World News TV reviews: Sunny, starring Rashida Jones and a bubbly robot, is an intriguing dark comedic thriller Blog

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Sunny

July 10, streaming on Apple TV Plus

In a world where artificial intelligence can bring a long-dead singer back to life, cars can drive themselves, and you can use your phone in your far-away house to turn on the lights, heat, and (just as an example) play John Farnham’s “Whispering Jack,” personal androids surely can’t be far off.

Considering how much I love my robot vacuum Dusty, you’d think I’d be the first to sign up – but we all know how that ends, don’t we, M3gan?

In this black comedy starring Rashida Jones, it’s clear from the opening sequence that the robots may be out of control, but the human drama takes center stage: Jones’ Suzie, an American living in Kyoto, struggles with the news that her husband and son have disappeared in a plane crash.

To help her, she’s given Sunny a squirty HomeBot that her husband apparently programmed just for her at the electronics company where he works, even though she hates robots and, as far as she knows, he only works on refrigerators. Plus, his phone keeps ringing instead of going to voicemail, and Suzie has a hunch that something is seriously wrong.

Rashida Jones stars in “Sunny,” coming soon to Apple TV Plus.
Camera iconRashida Jones stars in “Sunny,” coming soon to Apple TV Plus. Credit: Apple TV Plus/Courtesy of Apple

After trying various ways to get rid of Sunny, Suzie eventually overcomes her resentment towards the robot’s attempts at comfort and – as the logline states – they “develop an unexpected friendship as together they uncover the dark truth about what really happened to Suzie’s family and dangerously enter a world Suzie never knew existed.”

Jones brings fabulous nuance to Suzie, a sarcastic American in a sea of ​​overly polite Japanese. She tries to hide her crippling grief behind a brisk facade, but her vulnerability comes through. In a poignant moment, after Sunny imitates one of her husband’s gestures, Suzie asks her to do it again and again.

There’s an element of buddy comedy as the snarky Suzie and the pleasant, bubbly Sunny clash. But when it becomes clear that Suzie is surrounded by people who aren’t what they seem, Sunny may be her best bet after all.

I’m excited to see how this film turns out because it could be a really gripping thriller.

The Snake Queen S2

July 12, streaming on Stan

Samantha Morton as Catherine de Medici and Minnie Driver as Queen Elizabeth I in the second season of “The Serpent Queen”.
Camera iconSamantha Morton as Catherine de Medici and Minnie Driver as Queen Elizabeth I in the second season of “The Serpent Queen”. Credit: Stan

I first came across Samantha Morton on The Walking Dead, in one of the later seasons when I was watching on autopilot if I’m honest. Morton’s Alpha caught my attention – one of the best villains the show had to offer, right up there with Negan and the Governor. In this historical drama, she’s equally compelling as the infamous Catherine de Medici, an Italian noblewoman who became Queen of France through marriage and then held power through the rule of her three sons. Described as fairly historically accurate, it’s a period piece, but of course with some anachronistic touches, including songs by Patti Smith and PJ Harvey in the first season. De Medici’s life is great stuff and we’re happy to see the addition of Minnie Driver as Queen Elizabeth I.

Defend Jacob

Stream now, Apple TV Plus

Chris Evans, Jaeden Martell and Michelle Dockery in “Defending Jacob”.
Camera iconChris Evans, Jaeden Martell and Michelle Dockery in “Defending Jacob”. Credit: Apple TV Plus

I missed this series when it came out in 2020; it’s worth watching if you’re in the same boat. Starring Chris Evans and Michelle Dockery as the parents of a teenager accused of murder, it’s definitely on the harrowing end of the spectrum, but the performances are excellent.

Little J & big Cuz S4

July 8, 18:05, NITV

Little J and big Cuz.
Camera iconLittle J and big Cuz. Credit: NITV and ABC

New episodes of this Logie-winning show, featuring voice artists including WA native Kylie Bracknell and Mark Coles Smith, will appear on NITV and SBS as part of the special NAIDOC Week program. Narelda Jacobs and Steven Oliver will also host a new show, Big Backyard Quiz, featuring a range of comedians and musicians on July 13. There is a dedicated hub on SBS On Demand.

Bondi Rescue S18

July 10, 7.30pm, Network 10

The lifeguards of Bondi Rescue are back for an 18th season.
Camera iconThe lifeguards of Bondi Rescue are back for an 18th season. Credit: Network 10 Advertising

This show is doing something right, returning for a massive 18th season, staying true to the tried and tested combination of a busy summer, helpless swimmers, deadly sea life and numerous hair-raising near misses for our favorite group of Aussie lifeguards.

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