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A darkly comedic new Christmas cult classic

“A new Christmas cult classic is born with 2020's Fatman, an eccentric mix of fantasy, violence and black comedy which will interest those who enjoy quirkier festive flicks like Rare Exports, Krampus or 2003's iconic Bad Santa. Indeed, rather than a saccharine holiday picture designed to generate war” read more

First Viewing Viewing Date: February 17th Via: Netflix Plot: After an attack renders her blind, Ellen Ashland withdraws from the world to recover. But soon she plunges into paranoia, unable to convince anyone that her assailant has returned to terrorize her by hiding in plain sight. Rating: 6.6/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: February 16th Via: 4K Blu-ray Plot: In the 1970s, a missing teacher of martial arts is the subject of a quest by his devoted and brilliant but distant students, who include Batman. Rating: 5.3/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: February 16th Via: Amazon Prime Plot: A mother and daughter, still wounded from a bitter custody dispute, hole up in a run-down apartment building, where they are targeted by the ghost of a former resident. Rating: 6.7/10

Viewed: All four episodes

At first glance, I was unsure about whether or not the story of Elisa Lam could be stretched out over an entire docuseries, but the filmmakers have pulled it off with confidence. Produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, this is an in-depth look at the history of the Cecil Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, and a thorough examination of what happened to poor Elisa Lam whose case promptly attracted the attention of the internet. There's genuine intrigue at play here, as the docuseries slowly peels away the layers of this tragedy, and you'll find yourself utterly hooked in no time. The team went to great lengths to get the perspective of everyone imaginable, from the hotel staff to internet sleuths and historians, as well as an internet personality who was considered a suspect and berated endlessly online. The archival footage is fascinating, and the series remains visually interesting thanks to the polished, crisp aerial footage of the area as well as the various recreations and dramatisations of events which transpired during the investigation. Anybody with an interest in true crime should definitely give this one a whirl.

First Viewing Viewing Date: February 14th Via: Amazon Prime Plot: During the 1930s, a New York City illegal gambling house owner and his associates must deal with strong competition, gangsters, and corrupt cops in order to stay in business. Rating: 5.1/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: February 11th Via: Stan. Plot: After thirty years of marriage, a middle-aged couple struggling with intimacy attends an intense, week-long counseling session in Maine to work on their relationship. Rating: 7.3/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: February 10th Via: Binge Plot: Daniel accompanies his mentor, Mr. Miyagi, to Miyagi's childhood home in Okinawa. Miyagi visits his dying father and confronts his old rival, while Daniel falls in love and inadvertently makes a new rival of his own. Rating: 5.8/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: February 10th Via: iTunes Store Plot: Bored of retirement, widower Ben Whittaker is hired as part of a senior intern program at an online fashion site, and is assigned to work directly with the founder. With his congeniality and old-fashioned values, Ben is warmly accepted in the office. Rating: 7.7/10