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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' 'Happy Gilmore 2,' 'Materialists' and more: Your guide to this weekend's top movies to watch in theaters and at home
"The Fantastic Four: First Steps" shows that "Superman" was the start of a new trend. Hello, Yahoo readers! My name is Brett Arnold, film critic and longtime Yahoo editor, and I'm back with another edition of Trust Me, I Watch Everything. This week there are a handful of movies coming to streaming services you're likely already paying for, including Wes Anderson's latest, an indie gem about baseball and a fun self-aware horror flick. The biggest new release is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the latest attempt at making the Marvel characters pop onscreen with a buzzy new A-list cast, including Pedro Pascal. If you're looking for more Pascal, make it a double feature: His rom-dram Materialists is available to rent. Read on for more, because there's something here for everyone! What to watch in theaters Movies newly available to rent or buy Movies newly available on streaming services you may already have 🎥What to watch in theaters My recommendation: The Fantastic Four: First Steps Why you should watch it: The Fantastic Four: First Steps proves that James Gunn's Superman wasn't a one-off and instead was the start of an emerging trend of superhero movies. Both are comic book flicks that are meant to be introduction films, as well as reboots featuring iconic characters we've already seen onscreen before. They both purposefully avoid harping much on a character's origin story. The Fantastic Four: First Steps depicts it very quickly up top, whereas Superman throws you right into the action. Both rely on the audience knowing who these people are and what they do without getting bogged down by lore. That being said, each movie is meant to emulate the experience of reading a comic book, picking up an issue and getting caught up in that one arc without having to worry about its place in the larger universe. The best thing about The Fantastic Four: First Steps is that it doesn't adhere to the Marvel house style and has a unique look that's decidedly its own: a retro-futuristic take on the 1960s that feels as indebted to The Jetsons as it does the comic books its based on. Superman opened with Clark Kent having already been Superman for three years, and First Steps similarly opens with our heroes celebrating four years as America's superhero protectors. The public knows who they are and appreciates their efforts to keep them safe. But Marvel's First Family is soon forced to balance their roles as heroes and the strength of their family bond while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) is pregnant with the child of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), and the movie explores how Reed tries to 'babyproof the world,' as a character in the film puts it, and protect their kid from real and specific dangers — in this case, Galactus. The film is at its best when its leaning into either the silliness or the scale of the sci-fi comic book world these characters inhabit, like when we get a glimpse of villain Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser, a highlight) and his underground world of Subterranea, or when the plot turns to the idea of teleporting entire planets in order to save lives. The foreboding Galactus, who is the size of a skyscraper and more menacing than any villain I can think of in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is an undeniable selling point. Maybe it's just my love for science fiction showing, but a bad guy that's just the Death Star incarnate, destroying planets as if they were nothing, is scary, strong stuff. If I have a major complaint, it's that the Fantastic Four's powers are never really utilized in a way that feels specific to each character. It's all just generic superhero zipping around and shooting forceful beams out of their hands. The wildly specific skillsets all feel incidental here, rather than expertly written and woven into the narrative or the action. The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bacharach is terrific as the voice of the Thing, but the character feels like he has little to do here, and the entirely CGI creation of his being pales in comparison to the onscreen depiction 20 years ago, when Michael Chiklis was transformed into the character with extensive makeup. Joseph Quinn is fun as Johnny Storm, but he too just flies around while on fire. The Fantastic Four: First Steps may be the latest attempt at bringing these classic comic book characters to the screen, but it's undeniably the most successful of that very cursed bunch. The speed-run character development is a barrier at first, but by the end, I was worn down and accepted that this is what comic book movies are now, nearly 20 years after Iron Man changed everything for the genre. On paper, I love the idea of skipping the origin story, but after Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I just think more work needs to be done setting up these worlds if I'm expected to buy in. For those unfamiliar with the characters, who have never seen a Fantastic Four movie or read one of their comic books, I do wonder if the experience is meaningfully different. What other critics are saying: Most agree that Marvel finally got it right this time. William Bibbiani at The Wrap says it's first-rate, writing, "whatever its drawbacks, feels like a real Fantastic Four movie, and that's no small achievement." The Associated Press's Jake Coyle agrees that the villains steal the show and calls it "a very solid comic book movie." How to watch: The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in theaters nationwide July 25. Get tickets 🤔 But that's not all! This ridiculously bonkers horror movie starring Pete Davidson and directed by The Purge mastermind James DeMonaco was shot in early 2022 and is only now sneaking into theaters. Davidson plays a troubled man who starts working at a retirement home and realizes its residents and caretakers harbor sinister secrets. It's unpredictable in a fun way, even if it feels like you're watching a different movie in the final 10 minutes. Get tickets. : A derivative found-footage horror vehicle for Kris Collins, aka KallMeKris, a Canadian TikToker who has a massive following on the social media platform. It's ripping off The Blair Witch Project for most of the runtime, until it gets to the third act and imitates a different popular horror movie. It doesn't amount to much, sadly. Get tickets. 