As the merry month of May closes in, here are some streaming options that just dropped on our favorite providers. One is distilled Action, Tom Clancy-style, and the other a Polish YA Limited Series that amuses. And one for those who love Pets.
Without Remorse (Amazon Prime) - Based on a character found in Tom Clancy’s novels, this is the story behind how Jack Kelley became John Clark, a shadowy figure who’d crop up every so often in Clancy’s stories. He’d assist Jack Ryan; the central hero of several Clancy novels, and here is what is intended to be the start of a new franchise - that of John Clark. To make things more interesting and I would presume in the name of diversity, Kelley/Clark is portrayed by Michael B. Jordan - a hard-nosed, outspoken member of the US Armed Forces, on a covert mission in Syria, as directed by the CIA, as the film opens. Directed by Stefano Sollima (who directed Sicario 2), you can’t fault the film for its action sequences and firepower.
What I do find convoluted and implausible are the explanations and conspiracy narrative that supposed to explain what’s going on in this revenge/conspiracy thriller. In fact, it’s practically shouting tone deaf as one Government official tries to explain to an African-American that the reason for playing these ‘games’ with Russia is that ‘A big country needs big enemies… problem today is half the country thinks the other half is it’s enemy.’ That’s like saying Black Lives Matter is happening only because there’s no big enemy like Russia to preoccupy the minds of Americans. And that is typical Clancy, great at war tech and doomsday scenarios, but weak on socio-political thought.
Sexify (Netflix Poland) - From Poland comes this YA Limited Series that bravely straddles the line between sweet and precious on one hand, and sexy and steamy on the other hand. Natalia is one of those science nerds who does a great job all by herself, of being super-competitive and unlivable. She’s crushed when her professor tells her that her dissertation of an App about Sleep just isn’t sexy enough. She has this old friend Paulina, and they meet a new friend Monika - and when the discussion revolves around what everybody needs, they stumble upon the realization that it’s sex, and for women, it’s the female orgasm.
What follows is the misadventures of creating an app that would help women optimize their search for reaching orgasm. Yes, there are some similarities in subject to Sex Education; but in fairness, this is quite different in approach and narrative. At some point, it becomes about sisterhood, finding yourself, appreciating the commonalities and the differences, and keeping it light and bubbly mean the three girls never stray from being likable. Of course there’s sex often portrayed, but it’s done in a sanitized, YA manner. At 8 episodes, it does overreach in terms of keeping our interest, and I think this would have worked better if some pruning and editing had been done.
Pet Stars (Netflix) - If you’re one of those who scroll down your social media apps and will always stop and linger when you spy the ones of pets or animals, then this is the series that’s meant for you. It goes behind the scenes and helps us understand how the proliferation of these carefully curated pet pics comes about, and how the people behind it, are driven, resourceful entrepreneurs - dedicated to their niche business, and making big bucks from all the attention. They seek opportunities for the pets they represent to get hired for commercials and appearances.
Colleen and Melissa are behind the talent agency Pets on Q, and what they basically do is represent your pet if they think the pet has ‘potential’. They lead a crazy, unusual lifestyle. One aspect of this enterprise is that they head to Petaluma, Northern California for the annual Ugliest Dog contest, with the dog contestants and owners that they have on their client roster. Then on another given week, they’re sitting in on a commercial shoot, helping the account audition the pet talents who will grace the commercial. And of course it helps that throughout the five episodes, we’re treated to so many pets and their curated photographs.