I’m back! I told you I would be. I know it’s been a hot minute but I’ve dusted the cobwebs of the blog and given it a lick of paint. As well as this…my first blog post in a year! I’m glad to be back and I’ve got lots of new shows and films to talk to you about.
I’ve also got new insider knowledge, as I now work in film and TV full time. Yes, if you haven’t heard I got my dream job working in production. Don’t worry, I won’t be biased when my shows come around…well maybe a little!
Still, my perspective and opinions haven’t changed. Even now I know how much blood, sweat and tears go into making these shows, just to be criticised by people like myself. I still believe that a great storyline and likeable characters are key to any film or show.
Above all, I’ll stay honest. If it’s good, I’ll tell you it’s good. If it’s crap, I’ll give you space to swerve it. Let’s go!
What NOT to watch
Sorry to be a negative Nancy but let’s get everything I really don’t recommend out of the way first. Then, it’s onto the good stuff!
First up is Pam & Tommy. I have a few issues with this show. Let’s just point out the obvious, how the f*** did this porno get on Disney+!?! This show might as well be XXX rated. You’ve been warned (or more intrigued, each to their own). Secondly, the actual Pamela Anderson didn’t give permission for this show. And why would they, they’re having sex in every scene, doing drugs, tits flying around and playing on their intelligence. Lastly…episode 2 and about 22 minutes in. I’ll never be able to unsee that.
Next, The Responder is based on a Merseyside policeman portrayed by Martin Freeman. I live in Merseyside and I’m half Scouse. As much as I was impressed by Freeman’s scouse accent (I only have one when I’m drunk), I thought the show makes us all look like all Liverpudlians we’ve got Mental health issues, on drugs and all our coppers are bent (including a dodgy firefighter). That and the story was just a bit boring, didn’t make sense at times and left our local public services in a bad light.
No Return was so depressing. As most of you know, before I was working in TV I worked in Travel for 10+ years. The world is just opening up again and this show makes it show a very negative light on a country that desperately needs tourism. Yes, some countries are dangerous and if you put a foot wrong, getting stuck in their legal system is a massive minefield. But we’re looking to be entertained ITV, not wanting to cancel our jollies! I do feel like the LGBTQ aspect highlights some very important issues and the younger generation which aren’t shown a lot on TV but the whole show made me feel uncomfortable in a bad unentertaining way. Like, I needed some Disney after that.
Can we please stop with shows like Too Hot to Handle. Please. These kinds of shows need to go. The negativity, the games with people’s emotions, sex on tv, slagging people off, bitching, fights and just watching people who are just plain fame-hungry. The first show was great because it was like a social experiment which I was keen to watch. Money or Love? But now, it’s just annoying and I’m really over it. If MTV’s Geordie Shore can grow up so can Netflix.
What happened to The Sinner? The first two seasons were really good but the third was questionable and different enough to be interesting but this season…what is going on? I’m so bored. I’m actually struggling to finish it. I’m writing this and I’m actually feeling sleepy trying to remember it. Do I care enough to find out what happened to her…?
My Son stars the amazing James McAvoy and Claire Foy. Top cast and great acting, don’t get me wrong. This story is very farfetched, leaves a lot of unanswered questions and feels unfinished at the end. Did I like it? Sort of? Will I watch it again? No. Will I recommend it to a friend? Depends on the friend.
The biggest disappointment this month for me was Moonfall. Everyone knows that I love SciFi movies. I do epic SciFi movie lists and you all ignore them, but I don’t care because I love them. Moonfall looked awful but in a funny way where it’s entertaining enough to pass, but it really was bad. I haven’t seen a SciFi movie that bad since “GeoStorm”.
I’m a massive fan of the Kingsmen movies but The King’s Man is awful. Disappointingly boring. It’s really long and this is the first movie I’ve actually switched off and still haven’t finished. I don’t even care that I don’t know what happens. If nothing interesting has happened in 40 minutes, I’m out of there.
What to watch
This is Us
Trying not to get emotional about this but “This is us” is ending…! This is the final season and there are still so many unanswered questions. Last season was a bit weird as it was set during the pandemic, but this season is back on track. Lots of emotional scenes, wrapping up those loose ends and time to see how it all ends for the Big three.
