‘Thrilling': Eric Bana dazzles in new must-watch Netflix series
UNTAMED
NETFLIX
Aussie Eric Bana's steely performance as a damaged, driven special agent is the main reason to seek out this six-part murder mystery set in California's spectacular Yosemite National Park. The ever-reliable Aussie plays Kyle Turner, who has been driven to drink by the memory of his dead son and is jolted into action when a young woman plunges to her death from the park's famous El Capitan rock face.
But did she jump or did more sinister motives dating back decades drive her to do it? Turner's quest for answers, assisted by former LA cop turned rookie ranger Naya Vazquez (Lily Santiago) and his long-time friend and colleague Paul (Sam Neill) will take him deep into the wilds as he uncovers a dangerous secret within the tourist hot spot, as well as forcing him to confront his own troubled past and relationship with ex-wife Jill (an excellent Rosemarie DeWitt).
While the sometimes grisly action unfolds a pace that might be too sedate for some, regular twists and surprises and the thrilling vistas from one of the world's most picturesque parks ensure it's never less that eminently watchable.
BELOW DECK DOWN UNDER
WEDNESDAY, 8.30PM, CHANNEL 7
Another season, another spectacular location, another collection of ridiculously good-looking crew and another group of very rich and entitled customers with first world problems – it's plain sailing as usual for one of the biggest guilty pleasure viewing experiences around. This week kicks off with day two of a cruise in the Seychelles and chief steward Lara in tears after day one 'shit show' on the luxury yacht Katina. With a beach excursion planned and a Cowboys and Cowgirls BBQ dinner on the menu, Captain Jason needs the team to lift their game to make sure the guests leave happy. Meanwhile things are heating up in the kitchen between head chef Tzarina and reluctant sous chef Anthony, which threatens to spill over into shore-leave dramas.
WASHINGTON BLACK
WEDNESDAY, DISNEY+
Adapted from Esi Edugayan's 2018 bestseller, this freewheeling and sometimes fantastical eight-part drama tells the story of how 11-year-old George Washington Black flees the nightmare of slavery on a 19th century Barbados sugar plantation to find a life of adventure. Flipping back and forth in time, with the adult Wash still on the run from bounty hunters while trying to forge a new life and find love in Canada, it kicks into gear with the title character's escape from racism and retribution on a flying machine thanks to a kindly English inventor. As they adventure together with pirates on the Caribbean and sled dogs in the Artic, the brilliant young Wash chases his dream of becoming a revered scientist in a society that's determined to keep him in his place.
BETTER MAN
SATURDAY, PRIME VIDEO
Australian director Michael Gracey took a huge swing in his Melbourne-shot biopic of Robbie Williams by reimagining the UK pop superstar as a chimpanzee. While the bold move failed spectacularly in the cinemas, it deserves a second life on streaming as one of the best and most inventive movies of its type in recent years. Williams himself was heavily involved (most of the motion capture was done by UK actor Jonno Davies) and he is his usual self-deprecating and unflinchingly honest self, even when recounting his appalling actions at his lowest drug fuelled ebbs. With stunning set pieces – the dance on London's Regent St set to Rock DJ is a knockout – and a scarcely believable true story, it's well worth your time.
TEENAGE BOSS: NEXT LEVEL
SATURDAY, 7.30PM, ABC
Former Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins has headed to the Apple Isle for the second season of the delightful reality TV show that turns over the household budget to teenagers to see if they can balance their own saving goals with the needs of the family. First up is Caitlyn, who is laser-focused on raising the funds to fulfil her potentially expensive dream of joining a school ski trip to the mainland as well as juggling her school, work and volunteer commitments. Wise beyond her years, Caitlyn's spending choices are smart and practical – but her biggest obstacle might be mother Seher, who takes the Turkish custom of feeding and entertaining friends and family seriously, and whose plans for the coming Ramadan threaten to blow the budget.
