As we approach the end of March and the beginning of spring, there are still many things to watch online. This week, there's a high-quality drama with Ewan McGregor (“A Gentleman in Moscow”), a two-part documentary about Steve Martin, a new version of “The Wages of Fear,” and the season finale of “The Bachelor.” Additionally, there's a documentary about Alex Jones (“The Truth vs. Alex Jones”), and the long-awaited return of both “American Rust” and “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock.” Were you more excited for Jeff Daniels or Boober's return?
Now onto the television shows!
“A Gentleman in Moscow”
Friday, March 29, Paramount+
This new limited series, based on the best-selling book of the same name by Amor Towles, follows a fictional Russian aristocrat named Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov (played by the very Scottish actor Ewan McGregor) who, following the October Revolution, is sentenced to house arrest in an opulent hotel for the rest of his life. The Bolshevik tribunal who makes this arrangement warns that, should he ever leave the hotel, something very terrible will befall him. Russia! Adapted by Ben Vanstone and co-starring McGregor’s real-life wife as an actress visiting the hotel (who the Count naturally falls in love with), the promotional materials have suggested “A Gentleman in Moscow” will have a grand historical sweep and an undercurrent of hopefulness (we could stand to use both). Plus McGregor is sporting a mustache that would make Poirot weep. Leah Harvey, Hohnny Harris, Paul Ready, John Heffernan and Alexa Goodall co-star. [TRAILER]
“The Bachelor”
Monday, March 25 at 8 p.m., ABC
Who will Joey Graziadei, the 28-year-old teaching tennis pro from Royersford, Pennsylvania, give his final rose to? And how did ABC convince 30 women that a 28-year-old teaching tennis pro from Royersford, Pennsylvania was the ultimate catch? At least one of these questions will be answered in Monday’s finale, which is immediately followed by the “After the Final Rose” special (both are hosted, of course, by Jesse Palmer). Expect the next “Bachelorette” to also be announced, as is tradition. Lots of moving pieces to this “Bachelor” finale! But we’ll be there, watching the last petal fall. [TRAILER]
“The Wages of Fear”
Friday, March 29, Netflix
“The Wages of Fear” is a French thriller from 1953, directed and co-written by Henri-Georges Clouzot, based on the 1950 novel by George Arnaud. The movie's plot revolves around a group of struggling Europeans tasked with driving a truck full of nitroglycerine over rugged terrain to extinguish an oil fire. The movie has been remade twice before and the new version is directed by Julien Leclerq, who modernizes the action to contemporary times. It stars Franck Gastambide, Alban Lenoir, Ana Girardot and Sofiane Zermani and looks very impressive, although not as impressive as the original or the 1977 remake called “Sorcerer.” [TRAILER]
The documentary about Steve Martin, directed by Morgan Neville and produced by A24, will be shown in two parts on Apple TV+. It includes old footage of Martin and new interviews with Martin, Finn Wittrock, Martin Short, Tina Fey, Jerry Seinfeld, Eric Idle, Diane Keaton, and Selena Gomez. The two parts are thematically specific – the first part focuses on Martin's early struggles and rise in standup comedy, while the second part is about his present day career and personal life transformation.
Friday, March 29, Apple TV+
A two-part documentary about the life and career of Steve Martin, directed by Morgan Neville (“Won’t You be My Neighbor?,” “20 Feet from Stardom”) and produced by A24. Do we need to go on? Oh okay. The super-sized movie features archival footage of Martin, plus new interviews with Martin, Finn Wittrock, Martin Short, Tina Fey, Jerry Seinfeld, Eric Idle, Diane Keaton and Selena Gomez. The two sections are actually thematically specific too – “Then” “chronicles Steve Martin’s early struggles and meteoric rise to revolutionize standup before walking away at 35” (according to the official synopsis), while “Now” “focuses on the present day, with Steve Martin in the golden years of his career, retracing the transformation that led to happiness in his art and personal life.” This is one of the most anticipated documentaries of the year. We can’t wait to explore what makes this wild and crazy guy tick.TRAILER]
“Fraggle Rock”
Apple TV+
“Fraggle Rock,” which aired in America on HBO from 1983 to 1987, is one of the most powerful (and most underrated) Jim Henson creations. Centered on a group of underground creatures called Fraggles, the series was playfully surreal, with a sweetly psychedelic aesthetic. (Look no further than Cantus, the flute-playing minstrel, voiced by Henson himself. He – and his virtues – are groovy.) It was also incredibly prescient, dealing with ecology and the way that one species impacts another. There were smaller creatures in the Fraggle world called Doozers, while they lived underneath giant creatures called Gorgs. There was also “outer space” aka the human world. It was a heady concept that only Henson and his talented collaborators could conjure. And it speaks to the elemental power of the original episodes that it was resurrected for two more seasons on Apple TV+.WATCH]
The Best of the Rest
“The Truth vs. Alex Jones”
Tuesday, March 26 at 9 p.m., HBO
Alex Jones was always a loudmouth, obnoxious conspiracy theorist who shouted outrageous, often incendiary remarks from his studio in Texas. But when he suggested that the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting were “crisis actors,” he set of a firestorm of controversy that would ultimately envelope and destroy him. This documentary, which recently played at SXSW, “takes you inside the courtroom” as parents of the victims square off against Jones.TRAILER]
“American Rust: Broken Justice”
Thursday, March 28, Prime Video
Incredibly, “American Rust” has returned. Three years after the original season aired, the series (based on the novel by Philipp Meyer) is back. The series still stars Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney, only this time the show is on Prime Video instead of Showtime. The second season, set in a small rustbelt town, “picks up with a string of seemingly unrelated murders, hinting at a much larger conspiracy that threatens everyone in this small, tight-knit town” (according to the official synopsis). All 10 episodes stream Thursday. What, did you think they’d make you wait longer?TRAILER]
"We Were the Lucky Ones"
Thursday, March 28, Hulu
"We Were the Lucky Ones," which is based on a popular book by Georgia Hunter, is a TV series that is based on the true story of a Jewish family who were separated during World War II, but were determined to survive and reunite. The main actors are Joey King, Logan Lerman, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Amit Rahav, Hadas Yaron, and Moran Rosenblatt, with producers including Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It's recommended to have tissues ready. [TRAILER]
"Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock"
Friday, March 29, Apple TV+
The classic show "Fraggle Rock" is back on Apple TV+, with favorite characters and voice talents like Daveed Diggs, Cynthia Erivo, Dave Goelz, Ed Helms, and Patti LaBelle returning. This new version is more visually advanced but still captures the spirit of the original beloved Jim Henson series. Fans will be glad to see its return, and hopefully the wait for the next season won't be as long. [TRAILER]
"Renegade Nell"
Friday, March 29, Disney+
This show, called "Renegade Nell," seems like a fun and delightfully odd series. Louisa Harland plays Nell Jackson, an 18th-century female highwayman, with the addition of a magical spirit played by Nick Mohammed from "Ted Lasso," who grants her special powers. The show was created by Sally Wainwright, known for creating "Happy Valley" and "Unforgiven." We're looking forward to seeing if it has the right mix of drama, comedy, and whatever else she wants to bring in. We're already fully interested. [TRAILER]
