Let’s have an Uncharted and Unprecedented Hart to Heart about this week’s #SetTheVCR.
Monday, July 11
Valley of the Dead (Anytime / Netflix)
During the Spanish Civil War, a small group of sworn enemies must work together when they encounter flesh-eating zombies created in a Nazi experiment.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: WASTELANDERS: WOLVERINE
(ANYTIME / ANY PODCAST PLATFORM)
Thirty years ago, Super Villains won. After killing the Avengers, the X-Men, and nearly every other Super Hero, the Red Skull assumed the office of President of the United States. Since that day, a traumatized Wolverine (Robert Patrick) has wandered in a daze of survivor’s guilt and self-loathing over his failure to protect his fellow X-Men and their mutant students.
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Marvel’s Wastelanders: Wolverine is the fourth audio installment in Marvel’s Wastelanders podcast series; it follows Wastelanders: Star-Lord, Wastelanders: Hawkeye, and Wastelanders: Black Widow. Where Peter Quill was played by Timothy Busfield and Rocket was voiced by Chris Elliott, Stephen Lang was Hawkeye and Susan Sarandon was Black Widow. This time Old Man Logan is voiced by T-1000: Robert Patrick. Excellent choice, bub…he’s an outstanding audio-Logan. Batman is doing well on Spotify with Unburied so there’s rabid interest in these audio dramas; though that was an original script. This is an audio adaptation of the Mark Millar and Steve McNiven arc in Wolverine (volume 3) #66–72. (Highly recommended comics!). Superheroes have been wiped out of existence and the Red Skull has named himself President of the United States. How did all this happen? It’s a long 10 episode story set in an alternative Marvel Universe that’s…clearly gone to waste.
Tuesday, July 12
Icons Unearthed: Star Wars (10 p.m. / Vice TV)
A six-part docuseries billed as deep dive into the Star Wars Universe. Cast, crew and experts detail the secret histories of the most iconic film and television series.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: BILL BURR: LIVE AT RED ROCKS
(ANYTIME / NETFLIX)
Bill Burr sounds off on cancel culture, feminism, getting bad reviews from his wife and a life-changing epiphany during a fiery stand-up set.
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The official description works: “High in the mountain desert of Colorado comes Bill Burr’s latest comedy special, Bill Burr: Live At Red Rocks. In his continuing quest to be a better person, Bill shares an “inspirational” talk for women, how doing mushrooms has changed him, finding common ground with lesbians and how his 4-year-old is helping his anger management.” Look it’s Bill Burr; so by now…you’re either in or you’re out.
Wednesday, July 13
Ms. Marvel: Season 1 Episode 6 *Season Finale* (Anytime / Disney+)
The latest Marvel TV show part of Phase Four of the MCU has concluded. This series will serve as set-up for the film The Marvels in 2023. Up next is She-Hulk: Attorney at Law which premieres on August 17 for 9 episodes.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: UNPRECEDENTED (ANYTIME / DISCOVERY+)
The three-part docuseries features exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage of the Trump family on the 2020 campaign trail, leading up to inauguration day.
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Donald J Trump’s Presidency gets a Last Dance. “The three-part docuseries features exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage of the Trump family on the 2020 campaign trail, leading up to inauguration day. ” Is this Unprecedented look too soon for history?
Thursday, July 14
The Orville: New Horizons – Episode 7 The World of Avis, Part 2 (Anytime / Hulu & Disney+ Canada)
Set 400 years in the future, The Orville: New Horizons finds the crew of the U.S.S. Orville continuing their mission of exploration, as they navigate both the mysteries of the universe and the complexities of their own interpersonal relationships.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: VICTORIA’S SECRET: ANGELS AND DEMONS (ANYTIME / HULU)
Investigated with journalistic rigor by director Matt Tyrnauer, this documentary tells the searing and provocative story of the Victoria’s Secret brand.
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I wonder if anybody went undercover to expose the dirty laundry of this underwear company. The “sheer” audacity that an underwear company that sells a push-up bra would be deceptive is…well it’s baked into the cake. Perhaps now over 3 episodes we’ll finally know what Victoria’s Secret is…one of America’s persistent unsolved mysteries along with D.B. Cooper, whatever happened at Roswell and how you get a bra off using the one-handed technique.
Friday, July 15
Resident Evil: Season 1 (Anytime / Netflix)
Based on the horror franchise: Year 2036 – 14 years after Joy caused so much pain, Jade Wesker fights for survival in a world overrun by the blood-thirsty infected and mind-shattering creatures.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: UNCHARTED (ANYTIME / NETFLIX – US)
Street-smart Nathan Drake is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan, and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada.
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Based on the video game franchise of the same name Uncharted is your classic action-adventure movie seeking fabled treasure. Since 2008 filmmakers David O. Russell, Neil Burger, Seth Gordon, Shawn Levy, Dan Trachtenberg, and Travis Knight were all signed to direct at various points; it eventually came out in 2022 with director Ruben Fleischer. It’s up to Tom Holland as Nathan Drake and Mark Wahlberg as Victor Sullivan to find the treasure before corrupt billionaire Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas). We’ve come a long way from the Atari 2600. Programming Note: for Canadians this’ll be on Prime Video on July 29th.
Saturday, July 16
House of Gucci (Anytime / Prime Video Canada)
When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel their legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately…murder.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: DON’T MAKE ME GO (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)
When single father Max (John Cho) discovers he has a terminal disease, he decides to try and cram all the years of love and support he will miss with his teenage daughter Wally (Mia Isaac) into the time he has left with her.
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A sentimental “remake” of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. Replace Kumar with his teenage daughter and give Harold a terminal illness but the road trip is the same. Cho has taken an “Oath” to spend as much time with his daughter so she has “Better Luck Tomorrow” when he passes away. He’s “Searching” for a moment…some hope that she can reunite with her mother. Don’t Make Me Go is a classic slice of “American Pie.”
Sunday, July 17
Confessions from the Hart (Anytime / The Roku Channel)
Kevin Hart stars in “Confessions from the Hart,” telling hilarious and personal stories from inside the vault.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: HART TO HEART: SEASON 2 (ANYTIME / PEACOCK)
Kevin Hart once again sits down with guests ranging from A-list musicians and actors who are leaders and legends in their industries.
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A return to Kevin Hart’s wine cellar and intimate conversations with celebrities. Season 2 guests include Pete Davidson, JAY-Z, Chris Rock, Mark Wahlberg, Tracee Ellis Ross, Mike Tyson, Saweetie, Tyler Perry, Kristen Stewart, Simu Liu and Seth McFarlane. Think of this as Peacock’s version of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.
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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.
