New releases for your streaming pleasure: July 2-8
PRIME VIDEO
Heads Of State
Premieres on July 2
The UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke and U.S. President Will Derringer have a not-so-friendly and very public rivalry that jeopardises their countries' 'special relationship'. But when they become the targets of a powerful and ruthless foreign adversary — who proves more than a match for the two leaders' security forces — they are begrudgingly forced to rely on the only two people they can trust: each other. Ultimately allied with MI6 agent Noel Bisset, they must go on the run and find a way to work together long enough to thwart a global conspiracy that threatens the entire free world.
Premieres on July 6
This town, is not just a normal town. There's laughter, love and emotional moments. An unpredictable ordinary life presented by the residents! Exciting stuffs come one after another. Welcome to City.
HBO/MAX
Grosse Pointe Garden Society
Premiered on July 1
Follows four members of a suburban garden club, as they get caught up in murder and mischief, as they strive to flourish.
Premieres on July 3
An uncontrollable 70s dance craze infects Jellystone and it's up to Cindy, Yogi and Boo Boo to stop it.
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
Premieres on July 5
A master thief must pull off a dangerous casino heist when his nemesis kidnaps his lover. Caught between rival criminals and FBI pursuit, he risks all to save her and score big.
NETFLIX
Flow
Premiered on July 1
After a devastating flood, a courageous cat joins a ragtag crew of animals aboard a salvaged boat as they explore a wild, mysterious water-filled world.
Attack On London: Hunting The 7/7 Bombers
Premiered on July 1
Insider accounts and never-seen-before footage tell the story of the 7/7 bombings on London's transport network in 2005 — and its explosive aftermath.
The Old Guard 2
Premieres on July 2
Andy and her team of immortal warriors fight with renewed purpose as they face a powerful new foe threatening their mission to protect humanity.
The Sandman: Season 2 Volume 1
Premieres on July 3
A reunion of the Endless thrusts Lord Morpheus onto a perilous path, where a fateful choice makes him the target of a relentless quest for vengeance.
Dan Da Dan: Season 2
Premieres on July 3
The mystery around Jiji's family boils over as Momo, Okarun and Turbo Granny investigate the strange hot spring town and its even stranger secrets.
Emilia Pérez
Four remarkable women pursue happiness in Jacques Audiard's audacious, genre-defying film that unfolds through a fever dream of original songs and dance.
Premieres on July 8
AFN
5 Rencah 5 Rasa: Season 2
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Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Girls gone bad
Remember the popular HBO series Girls from over a decade ago? The show was widely recognised for its postfeminist commentary on female sexuality and millennial angst and it ran for a surprisingly long six seasons. To this day, I still don't really understand the rave reviews. I only watched a few episodes here and there, so I won't pretend to be an expert on it, but what I saw never quite resonated with me. Now comes Too Much, a new Netflix drama-comedy created by none other than Lena Dunham -- the same voice behind Girls. And after watching all 10 episodes, Too Much feels like a spiritual sequel to Girls. Whether that's a compliment or a criticism is open to interpretation. But to me, it felt like Dunham took everything that was frustrating, cringe-inducing and painfully self-conscious about Girls, gave it a new coat of paint and dropped it into a different setting -- London. The show follows Jessica (Megan Stalter), a New York-based workaholic in her mid-30s who is reeling from a heartbreak that she still hasn't emotionally recovered from. Her daily life in Manhattan is now haunted by the ghosts of her past missteps -- streets that remind her of arguments, restaurants that remind her of failed dates and friends she's slowly pushed away. So what does she do? She takes a job in London with the plan of disappearing into a life of romantic solitude -- imagining herself as some kind of modern-day Brontë sister. But her grand vision is quickly interrupted when she meets Felix (Will Sharpe), a charming but clearly problematic Englishman with a laundry list of red flags. Their messy, chaotic and at times toxic relationship becomes the central thread of the series. Genre-wise, Too Much is an odd and uneasy blend of romance, satire and character comedy. What makes the experience so uncomfortable is Megan Stalter's overbearing performance as Jessica. And it's not just the acting -- the entire show revolves around this character's emotional instability and poor decision-making, with very few moments that feel grounded or earned. I've never had a problem with characters being annoying, selfish, or even downright insufferable. In fact, some of the most memorable TV characters are defined by their flaws. But if I'm meant to root for them -- or at the very least stay invested in their arc -- there has to be a sense of movement or growth. Jessica, however, is a challenge to connect with. She's whiny, theatrical, self-involved and awkward, but not in any way that feels endearing or funny. The typical redemption arc requires that a character who starts off flawed begin to recognise their own shortcomings and, little by little, make meaningful changes. Jessica does eventually start to grow and become slightly more self-aware, but it takes far too long. The show waits until the final few episodes to kick this transformation into gear, which made much of the season feel like a frustrating loop of the