Remember how summer used to be the time when TV shows would go on hiatus between seasons? Those days are officially over in the streaming era, as the past month has brought new episodes from Star Wars, the MCU, Stranger Things and more.
Of all these news shows and films, which of them are good? Find out in this latest edition of Tune In or Turn off.
Tune In: Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
(Disney+)
Who asked for this? No one! But this pointless reboot of the '80s/'90s cartoon has a self-deprecating sense of humour as it presents a very meta look recent animation trends. With so many different animated universes mashed up into one film, it's an impressive display of Disney brand synergy that's far funnier than expected.
Tune In: Conversations with Friends
(Prime Video)
Compared to Sally Rooney's muted, matter-of-fact writing style, this adaptation of her 2017 debut novel is emotionally fraught and quite streamy. The drawn-out, in-depth depiction of an extramarital affair feels a bit icky to watch play out over so many episodes — it probably could have been shorter than 12 parts — but the performances are strong, and the moments of quiet capture some of Rooney's observational, almost voyeuristic talents.
Tune In: Hustle
(Netflix)
Staying in the "serious actor" mode of Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler delivers another fantastic performance as a wearied NBA scout who develops a close connection with a young prospect (played by actual basketball star Juancho Hernangómez, who was recruited to the NBA from overseas, just like his character).
Tune In: Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend
(Netflix)
After a few years away, Iron Chef returns. Alton Brown is back, joined as co-host by past Top Chef winner Kristen Kish, to oversee a new batch of challengers going up against the Iron Chefs. As always, it offers high drama without sacrificing the quality of the cooking.
Tune In: The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks
(Prime Video)
The Kids in the Hall's outstanding comeback is chronicled in this two-part doc, which features taking heads from some high-profile admirers (Mike Myers, Janeane Garofalo, Fred Armisen and more) along with very funny interviews with the Kids themselves. As well as documenting their career, it's an interesting look at Toronto's Queen Street West scene in the '80s.
Tune In: Ms. Marvel
(Disney+)
Judging by the episodes that have aired so far, Ms. Marvel is refreshing step away from Marvel lore, as it focuses on a very normal teen going through some relatable teenage awkwardness. Much like Spider-Man, the best thing about this superhero is that she's just a regular kid in extraordinary circumstances.
Tune In: Obi-Wan Kenobi
(Disney+)
Star Wars has been very hit-or-miss with prequels, sequels and spinoffs over the years, but Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the best recent additions to the canon. The force is strong with this miniseries, which tells a vaguely dystopian story of what "Ben" Kenobi was doing in the time between Episode III and IV.
Tune In: Pistol
(Disney+)
The tumultuous story of the Sex Pistols is told in Danny Boyle's six-part miniseries Pistol. It's a bit cartoonish, falling victim to some of the clumsy tropes of biopics, but it's largely an entertaining ride through the band's shocking, salacious and extremely short run.
Turn Off: Spiderhead
(Netflix)
The same month that director Joseph Kosinski blew minds with Top Gun: Maverick, he dropped a brick onto Netflix: the thriller Spiderhead, a potentially intriguing and timely look at medical testing that's undermined by its strangely goofy tone — like how a violent fight scene is soundtracked by Hall & Oates's "You Make My Dreams."
Tune In: Stranger Things 4, Volume 1
(Netflix)
Stranger Things leans into its teen horror influences (particularly A Nightmare on Elm Street), with a stylish aesthetic supported by great characters. It's a little darker and more of a sprawling epic than past seasons — but Season 4 is also an allegory for depression and trauma, bringing real-life stakes to the show's fanciful sci-fi.
Turn Off: The Time Traveler's Wife
(Crave)
This time-traveling romance was a bestselling book in 2003 and a successful movie in 2009 — but with a tone that careens between sitcom and saccharine, and ham-fisted words of wisdom ("The future is just what shows up when you're looking for something else," Game of Thrones actor Rose Leslie is forced to say), it's hard to imagine why HBO wanted anything to do with it.
