The Best Movies to Stream This Week
If you’re looking for a new (or new) movie to watch this weekend, but only want the highest quality entertainment, read on. Your streaming choices include Taylor’s version of the Eras Tour concert documentary on Disney+, the good-natured romantic comedy Irish Desire on Netflix and, most importantly, Netflix’s Chicken Nugget , the most important film in the history of cinema.
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor Version)
Singer Taylor Swift, the most important person in the universe, is broadcasting her traveling music roadshow with the “Taylor Version” of the Eras Tour. This concert film version included four songs from the main stage that were not featured in the Eras Tour theatrical version, as well as a collection of four post-credits acoustic performances. This is more than Taylor Swift deserves.
Where to watch : Disney+.
Irish Desire
Netflix is releasing the old-fashioned romantic comedy Irish Desire just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Lindsay Lohan plays Maddie Kelly, a shy, lonely book editor and perpetual bridesmaid pining for her best friend’s fiance. At her friend’s wedding in Ireland, Maddie makes a wish that magically comes true and wakes up in an alternate reality where she is about to walk down the aisle. As you might imagine, Maddie soon learns the true meaning of the old saying, “be careful what you wish for.”
Where to watch: Netflix
Frida
This documentary explores the life and work of iconic artist Frida Kahlo using her own words taken from journals, letters, interviews and other primary sources, all illustrated with animation inspired by Kahlo’s art. First-time director Carla Gutierrez has access to footage never before seen in public and uses it to create a film that aims to go deeper than just an art history lesson or a biography based only on facts.
Where to watch : Prime
Dream Scenario (2023)
The great Nicolas Cage stars in this surreal comedy that takes a darkly satirical look at fame in the age of constant hookups. Paul Matthews (Cage, playing against type) is a boring, sleazy college professor who secretly craves academic fame. He becomes famous, but instead of people talking about his research, everyone in the world suddenly starts dreaming about Matthews.
Where to stream : Max
American Fantasy (2023)
In this biting satire, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a jaded African-American novelist, writes the most offensive, stereotypically “black” novel imaginable in protest. When Stagg R. Lee’s My Pathology hits shelves, it becomes a runaway bestseller, forcing Monk to publicly adopt Lee’s persona. First-time director Cord Jefferson delivers a hilarious and fearless comedy with a standout performance from Jeffrey Wright.
Where to watch : MGM+.
Nuggets
In this Korean Netflix comedy, a father accidentally turns his daughter into a chicken nugget. I didn’t make this up; that’s exactly what happens inChicken Nuggets . I haven’t seen it yet, but I can confidently call Chicken Nugget the greatest movie ever made.
Where to watch : Netflix
Lion Heart
In 2011, two-time Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon died in one of the worst crashes in racing history. Lionheart details his career and death, as well as his legacy, both personal and professional. Wheldon is survived by his wife and two children, and she is helping his sons follow in their father’s footsteps in the world of auto racing, despite his tragic death.
Where to stream : Max
US Justice
“Justice USA” looks at the criminal justice system in Nashville through the eyes of inmates, attorneys, administrators and legislators. This powerful six-episode documentary takes viewers from men’s, women’s and juvenile prisons into the halls of power where laws are being passed, exploring how justice works in America circa 2024.
Where to stream: Max
Last week’s pick
Ricky Stanicki
John Cena’s movie star-turned-wrestler is always funnier than you think, and Ricky Stanicki gives Cena a chance to sink his teeth into the bumbling leading man role. Directed by Peter Farrelly, this Amazon-produced comedy stars Zac Efron, Andrew Santino and Jermaine Fowler as Dean, JT and Wes, lifelong friends who have been pretending since childhood that they had a friend to use as an alibi or scapegoat. — if they want to spend the evening with the guys, they just say they’re visiting Ricky Stanicki in the hospital. When their partners become suspicious and demand a meeting with Stanicki, the trio hire “Rock Hard” Rod (John Cena), a failed actor who specializes in X-rated celebrity impersonations, to portray Ricky. Things quickly spiral out of control as Ricky refuses to give up this role and interferes in every aspect of their lives.
Where to watch : Prime
girl
Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown plays Elodie inDamsel , a fantasy film that turns fairytale tropes on their head. After her engagement to the prince, Elodie learns that her destiny is not to live happily ever after, but to be sacrificed to the dragon. To survive (and defeat the evil royal family who threw her into the dragon’s cave), Elodie will have to face the fire-breathing beast herself. No knight in shining armor will come to save the day.
