#SetTheVCR: October 28-November 03, 2024

Happy Halloween!! Lots of TV recommendations for Spooky Season: from zombies to serial killers to giant spiders. Expect fearpee with this #SetTheVCR.

Monday, October 28

Don’t Move (Anytime / Netflix)

A grieving woman hoping to find solace deep in an isolated forest encounters a stranger who injects her with a paralytic agent. As the agent gradually takes over her body, she must run, hide, and fight for her life before her entire nervous system shuts down.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: STING (ANYTIME / HULU & PRIME VIDEO CANADA)

After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet-and fight for her family’s survival-when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster.
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It’s like Alien for kids only set on Earth in New York City. A teenage girl discovers an otherworldly connection with a mysterious spider that she finds in her great-aunt’s apartment. As she foolishly nurtures her new pet (she even named it Sting) strange and terrifying occurrences begin to happen in the building. Hmm, what could it be? Some “Thing” bad is happening to pets and residents as they disappear. The lines between affection and fear blur as Sting’s dark powers grow at an alarming rate. Leading to a classic horror movie confrontation with the sinister creature. Hopefully they burn it with fire. Fire is effective.

Tuesday, October 29

Olivia Rodrigo: Guts World Tour (Anytime / Netflix)

Olivia Rodrigo the unhinged psycho behind Drivers License (basically Every Breath You Take for Gen Z) has a concert documentary streaming on Netflix today. Her previous documentary offering was Driving Home 2 U on Disney+. This time just like a serial killer here are her Guts.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: TRAP (ANYTIME / HBO MAX & CRAVE)

A father and teen daughter attend a pop concert, where they realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event.
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In mid-August I had dinner with somebody who worked on M. Night’s Trap: it was clearly shot here in downtown Toronto and in Milton. Anyways: over dinner I complained about the flawed M. Night movie. I know I’m not the only one frustrated and annoyed by the final result. Trap starts strong but once it leaves the SkyDome it gets stupid and sloppy. And there’s no twist. Which is acceptable…M. Night can make non-twist movies; it’s just notable and curious when he doesn’t. Still: there’s a clear gap to what the trailer promised and what M. Night finally executed and presented to the audience. My friend shared Trap was supposed to end in the Milton scenes…remember the limo and the cobblestone streets? They shot several scenes that resolve The Butcher problem. When you watch the movie it was clearly cut badly in a reaction to something…notes or cold feet or maybe the ending on paper wasn’t working. The non-SkyDome scenes are so muddled and unfocused; just jumping around like a toddler on a sugar rush. What M. Night currently presented isn’t working well. Just a semi-helpful heads up in case you wanna get Trapped with this movie now streaming on HBO Max. Programming Note: As a producer M. Night Shyamalan gave us Caddo Lake also on HBO Max. Streaming since October 11th.

Wednesday, October 30

Time Cut (Anytime / Netflix)

A high school student in 2024 accidentally travels back to 2003 and decides to stop the serial killer who murdered her sister. Can she change the past without destroying the future? Eh: check out Sweet Sixteen Killer on Prime Video. Outstanding time travel slasher.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL (ANYTIME / HULU & SHUDDER)

A live television broadcast in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms.
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Oh, yes! “October 31, 1977. Jack Delroy’s syndicated talk show, Night Owls, has long been a trusted companion to insomniacs around the country, but a year on from the tragic death of Jack’s wife, ratings have plummeted. Desperate to turn his fortunes around, Jack plans a Halloween special like no other, unaware he is about to unleash evil into the living rooms of America.” I’m sold! There’s something extra creepy about ’70s horror. I can’t identify it but it just works. I missed this at the movies so now on Shudder I’m looking forward to a Late Night With The Devil. Rather fitting for Devil’s Night, right?

Thursday, October 31

The Manhattan Alien Abduction (Anytime / Netflix)

A woman claims to have been abducted from her bedroom in Manhattan. This docuseries explores whether it was an elaborate hoax — or proof of alien life. More Truth Is Out There-UFO business.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: APOCALYPSE Z: THE BEGINNING OF THE END (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)

A rabies-like disease spreads across the planet, transforming people into aggressive creatures. Manel takes refuge at home with his cat, using his wits and skills to survive. Soon they’ll have to leave for food, looking for safe places on land and sea.
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Yooooo we got Fast Zombies!!! Like WWZ fast zombies. Where’s my bib at; I am gonna eat good. This is a Spanish zombie apocalypse movie: Apocalipsis Z: El principio del fin. Oh, no…Spain’s going down?! Amazing food, solid music, lovely girls…Spain isn’t a country; Spain is a factory producing The Fresh. I’m sad yet happy to see it overrun by zombies. Happy Halloween. Shall we celebrate with zombies?

