Now that the Olympics are officially over, here’s what you should be watching.
If you haven’t already signed up for Disney+ Hotstar, the new streaming platform that launched in Thailand on June 30, now is the time. With subscription rates as low as THB 799 per year for AIS customers, the streaming site is hoping to build a solid fan base in Thailand with its exclusive and original content.
To help you navigate this (relatively) new and overwhelming sea of content, we’ve rounded up some highlights for you.
To usher in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel has shifted their focus to mini series that allow for deeper plots and character exploration. The shows outline the aftermath of the Avengers’ final showdown with Thanos and keeps us up to date with the superheroes and villains that we’ve become more attached to than we care to admit.
“The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” follows the same thematic vein of what we’re used to seeing from Marvel: action-packed fighting sequences, villains that aren’t entirely evil, and the unveiling of new characters straight from the comic books.
“WandaVision” explores a surprising T.V. format, sit-coms, and it does so with great success — even earning lead actress Elizabeth Olsen an Emmy nomination. For the first time, audiences will get an in-depth look at Wanda’s and Vision’s relationship on screen, as well as a better understanding of the Scarlet Witch’s power.
“Loki” brings back the Asgardian God of Mischief, played by the charismatic Tom Hiddleston. Expect a complete cinematic experience with twists and turns, action, romance and a whole lot of sarcasm from everyone’s favorite “villain.”
Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo film premiered on Disney+ earlier this year to mixed reviews. Though the “Black Widow” serves more as a transitional piece to introduce a new character — we’re talking about Florence Pugh’s highly praised role as Yelena — it does bring to light a lot of Natasha’s past and answers a lot of questions we had up until now.
After months of delays due to the pandemic, “Cruella” premiered on Disney+ and select movie theaters in May 2021. Set in 1970s London, “Cruella” follows the early days of one of cinema’s most notorious villains, Cruella DeVil. Aside from being an easy watch, “Cruella” should also be added to your list for its stellar cast (Emma Stone, Emma Thompson) and equally stellar fashion.
If your sense of adventure is as strong as your appetite, “Gordon Ramsay Uncharted” might just be your new favorite show. The National Geographic series sees the pottymouth chef travel to lesser known corners of the world in search of local ingredients and recipes. At the end of each episode is an exciting cook-off between Ramsay and a renowned chef from the region. Although the show’s primary focus is on cooking, you’ll also get to see Ramsay engage unfamiliar cultures and customs.
Throughout the years, Disney has perfected their recipe for family-friendly animated films, straddling a delicate line to make their movies resonate with audiences of all ages. “Raya and the Last Dragon” is proof no one strikes this balance as well as Disney does. In the film, viewers get taken on a quest with Raya — worth mentioning that she’s Disney’s first Southeast Asian heroine — in an intricately crafted world filled with stunning visual elements.
“Luca” uses Disney’s tried and proven formula of a coming-of-age story enriched with beautiful animations. Though, just because we’ve seen it before doesn’t mean we shouldn’t see it again. Set in a seaside town on the Italian Riviera, the film has its own quirks and follows a unique plot centered around friendship, gelato, pasta and sea monsters.
Straight from the get-go, “Soul” delivers an emotional punch as musician teacher Joe gets into an accident right after landing the gig of a lifetime. In a bid to recover his soul, Joe explores the Great Beyond where he rediscovers his passion for jazz. Be prepared to break open a box of Kleenex for this one.
“The Mandalorian” expands on the Star Wars universe and takes place five years after the events of “Return of the Jedi”. The film stars Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin, a lone Mandalorian bounty hunter on a mission to retrieve “The Child”. While some of Star Wars’ cinematic releases have been lackluster of late, “The Mandalorian” is anything but. Regardless of whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, this is one you won’t want to miss. Not to mention, the baby Yoda meme that’s been making the rounds on the internet is a testament to the success and popularity of the show.
Jeff Goldbum has developed somewhat of a cult following, and rightfully so; his offbeat personality is entertaining and charming all at once. Each episode in “The World According to Jeff Goldblum” looks at familiar objects—like sneakers or ice cream—but through the lens of Goldblum’s inquisitive and eccentric mind. Filled with fascinating facts and surprising connections, this show offers a different, and welcome, perspective of the world around us.
Looking for some adrenaline from your sofa? Look no further. The awe-inspiring “Free Solo” revolves around rock climber Alex Honnold and how he conquered El Capitan — a 900-meter vertical rock face — entirely free-solo, i.e. without any safety harnesses. Honnold shows how ambition, sheer dedication, and meticulous preparation can work in tandem to push human limits to the extreme. Though, the documentary is much more than just about the physical feat itself; it’s also a celebration of human accomplishment and Honnold’s emotional awakening.
Disney brings one of the most critically acclaimed Broadway musicals of all time to your screens with the musical drama film rendition of “Hamilton.“ To capture the authentic feel and infectious energy of an actual live theatre performance, the footage used was taken from three live performances in 2016 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in Manhattan. “Hamilton” tells the story of founding father, Alexander Hamilton, through songs heavily influenced by hip hop.
Writer: Noah Sumayao (@noahsumayao)
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