If you like your entertainment epic, post-apocalyptic, and in the kitchen, this week’s streaming releases have you covered with the respective series returns of Foundation and The Bear, as well as the debut of Bird Box Barcelona, among others.
SERIES
Foundation S2
Apple TV+ – 14 July 2023
I know not everybody was a fan of the first season of AppleTV+’s big budget sci-fi opus, but I rather enjoyed it. Maybe it’s because – despite my hardcore geekiness – I’ve somehow never read Isaac Asimov’s seminal sci-fi book series of the same name, and thus had nothing to compare the Foundation TV series to. Either way, the epic spanning series is back with a second season, set more than a century after the events of the first, but thanks to a bit of genetic cloning and the use of androids, sees the return of several key cast members. It continues the tale of a small group of individuals, who are all caught up in the words of a prophetic mathematician who foresaw the collapse of the galaxy-spanning human empire, embarking on a daring plan to create an organization entrusted with rebuilding civilization after the collapse. Early reviews for season two have been rather positive, with a number saying that it fixes several of the original season’s flaws.
The Summer I Turned Pretty S2
Amazon Prime Video – 14 July 2023
Look, let’s keep things honest here. I have not seen a single second of the first season teen romantic drama The Summer I Turned Pretty, and I’m not going to pretend like there’s a chance of that changing. And as such, I’m definitely not the best person to speak about whether the second season of this show is worth your attention or not. All I can tell you is that it debuts today, and if you watched the first season, you will probably want to watch this one, which will debut with three episodes and then release weekly thereafter.
Becoming Elizabeth S1
Showmax – 17 July 2023
I have good news, and I have bad news. Good news is that Becoming Elizabeth, the period historical drama that stars real-life countess Alicia von Rittberg as a young Elizabeth Tudor, the woman who went from orphaned teenage daughter of the infamous Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn to becoming arguably the most important and influential British monarch as she ushered in a new global age, is apparently really good. The bad news is that sadly, after an initial eight-episode first season, the show was cancelled last year. Well, at least you can now check out what the fuss was about.
The Bear S2
Disney+ – 19 July 2023
The critically acclaimed, Golden Globe-nominated comedy drama series – which I’ve somehow still not seen; shame on me! – is back for a second season! Jeremy Allen White had critics and fans abuzz in the first season as a young chef from the world of fine dining who returns home to Chicago to run his family’s struggling, rundown sandwich shop after the suicide of his older brother. And, as previously mentioned, because I’ve somehow not paid heed to the barrage of recommendations that I’ve had to watch it, that’s about all I can say about The Bear. Well, that and this sophomore season is apparently ridiculously good TV, and somehow managing to outdo its brilliant opening run in every way.
MOVIES
To Catch a Killer
Apple TV/Google Play Movies (Rental) – 12 July 2023
There was virtually zero buzz around this crime thriller when it released in cinemas earlier this year, and, if I’m being honest, it’s giving off a bit of that Sunday night 8pm M-Net movie vibes. But you know what? Sometimes that’s exactly what you’re looking for. Especially when that sort of low-risk celluloid entertainment boasts a cast headlined by Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo, and Ralph Ineson (who is probably very recognizable to gamers at the moment as the voices of both Lorath in Diablo IV and Cid in Final Fantasy XVI). That’s a whole lot of talent on-screen. Enough, in fact, that will make me happily spend ~R40 to rent this one on AppleTV or Google Play Movies.
Bird Box Barcelona
Netflix – 14 July 2023
When I first heard about Bird Box, I admittedly wrote it off as a knock-off of The Quiet Place, but then, based solely on the fact that it was directed by brilliant British TV director Susanne Bier, I gave it a watch… and was pleasantly surprised. Well, “pleasantly” is probably the wrong word, given all the suspense as Sandra Bullock and co tried to survive blindfolded in a world overrun by entities who cause people that look at them to kill themselves. I wasn’t the only one to become a fan, as Bird Box became the most-watched Netflix film at the time of its release. And so, of course, we’re getting another one. Imaginatively titled Bird Box Barcelona, this spinoff follows a new set of characters as they try to survive blindfolded in a world overrun by entities who cause people that look at them to kill themselves… but in Spanish!
The Invitation
Netflix – 17 July
There’s no doubt that The Invitation is basically just Get Out and Ready or Not stirred together with an extra dollop… well, actually that would be giving away the film’s big twist. Much like the way too detailed trailer above does, which is why I would actually advise you NOT WATCH IT. I will just say that it stars the always-good Nathalie Emmanuel as Evie, a woman who takes a DNA test after her – her last known relative – dies… only to discover a distant cousin who promptly invites her to a big lavish family wedding in the English countryside, where the sexy aristocratic host quickly takes a liking to her. If that sounds a bit too good to be true, it’s because it is. In very horrific ways.
The Deepest Breath
Netflix – 19 July 2023
And if The Invitation’s twists leave you breathless, you may have the teeniest tiniest inkling what Italian freediver Alessia Zecchini goes through in this new feature length documentary. Written and directed by Laura McGann, the film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival to strong reviews before being snatched up by Netflix. So now you get to sit in the dry, non-suffocating comfort of your home as follow Zecchini on a quest to break a world record of diving down over 100 meters underwater.