Selected programming for Jan. 4-5, 2025

[Robin Miller]

Previously released:


Love Child (movie) (Netflix, Jan. 2)

While raising their autistic son, Ayla and Paolo face societal
skepticism and economic stress, forcing them to reassess their future
plans. 2024 Filipino film; 1hr 41m.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81946499

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32915305/



The Black Swindler [Kurosagi] [new to US?; complete miniseries)
(Netflix, Jan. 1)

After Kurosaki loses his family to a devastating scam, he decides to
seek revenge and becomes a "black swindler" who cons other con artists.
2022 Japanese series; 10 episodes. Remake of 2006 series, which was also
added to Netflix today.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81780778

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23062408/

2006 series:

https://www.netflix.com/title/81781809

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0824021/ [as "Kurosagi"; rating 7.1]



Seven Figures [new to US?; complete miniseries] (Netflix,
Jan. 1)

To prepare them for the big change in their lives, six lottery winners
are only entitled to their newfound wealth after completing a mandatory
workshop. 2023 Israeli comedy; 8 episodes.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81779209

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28079116/ [as "Six Zeroes"]



Dune: Part Two (movie) (Netflix, Dec. 31)

2hr 45m. Also streaming on Max. "Dune: Part One" from 2021 was also added.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81602836

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15239678/ [rating 8.5]



Norman's Rare Guitars (documentary) (Netflix, Dec. 31)

At his world-famous LA guitar shop, founder Norman Harris reflects on
his legacy as legendary musicians sing his praises in this heartfelt
documentary. 2024 film; 1hr 38m.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81979064

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12914718/



Kang Mak from Pee Mak (movie) (Netflix, Dec. 31)

Returning home with his friends, a soldier reunites with his wife, not
knowing she's become a ghost. But her death's not the end of their love
story. 2024 Indonesian film; 2hr 2m.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81971170

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31109457/ [as "Kang Mak"; rating 6.8]



Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (movie) (Netflix, Dec. 30)

The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and
teamup with Mad Max. Stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke,
Alyla Browne, George Shevtsov, and Lachy Hulme. 2024 Australian film;
2hr 28m. Also streaming on Max.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81610642

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12037194/ [rating 7.5]



Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 1 (movie) (Netflix, Dec. 30)

During the Civil War, American settlers confront history and seize the
future as they encroach on Western Apache land in newly established
territory. Stars Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena
Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, and Will Patton. 2024 film; 3hr 1m. Also
streaming on Max. Chapter 2 is complete but has not yet been released
theatrically.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81902151

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17505010/ [rating 6.7]



I Am the Secret in Your Heart (movie) (Netflix, Dec. 30)

Swooning over a charming transfer student, a high school teen becomes
entangled in a love triangle between her crush and a close childhood
friend. 2024 Taiwanese film; 1hr 51m

https://www.netflix.com/title/81942170

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32991372/ [as "Xia ri de ning meng cao"]



Suffocating Love (movie) (Netflix, Dec. 30)

Feeling trapped by his controlling girlfriend, a young man wishes for
freedom -- only to discover the terrifying consequences when his dream
comes true. 2024 Taiwanese film; 1hr 42m.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81945658

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32536634/



The Watchers (movie) (Netflix, Dec. 30)

When Mina's car breaks down in a bleak forest, three strangers take her
into their bunker -- where mysterious creatures take note of their every
move. Stars Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Olwen Fouéré, Oliver
Finnegan, Alistair Brammer, and John Lynch. 2024 film; 1hr 41m. Also
streaming on Max.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81776691

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26736843/ [rating 5.7]


*****************************************************************************************


Saturday, Jan. 4


When the Stars Gossip [new] (3:01 am, Netflix)

From two different worlds and with separate missions, an astronaut and
a space tourist entangle in space--only to start falling for each other.
Korean limited series; 16 episodes released individually on Saturday and
Sunday through Feb. 23.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81970550

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26215550/



Love of the Irish (movie) (8 pm, Hallmark Channel)

