What to watch on your streaming service this weekend
Don’t waste your time flicking through bad films. From an endearing New Zealand comedy to the untold story of Big Bird, there’s plenty on offer across your favourite streaming service.
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From an endearing New Zealand comedy to a previous Oscar favourite you might have missed and a documentary that unmasks the man behind Big Bird, here’s some top choices (and a few to avoid) on your favourite streaming service.
THE ONE THAT GOES SOMEWHERE BY GOING NOWHERE
THE LADY IN THE VAN (M) ****
NETFLIX
This is the movie version of the acclaimed stage play currently enjoying a stellar run at the Melbourne Theatre Company until March 9th.
If you can’t make it, this is definitely the next best thing. This delightful and engrossing comedy-drama tells the true story of the ultimate uninvited houseguest who didn’t know how, or when, to say goodbye.
Mary Shepherd (played by Maggie Smith) pulled into the suburban London driveway of acclaimed British writer Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings) in 1974. Fifteen years later, she was still there.
Bennett’s instincts for a great story can sense there is a past to Miss Shepherd that defies the stereotype of the near-homeless bag lady so many believe her to be.
As indicated by the length of her tenure, it takes a long time — and some trying times — for Bennett to piece together just a few small areas of the mysterious jigsaw that is Mary’s life history.
Broadly appealing performances from Smith (a universe away from her eye-bulging antics in TV’s Downton Abbey) and the unheralded Jennings fit the bill aptly here.
THE ONE THAT KNOWS HOW TO GET TO SESAME STREET
I AM BIG BIRD: THE CAROLL SPINNEY STORY (PG) ***1/2
FOXTEL NOW
For five decades, Caroll Spinney worked on the iconic kids TV show Sesame Street. The two characters he played — the infinitely adorable Big Bird and the adorably irritable Oscar the Grouch — remain unconditionally loved by each new generation of viewers.
While the enduring appeal of 84-year-old Spinney’s signature roles is easy enough to understand, the purity of intent and sophisticated craft he has poured into their creation remains unacknowledged by the general public.
This heartfelt, modest documentary should clear up that oversight once and for all. A kind and gentle soul, Spinney is also a natural raconteur who has a lovely, matter-of-fact way with an anecdote.
THE ONE WITH THE NUDE GUY IN THE BOOT FROM THE HANGOVER
KEN JEONG: YOU COMPLETE ME, HO (MA15+) ***
NETFLIX
Ken Jeong first broke through to movie audiences with his profane, often nude and always hilarious character Leslie Chow in the monster box-office hit The Hangover.
However, ongoing screen success — particularly on US TV — came at the expense of Jeong’s career as a stand-up comic. Therefore this Netflix concert special finds Jeong a little rusty when it comes to getting the laughs on a roll.
If you can forgive him a very slow start — the Korean-American comedian is understandably nervous, and overcompensates with a lot of needless swearing — then there is good time to be had here.
Jeong delves deep into his fallow years as a performer, where he was working long days as a doctor and long nights as a stand-up to make ends meet.
These recollections and other personal anecdotes find Jeong at his most relaxed and funniest. When he’s going with straight jokes, the show becomes hit-and-miss in a hurry.
Direction is very well done, largely because Jeong persuaded Crazy Rich Asians filmmaker Jon M. Chu to take the helm.
THE ONE STILL FLYING HIGH AT OSCARS TIME
THE AVIATOR (M) ***
FOXTEL NOW
With the Oscars about to happen on Monday, Foxtel is adding a stack of Academy Award-winning productions to its roster.
While this visually sumptuous biopic doesn’t quite achieve a clear focus on the early life of eccentric tycoon Howard Hughes, it is still a highly entertaining joy flight. Leonardo Di Caprio is in career best form in the leading role, but the film really belongs to Cate Blanchett, who blows an accomplished A-list cast away as Hughes’ one-time lover, the legendary Katharine Hepburn.
A winner of five Oscars in its year of release, but did not go home with the big one. Directed by Martin Scorsese.
THE ONE THAT KNOCKS THE TAKING OF KNOCKS
CONCUSSION (M) ***
STAN, NETFLIX
A factual drama about a breakthrough discovery with serious ramifications for contact sports all over the world.
In 2002, Dr. Bennet Omalu (played by Will Smith) diagnosed a then-unknown disease among ex-NFL players.
Multiple blows to the head sustained across a typical career could generate a terrifying and irreversible suite of symptoms.
You would think such a shocking discovery would have alarm bells ringing in the halls of the NFL. Omalu certainly did.
However, rather than act immediately in the interests of protecting its players, the NFL reassured the public “there’s nothin’ to see here, folks.” The league also threw considerable resources at smearing Omalu’s reputation by any means possible.
THE ONE WITH NOTHING BUT CRIMINAL INTENTIONS
TRIPLE 9 (MA15+) ***
STAN
While its vital signs might fluctuate wildly, there is a gritty resolve to this unorthodox crime drama that ultimately rewards any perseverance sent its way.
Kate Winslet stars as a malicious Russian crime boss who has a fleet of cops in the US city of Atlanta robbing banks on her behalf. Co-stars Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor. Directed by John Hillcoat (The Road).
THE ONE THAT JUST WANTS TO BE FRIENDS
THE BREAKER UPPERERS (M) ***
FOXTEL NOW, NETFLIX
This uneven, yet endearing comedy from New Zealand didn’t quite cut it in cinemas, but will fare much better on the small screen.
If the movie does not reach its full potential in most eyes, it is certainly not because it stars two complete unknowns in Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami (who also share directing and writing duties here).
This pair have a warped chemistry that is both instantly accessible and consistently hard to resist. They play best friends who run a business ending relationships for partners who desperately want out of the whole damn thing.
It is a great premise very cleverly established in the opening act, but a strong, coherent film never quite emerges. Some solid laughs are still there though.
Originally published as What to watch on your streaming service this weekend
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