The line-up of new movies arriving on the best streaming services and premium VOD platforms is set for next week, and there’s plenty to be excited about, including the streaming debut of George Lanthimos’ latest film and a new horror original on Netflix.
This week will also see a fantastic blockbuster starring A-listers Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt (it’s the Barbenheimer reunion we’ve always wanted) land at the Peacock, and the much-talked-about Borderlands will quietly exit theaters in hopes that it will receive a slightly warmer reception from viewers at home.
So if you’re in the mood for something fresh this week, these are the best new movies you can enjoy without ever leaving your couch. Plus, don’t forget to check out our accompanying roundup covering the best new TV shows to watch this week.
‘Kinds of Kindness’ (PVOD and Hulu)
If last year’s awards-favorite and box-office hit “Poor Things” suggested that notoriously eccentric director George Lanthimos had broken into the mainstream, then “Kinds of Kindness” was a quick reminder that the Greek director has no intention of pandering to the general public. . This wacky comedy anthology has all the hallmarks of Lanthimos’ most outlandish work and was met with far less enthusiasm than his previous work, not to mention lower box office receipts.
Still, those who “got it” found a lot to love about this very strange collection of fables, and I’m definitely in that somewhat minor camp. This is one of my favorite movies of the year so far. Reuniting the director with Emma Stone (for their 3rd collaboration) and Willem Dafoe, and starring Jesse Plemons, “Kinds of Kindness” offers three unique yet loosely connected stories that are darkly funny but also very very strange. I can’t wait to see it again.
Buy it Amazon from August 27 and watch Hulu from August 30
“Borderlands” (PVOD)
No doubt I’m stretching the term “best new movies” beyond the breaking point by including Borderlands on this list, but I suspect morbid curiosity might lead some people to give this awful video game adaptation a opportunity when available for viewing on PVOD services. As one of the few people who saw this expensive car crash in theaters, I can attest that it’s a horrible reminder of how awful video game movies were back in the 2000s.
However, I will say, in my opinion, it’s not as bad as some online reviewers have made it out to be (the 10% score on Rotten Tomatoes it’s too hard). Nevertheless, it’s still a pretty poor success that’s far less enjoyable than playing one of the “Borderlands” games. At least Cate Blanchett gives it her all as a mercenary named Lilith who travels to the dangerous planet of Pandora in search of a mysterious vault containing mythical secrets along with a cast of modern companions.
Buy it Amazon from August 30
“The Deliverance” (Netflix)
“The Deliverance” is a Netflix spooker looking to get subscribers in the Halloween spirit very early. Adding to the scare factor is the fact that the Netflix original is based on a real-life series of alleged hauntings that took place in Gary, Indiana in 2011. Starring Andra Day, Glenn Close, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Mo’Nique there’s plenty of talent, it’s a shame that early reviews suggest it’s more of a throwaway horror than a true modern classic.
Ebony (Day) is the matriarch of a family terrorized by sinister forces, and these disturbing occurrences become progressively scarier with each passing day. From her children swinging in violent skirmishes with each other and speaking in strange deep voices, Ebony becomes convinced that her home is a gateway to hell and desperately calls on the local community for help to save her children.
Watch Netflix from August 30
“The Fall Guy” (Peacock)
Sometimes good movies don’t get the recognition they deserve and that was the case with “The Fall Guy.” Everything seemed to be going well for this popcorn flick when it hit theaters in March, and yet it grossed less than $180 million at the global box office (that might sound like a lot, but for a $150 million budget movie, it’s a poor performance ). As someone who had an absolute blast with it, I was seriously annoyed that it wasn’t doing better in the spring.
Fortunately, its arrival on the Peacock this week gives it one last chance for more people to see it (the PVOD release was also muted). In “The Fall Guy,” Ryan Gosling plays a stuntman recovering from a major accident on set a year prior. Forced to return to the set to help his ex-girlfriend-turned-director (Emily Blunt), he must investigate the strange disappearance of the film’s cocky star (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Along the way, he stumbles upon a crazy mystery full of surprises.
Watch Peacock from August 30
“Ghostlight” (AMC Plus)
Bringing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ to the screen isn’t exactly a new idea. In fact, the first American adaptation of Shakespeare’s legendary tale was a silent film released in 1908. So it’s fair to say that the story of two star-crossed lovers is a well-told tale. But credit must go to the creative team behind “Ghostlight” for coming up with a new and rather original way to spin the classic story. This effort seems to have been very successful as the movie is currently rated 100%. Rotten Tomatoes.
Dan Mueller (Keith Kupferer) is a very stressed construction worker dealing with many difficult personal problems. When he is invited to join the cast of a local theater production of Romeo and Juliet, he finds an outlet and a place where he feels he can properly express himself. However, as rehearsals continue, the events on stage are mirrored in his life. Also starring Dolly de Leon, this drama has been praised for its emotional subtlety and thoughts on the nature of grief.
Watch AMC Plus from August 30
