New movies to watch this weekend: See 'The Fantastic Four' in theaters, rent 'Materialists,' stream 'Happy Gilmore 2' on Netflix and more
Hello, Yahoo readers! My name is Brett Arnold, film critic and longtime Yahoo editor, and I'm back with another edition of Trust Me, I Watch Everything.
This week, there are a handful of movies coming to streaming services you're likely already paying for, including Wes Anderson's latest, an indie gem about baseball and a fun self-aware horror flick. The biggest new release is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the latest attempt at making the Marvel characters pop onscreen with a buzzy new A-list cast, including Pedro Pascal. If you're looking for more Pascal, make it a double feature: His rom-dram Materialists is available to rent. Read on for more, because there's something here for everyone!
What to watch in theaters
Movies newly available to rent or buy
Movies newly available on streaming services you may already have
🎥What to watch in theaters
My recommendation: The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Why you should watch it: The Fantastic Four: First Steps proves that James Gunn's Superman wasn't a one-off and instead was the start of an emerging trend of superhero movies.
Both are comic book flicks that are meant to be introduction films, as well as reboots featuring iconic characters we've already seen onscreen before. They both purposefully avoid harping much on a character's origin story. The Fantastic Four: First Steps depicts it very quickly up top, whereas Superman throws you right into the action. Both rely on the audience knowing who these people are and what they do without getting bogged down by lore.
That being said, each movie is meant to emulate the experience of reading a comic book, picking up an issue and getting caught up in that one arc without having to worry about its place in the larger universe.
The best thing about The Fantastic Four: First Steps is that it doesn't adhere to the Marvel house style and has a unique look that's decidedly its own: a retro-futuristic take on the 1960s that feels as indebted to The Jetsons as it does the comic books its based on.
Superman opened with Clark Kent having already been Superman for three years, and First Steps similarly opens with our heroes celebrating four years as America's superhero protectors. The public knows who they are and appreciates their efforts to keep them safe.
But Marvel's First Family is soon forced to balance their roles as heroes and the strength of their family bond while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).
Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) is pregnant with the child of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), and the movie explores how Reed tries to 'babyproof the world,' as a character in the film puts it, and protect their kid from real and specific dangers — in this case, Galactus.
The film is at its best when its leaning into either the silliness or the scale of the sci-fi comic book world these characters inhabit, like when we get a glimpse of villain Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser, a highlight) and his underground world of Subterranea, or when the plot turns to the idea of teleporting entire planets in order to save lives.
The foreboding Galactus, who is the size of a skyscraper and more menacing than any villain I can think of in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is an undeniable selling point. Maybe it's just my love for science fiction showing, but a bad guy that's just the Death Star incarnate, destroying planets as if they were nothing, is scary, strong stuff.
If I have a major complaint, it's that the Fantastic Four's powers are never really utilized in a way that feels specific to each character. It's all just generic superhero zipping around and shooting forceful beams out of their hands. The wildly specific skillsets all feel incidental here, rather than expertly written and woven into the narrative or the action.
The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bacharach is terrific as the voice of the Thing, but the character feels like he has little to do here, and the entirely CGI creation of his being pales in comparison to the onscreen depiction 20 years ago, when Michael Chiklis was transformed into the character with extensive makeup. Joseph Quinn is fun as Johnny Storm, but he too just flies around while on fire.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps may be the third attempt at bringing these classic comic book characters (the fourth, actually, if you count the hastily-made-to-keep-the-rights unreleased 1994 version) but it's undeniably the most successful of that very cursed bunch. The speed-run character development is a barrier at first, but by the end, I was worn down and accepted that this is what comic book movies are now, nearly 20 years after Iron Man changed everything for the genre.
On paper, I love the idea of skipping the origin story, but after Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I just think more work needs to be done setting up these worlds if I'm expected to buy in. For those unfamiliar with the characters, who have never seen a Fantastic Four movie or read one of their comic books, I do wonder if the experience is meaningfully different.
