Bite-Sized Reviews

'Skemerdans', 'Life in Colour': Five brand new things to stream now

Worth binge-watching or a waste of time? We weigh in on the latest series and movies

02 May 2021 - 00:01 By tymon smith
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Vinette Ebrahim in 'Skemerdans'.
Vinette Ebrahim in 'Skemerdans'.
Image: Supplied

SKEMERDANS 

Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for theatre Amy Jephta takes a solid dive into the world of television drama with this noirish, skillfully executed family drama set in the underbelly of Cape Town. When a self-made rags to riches nightclub owner is murdered, the secrets, family battles and cut-throat economic pressures he was trying to manage are unleashed.

Where to stream it: Showmax

How much time you'll need to binge it: 7+ hours

WATCH | 'Skemerdans' trailer.

AMMONITE

Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan star in this elegantly crafted, evocative forbidden romance drama set on the coast of England in the 1840s. A well-known, if under-recognised coastal fossil hunter is faced with the unwelcome intrusion of a young woman sent to convalesce at the sea. She soon finds herself inextricably drawn to the newcomer as an intense, all-enveloping and ultimately dangerously illicit bond begins to develop between them. 

Where to stream it: Available to buy on Apple TV.

How much time you'll need to binge it: 2 hours

WATCH | 'Ammonite' trailer.

LIFE IN COLOUR

Any time is a good time to take a tour of the wonders of nature in the company of its most engaging, breathlessly awestruck guide, Sir David Attenborough. In the closed-off, locked-down world of Covid-19, it's even more welcome than usual and Attenborough provides plenty of fascinating investigations into the use of colour in nature across these three episodes, to keep you keenly entertained and informed.

Where to stream it: Netflix

How much time you'll need to binge it: 3 hours

WATCH | 'Life in Colour' trailer.

WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?

A group of cynical, proudly conscious Australian Millennials are the focus of this short, sharp, effective and funny comedy. It's a smart dissection of the contradictions at the heart of wokeness that's mostly on the side of its core trio, but doesn't shy away from cutting them down to size when they need to be.

Where to stream it: Netflix

How much time you'll need to binge it: 3 hours

WATCH | 'Why Are You Like This' trailer.

SHADOW AND BONE 

Based on the bestselling series of Grishaverse novels by Leigh Bardugo, this YA fantasy series delivers satisfying levels of unique world-building, fight sequences and just enough interesting characters and dedicated performances to make it worth sticking with even if it's a little slow to get going.

Where to stream it: Netflix

How much time you'll need to binge it: 8 hours

WATCH | 'Shadow and Bone' trailer.


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