Tired of her bad luck, Fiona takes her mom on a trip to Ireland to turn
things around where she meets a charming single dad who helps her make
her own luck. Stara Shenae Grimes-Beech, Stephen Hagan and Moira Kelly.

https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/love-of-the-irish

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31943282/



Vanished Out of Sight (movie) (8 pm, Lifetime Channel)

Claire Lewis, a blind woman, is overly cautious with her six-year-old
daughter Briar. When Briar goes missing Christmas day Claire faces her
worst nightmare and sets out in darkness to find her. Stars Annalise
Basso, Steven Ogg, Jay Huguley, Tracy Campbell, and Avalon Reign.

https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/vanished-out-of-sight

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19356084/ [as "Blind River"]


*****************************************************************************************


Sunday, Jan. 5


America's Funniest Home Videos (season 35 winter premiere)
(7 pm, ABC)



82nd Golden Globe Awards (live event) (8-11 pm ET/ 5-8 pm PT,
CBS)

Nikki Glaser hosts.



Vanished in Death Valley (movie) (8 pm, Lifetime Channel)

A teenage girl goes missing when her family’s car breaks down in Death
Valley and her parents will need to make unlikely allies if they are to
find their daughter before she disappears forever. Stars Aryè Campos,
Katherine Joan Taylor, and Matthew Pohlkamp.

https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/vanished-in-death-valley

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34867028/



The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper (season 3 premiere)
(8 pm, CNN)



Mayfair Witches (season 2 premiere) (9 pm, AMC)

Eight episodes running through March 2.

When Calls the Heart (season 12 premiere) (9 pm,
Hallmark Channel)

12 episodes.

Vienna Blood (season 4 premiere) (10 pm, PBS)

1900s Vienna is a hotbed of philosophy, science and art. Dr. Max
Liebermann's extraordinary skills of perception and Detective Inspector
Oskar Rheinhardt's determination lead them to some of the city's most
mysterious and deadly cases. Four episdoes running through Jan. 26.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9179616/ [rating 7.6]


*****************************************************************************************

[Ian J. Ball]

Dune: Part Two     (movie)        (Netflix, Dec. 31)
2hr 45m. Also streaming on Max.   "Dune: Part One" from 2021 was also
added.
https://www.netflix.com/title/81602836
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15239678/   [rating 8.5]

Yep, they have both been on Max for months/years.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga      (movie)        (Netflix, Dec. 30)
The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and
teamup with Mad Max. Stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke,
Alyla Browne, George Shevtsov, and Lachy Hulme. 2024 Australian film;
2hr 28m. Also streaming on Max.
https://www.netflix.com/title/81610642
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12037194/     [rating 7.5]

Also been on Max for months...

Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 1      (movie)        (Netflix, Dec. 30)
During the Civil War, American settlers confront history and seize the
future as they encroach on Western Apache land in newly established
territory. Stars Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena
Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, and Will Patton. 2024 film; 3hr 1m. Also
streaming on Max. Chapter 2 is complete but has not yet been released
theatrically.

I still have to get to this (on Max). But it's 3 hours...

The Watchers      (movie)        (Netflix, Dec. 30)
When Mina's car breaks down in a bleak forest, three strangers take her
into their bunker -- where mysterious creatures take note of their every
move. Stars Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Olwen Fouéré, Oliver
Finnegan, Alistair Brammer, and John Lynch. 2024 film; 1hr 41m. Also
streaming on Max.
https://www.netflix.com/title/81776691
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26736843/       [rating 5.7]

Ditto - but I'm not in a huge hurry as I've not heard great things about it.

        Saturday, Jan. 4
Love of the Irish           (movie)          (8 pm, Hallmark Channel)
Tired of her bad luck, Fiona takes her mom on a trip to Ireland to turn
things around where she meets a charming single dad who helps her make
her own luck. Stara Shenae Grimes-Beech, Stephen Hagan and Moira Kelly.
https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/love-of-the-irish
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31943282/

I still like Shenae Grimes. But social media is right about one thing -
her current hair style is atrocious.

