Top streams for the week
The third season of "Stranger Things," the Netflix Original tribute to eighties movies and pop culture, ushers the kids of Hawkins, Ind., into a summer adventure with a new monster unleashed from the Upside Down and a new challenge: growing up. It all kicks off, appropriately enough, on the Fourth of July. All eight episodes now streaming on Netflix.
https://youtu.be/XcnHOQ-cHa0
Russell Crowe is Roger Ailes in "The Loudest Voice," a Showtime Original limited series about the rise and fall of the Fox News creator costarring Naomi Watts as Gretchen Carlson. New episodes Sunday nights.
https://youtu.be/lAnJJHrq0Ws
The new Netflix Original limited series "The Last Czars" mixes documentary and dramatic recreation to the story of Tsar Nicholas II and the ruling Romanov family killed in 1918 following the Russian Revolution. Six episodes on Netflix.
https://youtu.be/5wUmTjgxTKE
"Veronica Mars: Complete Original Series" (2004-2007), the offbeat young adult mystery starring Kristen Bell as a high school detective, is now on Hulu weeks before the series revival kicks off with new episodes.
Mike Leigh's historical drama "Peterloo" (2019, PG-13) retells the true story of 1819 Peterloo Massacre at a peaceful pro-democracy rally in Manchester. Rory Kinnear and Maxine Peake headline the ensemble cast. On Amazon Prime Video.
Classic picks: Netflix present four early features by Martin Scorsese, from his feature debut "Who's That Knocking at My Door?" (1967, R) and his breakthrough film "Mean Streets" (1973, R) starring Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro to the comic drama "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (1974, R) with Ellen Burstein to his incendiary masterpiece "Taxi Driver" (1976, R) with De Niro and Jodie Foster. These films established Scorsese as one of the most talented filmmakers of his era and influenced the next generation of young directors.
https://youtu.be/UUxD4-dEzn0
Pay-Per-View / Video on Demand
Daisy Ridley is "Ophelia" (2018, PG-13) in this feminist take on Hamlet, costarring Naomi Watts and Clive Owen. Available days after it debuts in select theaters.
https://youtu.be/MP1PTOiPVQo
Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell are "The Best of Enemies" (2019, PG-13) in this Civil Rights drama inspired by a true story. Also on DVD and at Redbox.
Also new: action thriller "Escape Plan: The Extractors" (2019, R) with Sylvester Stallone and Dave Bautista;
"The Public" (2018, PG-13) with Emilio Estevez (who also directs), Taylor Schilling, and Alec Baldwin;- "Teen Spirit" (2018, PG-13) with Elle Fanning;
- family dramas "Storm Boy" (2019, PG) with Geoffrey Rush and "Mia and the White Lion" (France, 2018, PG, with subtitles);
- drama "The Heiresses" (Paraguay, 2018, not rated, with subtitles) from Ana Brun and Margarita Irun.
Available same day as select theaters nationwide is dark comedy "Phil" (2019, R), with Greg Kinnear (making his directorial debut), Emily Mortimer, Jay Duplass, and Taylor Schilling.
Netflix
Kelly Reichardt's low-key thriller "Night Moves" (2013, R) stars Jesse Eisenberg as an idealistic eco-terrorist in Southern Oregon who actions have unexpected consequences.
Streaming TV: Perry Mattfield is a disaffected, hard drinking blind woman who turns detective to solve the murder of a friend in "In the Dark: Season 1," which arrives on Netflix a week after ending on CW. Also new:
the original "Tales of the City" (1993) limited series that first showed on PBS;- "Madam Secretary: Season 5" with Téa Leoni and Tim Daly;
- "Good Witch: Season 4" with Catherine Bell;
- more highlights from "Jeopardy!" including the 2011 tournament pitting champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter against the IBM computer Watson.
Foreign language TV: the new Netflix Original series "Designated Survivor: 60 Days" (South Korea, with subtitles), a remake of the American drama reworked for the Korean political culture, stars Ji Jin-hee as a scientist-turned-cabinet member thrust in the role president after a terrorist attack. New episodes each Tuesday. Also new:
limited series "Bangkok Love Stories: Objects of Affection" (Thailand, with subtitles) and "Bangkok Love Stories: Plead" (Thailand, with subtitles);- animated gambling drama "Kakegurui: Season 2."
