Welcome to Stream On, the weekly newsletter from Consequence that attempts to help you answer that eternally confounding question: What films and TV shows should you be watching? We’re looking at all the new and recent releases scattered across Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, HBO Max and more for recommendation ideas — not to mention a Blast From the Past and our first-ever customized recommendations for a Stream On reader! To get weekly recommendations send to your inbox, sign up here.
This Week’s Picks
Jungle (TV)
Jungle (Prime Video)
Created by: Junior Okoli and Chas Appeti
Cast: Tinie Tempah, Big Narstie, Unknown T, Jordan McCann, Double Lz, Bando Kay, M24, J Fado, K Koke, Jaykae, IAMDDB, Seyi Andes-Pelumi, AMARIA BB
Streaming on: Prime Video
Don’t let this one slip by, fans of rap and/or Guy Ritchie’s early work. The new British import from Amazon essentially serves as a neon-lit trip through inner-city London at night, featuring a large ensemble cast of drill and rap artists whose scenes of dialogue frequently shift into musically-driven verse. That’s a concept that could go a lot of different directions, but creators Junior Okoli and Chas Appeti know how to blend it organically into the action, the cinematography is legitimately dazzling at certain points, and the ensuing crime story is compelling as well.
Interview With the Vampire (TV)
Interview With the Vampire (AMC)
Created by: Rolin Jones
Cast: Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Bailey Bass, Eric Bogosian
Streaming on: AMC+
While the show doesn’t officially premiere on cable TV until October 2nd, AMC+ surprised Anne Rice fans with an early peek at Episode 1, which introduces a new generation to Louis (Jacob Anderson), a vampire who allows journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) to note down his life story. What makes this new iteration of Interview so fascinating is that showrunner Rolin Jones isn’t shying away from the implications of the narrative, and without getting into spoilers we can confirm Consequence critic Kayleigh Donaldson’s declaration that the show is proudly queer. And not only is it very good, it’s also a perfect companion piece to….
Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror (TV)
Queer for Fear (Shudder)
Streaming on: Shudder
If you don’t have the streaming service Shudder but you’re a horror fan, now’s definitely the time to subscribe, as it’s packed with great spooky season content year-round. And if you feel like getting a little academic about the history of the genre, this four-part documentary series is definitely for you, as it explores how from very early days, LGBTQ+ issues have always been a part of the horror world. The impressive collection of talking heads (not literally, despite the subject matter — they all have bodies attached) includes Kimberly Peirce, Renée “Nay” Bever, Mark Gatiss, Lea DeLaria, Jennifer Tilly, Karyn Kusama, Leslye Headland, Oz Perkins, and executive producer/director Bryan Fuller. (Read our full interview with Fuller here.)
Hocus Pocus 2 (Film)
Hocus Pocus 2 (Disney+)
Directed by: Anne Fletcher
Cast: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Doug Jones, Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Belissa Escobedo, Hannah Waddingham, Tony Hale, Sam Richardson
Streaming on: Disney+
I’m not including this as a must see recommendation, but the direct-to-Disney+ sequel to the cult family favorite does include plenty of enjoyable moments — the younger cast is underutilized and under-developed, but really you’re tuning in for the return of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson Sisters, and they don’t disappoint, especially in their looser, more improvisational moments. Also, Sam Richardson plays a much larger role than expected! And Sam Richardson is the best.
Blast From the Past
The home screens of streaming services are always packed with the latest new releases, but we don’t spend enough time appreciating how much good library content is streaming across all of these platforms. Each week, Stream On will spotlight one less-than-new favorite (must pre-date the founding of Consequence, so 15 years or older) that deserves attention from modern-day eyes.
NewsRadio (TV)
Created by: Paul Simms
Cast: Dave Foley, Stephen Root, Andy Dick, Maura Tierney, Vicki Lewis, Joe Rogan, Khandi Alexander, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz
Streaming on: Prime Video
This beloved 1990s comedy has aged… oddly, thanks to how series regulars Andy Dick and Joe Rogen are very, very different public figures in 2022. But the banter and visual gags of NewsRadio hold up remarkably well, especially when the office sitcom about life at a (you guessed it) news radio station took some unexpected creative swings over its five-season run. (There’s an episode set in space, for no apparent reason except the producers thought it’d be fun to set an episode in space. And they were right!)
It’s an under-recognized gem of the genre, with a pretty staggering cast of greats, and has a habit of disappearing off streaming services from time to time. So if you’ve never gotten a chance to watch it, be sure to dive in now.
Ask Liz What to Watch!
Every person has different tastes and more importantly — different streaming services. So each week, Stream On will be offering tailored recommendations for individual subscribers! To request your own personalized film and TV picks, just fill out this Google form.
This Week: Diane!
Diane, as a subscriber to Netflix, Peacock, and Prime Video (who mentioned recently enjoying the shows I’m Dying Up Here, New Amsterdam, and Outlander), here are a few ideas. On Peacock, there’s the unconventional romance Wolf Like Me, which stars Josh Gad and Isla Fisher as a couple with one big obstacle between them — the twist isn’t that hard to guess, but the execution is pretty charming and Gad and Fisher spark nicely off each other.
While we’re talking Peacock, we’re only two episodes into the Quantum Leap revival so far, but one of the show’s major changes from the original dynamic means that there’s an ongoing Outlander-esque time-crossed romance. (It is, arguably, one of the best elements of the series, which is still finding its footing, especially when it comes to the weekly mysteries.) Also, just a heads up that while it’s far from a new release, Peacock is home to all seasons of House, to scratch that medical procedural itch if you’re out of New Amsterdam episodes.
