If the scenario arises where one wants to escape the conflicts of our troubled world, this documentary is the perfect example. Let the dulcet tones of David Attenborough’s mellifluous voice wash over you as he gives a personal and poignant description of his return to Rwanda 50 years after his iconic encounter with a young gorilla named Pablo, sharing excerpts from his 1978 journals. The approaching 100-year-old Attenborough reflects on Pablo’s descendants showing the drama of mountain gorilla life, focusing on new silverbacks. The photography is stunning and we have David to thank for pioneering the advances in time-lapse and intimate camera work. This is No. 1 on my list this month, with 100% for the pure joy that it gives.

I’ve always been mesmerised by the Dressage event at the Olympics, although I’ve only been on a horse twice in my life and both were unpleasant experiences, hence my decision to not repeat it. Apparently, critics and audiences are sharply divided on this true crime documentary, which is a portrayal of how two entitled, shallow people ruined each other’s lives. I found it interesting viewing, but by the finale I couldn’t give a damn about either of them. Lauren Kanarek’s family claimed it is biased against her and portrays her as the catalyst for Barisone’s actions. Personally, I think she was, enabled by her doting father and partner. Still, shooting anyone is unacceptable, even if they are obnoxious.

With my daughter being a resident of NYC, my interest in baseball has grown and I watch replays every day. My team… I have a number of them for various reasons, which apparently is not done. My NYC team is The Mets, so I’ll stay with that one. However, I do love watching Shohei Ohtani when he’s in full flight. My son, who joins me on the couch, thinks Ohtani is a robotic machine! a compelling documentary covering Japan’s high-stakes, behind-the-scenes reality during their 2026 WBC run. It explores locker room access and emotional moments within the team, exposing the intense pressure and camaraderie. Baseball is big in Japan.

Chess seems to have become a choice subject for fact and fiction of late. This documentary is indeed stranger than fiction as it revisits the chaotic 2022 scandal between Magnus Carlsen (the world champion) and Hans Niemann (the underdog maverick). It explores “anal beads” – yes, you read that correctly – cheating rumours, media hysteria and the rivalry that ensued. It’s engaging viewing for those of us who are new to this drama, but anyone who moves in the chess world will probably be familiar with what unfolded. I’m still puzzled about the aforementioned “beads” and how they fit into the scenario.

Some of you may be familiar with the story of Yiya Murano, Argentina’s most infamous poisoner, but it was a true crime that I had not heard about previously. Murano was accused of murdering her friends with cyanide-laced tea in the late 1970s. The documentary explores how a charming housewife, used these murders to cover financial debts and later became a pop culture phenomenon. It features reconstructions, archival material, and interviews with the victims’ loved ones and Murano’s son, whose whole life has been affected by his mother’s crimes. Interesting viewing.

Adam Sandler doesn’t always surprise me, but I must say I prefer his dramatic roles to his comedic. I may have seen this film back in 2007, but that’s back in the eons of time. It is a poignant drama which explores grief and friendship. Sandler is a standout as Charlie Fineman who lost his family on 9/11. Don Cheadle is his former roommate who becomes his anchor to reality. This is an emotional story that will stay with you for some time.

I watched this much anticipated film with my friend who had just undergone eye surgery, so he was only seeing it from his left side. He is a Downton aficionado having watched everything, but sadly we were both a little underwhelmed with this production, even if Ian had only one eye. The best bit for me was the arrival of Guy Dexter, Thomas Barrow (now upstairs instead of downstairs) and Noel Coward. What fun! Otherwise, it was more of the same with those downstairs sticking to the mores of society more than their employer. Mary’s still single so Ian and I are expecting more from Julian Fellowes, if he’s got anymore left in him, which I’m sure he does. By then Ian should be back to double vision… as in sight from two eyes, not due to the effects of intoxication.

John Travolta has landed on Netflix in urban cowboy mode. This is a romantic drama that perfectly captures late-’70s Texas honky-tonk culture, with Travolta’s star power to the fore. It emphasises the dancehall culture and the “mechanical bull” craze. Personally, I never gave in to that particular craze. You all know the story; Bud Davis is a country boy who moves to the city. He starts hanging out at Gilley’s, the popular nightclub owned by Mickey Gilley, takes a job at the oil refinery, meets a cowgirl named Sissy, they dance together and fall in love. And so it goes.

It’s a case of the boys are back in town with the gorgeous twosome that is Robert Redford and Paul Newman, both now sadly gone, popping up on Netflix. The winner of seven Oscars, this is a classic, and it gave us a catchy tune from Scott Joplin. It has a witty, clever scenario where two con men plot a complex revenge scheme against a ruthless mob boss, delivering immense charm and a twist at the end. And Newman and Redford are the glue that held it all together. Enjoy this trip back to a far simpler time.

This is not my usual genre, but my great nephew Luca was a Video Assistant and advised that Charlize was lovely to all the production kids, so I thought I’d better watch it. So proud of that boy! However, I confess it lost me about halfway through. There is stunning Australian scenery and lots of action, from which I was exhausted. It’s a fairly predictable survival thriller, which we’ve all seen before, with Charlize as a hiker being hunted by Taron Egerton, which normally wouldn’t be a problem, but it’s a whole different scenario out in the wilderness. Did I mention the scenery? Gorgeous.