Get ready to dive into The Friday Five—your weekly guide to the good things making waves in entertainment and lifestyle! This is where we spotlight the latest films, series, music, and hidden gems, bringing you stories that inspire, entertain, and leave you buzzing.
South Africa (01 November 2024) – Welcome to The Friday Five, a Good Things Guy initiative that brings you five incredible highlights from the world of entertainment and lifestyle each week.
This is your ultimate go-to guide for what’s inspiring, exciting, and well worth your time—from movies and series to music, games, books, and even must-visit restaurants and events. So settle in, because this week’s Friday Five is all about uplifting stories, unforgettable experiences, and a few surprises that are guaranteed to leave you smiling.
🎬 Movies for Your Watchlist:
First up, we have The Wild Robot, a film that feels like it appeared out of nowhere (to me), yet it’s one that has left a lasting impact. I didn’t know much about this movie going in, but leaving the theatre, I was genuinely moved. This isn’t just a story; it’s an experience that challenges you to think about connection and kindness in ways you may not expect.
Shipwrecked on a deserted island, Roz, a robot, finds herself learning to survive in the wilderness. As Roz interacts with the island’s animal inhabitants, she develops a parental bond with a little orphaned gosling, building relationships with creatures who become her unlikely family. It’s a story about transformation, adaptation, and finding community in the most unexpected places.
The Wild Robot left me wanting to live a bit kinder, a bit more in tune with the world around me. If you’re looking for a movie that doesn’t just entertain but genuinely inspires, then this is one you won’t forget anytime soon. Now showing in cinemas.
Keeping in tune with powerful movies, Ordinary Angels has been one of the best I’ve seen in ages. This story pulls you in from the start and takes you on a heartfelt journey of resilience, hope, and the beauty of community support.
The story follows a determined hairdresser who mobilises her entire town to support a struggling family. It’s the kind of film that reminds you how even small acts of kindness can ripple out and achieve the extraordinary. If you need a dose of humanity and a reminder of how a single person’s spirit can uplift a community, Ordinary Angels is a must-watch.
Now available on Netflix, this film will leave you inspired, hopeful, and with a renewed belief in the good people can bring to each other.
🎥 Series You Should Be Watching Right Now:
Shrinking on Apple TV+ is pure magic. This show hits all the right notes, blending humour, heart, and a genuine portrayal of life’s messy, beautiful moments.
It follows a therapist who, while dealing with his own grief, finds unique and often funny ways to help his clients—offering moments that are as moving as they are laugh-out-loud funny.
With Harrison Ford and Jason Segel bringing depth and warmth to every scene, Shrinking is a show that will leave you feeling happier, more hopeful, and maybe even a little more reflective on life. It’s an honest look at loss and healing, wrapped up in a show that makes you feel all the feels.
Shrinking is streaming now on Apple TV+. Season 2 has just dropped and if you haven’t watched the first season yet… get on it! It’s an absolute must.
For those in the mood for something lighter, High Potential on Disney+ is a delightful twist on the crime genre.
The story follows Morgan, a single mom of three kids and how thanks to her exceptional mind, she is able to help to solve a crime as she rearranges evidence during her shift as a cleaner for the police department.
Unlike darker dramas, this series is quirky and refreshing, bringing you clever plotlines and engaging characters. It keeps you entertained without taking itself too seriously, making it a great choice for anyone after a fun mystery fix.
🎶 Music You Need to Hear:
Bastille’s new album is nothing short of phenomenal.
Each track is a soundscape of emotion and story, pulling you into its depths. Songs like “Drawbridge & The Baroness” and “Mademoiselle & The Nunnery Blaze” are hauntingly beautiful, filled with sharp lyrics and stunning melodies that resonate long after the music ends.
This album showcases Bastille taking their sound to new heights—if you’re a long-time fan, you’ll be blown away by their evolution, and if you’re new to them, this is the perfect introduction. Each song feels like its own little world, making the album a journey well worth taking.
🛍️ Andrew’s American Amazon Addiction
Let’s be real: we all know someone who’s a little too fond of online shopping, but Andrew’s got it down to an art—on American Amazon, of all places!
Sure, it means paying those extra taxes and waiting a little longer for deliveries (and no, we don’t use the South African postal service), but every few weeks, like clockwork, a new package arrives.
This week, it was doggy car seats. And let me tell you, these are a total game-changer! They’re comfortable, stylish, and, most importantly, safe. The pups are securely strapped in, elevated to enjoy the view, and they’re so comfortable that it’s like having a mini luxury lounge in the back seat just for them.
While similar versions are available locally, Andrew had his heart set on this particular style—and these seats don’t disappoint. For pet lovers who want their dogs to ride in comfort and safety, these are worth every cent!
🍴 Places to Go:
If you missed it, the Luxurious Marble Circus lit up Johannesburg last weekend, bringing an unforgettable blend of culinary mastery, immersive design, and a vibe unlike any other.
This sprawling festival, hosted across a massive 75,000 square meters at Ground The Venue in Muldersdrift, transformed the space into a fantasy world—complete with speak-easy bars, carousel lounges, and a jaw-dropping Tomorrowland-inspired stage. It was more than just a festival; it was a playground for adults to experience an extraordinary fusion of food, music, and entertainment.
With David Higgs at the helm, his celebrated restaurants—Marble, Saint, Zioux, and Pantry—served up an unmatched culinary experience that wowed festivalgoers at every turn. It was a weekend that set a new bar for South African events, leaving attendees eagerly looking forward to the next instalment.
Here’s the catch though: you’ll have to wait, as the Luxurious Marble Circus won’t be back until 2025 but I am ready to buy tickets now (well, as soon as they go live for 2025).
So mark your calendars and start counting down because, if this year was anything to go by, next year’s event will be one for the books!
That’s it for this week’s Friday Five, folks! Here’s to more good things, more joy, and the little moments that make each day worth celebrating. Whether you’re catching up on these or sharing them with friends, remember—there’s always something good waiting just around the corner.
Sources: Brent Lindeque Friday Five
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