Should You Watch? June 2025

"Andor"
Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi
Disney +
Two Seasons
Should You Watch? No

I get what Disney was trying to do here with the "Star Wars" franchise, continuing off the success of the "Rogue One" movie, but in my opinion, it just wasn’t enough "Star Wars" action to make "Andor" exciting.

 

We follow Andor (Diego Luna) after he assists Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) from the "Rogue One" movie. His adventure during the whole series is basically a prologue to "Star Wars" and how the rebellion got started due to the Empire's oppression, especially on the planet Ghorman.

One of the more prominent characters in the series was Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) a chancellor in the senate who secretly opposes Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s policies. You’ll recognize her as Rebellion leader in several "Star Wars" movies. I felt her portrayal throughout the series was more powerful than our main character, Andor.

Unfortunately "Andor" leaves this "Star Wars" fan craving starships, saber fighting action and villainy in this series, albeit the story of how the Rebellion began may be compelling enough for those who crave to know more about the Force.

If you really want great "Star Wars" storytelling, I suggest the cartoon series "Rebels," "Clone Wars" and "The Bad Batch." They give you a lot of material in these and many times you might get watery-eyed.

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"Companion"
Thriller/Sci-Fi
Max
Movie
Should You Watch? Yes

"Companion" was by far my favorite this month. I wasn’t expecting much when I started it, but it was a pleasant surprise.

With AI (not A1) getting more notoriety in the news, "Companion" hits at just the right time. Josh (Jack Quaid) purchases his AI robot Iris (Sophie Thatcher) to be his perfect mate in every way. While vacationing in the middle of nowhere, Josh has planned with his friends how to come into money by utilizing his AI companion to do his bidding.

Here's a shocking twist though, sometimes AI can be smarter than you think. Iris adapts and Josh and his friends try to counter her at every turn.

This was a fun, quick-moving movie that almost anyone can enjoy.

Just how far away in the future are we from this really happening is my question.

If you are interested in another AI series that you may not have caught, I suggest finding "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," which lasted two seasons in 2008 on television. Last I saw it was on the Heroes & Icons network.

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"The Last of Us"
Drama
Max
Two Seasons
Should You Watch? Yes

I’ve heard so many times, “Ahhh, I don’t like zombie shows,” to which I usually agree, but with "The Last of Us" you get so much more than a zombie show. If you didn’t already know, the show is based off the video game of the same name.

In season one, Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) is tasked with getting a young Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who is somehow immune from catching the zombie-like disease, to some medical doctors who are supposed to use her blood to cure  the rest of the human population.

On their way through their treacherous and dangerous trek, Joel and Ellie build a father/daughter bond with each other, both depending on the other to make it. We are introduced to many helpful and not-so-friendly humans who are yet unscathed by the disease, but desperate times lead to desperate measures. And OH YAH — we still have hordes of zombies looking for human blood too.

Every episode is a new adventure, and so well written and directed with touching side moments, such as finding a zoo with giraffes.

 

In season two we find Joel and Ellie living in a fortified community with electricity and other everyday conveniences. And as per typical teenage girl, Ellie is finding herself and fighting her surrogate father at every turn as she tries to grow up. But just because we are in a fortified community does not mean that the trouble ends.

"The Last of Us" has enough twists and turns and emotional ups and downs to keep everyone entertained. Plus, the edge-of-your-seat suspense can be invigorating too!

 

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View previous Should You Watch? now:

May 2025 - Daredevil Born Again, 1923 and The White Lotus
April 2025 - Anora, American Primeval and Cobra Kai.
March 2025 - Enlighted, Loudermilk and Running Point.