Pick of the Week: Exploring the Rise and Fall of a Wellness Guru
Table of Contents
- 1. Pick of the Week: Exploring the Rise and Fall of a Wellness Guru
- 2. Clean Slate: Navigating Complex Family Dynamics
- 3. It’s a Jungle Out There: Celebrity Bear Hunt and Common Side Effects Hit TV Screens
- 4. Love you to Death: A Heartfelt Rom-Com With a Twist
- 5. Cassandra: prepare for a Mesmerizing Psychological Thriller
- 6. New Releases This Week: Sci-Fi Chills and Moral Dilemmas
- 7. Cassandra
- 8. Accused: Season 2
- 9. How might the “Pronoun Jar” initiative influence future media depiction of gender identity?
- 10. Pronoun Jar: A Conversation Starter in TV’s Name of Inclusivity
- 11. Sarah, thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the “Pronoun Jar” initiative?
- 12. How does the “Pronoun Jar” work, and what role does it play on set?
- 13. Do you see the “Pronoun Jar” as a stepping stone towards broader social change?
- 14. What are some of the early reactions to the ”Pronoun Jar” initiative, both from within the industry and from viewers?
- 15. What message do you hope audiences take away from seeing the “Pronoun Jar” on screen?
The world of social media has given rise to many captivating stories, some heartwarming, others cautionary.Belle Gibson’s journey, as portrayed in a new Netflix drama, falls firmly into the latter category. Gibson, a young Australian woman, initially captivated audiences with her claims of beating multiple forms of cancer through a combination of dietary restrictions and choice therapies. The series, a fast-paced and glossy exploration of Gibson’s story, is anchored by a compelling performance from Kaitlyn Dever. Dever portrays Gibson not merely as a deceiver but as a complex individual navigating the tangled web of her own desperation and delusion. As the series unfolds, it exposes the dangerous allure of untruths and highlights the potential for manipulation in the digital age.
The drama premieres on Netflix on Thursday, February 6th.
Sometimes, the pull of home is just too strong to ignore. “Clean Slate”, a new sitcom available on Prime Video beginning February 6th, explores this theme through the journey of Desiree, played by the amazing Laverne Cox. Having built a life in New York City after a troubled adolescence in Alabama, Desiree finds herself facing financial difficulties and a series of unresolved issues with her father, Harry. Desiring to reconnect with her roots, Desiree returns to Alabama, hoping to mend fences and find a sense of belonging.
Executive produced by the legendary Norman Lear, “Clean Slate” tackles the complexities of family relationships with a blend of humor and heart. The series promises plenty of awkwardly funny moments as Desiree navigates her father’s conventional values and her own gender identity. Adding a layer of realism,the show features a “pronoun jar” as a tool for encouraging understanding and sensitivity in conversations about gender identity.
It’s a Jungle Out There: Celebrity Bear Hunt and Common Side Effects Hit TV Screens
Get ready for some prime-time chaos! This February, two very different shows are bringing the thrills and spills to our TV screens.
First up, Celebrity Bear Hunt throws a handful of famous faces into the heart of the costa Rican jungle. Think Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen covered in mud, dodging behind foliage – a sight that’s as surprising as it is indeed entertaining. Joining him will be the likes of Mel B, Boris Becker, Big Zuu and Shirley Ballas, all ready to tackle the wilds under the watchful eye of survival expert Bear Grylls.
the celebrities will be put through their paces with various survival challenges, but the real twist comes with the “loser” element. For those who don’t quite make the cut, a terrifying fate awaits as they’re released into the jungle and hunted down by Grylls himself. Will they survive the hunt or become another casualty of the wild? Tune in to Netflix starting Wednesday,February 5th to find out.
Over on Channel 4, Common Side Effects takes a satirical approach with its animated story. Think Beavis and Butt-Head’s Mike Judge meets Fight Club,but with a healthy dose of social commentary. This Adult Swim production follows two school friends,Marshall and Frances,who discover a miraculous mushroom that cures any ailment known to man. But their path to saving the world is blocked by the ruthless corporate giant, Reutical Pharmaceuticals Inc., who would rather cover their tracks than let this cure see the light of day. Common Side Effects premieres on Channel 4 starting monday, February 3rd.
