Welcome to another edition of ‘Up Next’ here at Screen Times. 'Pachinko' premieres this weekend on Apple TV+ and it's looking like it's going to be the show to beat in 2022. It has received unanimous acclaim from critics with some of the strongest praise for a new show in the relitavely short history of Apple's streaming service. You can read our full review by James Lees here on the site now.
The show might also take home the award for best intro sequence on Apple TV+ and it's been stuck in our heads here at Screen Times HQ for some time now. You can check it out below:
Speaking of awards, this Sunday is Oscars night and as you know, CODA is going into the event with a lot of buzz and momentum in the 'Best Picture' category. Apple Originals have received nominations in several categories this year:
- Best Picture - "CODA"
- Actor in a Leading Role - Denzel Washington "The Tragedy of Macbeth"
- Production Design - "The Tragedy of Macbeth"
- Cinematography - Bruno Delbonnel "The Tragedy of Macbeth"
- Writing Adapted Screenplay - Siân Heder "CODA"
- Actor in a Supporting Role - Troy Kotsur "CODA"
We'll have further coverage of the event here on Screen Times over the next few days and on our podcast, Magic Rays of Light, this weekend.
Earlier this week, Screen Times Contributing Editor Jonathan Reed sat down with Anthony King, executive producer of 'The Afterparty'. Anthony discussed the complexities of creating a murder mystery, working with such a talented cast and a little tease of season two.
With that, here’s our guide to your week ahead on Apple TV.
Apple TV+
Pachinko
Premiere | S1, E1-3 | TV-MA
Epic in scope and intimate in tone, 'Pachinko' story begins with a forbidden love and journeys into a sweeping saga that takes place between Korea, Japan and America to tell an unforgettable story of war and peace, love and loss, triumph and reckoning. Don't forget to check out James Lees' full review now.
WeCrashed
S1, E4 | 50 min | TV-MA
With Adam's fame growing and WeWork on the rise, Rebekah begins to feel sidelined at home and decides to pursue a new friendship
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
S1, E4 | 51 min | TV-MA
After unearthing a long-forgotten treasure, Ptolemy makes a plan. Later, he meets with a friend of Reggie’s and learns revelatory details.
Severance
S1, E7 | 49 min | TV-MA
Mark and the team encounter new security measures from Cobel.
Servant
S3, E10 | 26 min | TV-MA
In the season finale, Dorothy makes a desperate final plan.
The Problem with Jon Stewart
S1, E8 | 52 min | TV-MA
No matter how sincerely some white people want to educate themselves and take action against racism, white comfort seems to block progress.
Central Park
S2, E14 | 23 min | TV-14
After an embarrassing moment at school, Cole wants to change his name and identity. Owen, Paige and Molly tell stories to help him cope.
Apple Arcade
Alto's Adventure: Remastered
4+ | Action
Join Alto and his friends as they embark on an endless snowboarding odyssey. Journey across the beautiful alpine hills of their native wilderness, through sleepy neighbouring villages, ancient woodlands, and long-abandoned ruins in a quest to uncover the Spirit of the Mountain. Along the way you'll rescue runaway llamas, grind rooftops, leap over terrifying chasms and outwit the village elders – all while braving the ever changing elements and seeking out secrets long hidden deep within the mountains. This new version features never before seen set pieces and new characters exclusive to Apple Arcade.
Apple Fitness+
This week saw Coach Bakari make his Fitness+ rowing workout debut as he fills in for Anja while she's on maternity leave. Bakari has years of experience as a rowing instructor from a previous career in New York City and his first workout here is a high energy one. The latest episode of 'Time To Walk' features Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, who talks about the historic event that inspired her passion for writing at 11 years old.
Apple Music
Weezer - SZNZ - Spring
Jonathan: Weezer are an interesting band. After a stellar first 3 albums, they’ve veered between lesser versions of those albums and a sound that is fun but just doesn’t feel like the Weezer we love. They just released the first of a set of four EPs which will be based around a seasonal theme and released on the first day of each season. The first of these ‘SZNZ’s is ‘Spring’ and it shows a Weezer sounding a lot like their Pinkerton days in many places. It’s a good EP if, like me, your music tastes were formed around this shoegazing band. Here’s hoping the other 3 EPs follow this similar route.
ScreenTimes Apple TV Recommendations
Pachinko
Apple TV+ | 8 parts, 3 eps available now | TV-MA
Jonathan: "I haven’t been able to watch much TV this week but what I have has been dedicated to watching Pachinko. My pick this week is to basically echo James’s review on Screen Times. Pachinko is a show for the ages, a truly astounding work of art. I feel that any suggestion I would make to watch something else this week might risk you missing out on this gem. So make sure you catch it, it’s incredible TV."
Fresh
Hulu / Disney+ (UK) | 114 mins | R
James: "The less you know about 'Fresh' going in, the better so I'll keep this brief. Featuring a razor-sharp script and absolutely dripping in dark humour and suspense, this is one of the most entertaining horror films that I've watched in some time. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan are both fantastic in this unique look at modern relationships and the pitfalls of dating in 2022. It debuted at this year's Sundance Film Festival to a lot of positive buzz and it's certainly easy to see why. A very intense game of cat and mouse and not one that you'll forget in a hurry."
Atlanta
FX/Hulu, Disney+ (UK) | Season 3, 2 eps available | TV-MA
Devon: "Donald Glover is prolific and known for his genius in two worlds: comedy and rap music. Those two worlds come together in Atlanta, a series Glover created and stars in on FX. He plays Earn, an aspiring music manager whose only claim to fame is representing his local celebrity cousin, Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry), also known as Paper Boy. Earn tries to balance his aspirations with maintaining his on-and-off relationship with Van (Zazie Beetz) and living up to his responsibilities as a father.The comedy here is more low-key than I expected based on Glover’s past work, but when it comes around, it works really well. I also find the series illuminating because it reflects experiences that I’m unaware of but need to know about. My favorite thing about TV is its ability to expand my worldview and make me more empathetic towards the experiences of others, and Atlanta has certainly done that for me.Season three premiered this Thursday, and you can catch up on the first two seasons on streaming now."
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound
TV App | 94 mins | PG-13
Sigmund: "With the Academy demoting Best Original Score to the pre-awards this year, it felt only right to recommend this documentary which reveals the hidden power of sound in cinema through film clips, interviews, and variate footage to capture the story and creative process of this art form. Featuring insightful heartwarming and fun stories told by legendary directors, such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, David Lynch, Barbara Streisand, Robert Redford, Ang Lee, Sofia Coppola, Ryan Coogler, and the sound artists with whom they collaborate. It really does give you an added appreciation for the art behind cinematic sound."