Yes, it’s that time again, the weekend, and time to review the best new movies and television shows added online this 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 few exciting adds this week, like Everything is Fine, a 2023 Disney+ French dramedy series. This considers the dilemma of the Parisian Vasseur family, whose child, Rose(Angèle Roméo), is diagnosed with leukemia. In episode 1, they are already preparing for her bone marrow transplant, but the family already grapples with issues and power struggles, so bravely managing a tragedy might be just beyond them. Virginie Efira, Nicole Garcia, Sara Giraudeau, Mehdi Nebbou and Mehdi Nebbou also star, and there are 8 episodes available now. And this series gets an amazing 7.7/10 on IMDb, and Joel Keller of the Decider says to stream it , adding ” a pretty normal family, who’s dealing with everyday drama while one of its youngest members is fighting for her life. That’s the formula for a successful show in this genre.” So I’m watching. Hulu also has the fabulous new FX limited series, Shōgun. This is based on the classic 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell, but immeasurably better than the 1980 series that defined it. Both take place in the 1600‘s, in Japan, during the civil war that threatened it’s very existence, that led to the reign of Japan’s first shōgun , Lord Yoshii Toranaga(Hiroyuki Sanada). An Englishman, John Blackthorne(Cosmo Jarvis) is drawn to fight for Toranaga, while Toda Mariko(Anna Sawai), Catholic noblewoman, seeks to interpret not only the alien language, but also situation in his new world. Tadanobu Asano, Fumi Nikaido, Takehiro Hira and Hiroto Kanai also star, and there are 4episodes available to eat up now, and 6 more to come. And this series gets a stunning 99% on Rotten Tomatoes , and Hannah Rose of CBR says “but while its approach may be rooted deep in the pre-established conventions of modern television, Shōgun has all the grandeur and scale that befits a major cultural phenomenon.” So I’m definitely tuning in. Hulu also offers Parking, a 2023 Hindi drama . Here, two tenants of the same duplex-Eshwar (Harish Kalyan), a young IT specialist, and Ilamparuthi (MS Bhaskar), an older government official-find themselves at odds over the one parking space offered by their unit. And, what is at first a small irritation, grows into a mountain of contention that could lead to violence. Indhuja Ravichandran,Rama, Prathana Nathan and Ilavarasu also star, while Ramkumar Balakrishnan directed, along with writing the script. And this movie gets an astounding 7.9/10 on IMDb, and M. Suganth of The Times of India wrote “even though Parking is in the space of a domestic drama, Ramkumar Balakrishnan narrates it in the tone of a thriller, ratcheting up the thrills.” So I’m watching. And, finally, Hulu has The impossible Heir, a 2024 Disney+ K-drama thriller series. this tells of the fight to lead the biggest conglomerate in S. Korea, and specifically, Kang In-ha (Lee Jun-young), who finds he is an illegitimate son of the Kang-oh company‘s head. But he is despised, of course, by the legit members of the family, especially Han Tae-oh, the eldest son of Kang-oh. So In-ha and his friends to make a place for him on their own. So it is up to Lee Jun-young, Choi Jin-ho, Choi Jin-ho and Hong Su-zu also star, and there are 4 episodes available for bingeing now with 8 more to come. And this series gets an outrageous 8.6/10 on IMDb, and Isabella Endrinal of A Good Movie to Watch says “has excellent tension with its reluctant allyship, family mystery, and the likely betrayal drama. ” So I’m watching.
NETFLIX
The biggest title added on Netflix this week has to be Spaceman, the 2024 drama starring Adam Sandler. Based on Jaroslav Kalfar’s novel Spaceman of Bohemia, the tale here focuses on Jakub Procházka (Sandler), an astronaut on a solo research mission, whose loneliness finally gets to him, and he begins to obsess about his rift with his wife, Lenka (Carey Mulligan!), who no longer receives his calls. As his anxiety grows, he finds a spider-like creature in the bowels of the ship, Hanuš (voiced by Paul Dano), and finds a friend and ally who might help him mend his broken marriage. Carey Mulligan, Kunal Nayyar, Sinead Phillips and Isabella Rossalini also star, while Johan Renck(Chernobyl!) directs. But, despite its great pedigree, and good production values, this movie gets only a 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Alissa Wilkinson of the New York Times says it “is that exquisite rare third thing — an awful movie, a very bad movie indeed, whose lousiness was almost certainly not apparent while it was in production.” So I’m not watching. Luckily, Netflix also offers A Round of Applause, a 2024 Turkish comedy/drama series. Here, we are given a existential glimpse into the chaotic lives of the family of Zeynep and Mehmet, starting with the birth of their son, Metin. As their son grows, his parents examine their lives with their own parents, and their child, who leaves a bit to be desired scholastically. And as Metin grows, we gets his point of view on his life, and unfulfilled dreams, and views on life. Uraz Kaygılaroğlu, Settar Tanrıöğen, Nur Sürer, Cengiz Bozkurt, Serra Aritürk and Devrim Yakut also star, and Berkun Oya masterfully directs all 6 episodes available for streaming now. And this delightful series gets an astonishing 7.9/10 on IMDb, and Shabnam Jahan of LeisureByte writes it “masterfully navigates the intricacies of parenthood and the human experience through a captivating blend of reality and imagination.” And it’s funny, too. I’m definitely tuning in. Netflix has also added My Name Is Loh Kiwan, a 2024 K-drama action-romance.. This