Dopestick
I still can’t believe this all happened. Not only is this a great cast but the story is really well told. The way it portrays addiction for different people and how the company is exposed is truly remarkable. The show is addictive just like the drug.
The Apprentice
Lord Sugar is back with more apprentices wanting to be his new business partner. This show is a yearly treat that makes me feel like I have more common sense than any of these people put together. The decisions they make on the show is just shocking. Fair enough, they can’t use the internet, no maps and just their general knowledge but it’s still highly entertaining and a good laugh at their “business” decisions.
Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK vs The World
Start your engines!!! Drag Race is back and it’s bringing Queens from all over the world to little old England. As a massive fan of the show, I love the tasks, the challenges, the reads, the tea, the costumes and the realness. But this show also brings a lot of heart, real LGBTQ issues from the Queens personal lives and helps makes real change in the world. It’s not just entertaining TV, this show helps a lot of people and snatch game is just the best challenge on TV. Ever.
This is Going to Hurt
Definitely one of the best shows I’ve seen on TV lately. As quite a few members of my family work for the NHS, it’s hard not to like it as it’s pretty spot on with the stories they tell. It’s funny but accurate, it’s sad but true, it’s factual but entertaining. It’s bloody great, placentas and all.
The Masked Singer
The final may be over and the singers are all unmasked but if you MISSED EVERYTHING, you can still catch up on the best mystery singing show on TV. I love sitting down with the family and trying to figure out which celebrity is under the masks. Detective Saturdays are on hold…till the Masked Dancer hits our screens soon. Who knew this hilarious TV concept would be such a hit!
Trigger Point
I didn’t know where this one was going to lie in this list. Good or bad. It’s pretty borderline but I feel there are more pros than cons about it. It’s pretty intense for a Sunday night show. It’s got some good build, anticipation, anxiety and mostly I love the fact it’s a strong leading lady in a bomb squad. All in all, it’s a good watch and I do look forward to it every week.
The Bay S3
The Bay has a new leading lady and a new crime to solve. Filmed in the good olde north of England and based in Morecombe, I’ve got to give it a shout out. There’s only so much London crime drama a northerner can take. It’s great to see a more diverse cast and the storyline isn’t half bad. It feels real, unlike other crime dramas which can be a bit farfetched.
Love is Blind S2
This crazy show is back with more people wanting to find love and marriage…through a wall. Yes, this show helps people find love and propose without ever them seeing each other first. Once they finally meet, it’s only a few weeks till they get married. I love the phycological aspect of the show and is totally different to other dating shows out there right now.
Tinder Swindler
The most talked-about show right now by far! This crazy story is about an incredibly rich man, who is looking for love but turns out to be a conman and uses women to pay for his lavish lifestyle. And the ending….!? I say no more. If you haven’t watched it yet, watch it now!
Stay Close
OK. I’m trying to not be biased right now as some of my crew and my boss worked on this but I actually really enjoyed it. I thought there were lots of twists and turns, I loved the cast (like Eddie Izzard, hello!!) and I didn’t see that ending coming.
And Just Like That
I was ready to hate this. Sex and the City in their 50s?! No, no, no. But, it unexpectedly works. Obviously, the sex part is massively toned down (except for this wild scene in the kitchen) and it brings a new, honest side to growing up. What happens after you get married, have kids and settled down? What happens then…?
Uncharted
Tom Holland really carries this film. His stunts really are incredible and he’s turning into a mini Tom Cruise. The film itself is pretty action-packed and a pretty stereotypical treasure hunt film with Mark Whalberg as the comedy relief. Not bad. A great family fun film.
Marry Me
Jennifer Lopez returns back to her romcom roots and brings us a lovely, warm, funny film for us all to enjoy. By the looks of the trailer, I was prepared to hate it and I thought it was going to be awful, to be honest, but I was very wrong. I thought it was a very modern-day Notting Hill. Lots of laughs, a realistic view of this crazy scenario and a great ending.
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WHAT’S THE BEST SHOW OR FILM YOU WATCHED IN THE LAST MONTH?
LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
Welcome back! Nice fresh look as well, and I laughed at the phrase ‘mini Tom Cruise’ for Tom Holland, I mean, he’d be tiny, tiny! haha!