three children but their “relationship” had sinister origins – it started when Joe was just 12 years old and Gracie was 36. The story of Joe’s abuse caused public outcry and Gracie was jailed for her crime. When actress Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) scores the role of Gracie in an upcoming indie movie, she gets close to the couple to character study Gracie and to learn as much about her life as she can. This sets off a chain of events that opens up the wounds of unprocessed trauma and leads Joe to question the loss of his childhood. Your skin will crawl at Gracie’s way of thinking and you’ll question Elizabeth’s movies, while Melton’s portrayal of Joe steals the show. Intriguing with a lot of subtext.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

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THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE

A 34 minute long animated adaptation of the book by Charlie Mackesy, this is a sweet story about friendship, bravery and kindness. Minimalistic in style, a mole, fox and horse join a lost boy on his journey to find his way home. Many lessons are learnt along the way and all four are forever changed at the end.
Favourite line: Mole – “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Boy – “Kind”. How gorgeous! Has universal appeal for all ages.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

ANATOMY OF A FALL

When Samuel is found dead in the snow outside his chalet, there’s initial uncertainty as to how he got there – did he jump, did he slip or was he pushed? Police decide his death is suspicious, and his tumultuous relationship with wife Sandra (Sandra Hüller) is uncomfortably laid bare, with all of their secrets exposed. A gripping courtroom drama ensures, focussing on the murder trial of Sandra and the impact it has on her vision impaired son Daniel. The use of music (particularly @50cent’s P.I.M.P.) and sound throughout ‘Anatomy of a fall’ is poignant and complements the excellent acting and script. Deserving of the Palme d’Or in 2023 and the Best Screenplay Academy Award for Justine Triet. Plus there’s a wonderful dog called Snoop, played by border collie Messi. A brilliant must watch!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 10/10

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

A true story of love, betrayal, greed and murder. It’s the early 1920’s and the Native American Osage Nation residents are prosperous due to the discovery of oil on their Oklahoma land. When several die under suspicious circumstances, the FBI eventually arrives to investigate and exposes a murderous, greedy plot to grab their oil rights. Starring an a-class line up of Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone and co-written and directed by Martin Scorsese, this crime drama takes a little known piece of dark American history and brings it into the mainstream. At 3 hours 30+ minutes long, it’s a commitment to get to the end and feels like a bit of a slog, but is worth it to see justice prevail. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards but did not take any home.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

MADAME WEB

Comic book fans will be disappointed and non comic book fans will be disappointed. Marvels ‘Madame Web’ adaptation tries so hard to be a girl-power kick-ass good vs evil action fest, but it falls short. It’s far fetched with ridiculous dialogue and average special effects. Dakota Johnson is a clairvoyant paramedic responsible for saving three young girls from a bad guy who looks like the wish version of spider man. She just doesn’t have lead actor energy. The most obvious open door for sequels is shown at its conclusion, but after dismal ratings, there apparently wont be a part two for a decade. Maybe they’re hoping we would’ve forgotten about this one by then? Even Dakota wants out saying “I will probably never do anything like that again … I don’t make sense in that (superhero) world!”. A waste of 80 million to make and if you paid to see it you’d be peeved.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 3/10

THE ZONE OF INTEREST

A historical drama about the life of Nazi SS Commandant Rudolf Hoss, his wife Hedwig, and their five children, whose home borders the Auschwitz concentration camp. The excess and privilege this family enjoys will disgust you from start to finish. They have zero regard for the atrocities committed right on their doorstep, preferring to act oblivious to it while relishing in the spoils of their lifestyle. Only one family member eventually develops a conscience. Little dialogue and sounds of anguish from the camp, combined with happy, bright lifestyle visuals adds to the juxtaposition of the free vs the enslaved. Minimal close up scenes make you feel like an inside observer. It deserved its 2024 Academy Award for Best Sound. Uncomfortable, haunting and thought provoking.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

FINGERNAILS

A machine can tell if you are truly in love by analysing your finger nails, which (for an unexplained reason) have to violently be removed to be tested. Partners Anna (Jessie Buckley) and Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) are confirmed as the real deal, but when Anna takes a job at the actual love institute where the tests are conducted she meets Amir (Riz Ahmed) and starts to have doubts. This film had a decent premise but the actual fingernail testing machine looked to be a relic from the 1960’s and had zero credibility in determining if two people are a love match. The actors did the best they could with the script, which tried to be clever and arty but failed. I had zero empathy for Anna and all the empathy for Ryan who she seemed to be falling out of love with. It’s a bit cringey and without a clear conclusion. Felt ripped off at the end.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

