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
The big add on Hulu this week is The Greatest Hits, a 2024 romantic fantasy. Lucy Boynton stars as Harriet, here, hopelessly in love with her boyfriend, Max (David Corenswet), even after he’s dead. Because, it seems, when Harriet hears any song that she heard with Max , she travels back in time to when they were together. Which is a hard addiction to kick, even when she meets someone new, like David (Justin H. Min). The question is, does she even want to give up on the past, to live in the present, with another man? Retta, Austin Crute, and Jackson Kelly also star, while Ned Benson directs. But even though this movie has great music, and a good idea, it’s still pretty shallow. And so it gets a mere 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Alissa Wilkinson of the New York Times saying “there’s an interesting film dancing around the edges of The Greatest Hits, but there’s both too much sentimentality and not enough thought, and that’s too bad.” And i agree, so I’m not watching. Luckily, Hulu also offers UFO Factory, a 2024 Mexican comedy series. This finds the few remaining inhabitants of the failing mining town of Ogarrio del Cobre, desperate to pay off their debt to the government, which is threatening to dispossess them of their land. So they go to Dalí Montoro (Jerónimo Best), a newcomer (and conman) who inherited a house in the area, who convinces the public aliens inhabit the land, bringing a swift infusion of money. But how long can they keep up the façade? José Carlos Rodríguez, Odysseus Bichir, Susana Alexander and María del Carmen Farias also star, and there are 10 episodes available for bingeing now. And this series gets an whopping 7.6/10 on IMDb, so though I can find no English reviews, I’m watching. Hulu also offers Monica, a 2022 drama. Trace Lysette stars in the title role, here, as Monica, a trans woman estranged from her family, suddenly called home because of the illness of her mother, Eugenia (Patricia Clarkson!). Warily, Monica returns, but she finds her mom doesn’t know who she is, not having seen her since her transition, and having a brain tumor that hinders her brain function, to boot. As Eugenia assumes her daughter is just another irksome caregiver, Monica lets her believe that, while getting closer to her other family members , as well. Joshua Close, Adriana Barraza, Emily Browning and Brittany Picard also star, and Andrea Pallaoro directed. And this movie gets an 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Tracy Brown of the L.A. Times calling it “an intimate look at the complexity of grief, reconciliation and family.” So I’m watching. And, finally, Hulu has added Big Bet, a 2022 K-drama crime series. This tells the story of Cha Moosik(Choi Min-sik), a casino owner, forced to leave South Korea for the Philippines after a bit of tax trouble. But he builds a new casino there, with rich and famous clients, but then is suspected of murder, who can stop him? Detective Oh Seunghoon(Son Seok-koo) is determined to try. Lee Dong-hwi, Kim Hong-pa, Lee Do Goon and also star, and there are 2 seasons, each with 8 episodes, available for bingeing now. And this series won 2 awards at the Seoul International Drama Awards, including a Golden Bird award for Choi Min-sik, and gets an amazing 7.1/10 on IMDb. And Joel Keller of the Decider says to stream it, adding, it “has a lot of silly moments. But it also feels like a series that’s supposed to be a little silly. Maybe we’re in a good mood, but whatever silliness the show has actually feeds into a vibe that makes it a more lively show to watch.” So I’m definitely tuning in.
NETFLIX
Netflix has an exciting add with Baby Reindeer, a 2024 British comedy/thriller limited series. Richard Gadd plays Donny Dunn, a struggling stand-up comedian, working the bar at a London pub, who meets Martha (Jessica Gunning) one night, crying as she tells him she has no money, he offers her a cup of tea, on the house. that brightens her mood, and she tells him all about herself, and her life as a lawyer. but when she starts coming every day, and her talk becomes more intimate and suggestive, he knows he has a problem. . But, out of pity, he waits to go to the police, which makes them question the complaint itself. And as Donny feels more and more threatened, his friends and even his girlfriend, wonder at his reasons(flattery?) for waiting too. Danny Kirrane, Nava Mau, Chloe Driver and Hugh Coles also star, and there are 7 episodes available now. And this series, based on Gadd‘s personal experiences with a stalker, gets a stunning 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Rebecca Nicholson of the Guardian says it “features the most chilling TV episode of the entire year.” And its funny, too, so I’m definitely tuning in. Netflix also has Midsummer Night, a 2024 Norwegian limited drama series. Here, Carina, played by Pernilla August, brings her whole family together for the Midsummer celebration, of the longest day of the year. But Carina and her husband, Johannes (Dennis Storhøi), have an ulterior motive, planning on making an announcement to their children and grandchildren that will change their lives. But their offspring have secrets of their own, and trouble breaks out soon after the first guests arrive. Amalia Holm, Peiman Azizpour, Sofia Tjelta Sydness, Eirik Hallert and Linn Skåber also star, and there are 5 episodes available now. And its gets a 6.9/10 on IMDb, and Joel Keller of the Decider says to stream it, adding “it may have a few too many stories to service in five short episodes, but the family at the show’s center is one we want to spend time with, which helps a lot.” So it’s on my list. Netflix also has Anthracite, a 2024 French mystery series. this takes place in the French Alps village of Levionna, where 30 years before members of a cult committed mass suicide. As present day journalist Solal Heilman (Jean-Marc Barr), who