The top entertainment picks to enjoy this January

For the time of year when we need to retreat indoors in the hot afternoon it’s great to have some inspiring viewing but it is not always so easy to find. My viewing has been a bit hit and miss this month but I have a couple of enjoyable options for you.

Joan

Joan is based on real life and Joan Hannington’s memoir, I am What I am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief. This 6-part series was adapted by Anna Symon and stars Sophie Turner as Joan Hannington. Directed by Richard Laxton the series follows Joan’s journey from housewife and mother to petty offender and eventually diamond thief and criminal mastermind in the 1980s.

Costumes are special with some fabulous 80’s fashion and great attention to detail. Sophie Turner shines as brightly as any gem engendering real connection with the audience. Joan is a woman who just wants to do right by her daughter and eventually have her returned and while that is the starting point and her motivation things seem to quickly move beyond her control and she continues to make bad choices. Smart, attractive and strong Joan is a feminist in a crime world of men. There is no condoning theft, crime and violence but this mini series offers an interesting and alternate perspective. I watched Joan on Stan.

Our Little Secret

You have to watch at least one Christmas movie each year and despite entire channels showing nothing else for all of December I watched just one and it was so cringeworthy, I suspect intentionally, that it was hilarious. It stars Kristen Chenowith as a hostess and narcissistic mother and Lindsay Lohan as Avery. Avery and Logan were childhood sweethearts who haven’t seen each other since they broke up so when they are dating siblings and will both be attending family Christmas at their new partner’s parent’s homes it makes for a very awkward Christmas. They could just acknowledge that they have known each other for years but then there wouldn’t be much of a story so they decide to keep it a secret resulting in confusion and mayhem. The Christmas Mass scene was very funny. A typical Christmas movie, no surprises and you will figure out where it is heading within 10 minutes but at least some half-decent acting as Chenoweth and Lohan squeeze all they can from their characters. It’s light, cheery and funny. I watched it on Netflix.

A Man on the Inside

Ted Danson is Charles a retired architect who misses his late wife who passed after having Alzheimer’s disease. When he answers an advert from a private investigator and finds a new lease on life becoming an under-cover mole in an investigation in a nursing home. Amidst the humour there are some beautifully woven themes of ageing, friendship, healing and loneliness resulting in both humour and sadness wound intricately together. Ted Danson is delightful as are the many other older actors who are at the peak of their skills and bring their experience to the screen. There are 8 episodes in Season 1 and Season 2 has been announced. I watched it on Netflix.

How To Make Gravy

You know the song; you know Gravy Day is the 21 December so what is left for a movie to be made about? Lots it would seem. Based on Paul Kelly’s song, writers Nick Waterman and Meg Washington expand each of the song’s character’s scaffolding on the bones provided by the song. It was a bit reminiscent in parts of Boy Meets Universe with a great performance by Jonah Wren Phillips as Angus. Hugo Weaving is wonderful and the clever cameo with Paul Kelly is worth looking out for. It’s a wonderful Australian movie that is great viewing with all the feels. Don’t wait until next Gravy Day to watch it.