THE HOT LIST
GREAT THINGS TO WATCH AND STREAM
SUBURBAN HEROES
WANDA VISION DISNEY+ From Friday, January 15
■ IF you’ve been missing your fix of new superhero action in the last year as blockbuster movies have had their release dates continually delayed, salvation is at hand in the form of the first television series from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. WandaVision follows two of the Avengers, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), aka the Scarlet Witch, and Vision (Paul Bettany) as they try to settle into suburban life but, of course, there are plenty of disruptions along the way that disturb their domestic bliss… and it’s not just DIY problems. Starting off in the style of a 1950s style soap opera but somehow set after the events of 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, expect lots of special guests, crossovers with other Marvel characters and more than a few surprises.
FANTASTIC FOUR ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI Amazon Prime, from Friday, January 15
■ REGINA King’s directorial debut is an adaptation of the stage play by Kemp Powers which imagines a fictional meeting between Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay), Malcolm X, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown at a hotel in 1964. The four discuss what they can do as part of the Civil Rights movement and how the cultural upheaval of the 1960s might change the USA. This powerful drama packs an emotional punch and is getting rave reviews from critics.
CARTOON CAPERS DISENCHANTMENT Netflix, from Friday, January 15
■ MATT Groening’s knowing fantasy animation returns to our screens for a third series with alcoholic princess Tiabeanie or ‘Bean’ (voiced by Abbi Jacobson) back in Dreamland with her elf sidekick Elfo (Nat Faxon). But the odd couple feel under threat leading them to travel to Steamland where new adventures await. Groening fans will be pleased that his original cartoon series, The Simpsons, returns for its 32nd season this Friday on Sky One at 8pm and in the first episode resident tycoon Mr Burns goes back to the shop floor to see what life is like for his workers.
BACK TO THE 80S WONDER WOMAN 1984 premium streaming services
■ AFTER a short cinematic run in December that was curtailed by stricter lockdown restrictions, Gal Gadot’s second outing as Wonder Woman hits small screens this week. As the title suggests, the action is located in the 1980s and director Patty Jenkins has plenty of fun with the music and fashion of that era as Diana Prince tries to keep a low profile, only acting as Wonder Woman when she absolutely needs to. But that all changes when she faces the dual threat of scheming egomaniac businessman Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal of The Mandalorian) and supervillain Cheetah (Kristen Wiig).
PRESIDENT ROCK JIMMY CARTER: ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PRESIDENT Sky Arts, Saturday, January 16, 9pm
■ AS one presidential term draws to a close, this documentary looks back 40 years to another one-term occupier of the White House who left with a little more grace than the current incumbent. Democrat Jimmy Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981 and was known for his love of rock music and friendships with musicians such as Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Interviews with Carter, Dylan and Willie Nelson among others, build a portrait of a politician who stayed in touch with normal people with his broad appeal and open-minded approach key to his success.