ARGYLLE

Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) is the author of a popular spy novels series who leads a reclusive existence with her cute cat Alfie. When her life starts to resemble her literary works, she becomes entangled her in very own espionage thriller. As a parody of the spy movie genre, everything in this film is deliberately overdone: the big stunt scenes, cheesy acting, sometimes obvious CGI, ridiculousness of the multiple plot twists and the looooong running time … but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The highlight is the Henry Cavill and Duo Lipa dance number within the first few minutes and after that it’s nothing to write home about. Absurd and silly with a few humorous lines, take it as a bit of fun and it will be palatable.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6.75/10

AMERICAN FICTION

Professor and author Monk (Jeffrey Wright) releases a best selling novel and is paid an advance worth millions. It would’ve been a dream deal except he wrote it purely to “satisfy the tastes of guilt-ridden white people”, exploiting the stereotypes of African American culture, and based his pseudonym on a fictional criminal fugitive. At the same time, Monk has major life challenges to navigate, including the sudden death of his sister, caring for his mother who has dementia, navigating a new relationship and rebuilding family ties with his gay brother. When his book gets nominated for a prestigious award, things take a turn for the unexpected. Winner of 2024 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Wright’s performance perfectly captures the emotional journey of Monk, who is ultimately forced to face himself. Excellent ending.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.9/10

SOUTH PARK – THE END OF OBESITY

This animated television special satirises the challenge of navigating the American healthcare system and tackles the Ozempic weight loss craze. It focuses on 10-year-old Cartman’s desire to be a “regular-sized” child. It’s been more than 20 years since I’ve watched an episode of ‘South Park’ and maybe I’m just too old for it now. I initially felt some nostalgia, but soon realised that I’ve moved on, even if the toilet humour hasn’t. One for the fans only.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5.5/10

WICKED LITTLE LETTERS

It’s the early 1920’s and someone is sending obscene letters to the residents of picturesque seaside village Littlehampton in West Sussex. Pious spinster Edith Swan (Olivia Coleman) is the initial target of the crude musings and her neighbour, potty-mouthed single-mother Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley), is the prime suspect. As evidence mounts against Rose, her uncouth lifestyle makes her an easy target, until an unsanctioned police investigation begins to shed new light on the case. Based on a true story that ended in a court hearing and jail time, Coleman perfectly embodies Edith, while director Thea Shamrock vividly resurrects an era where women are shackled by oppressive traditions, and endure constant subjugation and discrimination. Outrageous, polished and with over 120 out bursts of wickedly witty profanity. Loved it!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

THE PLAYLIST – SPOTIFY

Captivating insight into how the expansion and evolution of an idea can result in remarkable success. Loosely based on the origins of Spotify (with some facts modified to create a more intriguing storyline), this series revolves around Swedish tech entrepreneur, Daniel Ek, and his business partner Martin Lorentzon. They revolutionised the way music is consumed and accessed globally by enabling the legal streaming of songs for free. Told from six different perspectives (one per episode), and dubbed in English, this show will appeal to viewers who have a curiosity about technology and the origins of global brands. Enjoyable and watchable!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT

The sixth commandment is “Thou shalt not murder” and as the title of this series, it gives away what’s to come. This compelling British drama is based on real events – the drugging, defrauding, manipulation and murder of two lonely elderly victims by Ben Field (Eanna Hardwicke), and his subsequent criminal trial. An array of first-rate actors paired with commanding scriptwriting brings these dreadful events to the forefront. The narcissistic and calculated behaviour of Field will send chills down your spine. Branded a “psychopath” by Police, he showed no remorse for his actions and very nearly got away with his crimes. Crammed into four episodes, it’s difficult to gauge the passing of time and everything seems to happen very quickly, when in realty the events took place over 4 years. Still, it’s good. Binge it.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

AM I OK?

Right when thirty-something Lucy (Dakota Fanning) begins to question her sexuality, her relationship with best friend Jane (Sonoya Mizuno) starts to deteriorate. Then cue jeopardy about whether they Lucy and Jane can reconcile before Jane moves to London and add in some scenes of Lucy on several girl dates. There’s a predictable plot, a few small laughs, and a snooze fest in between with a sprinkle of over acting, particularly from the masseuse character. If this was meant to be a romantic comedy it failed on both fronts. It’s more a “time filler” film which you’d watch if you’d exhausted all other options. A cameo by Tig Notaro is the pinnacle.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 4.5/10

SEVERANCE

If I had to sum up this sci fi series in one word it would be “unique.” Directed by Ben Stiller and starring Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette and Christoper Walken, the peculiar plot revolves around employees of a company called Lumon Industries, who agree to have memories of their work life severed from memories of their home life – so whilst at work they have don’t have any knowledge of who they are outside of work, and vice versa. When one employee wants to be “unsevered” it cues a ‘Truman show’ turn. The dialogue of the (very few) characters is direct and to the point, with an almost robotic cadence, free from blather. The set design is minimalistic, the cinematography is stylistic and the camera work is nihilistic. Colours repeat across different scenes, tying them together for a strong visual impact. Everything proceeds at a gradual tempo as the story unfolds, which may feel dawdling to some viewers, but see it through. There’s a crescendo in last few episodes and when it hits, you’ll be on the edge of your seat for season two. It also has one of the coolest intro title sequences. Meticulous, quirky and disturbing.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

