What do you get when you combine Bear Grylls and Bill Dance, and then toss in a little history, a ton of mystery and even some cultural education?
The answer: You get Animal Planet’s “River Monsters,” which stars extreme angler Jeremy Wade as he investigates mysterious attacks on people and animals — and then finds the water predator that was the culprit.
Sometimes he catches a fish, while other times he lures in something stranger, like an eel or a squid. But whatever he pulls up from the deep, the show is always edge-of-your-seat fascinating.
Binge watching
It began airing in 2008 but I didn’t discover it until recent weeks — thanks to my 10-year-old son Graham — when Amazon Prime added the first nine seasons to its catalogue. Ever since, he and I have been on a “River Monsters” binge.
The 62-year-old Wade is the perfect fit for the show, with a skill level and flare for boldness and bravery that few could muster. The British native also speaks about a dozen languages, which benefits him when he’s in the jungles of Africa or the countryside of Peru.
For Christian families, there are only three caveats: the show can be intense, he occasionally swears (mostly d—n) and he often discusses local religions.
With my 10-year-old son, I’ve used the show as a stepping stone to discuss cultures, worldviews and false gods — with extreme fishing as a backdrop.
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Also streaming this month
Amazon Prime
- “Eight Men Out” (May 1, PG) — It’s the story of the 1919 “Black Sox” scandal that forever changed baseball. But beware: Despite its PG rating, this 1988 film has some rough language. A PG-13 rating would have been more appropriate.
- “Rocky” through “Rocky V” (May 1, various ratings) — I’m not a boxing fan, but the U.S.-vs.-Soviet Union storyline in “Rocky IV” still gives me chills. Of course, these films may not be appropriate for the kids. “Rocky V” is rated PG-13. The others are PG.
- “Dino Dana,” Season 2 (May 22, TV-G) — In this animated children’s series, a young, budding paleontologist interacts with real (CGI) dinosaurs in her backyard. I enjoyed watching season one with my children, but you might want to screen an episode first to ensure it’s appropriate.
Netflix
- “A Little Help with Carol Burnett” (May 4, rating unknown) — Children dish out advice to help celebrities solve their life problems. Comedy icon Carol Burnett hosts it. I haven’t watched a screener but the trailer looks promising.
- “Coco” (May 29, PG) — A little Mexican boy who loves music is transported into the Land of the Dead, where he meets his deceased relatives in hopes that they will bless his musical career. This Disney/Pixar flick is artistically beautiful although the worldview may concern some parents. (My youngest kids haven’t watched it yet.)
- “Chonda Pierce: Enough” (currently streaming, TV-PG) — We get a glimpse of the Christian comedian on and off the stage following the death of her husband.
Hulu
- “Eight Men Out” (May 1, PG) — See above.
- “Rocky” through “Rocky V” (May 1, various ratings) — See above.
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Meet the reviewer
Michael Foust covers the intersection of faith and entertainment as a writer and podcast host for Heirloom Audio. He also is the husband of an amazing wife and the father of four small children.
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