NETFLIX, SKY, DISNEY+, APPLE TV+
Nomadland
Nomadland has just won four Baftas, including best film, best director for Chloe Zhao and best actress for its star, Frances McDormand, and no one will be surprised if it enjoys similar success at the Oscars.
This is very much the right film at the right time. But like Minari and The Sound Of Metal, Zhao’s almost documentary-style drama – about a middle-aged woman travelling America in a van – has an arthouse style that may take mainstream audiences by surprise.
Those vast western landscapes are stunningly photographed and Frances McDormand (above, with David Strathairn) is quietly wonderful as Fern
But stick with it – those vast western landscapes are stunningly photographed, McDormand is quietly wonderful as Fern and the poignant but far-from-miserable end result has lots to say both about America’s challenging present but also its economically troubled past. Disney+, from Friday
Matthew Bond
Rocketman
You know the story – a young songwriter called Reg Dwight hooks up with a poet called Bernie and, after changing his name to the more fame-friendly Elton John, goes on to become one of the most iconic figures in pop.
Taron Egerton (above) is stunning as Elton in this musical biopic, as we follow the young prodigy from his breakthrough years in the 1970s to his transformation into a superstar
Taron Egerton is stunning as Elton in this musical biopic, as we follow the young prodigy from his breakthrough years in the 1970s to his transformation into a superstar. Netflix, from Friday
The Mosquito Coast
We know pretty early on in this seven-episode series that all is not well in the family of anti-establishment inventor Allie Fox (Justin Theroux). He’s attempting to avoid the attentions of the authorities for reasons unspecified, his 15-year-old daughter Dina has to speak to her boyfriend secretly because mobile phones are not allowed and his wife Margot is forbidden from talking to her mother.
And when the powers that be do catch up with them, the Foxes have to go to ground – in Mexico. This is very loosely based on the best-selling novel by Justin’s uncle, Paul Theroux. Apple TV+, from Friday
The United States Vs Billie Holiday
Singer Andra Day is terrific as the complicated, hard-living jazz legend Billie Holiday in this biographical film, and she earned an Oscar nomination for her efforts. The plot revolves around the authorities’ efforts in the 1940s to stop Billie performing Strange Fruit, the song about a lynching that became a touchstone for the civil rights movement.
Singer Andra Day (above) is terrific as the complicated, hard-living jazz legend Billie Holiday in this biographical film, and she earned an Oscar nomination for her efforts
They decide to launch an undercover operation, targeting the singer for her use of narcotics. Amid the drama, when Day sings Holiday’s songs the film really comes to life. Sky/NOW, available now
The Innocent
Mateo (Mario Casas) finds himself accused once again following a supposed suicide and in a race to prove he is not guilty. Also featuring José Coronado (above)
Thriller writer Harlan Coben and Netflix have had success with adaptations of his novels Safe and The Stranger. Now comes a Spanish adaptation of The Innocent. Mateo (Mario Casas), who killed a man while trying to break up a fight, finds himself accused once again following a supposed suicide and in a race to prove he is not guilty.
Also featuring José Coronado. Netflix, from Friday
Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse
Missing Jack Ryan? This origins story for another all-action hero could be the answer. It’s the tale of John Kelly – played by Creed star Michael B. Jordan – a Navy Seal intent on avenging the murder of his wife.
With Jodie Turner-Smith and Jamie Bell providing support, expect guns, conspiracies and Russians. Amazon, from Friday
An American Pickle
Gentle, man-out-of-time comedy in which Seth Rogen plays Herschel Greenbaum, an Eastern European migrant to America who looks and behaves as though he’s just stepped out of Fiddler On The Roof.
He gets a job in a New York pickle factory, falls into a vat of brine and is found alive a century later. He’s taken in by Ben, also played by Rogen who is his great-grandson and last living descendant/relative.
Herschel Greenbaum’s taken in by Ben, also played by Seth Rogen who is his great-grandson and last living descendant/relative. Sarah Snook (above) also stars
They bond, fall out and bond again over their shared Jewish faith. Sarah Snook also stars. Sky/NOW, from Friday
Things Heard & Seen
When are people going to learn not to buy a creepy old house in the country? And realise that if you have bought said house and you find a strange old book hidden in a closet, that’s definitely the signal to put the place back on the market.
Amanda Seyfried and James Norton star in this psychological thriller about a couple who move from Manhattan to a rural home with a less than happy history. Netflix, from Thursday
ALL4 & BBC iPLAYER
Ice Cold Murders: Rocco Schiavone
Marco Giallini is on fine form as Deputy Police Chief Rocco Schiavone, an abrasive character whose uncompromising ways upset his bosses in Rome so much they exile him to the small Alpine tourist town of Aosta.
Marco Giallini (above, with Marina Cappellini) is on fine form as Deputy Police Chief Rocco Schiavone, an abrasive character whose uncompromising ways upset his bosses in Rome
When he isn’t pouring scorn on the rules, he’s using his sharp mind to solve tricky cases – starting when a killer is on the loose after a corpse is found on a ski slope. All4/Walter Presents, from Friday
Friday Night Dinner
Hello, bambinos! Robert Popper’s deliriously funny sitcom sees a family of four gather for their traditional Jewish Friday night meal. But it’s constantly interrupted by their oddball neighbour, family drama and other unwanted visitors.
The Chernobyl star (Paul Ritter, above, with Simon Bird, Tamsin Greig and Tom Rosenthal) shone as family patriarch Martin and became a fan favourite
Fans have been waiting for another series but since the news of Paul Ritter’s death, it’s now in doubt. The Chernobyl star shone as family patriarch Martin and became a fan favourite, cracking up viewers with his catchphrases. All4, series 1-6, available now
Pandemic 2020
From James Bluemel, director of the award-winning Once Upon A Time In Iraq, comes this compelling three-part documentary telling the stories of the impact of the pandemic on people in 21 countries around the world.
Contributors include the follower of a Louisiana pastor dedicated to opposing the state’s anti-virus measures. BBC iPlayer, available now
Starstruck
Promising new sitcom starring Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Rose Matafeo (above, who also co-wrote the scripts) as Jessie, whose life is about to be changed for ever
Promising new sitcom starring Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Rose Matafeo (who also co-wrote the scripts) as Jessie, whose life is about to be changed for ever by a one-night stand with a famous actor (Nikesh Patel). BBC iPlayer, from Sunday