How To Make Gravy
Sunday, streaming on Binge
How blessed we’ve been this year to score not one, but two fabulous homegrown Aussie Christmas flicks: Stan’s terrific (and terrifically funny) Nugget Is Dead: A Christmas Story, and now this, the much-anticipated cinematic reimagining of Paul Kelly’s classic track.
ARIA award-winning musician Meg Washington and her husband Nick Waterman have brought the song to the screen, and they’ve crafted an exquisite film full of heart, joy and sadness that sits right up there with the best films to ever come out of this country.
We’ve finally got our own Christmas classic.
All the characters from the song are here: there’s Dan and Joe, and Stella’s “flying in from the coast” along with the dreaded Roger. Angus, Frank and Dolly get a look-in, as does Mary and her new boyfriend (can he hold his own? You’ll find out!), and Rita, played by French actor Agathe Rousselle.
She and 10-year-old Angus (Jonah Wren Phillips) are at the heart of the beautifully realised story, which takes a look at Joe (Daniel Henshall) and how he’s faring while doing an 18-month stint in jail.
These central three, plus Brenton Thwaites, who plays Joe’s brother Dan, give incredible performances that will rip your guts out, they’re so moving.
Joe is trying his best to keep his head down and stay out of trouble so he can get good behaviour and be home for his son’s birthday, but things aren’t going to plan. It’s not until he meets ‘”lifer” Noel (played by Hugo Weaving, all Santa-esque in this, complete with bushy beard and wise-but-kind face) that things start looking up.
How gravy, and all the aforementioned characters fit into the story, well — you’ll have to watch. But it all works seamlessly, as does the introduction of new characters and original music, crafted by Washington.
Full disclosure: this is a real tear-jerker, but in the best possible way. And it’s not a stretch to think generations of movie-goers will make watching this flick every “Gravy Day”, aka December 21, a new Christmas tradition.
Don’t miss this one.
Pop Culture Jeopardy
Wednesday, streaming on Prime Video
I’ll take “thirst traps” for a thousand, thanks Colin Jost, aka host of this show, aka SNL writer, aka Scarlett Johansson’s husband. This show, which is a riff on the popular Jeopardy format, is tailor-made for those of us who absolutely NAIL it on the pop culture round at our local pub quiz, but can’t for the life of us remember the capital of Slovenia. The categories for the questions are hilarious — “sad girl summer”, “thirst traps”, you get the gist — and this is a great show to second-screen to. And for those wondering: the capital of Slovenia is Ljubljana. You’re welcome.
Earth Abides
Monday, streaming on Binge
This might seem like yet another post-apocalyptic scare-fest, but this new series, starring Vikings’ Alexander Ludwig, is so much more interesting than that. It’s a fascinating premise, and episode one sees Ludwig doing some of the finest acting of his career, which is saying something.
Black Doves
Thursday, streaming on Netflix
Keira Knightley! Sarah Lancashire! Ben Whishaw! I mean, talk about an incredible cast. This spy series is getting heaps of hype. Pop this on your radar.
The Agency
Streaming now on Paramount Plus
This espionage series, described as a “fresh take” on the critically acclaimed hit French drama Le Bureau des Legendes, boasts an incredible cast, including Michael Fassbender, Jodie Turner-Smith and Richard Gere — need we say more?