A roundup of some must-see TV series and films premiering on subscription streaming platforms in August:
鈥淭hirteen Lives鈥�
鈥淎pollo 13鈥� director Ron Howard brings his methodical, nail-biting style to another real-life story that captivated the world. When a Thai boys' soccer team ended up trapped in an underground cave during the summer of 2018, it was up to a team of British rescuers, working with locals and experts from around the world, to attempt an 听excavation effort. Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell play the Brits with a subdued presence that allows the claustrophobic underwater cinematography to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. For another take on the story, check out the acclaimed documentary 鈥淭he Rescue,鈥� on Disney Plus. (Aug. 5, Prime Video)
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鈥淭rainwreck: Woodstock 鈥�99鈥�
They billed it as a tribute to the legendary Woodstock 鈥�69 music festival, but what transpired on one July weekend in 1999 was far from 鈥減eace and love.鈥� A three-part documentary series leans on the memories of musicians, staff and promoters who participated in the massive rock music spectacle that spiralled into rage and destruction. Their stories are told against a ticking clock that moves from Korn鈥檚 Friday night show to the Red Hot Chili Peppers鈥� closing performance when concertgoers set the grounds ablaze. (Netflix, Aug. 3)
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鈥淗ouse of the Dragon鈥�
HBO hopes to ride the monstrous success that was 鈥淕ame of Thrones鈥� with a new fantasy TV series set 200 years before that storyline. Centred on the House Targaryen, the lineage of Daenerys Targaryen, the so-called Mother of Dragons, the series draws on material from George R.R. Martin鈥檚 book 鈥淔ire & Blood.鈥� Much about the series has been shrouded in secrecy since it began production in early 2021, but early trailers suggest there are many battles waged over succession plans and more dragons than ever. 鈥淗ouse of the Dragon鈥� stars Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D鈥橝rcy and Rhys Ifans. (Crave, Aug. 21, episodes weekly)
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鈥淔ive Days at Memorial鈥�
Staff at the intensive care unit of a New Orleans hospital are faced with unimaginable challenges when hurricane Katrina slams New Orleans and leaves their facilities hanging in the balance. As the waters rise, the power drops out and patients pour in, forcing doctors and nurses to make crucial decisions that could cost lives. Based on a true story that unspools like a disaster thriller, the eight-episode limited series stars Vera Farmiga and Cherry Jones, who won two Emmys for guest roles on 鈥淪uccession鈥� and 鈥淭he Handmaid鈥檚 Tale.鈥� (Aug. 12, Apple TV Plus, episodes weekly)
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鈥淢辞鈥�
Rising comic Mohammed Amer plays Mo, a Palestinian refugee living in Houston who鈥檚 been on the path to U.S. citizenship for years. But after he suddenly finds himself out of a job, Mo faces the prospects of his own uncertain future and his family鈥檚 buried past. Uniquely told as a comedy situated between two cultures and three languages -- his girlfriend is of Mexican descent 鈥� the series mixes life鈥檚 dramatic elements with a hearty dose of humour. 鈥淢辞鈥� is co-created by Amer and Ramy Youssef, who won a Golden Globe for his own show 鈥淩amy.鈥� (Netflix, Aug. 24)
ALSO THIS MONTH:
"The Bear" - A chef returns home to run his family's sandwich shop in one of this summer's must-see dramas that's been applauded by critics. (Disney Plus, Aug. 3, episodes weekly)
"Lightyear" - Buzz Lightyear's pre-"Toy Story" origins are chronicled in a feature-film adventure. (Disney Plus, Aug. 3)
"Belfast" - Kenneth Branagh's semi-autobiographical story of growing up in Northern Ireland during the late 1960s won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and an Oscar for best original screenplay. (Crave, Aug. 12)
鈥淎 League of Their Own鈥� - A new episodic take on the Hollywood baseball comedy that tackles racism, homophobia and sexism off the field. (Prime Video, Aug. 12)
"The Princess" - The life of Princess Diana is examined in a feature-length documentary timed for the 25th anniversary of her death. (Crave, Aug. 13)
"She-Hulk: Attorney at Law" - A young woman juggles her legal aspirations and her superhuman powers. Starring Regina-born Tatiana Maslany. (Disney Plus, Aug. 17, episodes weekly)
"Mike" - The tangled legacy of boxer Mike Tyson is the focus of an eight-episode, unauthorized docuseries from the creators of "I, Tonya." (Disney Plus, Aug. 25, episodes weekly)
RETURNING SHOWS: Netflix releases a new season of dating reality series and viral sensation 鈥淚ndian Matchmaking鈥� on Aug. 10 before heading south for the spinoff 鈥淨ueer Eye: Brazil鈥� on Aug. 24. Also on the service, the final season of Canadian-shot horror series 鈥淟ocke & Key鈥� wraps on Aug. 10, while a new round of comedy 鈥淣ever Have I Ever鈥� is out Aug. 12. At Crave, the second season of stock market trader drama "Industry" returns with weekly episodes on Aug. 1, while the "RuPaul's Drag Race" franchise works the runway with a new "Secret Celebrity Drag Race" edition starting Aug. 12 and the debut season of "Drag Race Philippines" on Aug. 17.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2022.
David Friend, The Canadian Press