same behaviour and poor choices over and over again. Another major issue I had with Too Much is the dialogue. Simply put, it's not interesting. The conversations between characters are long-winded, self-indulgent, and, frankly, tedious. Maybe I'm past the age where this kind of millennial or post-millennial introspection feels relatable. But for me, watching these characters speak felt like being trapped in a room full of people having conversations I couldn't care less about. The show tries to capture the rhythm of modern emotional discourse, but ends up sounding like a parody of therapy-speak and TikTok oversharing. Jessica and Felix, as leads, are both hard to like. I get that Dunham is going for realism, showing us flawed people who don't always say the right thing or act with grace. But their narcissism and lack of self-awareness become exhausting. I kept waiting for that one episode, or even one scene, where I'd finally connect with them -- or at least understand why I should care. But that moment never came. Not all the humour misses. There are times when the show lands a decent laugh, particularly in some of the more absurd situations. I did find myself smirking occasionally, or shuffling awkwardly in my seat during especially cringey moments -- but more out of second-hand embarrassment than genuine comedy. Many of the awkward or "funny" situations are just the result of terrible decision-making and instead of being humorous, they end up feeling repetitive or needlessly exasperating. That said, the show does have a few redeeming qualities. Visually, Too Much does a lovely job of capturing the feel of London. From the grey skies and cosy cafes to the urban corners and awkward social customs, the city almost becomes a character in itself. The "fish-out-of-water" jokes, while occasionally overused, do manage to add texture and contrast to Jessica's American sensibilities. There are a few chuckle-worthy moments drawn from culture clash and misunderstanding. Another thing I genuinely appreciated is the show's refreshingly honest approach to sex and body image. Unlike many series that exclusively depict sex between perfectly toned, model-like bodies, Too Much offers scenes that feel more realistic, with characters who look like actual people. Jessica, who is plus-sized, is portrayed confidently and without apology, which adds a nice touch of authenticity and inclusivity to a genre that often lacks both. Unfortunately, none of that is quite enough to rescue the show from its own indulgences. The writing feels like therapy sessions disguised as scripts and the performances, especially from Stalter, often cross the line from bold to grating. Even the celebrity cameos -- Naomi Watts, Jessica Alba, Stephen Fry and Kit Harington -- feel like distractions rather than meaningful contributions. Even though I had my fair share of criticisms about Girls, at least I could acknowledge that it had a spark of originality and daring in its earlier seasons. The problem with Too Much is that it inherits all the same flaws as Girls -- the narcissism and the lack of accountability and self-involvement -- but offers even less in return. The show tries to say something about identity, self-worth, and healing, but those messages get buried under characters that are just too hard to care about. If you're older than 20 -- or just not in the mood for 10 episodes of performative vulnerability -- maybe skip this one.
Bangkok Post
11-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
A pitch perfect pairing
What makes an action movie exciting and enjoyable, even when the story is simple or predictable? It doesn't happen often, but every now and then, a film comes along that proves a formulaic plot doesn't have to be a dealbreaker. Enter Prime Video's latest buddy action flick, Heads Of State -- a wild, high-energy, odd-couple romp that resurrects a familiar formula and injects it with sharp comedic timing and absurdly fun set pieces. Idris Elba and John Cena are the unexpected duo that make it all work. Directed by Ilya Naishuller, Heads Of State opens with a clever premise. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sam Clarke (Elba), and the President of the United States, Will Derringer (Cena), are bitter rivals. Their public antagonism threatens the historically close alliance between their countries. But things escalate quickly when the two world leaders become the targets of a powerful and elusive foreign enemy. With global security at risk and nowhere left to turn, Clarke and Derringer are forced to rely on the only people they can trust -- each other. Teaming up with MI6 agent Noelle Bisset (Priyanka Chopra), they embark on a globe-trotting mission to unravel a deadly conspiracy, avoid being killed at every turn and somehow work together long enough to save the world. In an amusing meta-twist, Cena's character is a former action movie star who has somehow ended up in the White House. He's brash, media-savvy, full of showbiz charm and beloved by voters more for his personality than for political acumen. On the other hand, Elba's character is a stereotypical British politician -- stoic, serious and endlessly proper. This contrast creates a dynamic that fuels most of the film's best moments. The friction between them is palpable but playfully handled, evolving into a genuine bromance as the film progresses. I was genuinely surprised at how effective the comedic timing was between the two leads. Elba and Cena bounce off each other with effortless rhythm and their snarky exchanges never feel forced. There's a clear sense that both actors were having fun during filming and that energy translates to the screen. Their chemistry makes even the