Michael Jackson: The Verdict, Netflix
Nearly 17 years after his death, Michael Jackson remains one of the most controversial figures in pop culture. Netflix’s three-part documentary about the late musician is already causing a rise from fans and detractors alike. Suspiciously timed to the recent release of the biopic Michael, the docuseries revisits the four-month trial in 2005 in which Jackson was acquitted of all counts of child molestation. At the time, the proceedings were barred from media, which fuelled speculation. This doc pulls back the curtain on what happened in that courtroom with interviews from those who were there. Director Nick Green describes the project as a “forensic look” at what happened 20 years ago, bringing viewers closer than ever to the action.
Review: Hagiographic Michael Jackson biopic is bad, it’s bad, you know it (really, really bad)
Not Suitable for Work, Disney+
Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project, Never Have I Ever) is back with a new rom-com series to binge if you miss your 20s. Not Suitable for Work explores that time in your life when you’re just out of school and starting your professional career, but in actuality you have no idea what you’re doing. It features five work-obsessed characters navigating love and life in Manhattan with a script that’s rife with Kaling’s signature pop-culture humour. Add in a fresh-faced cast and plenty of situational comedy, and it’s a fun and easy watch when you’re looking for a distraction.
Cape Fear, Apple TV
Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg team up to executive produce the third screen retelling of John D. MacDonald’s The Executioners, only this time with the Apple TV treatment. Married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) watch their lives crumble when the notorious killer they helped put away (Javier Bardem) returns for revenge. It’s fine psychological drama throughout, catapulted by top-notch performances that leave a mark. The result is a modern take on a classic story, with plenty of new twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. The first two episodes are available now, with a weekly release schedule that wraps on July 31.
Seeds, CBC Gem
Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny, Reservation Dogs) stars, writes and directs this film, which was nominated for several Canadian Screen Awards. It follows a Mohawk woman who is hired as a social-media influencer but winds up going to war to preserve her heritage from the corporate machine. It’s a strong directorial debut that blends horror with modern social themes and comedy, filmed against the backdrop of a Mohawk reserve. Clocking in at only 82 minutes, Seeds is also brimming with beautiful shots, memorable appearances by actors such as Graham Greene and Dylan Cook, and a soundtrack that immediately places you within the action.
Earth, Wind & Fire: To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World, Crave
It might have made more sense to debut this documentary in September. Regardless, Roots member Questlove is settling back into the director’s chair for this hot take on Earth, Wind & Fire when it first airs on Sunday night. The film taps into the history and cultural impact of the band, while exploring the internal rivalries and industry realities the members faced. The presentation includes unseen footage along with visual, audio and written archives to drive home how often founding member Maurice White reinvented and adapted over the years to become one of the most influential musicians of all time. Band members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson also appear alongside people such as Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and the Obamas.