Of all these news shows and films, which of them are good? Find out in this latest edition of Tune In or Turn off.
Tune In: Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
(Disney+)
Who asked for this? No one! But this pointless reboot of the '80s/'90s cartoon has a self-deprecating sense of humour as it presents a very meta look recent animation trends. With so many different animated universes mashed up into one film, it's an impressive display of Disney brand synergy that's far funnier than expected.
Tune In: Conversations with Friends
(Prime Video)
Compared to Sally Rooney's muted, matter-of-fact writing style, this adaptation of her 2017 debut novel is emotionally fraught and quite streamy. The drawn-out, in-depth depiction of an extramarital affair feels a bit icky to watch play out over so many episodes — it probably could have been shorter than 12 parts — but the performances are strong, and the moments of quiet capture some of Rooney's observational, almost voyeuristic talents.
Tune In: Hustle
(Netflix)
Staying in the "serious actor" mode of Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler delivers another fantastic performance as a wearied NBA scout who develops a close connection with a young prospect (played by actual basketball star Juancho Hernangómez, who was recruited to the NBA from overseas, just like his character).
Tune In: Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend
(Netflix)
After a few years away, Iron Chef returns. Alton Brown is back, joined as co-host by past Top Chef winner Kristen Kish, to oversee a new batch of challengers going up against the Iron Chefs. As always, it offers high drama without sacrificing the quality of the cooking.
Tune In: The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks
(Prime Video)
The Kids in the Hall's outstanding comeback is chronicled in this two-part doc, which features taking heads from some high-profile admirers (Mike Myers, Janeane Garofalo, Fred Armisen and more) along with very funny interviews with the Kids themselves. As well as documenting their career, it's an interesting look at Toronto's Queen Street West scene in the '80s.
Tune In: Ms. Marvel
(Disney+)
Judging by the episodes that have aired so far, Ms. Marvel is refreshing step away from Marvel lore, as it focuses on a very normal teen going through some relatable teenage awkwardness. Much like Spider-Man, the best thing about this superhero is that she's just a regular kid in extraordinary circumstances.
Tune In: Obi-Wan Kenobi
(Disney+)
Star Wars has been very hit-or-miss with prequels, sequels and spinoffs over the years, but Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the best recent additions to the canon. The force is strong with this miniseries, which tells a vaguely dystopian story of what "Ben" Kenobi was doing in the time between Episode III and IV.
Tune In: Pistol
(Disney+)
The tumultuous story of the Sex Pistols is told in Danny Boyle's six-part miniseries Pistol. It's a bit cartoonish, falling victim to some of the clumsy tropes of biopics, but it's largely an entertaining ride through the band's shocking, salacious and extremely short run.
Turn Off: Spiderhead
(Netflix)
The same month that director Joseph Kosinski blew minds with Top Gun: Maverick, he dropped a brick onto Netflix: the thriller Spiderhead, a potentially intriguing and timely look at medical testing that's undermined by its strangely goofy tone — like how a violent fight scene is soundtracked by Hall & Oates's "You Make My Dreams."
Tune In: Stranger Things 4, Volume 1
(Netflix)
Stranger Things leans into its teen horror influences (particularly A Nightmare on Elm Street), with a stylish aesthetic supported by great characters. It's a little darker and more of a sprawling epic than past seasons — but Season 4 is also an allegory for depression and trauma, bringing real-life stakes to the show's fanciful sci-fi.
Turn Off: The Time Traveler's Wife
(Crave)
This time-traveling romance was a bestselling book in 2003 and a successful movie in 2009 — but with a tone that careens between sitcom and saccharine, and ham-fisted words of wisdom ("The future is just what shows up when you're looking for something else," Game of Thrones actor Rose Leslie is forced to say), it's hard to imagine why HBO wanted anything to do with it.
