July 2026 Culture Highlights It's not just The Ulysses that gets a top rating

August 7, 2026

This month we have four top rated reviews in television, film and a podcast. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Television

A Toxic Love Story  Netflix

★★★★★

True Crime documentaries are reaching something of a nadir, and one imagines TV Executives are screaming out for someone to do something that’s not a scam. One can hear them say “Give us a twist or something that’s bonkers”.

A Toxic Love Story is bonkers and has an extraordinary twist. It involves a US Marshall; his new partner who is receiving toxic and threatening messages from his ex; a cancer and a false pregnancy ; a false imprisonment and a fantasy rapist.

At first, it seems clear cut what all this is about and when that appears to be resolved, you realise you’ve still got some way to go.

 As one of the eventual investigating officers say, “This is a bonkers case.” That’s putting it mildly. This is well worth watching if no other reason than you are unlikely to hear anything quite so extraordinary again.

Ransom Canyon Netflix

★★★★

This series proves to us that there is nothing wrong with a soapy drama in a lovely to look at location with an entirely predictable outcome. We need this sort of TV in our lives. It’s pure escapism.

Just to prove were not just jumping on the bandwagon – although based on reviews it’s unlikely to be overcrowded – because we reviewed the first series favourably.

The plot is grieving rancher, Staten Kirkland, has always been keen on dance hall owner, Quinn O’Grady. Of course, there are going to be any number of obstacles thrown in their path to true love but that is to be in any romantic drama.

Don’t expect a Yellowstone or Dutton Ranch but if you are after a binge watch, this fits the bill. Whether we get the pleasure of a third series is debatable as this series has dropped 43% of viewers which apparently is the fate of many Series 2’s.

The Five-Star Weekend Sky Atlantic

★★★★

In contrast to Ransom, this show has had no issue with viewers. Based on Erin Hilderbrand’s novel, it has been Peacock’s most popular scripted series of all time.

The Nantucket setting was always likely to attract viewers. Four guests have gathered at the beachside home of Hollis Shaw (Jennifer Garner) after the sudden death of her husband.

As the guests represent different periods of Holly’s life there’s tension as they stake a claim to be closest to the bereaved host. They’re all wildly different and come with their baggage of issues.

In a show like this, there are no major surprises and any that there are can easily be spotted. There’s no murder to solve so no distraction from an easy to view show in glamorous surroundings.

Ride or Die

★★★

It’s a fairly ludicrous precept – you discover your best friend of 20 years is an assassin – and that’s what happens to Debbie (Octavia Spencer). The assassin is Judith (ever dependable Hannah Waddington) and for reasons we won’t explain, the pair end up being chased by other assassins.

It’s all light-hearted, very funny at times and the relationship between the two ladies is what holds the series together as they break up, reunite and join forces.

Jared Leto:: Hollywood’s Dark Secret BBC IPlayer

★★★★★

Oscar winner and musician, Jared Leto, is the latest Hollywood star to have allegations of sexual abuse made against him. Four women came out to the BBC to speak about their underage experiences.

Rumours have swirled around Leto since 2005 about his behaviour and procurement during and following his concerts. This film may be the trigger that brings him to account. What differentiates this from other Me2 accounts is the rarity of men with whom he worked, coming forward and substantiating the allegations.

It’s not an easy watch as it shows how all too often, someone in the public spotlight use that to take others into a dark place.

Podcasts

Invisible Hands Series 2 The History Podcast BBC Sounds

★★★★★

We were fascinated by the first series of David Dimbleby’s podcast which highlighted the “invisible hands” who changed the course of British History after the 2^nd World War.

Now he turns the spotlight on America and how it went from a nation that the 1^st President, George Washington, declared would not get engaged with foreign entanglements to the leader of the free world.

Pearl Harbour was the catalyst for America to get involved in the affairs of others, but it was a person few would have heard of who set the blueprint for this transformation, Harry Dexter White. Eventually, he would be called an enemy of the State.

As we have often stated in the past, it is the narrator as much as the content that makes a podcast and there are few better than 87-year-old David Dimbleby. His authenticity is derived from reporting on many of the events. He’s the embodiment of everything that makes the BBC excellent, even if those standards appear to be in decline.

The Positive Distraction  BBC Sounds

★★★★

Alexander McCall Smith is best known for his No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novels. This series features a selection of his short stories designed to make listeners feel better about the state of the world and that’s what they accomplish.

You can imagine listening to these either on a summer’s day lying in a hammock or warming yourself by an open fire, neither of which I have. The first is a tale about a friend’s miniature helicopter landing pad.

Film

The Odyssey

★★★★★

You would have been living on a desert island not to have heard of Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster which has dominated the culture airwaves this summer.

It’s an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem and whilst purists have been quick to point out discrepancies, this is an epic film, reflecting it’s $250 million budget. It features Odysseus’s 10-year attempt to return home after the sacking of Troy and the obstacles he has to overcome whilst his kingdom and wife are under siege as suitors seek to take his place in the marital bed and on the throne.

I was raised on a diet of epic films such as Ben Hur, and this has that feel. There’s no CGI and it’s filmed with IMAXA cameras. It’s got a great cast led by Matt Damon. It’s a film with ambition, boldness, flair and emotion. The only shame is that Christopher Nolan is the only current director who seems capable or is allowed to make such a film.

If you can see it on Imax, I didn’t which gives me the perfect excuse to see it again.

Books

I Am Pilgrim Terry Hayes

★★★

If you like multi thread spy thrillers then this is as good as any.

An unidentifiable woman murdered in a run-down hotel; a father publicly beheaded in Saudi Arabia; smouldering human remains in Afghanistan and it all adds up to a biotech attack on America for which there is no vaccine.

The timelines work very well and it’s well written. The only issue with a plot like this is you know the good guy is going to succeed, so if you’re not convinced by the first 80 pages, then don’t persevere.

The Last Detective Peter Lovesey

★★★

DS Peter Diamond is an old school detective eschewing computers and relying on question and answer, door stepping and deduction.

The case concerns a woman found naked floating in a lake with no murder weapon or identification. It’s a book you have to stick with because there’s a dramatic change in circumstances in the second part.

It’s what I would classify as a beach book, perfectly readable but it’s unlikely to occupy your thoughts when you board the flight home.

The Ten Year Affair Erin Somers

★★★

When Cora meets Sam at a baby group in their small town, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Both are happily married young parents with two kids, and neither sees themselves as the type to engage in an affair. 

So, you know where this is going but what’s interesting is that as the tension between them becomes all-consuming,  their worlds unravel into two parallel timelines. In one, they pursue their feelings. In the other, they resist.

It’s written with humour as it explores marriage undergoing changes in circumstance but could have been shorter.

If you have any recommendations, please do let us know or any comments on our recommendations. editorial@silverskies.com