OverSixty January 2023 Issue

28 ENTERTAINMENT ISSUE 3 | JANUARY 2023 | OVERSIXTY.COM.AU AT THE MOVIES ENTERTAINMENT What’s on The Fabelmans Drama This film is loosely based on the family and childhood of its director and co-writer Steven Spielberg. It follows 16-year- old aspiring filmmaker Sammy Fabelman who falls in love with movies after his parents take him to see The Greatest Show On Earth as a boy. Sammy, whose home movies delight his artistic mother, discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of film can help him see the truth. The Whale Psychological drama Acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky spent a decade looking for the perfect actor for this film, and appears to have found it in Brendan Fraser, who has captured audiences’ hearts (and earned Oscar talk) for his compassionate performance as Charlie, a reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher trying to reconnect with his 17-year-old daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink). The pair became estranged after Charlie left his family for a man, whose subsequent death sent him on a binge-eating spiral. Emily Biographical drama This fictionalised biopic is an imagined portrayal of the life of Wuthering Heights author Emily Brontë. Starring Emma Mackey, Emily is portrayed as a rebel and misfit, as she navigates her relationships with her fellow author sisters Charlotte and Anne, and her troubled brother Branwell. A forbidden romance with her widowed father’s new assistant curate – is shown as providing fodder for Emily’s classic tale about Catherine and Heathcliff, written a year before her untimely death. AMan Called Otto Comedy drama A remake of the 2015 Oscar-nominated Swedish comedy-drama, A Man Called Ove (from the book of the same name) A Man Called Otto stars Tom Hanks as a crotchety, retired widower who looks over his neighbourhood with a strict, judgmental eye. That all changes when a lively young family move in next door, and Otto finds himself forming an unlikely friendship with them. What happens next is funny, feelgood and life-affirming, as Otto finds himself transforming – despite his best efforts. Australian actress Frances O’Connor makes her directorial debut in this beautiful compelling (if historically inaccurate) piece of cinema. Wellmania Netflix Australian comedy drama series have been thin on the ground in recent years, which is why there’s much interest over this new Netflix series starring comic sensation Celeste Barber, based on the book Wellmania: Misadventures in the Search for Wellness by Brigid Delaney. Barber plays food writer and ‘human tornado’ Liv Healy, who is forced to reconsider her ‘live fast die young’ approach to life. Banned from entering the United States to fulfil her dream job until she fixes her health, she embarks on a frenzied journey to wellness, attempting everything from the basic to the bizarre in a bid to get healthy as fast as possible and reclaim her old life. With co-stars including JJ Fong as Liv’s best friend Amy, Genevieve Mooy as Liv’s mother, Lachlan Buchanan as Liv’s brother and and Alexander Hodge, as Liv’s love interest – as well as appearances from Miranda Otto and Aden Young, this eight- part series is, at time of press, looking to be released in January 2023. ON THE BOX Australian Idol Channel 7 and 7Plus After a 14-year hiatus from our TV screens, original musical talent reality TV show Australian Idol is now returning to our screens on its new home of Channel 7, amid great anticipation. Four new judges – Kyle Sandilands, Harry Connick, Jr, Meghan Trainor and Amy Shark – will be casting their expert judgement over the hopeful young stars, while original judge Marcia Hines will be returning as a special guest judge. Former Idol contestant Ricki-Lee Coulter will be hosting the show along with TV host Scott Tweedie. With the original show bringing us such vocal talents as Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll, Casey Donovan and Anthony Callea, it’s no wonder there’s so much buzz over who this musical juggernaut (the most widely watched television franchise in the world, Idol is broadcast in over 150 countries, and boasts a global audience of more than three billion viewers) will bring into the spotlight when it airs in January. Sporting events Australian Open All the Grand Slam tennis action taking place at Melbourne Park from January 16-29 can be watched live on Channel Nine. Men’s Hockey World Cup Live from India, watch the Kookaburras battle against the world’s best. Guinness Six Nation Rugby Championships Rugby union diehards can check out this epic battle between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales on Stan Sport. ICC World T20 Cricket (Women) See the Aussie defending champions take on hosts South Africa, and eight more of the world’s top teams from Feb 9-26 on Fox Cricket. 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup The 13th edition of this One Day International tournament from India can be viewed exclusively on Foxtel and Kayo. Super Bowl 2023 As many people around the globe will be tuning in to catch this ultimate American Football battle on February 12 as those tuning in to watch the halftime show – with global superstar Rihanna taking to the stage. TheMandalorian, Season 3 Disney+ Star Wars devotees eager for their next fix will relish the release of the third season of The Mandalorian in February after a two-year wait. Picking up after the events of The Book of Boba Fett – which was essentially The Mandalorian Season 2.5 – the Mandalorian and Grogu, now reunited, are travelling to Mandalore, as Din Djarin tries to redeem himself to The Armorer after removing his helmet – a big no-no. The big question on everyone’s mind is who will wield the ceremonial Darksaber to become ruler of the Mandalorian people. With Mando now in its possession, will Bo-Katan Kryze have to duel Mando to reclaim the throne fromMoff Gideon? Meanwhile, we are set to learn more about the adorable Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) and his powers. Having spent some time at Jedi school, it seems every Imperial officer – in particular Gideon – wants to get their hands on the cute little green fellow. Will we get closer to finding out just why he is so special?