What other critics are saying: Most agree that Marvel finally got it right this time. William Bibbiani at The Wrap says it's first-rate, writing, "whatever its drawbacks, feels like a real Fantastic Four movie, and that's no small achievement." The Associated Press's Jake Coyle agrees that the villains steal the show and calls it "a very solid comic book movie."
How to watch: The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in theaters nationwide July 25.
Get tickets
🤔 But that's not all!
This ridiculously bonkers horror movie starring Pete Davidson and directed by The Purge mastermind James DeMonaco was shot in early 2022 and is only now sneaking into theaters. Davidson plays a troubled man who starts working at a retirement home and realizes its residents and caretakers harbor sinister secrets. It's unpredictable in a fun way, even if it feels like you're watching a different movie in the final 10 minutes. Get tickets.
: A derivative found-footage horror vehicle for Kris Collins, aka KallMeKris, a Canadian TikToker who has a massive following on the social media platform. It's ripping off The Blair Witch Project for most of the runtime, until it gets to the third act and imitates a different popular horror movie. It doesn't amount to much, sadly. Get tickets.
💸Movies newly available to rent or buy
My recommendation:
Why you should watch it: You can get a double helping of Pedro Pascal this weekend, if you're into that sort of thing, as the controversial Materialists is now watchable from your couch. As I wrote when it debuted in theaters, it disappoints in comparison to Past Lives, writer-director Celine Song's debut film, and the script ultimately lets down the actors, even if the performances are all very good.
What other critics are saying: There are strong opinions on both sides here. Stephanie Zacharek at Time writes that it's "more bittersweet than sweet, which is what makes it so wonderful, in a wistful, elusive way." The Daily Beast's Nick Schager dubs it a disappointing letdown, calling it "the cinematic equivalent of a sugary soda gone terribly flat."
How to watch: Materialists is now available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV and other VOD platforms.
Rent or buy 'Materialists'
➕ Bonus recommendation
Why you should watch it: The always-great Danielle Deadwyler stars in this postapocalyptic thriller about a Black family of Canadian farmers descended from American Civil War migrants defending their homestead against cannibals trying to seize their resources. Its specific approach to the apocalypse, that it's about food scarcity and the importance of farms in that future, makes it stand out from plenty of similar fare, as does the terrific and dynamic gunplay that unexpectedly takes up the latter half. The focus on family is also very effective. Much better than you'd expect from this sort of low-budget affair.
What other critics are saying: Most agree it's worth your time! Rolling Stone's David Fear writes, "She's not better than the movie. Deadwyler just makes the movie better by every choice she's making as an actor." Amy Nicholson at the Los Angeles Times agrees, writing that "there's not one false beat in Deadwyler's performance."
How to watch: 40 Acres is now available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV and other VOD platforms.
Rent or buy '40 Acres'
🤔 But that's not all!
: This is a horror movie about a serial killer whose method of killing is feeding his victims to sharks. I wish I didn't have to tell you that because the opening scene is such a shocking introduction, but the trailer gives it away immediately. It's still absolutely worth watching, if that sounds like your kind of thing. Rent or buy.
Disney's live-action remake became the first and only movie to gross $1 billion this year, and now you can help it make more money by paying to rent it! As per usual with these things, it's not as nice to look at as the animated original, but it gets the job done. Rent or buy.
📺Movies newly available on streaming services you may have
My recommendation:
Why you should watch it: My colleague Kelsey Weekman was lucky enough to catch it early, and her review is below!
What I at first thought was a depressingly obvious cash grab involving one of Adam Sandler's most beloved characters turned out to be a shockingly sweet (and still very funny) follow-up about the lengths even the biggest weirdos will go to for family.
Nearly 30 years after the original came out, I wasn't sure how many more times they could turn hitting a golf ball so hard it makes rocket launcher noises into an effective gag, but thanks to some new characters who kept it true to the Sandler ethos (loud, ridiculous, playfully violent), it felt like a truly fresh franchise installment rather than a ham-handed appeal to nostalgia. But trust me, there are still plenty of nods to the original. Bad Bunny, aka Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, steals the show.