Also new: action thriller "The American" (2010, R) with George Clooney;
Oscar-nominated indie drama "Frozen River" (2008, R) with Melissa Leo;- science fiction invasion thriller "Cloverfield" (2008, PG-13);
- M. Night Shyamalan's modern fantasy "Lady in the Water" (2006, PG-13) with Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas Howard;
- Oscar-winning drama "Philadelphia" (1993, PG-13) with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington;
- Oscar-winning drama "Rain Man" (1988, R) with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise.
New comedies this month include the bad behavior hit "The Hangover" (2009, R) with Bradley Cooper;
"Starsky & Hutch" (2004, PG-13) with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson;- "The In-Laws" (2003, PG-13) with Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks;
- the original slobs vs. snobs comedy "Caddyshack" (1980, R) with Chevy Chase and Bill Murray.
Kid stuff: the animated short "Room on the Broom" (2012, not rated), based on a popular children's book, was nominated for an Oscar. Also new:
animated superhero spoof "Megamind" (2010, PG) with the voices of Will Ferrell and Tina Fey;- family fantasy "Shorts" (2009, PG) from Robert Rodriguez;
- "Kung Fu Panda Awesome Secrets Collection" (2008, TV-PG) with three short animated spin-offs from the hit movie.
Stand-up: "Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room" (2019, TV-MA)
Amazon Prime Video
Andrew Garfield and Riley Keough star in the surreal thriller "Under the Silver Lake" (2019, R), the new film by "It Follows" director David Robert Mitchell.
The Oscar-nominated documentary "Hale County This Morning, This Evening" (2018, not rated) offers a poetic, kaleidoscopic look at the African-American community in a poor Alabama county. On Amazon Prime Video.
Catherine Deneuve and John Malkovich star in "Time Regained" (France, 1999, not rated, with subtitles), Raul Ruiz's sprawling adaptation of Marcel Proust novel.
Kid stuff: "Kung Fu Panda – The Paws of Destiny: Season 1, Pt 2" continues the animated adventures.
Also new this month: the updated "Romeo and Juliet" (2013, PG-13) with Douglas Booth and Hailee Steinfeld;
Coen Bros. remake of "True Grit" (2010, PG-13) with Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon;- offbeat comic drama "Stranger Than Fiction" (2006, PG-13) with Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson;
- easy-going character drama "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont" (2005, not rated) with Joan Plowright and Rupert Friend;
- historical drama "The Last Samurai" (2003, R) with Tom Cruise;
- action comedies "Rush Hour" (1998, PG-13) and "Rush Hour 3" (2007, PG-13) with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker;
- Oscar-winning thriller "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991, R) with Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins;
- romantic drama "Lovin' Molly" (1974, R) with Anthony Hopkins and Beau Bridges.
New comedies available this month include NASCAR spoof "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" (2006, PG-13) with Will Ferrell and groovy James Bond goof "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" (1997, PG-13) with Mike Meyers.
Streaming TV: MTV reality show "The Hills: Complete Series" (2006-2010) and Emmy-winning competition show "RuPaul's Drag Race: Seasons 1-5" (2009-2013).
Prime Video and Hulu
Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon play best friends caught up in international intrigue in "The Spy Who Dumped Me" (2018, R) (Prime Video and Hulu).
https://youtu.be/CXkUaaVrB_s
Also new this month is "Mission: Impossible III" (2006, PG-13) with Tom Cruise and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Prime Video and Hulu);
Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report" (2002, PG-13) with Tom Cruise (Prime Video and Hulu);- survival horror drama "Open Water" (2004, R) (Prime Video and Hulu);
- Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow" (1999, R) with Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci (Prime Video and Hulu);
- "Desperately Seeking Susan" (1985, PG-13) with Rosanna Arquette and Madonna (Prime Video and Hulu);
- horror comedy "An American Werewolf in London" (1981, R) (Prime Video and Hulu).
New comedies available this month include Mel Brooks' "Star Wars" spoof "Spaceballs" (1987, PG) (Prime Video and Hulu) and the gag-laden "Airplane!" (1980, PG) (Prime Video and Hulu).