💸Movies newly available to rent or buy My recommendation: Why you should watch it: You can get a double helping of Pedro Pascal this weekend, if you're into that sort of thing, as the controversial Materialists is now watchable from your couch. As I wrote when it debuted in theaters, it disappoints in comparison to Past Lives, writer-director Celine Song's debut film, and the script ultimately lets down the actors, even if the performances are all very good. What other critics are saying: There are strong opinions on both sides here. Stephanie Zacharek at Time writes that it's "more bittersweet than sweet, which is what makes it so wonderful, in a wistful, elusive way." The Daily Beast's Nick Schager dubs it a disappointing letdown, calling it "the cinematic equivalent of a sugary soda gone terribly flat." How to watch: Materialists is now available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV and other VOD platforms. Rent or buy 'Materialists' ➕ Bonus recommendation Why you should watch it: The always-great Danielle Deadwyler stars in this postapocalyptic thriller about a Black family of Canadian farmers descended from American Civil War migrants defending their homestead against cannibals trying to seize their resources. Its specific approach to the apocalypse, that it's about food scarcity and the importance of farms in that future, makes it stand out from plenty of similar fare, as does the terrific and dynamic gunplay that unexpectedly takes up the latter half. The focus on family is also very effective. Much better than you'd expect from this sort of low-budget affair. What other critics are saying: Most agree it's worth your time! Rolling Stone's David Fear writes, "She's not better than the movie. Deadwyler just makes the movie better by every choice she's making as an actor." Amy Nicholson at the Los Angeles Times agrees, writing that "there's not one false beat in Deadwyler's performance." How to watch: 40 Acres is now available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV and other VOD platforms. Rent or buy '40 Acres' 🤔 But that's not all! : This is a horror movie about a serial killer whose method of killing is feeding his victims to sharks. I wish I didn't have to tell you that because the opening scene is such a shocking introduction, but the trailer gives it away immediately. It's still absolutely worth watching, if that sounds like your kind of thing. Rent or buy. Disney's live-action remake became the first and only movie to gross $1 billion this year, and now you can help it make more money by paying to rent it! As per usual with these things, it's not as nice to look at as the animated original, but it gets the job done. Rent or buy. 📺Movies newly available on streaming services you may have My recommendation: Why you should watch it: Our review is coming Friday! What other critics are saying: Check back on Friday! How to watch: Happy Gilmore 2 is streaming on Netflix July 25. Stream 'Happy Gilmore 2' ➕ Bonus recommendation: Why you should watch it: Sometimes, all you need is a cheap but satisfying B-movie about a creature on an island killing people in increasingly gory ways. Bonus points if the creature just so happens to be a guy in a suit. This World War II-set throwback is as inspired by the films of Jack Arnold (specifically Creature From the Black Lagoon) as it is Predator, and it delivers on the promise. The story about two guys from opposite sides of the war forced to band together against a greater threat works quite well! What other critics are saying: There aren't many reviews for this one yet, so you'll have to take my word for it. If you're into low-budget stuff buoyed by great practical FX work and better-than-average performances, check it out. How to watch: Monster Island will start streaming on Shudder on July 25th. Stream 'Monster Island' 🤔 But that's not all! The latest film from Wes Anderson is a decidedly silly one. Imagine the usual Andersonian look and feel, now with cartoonish violence, and a terrific performance from Benicio Del Toro at its center. I wrote more about it here. Streaming on Peacock July 25 This quietly profound indie about a baseball team playing their last-ever game functions as a metaphor about life and the eventual bitter end of the things we love. How can you not be romantic about baseball?! I wrote more here. Now streaming on Mubi. This horror flick based on a popular video game leans more Cabin in the Woods send-up than earnest horror, and fans of the genre will enjoy the way it plays with conventions. Streaming on Netflix July 24. Steve Coogan is sensational in this cute movie inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976 and how his life is transformed when he befriends a penguin. Streaming on Netflix July 26 This A24 movie starring Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd is a high-concept fantastical comedy that eventually turns into goofy horror. I found it insufferable, but, hey, it's on HBO Max now, so you're not paying for on HBO Max July 25 That's all for this week — we'll see you next Friday at the movies!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' 'Happy Gilmore 2,' 'Materialists' and more: Your guide to this weekend's top movies to watch in theaters and at home
"The Fantastic Four: First Steps" shows that "Superman" was the start of a new trend. Hello, Yahoo readers! My name is Brett Arnold, film critic and longtime Yahoo editor, and I'm back with another edition of Trust Me, I Watch Everything. This week, there are a handful of movies coming to streaming services you're likely already paying for, including Wes Anderson's latest, an indie gem about baseball and a fun self-aware horror flick. The biggest new release is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the latest attempt at making the Marvel characters pop onscreen with a buzzy new A-list cast, including Pedro Pascal. If you're looking for more Pascal, make it a double feature: his rom-dram Materialists is available to rent. Read on for more, because there's something here for everyone! What to watch in theaters Movies newly available to rent or buy Movies newly available on streaming services you may already have 🎥What to watch in theaters My recommendation: The Fantastic Four: First Steps Why you should watch it: The Fantastic Four: First Steps proves that James Gunn's Superman wasn't a one-off and instead was the start of an emerging trend of superhero movies. Both are comic book flicks that are meant to be introduction films, as well as reboots featuring iconic characters we've already seen onscreen before. They both purposefully avoid harping much on the characters' origin story. The Fantastic Four: First Steps depicts it very quickly up top, whereas Superman throws you right into the action. Both rely on the audience knowing who these people are and what they do without getting bogged down by lore. That being said, each movie is meant to emulate the experience of reading a comic book, picking up an issue and getting caught up in that one arc without having to worry about its place in the larger universe. The best thing about The Fantastic Four: First Steps is that it doesn't adhere to the Marvel house style and has a unique look that's decidedly its own: a retro-futuristic take on the 1960s that feels as indebted to The Jetsons as it does the comic books its based on. Superman opened with Clark Kent having already been Superman for three years, and First Steps similarly opens with our heroes celebrating four years as America's superhero protectors. The public knows who they are and appreciates their efforts to keep them safe. But Marvel's First Family is soon forced to balance their roles as heroes and the strength of their family bond while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) is pregnant with Reed Richards's (Pedro Pascal) child, and the movie explores how Reed tries to 'babyproof the world,' as a character in the film puts it, and protect their kid from real and specific dangers — in this case, Galactus. The film is at its best when its leaning into either the silliness or the scale of the sci-fi comic book world these characters inhabit, like when we get a glimpse of villain Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser, a highlight) and his underground world of Subterranea, or when the plot turns to the idea of teleporting entire planets in order to save lives. The foreboding Galactus, who is the size of a skyscraper and more menacing than any villain I can think of in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is an undeniable selling point. Maybe it's just my love for science fiction showing, but a bad guy that's just the Death Star incarnate, destroying planets as if they were nothing, is scary and strong stuff. If I have a major complaint, it's that the Fantastic Four's powers are never really utilized in a way that feels specific to each character. It's