more absurd moments work, grounding the over-the-top antics in real personality. One of the best things about Heads Of State is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. The movie leans hard into its own ridiculousness and has no problem poking fun at action movie clichés or political stereotypes. It's cheesy -- deliberately so -- and packed with exaggerated scenarios that border on satire. Whether it's a car chase that turns into a knife fight or a tense diplomatic meeting that devolves into slapstick, the film constantly straddles the line between action and parody. Priyanka Chopra, fresh off her turn in the spy series Citadel, once again proves she's got the action heroine role down to a science. She brings agility and grit to her performance and looks even more comfortable in the action scenes this time around. Her character serves as a counterbalance to the chaotic energy of Elba and Cena, grounding the film when it threatens to fly completely off the rails. Now, not everything about the film is stellar. The villains, for instance, are generic and largely forgettable. They exist mostly to provide someone for the leads to run from or fight with. Their motivations are vague, their personalities underdeveloped and they come across more as plot devices than real threats. Still, their one-dimensional nature doesn't significantly detract from the fun -- it just makes the film lean even more into the lighthearted, comic-book feel. When Cena and Elba are being chased, their enemies are little more than relentless henchmen -- faceless, expendable and purely functional. But that only enhances the buddy-comedy dynamic. The tension doesn't come from the threat level; it comes from watching the two leads try to work together while everything around them falls apart. The movie is far-fetched yet highly predictable, and it gets a bit preachy towards the end with some forced social commentary. But even that doesn't manage to drag down the sheer sense of fun that dominates the rest of the film. The tone stays consistent, the pacing never lags and the action scenes keep coming with a relentless energy. Heads Of State delivers the kind of experience that other streaming blockbusters -- like Red Notice (2021) or Six Underground (2019) -- have attempted but failed to execute successfully. Here, the blend of spectacle, stunts and comedy feels much more cohesive. At just under two hours, the film never overstays its welcome. It keeps the momentum going with a clean, straightforward plot that doesn't demand much from the viewer, but still offers enough engagement to make you care. From the outside, this might look like a generic, disposable action flick. I found Heads Of State to be a pleasant surprise. It's easy, silly and chaotic in all the familiar ways. The kind of movie you throw on at the end of a long week when you just want to kick back and enjoy some mindless fun.
Bangkok Post
02-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
New releases for your streaming pleasure: July 2-8
Looking for a title to binge-watch this weekend? Here's our pick! PRIME VIDEO Heads Of State Premieres on July 2 The UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke and U.S. President Will Derringer have a not-so-friendly and very public rivalry that jeopardises their countries' 'special relationship'. But when they become the targets of a powerful and ruthless foreign adversary — who proves more than a match for the two leaders' security forces — they are begrudgingly forced to rely on the only two people they can trust: each other. Ultimately allied with MI6 agent Noel Bisset, they must go on the run and find a way to work together long enough to thwart a global conspiracy that threatens the entire free world. Premieres on July 6 This town, is not just a normal town. There's laughter, love and emotional moments. An unpredictable ordinary life presented by the residents! Exciting stuffs come one after another. Welcome to City. HBO/MAX Grosse Pointe Garden Society Premiered on July 1 Follows four members of a suburban garden club, as they get caught up in murder and mischief, as they strive to flourish. Premieres on July 3 An uncontrollable 70s dance craze infects Jellystone and it's up to Cindy, Yogi and Boo Boo to stop it. Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. Premieres on July 5 A master thief must pull off a dangerous casino heist when his nemesis kidnaps his lover. Caught between rival criminals and FBI pursuit, he risks all to save her and score big. NETFLIX Flow Premiered on July 1 After a devastating flood, a courageous cat joins a ragtag crew of animals aboard a salvaged boat as they explore a wild, mysterious water-filled world. Attack On London: Hunting The 7/7 Bombers Premiered on July 1 Insider accounts and never-seen-before footage tell the story of the 7/7 bombings on London's transport network in 2005 — and its explosive aftermath. The Old Guard 2 Premieres on July 2 Andy and her team of immortal warriors fight with renewed purpose as they face a powerful new foe threatening their mission to protect humanity. The Sandman: Season 2 Volume 1 Premieres on July 3 A reunion of the Endless thrusts Lord Morpheus onto a perilous path, where a fateful choice makes him the target of a relentless quest for vengeance. Dan Da Dan: Season 2 Premieres on July 3 The mystery around Jiji's family boils over as Momo, Okarun and Turbo Granny investigate the strange hot spring town and its even stranger secrets. Emilia Pérez Four remarkable women pursue happiness in Jacques Audiard's audacious, genre-defying film that unfolds through a fever dream of original songs and dance. Premieres on July 8 AFN 5 Rencah 5 Rasa: Season 2