THE BLOCK
SUNDAY, 7PM, CHANNEL 9
In its 21st season – and closing in on its 1000th episode – the beloved renovation reality show heads to the rural Victorian tourist destination of Daylesford with a rejigged approach designed to level the playing field. For the first time, each of the five houses is exactly the same size and with exactly the same floor plan, meaning hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft and judges Shaynna Blaze, Marty Fox and Darren Palmer will be comparing 'apples with apples' and making each design decision all the more important. There will be tears, tiffs and tantrums among the missteps and masterstrokes, with the fart-joke loving, risqué best mates from South Australia, Robby and Mat, already emerging as the jokers in the pack.
AUSTIN
SUNDAY, 7.30PM, ABC
The first season of this gentle comedy-drama was one of the surprise packages of last year, earning well-deserved Logie nominations for its autistic lead actor Michael Theo in the title role, as well as Ben Miller as his possible long-lost father Julian and Sally Phillips as potential stepmother Ingrid. The second season picks up on the season one cliffhanger, with Austin and Julian about to get the results of a DNA that should settle the matter and shape the future of their personal and professional relationships. Meanwhile, Ingrid is still sleeping in the shed and taking notes of her marital positives and negatives – and whether she'd be better of moving to a women's commune.
THE ASSASSIN
STAN
Former Spooks star Keeley Hawes is fantastic in the title role of this action-packed, unashamedly bloody, six-part crime thriller from the creators of the Australian-shot The Tourist. Audiences first meet her character Julie as a one-woman killing machine leaving a huge body count and copping a hellacious beating on a mission in Eastern Europe. Three decades later, she's living a booze-soaked and grumpy retirement on a Greek Island when she's visited by her estranged son (Freddie Highmore), now engaged to be married and with questions about his past she's reluctant to answer. But when someone claiming to be her former handler approaches her with her job she can't refuse, she's dragged back into her old violent ways as her professional and personal worlds collide.
MISS AUSTEN
SUNDAY, 9PM, ABC
This gorgeous, four-part period drama, adapted from Gill Hornby's novel of the same name, purports to answer the question that has long haunted lovers of literature – why did Cassandra Austen burn her famous sister Jane's letters? In a very different role from her turn in The Assassin, the versatile Keeley Hawes plays the older Cassandra, who is trying to rescue the correspondence from her odious sister-in-law Mary to prevent their use in a biography of her husband (and Cassandra's brother), James, while also trying to help free family friend Isabella (Game Of Thrones' Rose Leslie) from the limitations and expectations of unmarried women of the era. As she re-reads the leaders, viewers are taken back to Cassandra's own heartbreak and challenges as a younger woman, as well as those of her talented sister, Jane. It's all bonnets and bows, matchmaking and merriment, tall hats and turns around the room – and right up there with the best Austen adaptations.
PLAT DU TOUR
MONDAY, 8PM, SBS FOOD
Now in their sixth season, French chef Guillaume Brahimi's bite-sized Plat du Tour episodes make a tasty side dish to the Tour de France each year and this half-hour special highlights the best of country's northern region. Starting in Lille and moving through culinary centres including Boulogne-sur-Mer and Rouen, the enthusiastic and affable Brahimi shows how to rustle up the region's signature dishes such as Moules-Frite, Le Carpeaux de Valenciennes and a delicious looking French version of the Aussie pie called Tourte Meyennaise by using the best Australian produce. Along the way he also throws in historical titbits about the food and the regions and chats to celebrated Australian chefs.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Streaming, Tubi
EVERYBODY wants to get their hands on Buddy 'Aces' Israel (Jeremy Piven).