Where to watch : Netflix
Poor things (2023)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos , Bad Things is a dizzying mix of horror, romance, sci-fi and comedy. Emma Stone gives a wonderful performance as Bella Baxter, a young woman who has a baby’s brain implanted into her head by a crazed doctor (played by Willem Dafoe). Bad Things is set in a steampunk fairytale version of Victorian Europe. It’s endlessly visually captivating, intellectually stimulating, and damn funny. It’s a must-see (catch it ahead of the Oscars on March 10, where it’s nominated for 11 awards ).
Where to watch : Hulu
Program: Attackers, Cults and Kidnappings
This disturbing documentary details the frightening world of the “troubled teen” industry, where children are kidnapped and forced to live in squalid conditions in often abusive institutions, all with the blessing of their parents. Through interviews with traumatized survivors, “The Program: Adversaries, Cults and Abductions” digs up copious dirt on Ivy Ridge Academy in Ogdensburg, New Jersey, a “disciplinary boarding school” that was rocked by allegations of abuse and torture before it was closed in 2009.
Where to watch : Netflix
Dune (2021)
With the sequel now in theaters, now is the perfect time to rewatch 2021’s Dune . Director Denis Villeneuve achieved success with his adaptation of Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking science fiction novel. He managed to turn difficult source material into a film that both audiences and critics loved, even those audiences and critics who said, “I’m not into science fiction.” Dune features standout performances from Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson, who manage to be just as entertaining as the huge visual effects.
Where to watch : Hulu
Oppenheimer (2023)
Christopher Nolan’s sweeping biopic explores the many sides of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the literally jaw-dropping destruction he helped wreak upon the world, and the ways in which each influences the other. Oppenheimer is nominated for 13 Oscars, more than any other film this year, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor nominations for Cillian Murphy, so catch it before the ceremonies if you missed it it’s in cinemas.
Where to watch : Peacock
Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda
Award-winning comedian Hannah Gadsby brings some of the funniest genderqueer comics on Earth to London’s Alexandra Palace Theater inHannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda . The program includes sets from ALOK, Chloe Petts, DeAnne Smith, Ashley Ward, Jes Tom, Mx. Dalia Belle and Krishna Ishtha. After reading all the negative comments about the trailer on YouTube, I made it a must watch; if these jerks are working, Netflix must be doing something right.
Where to watch : Netflix
Revolution on canvas
Part political thriller, part artistic documentary , Revolution on Canvas explores the controversy and upheaval surrounding the paintings of Iranian contemporary artist Niki Nojoumi. Having moved to Iran to help overthrow the Shah in 1980, Nojoumi quickly ruffled the new regime’s feathers with his solo exhibition, “Report on the Revolution.” He was forced to flee, and more than 100 of his paintings went missing. “Revolution on Canvas” details the artist and his family’s attempt to recover the paintings, or at least find out what happened to them.
Where to stream : Max
Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
Josie and the Pussycats was a complete flop when it came out in 2001, met with critical and box office indifference, but rather than being forgotten, Josie wandered around the edges of the cinematic universe until people slowly noticed that it was actually really good small film. This isn’t the dumb teen exploitation you’d expect; instead, behind his bubbly façade, he hides a sharpened satirical knife. It has a soundtrack full of great songs, great performances from Tara Reid, Rosario Dawson, Parker Posey and Rachael Leigh Cook, and, now that so much time has passed, a nice sheen of nostalgia.
Where to watch : Peacock
Wonka (2023)
Timothée Chalamet plays the title character in this prequel/reimagining of famed chocolate maker Roald Dahl. Achieving such a delightful tone without becoming mawkish and cheesy is no easy task, but Wonka manages to succeed thanks to a talented cast, a superb script, catchy songs and sumptuous production design. In other words, against all odds, Wonka is pretty good.
Where to stream : Max
Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
In the film Birdman, Michael Keaton plays Riggan Thomson, an actor famous for his role as the movie superhero Birdman. But that was years ago, and now the ghost of Birdman is literally haunting him as he tries to make a comeback by starring in the Broadway adaptation of Raymond Carver’s story. Shot seemingly (but not actually) in one take, Birdman is a frantic, gripping portrait of an artist plagued by irrelevance and descending into madness. I promise it’s like no other movie you’ve ever seen. (And it’s still surprising that such a strange film managed to win the Oscar for Best Picture.)
Where to watch: Hulu
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
Tom Hanks plays the most hopeful man in television history, Mister Rogers, a children’s television show host who became famous for taking children seriously. Using cinematic techniques made famous by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood , director Marielle Heller tells Rogers’ story through the eyes of Lloyd Vogel, a tormented, emotionally damaged writer assigned to write a flaky piece about Rogers. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is about the conflict between cynicism and sincerity, and in the face of Mister Rogers’ “cardigans and easy piano jazz” worldview, cynicism doesn’t stand a chance.
Where to watch: Hulu