This Week’s Issue
Highlights include the George Clooney-directed The Tender Bar and a doc about basketball great Vince Carter
Courtesy of Amazon Prime Canada
Ben Affleck (left) and Tye Sheridan star in the George Clooney-directed The Tender Bar.
In his eighth film as director, George Clooney attempts to rebound from last year’s earthbound The Midnight Sky with this adaptation of J.R. Moehringer’s coming-of-age memoir about a fatherless kid whose wise, working-class uncle inspires him to read and become a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. Like many actors-turned-directors, Clooney has always been good directing other actors, so expect fine performances by Daniel Ranieri and Tye Sheridan (who play JR at different stages), Ben Affleck (who plays the charismatic Uncle Charlie) and Lily Rabe as JR’s mom. January 7
During the dead of winter, there’s nothing like cozying up on a sofa and watching a film set in a frigid climate. This hour-long documentary, part of PBS’s Nova series, follows scientists on an Arctic research expedition as they encounter polar bears, ice cracks and brutal cold. Their findings about climate change – wait until you discover what the title refers to – could make your blood run cold. January 7
Eight-time All-Star and slam dunk champ Carter is the only athlete in NBA history to play 22 seasons. Justin C. Polk’s documentary chronicles the highs and lows of the former Toronto Raptor’s life and career. Featuring interviews with Carter as well as basketball greats like Charles Barkley and Julius Erving, the film will definitely score with fans as the season heats up. January 13
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
It was only a matter of time before the Hotel Transylvania franchise played with the idea of mismatched bodies. Now it’s arrived. After Van Helsing’s (voiced by Jim Gaffigan) invention called the “Monsterification Ray” breaks down, Drac (Brian Hull) and his monster friends become humans, while Johnny (Andy Samberg) becomes a monster. Sheridan College grad Jennifer Kluska, who began her career as a storyboard artist on HT 2 and 3, directs her first feature. January 14
Recent TV has offered up lots of interesting, authentic representations of people on the autism spectrum (see Love On The Spectrum, Atypical, On The Spectrum). Now comes a new eight-part dramedy series about three 20-something roommates who are all on the spectrum. What’s refreshing is that the actors who play the leads – Rick Glassman, Albert Rutecki and Sue Ann Pien – all identify as being on the spectrum. The cast is rounded out with Sosie Bacon, Chris Pang and Joe Mantegna, and the show runner is Jason Katims, whose impressive resume includes Friday Night Lights, Roswell and Parenthood. January 21
Two-time Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi’s The Hero premieres in January.
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi has won two foreign language film Oscars – for 2011’s A Separation and 2016’s The Salesman. His latest – which won the Grand Prix at Cannes 2021 – is about a man (Amir Jadidi) who’s imprisoned because of an unpaid debt trying to convince his creditor to withdraw his complaint. Expect lots of explorations of thorny philosophical issues about guilt, innocence, honour and goodness. January 21
The Legend Of Vox Machina
Here’s an adult animated series that seems perfect for winter binge-watching. The title refers to a group of hard-living, hard-drinking misfits who, in a quest to pay off their bar tabs, become heroes in order to save their planet from dark forces. The show’s old school animation, D & D roots and Kickstarter financing mean this could be the next cult sensation. January 28
***
The full list of TV shows and movies coming to Amazon Prime Video Canada in January 2022:
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
Fury
Zombieland
Open Season
The Big Chill
The Tender Bar
Arctic Drift
Vince Carter: Legacy
Joe Bell
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
Do, Re & Mi S1
Being Erica (season 4)
All Things Valentine
Home By Spring
As We See It (season 1)
My Son
A Hero
Nancy Drew (season 2)
Epic Movie
Escape Room: Tournament Of Champions
Charmed (season 3)
The Legend of Vox Machina