Having negotiated an immunity deal with the FBI that would see him serve up
evidence against various Las Vegas underworld figures, Israel is put under the
protection of special agents Messner and Carruthers (Ryan Reynolds and Ray
Liotta) as assorted thugs and contract killers (played by the who's who of Hollywood)
come looking to capture the magician turned mobster. Featuring Jason Bateman as
a dodgy lawyer, Chris Pine as a neo-Nazi, Alicia Keys as an assassin and Ben
and action sequences.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Prince Harry denies getting into bloody brawl with Prince Andrew over comments about Meghan Markle
Prince Harry hit back at claims he brawled with Prince Andrew over comments his uncle allegedly made about his relationship with Meghan Markle. 'I can confirm neither of those things are true,' a rep for Harry told Us Weekly in a statement on Sunday of the alleged altercation, which was said to have happened over a decade ago. 'Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have never had a physical fight, nor did Prince Andrew ever make those comments about the Duchess of Sussex to Prince Harry.' Prince Harry's denial comes a day after the Daily Mail published an excerpt of Andrew Lownie's new book about Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York. The passage alleged that Prince Andrew and the Duke of Sussex had a 'heated argument' in 2013 at a family event, and that words uttered 'behind Harry's back' led to violence. The book claimed that Andrew — who has himself been shunned by the royal family due to an alleged association with Jeffrey Epstein — predicted a swift end to their marriage and labelled Markle an 'opportunist.' The excerpt further alleged that 'punches were thrown' and that Andrew emerged from the fight with a bloody nose. The latest allegation comes amid ongoing tension between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and various members of the royal family. The couple — who married in a lavish ceremony in 2018 — quit their duties as members of the royal family in 2020 and moved to Montecito, where they are raising son Archie, 6, and daughter Lilibet, 4. 'We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen,' they wrote in a joint statement at the time. The couple spoke out in a wide-ranging interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, and Harry subsequently published his bombshell memoir Spare in 2023, which detailed, among other things, an account of an alleged physical altercation with Prince William over Markle. 'It all happened so fast. So very fast,' Harry alleged in the memoir. 'He grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor.' Despite the family tension, there are signs they could be moving toward a resolution. According to the Daily Mail, aides for King Charles III and the Duke of Sussex convened for a 'secret peace summit' in London in July. 'There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years,' a source told the outlet at the time. 'There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about.' The insider added that the meeting was merely a 'first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction.' Prince Harry reportedly then agreed to share his official schedule with the royal family as a peace offering to Prince William and the monarch later in July. The proposal was said to be an effort to quell speculation that Harry and Meghan are attempting to upstage the royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, meanwhile, appear to be enjoying life — they were spotted soaking up the sun at a family beach outing in Carpinteria, California, Friday.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Wild reason Shaquille O'Neal wants to live in infamous village
Shaquille O'Neal has revealed his 'dream' is to retire in Florida's infamous community, The Villages, to discover if the sordid rumours about what goes on there are true. The 53-year-old NBA legend has been sharing his pro insights as a sports analyst on 'Inside the NBA' and his podcast, 'The Big Podcast', which he co-hosts with Adam Lefkoe. O'Neal and Lefkoe recently welcomed boxing icon Mike Tyson to their studio and lifted the lid on what they want their future to look like, Realtor reports. The former Los Angeles Lakers star revealed that he is looking forward to settling down in one specific place after he retires. When Lefkoe asked O'Neal what his 'dream retirement scenario' is, the basketball icon said he already had a plan in place that saw him living the rest of his days at The Villages — the retirement community that has become known for its wild goings-on and STD reports. The athlete began by noting that he always thinks about the fact that he has 'seven summers' left until he is 60. Tyson chimed in, 'That's how you have to think about, and then you have to ask yourself, 'What am I going to do at the end of my seventh summer?'' 'I tell my kids all the time that I don't want them taking care of me,' O'Neal, who shares children Shareef, 25, Amirah, 23, Shaqir, 22, and Me'arah, 19, with ex-wife Shaunie, said. He also has a stepson, Myles, 28, from Shaunie's former marriage. He also shares daughter Taahirah, 29, with ex-girlfriend, Arnetta Yardbourgh. O'Neal then lifted the lid on where he hopes he will spend his days after ringing in age 65. 