What other critics are saying: There aren't any other reviews as of publication time. You'll have to trust Kelsey on this one!
How to watch: Happy Gilmore 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
Stream 'Happy Gilmore 2'
➕ Bonus recommendation:
Why you should watch it: Sometimes, all you need is a cheap but satisfying B-movie about a creature on an island killing people in increasingly gory ways. Bonus points if the creature just so happens to be a guy in a suit.
This World War II-set throwback is as inspired by the films of Jack Arnold (specifically Creature From the Black Lagoon) as it is Predator, and it delivers on the promise. The story about two guys from opposite sides of the war forced to band together against a greater threat works quite well!
What other critics are saying: There aren't many reviews for this one yet, so you'll have to take my word for it. If you're into low-budget stuff buoyed by great practical FX work and better-than-average performances, check it out.
How to watch: Monster Island is now streaming on Shudder.
Stream 'Monster Island'
🤔 But that's not all!
The latest film from Wes Anderson is a decidedly silly one. Imagine the usual Andersonian look and feel, now with cartoonish violence, and a terrific performance from Benicio Del Toro at its center. I wrote more about it here. Now streaming on Peacock.
This quietly profound indie about a baseball team playing their last-ever game functions as a metaphor about life and the eventual bitter end of the things we love. How can you not be romantic about baseball?! I wrote more here. Now streaming on Mubi.
This horror flick based on a popular video game leans more Cabin in the Woods send-up than earnest horror, and fans of the genre will enjoy the way it plays with conventions. Now streaming on Netflix.
Steve Coogan is sensational in this cute movie inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976 and how his life is transformed when he befriends a penguin. Streaming on Netflix July 26.
This A24 movie starring Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd is a high-concept fantastical comedy that eventually turns into goofy horror. I found it insufferable, but, hey, it's on HBO Max now, so you're not paying for it.Now streaming on HBO Max.
That's all for this week — we'll see you next Friday at the movies!
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Geek Tyrant
3 minutes ago
- Geek Tyrant
Mr. Fantastic and His Powers Were Underutilized in THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS; He Deserved Better — GeekTyrant
The Fantastic Four: First Steps missed a huge opportunity with one of Marvel's most visually creative superheroes. Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic, is supposed to be a stretchy powerhouse with abilities that defy the laws of physics. In the film, though, those powers are barely touched. What should've been a display of inventive, wild, and over-the-top visuals turned into a muted, limited showcase that felt more like an afterthought than a highlight. Now, credit where it's due, the film did a decent job of portraying Reed's intellect and leadership. He's thoughtful, composed, and clearly the brain of the group. But that's only half the picture. In the comics, Reed has a subtle charm and awkward charisma that makes him both relatable and admirable. That side of his personality was barely explored. He didn't need to crack jokes or go full Tony Stark, but a bit more emotional depth and nuance would've made him feel more alive. The biggest letdown, though, was how the film's creative team handled his powers. Mr. Fantastic can stretch, mold, twist, flatten, inflate… you name it. There are comic book moments where he's used his body as a net, wrapped himself around massive cosmic entities like Galactus, and turned into practically any shape needed to solve a problem. But in the film, his powers a very underutilized and limiting. At one point in the film we are watching Galactus strech Mr. Fantastic like a rubber band and he's screaming in pain. When you see how far is stretching ability goes in the comics, Galactus stretching him like that shouldn't have been an issue for him because it was nothing compared to what we've seen him do in the comics! We barely see any of those cool visuals from the comics in this film. His action moments are stiff and uninspired. Instead of showing Reed's resilience, it just made him look weak. The movie ignored everything fans know about how cool and versatile his powers really are. The creativity behind Reed's abilities is what makes him stand out in the superhero landscape. His power set should be a director's playground. You can do so much with the elasticity and adaptability of his body, yet the movie seemed afraid to go there. We didn't see him shape-shift in creative ways, use his body as a shield or slingshot, or even do something as simple as multitask with extended limbs in a high-stakes moment. They kept his abilities small, which is the opposite of what Mr. Fantastic should be. At the end of the day, The Fantastic Four: First Steps didn't give Mister Fantastic the treatment he deserved. His powers were underused, his moments of brilliance were too few, and his potential was left on the table. Reed Richards is a genius, yes, but he's also a one-man Swiss Army knife of superpowers. Hopefully, future film will fully embrace what makes Mister Fantastic truly fantastic.