follows Loh Kiwan, played by Song Joong-Ki, a refugee who goes to Belgium after escaping from North Korea. But his ordeal has just begun, it seems, because actually achieving refugee status there is next to impossible, as is work, when Kiwan doesn’t speak the language. The last straw seems to come when he is robbed of everything, including his last reminders of his late mother, by Marie (Choi Sung–eun), who he chases down and catches. But he finds she is in desperate need as well, and in trouble, to boot. Jo Han-chul, Kim Sung-ryung, Lee Sang-hee and Lee Il-hwa also star, and Kim Hui-jin directs, along with writing the script. And this movie gets an amazing 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Chris Joyce of Movies and Munchies calls it “a tragic and awesome story, filled with the eternal hope and longing of a better life while staring down the mounting challenges that seem to persist. The acting is spectacular, crafting characters that are noble, flawed, sympathetic, and vulnerable.” so its on my list. Netflix also offers Maamla Legal Hai, a 2024 Indian comedy series. This documents the chaotic and hilarious events at the District Court of Patparganj, where lawyers range from incompetent to defiantly effective, and the accused are some of the zaniest ever seen. VD Tyagi (Ravi Kishan) might follows the rules, while Sujata Negi (Nidhi Bisht) refuses to try cases at all, and Ananya Shroff (Naila Grewal), a recent Harvard grad and idealist, is on the outside looking in, wondering if she’ll ever get to defend a client at all. Anant V Joshi, Anjum Batra, Vijay Rajoria, and Yashpal Sharma also star, and there are 8 half-hour episodes available for bingeing now. and this series gets an incredible 8.7/10 on IMDb, and Archi Sengupta of LeisureByte calls it “a hilarious look at a court and its lawyers & advocates in their everyday lives and through their trials and tribulations in this competitive and thrilling environment.” And I’m tuning in. And, finally, Netflix has Man Suang, a 2023 Thai historical thriller. This takes place in 19th century Thailand, where two young dancers, Khem(Apo Nattawin) and Wan(Bas Asavapatr), infiltrate Man Suang, a luxurious Chinese club that caters to the rich and powerful. A confidential document has been stolen , and Man Suang is known to be a hangout for rebels. But with the reign of King Rama III coming to an end, the situation is precipitous, and when a murder is added to the mix, the danger is palpable. Mile Phakphum, Saifah Tanthana, Gandhi Wasuwitchayagit, Pong Pongsakorn and Nodt Nutthasid also star, while Ning Bhanbhassa Dhubtien, Chartchai Ketnust, and Pond Krisda Witthayakhajorndet co-direct. And this thriller gets a 7.1/10 on IMDb, and Lopa K of the Review Geek says it “offers Thai grandeur, intrigue and entertainment for viewers interested in a blend of history and espionage.” And i love a historical thriller, so I’m tuning in.
AMAZON
Amazon has no big titles added this week, but some intriguing adds nonetheless, like Red Queen, the 2024 Spanish thriller series. Based on a famed book series by Juan Gómez-Jurado, this focuses on Antonia Scott, played by Vicky Luengo, a brilliant but troubled person, coming out of isolation to work on the investigation of the murder of wealthy woman. She works with police agent Jon Gutiérrez(Hovik Keuchkerian), who is unconvinced of her intelligence until he sees her in action, but even so, it may not be enough to bring down the perpetrator of the coming crimes. Andrea Trepat, Celia Freijeiro, Nacho Fresneda, Vicenta N’Dongo and Karmele Larrinaga also star, and there are 7 episodes available now. and this series gests an impressive 7.2/10 on IMDb, and Archi Sengupta of LeisureByte calls it “an interesting, dark and gritty series with two likeable protagonists and a mysterious antagonist who constantly keeps you on your toes.” So I’m tuning in. Amazon has also added Marry My Husband , a 2024 K-drama thriller series. this tells the tale of Kang Ji-won (Park Min-young), a woman dying of cancer , but killed by her husband Park Min-hwan (Lee Yi-kyung) and his mistress, Jung Su-min (Song Ha-yoon), Ji-won‘s best friend, after she catches them in the act. But when she comes to life again, ten years in the past, she is determined to catch any warning signs in her life, but also, to be more outgoing at work. Which brings her newfound independence, and self-esteem, and soon, Ji-won is planning for revenge. Na In-woo, Choi Gyu-ri and Gong Min-jeung also star, and there are 16 episodes available for streaming now. And this series gets an outrageous 7.9/10 on IMDb, and Puah Ziwei of NME calls it “deliciously melodramatic, immensely addictive.” So I’m definitely watching. And, finally, Amazon has season 1 of Beacon 23, the 2023 MGM+ sci-fi series. Here, Lena Headley plays Aster, a government agent sent to Beacon 23, an outpost on the far end of the Milky Way, to investigate the sentry station. But her ship crashes even before she arrives, and when the lone man stationed there, Halan(Stephan James), rescues her, but then brusquely refuses to share any information with her, it is suspicious. But then, it slowly becomes clear that neither person is what they seem, and everything is suspect. Wade Bogert-O’Brien, Natasha Mumba, and Carolina Bartczak also star, and there are 8 episodes available to gorge on , before April 1st, when they fly back to MGM+ premium territory. And this series gets a 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Dais Johnston of Inverse says “it’s TV how it’s supposed to be: ambitious, innovative, and creative with a shoestring budget.” And you know I love sci-fi, so I’m definitely 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 