If you’ve been meaning to check out some of Apple TV+’s incredible series or exclusive movies, and have somehow managed to avoid one of the many opportunities for a free six-month trial that are around, now is your chance. Apple is opening up the castle walls to its streaming service to everyone globally (wherever the service is available, obvs) this weekend, from Friday January 3rd through Sunday January 5th. All you need is an Apple ID, which you already have if you have an iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device. There’s a bit more information here, though there’s really not much more you need to know.
On the series side, I can highly recommend space-race alt-history drama For All Mankind, postapocalypse mystery-thriller Silo, and snarky spy drama Slow Horses. On the movie side, don’t miss Hala, Killers of the Flower Moon (my review), Fancy Dance, and Blitz (my review).
ETA: Someone reminded me that I forgot to mention Ted Lasso. It’s great!
Get ready to spend the weekend bingeing some great stuff.
(I’m an Apple TV+ affiliate, and I get a small kickback when you use my links to subscribe to Apple TV+ for its exclusive films and series, or to buy or rent the open-to-all streaming stuff. Please use them if you can. Affiliate fees do not increase your costs. And of course there’s no charge to access Apple TV+ this weekend.)
Happy New Year!
I second the recommendations for FOR ALL MANKIND, SLOW HORSES, and SILO.
TED LASSO, SHRINKING, and TRYING are also excellent, if you’re in the mood for dramedies with compassion and human goodness at their core. SHRINKING is only 2 short seasons and is probably the easiest to binge over a weekend. The entire cast is fantastic and Harrison Ford puts in what I think is his best and most vulnerable performance.
For science fiction, I highly recommend FOUNDATION, which I don’t think is getting the buzz it deserves. It’s got imaginative world-building and dazzling visuals, a brilliantly twisty plot, and an excellent and diverse cast, including Lee Pace who’s magnetic playing several generations of an emperor’s clones. Asimov purists seem to be upset at the series for making significant departures from the books; depending on how you feel about Asimov, this may be a good thing. I’m not very familiar with the books but enjoyed the show immensely.
Someone else reminded me that I forgot Ted Lasso, so I just added it to the post (before I saw your comment — thanks for the additional reminder!).
I haven’t seen the other series you mention, but Foundation is high on my watchlist, and I’m sure I’ll get to the others soon. Apple’s original movies are a mixed bag, but so far, their shows are top-notch. (Severance is another one getting generally raved about.)
Happy New Year to you too!
I’m going to try to find time for Time Bandits. I’m just hoping that, with the net neutrality act gone, my service doesn’t slow down to inoperable levels before the end of the trial.
Ooh, something else I forgot: SCHMIGADOON. Catnip for musical lovers; tons of Broadway talent and homages to famous shows.