all just generic superhero zipping around and shooting forceful beams out of their hands. The wildly specific skillsets all feel incidental here, rather than expertly written and weaved into the narrative or the action. The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bacharach is terrific as the voice of the Thing, but the character feels like he has little to do here, and the entirely-CGI creation of his being pales in comparison to the onscreen depiction 20 years ago, when Michael Chiklis was transformed into the character with extensive makeup. Joseph Quinn is fun as Johnny Storm, but he, too, just flies around while on fire. The Fantastic Four: First Steps may be the latest attempt at bringing these classic comic book characters to the screen, but it's undeniably the most successful of that very cursed bunch. The speed-run character development is a barrier at first, but by the end, I was worn down and accepted that this is what comic book movies are now, nearly 20 years after Iron Man changed everything for the genre. On paper, I love the idea of skipping the origin story, but after Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I just think more work needs to be done setting up these worlds if I'm expected to buy in. For those unfamiliar with the characters, who have never seen a Fantastic Four movie or read one of their comic books, I do wonder if the experience is meaningfully different. What other critics are saying: Most agree that Marvel finally got it right this time. William Bibbiani at The Wrap says it's first-rate, writing, "whatever its drawbacks, feels like a real Fantastic Four movie, and that's no small achievement." The Associated Press's Jake Coyle agrees that the villains steal the show and calls it "a very solid comic book movie." How to watch: The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in theaters nationwide July 25. Get tickets 🤔 But that's not all! This ridiculously bonkers horror movie starring Pete Davidson and directed by The Purge mastermind James DeMonaco was shot in early 2022 and is only now sneaking out into theaters. Davidson plays a troubled man who starts working at a retirement home and realizes its residents and caretakers harbor sinister secrets. It's unpredictable in a fun way, even if it feels like you're watching a different movie in the final 10 minutes. Get tickets. : A derivative found-footage horror vehicle for Kris Collins, aka KallMeKris, a Canadian TikToker who has a massive following on the social media platform. It's ripping off The Blair Witch Project for most of the runtime, until it gets to the third act and imitates a different popular horror movie. It doesn't amount to much, sadly. Get tickets. 💸Movies newly available to rent or buy My recommendation: Why you should watch it: You can get a double helping of Pedro Pascal this weekend, if you're into that sort of thing, as the controversial Materialists is now watchable from your couch. As I wrote when it debuted in theaters, it disappoints in comparison to Past Lives, writer/director Celine Song's debut film, and the script ultimately lets the actors down, even if the performances are all very good. What other critics are saying: There are strong opinions on both sides here. Stephanie Zacharek at Time writes that it's "more bittersweet than sweet, which is what makes it so wonderful, in a wistful, elusive way." The Daily Beast's Nick Schager dubs it a disappointing letdown, calling it "the cinematic equivalent of a sugary soda gone terribly flat." How to watch: Materialists is now available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV and other VOD platforms. Rent or buy 'Materialists' ➕ Bonus recommendation Why you should watch it: The always-great Danielle Deadwyler stars in this post-apocalyptic thriller about a Black family of Canadian farmers descended from American Civil War migrants defending their homestead against cannibals trying to seize their resources. Its specific approach to the apocalypse, that it's about food scarcity and the importance of farms in that future, makes it stand out from plenty of similar fare, as does the terrific and dynamic gunplay that unexpectedly takes up the latter half. The focus on family is also very effective. Much better than you'd expect from this sort of low-budget affair! What other critics are saying: Most agree it's worth your time! Rolling Stone's David Fear writes, "she's not better than the movie. Deadwyler just makes the movie better by every choice she's making as an actor." Amy Nicholson at the Los Angeles Times agrees, writing "there's not one false beat in Deadwyler's performance." How to watch: 40 Acres is now available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV and other VOD platforms. Rent or buy '40 Acres' 🤔 But that's not all! : This is a horror movie about a serial killer whose method of killing is feeding his victims to sharks. I wish I didn't have to tell you that because the opening scene is such a shocking introduction, but the trailer gives it away immediately. It's still absolutely worth watching, if that sounds like your kind of thing. Rent or buy. Disney's live-action remake became the first and only movie to gross $1 billion this year, and now you can help it make more money by paying to rent it! As per usual with these things, it's not as nice to look at as the animated original, but it gets the job done. Rent or buy. 📺Movies newly available on streaming services you may have My recommendation: Why you should watch it: Our review is coming Friday! What other critics are saying: Check back on Friday! How to watch: Happy Gilmore 2 is streaming on Netflix July 25. Stream 'Happy Gilmore 2' ➕ Bonus recommendation: Why you should watch it: Sometimes, all you need is a cheap but satisfying B-movie about a creature on an island killing people in increasingly gory ways. Bonus points if the creature just so happens to be a guy in a suit. This World War II-set throwback is as inspired by the films of Jack Arnold (specifically Creature from the Black Lagoon) as it is Predator, and it delivers on the promise. The story about two guys from opposite sides of the war forced to band together against a greater threat works quite well! What other critics are saying: There aren't many reviews for this one yet, so you'll have to take my word for it. If you're into low-budget stuff buoyed by great practical FX work and better-than-average performances, check it out. How to watch: Monster Island is now streaming on Shudder. Stream 'Monster Island' 🤔 But that's not all! The latest film from Wes Anderson is a decidedly silly one. Imagine the usual Andersonian look and feel, now with cartoonish violence, and a terrific performance from Benicio Del Toro at its center. I wrote more about it here. Now streaming on Peacock. This quietly profound indie about a baseball team playing their last-ever game functions as a metaphor about life and the eventual bitter end of the things we love. How can you not be romantic about baseball?! I wrote more here. Now streaming on Mubi. This horror flick based on a popular video game leans more Cabin in the Woods send-up than earnest horror, and fans of the genre will enjoy the way it plays with streaming on Netflix. Steve Coogan is sensational in this cute movie inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976, and how his life becomes transformed when he befriends a penguin. Now streaming on Netflix. This A24 movie starring Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd is a high-concept fantastical comedy that eventually turns into goofy horror. I found it insufferable, but hey, it's on HBO Max now, you're not paying for streaming on HBO Max. That's all for this week — we'll see you next Friday at the movies!
