Yes, I’m late, after a days long power outage, and ready to review the best new movies and television shows added online last week, to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. And there are some exciting new adds this week, so let’s get started.
HULU
Hulu has a major add this week with Echo, the 2024 Marvel Disney+ series. This tells of Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), a different kind of Marvel hero, female, indigenous Choctaw, and deaf, and a former member of a criminal gang led by Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio). But when Maya‘s father dies, she tries to return home to Tamaha, and escape her past with Fisk, but that, of course is impossible. As is escaping Maya’s own rage. Tantoo Cardinal(!),Chaske Spencer, Devery Jacobs and Graham Greene(!) also star, and there are 5 episodes available for streaming now. And it gets a 6.4/10 on IMDb, and a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes. Jen Chaney of Vulture writes it “resists pandering in its celebration of female, Indigenous, and disabled identities, keeping it all rooted in character moments that are organic and well earned.” But it’s far too violent for me. Luckily, Hulu has also added Self Reliance, a 2023 comedy. Jake Johnson(New Girl) stars, here, as Tommy, in crisis after a breakup with his girlfriend, and his boring job grinding on him daily. So when he gets a questionable offer from Andy Samberg in the back of his limousine, he can’t refuse. But the offer is to be the star of a dark web show Hunters, and Tommy will be the hunted by assassins for 30 days. If he isn’t killed, he will get 1 million dollars, and oh yeah, he can only be killed if he’s alone. So Tommy desperately clings to anyone and everyone around him, for 24 hours a day, which leads him to be very irritating. Cue Mandy, played by Anna Kendrick, a fellow contestant who might be convinced to stick to him. Christopher Lloyd, Natalie Morales,Biff Wiff, Mary Holland and Emily Hampshire also star, and Johnson wrote the script, and directed here, as well. And this movie gets a 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Dais Johnston of Inverse calls it “fever dream version of one man’s journey to healing, but why would you want to watch any other version? This one’s way more fun.” And it is fun, so it’s on my list. Hulu has also added Miranda’s Victim, a 2023 historical drama. Based on the true story, this tells of the famous case that triggered the Miranda decision , with 18 year old Patricia Weir (Abigail Breslin!) assaulted one night by an assailant, one whom she later identifies as Ernest Miranda (Sebastian Quinn), in a (rigged)line-up. But because the arresting officers recording Miranda’s confession did not read him his rights, he was set free. But instead of giving up and sinking into the stigma attached to a rape victim in the 60′s, Weir sticks with the case, and even testifies again at a retrial, led by D.A. Lawrence Turoff(Luke Wilson).Donald Sutherland, Andy Garcia, Ryan Phillippe, Kyle MacLachlan and Mireille Enos also star, while Michelle Danner directed. And while this is a heavy handed production, with Miranda made way too sleazy, there is still a good story (and cast)here. And it gets an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Donald Liebenson of RogerEbert.com says “the distinguished cast (Andy Garcia as Miranda’s initial lawyer and Donald Sutherland as a compassionate judge) is uniformly excellent.” So it’s on my list. And, finally , Hulu has Safe Home, a 2023 drama mini-series. Here, young Melbourne lawyer Phoebe Rook(Aisha Dee) figures to do more meaningful work when she takes a job with the (fictional)Family Violence Legal Service, supporting victims of domestic violence. But as she looks to raise awareness and funds for the organization, she comes up against some of the violent offenders involved. And sees some of the anguish of families torn apart by that violence. And wonders if she bit off more than she can chew.Mabel Li, Thomas Cocquerel, Virginia Gay, Antonia Prebble and Hal Cumpston also star, and there are 4 episodes available for bingeing now. And this series has been nominated for 3 2024 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards, including Best Lead Actress for Dee, and Best Miniseries. And gets an astonishing 7.9/10 on IMDb. And Naser Nahandian of Gazettely says “it pulls no punches, “adding “this neo-noir thriller gradually reveals character motivations and a larger truth.” So I’m definitely tuning in.
NETFLIX
Netflix has no big new titles added this week, but some great, though more obscure ones like Boy Swallows Universe, a 2024 Australian drama limited series. based on a semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Trent Dalton, this tells of Eli Bell (Felix Cameron), a boy living wiht his mother, Frankie (Phoebe Tonkin), in 1980s Brisbane, Australia. But Frankie’s judgement is less than perfect, and so she gets involved with guys like Lyle (Travis Fimmel), Eli’s step-father, and a small time heroin dealer. And since, Frankie is a former addict herself, it’s a perilous association, and as Eli tries to keep his mother out of trouble, he also goes out of his way to help save Lyle‘s skin, when he gets in trouble with another gang. Lee Tiger Halley plays Eli’s older brother Gus, and HaiHa Le, Ben O’Toole, Simon Baker, Zac Burgess and Bryan Brown(!) also star, and there are 7 episodes available now for streaming. And though the events may sound grim, this is not a dark, joyless drama, but just the opposite. Its a magical coming of age story that gets an impressive 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, which Wenlei Ma of Perth Now says “captures the whimsy and magic of a tale that has already grabbed the hearts of countless Australians. It’s a miniseries that balances darkness with levity.” So I’m watching. Netflix has also added the outrageous but true documentary Mister Organ, 2022 New Zealand doc. Here, documentarian and reporter David Farrier (Tickled)began investigating Michael Organ, an antique store owner in Ponsonby, Auckland, purported to have a proclivity for clamp booting anyone’s car. Of course, the car owner could only get it removed for a fee, and so, when Farrier reported on the case, and New Zealand suggested outlawing such fees, the reporter gained an enemy in his subject. And so, an intense cycle of psychological