The top entertainment picks to enjoy this December

From the long-term effects of contact sport to a side-splitting trilogy, a wallflower turned serial killer and a visit to Morrocco this month there should be something for everyone to enjoy.

Plum

Written by and starring Brendan Cowell, with Asher Keddie and Jemaine Clement, Plum tells the story of a retired rugby league hero. A degenerative brain disorder diagnosis creates chaos in his life and the lives of those around him. It raises many questions about the long-term impacts of contact sport and strong characterisations create a relationship that has the viewer invested in the outcomes. Watch for special guest appearances from Australian rugby league greats Andrew “Joey” Johns and Mark “Spudd” Carroll. Plum is on ABC and ABC iView.

Lonely Planet

If you can ignore the lacklustre plot and less than exciting performances you may enjoy the wonderful backdrop of Morrocco in this romance starring Laura Dern, Liam Hemsworth and Diana Silvers. It’s a rom com that won’t stretch your brain and is a nice Friday night wind down movie or even an escape from Christmas. Plot line is that Owen (Hemsworth) accompanies his very unlikable girlfriend and newly successful writer Lily, (Silvers) to a writer’s retreat. At the same retreat is successful writer Katherine, (Dern) who is using the retreat to hide from some issues in her own life and to try to get her latest novel written. Spoiler alert?

You can guess the rest but if you are going to make a movie that features an age difference between the leads make it one that actually looks like an age difference. Laura Dern might be older than Liam Hemsworth but few women look as good as she does in her mid-50’s. It took me a little while to figure out that there was an age difference and it was a feature of the story. Written and directed by Susanah Grant watch it just for the scenery which will transport you to one of the most magical countries on the planet. Watch it on Netflix

Sweet Pea

This English miniseries is complicated, funny and very dark. Perhaps best described as a revenge fantasy Rhiannon is a wallflower often overlooked, lives with her Dad, her dog and works as assistant at the local paper with her boss calling her “sweetpea” as he throws his coat at her but generally overlooks her existence. Rhiannon’s Dad’s death and a chance encounter changes everything as Rhiannon seeks revenge. The series was created by Kristie Swan based on the book of the same name written by CJ Skuse and stars Ella Purnell as Rhiannon Lewis.

The opening credits are a story within themselves, don’t skip them, they are a work of art. Neon lights, rain soaked streets and the main character reciting “people I’d like to kill “ as she sits on the bus. Everyday objects became objects of violence as a reflection of the duality of her thoughts. Bizarre but brilliant.

Best in Show, A Mighty Wind and Waiting for Guffman

I stumbled on this gem mockumentary again recently and rewatched it. A funny and clever movie from Christopher Guest with Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy (Schitts’ Creek) five dog owners and their dogs travel to the prestigious Mayflower Dog Show each hoping to win the coveted Best in Show. The clever characterisations are well scripted and well delivered with Jane Lynch and Jennifer Coolidge as another dog owning couple.

If you enjoy Best in Show keep an eye out for the other two mockumentaries A Mighty Wind which casts an eye over folk music with three eclectic not quite famous folk bands gather to honour their manager with a reunion concert. The same group come together again in Waiting for Guffman with Christopher Guest starring as Corky St Clair who brings together the people of a small town to deliver a specially written musical piece to celebrate their town’s anniversary while the rumoured arrival of a theatre critic adds suspense to the event. Side-splitting laughter awaits you.