The top entertainment picks to enjoy this February

So much to look forward to as we start to settle into the new year. February will see the White Lotus Season 3 and Season 3 of Just Like That will follow. Nine will screen The Madam described as “an award winning New Zealand series with Rachel Griffiths who leases a motel and sets up a feminist ethical brothel”. Sounds great. Meanwhile, here is what I’ve been watching.

Until I Kill You

I stumbled across this on ABC TV where they screened 2 episodes but then I had to login to iView because I couldn’t go to bed not knowing what happened in the next episode. Based on a true story and the book Living with a Serial Killer by Delia Balmer this gripping four-part series chronicles Delia’s harrowing relationship with serial killer John Sweeney whom she met in a pub in London 1991. As the series was based on her book, I figured Delia had to survive but I still needed to know what happened which led to a very late-night binge.

The traumatic journey has some very violent scenes and Delia’s resultant trust issues, PTSD following a near fatal attack make Delia hard to like at times, but what a survivor Delia is. The challenges of the legal system enact further trauma to an already traumatised victim. Her bravery, albeit somewhat forced, led to the eventual conviction of Sweeney for murders of other women. Until I Kill You was directed by Julia Ford and written by Nick Stevens with Anna Maxwell Martin as Delia Blamer and Shaun Evans as a chilling John Sweeney. Watch it on iView.

The Six Triple Eight

During World War 2 the 6888 battalion were given the seemingly impossible task of fixing a three year back log of undeliverable mail to troops. The 6888th battalion was an all-female black battalion who had to overcome significant discriminatory actions and behaviours in addition to a task that was set up for failure.

They arrive in Italy to be confronted by hangars full of mail, all 17 million pieces, but first the 855 women have to clean and build their own accommodation and workspaces, including a hair salon before they attempt the task that they have been given. I suspect the real unit may not have spent the entire war looking quite as fabulous as they do in the movie but it’s a story that needed to be told. They complete their task in half the allocated time putting families and serving forces in touch with one another. A lovely treat is a piece at the end of the movie by one of the members of the battalion.

Directed by Tyler Perry with Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams and Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derricotte King this movie shares an important story that deserves to be told. The Six Triple Eight is entertaining history and I’m really glad I watched it on Netflix.

Made in Italy

Liam Neeson, plays a tortured artist still carrying guilt from the death of his lovely Italian wife when his estranged son contacts him because he needs to sell the Italian Villa that belonged to his wife and they share ownership of. They start to rebuild their relationship as they rebuild the villa. Neeson’s son Michael plays his son in the movie which was written and directed by James D’Arcy. It is a bit predictable but the beauty of the Tuscan countryside allows much to be forgiven. There is a standout performance from Lindsay Duncan as realtor Kate and a funny scene with some rather obnoxious potential purchasers. Just enjoy the scenery.