I’ve been watching a lot more television lately than I usually do and I’ve had a lot of conversations with people looking for something good to watch, so I thought it was a good idea to write a couple of short reviews of my lockdown viewing.
There is a mix of new releases and classics, and I watch on Stan, Netflix Australia, and Australian free to air television stations.
A year after a devastating flood has killed five locals in an idyllic country town, a mysterious new plant appears. The plant’s phenomenal ability to restore youth is so formidable that attempting to harness it means re-evaluating values.
Creator: Glen Dolman
Stars: Bryan Brown, Phoebe Tonkin, Genevieve Morris, Jacki Weaver
2019 – 2020
Viewed on Stan Australia
My Review
Bloom is an unusual Australian drama. In a small country town recovering from a fatal flood, people discover a plant that makes them young again. As people become desperate to harness this apparent fountain of youth they are forced to re-evaluate their priorities.
My household enjoyed the first season of Bloom but thought that the second season felt a little bit forced or overdone. Top-notch performances by Aussie stalwarts such as Bryan Brown and Jacki Weaver and lots of exciting up and coming Aussie actors too.
3/5 stars.
“The Bold Type” is inspired by the life of “Cosmopolitan” editor in chief, Joanna Coles. The show is a glimpse into the outrageous lives and loves of those responsible for a global women’s magazine. Their struggles are about finding your identity, managing friendships and getting your heart broken, all while wearing the perfect jeans to flatter any body type.
Creator:
Stars:
My Review
I bloody love this silly show! The Bold Type focuses on three best friends – Jane, Sutton and Kat – who work at New York’s best women’s magazine. With the help of their fabulous editor in chief they are figuring out their lives and careers, all while looking fabulous.
This is definitely classified as a ‘girls’ show in my household, so it’s my duvet day treat any time I need a pick me up. It’s refreshing to watch a show about women where they are all so god damned supportive of each other and it never fails to put a smile on my face.
5/5 stars.
Cold Justice is a unique and thrilling Indigenous crime series – the first of its kind in Australia. The series is a raw and unfiltered look at the injustice Indigenous Australians face when it comes to unsolved deaths.
The award-winning first series investigated the 1988 death of Aboriginal teenager Mark Haines who was found dead on railway tracks in Tamworth, NSW.
Allan’s reporting on the unsolved death of Mark Haines lead to the Oxley LAC reopening their investigation into the case after 29 years. This year, on the 30th anniversary of Mark’s death, the NSW Police announced a $500,000 reward for any information that could solve the case.
Over four weeks, the second season of Cold Justice will investigate the unsolved deaths of Stephen Smith, Theresa Binge and Lois Roberts. The new season will give these Indigenous victims and their families a voice while holding the police and authorities to account of their investigations.
Presenter for Cold Justice, Allan Clarke said the families shared their most harrowing and traumatic moments of their lives which still remain raw today.
“Their trauma compounded by frustration with a justice system that has failed to deliver them closure. The question is does the justice system view Aboriginal victims differently?” he said.
Cold Justice is presented by award-winning journalist Allan Clarke. It is clear that Clarke is a skilled and empathetic journalist. He has done an outstanding job of researching these cases and developing warm and genuine relationships with their families.
These stories are heartbreaking and the lack of justice is cruel and unfair. It is unconscionable that this is the first documentary to ever investigate Indigenous cold cases in Australia and I hope that this series is a step in the right direction towards achieving justice for these families and many more.
5/5 stars.
The Byrdes and their teenage kids, Charlotte and Jonah, are, for all intents and purposes, an ordinary family with ordinary lives. Except for the job of Marty, a Chicago financial advisor who also serves as the top money launderer for the second largest drug cartel in Mexico. When things go awry, Marty must uproot his family from the skyscrapers of Chicago and relocate to the lazy lake region of the Missouri Ozarks.
Creators:
Stars:
2017 – ?
Viewed on Netflix Australia
My Review
I suspect a lot of people are already up to date with Ozark as it’s so popular, so I won’t make this review too long. This series has been a big hit for both of us in my household, which is a huge achievement. There’s a thrill a minute and I feel like all three seasons are quite equal. I don’t think I’ve ever not enjoyed a Jason Bateman performance and the rest of the cast is fantastic. A truly excellent thriller with just the right amount of drama.
5/5 stars.
Scatterbooker 
I haven’t watched Ozark yet, but I keep hearing good things.
I did work my way through the first season of Chuck over the past few weeks. I love that show and it’s fun to revisit.
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It’s really nice to go back and revisit some old favourites sometimes.
You should definitely check Ozark out when you get a chance! It’s all done really well.
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