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‘s big title this week has to be Poolman, the 2023 comedy/mystery. This follows native Angeleno, Darren Barrenman (Chris Pine), pool cleaner at the Tahitian Tiki apartments, who sends his days in languid contemplation, unless he protesting for his neighborhood. Until he is approached by June DelRay(DeWanda Wise) an assistant to someone she calls a corrupt City Councilman, and asks for Darren‘s help. Unfortunately, he accepts, and begins sleuthing for clues of massive corruption. But whether Darren can survive his foray as a detective, and do a good job, remains to be seen. Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Stephen Tobolowsky also star, and Chris Pine directs, along with co-writing the script. But the script is a bit thin, and so Poolman gets only a 21% on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 4/10 on IMDb. Still, Katie Walsh of the Tribune News Service called it “sort of the physical, emotional and spiritual embodiment of Los Angeles itself: earnest, silly and a little (or a lot) ridiculous, but insistently charming if you decide to surrender to the experience.” You decide. Luckily, Hulu has also added Uproar, a 2023 New Zealand coming-of-age dramedy. This takes place the town of Dunedin, in 1981, where Maori teen Josh Waaka, played by Julian Dennison, struggles to fit in at a conservative private school, St Gilbert’s School for Men. The authoritarian school obsesses about rugby, as does Josh’s mom, Shirley(Minnie Driver). But Josh is overweight, and just not into sports. But he finally connects with Brother Madigan(Rhys Darby), the drama teacher, and shows acting talent. As Josh begins to aspire to something other than sports, he also wants to experience his native culture, and finds inspiration in the protests gripping the country around the rugby team from South Africa. But when he decides to take part, will his bonds with his mom and family survive? James Rolleston, Erana James and Mabelle Dennison also star, while Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett co-directed. And this movie gets a stunning 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Marya E. Gates of RogerEbert.com said “Dennison once again brings his signature warmth, humor, and pathos for a singular and deeply affecting performance.” And I’m tuning in. Hulu also offers Endurance, the 2024 Nat Geo documentary. This tells of the search for Arthur Shackleton‘s famed ship, Endurance, 100 years after it disappeared in the Antarctic .Shackleton was attempting to cross Antarctica in the three-masted schooner, Endurance, when it sunk, and Shackleton and his men were trapped in a sea of ice, waiting for aid that didn’t come. This film not only features the 2024 search for the ship, but also the 2022 attempt by maritime archaeologist Mensun Bound. Not only do we get to see the herculean efforts taken to find the sunken hull, but also archival footage of Shackleton(by cinematographer Frank Hurley), preserved after decades in the water. And so co-directors Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Natalie Hewitt present an exciting and gripping account of the retrieval of the ship, but the original voyage, as well. And this movie gets an incredible 7.6/10 on IMDb, and Owen Gleiberman of Variety calls it “a rigorous documentary adventure film.” And I’m definitely watching. And, finally, Hulu has Gangnam B-side, a 2024 Disney+ K-drama crime thriller series. Here, everyone is racing to find Jaehee, AKA Jenny, played by BIBI, an escort and regular at the Gangnam night clubs, in Seoul, who has disappeared. And since Jaehee is said to have evidence against organized crime in town, detective Kang Dong Woo (played by Jo Woo Jin) is anxious to talk with her, as is Yun Gil Ho (played by Ji Chang Wook), along with the mob. Prosecutor Min Seo Jin(Ha Yun-kyeong) is also seeking information from the woman. But the danger grows for Jaehee, and those around her, as the underworld gets hot on her trail, with murder on their mind. Jung Ga-ram, Im Sung-jae and Oh Ye-ju also star, and there are 2 episodes available now, with more to come. And this series gets a whopping 7.8/10 on IMDb, and Jonathan Wilson of Ready Steady Cut calls it “a sturdy crime thriller.” And I’m definitely tuning in
NETFLIX
Netflix has no big titles added this week, but there are hidden gems like Bank Under Siege, a 2024 Spanish limited series. Based on true events, this tells of the biggest bank heist in Spanish history, that took place in Barcelona, in 1981, 3 months after an attempted coup. And as the robbers strike at the , they also hold hostages, and demand the release of the some involved in the coup. And as the police tell no one about the political implications of the crime, reporter Maider (María Pedraza) gets an anonymous call, leading her to an envelope detailing all the theives demands. And so Maider is in a race to get the truth, before the police and state authorities shut her down, and keep the truth from ever coming out. Miguel Herrán, María Pedraza, Hovik Keuchkerian, Isak Férriz and Patricia Vico also star, and there are 5 episodes available now. And this series gets an 6.8/10 on IMDb, and Joel Keller of the Decider said to stream it, adding its “relatively restrained in its first episode, and sets up an intriguing standoff as the season goes along.” And I’m watching. But Netflix has also added The Buckingham Murders, a 2024 Hindi mystery. Kareena Kapoor Khan stars as British-Indian detective Jasmeet ‘Jass’ Bhamra , grieving the loss of her son, and returning to work, only to be put on the case of a missing child in the town of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. With the aid of her partner, Hardik Patel(Ash Tandon), they interview the parents of the child, but there’s more here than meets the eye. As the police arrest a suspect , Jass is certain they have the wrong man, and rushes to find the real culprit, before its too late. Keith Allen, Rukku Nahar, Sanjeev Mehra and Sarah Jane Dias also star, and Hansal Mehta directs. And this movie premiered at the 67th BFI London Film Festival last October, and gets a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes. And Devesh Sharma of Filmfare calls it “an engrossing police procedural…..a slow burning police drama.” And I am so tuning in. Netflix also offers