worked on the cult starts to investigate the death of a teen that same year, notices links to the cult, and then is kidnapped. Luckily , his daughter, Ida (Noémie Schmidt),comes to Levionna, and investigates on her own, but Inspector Giovanna (Camille Lou) is handling the investigation, and has ideas of her own. And all the while, the cult leader Caleb Johansson (Stefano Cassetti), the only survivor of the massacre, lingers in prison, wanting to talk to Ida, and warns of things to come. Hatik, Noémie Schmidt, Camille Lou, Nicolas Godart, Raphaël Ferret, and Léo Legrand also star, and there are 6 episodes available for streaming now. and this series gets a 6/10 on IMDb, and Jonathon Wilson of Ready Steady Cut says “the overarching mystery has a compelling backbone, while the performances are dynamic and interesting. The Alpine scenery is striking, and if shock value is considered a positive, well… Anthracite has that in spades.” So I’ll be watching…from under the couch. Netflix also offers Stolen, a 2024 Swedish crime drama. Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Ann-Helén Laestadius, this revolves around Elsa (Elin Kristina Oskal), a member of the Sámi community. And as the horrific murders of the beloved Sami reindeer goes unpunished, Elsa decides to even the score. Martin Wallström, Lars-Ánte Wasara, Magnus Kuhmunen, Risten-Alida Siri Skum, and Anne Lajla Westerfjell Kalstad also star, and Elle Márjá Eirav directs. And though it gets a 5.6/10 on IMDb, Rupali Manohar Chauhan of Meaww says “Elin Oskal‘s authentic portrayal stands out in heartwarming tale of cult Sami culture to see. But there are multiple depictions of animal harm, so be careful . And, finally, Netflix has added GomBurZa , a 2023 Filipino historical drama. This tells of the Spanish colonialism in the Philippines, and specifically, of the GomBurZa, three native Filipino Roman Catholic priests executed during the final years of Spanish rule. Father Pedro Pelaez tells the story of the indigenous Apolinario de la Cruz, rejected as a priest, and later executed, because of his ethnicity .Meanwhile, his acolytes, Jose Burgos(Cedrick Juan), and secular priest Mariano Gomez(Dante Rivero) tried to carry on his work, and fight the conservative wing of the church, and the Spanish governor , Rafael Izquierdo. Izquierdo issued harsh penalties for the native people that fought for independence, and native soldiers who bristled at Spanish authority. And as the priests were (incredibly) sentenced to death by garrote, they paved the way for the future successful fight for independence. Elijah Canlas , Ketchup Eusebio ,Piolo Pascual and Enchong Dee also star, and Pepe Diokno directed. This movie was nominated for numerous awards last year, and won 8 at the Metro Manila Film Festival, including Best Actor for Cedrik Juan, and Best Director for Diokno. And this movie gets an outstanding 8.1/10 on IMDb, and Ayasa Malick of the Midgard Times said it “was on point and its cinematography was also very vintage and aesthetically pleasing.” And I’m definitely tuning in.
AMAZON
Amazon‘s huge add this week is Fallout, a 2024 post-apocalypse series. Based on a video game, this finds the world 200 years after a nuclear apocalypse, with the survivors still living in fallout shelters. But with the inhabitants of the vaults(shelters) decide to move above ground, led by the ‘Overseer‘(Kyle MacLachlan) , everything starts to go wrong, with huge lethal mutants inhabiting the above ground world. Lucy (Ella Purnell) is one of those unsuspecting people moving above ground, and Walter Goggins plays ‘the Ghoul,’ a bounty hunter in the Wasteland.Cameron Cowperthwaite ,Aaron Moten, Leslie Uggams, Moises Arias and Sarita Choudhury also star, and there are 8 gross episodes available now. But even though this series gets an 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, IndieWire says “if you can separate the slick world-building from the soul-deadening cynicism, Fallout should fly by as the bloody action spectacle it’s made to be. Otherwise, it’s hard to shake the creeping sensation that your basic goodwill is under attack.” it is definitely not for me. I’d rather watch Revoir Paris, a 2023French drama. this tells the story of Mia (Virginie Efira), survivor of a terrorist attack in a restaurant , but struggling to recover 3 months later. Feeling stuck, she returns to the restaurant, searching for fellow survivors, and for meaning in the senseless violence. And as Mia grapples with her experience, her partner, Vincent(Grégoire Colin) feels helpless, and endeavors offer support.Benoît Magimel, Maya Sansa ,Amadou Mbow and Nastya Golubeva Carax also star, and Alice Winocour directed. And this movie gets an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Kevin Maher of the Times(UK) called it ” powerful film-making, grounded by Efira’s enormous, often silent, central performance.” So I’m watching. And, finally, Amazon offers season 1 of The Killing, a Danish crime drama series. This features Detective Sarah Lund(Sofie Gråbøl), planning to move to Sweden, but forced to stay in Copenhagen after a murder of a high school girl could be linked to a prominent politician. . As Lund and her partner,Jan Meyer(Søren Malling), investigate the murder and the politician, Troels Hartmann, pressure grows on the police. And leaks from Hartmann‘s office begin to tank his campaign, he seeks to stop them, while the olice get closer to the murderer. Morten Suurballe, Lars Mikkelsen, Crystal Lopez and Marie Askehave also star, and there are 20 episodes available for streaming now. but remember to binge before May 1, when they all go back to the premium domain of MHZ Choice. And it gets an astounding 8.4 /10 on IMDb, and won multiple awards, including a BAFTA award for Best International Series in 2011. And Not Only Hollywood called it “quite exciting and entertaining.” And I love a mystery. 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 