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Movie Review: Kristin Scott Thomas directs Scarlett Johansson in comedic drama 'My Mother's Wedding'
Before Kristin Scott Thomas turned 12, she lost her father and stepfather. Both were Royal Navy pilots who died in crashes. The first happened when she was 5. The second at age 11. Thomas uses these facts, a kind of origin story, as the basis for her directorial debut, 'My Mother's Wedding,' a comedic drama about family, trauma and getting on with it that opens in theaters Friday. Knowing that the story comes from a real place is important for the experience. It gives 'My Mother's Wedding,' a perfectly average film that doesn't quite land the way it should, an emotional depth that it's otherwise lacking. This is a strange shortcoming considering the caliber of the cast, including Thomas as the bride to be, and Sienna Miller, Emily Beecham and Scarlett Johansson as her daughters. But it's a cruel reminder that a good hook, talented actors, one killer monologue and a picturesque setting (in this case, the English countryside) aren't guarantees that a movie will work. In the film, the deaths may be in the distant past, but they continue to haunt Diana's (Thomas) adult daughters as she prepares to marry another. Diana's new man is not a dashing pilot, forever preserved in handsome youth. Geoffrey (James Fleet) is very gray. He likes to talk about birds, ospreys in particular, has never had children and comes with a very silly last name (Loveglove) that she plans to take. Her girls are not exactly impressed, though they've all got their own stuff to deal with. It should be said that Johansson is indeed playing a British woman in this film, and while I don't feel qualified to comment on the nuances of her accent, all I can say is that there is a consistently strange disconnect to hear it coming out of her mouth. Johansson is a great actor who I've believed in many wilder roles, from Marvel movies right on down to her Ellen Greene riff during 'Saturday Night Live's' 50th anniversary show. But, somehow, she's hard to buy as Katherine Frost: A British, lesbian Royal Navy officer in a longtime relationship with a woman named Jack (played by fellow beauty Freida Pinto). Miller's character is Victoria, a Hollywood actor known for franchise dreck (no one can remember whether the latest 'Dame Of Darkness' is the fourth or fifth in the series) and short-lived relationships. And Beecham is the youngest Georgina, a nurse who suspects that her husband is having an affair. To find out, the girls hire a private detective to surveil her house and show them the footage after the wedding. It's a very busy, fraught weekend for everyone. There's lots of fretting over why Katherine won't marry Jack, and why Victoria is dancing around a relationship with a wealthy, older French man when her childhood crush still pines for her. There's lingering anxiety about their mom marrying this man who seems so unlike the two heroes that came before and much discussion about the importance of last names, marriage and making sure kids feel like they belong to someone. Some things get resolved, but it's hard to shake the feeling that everyone might need a new therapist by the end. 'My Mother's Wedding' also has a silly lightness to it that's aiming for something along the lines of a Richard Curtis romantic comedy. But coherency of the vision is limited, as is the audience's investment, though there are some lovely and inspired touches like using Iranian artist Reza Riahi to hand paint several animated flashback vignettes based on her memories of her fathers. Thomas co-wrote the script with her husband, journalist John Micklethwait, which includes a particularly poignant monologue for her character telling her daughters, essentially, to grow up and move on — a mature and worthy statement that might come a bit too late. 'My Mother's Wedding' feels only partially realized. But Thomas did have the good sense to end with a song that might just conjure up some feelings for any 'Heartburn' fans out there: Carly Simon's 'Coming Around Again,' this time a duet with Alanis Morissette. 'My Mother's Wedding,' a Vertical release in theaters Friday, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for 'brief nudity, some sexual material and language.' Running time: 95 minutes. Two stars out of four.