Hulu
The documentary "The Brink" (2019, not rated) profiles Stephen Bannon, the self-described American Nationalist and former Trump advisor, in the wake the 2016 election,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjfUPLEKZtI
The comedy "The Last Word" (2017, R) stars Shirley MacLaine as a retired business legend and Amanda Seyfried as the young journalist hired to tell her story.
Streaming TV: "Into the Dark: Culture Shock" is the new feature-length installment in the horror anthology series;
FX sitcom "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 13";- animated adventure comedy "The Venture Bros.: Season 7" from Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.
Also new this month: mystery thriller "Arbitrage" (2012, R) with Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon;
satirical mock-documentary "CSA: Confederate States of America" (2005, PG-13) from the cowriter of "BlacKkKlansman";- family friendly animated fantasy "The Polar Express" (2004, G) with Tom Hanks;
- definitely NOT family friendly holiday movie comedy "Bad Santa" (2003, R) with Billy Bob Thornton;
- Tim Burton's "Big Fish" (2003, PG-13) with Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney;
- "The Quiet American" (2002, R) with Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser;
- indie comedy "Swingers" (1996, R) with Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn;
- Abel Ferrara's extreme "Bad Lieutenant" (1992, R) with Harvey Keitel;
- Quentin Tarantino's debut "Reservoir Dogs" (1992, R) with Harvey Keitel;
- addiction drama "The Panic in Needle Park" (1971, PG) with Al Pacino.
Foreign affairs: Lucile Hadzihalilovic's "Evolution" (France, 2015, not rated, with subtitles) takes on the mysteries of sexuality with a surreal dark fantasy. Also new:
horror film "We Are What We Are" (Mexico, 2011, not rated, with subtitles);- domestic thriller "The Housemaid" (South Korea, 2010, not rated, with subtitles);
- "The Time that Remains" (Israel, 2009, not rated, with subtitles), a drama following the creation of the state of Israel;
- biographical drama "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (France, 2007, PG-13, with subtitles) with Mathieu Amalric;
- Oscar-nominated action epic "Hero" (China, 2002, PG-13, with subtitles) with Jet Li and Maggie Cheung;
- dark-humored mystery thriller "With a Friend Like Harry" (France, 2000, R, with subtitles).
HBO Now
Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy play best friends with a sinister plan in the slyly satirical teen killer thriller "Thoroughbreds" (2017, R).
https://youtu.be/TPcV_3D3V2A
"Hackerville" (Romania/Germany, with subtitles), a limited series action thriller from the creator of "Deutschland 83" made for HBO Europe, is available exclusively on HBO Now, HBO Go, and HBO On Demand.
https://youtu.be/z_hwW2LbRMQ
Also new: the latest big screen version of "Robin Hood" (2018, PG-13) with Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx;
Oliver Stone's "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" (2010, PG-13) with Michael Douglas;- based-on-a-true story drama "The Hoax" (2006, R) with Richard Gere;
- animated adventure "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" (2005, G);
- science fiction thriller "I, Robot" (2004, PG-13) with Will Smith;
- Osacr-winning documentary "When We Were Kings" (1996, PG) about the 1974 heavyweight championship boxing match between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali;
- the original "The Manchurian Candidate" (1962, PG-13) with Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey.
Stand-up: "Ramy Youssef: Feelings" (2019, TV-MA)
Available Saturday night is "Bohemian Rhapsody" (2018, PG-13) starring Rami Malek in an Oscar-winning performance as Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.
Other streams
Paranormal thriller "The Rook" with Emma Greenwell, Adrian Lester, and Joely Richardson begins on all Starz Platforms. New episodes each Sunday.
The Criterion Channel puts a spotlight on 1969 American cinema with Oscar winner "Midnight Cowboy" (1969), cult classic "Easy Rider," and sexual revolution comedy "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," and celebrates the wildly melodramatic cinema of Spain's Raffaello Matarazzo with six films
New on disc this week:
"The Best of Enemies," "Escape Plan: The Extractors," "Ophelia," "The Public," "Teen Spirit"
Now available at Redbox:
"The Best of Enemies," "Escape Plan: The Extractors," "We Have Always Lived in the Castle," "The Public"
Sean Axmaker is a Seattle film critic and writer. His reviews of streaming movies and TV can be found at http://streamondemandathome.com.
