Local is very lekker this week as we have two Mzanzi productions with international buzz – horror Pulse and tense thriller Collision – headlining the respective new TV series and movie releases on streaming platforms this week. We also have some big international hits though, like new seasons of Peaky Blinders, For All Mankind, and more.
SERIES
Pulse S1
Showmax S1 – 9 June 2022
Garnering quite some international buzz, this local high-tech horror series looks to set your… pulse pounding. Shot in South Africa and Mauritius, this new series boasts a who’s who of local talent in front of and behind the scene, and looks especially intriguing if you’re a gamer – and hey, would you look at that! I am!
Peaky Blinders S6
Netflix – 10 June 2022
After five previous seasons of twisty criminal empire shenanigans, British period gangster drama Peaky Blinders is coming to an end! A bit too soon for my liking though. That’s because I planned to finally start watching this fan-favourite drama and get all caught up before season six drops. I’ve watched one episode. Oh well. I’ll get to it one day. The rest of you can have a blast… by order of the Peaky Blinders!
For All Mankind S3
AppleTV+ – 10 June 2022
One of AppleTV+’s original flagship show, it’s kind of shocking how under the radar For All Mankind is. Ronald D. Moore’s alt-history drama in which the global space race of the 1960s/1970s never ended has delivered two seasons of phenomenal speculative drama. And now we’re in the 90s, baby! And we’re headed to Mars! Can you tell how excited I am?! I can’t stop using exclamations!
First Kill S1
Netflix – 10 June 2022
Despite sharing a title, I don’t think there’s any chance of this new Netflix show being confused for the terrible direct-to-DVD 2017 Bruce Wilis thriller. Instead of tired action heroes, this one has good-looking young people, vampires, romance, magic. Yes, it’s that type of show! For those of you into that kind of thing, have fun! For the rest of you, [INSERT OBLIGATORY “VAMPIRES SUCK” JOKE HERE].
God’s Favorite Idiot S1
Netflix – 15 June 2022
I’m not gonna lie, I’m not the biggest fan Melissa McCarthy, especially not when she’s starring in movies written/directed by her husband Ben Falcone. So I’m definitely not the target market for this new comedy series in which McCarthy and Falcone co-star as two co-workers who fall in love… right as the latter unwittingly becomes a messenger of God.
Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend S1
Netflix – 15 June 2022
Let’s be honest: The actual chefs and the impressive food they prepare under pressure is completely secondary here. No, I’m just here to see what bizarro facial expressions and dodgy sound effects “Chairman” Mark Dacascos will give us in this new revival of the popular Food Network show.
MOVIES
Jennifer Lopez: Halftime
Netflix – 14 June 2022
In early 2020, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira put on a Super Bowl halftime show for the ages, setting the internet ablaze with chatter. It was also “the worst idea in the world”. That’s according to Lopez herself, revealed in this intimate “nothing is off-limits” feature documentary that details the multi-hyphenate entertainer’s rise to fame from aspiring dancer to global superstar, culminating in her Super Bowl performance that blew the roof off.
Collision
Netflix – 16 June 2022
Netflix has invested heavily in South Africa, giving us some top-notch productions, and Collision looks to be the latest of that ilk. Starring Vuyo Dabula, Kirkley Langwood, Bonko Khoza, this action-flick follows a corrupt businessman and his socialite wife over the course of one fateful day as they frantically try to save their daughter from dangerous crime boss.