5 Things You Should Watch This Week.
Your watch radar for the 2nd week of March 2023.
With so much content out there, it’s hard to wade through the noise and find something worth your time. Never fear because Barry’s Bites is here to guide you through the vast world of Movies and Television.
‘Ted Lasso’ (9.0/10) – Apple TV – Season 3
The highly anticipated Season 3 of ‘Ted Lasso’ has officially arrived on Apple TV as of March 13th, 2023. Jason Sudeikis has suggested that this could be the final season. Telling Deadline that “This is the end of this story that we wanted to tell, that we were hoping to tell, that we loved to tell. The fact that folks will want more and are curious beyond more than what they don’t even know yet – that being Season 3 - is flattering. Maybe by May 31st, once all 12 episodes of the season [have been released], they’re like, ‘Man, you know what, we get it, we’re fine. We don’t need anymore, we got it.’ But until that time comes, I will appreciate the curiosity beyond what we’ve come up with so far.”
So it would seem Sudeikis is content with the 3rd season being the final one. If you haven’t watched any of the prior 2 seasons of ‘Ted Lasso’, then that’s your homework for this week. Season 1 tells a wholly unique story compared to other contemporary shows, and it’s by far one of my favorite seasons of TV. Currently, ‘Ted Lasso’ coaches with a 9.0/10 from my bench.
Sharper’ (8.5/10) – Apple TV
The newest member to the Con-movie genre is an Apple TV movie, released on February 10th, 2023, and it’s in my review pipeline. But since you’re reading this, I’ll give you a sneak peek. From director Benjamin Caron, who previously directed 3 episodes of Disney’s ‘Andor’, 11 episodes of Netflix’s ‘The Crown’, and 1 episode of ‘Sherlock’. This appears to be his first foray into a full fledge movie, after previously directing TV series and TV movies. Despite his previous track record, he was dealing with a fully loaded cast in ‘Sharper’. Including the likes of Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith, and John Lithgow. This movie takes a page out of Christopher Nolan’s playbook by bending the linear timeline to tell a story that is, in its very nature, linear. By doing so, the movie leans into the con and takes the audience on a ride. It’s difficult to tell you too much without revealing too much. But if you put your phone away and buy into what this movie is selling, you’ll walk away happy. Truly one of the best Apple TV original films I’ve seen so far, and one I’m highly recommending right now. ‘Sharper’ conned us all with an 8.5/10 on my scale.
‘This is Where I leave You’ (7.8/10) – Netflix
Netflix recently added this, and it’s been egging me on to watch it so I finally did. It’s a classic Shawn Levy movie that grapples with familial history and the issues life throws at them as they get older. Not only does it weave a satirical element into their life crises, but it leaves the audience feeling warmer than when they entered. In some ways, the fictional issues the characters are facing drive home the point that life is complicated. Did not expect to enjoy this movie as much as I did but I found it hilariously satirical, and Bateman delivers in his usual manner. ‘This is Where I Leave You’ (2014) landed as a 7.8/10 on my scale.
‘Emily the Criminal’ (7.3/10) – Netflix
Aubrey Plaza must’ve been in the mood to throw a little variety into her career. Enter ‘Emily the Criminal’, which follows a down on her luck and debt-saddled Emily. Who finds herself involved in a credit card scam that pulls her into the criminal underworld of Los Angeles, and ultimately may come with higher costs than she anticipated. From a relatively unknown director named John Patton Ford. He has a light IMDB page with only this movie and a writing credit for a short called ‘Patrol’ in 2010. In addition to being a writer on ‘Metal Man’ an upcoming TV series that has yet to find a home. Quite the jump from that to directing a Netflix movie…smells like nepotism to me. Anyways, it’s a fun and easy movie to digest on a weekday/weekend night after a long day. Nothing about this movie suggests it’s going to be critically acclaimed. But as a light criminal movie with a few twists and turns, it’s great.
‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (8.2/10) – Apple TV or Amazon Prime for $3.99
It may come as a surprise to some but before Robert Downey Jr. put on the Iron Man suit, he was in movies of a different kind. One of those that made him was ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’. After sitting on my list for a while, I finally watched it and you need to too. Here’s the breakdown for you: After Harry Lockhart is mistaken for an actor, the New York thief is sent to Hollywood to train under a private detective for a potential movie role. But the duo, along with a struggling actress, are thrown into solving a murder mystery. This movie has all the elements of a classic pivoting mystery with elements of nostalgia and lust mixed right into the macro-story. It’s one heck of a ride and is very entertaining throughout. Despite any confusion that may crop up during said ride; don’t worry it all works itself out. Downey’s performance is one that will have you seeing the similarities in Iron Man. Even though I don’t smoke cigarettes, I will say that no one smokes a cigarette like Downey. ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ headed out to L.A. with an 8.2/10 on my scale.
If you liked this, consider checking out similar articles and our social media for more!
