August: What to watch, stream, read and listen to this week

Monday, August 22

House of the Dragon, Sky Atlantic

Fans were devastated when the uber-popular American fantasy drama Game of Thrones came to an end on May 19, 2019. More than two years later and the prequel has finally landed on Sky Atlantic. As the word “prequel” suggests, all of the action takes place before Game of Thrones – 300 years before. Also inspired by one of George R R Martin’s original books, Fire and Blood, it will chronicle the beginning of the end of House Targaryen along with the events leading up to the Targaryen Civil War (aka the Dance of the Dragons) and the aftermath of the Doom of Valyria.

Tuesday, August 23

Jane Fonda in Five Acts, 10:05pm, Sky Documentaries 

 

Directed by Susan Lacy, Jane Fonda in Five Acts is an intimate look at the life and work of the world-famous actress and fitness tycoon, featuring numerous interviews with the star where she speaks candidly about her life and missteps. First premiering at the Sundance Film Festival back in 2018, the film was later released on HBO and was subsequently nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special that same year. It also has a 97 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Wednesday, August 24

Lost Ollie, Netflix 

A patchwork rabbit with floppy ears and fuzzy memories embarks on an epic quest to find his best friend – the young boy he desperately loves. Jonathan Groff, Mary J. Blige, Tim Blake Nelson and Gina Rodriguez all feature.

Thursday, August 25

The White Rock, by Anna Hope

Brought to you by the bestselling author of Expectation, The White Rock is an intimate novel about four people whose stories converge across four centuries at the shores of Mexico’s sacred White Rock. An ambitious but deeply relatable and urgent novel about motherhood, fertility, colonialism, exploitation, fame, sacrifice and the climate crisis, you’ll be hooked from the get-go. 

Friday, August 26 

Licorice Pizza, Amazon Prime

Alana Haim makes her movie debut in this recent hit from Paul Thomas Anderson. Nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, the 70s-set classic centres on Gary Valentine, a teenager in love with an older woman (Haim). The storyline is a little creepy but the cinematography and soundtrack are dreamy, so give it a chance. 

Saturday, August 27

My Best Friend’s Wedding, 6:55pm, E4

This movie has it all; 90s-era Julia Roberts, unrequited love and even a grand musical number. Rupert Everett is but the cherry on top this delicious masterpiece. A food critic s) (Roberts) realises she is in love with her best friend (Dermot Mulroney) just as he announces he is going to marry another woman (Cameron Diaz).  On sabotaging the ceremony and keeping him for herself, Julianne sets off to stir the pot… but persuading the groom to give up on his bride-to-be proves trickier than expected. If you haven’t read this Vulture article about how the movie changed rom-coms for good, then best start with that.

Sunday, August 29

Fancy a Chat?, wherever you get your podcasts

 

Love Island came to an end earlier this month, with Italian stallion Davide Sanclimenti and queen of the world (not really, but she should be) Ekin-Su Cülcülo?lu taking the crown as this year’s winners. Three full weeks later and we’re still trying to fill the villa-shaped void in our hearts. Sadly, we’ll have to wait until next summer until another batch of islanders grace our screens but Toby Aromolaran’s podcast is a good distraction until then. His latest ep (which dropped yesterday) sees him chat to our very own Dami Hope who apparently spills “ALL the Love Island 2022 tea”… including the truth behind Jacques’ departure, his friendship with Paige and the Casa Amor drama.