Latest news with #Supercruising:LifeatSea
Irish Independent
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: The Buddhists of Beara, The Wicker Man and Ballard
Supercruising: Life at Sea Channel 4, 8pm The crew sailing from North Africa to Europe are determined to make sure their passengers have as much fun as possible, so organise an eye-catching parade they hope will get everyone in a party mood. The Breaking Wave: The Buddhists of Beara RTÉ One, 10.10pm Fascinating insight into Dzogchen Beara, a Tibetan Buddhist retreat centre near Allihies in west Cork. It reveals how a group of misfits from around the world came together to create a traditional temple, which opened last year. The Wicker Man BBC Four, 9.05pm Classic horror movie focusing on a devout police sergeant who's sent to a remote island to search for a missing girl. The pagan locals are reluctant to speak to him, perhaps because the local laird has something shocking he's about to unveil. Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland and Ingrid Pitt head the cast. Shifting Gears Disney+, streaming now Kat Dennings and Tim Allen have joined forces to star in this new sitcom set in a classic car workshop... Now that's what I call a production meeting. Allen plays the widowed patriarch who has his daughter (Dennings) and her child move back in with him. Ballard Netflix, streaming now Inspired by Michael Connelly's bestselling novels, Detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q) returns to lead LAPD's cold-case unit, facing decades-old crimes, a potential police conspiracy, and — the purview of all onscreen cops — a luggage load of personal demons. Ziam Netflix, streaming now Yet more South East Asian zombie fodder. For something less brutal and more bloom-fuelled, other foreign language fare includes French offering Under a Dark Sun. Alternatively, there's Gringo Hunters from Mexico. Trainwreck: The Real Project X Netflix, streaming now It's the weekly episodic that keeps on giving. This time, the good people at Trainwreck recount the fallout from a Facebook event posted by a Dutch teen. In 2012, she posted an invite for her 16th birthday, which accidentally went viral, drawing thousands to the small town of Haren. Inspired by Project X, the unplanned crowd overwhelms the area, and with no preparations in place, things spiral into chaos. Quarterback Netflix, streaming now Season 2 of the hit series offers rare access to three NFL quarterbacks — Joe Burrow, Jared Goff and returning favourite Kirk Cousins — as they navigate the highs and lows of the 2024/25 season, on and off the field. All The Sharks Netflix, streaming now If you're wondering, 'Why all the shark-related viewing of late?' Well, the simple answer is that we're currently in the run-up to July 14, which is Shark Awareness Day. This summer also happens to be the 50th anniversary of Jaws, so one should expect an inordinate level of shark-themed programming over the coming weeks. A lot of it, however, does seem somewhat at odds with itself. For instance, last week saw the release of Shark Whisperer, which featured a herd of conservationists expressing concern about people, like Instagrammer Ocean Ramsey, interfering with endangered sharks. Now, Netflix is proffering an almost oxymoronic competition show, where conservationists infiltrate the oceans to tick all the sharks off their assigned apex predator bingo cards. If you favour more traditional shark viewing — ie. without a nigh-dystopic gameshow element — Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory has landed on Disney+. Heads of State Prime Video, streaming now Have you ever considered a parallel universe where Idris Elba is the UK prime minister and John Cena is the US president? Well, now's your chance! For context, their 'special relationship' is under threat on account of their huge egos, but — once confronted with a common adversary — the pair must learn to rely on each other.
The Herald Scotland
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
This cruise doc was crying out for a special Scottish someone
*** THERE'S a certain Netflix documentary doing the rounds that is so disgusting anyone would think its makers were out to ruin the cruise industry. In contrast, Supercruising: Life at Sea is ship shape and Bristol fashion, so much so you may feel obliged to greet its arrival with a salute. This is old-school documentary making, nothing fussy or snide. That it is on Channel 4 primetime shows how the channel, and the average age of its audience have changed. We are all sailing towards the sunset now. The eight-part series is set on the MS Neuw Statendam and its sister ship MS Rotterdam. Both are part of the Holland America Line, set to sail a full season for the first time in a decade - another sign of the boom times in the industry. The facts and stats arrive thick and fast, some more useful than others. Is it worth knowing that passengers get through 750 kilos of lobster in a typical fortnight? But then the most important part of the cruise, after the sun and the sea, is the grub. Read more Craving for fun facts satisfied, the producers set out to find those all-important 'characters' any self-respecting documentary needs. We met Claire and Graham from Nottingham, celebrating their 40th anniversary with a stay in one of the luxury cabins. I can't tell you how much they paid because no prices were given. Another couple, Pam and Barry from Lincoln, joked about spending the kids' inheritance. There was a lot of that going on. At least Thomas and Shauna from Kentucky, celebrating their 20th anniversary, had brought their son along. Crew singled out for attention included Rich Fontaine, who sounded like he ought to be part of the cabaret but was the ship's security officer. He'd been in the business 40 years, watching security change with the times. These days, passengers had to pass through scanners, the main purpose of which seemed to be to catch anyone sneaking a kettle on board. Better to seize them at the dock than risk a fire at sea, said Rich. We also met Captain Eric (Dutch) and executive chef Jundiel (Philippines). Most of the crew seemed to be from the Philippines. Cruise ships are often compared to small towns, but they are more like a floating United Nations with its rich and poor members, those who are served and those who do the serving. There was no talk of such things, nor was there any mention of cruising's impact on the environment. Perhaps that's for later in the series. Something else was missing, and at first I couldn't pin down what it was. Then it came to me: four foot nothing, Scottish, does bank adverts, never met a holiday she didn't love - Susan Calman, of course. It ought to be compulsory to hire Calman whenever a cruise documentary is made. Without her zipping around like an over-caffeinated whirlwind, jollying everything and everyone along, series like this can be a tad, well, boring. Got a cruise? Call for Calman!