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Eddington,' 'I Know What You Did Last Summer,' 'M3GAN 2.0' and more: Your guide to this weekend's top movies to watch in theaters and at home
I haven't been able to get 'Eddington,' starring Pedro Pascal Joaquin Phoenix, out of my head. Hello, Yahoo readers! My name is Brett Arnold, film critic and longtime Yahoo editor, and I'm back with another edition of Trust Me, I Watch Everything. This weekend, two wildly different wide releases are debuting in theaters: Eddington, a pandemic-set Western that's hard to categorize but falls somewhere between satire and thriller, and I Know What You Did Last Summer, a legacy sequel/reboot of the iconic franchise. Are they both worth the cost of a movie ticket (plus popcorn and a soda)? Eddington is one of those movies that sticks with you, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. As for the other, well, keep reading. A few recent releases come home, too. There's the smash-hit How to Train Your Dragon remake and the absolute bomb that was M3GAN 2.0. Over on streaming services you may already be paying for, there's I Love You Forever, an indie comedy starring Cazzie David, daughter of comedy legend Larry David, on HBO Max, and The Assessment, starring Elizabeth Olsen and Alicia Vikander, on Hulu. Read on because there's something here for everyone! What to watch in theaters Movies newly available to rent or buy Movies newly available on streaming services you may already have 🎥 What to watch in theaters My recommendation: Why you should watch it: Most people go to the movies for escapism, to get away from the problems of the real world and the stresses of your personal life for just a couple of hours and watch some beautiful people on a huge screen. Eddington definitely delivers on the beautiful people part — it boasts an A-list cast featuring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler that makes it feel higher profile than Ari Aster's previous films (Hereditary, Midsommar) — but it's about as far from escapism as movies get. It's a politically-charged modern Western that takes the form of a violent confrontation for both its characters and the audience, forcing us to reckon with the collective mindf*** that was the summer of 2020, when COVID-19 entered our lexicon and lockdowns changed everything about our lives. Eddington depicts a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) that sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in the small town of Eddington, New Mexico. Phoenix's character doesn't want to wear a mask — he has asthma, and he says he can't breathe while wearing one — and decides to run for mayor to fight against local pandemic-era regulations that he finds overly burdensome. The plot is a cavalcade of culture war talking points from the era: mask mandates, ineffectual and hypocritical political leadership, shifting goalposts, opportunist conspiracy theorist grifters, "fake news," social justice warriors that are well-meaning but whose actions may be performative and influenced by ulterior motives and so much more. It's a satire that clocks the pandemic as the moment that we as a society lost all sense of community in the internet age as we're all siloed off in our own personalized little bubble worlds, stuck in echo chambers of our own choosing, thanks to social media algorithms and conspiracies pushed by people in the highest levels of power. It demonstrates how people now live in alternate realities within the same town, or even the same house, and how that can be corrosive, and how it's all getting worse and exacerbated by A.I., as data centers proliferate across the country, including the fictional Eddington, gobbling up human resources and further closing the gap between our real world and the digital one we inhabit. Despite the satirical bent — it's laugh-out-loud funny throughout, even when hitting easy targets — Eddington is quite earnest in its depiction of that time period and how it broke all of our brains, and how we're still very much living in the aftermath of it. Aster isn't offering any solutions here, and, more than anything else, it winds up being a deeply disturbing and upsetting character study about the type of person who might become radicalized by the state of the world and the insidiousness of the modern internet. He's an anxious person who has now repeatedly used his tableaus to explore those specific anxieties. As such, Eddington is ultimately a very paranoid and depressing movie, one that posits there may not be a way back, and that 2020 was the beginning of the end of an era, a point of no return, and that screens and technology will forever infiltrate and sow chaos in our lives. It all builds to a pulse-pounding and thrilling third act that sees the filmmaker trying out yet another genre. It's sure to be the most polarizing film of the year and should inspire intense reactions on both sides. Personally, I haven't stopped thinking about it, and despite my utter disinterest in films about the pandemic, it makes a great case that maybe we should all set aside some time to process what the hell happened. It's the feel-bad movie of the summer, but a must-see all the same! What other critics are saying: Polarizing is right! For every instance of praise, there's also a pan. Lindsay Bahr at the Associated Press wrote that the film "somehow seems both too late and too soon" and that it "feels like the last thing any of us need." Esther Zuckerman in the Daily Beast praised Phoenix's performance, adding, "While Eddington has a very starry cast, Phoenix is his anchor." How to watch: Eddington is now playing in theaters nationwide. Get tickets ➕ Bonus not-quite-a-recommendation: I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) Why you should skip it: It's fitting that the legacy sequel for I Know What You Did Last Summer, a movie that is and always was a Scream knockoff that should always be mentioned in the same breath as that film, plays like a parody of the recent spate of horror legacy sequels, or remakequels, that we've endured in recent years. You likely already know the drill: a fresh-faced cast of young people are now facing off against a fisherman murdered in a rain slicker, and the circumstances basically mirror the original film with minor changes. To help stop the murders, the teens must team up with … you guessed it: Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. from the original movies. Madelyn Cline of Outer Banks fame is a rising star worth watching, but the returning older cast members all prove that maybe there's a reason they don't top-line movies anymore. I Know What You Did Last Summer is full of references to modern memes and pop culture staples — is this the first movie to reference Nicole Kidman's AMC ads? — in such a way that it feels even more like a Scream clone than it ever did. It also somehow already feels dated; Halloween (2018) did the true-crime podcaster thing, and it's not the only example. Worst of all, though, is it's poorly directed and awkwardly assembled, edited in such a jumpy way that the killer often seems to appear out of nowhere, with no coherence or any build-up whatsoever. It's truly amateur hour, so much so that a major climactic moment is absolutely botched and comes off incomprehensible. If you do see it, though, do stick around for the mid-credits scene, which features a Marvel-style character introduction and table setting for any future films that is definitely meant to be laughed at, but also reveals how utterly ridiculous and unserious this whole affair is, which would be fine if the movie were any fun or were competently made. What other critics are saying: It's no surprise that it's getting slaughtered. Mark Kennedy at the Associated Press wrote that "a relaunch makes sense but it's pretty vapid stuff until the OGs arrive." Though Jordan Hoffman, writing for Entertainment Weekly, argued that "clever moments" and "a sensational performance from Madelyn Cline" keep it afloat. How to watch: I Know What You Did Last Summer is now playing in theaters nationwide. Get tickets 💸 Movies newly available to rent or buy My recommendation: Why you should watch it: The live-action remake of the 2010 computer-animated film doesn't change a thing, to its benefit and its detriment. The original film's story is heartfelt and a crowd-pleaser, so it makes sense that the remake would also be heartfelt and a crowd-pleaser. Its problems are inherent to the animated-to-live-action-adaptation pipeline, in that it never really