I’m happy that I’ve stayed consistent keeping track of what I’ve watched. Disney+ should really make a watch history feature – it’s long overdue! To avoid gatekeeping my favourite picks until the holiday season, I’m sharing a mid-year roundup of recommendations now.
When Apple TV+ offered a free weekend trial, I discovered On The Rocks and Cha Cha Real Smooth. I loved Rashida Jones in Celeste and Jesse Forever and I liked her character in On The Rocks. I wish I’d anticipated the plot twist at the end! After becoming a Dakota Johnson fan last year, I also liked the fresh premise in Cha Cha Real Smooth. When I get long-term access to Apple TV+ I’d love to check out Shrinking, Severance and The Morning Show.
Awards season highlighted must-see biopics about Donald Trump and Bob Dylan. The Apprentice deserved all its accolades, including hair and makeup, and its sweep at the Canadian Screen Awards. There was a great quote: “Why play the field when you can own the stadium?” A Complete Unknown is also entertaining, but should’ve been edited for length. There were a couple unnecessary scenes and monologues. It didn’t need to be two hours and twenty minutes long!
Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action is one of Netflix’s best new releases this year. I was very young when The Jerry Springer Show aired, so I only saw a few minutes of it many years ago. This documentary shares so many examples of how sensationalism sells that I’d never seen before. It’s jam-packed with a rich history about reality TV and interviews with producers and viewers, yet doesn’t require a big screen. I watched it on the plane to Orlando.
While Jerry Springer’s documentary is infuriating, Avicii’s documentary Avicii – I’m Tim is deeply sad as it explores his music career and health. It’s interesting to see how all the industry legends were so eager to collaborate with him. As a melody genius, he even made Chris Martin from Coldplay jealous.
If you’re curious about your favourite celebrities, Demi Lovato’s Child Star movie and Alex Cooper’s Call Her Alex documentary are also worth mentioning. However, I think the Jerry Springer and Avicii documentaries uncovered more information with stronger behind the scenes perspectives.
Movies that failed to hook me from the beginning included Carry On, The Father, and a few older hits: Calendar Girls, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and Love, Rosie. They were so bad, I found other things to watch instead. Despite its 100% Tomatometer rating and the fact that I obviously love movies, I couldn’t finish I Like Movies either.
Here’s my latest list of movie recommendations you can save and reference!
- Queenpins (Kristen Bell, Vince Vaughn, Bebe Rexha)
- Hit Man (Glen Powell)
- Bros (Billy Eichner, Judd Apatow)
- The Life List (Sofia Carson, Connie Britton)
- Trouble With The Curve (Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake)
- Gifted (Chris Evans, Jenny Slate, Octavia Spencer, Mckenna Grace)
Plus, so many good TV series have been renewed, including Sullivan’s Crossing, XO, Kitty, Running Point, High Potential and Forever! Ginny & Georgia is so intense, yet so binge-worthy. Watching your favourite character on house arrest hits different coming out of the pandemic. The miniseries Dying For Sex also strikes a unique balance of dark comedy.
The more I hear about heat waves, the more I anticipate staying inside on the couch. So stay tuned to find out what else I discover that’s worth your time.
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