THE VELVET UNDERGROUND
Apple TV+
IF you've ever wondered why New York innovators The Velvet Underground are more relevant and influential today than many other more commercial late '60s rock bands, their drummer Maureen "Mo" Tucker sums it up succinctly.
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"All this peace crap, we hated that," the now 77-year-old says in the new documentary The Velvet Underground.
If you've never listened to The Velvets - who were under-appreciated during their initial 1967 to 1973 run - the chances are you've heard those they inspired like David Bowie, Joy Division, Nick Cave, and Sonic Youth, to name a few.
However, none of that is mentioned here. This isn't a celebration of the band's legacy, rather a cinematic oral history.
The Velvets were born out of New York's avant-garde scene, dominated by artist Andy Warhol. Not surprisingly director Todd Haynes - who has previously made films about glam rock (Velvet Goldmine) and Bob Dylan (I'm Not There) has opted for an avant-garde documentary.
There's no live footage and no emphasis on the what, where, when and how. The Velvet Underground is about providing an opening into the art-rocker's mid-60s New York world as bassist-viola player John Cale explains his fascination with city drone noises, which would help develop The Velvets distinct sound.
Band leader Lou Reed, who died in 2013 after a legendary solo career, is hardly lionised. Reed is presented as a bitter control freak who became increasingly difficult.
The Velvet Underground is a must-see for music fans, but don't expect VH1's Behind The Music.
ATTACK OF THE HOLLYWOOD CLICHES
Netflix
ANYBODY who holds a passing interest in Hollywood movies knows Tinseltown play heavily on cliches. Some are harmless like rom-com love affairs or the Rambo-style "one man army."
However, Hollywood is also full of various sexist, racist and homophobic cliches like the "Smurfette principle" of the token female or the "magical negro", where an African-American character comes to the aid of a white protagonist using special or mystical powers.
These cliches and many more are mentioned in Attack Of The Hollywood Cliches, hosted by actor Rob Lowe. It's a fun and breezy watch, in the style of "20 to 1" programs with various talking heads and it doesn't take itself too seriously.
UNDER WRAPS
Disney+
THE entertainment world is so obsessed with reboots these days it's even reviving films that were flops the first time around.
Under Wraps was originally released in 1997 on the Disney Channel and the reboot follows a similar plot, but with a more diverse cast and updated views around different family dynamics.
When three friends stumble into a spooky neighbour's house they inadvertently revive an ancient Egyptian mummy that's been stolen from the local museum. The mummy, named Harold, becomes the children's friend and causes plenty of comedic mayhem as he tries to adjust to the modern world while the kids attempt to keep him hidden from their parents.
Under Wraps follows the fish-out-of-water cliche from E.T and Encino Man, but treads lightly on the horror themes so little ones won't be scared. Harmless, but cheesy, family fun.