The must see small screen offerings to check out this August

This month, I explored a few popular television offerings to find some interesting options to share with you.

America’s Sweethearts The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders

Netflix’s seven-part series could be subtitled Winding Back Feminism. Since 1961, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have entertained crowds with dynamic dance moves, and high kicks, promoting a brand and money-making enterprise both on and off the football field.

I struggle to understand the attraction of working ludicrous hours, usually as a second job, pushing your body to the limits with demanding dance moves while having to look a specific way and all the while earning less than anyone else involved in the spectacle of a big game day but as I also think the whole pageant and other former beauty contests are a bit bonkers too it shouldn’t be a big surprise.

Yet, despite my misgivings, it was still enjoyable to watch although lacking a cohesive storyline. The series journeys through auditions, training camp, and then a full season entertaining crowds of 90,000 people. There are a few characters highlighted and surprising moments that are both worthwhile and entertaining.

The squeaky-clean series however does gloss over an inappropriate touching incident, an eating disorder, and some apparent mental health issues all in the name of short white shorts and cowboy boots but every year so many talented young American women aspire to wear the uniform as they compete to live out their Disneyesque Princess dream. While the concept is exploitative and possibly belongs in another era, I found myself hooked and enjoying the series whilst trying hard not to.

I Am Celine Dion

If you are a fan of Celine Dion be warned this documentary is highly triggering in parts as you watch a well-known and superbly talented woman struggle with the limitations of her body, ageing, and her refusal to accept either. Celine Dion has Stiff Person Syndrome, hasn’t performed for a few years, and mainly stays at home. I was left wondering why she made the documentary, while it is a great way to increase awareness and understanding of the very rare disease, I thought it was probably more about an insatiable appetite for her fans adoration or her need to explain herself to them. The show is littered with amazing moments during her career and the viewer is left in absolutely no doubt of the magnificence of her powerful voice along with some dubious fashion choices. The tour of her warehouse where every single costume and artefact from her life and career is kept is a reminder that Ms Dion does not live an ordinary life. The show is an insight into the crazy world of the super famous woman who I really wish could learn to love herself for all she is and be grateful for what she has. Instead, she asks herself, “Who is Celine Dion? She was the one who sang” as she struggles to separate who she is now from who she was and hoping against all available information to return to the world of performing. I Am is streaming on Paramount.

The Banshees of Inisherin

This is a polarising film with people either declaring it brilliant, dark, and poignant or a load of rubbish. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, Banshees was nominated for a host of awards in 2023

Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Screenplay. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson star in this story about long-term friends living on an island off the coast of Ireland who find themselves at an impasse when one of them, Colm decides to end their friendship. The other, Padriac seeks to repair it and things escalate when he refuses to abandon the relationship.

The setting is beautiful yet bleak with the distant war being heard across the sea. My favourite quote and there are some brilliant lines to choose from is when the priest asks, “do you think God gives a damn about miniature donkeys Colm?” And the reply, “I fear he doesn’t and that is where it has all gone wrong”.

I was ready to turn it off after about 20 minutes but The Bloke Who Shares the Couch (TBWSTC) and former Art house film goer was enjoying it so I sat through it until the end and found it hysterically funny in part and confronting in others. I am glad I kept watching and TBWSTC reckons it was one of the best he has seen in quite a while.

Seriously Red

This 2022 Australian movie directed by Grace Otto follows Red (Krew Boylan) as she seeks to change her career from real estate to becoming a full-time Dolly Parton impersonator. Boylan also wrote the movie which has some really great performances from well-known faces including Celeste Barber, Rose Byrne and Jean Kittson. It’s a rowdy and rambunctious musical dramedy with a lot of laughs as Red loses and eventually finds herself. It does have an R rating for sexual content and some nudity. Enjoyed it on Netflix.