justifies its existence beyond "a new generation of children will want to see this and their parents will pay to do so." Place any sequence from the original side-by-side next to its live-action counterpart, and the animated sequence is more appealing every time. There's an expressive energy to the proceedings that's lost in translation, no matter how good the performances. The dragon-based action is so specifically ill-suited for live-action that they opt to make all the CGI-heavy action dark and indistinguishable! This likely won't bother your kids, though I do recommend starting with the animated versions if they're new to the franchise. It's a completely safe endeavor with no real creative risks taken, but "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a colloquialism for a reason. Though I do think it's time we get a congressional committee to investigate how all these "real" redos of animated movies are always somehow both exactly the same movie, yet also a half hour longer. What other critics are saying: I'm a curmudgeon, it turns out, as many critics were impressed with it. David Sims of The Atlantic wrote that he liked the new version about as much as its ancestor. "Both, to me, are above-average bits of children's entertainment that struggle with the same problems," he said/ The Hollywood Reporter's Lovia Gyarkye said it "honors the charm of the original. It's not an essential remake, but at least it's not an offensive one." How to watch: How to Train Your Dragon is now available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV and other VOD platforms. Rent or buy ➕ Bonus recommendation: Why you should watch it: M3GAN 2.0 bombed so badly at the box office, Jason Blum, the CEO of Blumhouse, the company that made the movie, spent his Monday morning following its first weekend flop doing interviews and taking ownership for the movie's failure. The original grossed a surprisingly healthy $30 million opening weekend; the sequel barely cracked $10 million! 'We all thought M3gan was like Superman — we could do anything to her. We could change genres, we could put her in the summer, we could make her look different, we could turn her from a bad guy into a good guy. And we kind of classically overthought how powerful people's engagement was, really, with her,' he admitted. However, if you're aware that the movie is more of a comedic sci-fi spy adventure that's riffing on everything from Terminator 2 to Mission: Impossible and not a horror film at all like the original, you may have fun with it. It's certainly dumb, but it knows it. Had the movie not been an unreasonably lengthy two hours long, all the silliness would be easier to forgive What other critics are saying: It's a mixed bag! Mashable's Kristy Puchko declares that appealing to a broader audience killed the fun, calling it "a horrendous mishmash of ideas and influences" that's mostly "derivative, bewildering and bland." The Telegraph's Robbie Collins, however, had a great time with it, calling it "uproarious, if not especially scary" and that it leans into silliness "with infectious glee." How to watch: M3GAN 2.0 is now available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV and other VOD platforms. Rent or buy 📺 Movies newly available on streaming services you may have My recommendation: Why you should watch it: I Love You Forever is a subversive romantic comedy gone wrong that follows a young woman into and out of an emotionally abusive relationship. It's an impressive debut from Cazzie David, daughter of Larry David, that feels honest, and the characters feel like real people, which is no easy feat when writing comedy. Given how funny the banter here is, it may feel like a wasted opportunity that it doesn't always lean into the comedy, but it's noble to depict a type of abusive relationship you don't often see in movies, and do so in a way that makes you understand and empathize with the lead's point-of-view. It's an indie gem, and Cazzie, who co-directed, co-wrote and co-stars in the film, stands out as particularly funny here. It also features fellow nepo baby Ray Nicholson, Jack Nicholson's son. What other critics are saying: They love it forever! Indiewire's Samantha Bergeson praised lead actress Sofia Black-D'Elia, writing that she's "ushering in a next generation of sarcastic, relatable, lovable stars. Black-D'Elia has an Emma Stone in Easy A vibe." Stephen Saito at Variety said that it's a "nifty" millennial rewrite of a rom-com, "finding a fresh take on a toxic relationship." How to watch: I Love You Forever is now streaming on HBO Max. Stream "I Love You Forever" ➕ Bonus recommendation: Why you should watch it: In a climate change-ravaged world, a utopian society optimizes life, including parenthood assessments. A successful couple, played by Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel faces scrutiny by an evaluator (Alicia Vikander) over seven days to determine their fitness for childbearing. It's bizarre, delightfully stupid and goes off the rails in ways I didn't see coming, frankly. The reasons why are best left unspoiled, but I'll say that Vikander's character takes a ... turn that is rather exciting and shocking, coming from an esteemed actress of her caliber. It's ultimately a bleakly funny satire about parenting. What other critics are saying: There are far more positive reviews out there than negative ones. Variety's Stephen Saito wrote that "the film may depict a society losing touch with humanity, but is unusually affecting when it shows no lack of it of its own." Robert Abele at the Los Angeles Times liked it, but said "it falters in bringing everything to the reverberating conclusion its discomfiting first two-thirds merits." How to watch: The Assessment is now streaming on Hulu. Stream "The Assessment" on Hulu 🤔 But that's not all! : Rami Malek stars in this film based on the 1981 novel by Robert Littell, which was already adapted into a film in 1981. It's a simple revenge story you've seen a million times before, in which a boring and nebbish CIA analyst takes justice into his own hands to get revenge on those who killed his loved ones. There are moments here you'd confuse for a Saw movie, but it's not as exciting as that sounds, and is never as compelling as it should be. Now streaming on Hulu. That's all for this week — we'll see you next Friday at the movies!
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Superman, 'Jaws @ 50' and beyond: Your guide to this weekend's top movies to watch in theaters and at home
Hello, Yahoo readers! My name is Brett Arnold, film critic and longtime Yahoo editor, and I'm back with another edition of Trust Me, I Watch Everything. This week, James Gunn's Superman is flying into theaters. I found the alleged franchise starter to be disappointing, though comic book fans may find things to love. Luckily, there are some great flicks freshly available to rent in Sovereign and The Unholy Trinity. Plus, there are even more that are brand new to streaming, like a documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws on Disney+ and Hulu, the Hitchock-esque thriller Drop on Peacock and plenty more, including The Bear star Ayo Edebiri in Opus, which is now on HBO Max. Read on because there's something here for everyone, including 5 key highlights and several other options for each of the below categories. What to watch in theaters Movies newly available to rent or buy Movies newly available on streaming services you may already have Why it doesn't really work: James Gunn's Superman, which damn near singlehandedly carries the weight of the future of DC movies on its broad shoulders, has to be the most disappointing movie of the year so far. It falls almost entirely flat, relying on the audience's pre-existing relationship with the characters rather than using any of the film's runtime to set up this world or build any sort of emotional connection to these people. Gunn certainly has a take on the character, but he never came up with a hook. By the time we meet our hero, played here by relative newcomer David Corenswet in an underwhelming attempt at a star-making turn, he and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) are already a couple, and we're supposed to buy their relationship simply because it's there on-screen. You don't feel the romance; they are simply already dating! Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) already hates Superman and is secretly controlling the enemies that Kal-El faces throughout, with no real pathos added. We are introduced to Superman himself as he loses his first-ever fight, with text very briefly informing viewers of the history of meta-humans and Superman's place in our world. The movie wastes zero time getting political, setting up a conflict in which Superman unilaterally steps in to prevent a war between two fictional countries. It all amounts to an unsubtle critique (that ultimately winds up as an endorsement) of United States interventionism abroad, and Gunn wades even further into politics by leaning into the "Superman is an alien immigrant" metaphor, botching the specifics regarding his parentage, no matter how well-intentioned. It's actually wildly offensive! Superman is also overstuffed, full of side characters, a problem that countless superhero movies as of late have fallen victim to, making tentpole movies feel like a small part of something larger rather than a singular satisfying product. It plays as if you flipped to a TV show on a random episode in its sixth season, having seen none of it before. It shoots for Saturday morning cartoon and "comic book come to life" energy and instead lands at "chintzy streaming-era TV feel." All of this would be easy to forgive if it delivered action worthy of a summer blockbuster superhero movie spectacle, but that is arguably its worst asset, as the overlit look and its complete and total reliance on rubbery CGI renders all that action cartoonish, boring, and repetitive. It just has no weight to it. The repeated use of Superman's (entirely CGI) dog Krypto for comic relief gets old, too. Hardcore fans of comic books and/or Superman may find things to praise here, but casual audiences are likely to be underwhelmed by it as it really lacks the sort of rousing crowd-pleasing energy and charm that made Gunn's Guardians trilogy and his Suicide Squad entry a lot of fun. It's a flat nothing of a movie, a fact made starkly clear any time there's supposed to be a moment of genuine emotion. It's ultimately just another superhero movie, even if it looks more like a CW show. 🍿 What critics are saying: My negative opinion is actually in the minority, so don't be dissuaded just yet! The Telegraph's Robbie Collin wrote that "Gunn's kitchen-sink approach feels refreshingly generous, and his excitement for the character shines through." Jake Coyle at the AP noted that "a weird Superman is better than a boring one." 👀 How to watch: Superman will be in theaters nationwide Friday Get tickets Why you should watch it: Nick Offerman is absolutely terrific and perfectly cast in Sovereign, a movie based on the true story of Jerry and Joe Kane, a father and son were self-proclaimed sovereign citizens involved in a deadly confrontation with police in West Memphis, Ark., in 2010. It's a fictionalized take on the incident and not a direct retelling. It amounts to a dual character study that tragically builds toward the aforementioned incident; a thriller of sorts, but with real emotional weight behind it. It's a specific parenting story that speaks to the inherent dynamic of the father-son relationship: the father trying to mold the son to their worldview, and the son resisting, or embracing, that. Offerman is sublime in the role, making you almost pity the man who is so staunch in his convictions as those convictions are revealed to be watery and not based in reality. The filmmakers are essentially weaponizing his well-known "Ron Swanson" persona from Parks and Recreation to great dramatic effect. Jacob Tremblay, child actor of Room and Wonder fame, now almost 20 years old, plays the son. It's also a strong turn from him even if Offerman steals the show. 🍿 What critics are saying: Everyone agrees that Offerman is the highlight; Frank Scheck at The Hollywood Reporter specifically praised the performance as "terrific" (jinx!) and says it's "uncomfortable but necessary viewing." Indiewire's David Ehrlich, too, praised Offerman but was less sold on the movie overall, writing that it's "too vague and scattered to chart a legible path toward his breaking point." 👀 How to watch: Sovereignis in limited release theatrically and is also now available to rent or buy. Rent or buy 'Sovereign' Why you should watch it: The Unholy Trinity is a good old-fashioned revisionist western that transcends how barebones and cheap it is because the filmmakers were smart enough to cast Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson in lead roles. The A-listers really elevate the material, which is a blessing, as the true lead character played by Brandon Lessard is a total zero of a presence that makes you wonder how he landed the role. In the film, a young man returns to an old Montana town to reclaim his legacy. He's caught between a law-abiding sheriff and a destructive stranger as old secrets lead to violence. The dialogue is sharper than you'd expect from this kind of production, and the gunfights are well-staged and exciting in a way that they often aren't here. 🍿 What critics are saying: It's a mixed bag, with more negative reviews than positive ones. Variety's Joe Leydon dug it, agreeing that it "provides more than enough rapid-fire shootouts, impressive stunt choreography, shifting allegiances and moderately clever plot twists to keep things interesting." William Bibbiani at the Wrap, however, did not, writing that members of the cast are "all trying to make a meal out of starvation rations. The cast's efforts aren't in vain, and the film is better for having them, but a thing can get a whole lot of 'better' before it gets 'good.'" Oof. 👀 How to watch: The Unholy Trinity is now available to rent or buy Rent or buy 'The Unholy Trinity' 🤔 But that's not all! : Wes Anderson's latest is a decidedly sillier follow-up to his extremely personal Asteroid City, but it's a laugh riot that still manages to be emotionally affecting all the same despite being as cartoonish as anything Anderson has ever made, including his actual animated films like The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs. Benicio del Toro is sublime in the lead, and newcomer Mia Threapleton, daughter of Kate Winslet, steals scenes with her deadpan delivery. Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, and other familiar faces appear throughout. — Rent or buy. :This unwieldy legacy sequel tries to connect all the disparate eras of the franchise, to mixed results. If the movie had any room to breathe, it might've been more compelling; in its current form, it feels truncated and like entire character arcs are missing. It plays more like several separate movies smushed together than a coherent whole. Despite being extremely messy, the lead karate kid himself, Ben Wang, is very good, and it's fun to see Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio share the screen. — Rent or buy. Why you should watch it: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws, arguably the most popular movie ever made, a new documentary from a storied behind-the-scenes documentary filmmaker sets out to tell the story of the movie, its influence and maestro Steven Spielberg's relationship to the film. There's new talking head-style interview footage with Spielberg, which includes a few bits of insight from him that feel personal and newly shared, like how he suffered from PTSD and intense nightmares after the tumultuous production was finally finished. Spielberg's musings are interspersed alongside chats with dozens of others, from collaborators like the local islanders who ended up in the movie to other famous filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh and Jordan Peele, whose careers were influenced by the movie. There's a sequence in here that breaks down the iconic Alexander "Alex" Maxwell Kintner scene that is an excellent analysis of what makes Spielberg a great director, showing how effortlessly he moves his camera, quite literally directing the audience where to look. It's a masterclass in filmmaking and a great showcase of how the best directing is invisible and intuitive. Nobody needs a documentary to tell you how great Jaws is — though this is far from the first one — but this is a fun watch that does a great job of telling the nuts and bolts of the making of the movie itself as well as its legacy half a century later. 🍿 What critics are saying: Jump right in, the water's fine! Shawn Van Horn at Collider agreed that it's worth a watch, calling it "joyful and inspiring." Movieweb's Julian Roman noted that it "serves as a victory lap of sorts for Spielberg." 