What’s Streaming This Week (12/8 - 12/15)
Welcome to When To Stream’s Weekly Preview! Every week, we take a closer look at the major film streaming releases scheduled to launch in the next 7 days. As always, release dates are subject to change.
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Here are next week’s highlights:
Monday, December 9th, 2024
THE FABULOUS FOUR - Paramount+ w/Showtime
Synopsis: Three lifelong friends travel to Key West, Florida to be bridesmaids in the surprise wedding of their college girlfriend Marilyn. Once there, sisterhoods are rekindled, the past rises up again in all its glory, and there’s enough sparks, drinks and romance to change all their lives in ways they never expected.
What we like:
Four fantastic comedic actresses (Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, Sheryl Lee Ralph) in a Bridesmaids-style romp.
Australian director Jocelyn Moorhouse’s first feature since her underrated 2015 Kate Winslet vehicle The Dressmaker.
Also encouraging to see in the cast list: Michael Bolton as himself.
What we don’t like:
Reviews were mixed, though the film does have its defenders. Amy Nicholson’s review in the New York Times notes: ‘Slapdash but executed with gusto, “Fabulous Four” feels like it was made after guzzling three bottles of champagne — and honestly, that’s an apropos way to watch.’
IT ENDS WITH US - Netflix
Synopsis: When a woman's first love suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with a charming, but abusive neurosurgeon is upended, and she realizes she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future.
What we like:
Based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover, this Blake Lively star vehicle was a massive success in theaters, earning $350M worldwide on a $25M budget. Expect many more Colleen Hoover adaptations.
The film’s stellar supporting cast includes Jenny Slate, Brandon Sklenar, Hasan Minhaj, Kevin McKidd, Amy Morton, and Blake’s half-sister Robyn Lively.
What we don’t like:
During her promotional tour for the film, Lively received criticism from social media users who accused her of being "tone-deaf" for displaying a "light-hearted humorous" attitude and not explicitly addressing her character's experience of domestic violence and abuse. Users were also critical of Lively for promoting her new hair care line, as well as her drinks brand, during the press tour.
Tuesday, December 10th, 2024
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER - $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Synopsis: The Herdman kids are undeniably the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, cheat, bully and overall terrorize their small community. But this Christmas, they're taking over their local church Pageant – and they just might unwittingly teach a shocked little town the true meaning of Christmas.
What we like:
This Christmas-set comedy-drama is based on the 1972 novel of the same name, which had previously been adapted in to a much-beloved 1983 ABC television movie starring Loretta Swit and Fairuza Balk.
Director Dallas Jenkins penned personal messages to Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, and Lauren Graham, explaining what he admired about them; why he thought they were perfect for the part; and kindly asked that they consider it. All three actors said yes.
What we don’t like:
The original television movie is not available to purchase or rent on any digital platforms. But someone has helpfully uploaded the full movie to Youtube. Enjoy!
HERETIC - $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Synopsis: Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed, becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.
What we like:
Hugh Grant in villain mode. The actor long-ago ditched his mop-headed, romantic leading man persona. And it has liberated him as an actor. From Bridget Jones’s Diary to Paddington 2, we love when Grant plays a cad.
Co-leads Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East are both stars in the making, and while this thriller doesn’t always quite live up to their (or Grant’s) talent, they do help elevate the material.
Co-writer/directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s script was just nominated for a Film Independent Spirit Award.
What we don’t like:
In response to the release of the film, the LDS Church released a statement condemning its portrayal of violence against women, with the Mormon church posting an article on missionary safety to its "Newsroom" website. Here’s an idea: Don’t knock on people’s door attempting to convert them. Problem solved.
IT’S NOT ME - The Criterion Channel, $14.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Synopsis: This free-form film is a self-portrait, which revisits more than 40 years of the author’s filmography and questions the major stations of his life, while capturing the political tremors of the time.
What we like:
Leos Carax’s ‘Essay Film’ is another ambitious piece of art from the unconventional filmmaker. It poetic, self-reflexive, elliptical, political, and extremely personal.
Carax reteamed with cinematographer Caroline Champetier and production designer Florian Sanson, both of whom worked on Carax's last two films Annette and Holy Motors.
What we don’t like:
With a running time of 41 mins, this is definitely not a feature-length film. We’re hoping the next Carax project will be announced soon, but in the meantime, we’ll savor this one.
SUGARCANE - Hulu, Disney+
Synopsis: An investigation into abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school ignites a reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve.
What we like:
This shattering documentary from filmmakers Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, and it won the Grand Jury award for Directing.
The National Board of Review this week awarded the film Best Documentary, and it is considered a favorite to receive an Oscar nomination in January.
What we don’t like:
The harrowing subject matter doesn’t exactly make for cheerful holiday viewing. But it’s a must-see.
VENOM: THE LAST DANCE - $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Synopsis: Eddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie's last dance.
What we like:
After writing the screenplays for the original Venom and its sequel, Venom: Let There be Carnage, Kelly Marcel takes on both writing and directing duties for the third in the Venom trilogy.
Marcel has sole screenplay credit, but star Tom Hardy shares a ‘Story by’ credit with Marcel.
While the film was intended as the conclusion of the Venom trilogy, Hardy expressed interest in reprising his role in the future and having his character crossover with Spider-Man, saying "never say never".
What we don’t like:
After projections indicated it was set to gross around $65 million in its opening weekend, the film pulled in only $51 million, marking the lowest opening of the series. The film also received a lackluster ‘B-’ Cinemascore grade. Still, the film did well overseas, and its nearly $470M worldwide gross is nothing to sneeze at.
