SEX/LIFE
Netflix
STACY Rukeyser, the writer-director of Sex/Life, should have just deleted the slash when settling on a title for her steamy new drama.
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Because when it comes to examining the life of the show's lead character, played by Sarah Shahi (The L Word, Fairly Legal) the focus is fixated on her sexual appetite.
Sex/Life tells the story of Billie, a mother-of-two living in a Connecticut mansion with her successful and caring husband, investment banker Cooper (Mike Vogel).
It's seemingly the ideal life, except Billie is constantly fantasizing about her former boyfriend, a bad boy New York record label boss named Brad, played by Australian actor Adam Demos (Unreal).
While Demos certainly fulfils the dream-boat bad boy template, he's acting couldn't be more wooden if he was Pinocchio.
At least Shahi must have been impressed, because she's since started dating her Dapto-bred co-star.
We're treated to a series of R-rated flashback encounters with Brad, and some with Cooper, as Billie types her deepest thoughts and regrets into her laptop journal in between playing with her toddler son in their backyard in their idyllic suburban setting.
Billie's fantasies become increasingly problematic for her reality, especially after her husband reads her journal.
Despite the ample time spent undressing its lead actors - in particular Shahi - and placing them in sexually-charged positions, there isn't much erotica steaming up Sex/Life.
Too often the writing and constant corny voice-overs leaves the series feeling like a Hallmark movie on heat.
Fans of Fifty Shades Of Grey or the diabolical, yet popular, Netflix movie 365 Days will probably enjoy the highly-stylised soapie.
However, if you're searching for something more psychological or sensual, beyond a bit of skin, it's best to skip. Sex/Life is more messy one-night stand than meaningful relationship.
HITMEN
Stan
ENGLISH actors Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc have been writing and starring in comedy together since the early '90s with shows like Light Lunch, The Great British Bake Off and Mel & Sue and, not surprisingly, the pair exhibit wonderful chemistry.
For their latest project the pair have broken type for black-comedy Hitmen.
Just like the title suggests, the pair play best friends and neurotic contract killers Fran (Perkins) and Jamie (Giedroyc) who operate out of a non-descript panel van, filled with handcuffs and chains.
The pair work for a mysterious mobster Mr K, who remains unseen, and in between abducting and executing informants, embezzling accountants, and rival love interests, the pair discuss their own inadequacies and almost bungle their assignments.
These include Fran's collapsing marriage to her Portuguese husband and Jamie's dissatisfaction with her younger and dutiful boyfriend.
The dialogue is mostly sharp and irrelevant, and, despite the flourishes of violence, Hitmen is a breezy watch.
With episodes wrapping up nicely and clocking in at 22 minutes, Hitmen is an easy binge. Fans of English comedy will find plenty to enjoy.