Re: Selected programming for Dec. 9-13, 2024

On Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:05:43 -0800, "Ian J. Ball" <ijball@mac.invalid>
wrote:

On 12/10/24 2:52 PM, Robin Miller wrote:
>

         Tuesday, Dec.. 10
 
 
     Streaming:
 
 
Secret Level          [new]           (12:01 am, Prime Video)
 
Each episode of Amazon's new adult animation anthology series is based
on a different video game, including new games like Concord and New
World: Aeternum, classics such as Pac-Man and Mega Man, plus Ghost of
Tsushima, Warhammer 40,000, The Outer Worlds, Spelunky, Armored Core,
and more. Voices come from Keanu Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin
Hart, Gabriel Luna, Temuera Morrison, Claudia Doumit, and more. The
first eight episodes (they're short) stream today, followed by seven
more on Dec. 17.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvY9Uq7I30Y
 
https://www.metacritic.com/tv/secret-level/     [score 51]

>
Meh. Hopefully someone around here watches this and can tell us if it's
any good...

I'll give them a trial tonight. I'm a fan of many of the games they
are basing their episodes on so that should be a point in their favor.

Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was ...      (comedy special) (3:01 am,
Netflix)
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF1QdY1knqM
 
https://www.netflix.com/title/81022398

>
This sounds interesting.
>
But Reddit was asking - Why all the secrecy if all he had was a stroke?
It does make you wonder if this is a "cover story"...

It did have people talking for a while.

>

         Wednesday, Dec. 11
 
 
     Streaming:
 
 
This Is Not Hollywood          [new; complete limited series] (12:01 am,
Hulu)
 
It’s the 26th of August 2010, and Sarah, a 15-year-old girl, goes
missing in Avetrana, a small town scorched by the sun in the Apulian
outskirts, close to the sea. The whole town grows concerned, her cousin
Sabrina above all. She was waiting for Sarah in her house in Via Deledda
to go to the beach that very afternoon. It looks like an innocent escape
from home, but it’s not. While everyone is looking for her, Sarah has
already been swallowed by darkness, and her body is found at the bottom
of a well. Italian series; four episodes.
 
https://whatsondisneyplus.com/this-is-not-hollywood-coming-soon-to-hulu-
hulu-on-disney/

>
On IMDb, almost none of the cast have pictures, which is never a good
sign...
>

The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga        [new; limited series]
       (3:01 am, Netflix)
 
In Tupelo, Mississippi, the memory of Elvis Presley looms large. The
legendary singer was born there in 1935, and the town still plays host
to a fervent fandom, replete with copious impersonators.

>
True crime docs - lame!
>

Maria        (movie)         (3:01 am, Netflix)
 
Angelina Jolie plays the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in a biopic
from director Pablo Larraín (Jackie). Scripted by Steven Knight, Maria
chronicles the performer's final days as she is living in Paris in the
mid-1970s. Jolie's performance has been widely praised and should vault
her into Best Actress contention—in fact, she may even be this year's
frontrunner. 2h 4m.

>
Bah!
>

     Broadcast and cable:
 
 
Sullivan's Crossing        (season 2 finale)          (8 pm, CW)
 
Canada's CTV has ordered season 3.

>
Wow - I didn't even know that season #2 had been airing!
>
Tells you how much I am paying attention to "The CW" these days!!
>

A Motown Christmas       (special)         (9-11 pm, NBC)
 
Hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey, this special will feature
performances by Motown legends and today's hottest stars celebrating
iconic Motown classics and their favorite holiday songs.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQsUvZ8Mpkc

>
I'm only going to watch this if he promises to sing "Say You, Say Me"!!  :p
>
>

         Thursday, Dec. 12
 
 
     Streaming:
 
 
Red One        (movie; streaming premiere)          (12:01 am, Prime Video)
 
After a villain kidnaps Santa from the North Pole, an E.L.F (Extremely
Large and Formidable) operative (Dwayne Johnson) must partner with the
world’s most accomplished tracker (Chris Evans) to find Santa and save
Christmas. 2h 3m.
 
https://www.metacritic.com/movie/red-one/     [score 34]
 
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14948432/     [rating 6.8]

>
Meh - I'll probably get to this, but it's not at the top of my list...

I'll definitely be watching just to see how bad it is. Certainly the
reviews have been scathing.

No Good Deed          [new; complete season 1]        (3:01 am, Netflix)
 
A dark comedy from Dead to Me creator Liz Feldman, No Good Deed follows
three families vying to purchase the same multi-million-dollar Los
Angeles house currently owned by an empty-nester couple played by Lisa
Kudrow and Ray Romano. The sale of Paul and Lydia's picture-perfect home
forces them to face painful family secrets--and hide them from prying
eyes and cutthroat buyers. Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, Abbi Jacobson,
Poppy Liu, O-T Fagbenle, Teyonah Parris, and Denis Leary also star. All
eight half-hour episodes stream today.

>
Would not be interested in this - another example of why I don't get The
Netflix!
>

Paris & Nicole: The Encore         [new; complete limited series] (3:01
am, Peacock)
 
"The Simple Life" co-stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie reunite for a
three-episode special, streaming in its entirety today.

>
Gah!!

But how can you live without knowing what Paris Hilton is up?

