WATCHING

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino’s highly anticipated Once Upon A Time... in Hollywood lands in Kiwi cinemas on August 15. The epic film follows struggling actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) as they navigate the highs and lows of Hollywood in 1969.

History makes itself known in the film as fictional characters Booth and Dalton are surrounded by the likes of Steve McQueen (Damian Lewis), Bruce Lee (Mike Moh) and Joanna Pettet (Rumer Willis). Then there’s actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), the murder of whom plays out in the film.

If you love the glitz and glam of Hollywood, Tarantino’s ninth instalment is one not to be missed.

LISTENING

Raphael Saadiq ­– Jimmy Lee

Grammy award-winning super producer and Tony! Toni! Toné! member Raphael Saadiq is gearing up to release his first solo album in eight years. Expect Jimmy Lee to have some heavy stories to tell (Saadiq says it’s a tribute to his late brother, who died of drug addiction), but given his catalogue – and smooth, smooth vocals – you know they’re going to be told in the most respectful and thought-provoking way possible.

READING

Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy

Kiwi comedy-heads, this one’s for you. Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy is the book by Philip Matthews and Paul Horan to accompany the new documentary series of the same name. It’s the most detailed history of Aotearoa New Zealand’s comedy scene to date and features interviews with the likes of Urzila Carlson, Mike King and Rose Matafeo (plus a foreword by the wonderful Michele A’Court).

It’s side-splitting, horrifying and enlightening all at once, but most of all it’s quintessentially Kiwi.

PLAYING

Madden NFL 20

After a couple of lacklustre years the Madden NFL franchise is confident it’s upped its game for 2020. The animation is smooth, there are more signature celebrations for high profile players and you can even have a crack at the NFL Pro Bowl. EA have also added Face of the Franchise, a quarterback career campaign that allows players to progress from a college career right through to the NFL. Get amongst the action from August 2 on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

BINGEWATCHING

Pose

Pose follows the lives of people in three very different classes in 1980s New York: those rising with the luxury Trump era, the downtown social and literary scene, and the African-American and Latino ball culture world (now commonly referred to as drag ball culture or the drag scene).

The Emmy Award-nominated drama stars Billy Porter, Evan Peters, Kate Mara, MJ Rodriguez and Dominique Jackson. Season one is available to stream on NEON, with new episodes from season two arriving weekly.

PODCAST

Who the Hell is Hamish?

Scam artists are the new serial killers when it comes to the podcast world. Goodbye My Favourite Murder, hello Who the Hell is Hamish?

The podcast by The Australian follows “a surfie dude from Sydney” who learned to morph into whatever character his heart desired. It goes deep to find out how conman Hamish Watson scammed people out of $7 million and ultimately landed himself a 16-year prison sentence. Thrilling would be an understatement!