Friday, November 01

Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking (Anytime / HBO Max & Crave)

Taped at The Vic Theatre in Chicago and directed by Neal Brennan, this stand up special showcases Seth Meyers’ effortless conversational style as he offers up hilarious reflections on family, generational legacies, and why his kids provide the best material for his comedy.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE DIPLOMAT: SEASON 2 (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

When a London bombing shatters her world, U.S. diplomat Kate Wyler faces the ultimate test as her suspicions reach the top levels of the British government.
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To recap Season 1: “In the midst of an international crisis, Kate Wyler a career diplomat lands in a high-profile job for which she was not suited, with tectonic implications for her marriage and her political future.” Throughout the season, the US Ambassador, Kate Wyler, has been investigating the attack on the British Warship. Initially believed to be caused by the Iranians, but before long, the finger is pointed at the Russians. However, Kate is eventually able to deduce that the person behind the attack was UK Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge, who wanted to use the false flag attack as a means to rally the country together and to stop any momentum for Scottish independence. As an American Keri Russel know how difficult it is to trust people. Still: a lot of “Americans” will check out The Diplomat: Season 2: West Wing meets High T(r)ea(son).

Saturday, November 02

Invincible Fight Girl: Season 1 (Anytime / HBO Max)

Saturday Morning Cartoons: In a world that revolves entirely around wrestling, a young girl sets out on a globe-trotting journey to chase her dream of becoming the greatest wrestler of all time. While Andy’s parents want her to become an accountant, she longs for the kind of fame and glory that her retired wrestling champ Aunt P. enjoyed during her days knocking skulls in front of crowds of roaring fans.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS (ANYTIME / DISNEY+)

Meet the man behind the music that changed our lives.
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Prime Video will begin to broadcast NBA games next season. As such they’re currently negotiating with Ian Eagle to be their voice. And that’s a good start. However: it’s voice + player. What made NBA on NBC so good was the Marv Albert + Michael Jordan combination. That potent combination was incendiary. And that same inflammable premise applies to John Williams’ iconic theme music. His film music, no matter how electrifying, lacks an emotional punch if the images the directors have fashioned are lackluster. You need to see Christopher Reeve as Superman fly and hear the rousing theme song. Darth Vader is a dark character but the menace and his value as a threat comes from that undaunted John Williams score. That’s equally true about Jaws. The Jaws theme song has become a cultural shorthand; in some ways it’s more popular than the angry shark who takes everything so personally. I still don’t fully grasp how you can watch Jaws without music and yet come up and create the “correct” theme. Most people can see a movie (even on a page) but to accurately hear a movie is rare. What a gift. Make a tea and sip this stirring movie slowly.

Sunday, November 03

30 for 30 Short: Motorcycle Mary (Anytime / ESPN+)

Motorcycle Mary tells the untold story of legendary motorsports pioneer Mary McGee a.k.a. Motorcycle Mary, whose racing career spanned thirty years and saw her shatter gender norms while mastering multiple racing disciplines.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: MARTHA (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

The definitive documentary on Martha Stewart, featuring a series of candid interviews with the icon herself. From her early start on Wall Street to becoming the original influencer, Stewart continues to reinvent herself with each passing decade.
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Through intimate and revealing interviews with the icon herself and those from her inner circle, R.J. Cutler’s definitive documentary on Martha Stewart traces her rise from teenage model to her reign as the original influencer and America’s first self-made female billionaire. I watched CNN’s The Many Lives Of Martha Stewart and didn’t find her a compelling character. Martha Stewart is a meme not a personality. Even after watching the CNN docuseries I still don’t get it. There’s nothing remarkable about Stewart. She has no distinct perspective. Perhaps her taste is well defined? Sure, but that’s not enough. Her personality is room temperature. I don’t get how she took off. Martha Stewart is clearly one of those pop culture oddities. If you dig her…go nuts have a good time. Enjoy this latest documentary. My firm protection policy is if you’re an influencer; automatically you can’t be trusted. So I’m curious about this Martha Stewart on Netflix gig. Why do people trust her? Is it valid or is it a con job? Will it address my questions/concerns or just ignore me and offer up a puff piece? Thing is with Martha Stewart…she can show you how to make a puff piece that’s delicious.