>

     Broadcast and cable:
 
 
2024 Billboard Music Awards         (special)           (8-10 pm, Fox)

>
No!
>

All I Need for Christmas      (movie)       (8 pm, Hallmark Mystery)
 
Maggie has been trying for years to break in as a singer/songwriter. Now
faced with challenges of new apps and social media, Maggie fears she’s
outdated and unable to compete in a tech-savvy world. While helping her
parents on their farm at Christmastime, she meets Archer, an
entrepreneur who has come back to town to spend the holidays alone.
Archer is developing large-scale apps and is a tech enthusiast. At
first, Maggie blames him for all of her songwriting woes. To her
surprise, he encourages her to get back in touch with music that really
matters and write from the heart; tech can be used in a supportive role
to help her achieve her dreams without replacing the art of songwriting.
Archer is dealing with loss of family, and through her tight family
bonds, Maggie helps Archer find ways of moving beyond years of family
feuding. In this holiday romance, Maggie and Archer both discover there
is merit in preserving the tried and true while making room for new
ideas and methods to bring people together and help make dreams come
true. Stars Mallory Jansen and Dan Jeannotte.

>
I like both of them, but not enough to sit through this!
>

Be Careful What You Say      (movie)        (8 pm, LMN)
 
Iris Atwood hosts “Dear Iris,” a live podcast from her home where she
offers listeners advice on their relationship problems, despite not
having a counseling degree. She’s buoyed by support from best buddy/co-
host Zach Morales, and producer/fianc Henry Quinn. But Iris’ younger
sister Kylie, a psychology major, isn’t convinced that Iris’ “from the
heart” advice is of any value, which creates ongoing tension between
them. One night Iris offers advice to a troubled, unstable single mom,
Vanessa. Vanessa is deeply concerned that she’s losing control of her
disrespectful, ornery teen son Dylan. Iris tells Vanessa to stand firm
and practice “tough love,” and wishes her well. When Vanessa takes her
advice, a struggle ensues, and Dylan dies. Vanessa secretly holds Iris
responsible. Six months later, Vanessa enters Iris’ life, bent on
revenge. Stars Skye Coyne, Jason Tobias, Taylor Castro, Nicole Dionne,
Morris Jude, and Tanner Hagen.

>
Sure. (The ad for this one actually does a decent job of selling this
flick, what with the lead baddie talking about how she's going to put
Our Heroine(tm) in a very large hole in her backyard!!)
>
>

         Friday, Dec. 13
 
 
     Streaming:
 
 
Carry-On         (movie)        (3:01 am, Netflix)
 
A young TSA agent fights to outsmart a mysterious traveler who
blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip onto a Christmas
Eve flight. Stars Taron Egerton, Sofia Carson and Jason Bateman. 1h 59m.

>
Wow. Just, wow.
>

Dexter: Original Sin        [new]        (3:01 am, Paramount+ With
Showtime)
 
The first of two Dexter spinoffs coming in the next year, "Original Sin"
is a 1991-set prequel series centering on a 20-something version of
serial killer Dexter Morgan—now a Miami police intern—originally played
by Michael C. Hall and played here by Patrick Gibson. Hall returns to
narrate the series, while Christian Slater plays Dexter's father, Harry,
and Molly Brown takes over as his younger sister, Debra. Patrick
Dempsey, Reno Wilson, Christina Milian, Alex Shimizu, and James Martinez
also star—some also playing younger versions of familiar characters—
while Sarah Michelle Gellar guests. Ten episodes released weekly through
Feb. 14.
 
Also premieres on Showtime on Dec. 15, running through Feb. 16.

>
Another "prequel" that absolutely doesn't need to exist.
>

Joker: Folie à Deux       (movie; streaming premiere)        (3:01 am, Max)
 
2h 18m
 
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11315808/      [rating 5.2]

>
I will make myself sit through this. I just don't know when...
>

Conclave         (movie; streaming premiere)         (3:01 am, Peacock)
 
When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most
secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at
the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the
Catholic Church. 2h.
 
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20215234/     [rating 7.4]

>
Also plan to get to this...
>

If I Go Missing      (movie)          (3:01 am, Tubi)
 
A true crime fanatic becomes obsessed with finding the neighborhood
killer responsible for the disappearance of her best friend. Stars Emma
Elle Paterson, Hannah Vandenbygaart, Robert Bazzocchi, Damon McLean,
Christy Bruce, and Nicole Amber Farrugia. 1 hr 30 min.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uuPehsPdc4
 
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32026642/
 
https://tubitv.com/movies/100024065/if-i-go-missing

>
Ah, so Hannah Vandenbygaart is still around - I was wondering... Anyway,
I will try to get to this Tubi flick.
>

Hanukkah on the Rocks        (movie)         (8 pm, Hallmark Channel)
 
One week before Hanukkah, corporate lawyer Tory finds herself
unexpectedly unemployed and questioning the career she’s dedicated years
to. As she helps her Bubby prepare for the holiday, she embarks on a
quest across Chicago to find the last box of coveted Hanukkah candles.
Her search leads her to Rocky’s, an Old Town bar, where she encounters
Jay, a charming doctor from Florida, his grandfather Sam and a cast of
quirky regulars who make her rethink everything. Torn between keeping
her job loss a secret and embracing a newfound sense of belonging, Tory
ends up bartending at Rocky’s, transforming it into the vibrant
“Hanukkah on the Rocks” celebration. Through festive food, drinks, and
games, she revitalizes the bar, bonds with Jay, and finds the courage to
pursue her true calling. As Tory navigates the holiday, she learns that
sometimes a detour can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be,
lighting the way to a future filled with joy, romance, and self-
discovery. Stars Stacey Farber, Daren Kagasoff and Marc Summers.

>
I like Stacey Farber, but this is a big ask...
>

Blue Bloods         (season 14 and series finale)        (10 pm, CBS)

>
Finally!
>

 
(end)

>
Lots of stuff that I may never find the time to get to!!