TRAILBLAZERS

A 38 minute snapshot (for goal, boom boom) on the evolution of women’s soccer featuring past and present Australian players. The Matildas, Australia’s national women’s soccer team, are known for their attacking style of offence and have some of the most talented and dynamic players in the world, though it hasn’t been an easy path. After enduring a 50-year ban, the pioneers of women’s soccer were finally allowed to grace the field in 1971, but still had to personally fund their own entry fees for the World Cup. Trailblazers indeed! An quick and inspiring prelude to the Paris Olympic Games commencing in July.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

JIM HENSON – IDEA MAN

What a wonderful journey into the magical world, and mind, of puppeteer Jim Henson, creator of ‘The Muppet Show’, ‘The Dark Crystal’, ‘Labyrinth’ and ‘Fraggle Rock.’ Jim also helped develop ‘Sesame Street’ and gave life to beloved characters like Big Bird, Kermit, Bert, Ernie, Grover, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch. Despite passing away at the age of 53 in 1990, Jim’s puppets continue to bring joy to countless generations. You’d be hard pressed to find someone aged 40+ who doesn’t know of his work. Take a trip down memory lane with this homage to a master of his craft.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

HIT MAN

Billed as a romantic action comedy, ‘Hitman’ is loosely based on the true story of psychology professor Gary Johnson who posed undercover as a contract killer for the Houston police in the 1980s and 1990s. His job was to meet with people wanting to hire a hitman and to get them to admit it, so the arrest team could swoop in. Starting Glen Powell as Gary, it’s initially fun seeing the personas he creates as a pretend hitman but when he falls for one of his targets the plot goes off track and becomes far fetched – this is also where poetic license kicks in and the true story element ends. It’s also not particularly funny and there’s minimal action. So all that’s left is the romantic part which is quite dull. Started strong but fell down along the way.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

BECKHAM

The story of soccer sensation David Beckham, told with behind-the-scenes footage and recent interviews with his friends, family (including wife Victoria AKA Posh Spice), and Beckham himself. Pushed by his assertive father as a child, he evolved from humble beginnings into one of the world’s top soccer superstars. But the highs weren’t without the lows. Posh and Becks have endured many challenges during their relationship: harassment from the paparazzi, appalling abuse and death threats when England lost the World Cup, and scrutiny over alleged extra-marital affairs. But after more than 20+ years together their mutual love, respect, and strong family values are the ties that bind. The media’s constant portrayal of Victoria as an unsmiling villain has distorted and manipulated her public image. Don’t fall for it. She actually seems genuine and quite fun … and she has little care for soccer which makes the support she gives David even more endearing. You also don’t have to be a soccer fan to enjoy this doco.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

MOTHERS INSTINCT

The close friendship of neighbours Alice (Jessica Chastain) and Celine (Anne Hathaway) is pushed to the limits of suspicion and guilt when Celine’s young son Max dies in a freak accident. Overcome with grief, Celine finds it difficult to adjust back into everyday life. Meanwhile Alice becomes paranoid about Celine’s intentions towards her own son, Theo. This sophisticated psychological thriller set in the 1960’s will keep you guessing until the very end. Everything comes to a head quickly in the last ten minutes and feels mildly far fetched … then suddenly the show’s over and you’ll be left with questions.Absorbing enough with compelling performances from two accomplished actresses.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.9/10

CYNDI LAUPER: LET THE CANARY SING

From her singing origins right through to emerging as a star, Cyndi Lauper has never wavered in being her authentic, eccentric, colourful self. She’s a staunch women’s rights advocate, a LGBTQIA+ ally, and a trail blazer when it comes to inclusivity and representation for minority groups. Across her four decade career, she’s made an indelible mark on fans of all ages. While her Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards are testament to her incredible talents, witnessing her live in concert with my own eyes back in 2011 is something I’ll never forget. Her stage presence was mesmerising and her vocals were insane. Boy can she hold a note! She ended up standing on a seat amongst the audience belting out ‘Money Changes Everything.’ It remains, to this day, the best gig I’ve ever seen. This 99 minute documentary about her career was released just days after she announced her final tour and is perfect closure for those who won’t get to see Cyndi perform one last time. I really didn’t want this show to end and wished for more content, more interviews, more music … metaphors perhaps for the way I feel about her winding down her public appearances. Nostalgic and bittersweet.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9.5/10

Would’ve scored 10/10 if it was four episodes instead of one.

