What’s Streaming This Week (10/8 - 10/15)
October 9th, 2023
LAKOTA NATION VS. UNITED STATES - AMC+
A worthy doc, on a worthy subject, that’s well worth seeing. But we’re going to use this space to say a few words about AMC+. Will it survive the streaming wars? We hope so. It’s one of the best values out there, especially when you consider it includes Shudder as part of the package. It feels like they’re ramping up the RLJE Films releases, and pulling back on the IFC Films output (AMC Networks owns both distributors). Which would be a shame, because IFC Films is one of the most interesting and eclectic distributors out there. Here’s hoping they can find the sweet spot of smart indie/foreign and still go broad with action/horror.
THE STARLING GIRL - Paramount+ w/Showtime
Director Laurel Parmet announces herself as an exciting new filmmaker with her debut feature. And Eliza Scanlan once again proves she’s a star in the making. But let’s talk about Lewis Pullman for a second! So memorable last year in the Top Gun sequel, Lewis is emerging from the shadow of his talented father Bill Pullman. And while there’s so much nepo-baby discourse, it’s nice to have some movie stars that look exactly like their famous parents. Continuity! Still, let’s not pretend Hollywood is a meritocracy. We think Fran Lebowitz said it best:
October 10th, 2023
DOWN LOW - PVOD (Sale Only, Price TBD)
After debuting to positive reviews at this year’s South By Southwest, Sony is quietly releasing Down Low straight to streaming. A shame, but not a surprise. This feels like a title that would struggle to pull an audience to theaters. The similarly pitched DICKS: THE MUSICAL is giving it a theatrical go…but we’re skeptical (but hopeful!) on its prospects. We have to say, this tweet has us intrigued about Down Low:
FREMONT - $14.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Fremont co-writer Carolina Cavalli is having quite a year. Her directorial debut AMANDA was released in the States this summer, and now her collaboration with Iranian filmmaker Babak Jalali is poised to find an audience on streaming. The film is the story of Donya, an Afghan refugee and former translator adjusting to life in Fremont, California. It’s a terrific film, one whose profile should be raised by red-hot co-star Jeremy Allen White. Get him on the poster Music Box Films!
IT LIVES INSIDE - $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
While not quite a TALK TO ME-sized success, It Lives Inside did have the distinction of being NEON’s highest grossing opening weekend ever. The debut feature from Bishal Dutta, the film premiered at this year’s South By Southwest to mixed reviews. We’re excited to catch up with this one, especially since it features GET OUT’s Betty Gabriel in a featured role.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING PART ONE - $19.99 Sale Only
Shrinking theatrical windows have warped our brains. Five years ago, a 90-day span between theatrical and digital launch was standard. These days, it feels like an eternity. Would Paramount have preferred to offer the latest Mission: Impossible movie on PVOD one month after its launch (as it does with its other titles)? Almost certainly. But Tom Cruise, especially after the success of Top Gun: Maverick, has the power to demand otherwise. And good for him! Maybe he and Christopher Nolan can fight the good fight for longer theatrical windows. But man…it feels like this movie came out last year. Brain warp.
October 11th, 2023
ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET. - Starz
One of our favorites of the year. Any chance for a Supporting Actress push for Rachel McAdams? We’re not holding our breath. Kelly Fremon Craig’s adaption of the Judy Blume novel is kind of a miracle. Sensitive, funny, and filled with fantastic performances. This could have gone wrong in so many different ways. But they pulled it off. And of course, it flopped.
October 12th, 2023
DALILAND - Hulu
We’re not quite sure who this movie is for? Ben Kingsley is a fantastic actor, and we root for director Mary Harron, but do we need more bland biopics? Maybe that’s unfair, we haven’t seen the film yet. But the critical reception doesn’t really compel us to put it at the top of our list. And Ezra Miller plays young Salvador Dali? Yikes.
October 13th, 2023
THE BURIAL - Prime Video
Our initial ambivalence (generic title, photoshopped poster) turned to excitement when The Burial premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. Reviews were glowing! Even the critics seemed surprised. We’re so happy Jamie Foxx is on the mend physically, and with this and THEY CLONED TYRONE, also choosing quality projects that allow him to shine. And Tommy Lee Jones is our favorite grumpy actor! Behold:
DARK HARVEST - PVOD (Price TBD)
Long on the shelf, we’re excited to see the latest from director David Slade, who brought us Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night. The film is based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Norman Partridge, and fun fact, will be the last film released under the banner of MGM Studios. All future MGM releases will be distributed under the Amazon MGM Studios banner. End of an era.
DEAR DAVID - $14.99 Sale / TBD Rental
A movie based on a twitter thread? It worked for Zola, which we loved. Dear David comes from BuzzFeed Studios, and tells the story of former employee Adam Ellis, who becomes haunted by the ghost of a boy possessed by a demonic entity. No reviews yet for this one, so we’re open to a masterpiece or a disaster.
EXPEND4BLES - $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Who can blame Sylvester Stallone for continuing The Expendables franchise? What else is he going to do? Sure…there’s his Paramount+ family reality series, but that feels like it’s for his wife and daughters. Stallone has squeezed every last drop out of all of his hits: Rocky movies (8), Rambo movies (5), The Expendables movies (4). We’ll likely skip this one and wait for the Netflix doc SLY next month.
THE ORIGIN OF EVIL - $14.99 Sale / TBD Rental
This is the kind of film that makes us happy to have IFC Films still in business. Who else would release a movie that’s described as a French-Canadian Knives Out? Bring it on! It stars Laure Calamy, who was terrific in this year’s French thriller Full Time. Look for this one to hit AMC+ sometime early next year.
October 15th, 2023
SLOTHERHOUSE - Hulu
Is Slotherhouse a comic masterpiece? So says film critic Stuart Heritage in The Guardian, and who are we to argue? We’re excited to catch up with this one on Hulu. The concept for Slotherhouse originated when the film's co-writer, Bradley Fowler, tried to come up with the "dumbest idea" he could think of. A killer three-toed sloth on a slow-motion rampage in a sorority house sounds genius to us. Not dumb at all.
Happy Streaming Everyone!
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