👀 How to watch: Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. Stream 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' Why you should watch it: The specifics are best left unspoiled, but if you're into Alfred Hitchcock-inspired thrillers, and don't mind if they get a little silly, Drop is a lot of fun and perfect streaming fodder now that it's available on Peacock. The movie centers around Violet, played by Meghann Fahy, who you may recognize from The White Lotus or The Bold Type, who, while on a first date, begins receiving threatening messages via "air drops" to her phone, demanding she carry out increasingly dangerous acts. It recalls similar films like Cellular,When a Stranger Calls and Phone Booth, and it feels particularly indebted to Wes Craven's Red Eye, but it's entertaining enough to stand on its own, even if it does admittedly fall apart in the third act. It's a rollercoaster ride more than a coherent film, and sometimes that's OK! 🍿 What critics are saying: Most agreed that this movie is a blast, including Ty Burr at the Washington Post, and it sports an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Amy Nicholson, however, at the Los Angeles Times, found certain elements 'aggravating.' 👀 How to watch: Drop is now streaming on Peacock. Stream 'Drop' 🤔 But that's not all! Dave Bautista and Milla Jovovich star in this bats*** crazy post-apocalyptic western based on a short story by George R.R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame. Jovovich plays an omniscient witch, and Dave Bautista is the bounty hunter she teams up with to journey into dangerous territories on a job hunting down a shape-shifting werewolf for a power-hungry queen. If that sounds like the right kind of wacky to you, you will enjoy it. Otherwise, steer clear!— Now streaming on Hulu. This meta-documentary-biopic hybrid is intentionally difficult to pin down, but fans of the '90s indie band Pavement will get a kick out of this movie that's equally earnest as it is making fun of itself. It's often hard to tell when it's doing which! As I wrote when I recommended it for rental, "even those unfamiliar [with the band] may get something out of it." — Now streaming on Mubi. In this A24 film that bombed at the box office earlier this year, Ayo Edebiri plays a young writer invited to the remote compound of a legendary pop star (John Malkovich) who mysteriously disappeared thirty years ago. The pop music concocted for Malkovich is actually not bad, but that's about the only nice thing to say about it. Besides that Edebiri is also good, as it falls apart in a way typical of this kind of barely-a-horror movie with vague cult-y vibes. — Now streaming on HBO Max. The latest film from director David Cronenberg sees the legendary Canadian filmmaker getting more personal than ever before with this movie about death and dying, made not long after Cronenberg lost his wife of nearly 40 years. All the usual themes of his work, like the destruction of the human body, are on display but distilled through a distinctly modern lens, and dealing with new concerns from beyond the grave. The conspiracy here is reminiscent of the Coens' Burn After Reading, which is a delightful meshing of my specific interests. — Now streaming on Criterion Channel.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New movies to watch this week in theaters and on streaming: See 'Superman,' rent 'Sovereign,' stream 'Drop' on Peacock and more
Hello, Yahoo readers! My name is Brett Arnold, film critic and longtime Yahoo editor, and I'm back with another edition of Trust Me, I Watch Everything. This week, James Gunn's Superman is flying into theaters. I found the alleged franchise starter to be disappointing, though comic book fans may find things to love. Luckily, there are some great flicks freshly available to rent in Sovereign and The Unholy Trinity. Plus, there are even more that are brand new to streaming, like a documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws on Disney+ and Hulu, the Hitchock-esque thriller Drop on Peacock and plenty more, including The Bear star Ayo Edebiri in Opus, which is now on HBO Max. Read on because there's something here for everyone, including 5 key highlights and several other options for each of the below categories. What to watch in theaters Movies newly available to rent or buy Movies newly available on streaming services you may already have Why it doesn't really work: James Gunn's Superman, which damn near singlehandedly carries the weight of the future of DC movies on its broad shoulders, has to be the most disappointing movie of the year so far. It falls almost entirely flat, relying on the audience's pre-existing relationship with the characters rather than using any of the film's runtime to set up this world or build any sort of emotional connection to these people. Gunn certainly has a take on the character, but he never came up with a hook. By the time we meet our hero, played here by relative newcomer David Corenswet in an underwhelming attempt at a star-making turn, he and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) are already a couple, and we're supposed to buy their relationship simply because it's there on-screen. You don't feel the romance; they are simply already dating! Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) already hates Superman and is secretly controlling the enemies that Kal-El faces throughout, with no real pathos added. We are introduced to Superman himself as he loses his first-ever fight, with text very briefly informing viewers of the history of meta-humans and Superman's place in our world. The movie wastes zero time getting political, setting up a conflict in which Superman unilaterally steps in to prevent a war between two fictional countries. It all amounts to an unsubtle critique (that ultimately winds up as an endorsement) of United States interventionism abroad, and Gunn wades even further into politics by leaning into the "Superman is an alien immigrant" metaphor, botching the specifics regarding his parentage, no matter how well-intentioned. It's actually wildly offensive! Superman is also overstuffed, full of side characters, a problem that countless superhero movies as of late have fallen victim to, making tentpole movies feel like a small part of something larger rather than a singular satisfying product. It plays as if you flipped to a TV show on a random episode in its sixth season, having seen none of it before. It shoots for Saturday morning cartoon and "comic book come to life" energy and instead lands at "chintzy streaming-era TV feel." All of this would be easy to forgive if it delivered action worthy of a summer blockbuster superhero movie spectacle, but that is arguably its worst asset, as the overlit look and its complete and total reliance on rubbery CGI renders all that action cartoonish, boring, and repetitive. It just has no weight to it. The repeated use of Superman's (entirely CGI) dog Krypto for comic relief gets old, too. Hardcore fans of comic books and/or Superman may find things to praise here, but casual audiences are likely to be underwhelmed by it as it really lacks the sort of rousing crowd-pleasing energy and charm that made Gunn's Guardians trilogy and his Suicide Squad entry a lot of fun. It's a flat nothing of a movie, a fact made starkly clear any time there's supposed to be a moment of genuine emotion. It's ultimately just another superhero movie, even if it looks more like a CW show. 🍿 What critics are saying: My negative opinion is actually in the minority, so don't be dissuaded just yet! The Telegraph's Robbie Collin wrote that "Gunn's kitchen-sink approach feels refreshingly generous, and his excitement for the character shines through." Jake Coyle at the AP noted that "a weird Superman is better than a boring one." 👀 How to watch: Superman will be in theaters nationwide Friday Get tickets Why you should watch it: Nick Offerman is absolutely terrific and perfectly cast in Sovereign, a movie based on the true story of Jerry and Joe Kane, a father and son were self-proclaimed sovereign citizens involved in a deadly confrontation with police in West Memphis, Ark., in 2010. It's a fictionalized take on the incident and not a direct retelling. It amounts to a dual character study that tragically builds toward the aforementioned incident; a thriller of sorts, but with real emotional weight behind it. It's a specific parenting story that speaks to the inherent dynamic of the father-son relationship: the father trying to mold the son to their worldview, and the son resisting, or embracing, that. Offerman is sublime in the role, making you almost pity the man who is so staunch in his convictions as those convictions are revealed to be watery and not based in reality. The filmmakers are essentially weaponizing his well-known "Ron Swanson" persona from Parks and Recreation to great dramatic effect. Jacob Tremblay, child actor of Room and Wonder fame, now almost 20 years old, plays the son. It's also a strong turn from him even if Offerman steals the show. 