A terrific TV recap of August 2023. Here some August TV highlights that are #CouchWorthy. Maybe you missed em or didn’t hear about em. Sweet Sammy Suggestions for August 2023…
August Highlights
The Flash (Anytime / HBO Max & Crave)
The Flash tagline is: “Worlds collide.” General Zod returns from previous DCU movies. As does Michael Keaton as Batman. Welcome to the DC Comics multiverse. Flash slides into corny occasionally (I detest fan service) but it’s not a terrible movie. That’s good, right? Based on the box office most people have not seen it. Streaming will give it a solid boost. Though beware it’s got an open ending. And with the way things are going over the DCU it’s ending that may never be resolved.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 (ANYTIME / DISNEY+)
Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life – a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
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Smell ya later Guardians of the Galaxy! (And smell ya later James Gunn!) The recent Ant-Man movie was just okay; bit long but not terrible. I’ve been skipping MCU movies lately, had no love for the recent Thor, Black Panther 2…I mean what value can it offer; dude is dead etc. I did see and enjoyed Doctor Strange 2. (When The Marvels opens on November 10th it’ll be the 33rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Naturally there is Marvel-burnout.) So: Are you ready for one last ride with the Guardians of the Galaxy? Thank you James Gunn; the soundtracks alone were out of this world.
August Highlights
Heart of Stone (Anytime / Netflix)
It’s a short list of action women who consistently drop bodies: Linda Hamilton and Angelina Jolie. (With respect to Pam Grier.) That’s the female Expendables list. I ain’t prepared to sign off or even invest in Gal Gadot with guns. I’m not convinced. Chick’s gotta work hard and earn it. I got a Heart of Stone but I’m good with it. It protects me from cheeze. So what sells this latest Netflix movie? It’s written and produced by Greg Rucka, a popular comic book writer. Press play for Greg, stay for the ruckus.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ROBODOC: THE CREATION OF ROBOCOP (ANYTIME / SCREAMBOX)
An immersive 4+ hour journey into the making of the seminal sci-fi movie RoboCop. With over 60 cast/crew interviews and exclusive behind the scenes materials, RoboDoc is a unique, comprehensive and fully explorative scene-by-scene retrospective.
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Following Living With Chucky, Pennywise: The Story of IT and Hollywood Dreams and Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story Screambox’s latest IP documentary is RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop. The 1987 film was in part inspired by writer Edward Neumeier’s work in the art department on Blade Runner. Makeup effects vet Rob Bottin (The Thing, Total Recall) created the RoboCop design and handled the film’s makeup effects. Like, yo: what a pedigree. Produced by Gary Smart, the docuseries is directed by Chris Griffiths and Eastwood Allen who previously collaborated with Smart on Pennywise: The Story of IT. The second episode is outstanding as that episode focuses on the goons including my favourite Joe Cox. RoboCop is a remarkable movie based on a ludicrous premise that effectively works. RoboDoc reveals how the magic of this 1987 movie works; crafting an indelible character who continues to have a powerful pop culture presence. Programming Note: Episode 1 airs August 29th, Episode 2 is September 5th, 3 is September 12th and 4 is September 19th.
August Highlights
Warner Bros. 100 Years (Anytime / Hollywood Suite)
Warner Bros. was established on April 4, 1923. Just after World War I. This is a film studio that has gone through radio, B&W TV, Colour TV…all the way to streaming. They’ve released countless Batman and Superman movies, Matrix, Hangovers, 300, The Exorcist, Seven, Lethal Weapons, Pan’s Labyrinth, GoodFellas, Space Jam…The Goonies, The Shining, All The President’s Men and lots more. So much more. It’s been an incredible 100 years and I’m blessed and I’m thankful because it’s been an entertaining run. This 4-part Last Dance narrated by Morgan Freeman features over 60 interviews with legendary filmmakers, actors and executives. I won’t list em all but you know them all. Originally this aired on HBO Max on May 25 and June 1st in celebration of the studio’s 100th Anniversary.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: TRACY MORGAN: TAKIN’ IT TOO FAR (ANYTIME / HBO MAX & CRAVE)
Tracy Morgan leaves it all on the stage in his first HBO Max stand-up special taped live from the Wilbur Theater in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Tracy Morgan telling jokes and stories for an hour. What else could you possibly want? Enjoy this. Be grateful he’s still here. (Side Note: The callback in comedy is an amazing technique. There’s a sharp skill to the comedy callback. So watching (for the second time) Takin’ It Too Far…Tracy’s wearing the same adidas shoes as his 2014 special Tracy Morgan: Bona Fide. Right? Is that a comedy callback?)
August Highlights
Destination NBA: A G League Odyssey (Anytime / Prime Video)
Hoop Dreams in the NBA’s G League. Focusing on promising prospects in the NBA’s developmental league as they compete and earn a spot on an NBA roster. Think Gary Payton II’s success with the Warriors. Can that be repeated with any of these characters in this ensemble cast? While there’s a number of NBA docs, this is one of the first (only?) G League doc. So it’d be fascinating to see those basketball machinations be revealed. Something to chew on while we wait for the 78th season of the National Basketball Association to tip off.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ALL UP IN THE BIZ (ANYTIME / PARAMOUNT+)
The documentary feature, which premiered at Tribeca Festival in June, is the definitive story of late, great rapper Biz Markie, who is best known for his mega hit Just a Friend.
