If you’re anything like me a good TV or film recommendation is a handy thing to have. Especially in dark and gloomy January.

by Darren Caveney

Well as you’d expect, December was a bumper month for TV and film consumption.

Here’s a quick review of what I watched and whether I’d recommend them to you…

Film

Nobody (Amazon)

There’s an unlikely hero in this one, in the shape of Bob Odenkirk (he of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fame) If you’re squeamish avoid this one but for an alternative take on the revenge thriller genre this is a very entertaining watch 7.5/10

How it ends (Netflix)

This one goes where other disaster movies have in never fully explaining what the huge seismic world event before us is and instead just places seeds here, there and everywhere. The always watchable Forrest Whitaker stars. And so it’s, well, watchable 6.5/10

The Northman (Amazon)

I love a good Viking epic ever since watching the original Spartacus as a boy 100 years ago. It’s not as good and the stellar series, The Vikings, but it’s similarly dark and definitely worth a watch 7.5/10

Manhattan (Amazon)

I must have seen this a dozen times but frankly it’s sometimes just better to go with a classic than scrolling through Netflix et al for hours on end looking for a new watch. Woody Allen is of course now a controversial figure but he remains an incredibly good movie maker it has to be said 8/10

White Noise (Netflix)

I had no idea what this one was about when I sat down to watch it. Adam Driver is very funny in it. I’d describe it as quirky, slightly weird but ultimately fun disaster movie set in the 80s. Great sets too 7/10

Big boys don’t cry (Netflix)

Harrowing is the only word I could come up with to describe this film based on the true story of abuse at children’s homes in Essex in the 80s and 90s. It wasn’t particularly festive, obviously, but felt like an important watch to remind us of those who lurk in the darkest of shadows. Michael Stocha is superb in the lead role 7.5/10

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix)

This might be controversial but I preferred the original – the set, the look, the old skool whodunnit feel. Now admittedly I did nod off for 10 mins half way through so maybe that excludes me from reviewing Glass Onion. I thought it was enjoyable enough 7/10

Documentary

Louis interviews Judy Dench (iPlayer)

Just a lovely hour’s television. Comforting and cheering. Just what we all need right now 8/10

Billions (Now TV)

Seasons 1 – 3

I’m really enjoying this one. Some TV shows are great for a first season and then burn out. This one actually gets better the deeper you go with it. It’s essentially two hugely egotistical men – a billionaire hedge fund kingpin (Damien Lewis) vs a belligerent US Attorney (Paul Giamatti) – who will risk literally everything to win their personal grudge, even their marriages and personal relationships. Totally recommended for these long, dark winter nights 8.25/10

The Patient (Disney +)

A cracker. Like a mix of the Tony Sopranos sessions with his shrink and Gabriel Byne’s excellent In Treatment. This is a very different role for Steve Carrell but he’s very good in it. 7.5/10

Cinema

Pulp fiction

We went along to a special pre-Christmas screening of the stupendous Pulp Fiction. It was the third time I’ve watched it on the big screen and it never disappoints. Much copied, never bettered. It’s still a gem almost 30 years on. 9.5/10

Darren Caveney is creator and owner of comms2point0 and creative communicators ltd

*Sign up for the comms2point0 eMag*

The comms2point0 eMag features exclusive new content, free give-aways, special offers, first dibs on new events and much, much more.

Sound good? Join over 3k other comms people who have subscribed. You can sign up to it right here