June 21st 2024.
When the name "Wild Bill" comes to mind, it's hard not to start chanting like Duran Duran's "Wild Boys," isn't it? That feeling only intensifies once you realize that our hidden gem miner, Steve Charnock, has dug up even more overlooked older content from the streaming services. This week, we have the surprisingly touching British black comedy-drama Wild Bill, the well-pruned horticultural crime thriller Master Gardener, and the underrated decade-old HBO action series Banshee to choose from.
All three of these shows are well worth your televisual attention, providing a refreshing alternative to some of the forgettable new films and TV shows being pushed by streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple+ TV, and Disney+. So why not give at least one of them a try this weekend? You won't regret it.
Let's start with Wild Bill, which is currently streaming on Netflix. This show tells the story of a man who's got "all claret comin' out his nut," as the Brits would say. In the late nineties and early 2000s, there was an influx of British films trying to capitalize on the success of Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. While some of these copycats were bad, others were terrible, and a few were just downright sinful cinematic aberrations. Thankfully, that trend eventually died out, and a grittier side of London began to be portrayed on the big screen with films like Bullet Boy, Hyena, and Kidulthood.
Interestingly, one of the best examples of this change came from a Guy Ritchie alumnus. Dexter Fletcher, who had previously appeared in Lock, Stock, made his directorial debut with Wild Bill thirteen years later. And it's clear that his experience as a child star on shows like Press Gang and Bugsy Malone served him well, as he expertly crafted a film that would later earn him big-budget biopic projects like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman.
Wild Bill features a standout performance from Charlie Creed-Miles as the titular character, a recently paroled man trying to reconnect with his young sons after serving an eight-year sentence. But it's not an easy task for him, as he must confront his criminal past in order to protect his family. The film has a strong supporting cast, including Will Poulter, Neil Maskell, Olivia Williams, Liz White, Leo Gregory, and Iwan Rheon, who all elevate this movie to a higher level than your typical British crime flick.
If you enjoy Wild Bill, you might also like streaming Ill Manors, Shifty, or even Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. But let's not forget about Master Gardener, which is available on Amazon Prime Video. This film showcases the talent of Joel Edgerton, who not only stars in the movie but also wrote and directed it. His character's attention to detail and style is reminiscent of a French formal garden, making for a unique and visually stunning film.
As any green-fingered film buff will tell you, gardening is often overlooked in film. Even in today's industry, where diversity and representation are at the forefront, horticulture is still a rare plot point. Perhaps it's because gardening isn't considered a thrilling or glamorous subject. But why not? After all, there are plenty of gardens and ornate summer houses in modern cinema. Maybe someday we'll see a blockbuster hit centered around a character like "Don Monty," the tough but fair head of a popular gardening center. But for now, we can enjoy Master Gardener and its refreshing take on the world of horticulture.
Have you heard of the hidden gem miner, Steve Charnock? He has recently unearthed some overlooked older content from streaming services that is definitely worth checking out. Among his findings are Wild Bill, a surprisingly touching British black comedy-drama, the well-pruned horticultural crime thriller Master Gardener, and the underrated decade-old HBO action series Banshee. These three options provide a welcome antidote to some of the lesser new films and TV shows that are constantly being pushed our way by popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple+ TV, and Disney Plus. So why not give at least one of them a try this weekend? Trust me, you won't regret it.
Wild Bill, which can be found on Netflix, will have you chanting like Duran Duran's Wild Boys once the idea occurs to you. This film was released during the late nineties and early 2000s, a time when there was an abundance of British films trying to capitalize on the success of Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. However, not all of these films hit the mark. Some were just bad, others were terrible, and a few were downright sinful cinematic aberrations. Thankfully, that trend eventually died out and a grittier side of London began to be showcased on the big screen, with films like Bullet Boy, Hyena, and Kidulthood offering a more realistic view of crime in the capital.
Interestingly, one of the best examples of this change came from a familiar face - Dexter Fletcher, known for his role in Lock Stock, made his directorial debut with Wild Bill 13 years later. His experience as a child star in shows like Press Gang and Bugsy Malone clearly paid off, as he demonstrated remarkable confidence and flair in shaping this film. It's no surprise that he later went on to direct big-budget biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman. The film also features a standout performance from Charlie Creed-Miles, who plays the titular character - a recently paroled man trying to reconnect with his young sons after being away for eight years, while also dealing with his criminal past in order to protect his family. With a strong supporting cast, including the likes of Will Poulter, Neil Maskell, and Olivia Williams, Wild Bill is a cut above your usual Cockernee crime flick. It's a redemption tale with Western influences that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
If you enjoy Wild Bill, I highly recommend checking out Ill Manors, Shifty, and of course, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which all share similar themes and tones.
Moving on to Master Gardener, which is available on Amazon Prime Video. This film, featuring Joel Edgerton, is a departure from the typical gardening-related content we're used to seeing in films. Let's face it, gardening isn't exactly a popular plot point in Hollywood, despite the industry's recent focus on equality, diversity, and representation. But why is that? Perhaps it's a hard sell. I mean, how many times can the presenter of BBC's Gardener's World pitch the idea of a remake of The Godfather, but with a tough but fair head of a gardening center as the main character? Not exactly a winning concept. Nevertheless, Master Gardener offers a refreshing take on the genre, with its precision and style reminiscent of a French formal garden. It's a unique and enjoyable watch that is sure to surprise you.
In conclusion, don't underestimate the power of these hidden gems. Give Wild Bill and Master Gardener a try and expand your streaming options beyond the usual suspects. You never know what gems you may uncover.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