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As #HipHop50 celebrations roll on across New York City it’s fitting to have a moment of silence for Biz Markie. Biz passed away on July 16, 2021. Like…look who is in this doc: Nick Cannon, Tracy Morgan, Big Daddy Kane, Fat Joe, Daryl McDaniels (DMC!), Doug E Fresh, Dapper Dan, Prince Paul, Rakim, Marley Marl and more! And check out this line from the description…there’s one word…a key phrase that stands out; see it? “Director Sacha Jenkins weaves together a collage of dynamic celebrity interviews, rare archival footage, reenactments with puppets, and playful animation to share the personal and professional story of Biz Markie and the mark he left on hip-hop history and the music industry around the world.” Yup! Reenactments with puppets. When was the last time you saw a documentary that featured reenactments with puppets? Or is the better question to ask why aren’t there more puppet laced docs? If you know Biz Markie you know reenactments with puppets is the best way to go. Programming Note: Check out Mixtape also streaming on Paramount+ as of August 1st. As for Canadians this’ll be on our Paramount+ on September 29.
August Highlights
Star Wars: Ahsoka: Season 1 (Anytime / Disney+)
The latest Star Wars TV show follows the former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: HARLAN COBEN’S SHELTER (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)
Harlan Coben’s Shelter follows the story of Mickey Bolitar, after the sudden death of his father leads him to start a new life in Kasselton, New Jersey.
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Shelter is the first Mickey Bolitar novel of the young adult series by crime writer Harlan Coben. It was published in 2011, the third book came out in 2014. So that gives you a sense of how long this TV show can go. Mickey finds himself in New Jersey following the death of his father. As if losing his dad wasn’t enough. Like most quiet suburban communities it’s all a façade. The mysterious disappearance of a cute girl at his school (Ashley Kent) sparks an investigation that naturally leads to a dark underground. In the mood to reveal some secrets? Disturb the long buried past? Sit down in your Shelter and press play!
August Highlights
Invasion: Season 2 (Anytime / Apple TV+)
It’s time to extinguish humanity. I wanna see humans lose one of these massive full scale alien invasions. It’s Time. Remember how M Night’s Signs was a movie about an alien invasion but hyper focused on a family on a farm in upstate Pennsylvania? Invasion is like that (an alien invasion is seen through the different perspectives of various people on different continents across the world.) but bigger: the budget was rumoured to be around $200 million. Season 2 picks up just months later with the aliens escalating their attacks in their War of the Worlds. Go aliens go!
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING: SEASON 3 (ANYTIME / HULU & DISNEY+ CANADA)
Season three finds Charles, Oliver & Mabel (played by Steve Martin, Martin Short & Selena Gomez) investigating a murder behind the scenes of a Broadway show.
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Scooby-Doo with sarcasm returns for a third fun season! This time they added Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep to the cast, which is pitch perfect. Season 1 investigated the murder of Arconian resident Tim Kono as well as launching their podcast. Season 2 the gang is publicly implicated in Arconia Board President Bunny Folger’s homicide and still recording their podcast. Now…Season 3 they’re investigating a murder behind the scenes of a Broadway show. And still recording their podcast. For old dudes who only wanted to…you know solve Only Murders in the Building their investigative radius is slowly increasing. Good thing too, you know old people need to stay active.
August Highlights
Asteroid City (Anytime /Peacock)
IA fictional American desert town, circa 1955. Junior Stargazers and Space Cadets from across the country assemble for the annual Asteroid Day celebration — but the scholarly competition is spectacularly upended by world-changing events. Equal parts comedy, drama, and romance (with a touch of science-fiction). It’s Wes Anderson: you’re either in or you’re out.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: REINVENTING ELVIS: THE ’68 COMEBACK (ANYTIME / PARAMOUNT+)
This documentary tells the riveting story of Elvis Presley, legendary director Steve Binder and the creation of the 1968 Comeback Special.
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I saw the ‘68 Comeback Special on TV as a kid. (Obviously not in 68. I’m not that old.) It was stunning. Raw magnetism. Raw talent. Raw Elvis. All if it was unleashed and came through the TV set. It was like touching an electric current. At the time I didn’t understand the comeback part or have the context for where Elvis was at in his career. I did understand the‘68 Comeback Special was like a manifesto. That’s such a powerful artistic statement. Of the many, many gifts Elvis left us is TCB: Taking Care of Business (the lightning bolt in the logo means in a flash). Exactly what he did with this one hour of TV. This is the story behind the special that aired on December 3, 1968. (The ‘68 Comeback Special is what inspired MTV Unplugged in 1989; a slew of acoustic performances that truly lived up to the TV name of Specials. Nothing in pop culture is past tense…it’s all connected.)
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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.
