Weekend watchlist: 10 TV shows and movies to check out

‘Cobra Kai’ (Netflix): This hit show, set 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, saw the continuation of the conflict between karate kids Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). Now the show is back for its fourth season and will focus on the exploits of the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang dojos as they join forces to take down Cobra Kai.

‘The King’s Man’ (UAE cinemas): Everyone loved the hilarious and action-packed ‘Kingsman’ franchise. Well here’s a prequel that will explain how the dapper crime fighters came to be. It’s all about Orlando, Duke of Oxford (Ralph Fiennes) who has to race against time to stop a war that could wipe out millions of people.

‘Harlem’ (Amazon Prime Video): Here’s something light and fun to kick off the new year with. This 10-episode series follows the lives of four girlfriends who first met in university. Now they’re in their 30s and are navigating love, life and careers.

‘Stay Close’ (Netflix): This dark thriller will have you questioning if you know really those around you. In it, four people each conceal dark secrets from those closest to them but the past comes back to haunt them, threatening to ruin their lives.

‘Bo Burnham: Inside’ (Netflix): As the year closes, here’s a chance to revisit one of the best pieces of media to come out of the pandemic. The genius that is the comedian and actor Bo Burnham is at his hilarious and heart-wrenching best in this musical special that’s filmed, directed and edited by himself. In it, Burnham reflects on the pandemic, loneliness, politics and more through his quirky songs. It’s intimate and personal and amazing.

83 (UAE cinemas): Shahid Kapoor’s new film ‘Jersey’, scheduled to release in cinemas worldwide on December30, was postponed amid health and safety concerns over spike in COVID-19 cases in India. But Ranveer Singh’s 83 continues to play in the local cinemas. It’s a cricketing saga that tugs at your heartstrings. Even if you are not a fan of the sport, you will still find yourself rooting for Singh and his underdog team. The actor as Kapil Dev, who brought sporting glory to India in the 1983 World Cup, has delivered a captain’s knock. He’s effective as the legendary cricketer and his band of boys are equally fun. Watch this if you want to re-live India’s glorious win with minimum fuss. Each match has been faithfully re-told in the most entertaining manner.

Kaaval (Amazon Prime Video): Actor Suresh Gopi spearheads this Malayalam-language thriller with a surefootedness that comes from experience and star-power. He plays Thamban who falls out with his best friend Antony (Reni Panicker) and they have to face some uncomfortable truths about life and redemption. Watch it for the compelling performances of the lead players.

Brookly 99 (Netflix) No plans this New Year’s Eve? Don’t stress. There’s always the jolly police squad Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Amy Santiago (Mellisa Fumero) or Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) to brighten up your evening. The jokes never get old and it’s a series with immense repeat value. Watching these oddballs run a precinct while keeping crime and grime at length is funny and irreverent. It’s the character that make this series a must-watch.

Minnal Murali (Netflix): Malayalam movies are having a glorious run this year and actor Tovino Thomas’ superhero film adds to the pile of compelling films. Director Basil Joseph gives us a superhero that’s steeped in Kerala roots and reality. While Thomas is compelling, it is the antagonist played brilliantly by Guru Somsundaram that had my heart. With a modest budget, the MM team proved that you can make an engaging superhero film if you are backed by a solid script and characters that are well-defined. The face-off between Murali and his arch villain Shibu with the similar superlative strengths is stirring. It's a movie that has heart and not just a lavish budget sprayed on it. And a little birdie tells us that a sequel to this film is already in the works.

Tamaasha (Zee5): This 2015 romantic film starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone is a crash course in adulting. It's also a sobering take on discovering your self. Ved and Tara meet in Corsica and hit it off, but they find out that holiday romances don't often translate to easy courtships when you are back to the grind. They have to confront unpleasant parts of themselves as they try to find themselves as a couple. The songs are stirring too. Before you end 2022, why not re-visit a romance that hits all the right notes.