Streaming
Windfall (Netflix): Netflix is releasing Windfall on Friday and all signs point to it being quite a fun ride. Netflix gave eight figures to be the streaming platform that shows “Windfall,” and that steep price tag is an indication of how much they think we will like this movie. Windfall stars Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Jesse Plemons (Friday Night Lights) in a Hitchcock-like thriller about a man who breaks into the empty vacation home of a tech billionaire, but things go off the rails when the owners arrive. Jesse Plemons is rarely in anything that wouldn’t be at the top of this list. This film will provide you with your “whodunit” for the weekend.
Dune (HBO Max): This one is big, and I honestly don’t think enough people know about Dune. HBO Max is re-releasing Dune, and it is currently streaming for your enjoyment. Dune is the first of a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert. The film has a loaded cast with familiar faces like Zendaya (Euphoria), Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones) and Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy, WWE) along with several other stars. Zendaya is coming off an amazing run with her work on Euphoria and keeps the ball rolling here. Dune is centered around a battle for the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence. Dune has a real Star Wars feel to it and seems like a big deal while you’re watching it.
The Thing about Pam (Peacock & Friday, 8 p.m., NBC): Pam Hupp is a name you might be familiar with if you keep up with the true crime scene. NBC and Peacock streaming are currently showing “The Thing About Pam” and the story of her murdered neighbor in small-town Missouri. Renée Zellweger (Jerry Maguire) fills the villainous shoes of Pam Hupp, and we get to follow along her path after the death of her close friend, Betsy Faria. Faria’s husband is charged with the murder and Pam is never considered a suspect, despite being the last person to see Betsy, until her story continues to change with each meeting with detectives. There have only been two episodes so far, but both have been great.
Sports
Kentucky vs Saint Peter’s (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., CBS): The Cats open their bid for a NCAA Championship on Thursday night in Indianapolis. The Peacocks of Saint Peter’s are making their first tournament appearance since 2011, and the first ever matchup between the two schools shouldn’t be very close. Las Vegas is calling the Cats a 17-point favorite, as I look for them to bounce back from the Tennessee loss with a big win here. My only worries are the Cats looking too far ahead to a possible second-round matchup with Murray State and letting Saint Peter’s hang around too long, but I really doubt it.
Murray State vs San Francisco (Thursday, 8:40 p.m., CBS): Do not let yourself think this is an easy W for Murray State. San Francisco plays in a much more competitive West Coast Conference (Gonzaga, St. Mary’s, BYU) than in years past, and will look to slow down the 30-2 Racers. I’m leaning toward Murray State in this one because I know they want the matchup with Kentucky, but I look for it come down to the wire and would not be shocked if San Francisco wins this game.
Kentucky (Women) vs Princeton (Saturday, 3 p.m., ESPN): After winning the SEC Tournament, Kentucky received an automatic bid to the big dance and are facing the Princeton Tigers in Bloomington, Indiana. If the Lady Cats can pull off the victory, they’ll likely face the Indiana Hoosiers in the second round at the same Bloomington site. Kentucky will have its hands full in this region with a possible battle with perennial powerhouse UConn in the Sweet 16.
Louisville (Women) vs Albany (Friday, 5 p.m., ESPN): The Cardinals don’t have much to brag about with their men’s program right now, but the women’s squad is a completely different story. Louisville takes the top seed in the Wichita region and will likely steamroll through the first few rounds. I don’t look for them to be tested until a possible Sweet 16 game with the Lady Vols of Tennessee.
NASCAR Cup Series: Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 (Sunday, 2:30 p.m., FOX): In the words of NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip, “Boogity, boogity, boogity — let’s go racing” this weekend at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Chase Briscoe is coming off his first career checkered flag as the Art of Binge Watching didn’t really hit the race on the head last week. Kyle Larson left the party early, but Kyle Busch and Joey Logano finished fifth and eighth, respectively. I’m riding the Kyle Larson train again this week, especially with his history in Atlanta combined with a broken valve spring ruining his plans last week. Larson will be driving with a vengeance this Sunday and will take the checkered flag in Atlanta.
Cable
Breaking Bad Marathon (Saturday, 3 p.m., AMC): If you’ve never watched Breaking Bad, you’re behind, and this is your chance to catch up and watch a truly great TV series. If you have watched Breaking Bad, take a ride in the time machine, and go back through the first season of the hit TV series that gave us Heisenberg, Jessie Pinkman, and Saul Goodman. Walter White (Bryan Cranston) is an underpaid, high-school chemistry teacher who has recently been told he has Stage 3 lung cancer. Walter uses his skills in chemistry to set his family up for life before he passes away. It’s not going to be as easy as it sounds, I assure you.
An Audience with Adele (Sunday, 8 p.m., NBC): The stateside debut of Adele’s TV concert can be found on NBC this Sunday night. The performance features songs from her latest and incredibly successful album, 30. The special pays tribute to Adele’s powerful and passionate voice and will be available on Peacock the following day.
Readers are encouraged to send suggestions for “The Art of Binge Watching” and/or tell Jordan how you really feel about his what-to-watch picks via email at Jordanwillis5393@gmail.com.
