After a bumper edition last month, where I featured twelve TV shows and movies, I'm back with my monthly roundups of What I've Been Watching. And I got through a good amount of movies and TV shows in April. All of which I would wholeheartedly recommend as movies and TV shows to watch next.
So here's what I've been watching since my last update;
The Bold Type ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have featured The Bold Type many times in my What I've Been Watching blog posts. When it comes to movies and TV shows to watch next, it will always be one of my top picks. But now that it is available on Netflix, I feel like more people are finally discovering just how good it is. I was so excited to see season 4, after Amazon Prime Video dropped the show after season 3. And it was everything that I hoped it would be and more.
Without spoiling anything, in case you haven't caught up with the first 3 seasons, there are some pretty big subject matters dealt with in season 4. And as always, I find myself swept up in the incredible fashion, NYC setting and friendship of these three brilliant ladies. If you haven't yet given it a go, you really have no excuse now that it's on Netflix. And I am literally counting down the days until we get the final season, season 5, here in the UK.
Seasons 1-4 currently streaming on Netflix
Moxie ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
As soon as I heard that one of my favourite people ever, Amy Poehler, was directing and starring in a high school comedy/drama, I was immediately on board. But even then, I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. This is honestly the kind of teen movie that I wish had been around when I was in high school. It's empowering without being off-putting, even if I would have far preferred Lucy to be the protagonist rather than Vivian.
I'm also pretty sure that everyone who watches it will end up falling for Seth. I mean, I don't think I've been quite so taken with a fictional high schooler since Seth Cohen in The O.C! Maybe I have a thing for Seth's. And thankfully I don't feel too bad about dreaming about Nico Hiraga, who plays Seth in Moxie, as he is in his mid twenties. As you would probably expect for actors playing teenagers in a movie or TV show.
Currently streaming on Netflix
The Flight Attendant ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
I haven't quite seen a TV show like The Flight Attendant before and that is very much a good thing. It's a perfect mix of murder mystery, black comedy and drama. And it utilises what you could call dream sequences and flashbacks in such a creative way. Kaley Cuoco plays the titular Flight Attendant, who wakes up after a night out with one of the first class passengers, only to find him dead in the bed beside her. And what ensues keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. It's definitely one of the top movies and TV shows to watch next.
Zosia Mamet, who many of you may know from Girls, is a real stand out in this for me. As is Kaley Cuoco, of course. To be quite honest, the entire cast is brilliant. I also could not get enough of the incredible coats that Kaley's character wears throughout the eight episode season. If you've seen it, you'll know exactly what I mean. And I don't know why but I wasn't expecting there to be a second season. But it seems that one is on its way in 2022, so I can't wait to see what they do with the characters and story next.
Currently streaming on NOW TV/Sky Boxsets
Sound Of Metal ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Amazon Prime Video have really been hitting it out of the park when it comes to brand new releases. And the next three movies on my list prove just that. I've long been a big fan of Riz Ahmed, so to see him give this performance as Ruben, a heavy metal drummer who loses his hearing, is incredible. Let's just say, he really earned that Best Actor nomination this awards season.
This is easily one of the most heartbreaking movies that I've seen in a while. I seriously lost count of the amount of times I felt crushed for Ruben. I immediately felt like I was in his shoes and wondered how I would react and what I would do in the same position. We get a real insight into the lives of those who are deaf and hearing impaired and when you think about the fact that we all learn a language like French in high school, only for most of us to never visit France or somewhere French speaking. It feels like it should be mandatory to learn basic sign language at school. This is one of my top movie picks of the year and I really do urge everyone to see it at some stage.
Currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Palm Springs ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'd heard brilliant things about this movie for years now. But for some reason it never came out in cinemas or on DVD here in the UK. So I could not believe my eyes when I saw that it had been added to Amazon Prime Video without much fanfare. Now, if you're a fan of time loop movies, where one day is replayed over and over again (think Groundhog Day or Happy Death Day), I've got a feeling that you will really enjoy Palm Springs. And the take on the time loop is interesting and unique enough that it had me, someone who isn't a huge fan of sci-fi, etc. completely hooked.
