NETFLIX
Netflix dropped the docu-series Homicide: New York on Wednesday. Produced by Dick Wolf of Law & Order fame, the series begins with a text piece almost directly pulled from that franchise. The program focuses exclusively on the island of Manhattan, one suspects because it is filled with New York’s most famous landmarks. Through a series of interviews, dramatic recreations and b-roll footage the show profiles five cases that required clever and diligent detective work to solve the case.
Homicide: New York is a clearly good-looking show. The footage is pristine (save for archival footage/security camera footage used to further the narrative), though much of the interview spaces look curated. In fact, some of the interviews seem very curated. However, the clever detective work shines through. The cases and how they were solved makes for an interesting watch.
True crime fans have five interesting cases to watch through, all assembled with a lot of flash. All episodes are now available.
APPLE TV+
Apple TV+ has launched its thriller mini-series Manhunt. Manhunt is the story of the search for John Wilkes Booth after his assassination of US President Abraham Lincoln. Adapted from the book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer, the mini-series focuses on Edwin Stanton, US Secretary of War – played by Tobias Menzies (Rome, Game of Thrones, Casino Royale) – as he deals with the aftermath of a murder conspiracy that successfully kills his friend and colleague Abraham Lincoln – seen mostly in flashbacks and portrayed by Hamish Linklater (The Big Short, Unicorn Store, The Newsroom). Manhunt is primarily a non-linear series, jumping backwards to elaborate on scenes and give new context.
Manhunt takes a well-known historical moment and adds context to what happened, how it was possible and what its immediate aftermath was. In some ways it surprises. John Wilkes Booth – Anthony Boyle (Derry Girls, Tolkien, Masters of the Air) – is established as a vain, selfish and racist man who envies the fame of his father and brother. Stanton’s search for Booth is a compelling and interesting show.
New episodes drop Fridays.
DISNEY+
Marvel Animation has launched their second animated series with X-Men ’97. The series look back to the original X-Men animated series from the 1990s – one that ‘90s kids in Broken Hill might have seen on VHS or when they went out of town and could watch Cheez TV. X-Men ’97 picks up in the immediate aftermath of an episode that originally aired in 1997. Somehow, despite this premise X-Men ’97 has smartly updated the original show.
Professor X, the father figure and leader of the X-Men is gone, declared dead to the world at large and leaving the X-Men behind. Team leader Cyclops is left to try to continue his mentor’s dream of peace between mutant and human while the rest of the team appear directionless, some seem unwilling to follow Cylcops’s lead, while others are ready to leave their lives behind. The first episode reintroduces the cast of characters from the original show – Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, Morph, Bishop and Wolverine – sets up their new status quo and immediately shakes things up with the introduction of Magneto who has inherited all of Professor X’s wealth and property.
It’s impressive how well this series works. Not just as a sequel, but as its own unique entry. Most of the original voice cast are back – and the new cast members seem to fit in seamlessly. X-Men ’97 also captures much of the X-Men’s core appeal. The premise of protecting a world that hates and fears them is foregrounded here, and the X-Men make melodramatic speeches often. There’s some decent humour on display, and some interesting action sequences. Some bits of characterisation will come as a surprise, but X-Men ’97 is a fun watch – especially if you have fond memories of the original X-Men cartoon. X-Men ’97 is an engaging watch appropriate for the whole family.
New episodes drop on Wednesdays.