Looking at I’m Dying Up Here as an inspiration point, it’s worth noting that Patton Oswalt and Nick Kroll both have new stand-up specials out now on Netflix, and Hasan Minhaj also has one due out on October 4th. And if you missed the latest season of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Prime Video, it might be worth going back and taking a look — the show has yet to return to the heights of Season 1, but Season 4 had some definite high points.
Also, while you don’t subscribe to HBO Max, I can’t resist mentioning that The Knick might be up your alley, as a period medical drama set in 1900 New York. In a way, it’s literally New Amsterdam meets Outlander (including the unflinching reality of turn-of-the-20th-century surgeries) and it’s directed by Steven Soderbergh and stars Clive Owen and Andre Holland. Good television!
We’ll be back next week with more picks — in the meantime, stay safe out there, or better yet stay inside, where it’s definitely safe, and there’s so much film and TV to watch. We’ll update this post every Friday morning with the best to consider, and also be sure to subscribe to the newsletter as well!
Last Week’s Picks (September 16th, 2022)
Abbott Elementary (TV)
Created by: Quinta Brunson
Cast: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Sheryl Lee Ralph, William Stanford Davis
Streaming on: Hulu (all episodes), HBO Max (Season 1 only)
The Emmy-winning comedy’s second season started off strong this week with a guest appearance from Gritty, but if you haven’t gotten a chance to watch the charming ABC series yet, it’s worth starting at the beginning, as the travails of young elementary school teacher Janine (Quinta Brunson) is one of the year’s most charming series yet.
Meet Cute (Film)
Directed by: Alex Lehmann
Cast: Kaley Cuoco, Pete Davidson
Streaming on: Peacock
Read Clint Worthington’s review for the full scoop on this rom-com with perhaps more edge than you’d anticipate — there are a few extra twists packed into this film, plus Pete Davidson continuing to prove that like it or not, he’s a damn compelling screen presence. Also, Kaley Cuoco? Good actor! Very glad to see her talents really get a spotlight in recent years, between this, The Flight Attendant, and of course our beloved Harley Quinn.
Best in Dough (TV)
Streaming on: Hulu
Don’t anticipate a lot of non-fiction picks in this newsletter, but it’s impossible to resist recommending this pizza-obsessed reality competition series. That’s at least based on the first episode, which features three badass Italian grandmas (A.K.A. “nonnas”) competing to make the best possible pizzas, with incredible DGAF energy.
Andor (TV)
Created by: Tony Gilroy
Cast: Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Joplin Sibtain, James McArdle, Rupert Vansittart, Stellan Skarsgård, Fiona Shaw, Alex Ferns, Gary Beadle, Genevieve O’Reilly, Denise Gough
Streaming on: Disney+
I maintain that creator Tony Gilroy hasn’t quite figured out how to write a TV show yet, but for Star Wars fans, there’s a ton about this Rogue One prequel series to appreciate and enjoy.
Blast From the Past
The home screens of streaming services are always packed with the latest new releases, but we don’t spend enough time appreciating how much good library content is streaming across all of these platforms. Each week, Stream On will spotlight one less-than-new favorite (must pre-date the founding of Consequence, so 15 years or older) that deserves attention from modern-day eyes.
Constantine (Film)
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Djimon Hounsou, Gavin Rossdale, Peter Stormare
Streaming on: Netflix, HBO Max
Prior to Matt Ryan taking on the role for what has ended up being many TV shows, our beloved Keanu Reeves brought the dark DC magician to the screen for an interpretation that did not feature the title character’s signature blonde hair or British accent, but did feature some delicious casting elsewhere (Tilda Swinton as the angel Gabriel? ::chef’s kiss::). With this week’s news that Reeves and director Francis Lawrence would be reuniting for a sequel, now is a great time to revisit this flawed, but at times fascinating take on the role.
Ask Liz What to Watch!
Every person has different tastes and more importantly — different streaming services. So each week, Stream On will be offering tailored recommendations for individual subscribers! To request your own personalized film and TV picks, just fill out this Google form.
This Week: Joe!
Joe subscribes to a wide range of services, and recently enjoyed the films Black Box, Alien, Black Hawk Down, The Godfather, and Top Gun: Maverick — not too hard to guess that Joe might have a particular interest in dramas and action thrillers here!
Joe, because you subscribe to Kanopy (which, like Hoopla, is another free-with-a-library-card streaming option), I’m going suggest that even if you’ve already seen Christopher Nolan’s sophomore film Memento, it’s never a bad time to revisit that remarkable thriller. Also streaming there is the Warren Beatty-starring The Parallax View and the original, iconic Manchurian Candidate.
Thinking in a more TV direction, you might also consider checking out Reacher on Prime Video, which adapts the Jack Reacher character previously brought to the screen by Tom Cruise with Alan Ritchson as the biggest, beefiest, ex-military problem solver. And two other shows which might fall nicely into your interests are Showtime’s Homeland and FX’s The Americans, which are packed with intrigue and twists.
We’ll be back next week with more picks — in the meantime, stay safe out there, or better yet stay inside, where it’s definitely safe, and there’s so much film and TV to watch. We’ll update this post every Friday morning with the best to consider, and also be sure to subscribe to the newsletter as well!