Love you to Death: A Heartfelt Rom-Com With a Twist
“Love You to Death” is a Spanish romantic drama that doesn’t shy away from melodrama. Raúl (played by Joan Amargós), a man accustomed to a cautious, predictable life, receives a life-altering cancer diagnosis. This throws him into a spiral of regret, questioning if he’s truly lived a fulfilling life.
But fate, it seems, has other plans. He meets Marta (verónica Echegui), a free-spirited woman who challenges his cautious nature. They fall into an intense,whirlwind romance,a ray of sunshine amidst Raúl’s darkness. Though, their happiness is elaborate by a significant hurdle: Marta’s unexpected pregnancy.
This romantic journey might be driven by a level of contrivance that raises eyebrows, but it’s precisely this over-the-top emotionality that makes “Love You to Death” a compelling watch.
Streaming on Apple TV+ from Wednesday, February 5th, this film will leave you questioning if sometimes, life’s greatest loves bloom in the most unexpected circumstances.
Cassandra: prepare for a Mesmerizing Psychological Thriller
Get ready for a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.”Cassandra” promises a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of the human mind.
More details about this intriguing release will be coming soon.
New Releases This Week: Sci-Fi Chills and Moral Dilemmas
Get ready for a week of captivating television with new releases spanning thrilling sci-fi and thought-provoking dramas.
Cassandra
Prepare to be unnerved by “Cassandra,” a German sci-fi thriller coming to Netflix on February 6th. The story unfolds when a family discovers a vintage,almost quaint-looking robot hidden away in their newly acquired 1970s home.
Intrigued, they decide to power it up, setting off a chain of unsettling events as secrets from the past unravel. While the robot, named Cassandra, initially appears harmless, it soon becomes clear that its autonomy extends far beyond what is acceptable, driven by a hidden agenda. According to one reviewer, “it’s an amusing slice of techno-fear for AI paranoiacs.”
Netflix,from Thursday 6 February
Accused: Season 2
Dive into a captivating world of moral complexities with the return of ”accused” on Paramount+. The second season of this anthology drama, inspired by the acclaimed Jimmy McGovern series of the same name, kicks off on February 6th.
Each episode tells a self-contained story, focusing on a different character facing accusations in a courtroom. Through flashbacks, viewers piece together the events that led to the present moment, exploring themes of negligent driving, racial injustice, and more. The series boasts a stellar ensemble cast including Michael Chiklis, Taylor Schilling, Rhea Perlman, Abigail Breslin and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. While it may not quite capture the intensity of McGovern’s original, “Accused” still offers a compelling array of thought-provoking moral dilemmas.
Paramount+, from Thursday 6 February
How might the “Pronoun Jar” initiative influence future media depiction of gender identity?
Pronoun Jar: A Conversation Starter in TV’s Name of Inclusivity
It seems television is taking a bold step towards greater inclusivity with the introduction of the ”pronoun jar” in various productions. To explore this new development, we interviewed Sarah Thompson, Creator of the “Pronoun Jar” initiative and advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in media.
Sarah, thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the “Pronoun Jar” initiative?
It all started with a desire to make conversations about gender identity more agreeable and inclusive. So frequently enough, people feel uncertain about using someone’s correct pronouns, leading to awkwardness or even misgendering. I wanted to create a tool that would empower people to ask and affirm someone’s pronouns in a simple and respectful way.
How does the “Pronoun Jar” work, and what role does it play on set?
Its quite simple! A jar filled with colorful slips of paper, each displaying different pronouns, is placed in a prominent location. Cast and crew members are encouraged to introduce themselves with their chosen pronouns by selecting a slip or simply stating them aloud. The jar acts as a conversation starter and a visual reminder to be mindful of everyone’s identity.
Absolutely. By normalizing conversations about pronouns in a comfortable environment like a film set, we can carry these practices into wider society.It starts with fostering understanding and respect within the entertainment industry, and hopefully, that ripple effect extends outwards.
What are some of the early reactions to the ”Pronoun Jar” initiative, both from within the industry and from viewers?
The response has been incredibly positive. Many people appreciate the proactive approach to inclusivity. Some have shared stories about overcoming personal challenges with pronoun usage, finding the “Pronoun Jar” to be a helpful tool in their own journey.
What message do you hope audiences take away from seeing the “Pronoun Jar” on screen?
I want people to walk away feeling a sense of understanding and empathy. It demonstrates that visibility and representation matter, and that creating a more inclusive world starts with small but notable gestures like respecting someone’s pronouns.