'The dream scenario is: There's this place called The Villages. The Villages is an old folks' home, but they have the highest rate of STDs. I want to be there. 'When I get to 65 and I can't move, take me down to Ocala, Florida. Just drop me off, my boy,' the hoops star said. Last year, US Census data revealed that The Villages was the nation's fastest-growing metro, growing 4.7 per cent between 2022 and 2023. The purpose-built community offers its residents a wide array of amenities, including 3,000 social and special-interest clubs as well as activities like square dancing, drama, water ballet, belly dancing, precision golf cart driving, cheerleading, and tambourine tapping. There are also 14 country clubs, 17 pools, and 100,000 golf carts. Adding to The Villages' appeal is its access to all of the community amenities — gyms, pools, rec centres, softball fields, golf courses, clubs, and activities — are available for a fee of $US199 ($A305) per month, no matter the size of a resident's home. However, while the community is advertised as a thriving 'backdrop where you can live life to the fullest,' it is The Villages' residents and its bustling social scene that have attracted the most attention over the years. Many reports and rumours have emerged about the reportedly risqué scene that has emerged inside The Villages. The community made national headlines in 2006, when WFTV news reported that its Women's Center had seen an enormous uptick in the number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases. 'One physician at the Women's Center of The Villages said even in her years working in Miami, she has never seen so many cases,' the report stated. This quote went viral, and the community quickly became known as the 'STD Capital of America,' despite subsequent reporting calling attention to the fact that there was no accurate data to back up these rumours. Still, the stain of scandal has persisted inside The Villages ever since — with more fuel added to that fire when reports began to surface, suggesting that a group of swingers living in the community were using 'loofah signalling' in order to publicly express their sexual preferences to other residents. That rumour has been traced back to a riff made by comedian Tora Himan, an Orlando-area drag queen who previously performed at The Villages as part of a cabaret show. A similar whisper that ran rampant involved upside-down pineapples. That scandal saw people on the web claiming that upside-down pineapples in The Villages were a way to signalise swinging. In addition to big plans for his retirement, O'Neal boasts an impressive real estate portfolio, holding the keys to a slew of multimillion-dollar properties in Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, and Nevada.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Inside The X-Files star David Duchovny's quirky $16m+ mansion
The X-Files star David Duchovny has officially closed the file on his luxurious Malibu retreat for the hefty price tag of $US10.9 million ($A16.7 million). Best known for playing FBI agent Fox Mulder on the hit series, the 64-year-old actor netted a tidy profit of $US6.15 million ($A9.4 million). The Golden Globe winner, who also starred in the TV series 'Californication', snapped up the property in 2016 for $US4.75 million ($A7.2 million). Duchovny previously rented the home from 'The X-Files' creator Chris Carter before becoming its owner. Listing agent Chris Cortazzo told Mansion Global that the actor's two children have 'outgrown the house.' The 'Twin Peaks' star will be moving elsewhere in Southern California, but has not yet decided where. The house was listed on the market in April for $US12.5 million ($A19.1 million). According to records, the estate sold for $US1.6 million ($A2.4 million) less than its list price. The three-bedroom residence boasts an eye-catching restored train caboose-turned guest retreat on the sprawling property, Fox News reports. The kitchen features high-quality Miele appliances and custom cabinetry for a luxurious, yet intimate dining experience. The kitchen area includes a cozy coffee bar and pristine marble countertops throughout the dining area. Homeowners and guests are welcomed with sliding glass doors that lead to a backyard oasis. Spa-like bath features include a soaking tub, steam shower and custom walk-in closet – ideal for unwinding after a long day. On the Malibu estate, the outside consists of a lap pool, jacuzzi and cold plunge anchored in the backyard. The property is surrounded by smooth concrete, wood decking and a sunken firepit lounge. A covered patio with built-in heaters and a Wolf-equipped outdoor kitchen is featured for the ultimate alfresco dining. Duchovny's former property includes a gym or guest suite complete with mirrors, ensuite bath and heated deck. The 'Zoolander' actor's home's unique feature is a fully restored train caboose that's included with the lavish estate. Crafted with the finest materials included, Douglas Fir panelling, accordion glass doors and a rooftop deck – an ideal, yet quirky, guest suite for entertaining guests. Inside the caboose, a mini kitchen is included with refrigerator drawers and a sleek dining nook. A rainfall shower and luxe stone vanity complete the spa-like bath. 'The X-Files' star