Irish Independent
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: Taskmaster final, Steel Magnolias and The Old Guard 2
Supercruising: Life at Sea Channel 4, 8pm New eight-part travelogue following luxury cruise ships MS Rotterdam and MS Nieuw as they journey around the world. Along the way we'll meet their crew and passengers who, in the first episode, are en route to North Africa, Europe, Florida and the Bahamas. The grand final takes place. While Rosie Ramsey puts a wooden box on her head, Mathew Baynton has harsh words for a puppy, a door is on the wrong end of Fatiha El-Ghorri's ire and Team JV Martzoukas go into business. But which of them will Greg Davies hand the trophy to? Fíorscéal TG4, 10.45pm American agriculture comes under the spotlight. Among the stories covered are the use of growth hormones to fatten up livestock quickly and cheaply, and water shortages in California. Steel Magnolias Film4, 6.40pm Tearjerking melodrama featuring an all-star cast that includes Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah and Shirley MacLaine. A group of female friends from across several generations come together to support each other during difficult times. The Old Guard 2 Netflix, streaming now Charlize Theron's Andy returns alongside her band of immortal fighters, driven by a refreshed commitment to safeguarding humanity. Fans of The Sandman will be thrilled to learn that the second and final instalment has landed. ADVERTISEMENT Tour de France: Unchained Netflix, streaming now In its final season, expect a high-stakes clash between cycling's elite and bold new challengers. Young Sheldon Netflix, streaming now Bear with me; both Disney+ and Netflix have had six seasons of Young Sheldon for years. Now, after an excruciating wait, Netflix has got its mittens on season seven. If you're rolling your eyes thinking, 'Hasn't that Big Bang offshoot been around forever?' Yes, it has, but it's far (far) superior to its predecessor. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Season 2 Reunion Special Disney+, streaming now How's that for a title? Following season two's dramatic finale, host Nick Viall brings #MomTok and #DadTok back together for revelations, unseen clips, and a surprise twist. Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel Netflix, streaming now I don't know about you, but I'm not sure where I'd be without our Tuesday Trainwreck instalment. The American Apparel brand soared in the early Noughties with salacious ads and ethical wear, but behind the scenes, chaotic leadership and misconduct allegations sent the brand into a downward spiral. For more stark viewing, Attack on London: Hunting The 7/7 Bombers is streaming now. Shark Whisperer Netflix, streaming now Whether you deem her a social media opportunist or a 'changemaking' conservationist, you can't quibble with the (literal) name Ocean Ramsay has made for herself. Melding striking visuals with a close character study, the film dissects the ethical and ecological dilemmas at the heart of environmental activism. Perspectives from scientists, indigenous voices, and conservationists — on all sides — reveal the complexity of Ramsay and the issues she raises. Squid Game Netflix, streaming now Brace yourselves… In the wildly anticipated third and final season of Squid Game, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae, aka player 456) returns. Haunted by incremental loss, he's determined to end the deadly competition once and for all. His clash with the enigmatic Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) escalates into a (surprise, surprise) grave battle of strategy and morality, as new games and old enemies collide. With the expected level of twists — including a baby being added to the mix and the viral Gachapon craze (plastic vending balls to you) putting in a pivotal appearance — the stakes are high. As surviving players face progressively brutal choices, the line between justice and tainted vengeance increasingly blurs. Can humanity survive the harshest reality? As the world awaits the final answer, writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk promises a powerful conclusion to the global phenomenon. I think we'll be the collective judges of that. The Charles Ponzi Story AppleTV+, streaming now We've all heard of Ponzi schemes, but what do you know of their namesake? He was a broke immigrant based in 1920s Boston, who rocketed to wealth and infamy in mere months by orchestrating what would become known as the infamous scheme, one of history's boldest financial frauds. For more stories inspired by true events, try Smoke starring Taron Egerton, John Leguizamo and Greg Kinnear.