Vanished Out of Sight       (movie)        (8 pm, Lifetime Channel)
Claire Lewis, a blind woman, is overly cautious with her six-year-old
daughter Briar. When Briar goes missing Christmas day Claire faces her
worst nightmare and sets out in darkness to find her. Stars Annalise
Basso, Steven Ogg, Jay Huguley, Tracy Campbell, and Avalon Reign.
https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/vanished-out-of-sight
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19356084/     [as "Blind River"]

Damn. Another one I won't get to until next week. But I love Annalise
Basso, and so will be all over this.

        Sunday, Jan. 5
Vanished in Death Valley       (movie)        (8 pm, Lifetime Channel)
A teenage girl goes missing when her family’s car breaks down in Death
Valley and her parents will need to make unlikely allies if they are to
find their daughter before she disappears forever. Stars Aryè Campos,
Katherine Joan Taylor, and Matthew Pohlkamp.
https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/vanished-in-death-valley
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34867028/

Ditto, though I'm much less interested in this Lifetime flick...

Mayfair Witches         (season 2 premiere)        (9 pm, AMC)
Eight episodes running through March 2.
http://youtu.be/3MNwkfKwNwY

Gah. Not sure what to do here - I guess I could DVR it, and binge the
season in March, as Spectrum hasn't give me/us AMC+ yet.

When Calls the Heart         (season 12 premiere)          (9 pm,
Hallmark Channel)
12 episodes.
http://youtu.be/OXUf8tCOW3o

[roll]

Vienna Blood         (season 4 premiere)         (10 pm, PBS)
1900s Vienna is a hotbed of philosophy, science and art. Dr. Max
Liebermann's extraordinary skills of perception and Detective Inspector
Oskar Rheinhardt's determination lead them to some of the city's most
mysterious and deadly cases. Four episdoes running through Jan. 26.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9179616/     [rating 7.6]

Huh?!

[anim8rfsk]

Vienna Blood         (season 4 premiere)         (10 pm, PBS)
1900s Vienna is a hotbed of philosophy, science and art. Dr. Max
Liebermann's extraordinary skills of perception and Detective Inspector
Oskar Rheinhardt's determination lead them to some of the city's most
mysterious and deadly cases. Four episdoes running through Jan. 26.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9179616/     [rating 7.6]

Huh?!

That’s been the reaction to every press release about this.

[Adam H. Kerman]

Vienna Blood (season 4 premiere) (10 pm, PBS)
1900s Vienna is a hotbed of philosophy, science and art. Dr. Max
Liebermann's extraordinary skills of perception and Detective Inspector
Oskar Rheinhardt's determination lead them to some of the city's most
mysterious and deadly cases. Four episdoes running through Jan. 26.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9179616/ [rating 7.6]

Huh?!

I've posted reviews of this. It's set in turn of the (20th) century Vienna
among the city's important and growing Jewish community. It's fantasy,
of course, as there was lots of anti-Semitism in Vienna and it was
rising during this period.

Adapted from the novels of Frank Tallis but I've never checked to see
which tv scripts are adaptations and which are new to television.

Max Liebermann (Matthew Beard) was a student of Freud and used his
psycho-analytical skills to help the police solve utterly bizarre and
wacky murders that are so very common on tv. His best friend is Oskar
Rheinhardt (Jurgen Maurer), a police inspector. The murders can be
gothic horror or something unrealistic.

These are 90 minute episodes on BBC 2. Each of the first three seasons
were three episodes each. It's produced in Vienna with a largely central
European cast, although no one seems to be Austrian. The actors
portraying the Libermann family and friends and the few women Max has
"dated" are not Jewish.

Season 4 will be one story that was shown in two 90-minute episodes n
BBC 2.

PBS airs these 5 to 6 month after their UK broadcast premiere and splits
each 90 minute episode into two 60 minute episodes with tons of filler.
I usually hold off watching till I can watch both halves together but I
don't know what I will do this season.

According to The Futon Critic, PBS has added additional titles to
episodes 2-4 that UK viewers wouldn't have seen.