warfare on the part of Organ began against the documentarian. Suing the filmmaker first, and later, telling him he has ‘a key ‘ to his house. David Farrier directs, of course, and this movie won the Documentary Audience Film Award at the 2022 Philadelphia Film Festival. And it gets an amazing 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Carmen Paddock of Take One Magazine saying “Farrier‘s gutsy exploration and ability to dredge the most bizarre happenings to the surface put Louis Theroux to shame.” and I’m watching. Netflix has also added Detective Forst, a 2024 Polish crime drama series. Borys Szyc stars in the title role, as Commissioner Wiktor Forst, who is sent to the small town of Zakopane, after misbehaving in Krakow. But a string of brutal murders are taking place there, in the Tatra mountains, and people start blaming mythological creatures that have long dwelt in the community. Forst’s only hope is in the help from journalist Olga Szrebska(Zuzanna Saporznikow). Piotr Franasowicz, Andrzej Bienias, Kamilla Baar and Aleksandra Grabowska also star, and there are 6 episodes available for streaming now. And though this series gets just a 5.6/10 on IMDb, Johnny Loftus of the Decider says “with a moody tone and eerie visuals to go with its familiar police procedural structure, Detective Forst brings out the grandeur of the Polish Highlands and features a strong central performance from Borys Szyc in the title role.” And I love a mystery, so I’m watching. Netflix also offers 100 Days My Prince, a 2018 K historical drama series. This tells of an unlikeable Crown prince , Lee Yul(Doh Kyung-soo), who loses his memory after an attempted assassination. Taken for a commoner, he is rescued by a peasant, and his adopted daughter, Hong Shim(Nam Jihyun). Ordered to marry a nobleman by the Prince, Hong Shim refused, under the guise of betrothal to someone else, and so , she is due to receive harsh punishment. But Lee Yul will step in, in the nick of time, to marry the woman. Cho Seong-ha, Ji Min-hyuk, Jo Han-chul and Oh Yeon-ah also star, and there are 16 episodes available for streaming now. and this series won the Drama of the Year Award at the 2018 Annual Soompi Awards, and it gets an outrageous 7.8/10 on IMDb. Kerine Wint of a Good Movie to Watch calls it a ” delightful blend of romance, humor, and intrigue, ” so I’m tuning in. And finally, Netflix has Killer Soup , a 2024 Indian mystery series. Here, Swathi Shetty(Konkona Sensharma), is having an affair and unhappily married to her realtor husband, Prabhu (Manoj Bajpayee). She dreams of opening a restaurant, but her husband discourages her, due to her bad cooking, while er lover,Umesh (also Bajpayee) tells her she’s can do it. But her husband, unfortunately, has the money, so one night, when they’re discovered by him, the pair come up with a lethal plan. Sayaji Shinde, M Nasser, Lal, and Anula Navleker also star and Abhishey Chaubey directs all 8 episodes. And this devilish series gets a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Dhaval Roy of The Times of India calls it a “dark comedic thriller with nuances and layers that will keep you engrossed throughout. You will binge eat this killer dish Abhishek Chaubey has served!” So I’m definitely watching.
AMAZON
Amazon has a big title added with Role Play, a 2024 action comedy. David Oyelowo(!) star, here, as Dave, a typical New Yorker who decide to spice up their humdrum home life , with a night of role playing, for their anniversary. but when Dave is suddenly questioned by authorities about his wife, and her secret identity. It seems she’s a contract killer(!), but after Dave confronts her, confesses she wants to get out of the profession. And he decides to help her. Connie Nielsen, Sonita Henry, Simon Delaney and Bill Nighy(!) also star, and Thomas Vincent directs. But this is a pretty lame attempt, despite the cast, and so it gets only a 17% on Rotten Tomatoes. Peyton Robinson of RogerEbert.com says “the consequence of this confused, jittery writing is a plot-focused sprint that misses every chance to indulge in its content, be it action, comedy, or heart.” And I agree, definitely not watching. But Amazon also offers Landscape with Invisible Hand, a 2023 sci-fi comedy. this takes place on an earth already inhabited by benevolent aliens, who have made employment unnecessary. So humans have taken up unusual way to make money, like 17 year-old artist Adam Campbell (Asante Blackk) and his new girlfriend Chloe Marsh (Kylie Rogers) . they decide to livestream their romance, as the aliens, incapable of feeling love, highly prize that emotion. But when their passions cool, the aliens suspect, and want their money back, which will crush their families financially. So the teens go through just about anything to get their groove back. Tiffany Haddish(!), Josh Hamilton, Michael Gandolfini and William Jackson Harper also star, and Cory Finley directed, along with writing the script. And it gets a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Michael Rechtshaffen of the L.A. Times calls it a “slyly subversive sci-fi satire that packs a sensory kick.” So I’m definitely watching. And, finally, Amazon has Peace by Chocolate, a 2022 Canadian comedy drama. This tells the story of the Hadhad family, evacuated from Syria after their family chocolate factory is bombed in Damascus. when they emigrate to Antigonish, N.S., where father Issam (Hatem Ali) was determined to start making chocolate again, and pressing his son, Tareq (Ayham Abou Ammar), to join the business with him But Tareq is determined to be a doctor, and so, the pressure grows between them, as does the pressure from a community where not everyone is invested in welcoming refugees. Yara Sabri, Mark Camacho, Alika Autran, Najlaa Al Khamri and Kathryn Kirkpatrick also star, and Jonathan Keijser directed. And this movie premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, and had its Canadian premiere on July 1 at the Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival, where it won the Jury Award. And it gets an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Chris Knight of the National Post called it “a bona fide crowd pleaser, and a true story to boot.” I agree and I’m tuning in.
So sit back and binge this weekend, on classics, old and new, on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. Enjoy!
Grownups Guide to Streaming 