Wednesday, December 11th, 2024
MARIA - Netflix
Synopsis: Maria Callas, the world's greatest opera singer, lives the last days of her life in 1970s Paris, as she confronts her identity and life.
What we like:
Angelina Jolie is back, doing some CAPITAL A ACTING, and we couldn’t be happier.
The third and final film in Pablo Larraín's so-called "Lady with Heels" trilogy of female-led biopics, following Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021).
Jolie does her own singing in the movie, but her vocals are also blended with real recordings of Maria Callas. Jolie spent seven months training in opera and Italian to prepare for the role.
What we don’t like:
The movie premiered at the Venice Film Festival, as did the Apple Studios film Wolfs, starring Angelina Jolie's ex-husband Brad Pitt, while the former couple were in litigation. Festival organizers scheduled the two films so that the actors would not need to meet.
Friday, December 13th, 2024
CARRY-ON - Netflix
Synopsis: A young TSA agent fights to outsmart a mysterious traveler who blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip onto a Christmas Eve flight.
What we like:
We’re in the bag for director Jaume Collet-Serra, who gets a lifetime pass from us for directing Orphan (a classic), Non-Stop (essential plane thriller), and The Shallows (banger shark thriller). Yes, he directed Black Adam and Jungle Cruise, but we choose to see the best in him.
The first film by Amblin Entertainment to be released under their multiple film deal with Netflix.
We’re still hoping Taron Egerton clicks as a lead/star. He’s always likable, but has never really broken out.
What we don’t like:
The PG-13 ratings bums us out. We were hoping for a Die Hard-style action thriller that doesn’t pull punches. The watered down rating means we’ll likely be getting the patented Netflix CGI blood vapor, which looks cheap and fake.
CONCLAVE - Peacock
Synopsis: After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with managing the covert and ancient ritual of electing a new one. Sequestered in the Vatican with the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders until the process is complete, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could lead to its downfall.
What we like:
Director Edward Berger follows up his Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front with this stylish mystery-thriller, which is also garnering plenty of awards buzz.
Could this be the role that finally wins Ralph Fiennes his first Oscar? We sure hope so. And though her role is minor, we wouldn’t mind if Isabella Rossellini received her first nomination as well.
Shout out to the terrific score by Hauschka, which we think is even better than his Oscar-winning music for All Quiet on the Western Front.
Respect to Focus Features for showing some flexibility and patience with the window on this title. Rather than fast track it to PVOD after 18 days, they let it stay exclusive to theaters for a full 31 days. We’re a little surprised they’re rushing it to Peacock this quickly.
What we don’t like:
Whenever we get a solid, middlebrow entertainment like Conclave, we lament how few of these we get every year. Bring back the airport paperback movie. We miss them terribly.
DAHOMEY - MUBI
Synopsis: Thousands of royal artifacts of Dahomey, a West African kingdom, were taken by French colonists in the 19th century for collection and display in Paris. Centuries later, a fraction returned to their home in modern-day Benin. This dramatized documentary follows the journey of 26 of the treasures as told by cultural art historians, embattled university students, and one of the repatriated statues himself.
What we like:
Mati Diop’s essential documentary is the official submission of Senegal for the 'Best International Feature Film' category of the 97th Academy Awards.
The film was selected to compete at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Bear award for the best film.
This week, the National Board of Review named it one of the top 5 documentaries of the year.
What we don’t like:
At 68 mins, the film is not quite feature-length. Still, we trust Diop uses her run time to maximum effect and applaud her for not padding the film to reach some arbitrary length.
ELTON JOHN: NEVER TOO LATE - Disney+
Synopsis: Sir Elton John looks back on his life and the astonishing early days of his 50-year career in this emotionally charged, full-circle journey. As he prepares for his final concert in North America at Dodger Stadium, Elton takes us back in time and recounts his struggles with adversity, abuse, and addiction, and how he overcame them to become the icon he is today.
What we like:
RJ Cutler and David Furnish share directing duties on this career-retrospective doc, which integrates historic performance footage, excerpts from Elton’s private journals, and personal footage of his family life behind the scenes.
We’ll never get tired of listening to Elton John’s music, so while Dexter Fletcher’s 2019 biopic Rocketman likely covered much of what’s presented here, we’ll settle in and enjoy the performances.
What we don’t like:
According to Wikipedia (so take a with a grain of salt), Disney reportedly acquired this documentary for $30M. That sounds like a lot, doesn’t it??
JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX - Max
Synopsis: While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur Fleck not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that's always been inside him.
What we like:
Hmmm…give us a minute….
The concept of a making the Joker sequel a musical is a bold and exciting prospect. We applaud Todd Phillips for antagonizing the very audience who latched on to the first film and took the protagonists persona to heart. A very Joker-like move!
Lady Gaga is a movie star. Yes, she has try-hard theater kid energy. But frankly, we find that endearing. We loved her in A Star is Born and House of Gucci, but she’s under-utilized here. She’ll be back.
What we don’t like:
If you’re gonna make a musical…make a musical. Talk-singing pleases no one. You have one of the greatest voices alive, and you don’t turn her loose and sing with full-throated gusto? Dumb.
We love courtroom dramas. We enjoyed Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2! But having your sequel just re-litigate (literally) the plot of the first film is incredibly dull. It didn’t work for the Seinfeld finale, and it doesn’t work here.
Happy Streaming Everyone!
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