Vijay 69, a 2024 Hindi comedy/drama . This tells the story of Vijay Matthew, a former swimmer and coach, who finds, at turning 69, that no one respects him, and bemoans his lack of any real accomplishment. So, he plans a comeback, in the form of a triathlon, where he could gain the title for his age group. But, as his friends and relatives say he’s too old, and it will kill him, his determination compels his friend to get him a coach. And once the coach realizes Vijay‘s resolve, he is on his way to fulfill his dream. Anupam Kher, Chunky Pandey, Ketika Sharma and Sulagna Panigrahi also star, while directs. and this movie gets an astounding 7.5/10 on IMDb, and Devesh Sharma of Filmfare says “in the end, Vijay 69 is not just about completing a triathlon; it’s about embracing life with all its challenges and triumphs, regardless of age.” and I’m watching. Netflix has also added Pedro Páramo, a 2024 Mexican drama. Based on a classic novel by Juan Rulfo, this finds Juan Preciado(Tenoch Huerta)setting out on a search for his estranged father,Pedro Páramo (Manuel García-Rulfo), following the wish of his mother, Dolores, after her death. His journey takes him to Comala, but the bustling village his mother lovingly described is no longer there. What remains is a wasteland, because his father, a wealthy rancher, laid waste to the town. And, as Juan hears the locals’ tales of woe, they tell of the father he will never have a chance to meet again. Mayra Batalla, Giovanna Zacarías , Gabriela Núñez and Ishbel Bautista also star, while Rodrigo Prieto directs. And this film was nominated for the Platform Award at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, and gets a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes. And Monica Castillo of RogerEbert.com said its an “alluring ghost story full of visual intrigue and surrealist imagery, giving him[Prieto] the space to showcase his strengths while working out some of the storytelling mechanics.” So I’m tuning in. And, finally, Netflix has Mr. Plankton, a 2024 K-drama limited drama series. Woo Do-Hwan plays Hae Jo, here, an irresponsible young man, who always seems to be getting the wrong end of the stick. With little money and few prospects, he lives with his lover and helpmate , Bong Sook (Lee El), on the outskirts of town. But when he receives some especially devastating news, he shows no sign of depression. But he decides to head out to find his father, taking his former love, Jo Jae-mi(Lee Yoo-Mi), with him. She too, has hardships and difficulties, and running off from her fiancé is just one of them. And as he chases the pair, all three make life-changing discoveries of their own .Kim Hae-seok, Rich Ting, and Lee Hae-young also star, and there are 10 episodes available now. And this series gets an astounding 8.8/10 on IMDb, and Sarah Musnicky of But Why Tho? “a tear-jerking triumph.” And I’m tuning in.
AMAZON
Amazon has a big title with My Old Ass, the 2024 coming-of-age comedy. Maisy Stella stars as Elliott, here, an 18 year-old , getting ready to head off to college, and heading out for a fun night in the woods with friends Ro and Ruthie. But after Elliott drinks some mushroom tea, she comes face to face with the 39 year-old Elliott, played by Aubrey Plaza(!). And , in between silly questions about the future, hedged by her older self, her 39 year-old self offers one piece of advice-stay away from Chad. And there is a Chad in Elliott‘s life, a cute, worker on the family farm, who she tries to avoid. But as Elliott falls for the guy anyway, she panics and wonders about her sexuality, too, ut luckily, she has the older Elliott’s phone number on her cell, and her calls and texts help her through the labyrinth of becoming a grown up. Percy Hynes White, Seth Isaac Johnson, Maddie Ziegler, Carter Trozzolo and Maria Dizzia also star and Megan Park directed , along with writing the script. And Maisy Stella was nominated for Breakthrough Performer Award at the 2024 Gotham Awards for her work here, and My Old Ass gets an impressive 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. And Kristy Puchko of Mashable called it “a spirited comedy about growing up and moving on that’s a true joy — just as Stella is a star on the rise to watch.” So I’m tuning in. Amazon has also added Citadel Honey Bunny, yet another 2024 spy series. This Citadel series tells of Honey (Samantha Ruth Prabhu), an actor turned agent , who worked in tandem with Bunny (Varun Dhawan), get it?, and parented Nadia(Kashvi Majmundar). Split between two timelines, one in 1992, with Honey and Bunny meeting and, eventually, working together- the other in 2000, with Honey and Nadia trying to survive on the run. And Nadia seems to have been born to a life of spy craft, adapting to her life on the go, and aiding her mom when the opportunity arises. Simran, Kay Kay Menon and Soham Majumdar also star, and there are 6 episodes available now. And this series gets a 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Jonathon Wilson of Ready Steady Cut calls it a “decent, functional espionage fare that works on its own terms without the franchise associations.” So its on my list. And, finally, Amazon has added Alexandra Ehle, a 2022 French crime drama series from the MHz Choice channel. This follows Alexandra Ehle, played by Julie Depardieu, a forensic pathologist in Bordeaux. But as Ehle does great scientific work, and reconstructs the person of the victim of a crime, she also disobeys the limits of her office, and dares to investigates the crime involved. Which irritates her brother, Antoine(Bernard Yerlès), an investigator with the police, and her chief competition. And this sibling rivalry enhances the work of both brother and sister, if the aggravation doesn’t kill one of them first. Xavier Guelfi, Bernard Yerlès, Xavier Guelfi, Sophie Le Tellier and Andréa Ferréol also star, and there are 9 episodes available now. and this series gets a 6.6/10 on IMDb, and Neely Swanson of Easy Reader News of calls it “a pleasant way to spend an evening.” And I love a mystery, so I’m watching. but remember, this series disappears back to premium MHz Choice territory on December 1, so be sure to binge them all before then.
So sit back and binge this weekend, on classics, old and new, on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. Enjoy!
Grownups Guide to Streaming 