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AMERICAN NIGHTMARE

In March 2015, Denise Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn were victims of a violent home invasion in Vallejo, California, and Denise was kidnapped. When she was later released by her captor, the FBI and local police accused the couple of staging the crime. As they fought to be believed, the subsequent media frenzy nearly destroyed their lives. This docuseries is a cautionary tale of what can happen when inept law enforcement agencies ignore evidence and make unfounded assumptions. Thank goodness for the hero officer who had the where-with-all to do her job thoroughly and connected vital evidence to an offender. Harrowing and infuriating.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

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AFTER THE PARTY

This six part drama slaps you in the face right from the start, when school teacher Penny (Robyn Malcolm) accuses her husband Phil (Peter Mullan) of sexually assaulting one of their daughter’s teenage friends at a birthday party. Produced in New Zealand, it’s heavy going content but the fast pace, engrossing script and stellar production will keep you watching until the end. You’ll sympathise with Penny but also feel frustrated that she’s her own worst enemy. There aren’t enough superlatives in existence to describe the way Robyn Malcolm brings Penny’s anguish, righteous commitment and doggedness to life. She owns every scene she’s in and fully immerses herself in the role. One of the best performances on the small screen. Gripping and powerful!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 10/10

CIVIL WAR

Set in dystopian America, a group of journalists travel from New York City to Washington during a civil war to interview and photograph the third term president. With little information about the war and zero back story on the characters, this is essentially a film about getting from point A to point B with some life-and-death drama along the way. Kirsten Dunst gives a satisfactory performance as photographer Lee Smith but unfortunately most of the characters around her feel one dimensional. It’s good but not great. Unsettling, intense and perhaps foreboding?

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

CODA

Winner of three Academy Awards in 2022 (for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay), ‘Coda’ is the story of 17 year old Ruby Rossi (played by Emilia Jones) who is the only member of her family who can hear. Having always acted as interpreter and translator for her father, mother and brother, her passion for singing leads to torment over family responsibilities and the pursuit of her dreams. The acting is beautiful and three of the main four cast members (Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, Daniel Durand) are deaf, which adds to its authenticity. Feel-good, touching and peppered with humour, this is a wonderful movie with memorable moments that will stay with you after the credits have rolled – one being several powerful minutes of complete silence during a pivotal scene. Sometimes love and loyalty transcend the spoken word. Unpretentious and everything excellent film making should be.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

BETTER DATE THAN EVER

In an age of vacuous dating shows filled with carbon copy contestants who just want to grow their social media profiles or get invited to the opening of an envelope, ‘Better Date Than Never’ is a breath of fresh air. It follows a diverse group of singles as they venture into the dating scene for the first time. You’ll be cheering from the sidelines and riding a roller coaster of emotions as these endearing souls navigate the highs and lows of finding love. Wholesome and refreshing.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

ERIC

Set in gritty 1980’s New York, Vincent (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a puppeteer on children’s television show “Good morning Sunshine”. He constant conflict with his wife Cassie (Gaby Hoffmann), has addiction issues and is a PITA to his work colleagues. When his nine year old son Edgar (Ivan Howe) vanishes, Vincent’s demons escalate and his mental heath declines. He becomes obsessed with building a new puppet based on Edgar’s drawings, in the hope that Edgar will see him on television. Enter Eric, the blue, seven-foot-tall, furry foul-mouthed monster and Sesame Street goes to the dark side. Meanwhile Detective Michael Ledroit (McKinley Belcher III) is assigned to Eric’s missing persons case, but struggles to balance the demands of his job with his closeted gay life. Most of the characters in ‘Eric’ are unsavoury and unlikable but you’ll still keep watching – such is the power of a top notch script (written by Abi Morgan) combined with an exceptional cast. Cumberbatch, Hoffmann and Belcher in are skilled in the way they bring to life three flawed individuals, each struggling with their own turmoils. Engrossing and recommended.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.9/10

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THE IDEA OF YOU

When 40 year old Los Angeles divorcee Solène (Anne Hathaway) meets 24 year old English boy band member Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) they have instant chemistry. They soon find it hard to stay away from each other, much to the chagrin of Solène’s teenage daughter, her ex-husband and Hayes adoring fans. This film frequently flips from a romcom to a drama, and back again, which makes it feel inconsistent. The “live” songs also leave a lot to be desired and take up far too much screen time given they just aren’t very good. Despite these negatives, it’s still an easy watch thanks to the solid performances from the lead actors. I had low expectations at the start but enjoyed it enough to make it through the 2 hours. A few funny moments entwined amongst a genuine, slightly schmaltzy love story.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

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