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
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Movie Review: Kristin Scott Thomas directs Scarlett Johansson in comedic drama 'My Mother's Wedding'
Before Kristin Scott Thomas turned 12, she lost her father and stepfather. Both were Royal Navy pilots who died in crashes. The first happened when she was 5. The second at age 11. Thomas uses these facts, a kind of origin story, as the basis for her directorial debut, 'My Mother's Wedding,' a comedic drama about family, trauma and getting on with it that opens in theaters Friday. Knowing that the story comes from a real place is important for the experience. It gives 'My Mother's Wedding,' a perfectly average film that doesn't quite land the way it should, an emotional depth that it's otherwise lacking. This is a strange shortcoming considering the caliber of the cast, including Thomas as the bride to be, and Sienna Miller, Emily Beecham and Scarlett Johansson as her daughters. But it's a cruel reminder that a good hook, talented actors, one killer monologue and a picturesque setting (in this case, the English countryside) aren't guarantees that a movie will work. In the film, the deaths may be in the distant past, but they continue to haunt Diana's (Thomas) adult daughters as she prepares to marry another. Diana's new man is not a dashing pilot, forever preserved in handsome youth. Geoffrey (James Fleet) is very gray. He likes to talk about birds, ospreys in particular, has never had children and comes with a very silly last name (Loveglove) that she plans to take. Her girls are not exactly impressed, though they've all got their own stuff to deal with. It should be said that Johansson is indeed playing a British woman in this film, and while I don't feel qualified to comment on the nuances of her accent, all I can say is that there is a consistently strange disconnect to hear it coming out of her mouth. Johansson is a great actor who I've believed in many wilder roles, from Marvel movies right on down to her Ellen Greene riff during 'Saturday Night Live's' 50th anniversary show. But, somehow, she's hard to buy as Katherine Frost: A British, lesbian Royal Navy officer in a longtime relationship with a woman named Jack (played by fellow beauty Freida Pinto). Miller's character is Victoria, a Hollywood actor known for franchise dreck (no one can remember whether the latest 'Dame Of Darkness' is the fourth or fifth in the series) and short-lived relationships. And Beecham is the youngest Georgina, a nurse who suspects that her husband is having an affair. To find out, the girls hire a private detective to surveil her house and show them the footage after the wedding. It's a very busy, fraught weekend for everyone. There's lots of fretting over why Katherine won't marry Jack, and why Victoria is dancing around a relationship with a wealthy, older French man when her childhood crush still pines for her. There's lingering anxiety about their mom marrying this man who seems so unlike the two heroes that came before and much discussion about the importance of last names, marriage and making sure kids feel like they belong to someone. Some things get resolved, but it's hard to shake the feeling that everyone might need a new therapist by the end. 'My Mother's Wedding' also has a silly lightness to it that's aiming for something along the lines of a Richard Curtis romantic comedy. But coherency of the vision is limited, as is the audience's investment, though there are some lovely and inspired touches like using Iranian artist Reza Riahi to hand paint several animated flashback vignettes based on her memories of her fathers. Thomas co-wrote the script with her husband, journalist John Micklethwait, which includes a particularly poignant monologue for her character telling her daughters, essentially, to grow up and move on — a mature and worthy statement that might come a bit too late. 'My Mother's Wedding' feels only partially realized. But Thomas did have the good sense to end with a song that might just conjure up some feelings for any 'Heartburn' fans out there: Carly Simon's 'Coming Around Again,' this time a duet with Alanis Morissette. 'My Mother's Wedding,' a Vertical release in theaters Friday, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for 'brief nudity, some sexual material and language.' Running time: 95 minutes. Two stars out of four.