🍿 What critics are saying: Everyone agrees that Offerman is the highlight; Frank Scheck at The Hollywood Reporter specifically praised the performance as "terrific" (jinx!) and says it's "uncomfortable but necessary viewing." Indiewire's David Ehrlich, too, praised Offerman but was less sold on the movie overall, writing that it's "too vague and scattered to chart a legible path toward his breaking point." 👀 How to watch: Sovereignis in limited release theatrically and is also now available to rent or buy. Rent or buy 'Sovereign' Why you should watch it: The Unholy Trinity is a good old-fashioned revisionist western that transcends how barebones and cheap it is because the filmmakers were smart enough to cast Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson in lead roles. The A-listers really elevate the material, which is a blessing, as the true lead character played by Brandon Lessard is a total zero of a presence that makes you wonder how he landed the role. In the film, a young man returns to an old Montana town to reclaim his legacy. He's caught between a law-abiding sheriff and a destructive stranger as old secrets lead to violence. The dialogue is sharper than you'd expect from this kind of production, and the gunfights are well-staged and exciting in a way that they often aren't here. 🍿 What critics are saying: It's a mixed bag, with more negative reviews than positive ones. Variety's Joe Leydon dug it, agreeing that it "provides more than enough rapid-fire shootouts, impressive stunt choreography, shifting allegiances and moderately clever plot twists to keep things interesting." William Bibbiani at the Wrap, however, did not, writing that members of the cast are "all trying to make a meal out of starvation rations. The cast's efforts aren't in vain, and the film is better for having them, but a thing can get a whole lot of 'better' before it gets 'good.'" Oof. 👀 How to watch: The Unholy Trinity is now available to rent or buy Rent or buy 'The Unholy Trinity' 🤔 But that's not all! : Wes Anderson's latest is a decidedly sillier follow-up to his extremely personal Asteroid City, but it's a laugh riot that still manages to be emotionally affecting all the same despite being as cartoonish as anything Anderson has ever made, including his actual animated films like The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs. Benicio del Toro is sublime in the lead, and newcomer Mia Threapleton, daughter of Kate Winslet, steals scenes with her deadpan delivery. Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, and other familiar faces appear throughout. — Rent or buy. :This unwieldy legacy sequel tries to connect all the disparate eras of the franchise, to mixed results. If the movie had any room to breathe, it might've been more compelling; in its current form, it feels truncated and like entire character arcs are missing. It plays more like several separate movies smushed together than a coherent whole. Despite being extremely messy, the lead karate kid himself, Ben Wang, is very good, and it's fun to see Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio share the screen. — Rent or buy. Why you should watch it: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws, arguably the most popular movie ever made, a new documentary from a storied behind-the-scenes documentary filmmaker sets out to tell the story of the movie, its influence and maestro Steven Spielberg's relationship to the film. There's new talking head-style interview footage with Spielberg, which includes a few bits of insight from him that feel personal and newly shared, like how he suffered from PTSD and intense nightmares after the tumultuous production was finally finished. Spielberg's musings are interspersed alongside chats with dozens of others, from collaborators like the local islanders who ended up in the movie to other famous filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh and Jordan Peele, whose careers were influenced by the movie. There's a sequence in here that breaks down the iconic Alexander "Alex" Maxwell Kintner scene that is an excellent analysis of what makes Spielberg a great director, showing how effortlessly he moves his camera, quite literally directing the audience where to look. It's a masterclass in filmmaking and a great showcase of how the best directing is invisible and intuitive. Nobody needs a documentary to tell you how great Jaws is — though this is far from the first one — but this is a fun watch that does a great job of telling the nuts and bolts of the making of the movie itself as well as its legacy half a century later. 🍿 What critics are saying: Jump right in, the water's fine! Shawn Van Horn at Collider agreed that it's worth a watch, calling it "joyful and inspiring." Movieweb's Julian Roman noted that it "serves as a victory lap of sorts for Spielberg." 👀 How to watch: Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. Stream 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' Why you should watch it: The specifics are best left unspoiled, but if you're into Alfred Hitchcock-inspired thrillers, and don't mind if they get a little silly, Drop is a lot of fun and perfect streaming fodder now that it's available on Peacock. The movie centers around Violet, played by Meghann Fahy, who you may recognize from The White Lotus or The Bold Type, who, while on a first date, begins receiving threatening messages via "air drops" to her phone, demanding she carry out increasingly dangerous acts. It recalls similar films like Cellular,When a Stranger Calls and Phone Booth, and it feels particularly indebted to Wes Craven's Red Eye, but it's entertaining enough to stand on its own, even if it does admittedly fall apart in the third act. It's a rollercoaster ride more than a coherent film, and sometimes that's OK! 🍿 What critics are saying: Most agreed that this movie is a blast, including Ty Burr at the Washington Post, and it sports an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Amy Nicholson, however, at the Los Angeles Times, found certain elements 'aggravating.' 👀 How to watch: Drop is now streaming on Peacock. Stream 'Drop' 🤔 But that's not all! Dave Bautista and Milla Jovovich star in this bats*** crazy post-apocalyptic western based on a short story by George R.R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame. Jovovich plays an omniscient witch, and Dave Bautista is the bounty hunter she teams up with to journey into dangerous territories on a job hunting down a shape-shifting werewolf for a power-hungry queen. If that sounds like the right kind of wacky to you, you will enjoy it. Otherwise, steer clear!— Now streaming on Hulu. This meta-documentary-biopic hybrid is intentionally difficult to pin down, but fans of the '90s indie band Pavement will get a kick out of this movie that's equally earnest as it is making fun of itself. It's often hard to tell when it's doing which! As I wrote when I recommended it for rental, "even those unfamiliar [with the band] may get something out of it." — Now streaming on Mubi. In this A24 film that bombed at the box office earlier this year, Ayo Edebiri plays a young writer invited to the remote compound of a legendary pop star (John Malkovich) who mysteriously disappeared thirty years ago. The pop music concocted for Malkovich is actually not bad, but that's about the only nice thing to say about it. Besides that Edebiri is also good, as it falls apart in a way typical of this kind of barely-a-horror movie with vague cult-y vibes. — Now streaming on HBO Max. The latest film from director David Cronenberg sees the legendary Canadian filmmaker getting more personal than ever before with this movie about death and dying, made not long after Cronenberg lost his wife of nearly 40 years. All the usual themes of his work, like the destruction of the human body, are on display but distilled through a distinctly modern lens, and dealing with new concerns from beyond the grave. The conspiracy here is reminiscent of the Coens' Burn After Reading, which is a delightful meshing of my specific interests. — Now streaming on Criterion Channel.
