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TV Highlights: The Sandman, Spicks and Specks, Great Southern Landscapes and Walking Man

Pierra WillixThe West Australian
Tom Sturridge as Dream.
Camera IconTom Sturridge as Dream. Credit: COURTESY OF NETFLIX/COURTESY OF NETFLIX

The Sandman

Now streaming on Netflix

More than 30 years after Neil Gaiman’s comic book The Sandman was released, the long-awaited screen adaptation has finally arrived.

For those not part of the dedicated fan base, the fantasy story follows Morpheus/ Dream (played by Tom Sturridge) who is captured by an occult group in 1916 and held prisoner for decades before escaping and rebuilding his dream kingdom.

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With details of the show being held closely under guard, Netflix has teased that “to restore order, Dream must journey across different worlds and timelines to mend the mistakes he’s made during his vast existence, revisiting old friends and foes, and meeting new entities — both cosmic and human — along the way”.

For decades, attempts have been made to bring the sprawling story to life, but Gaiman (who is a writer and executive producer on this series) has said putting together a series, rather than a movie, has allowed for a more faithful translation.

Now it’s just time to see how the super fans feel.

Alan Brough, Myf Warhurst and Adam Hills.
Camera IconAlan Brough, Myf Warhurst and Adam Hills. Credit: Supplied by ABC

Quiz

Spicks and Specks

Sunday, 7.40pm, ABC

It’s time to play . . . as Adam, Alan and Myf arrive back on our screens with a whole new season of this totally addictive music quiz show that’s still going strong after nearly 20 years.

The premiere episode sees Casey Donovan, Rhys Nicholson, Bec Charlwood and Polish Club’s Dave Novak jump on board to test their knowledge, and this time around there’s also a new game—The Secret Song—in which 10 cryptic clues are hidden amongst the regular questions and games.

As fun as ever.

Rachel Griffiths.
Camera IconRachel Griffiths. Credit: Supplied by ABC

Factual

Great Southern Landscapes

Tuesday, 8pm, ABC

Actor and art lover Rachel Griffiths is travelling around the country in this six-part series which singles out some of our most beloved landscape artworks, before diving into the stories behind them.

The first episode looks at Arthur Streeton’s 1896 painting of the Hawkesbury River, The Purple Noon’s Transparent Might, where she explores how his artwork has also helped to preserve the environments he captured on canvas.

A fascinating look at some of our most revered artists and their work, this series also serves as a reminder of why we should focus on preserving the unique natural wonders we have.

Professor Ted Snell.
Camera IconProfessor Ted Snell. Credit: Sabine Albers

Documentary

Walking Man

Wednesday, 7.30pm, ABC TVPlus

Ross Seaton was a prolific artist, but to many people around Perth, they simply knew him as the Walking Man.

Pushing a pram or wheelbarrow down Stirling Highway, he would collect materials for his work. But just as he was on the verge of his debut exhibition, he passed away.

Piecing together what was left behind, Professor Ted Snell was able to curate the exhibition (which was held in 2020), a process captured in this short but impactful 30-minute documentary that shines a light on the enigmatic artist.

MOVIE

Thirteen Lives

Now streaming on Prime Video

The miraculous survival and rescue of a Thai junior soccer team and their coach from the Tham Luang cave in 2018 is a story ripe for the screen, so much so it’s already been the focus of a film and documentary.

So the fact it’s also the centre of this new flick, and a soon to be released Netflix series begs the question of whether another retelling is actually needed?

But, with Ron Howard at the helm of this gripping dramatisation, the answer is a resounding yes.

While we all know how the story of the team who became trapped in the cave during an unexpected rainstorm played out, this recounting is still no less stressful as a team of the world’s most skilled and experienced divers (including Aussie Richard Harris, played by Joel Edgerton) race against the clock to save them.

Incredibly claustrophobic at times, the complex and high stakes rescue which took place over 18 days was an incredible feat as more than 10,000 people came together to try and save thirteen lives. Not even Hollywood could conjure a story this inspiring.

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