Physical
Apple TV+ | S1, E1-3 | 30 min | TV-MA
Rose Byrne's new show premieres on Apple TV+ with a trifecta of episodes. Byrne stars as Sheila Rubin, a quietly tormented housewife in ’80s California. Behind closed doors, she battles extreme personal demons and a vicious inner voice. But things change when she discovers aerobics, sparking a journey toward empowerment and success. You can read our full recommended review here.
Home Before Dark
Apple TV+ | S2, E2 | 42 min | TV-PG
In 'I Believe You', a blackout complicates Hilde’s investigation. Matt and Bridget discover that Wott Management is not what it seems. You can read our full recommended review of season 2 here.
Lisey's Story
Apple TV+ | S1, E4 | 50 min | TV-MA
In 'Jim Dandy', after a terrifying experience, Lisey opens up the gates of her memory to find answers in Scott's world of Boo'ya Moon.
Trying
Apple TV+ | S2, E6 | 27 min | TV-14
In 'A Long Way Down', Jason plays detective after a problem is revealed at Ben and Denise's party. Freddy struggles in his relationship.
Mythic Quest
Apple TV+ | S2, E8 | 24 min | TV-MA
In 'Juice Box', Ian presents his half of the expansion and ends up in the hospital. David ponders his legacy.
ScreenTimes Apple TV Recommendations:
I, Tonya
Apple TV App | R
Jonathan - "In anticipation of this week’s premiere of ‘Physical’ on Apple TV+, I finally got round to watching this biographical tale of US figure skater Tonya Harding. Director Craig Gillespie - who also directs ‘Physical’ - tells the unglamorous but riveting story of Harding’s rise from youth to national success to national scandal. All the while battling her cruel mother LaVona and loving but toxic, violent husband Jeff.
Margot Robbie in the lead is superb, only bettered by an Oscar winning turn from Allison Janney as Lavona. Having now watched ‘Physical’, there’s a definite tonal similarity between the two, which I really liked. You can check out my review for ‘Physical’ here."
Shiva Baby
MUBI
James - "Not since Uncut Gems have I felt so stressed out by a film. At a very lean and chaotic 77 minutes, Shiva Baby feels very much like a horror film even though it’s not classed as one. It’s best to go into this knowing as little as possible but the story focuses on a college student who is attending a family shiva where she is constantly accosted by relatives and bumps into a few unexpected faces.
Directed by Emma Seligman, Shiva Baby is an awkward, anxiety-fuelled nightmare that, at the same time, provides some very dark laughs. Rachel Sennot delivers a fantastic performance in the leading role and had me squirming in my chair, feeling every bit of what she was going through on screen.
Like a car crash that you can’t bring yourself to look away from."
In The Heights
Apple TV App | PG-13
Devon - "The film adaptation of Quiara Alegría Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical In the Heights hit theaters and HBO Max last weekend. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film tells the story of a Latino community in Washington Heights, NYC, full of people chasing their dreams under increasingly difficult circumstances.
This movie checked a lot of boxes for me as a fan of musicals, representation, and Lin-Manuel Miranda himself. It was a lot of fun to watch, and it beautifully reflected the authentic experiences of people whose voices are too often forgotten. It’s a story about adversity, hope, family, and taking pride in where you’re from. I’ll definitely be watching this one again very soon."