The first week of the year is off to a strong start. While Avatar: The Way of Water just became 2022’s most successful movie, ending Top Gun: Maverick’s run, this year is looking just as promising at the box office. To kick things off, we’re starting 2023 with a bit of horror. The genre seems to be having a moment in recent years and now M3GAN is looking to become our latest collective nightmare, while also ushering in the latest pop culture IT girl. The film is about a lifelike robot whose incredible capabilities start to backfire on its creators, but movie fans (and critics) seem to be more intrigued with the character itself than with the film’s storyline itself. The release of the trailer already inspired thousands of TikToks and tweets, so only time will tell if the viral success and critical praise will translate into ticket sales at the box office this weekend.
On the TV front, two of my personal favorites are back with their second seasons—BMF and Ginny & Georgia. After an extensive hiatus, Starz is finally delivering BMF’s Season 2, and from the looks of it, things are heating up for the Black Mafia Family. The show is returning with its original cast and adding some additional big names like the hilarious trio Mo’Nique, Yung Miami, and Leslie Jones (but don’t get it confused, this is not a comedy by any means!). Season 3 of Power Book II: Ghost is also returning in March, so 50 Cent’s TV reign over at Starz doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Netflix dropped Season 2 of Ginny & Georgia this week (and I’m so grateful), as well as their new limited series Kaleidoscope. Check out why you should be watching these titles below, and come back next week to see what’s in store for the rest of January. And before it’s too late to say it, Happy New Year.
'M3GAN'
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When: Friday, Jan. 6
Where: In theaters
I find it really interesting to see the kind of films that gets people off their couch and into a theater. While moviegoers going to see Marvel movies and action films in droves are expected, it’s the horror fans that always catch me by surprise. M3GAN seems to be having that effect on movie fans. I have already gotten questions from friends about the film ahead of its release, with people asking me if they should go see it. (That rarely happens unless it’s a blockbuster.) Part of that anticipation was thanks to the film’s trailer. When it dropped and fans met M3GAN, an AI robot that was created to be a child’s companion, for the first time, a wave of memes and TikToks flooded our timelines. M3GAN’S dance moves were hilariously unexpected but there was also a spookiness about her that works for those looking for a thrill. The film follows Gemma, the roboticist that created M3GAN, who brings her home to look after her niece and all hell breaks loose when the robot takes her role as the child’s protector a little too far.
I personally like to sleep with the lights off so I tend to skip movies that are completely horror. But I don’t mind the kind of thrillers that also boast some comedic moments that cut the tension and add levity and this one seems to have found the perfect balance. Check out our interview with director Gerard Johnstone, where he told us all about how they brought this evil little robot to life and catch M3GAN at a theater near you (if you dare!).
'BMF' Season 2
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When: Friday, Jan. 6
Where: Starz
The BMF brothers are back. It’s been a minute since the 50 Cent-produced series has been back on our screens but it’s time to get reacquainted. The show is based on the story of brothers Demetrius “Meech” Flenory (Lil Meech) and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da’Vinchi), who in Season 1 built a drug empire together in Detroit. In Season 2, Terry has decided to step away from that life to earn an honest living by starting a new car service company with his father Charles. Meech is still going forward with the drug business as the head of The 50 Boyz and B-Mickie (Myles Truitt) steps as the second-in-command. They have their sights set on greener pastures and starting to expand their reign beyond their home turf. Last season had some special guest stars like Eminem and Kash Doll, but this season will usher in a new batch of famous names including, Mo’Nique, Yung Miami, and Leslie Jones, while La La Anthony has been promoted to series regular for Season 2. We will be following the show all season so if you haven’t tuned in just yet, now is when.
'Kaleidoscope'
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When: Sunday, Jan. 1
Where: Netflix
Netflix debuted its limited series Kaleidoscope to kick off the year. A master thief, Leo Pap (Giancarlo Esposito), and his crew attempt an epic heist worth $7 billion, but they face challenges along the way. The show is it’s loosely based on the real-life story of when $70 billion in bonds went missing in downtown Manhattan during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. The show consists of eight episodes spanning from 24 years before the heist to six months after. The crime anthology series also takes a non-linear approach to storytelling and provides fans with a new viewing experience by allowing them to watch in whatever order they desire. Viewers will eventually see all episodes leading up to the finale, but the order in which they watch the episodes will affect their viewpoints of the story and its characters. This might require more brain power than necessary after a long week, but if you are in search of a compelling puzzle, go ahead and hit play. If you’re too tired, come back to it when you’re well-rested. You won’t regret it.
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2
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When: Thursday, Jan. 5
Where: Netflix
We all have guilty pleasures, and mine happens to be Ginny & Georgia. While some people watch The Real Housewives of whatever city or tune into every trendy celebrity podcast, this Netflix series, now entering Season 2, is my drug of choice. The show is about a fun, young, and cool mom named Georgia, whose daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) is far too fed up with her mother’s ongoing antics. Georgia has done all she can to survive after becoming a teen mom and does whatever it takes to protect herself and her two kids. But now that we have found out the depths of how low Georgia is willing to go (a couple of ex-husbands haven’t survived a relationship with her), Ginny has to live with the knowledge that her mother is a criminal. The teen has to figure out whether she tells on her mom or if she takes on the protector role that her mom has been for her for so long. Aside from the often-annoying storylines about Ginny’s high school drama, the show is bound to get you invested after a few episodes. I’ve had a few friends talk down on it at first, only to find themselves glued to my couch moments later. Check it out, it’s a fun watch, and if anything, stay for Brianne Howey’s incredibly captivating performance as Georgia.
