Updated weekly, Previously On WYALAN is where I write about what I watched last week and updates on my rankings. My latest watches appear at the top of this article.
Murderbot (Apple TV+)
Murderbot is a sci-fi comedy-drama based on The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. It follows a rogue security android (played by Alexander Skarsgård) who secretly gains free will but must hide its autonomy while protecting a team of scientists on a dangerous planet—all while indulging in its obsession with soap operas
Only a few episodes in and this comedy was funny from the first five minutes. Alexander Skarsgård is hilarious as a socially awkward robot. I’m thinking it will enter the best comedies on Apple TV+ ranking at 6th. WYALAN rating: 4.5/5
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (in cinemas)
Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team race against time to retrieve the core module of the rogue AI known as the Entity, facing impossible odds as they attempt to prevent global catastrophe.
I’m not the biggest Mission Impossible fan and can understand why fans are upset, but I thought this final outing nicely tied up the franchise. Sure, the plot is unrealistic and is closer to a Fast and The Furious movie or any 90’s action movie starring Nicholas Cage, but I enjoyed watching it nonetheless for it’s stunts and perilous moments. WYALAN rating: 4/5
My Left Foot (ITVX)
Born with cerebral palsy, defies expectations by learning to write and paint using only his left foot, proving his brilliance and resilience against all odds.
I only watched this because it appeared high on my best films on ITVX list and I hadn’t watched it before. Daniel Day-Lewis gives an incredible performance as a man born with cerebral palsy. While I was a little unsure at the jokes made in the first 30 minutes (I’m not sure they would be made in a remake), it is a hugely inspiring story. WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Gangs Of New York (Netflix)
Young Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns to the crime-ridden Five Points of 1860s New York, seeking revenge against the ruthless gang leader.
I hadn’t seen Gangs Of New York but I remember the buzz it received when it was first released in 2002. Again, Day-Lewis gives an awesome performance. A great story, but felt 3 hours was too long. WYALAN rating: 3/5
The Last Man On Earth (Disney+)
Phil Miller (Will Forte) believes he’s the sole survivor of a global pandemic – until he discovers that loneliness might be the least of his problems as other survivors emerge.
Looking to add to my best comedies on Disney+ list, I took a chance on The Last Man On Earth as it stars Will Forte. It turned out to be a good gamble. Forte offers one of the best physical comedy performances I’ve seen him deliver whilst Kristen Schaal is her usual offbeat character. WYALAN rating: 4/5
Fountain Of Youth (Apple TV+)
Estranged siblings Luke (John Krasinski) and Charlotte (Natalie Portman) embark on a globe-trotting adventure to uncover the legendary Fountain of Youth, only to discover that its true power comes at an unimaginable cost.
I haven’t watched many films on Apple TV+ as it seems like they score low in reviews, but decided to give Fountain Of Youth a chance. It’s a pleasant enough watch, but others do the genre better. It’s not funny enough to be Uncharted and the puzzles aren’t clever enough to be The National Treasure. WYALAN rating: 3/5
Untold: The Fall Of Favre (Netflix)
A documentary that explores the rise and controversies surrounding NFL legend Brett Favre. It delves into his football career, his alleged involvement in a Mississippi welfare scandal, and accusations of inappropriate conduct during his time with the New York Jets.
I feel like the Untold series is a lot more hit and miss than it used to be, this season in particular. Fall Of Favre is somewhere in between a good story and explained well, but the end felt a little bit rushed. WYALAN rating: 3/5
Friday (Netflix)
Friday follows Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker), two unemployed friends who must come up with $200 by the end of the day to pay off a dangerous drug dealer, all while navigating neighbourhood antics in South Central Los Angeles.
Friday was fine and was mildly funny. It was fun to see a young Chris Tucker whose performance hasn’t changed much over the years. WYALAN rating: 3/5