The two leads, Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, make a fantastic pair. And there's a brilliant ensemble cast too, including the likes of J.K. Simmons, Camila Mendes and Peter Gallagher (aka. Sandy Cohen - happy to get another The OC reference in). It's not one of those rom-coms that I'll watch time and time again but I did really enjoy it.
Currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video
The Mauritanian ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Again, I'd heard great things about The Mauritanian, along with it being heavily nominated this awards season. So, even though I thought the subject matter would be tough to digest, I gave it a watch. And I'm glad that I did. It follows the life of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, aka. the Mauritanian, who is held for fourteen years in Guantanamo Bay, despite not being charged with anything. This is directly following the 9/11 terror attacks.
It's one of these true life movies where you can't quite believe that some of the events actually happened. Tahar Rahin, who many may also know from The Serpent, gives a standout performance in this. And Jodie Foster, Shailene Woodley and Benedict Cumberbatch are all good in this too. It is quite a generic approach to such a story but worth a watch, all the same.
Currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Your Honor ⭐⭐⭐⭐
As soon as I saw the trailer for Your Honor (it pains me not to write Honour), I was 100% on board. The very premise of it, the son of a judge accidentally kills the son of a gangster, by hit and run, is brilliant. And to see the lengths that a father goes to to save his son was really gripping. Even if, I had very little sympathy for Cranston's son. There are many times throughout where he is just asking to be caught, which is a little frustrating to watch when you see what the judge has had to do to keep him out of the firing line.
I will say, I was a little bit disappointed in how it ended. It felt really rushed and there were some things that remained unanswered. But everything up until that point was so captivating and well done, that it is definitely worth a watch.
Currently streaming on NOW TV/Sky Boxsets
Line Of Duty ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You have no idea how excited I was for series 6 of Line Of Duty to start! And what a series it has been. If you've not yet become completely absorbed in the world of AC-12, police corruption and organised crime, you seriously need to give it a watch ASAP! It is honestly one of the best TV shows out there! When it comes to movies and TV shows to watch next, you simply have to get caught up with Line Of Duty.
Series 6 focuses on the case of a journalist who has been murdered and the possibly corrupt officers who have been tasked with solving the case. Expect great one liners from Ted Hastings, drama that will have you at the edge of your seat and even more acronyms. CHIS, SIO, AFO, DIR anyone? You'll also never convince me that any good can come of travelling in a convoy, after watching six series of Line Of Duty.
Series 6 is currently streaming on BBC iPlayer - Series 1 - 5 are also currently available on BBC iPlayer and Netflix
Ru Paul's Drag Race UK ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
I really enjoyed the first series of Ru Paul's Drag Race UK. But series two is on a whole other level! So much so that it is easily one of the best seasons that RPDR has had in years. And that's even comparing it to recent US seasons, as you will see down below.
First of all, there were several queens that I was rooting for from the very beginning, namely Tayce and Lawrence Chaney. And then Bimini really comes into her own as the series progresses. The challenges felt fresh and there were some iconic runway looks too. All I can say is that I must sing the chorus to UK Hun? on an almost daily basis. And if you haven't yet seen series 2, stop what you are doing and press play now! You can thank me later.
Currently streaming on BBC iPlayer
Ru Paul's Drag Race ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was a real treat having two Drag Race episodes a week, when the UK and US versions were both overlapping. But for some reason I just haven't warmed to season 13 as much as I hoped I would. I think it might have something to do with the fact that it has been on FOREVER. I mean, there were multiple weeks where no queens went home. And even though I like quite a few of the queens, there haven't been many standout moments for me.
And after watching the final yesterday, for the first time ever I predicted who would win in that very first episode. A bit like *SPOILER ALERT* when Ru was saying Lawrence Chaney's name the way she did in the UK version, her reaction to the US winner had me calling the result straight away. The whole season was okay, with a few good episodes. But the comparison with the UK version just made it all the more obvious that it wasn't quite up to par. Has anyone else felt the same about season 13?
Season 13 currently streaming on Netflix - Seasons 1-12 are also available on Netflix
So those are just some of the movies and TV shows to watch next.
Have you been watching any of these shows? If so, what did you think of them? And do you have any recommendations on what to watch next?
0