Call of the Day: Disney
The Investment Committee discuss the latest Call of the Day on Disney and debate which stock has more upside, Disney or Netflix.
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Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
7 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max and more (July 1-7)
It's set to be an exciting week for new movies across the best streaming services and premium platforms. Netflix, Prime Video and HBO Max are offering new additions for subscribers, and several noteworthy flicks are trading the big screen for home viewing. I expect 'The Old Guard 2," premiering on Netflix on Wednesday (July 2), will be the big winner of the week. The superhero sequel has been a long time coming after a five-year gap since the original arrived back in 2020. However, I'm most hyped about the PVOD premiere of 'Ballerina,' the heart-pounding 'John Wick' spin-off, and 'Bring Her Back,' the acclaimed indie horror flick. Whatever your personal tastes, there's sure to be at least one movie that appeals down below. So, if you're looking to watch something fresh this week, here are all the new movies you can enjoy across streaming services. And don't forget to see our companion guide to the best new TV shows you'll want to binge-watch this week. The 'John Wick' franchise's latest attempts at expansion, following 2023's pretty lackluster Peacock series 'The Continental,' is a spinoff film starring Ana de Armas as a seriously lethal ballerina/assassin who is trained under the watch of Anjelica Huston's Director (who was introduced in 'John Wick 3'). Despite a reportedly tricky production cycle, the final result is an action-thriller more than worthy of the 'Wick' name. Action fans will love this thrill ride. I'd go as far as to say 'Ballerina' contains some of the franchise's best ever action sequences, with one involving an ultra-powerful flamethrower a personal highlight. Armas also proved to be a suitable candidate for leading a high-octane action romp, even if her character's backstory feels pretty routine. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Those who feel that anything Wick-related isn't the same without the inclusion of Keanu Reeves will also be pleased to know that Mr. Wick is involved more than you might expect, considering 'Ballerina' is technically a spin-off. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 1 2022's 'Talk to Me' wasn't just one of my favorite movies of that year; it ranks as one of my favorite horror flicks of the 2020s. It's the most a chiller has spooked me since 'Hereditary,' and considering how much I adore Ari Aster's horror masterpiece, that's a high compliment. The Australian directing duo, Danny and Michael Philippou, follow-up effort to "Talk to Me" is 'Bring Her Back," and it's heading to premium streaming this week. I cannot wait to dive into this very scary-looking movie. The "Bring Her Back" has been well received by critics, scoring 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and stars Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt and Sora Wong. The logline reads, 'A brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother,' and such a brief summary has me even more excited to watch. In my experience, whenever an indie horror movie plot seems simple on the surface, there's usually some very terrifying layers to be unwrapped. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 1 Being talked about in some fan circles as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's return to form, 'Thunderbolts' might not quite be vintage Marvel, but it's certainly a significant step up compared to some of the connected franchise's recent lackluster efforts, at least, in the opinion of this lapsed MCU fan Rather than being overstuffed with cameos or increasingly knotty multiverse shenanigans, in 'Thunderbolts," the focus is on a smaller group of compelling misfits and their attempts to prove themselves heroes capable of saving the world. Starring fan-favorite Marvel characters including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky 'Winter Solider' Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Dollar Store Captain America, John Walker (Wyatt Russell), the 'Thunderbolts' are a motley crew of oddballs, who prove to have pretty great chemistry. But the real show stealer is Lewis Pullman as Bob, a mysterious individual with a surprisingly impactful (and pretty dark for the MCU) arc. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 1 Prime Video's big summer original movie is an action-comedy that brings together John Cena and Idris Elba as the President of the United States and the British Prime Minister, respectively. But the so-called 'special relationship' has gone sour in this case, with the duo embroiled in a very public rivalry. However, when Air Force One is shot down, they're forced to band together, put aside their differences, and kick some butt to save the free world. Frankly, this looks like a shlocky blockbuster that isn't going to turn around Prime Video's reputation of churning out underwhelming original efforts, but at least it's got plenty of star power, and the supporting cast includes Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jack Quaid, Carla Gugino and Paddy Considine. This probably wouldn't be a big-budget action effort worth a trip to your local movie theatre, but as a streaming exclusive, it might serve up some passable entertainment. Watch on Prime Video from July 2 'The Old Guard' dropped on Netflix at a time when many of us were quarantined in our homes, and craving pure cinematic escapism, and despite its faults, the Charlize Theron-fronted superhero movie delivered exactly that. The sequel has been a long time coming, but five years later, it's ready to make its arrival on Netflix this Wednesday. The movie returns to the world of immortal warriors, and those battling to protect humanity from the shadow. Andy (Theron) is the team's leader and is still adjusting to losing her immortality, and if getting her head around morality wasn't enough, she's also got to contend with the return of a dangerous figure previously thought to be lost to time. Uma Thurman and Henry Golding are joining the crew this time, and I expect this sequel to very quickly claim the No. 1 spot in Netflix's top 10 ranking. Watch on Netflix from July 2 If you thought 2018's 'Batman Ninja' sold itself on its ludicrously compelling name alone, its sequel, 'Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League,' looks to be going for the same strategy. Offering slick anime-style animation and a plot that sounds completely bonkers, but in the best possible way, this Bat-flick might be the perfect way to keep yourself occupied until 'The Batman 2' finally hits theatres. Seriously, Matt Reeves, we're getting desperate here. The direct sequel to the original 'Batman Ninja,' this sequel sees Bruce Wayne return from the past to discover the world he left behind has changed. Gotham City is under attack from a group of Yakuza members that resemble the Justice League, and so Bats must assemble his allies, including Red Hood, Red Robin and regular Robin, to fight back against this powerful new threat. While 'Batman Ninja' isn't one for superhero fans wanting a more grounded take on the Dark Knight, it's great fun for those craving a more fantastical tone. Watch on HBO Max from July 3 'Sinners' was a breakout hit in theatres in April, and a best seller when it arrived on PVOD streaming last month, so it's a pretty safe assumption to say its HBO Max debut will be another feather in the cap of a rare original movie that has captured the interest of moviegoers across the global. The action-horror solidifies Ryan Coogler as one of Hollywood's most high-profile directors, and if you somehow missed the boat up to this point, now is the time to correct that mistake. 'Sinners' is worthy of all the hype. Set in the 1930s, 'Sinners' follows twin brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) who return to their Mississippi hometown to open a juke joint in an old sawmill. Opening night is a swinging success, that is, until a group of vampires arrive on the scene. This horror-thriller is a wild ride bursting with cinematic flair, incredible performances from the entire cast (Jordan especially), and one of the best musical scores of the 21st century. It's a real must-watch. Watch on HBO Max from July 4
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Disney Alum Posts Heartfelt Birthday Tribute for Late Colleague
Disney Alum Posts Heartfelt Birthday Tribute for Late Colleague originally appeared on Parade. A former Disney star shared a vulnerable tribute to a beloved colleague on his birthday, which came just months after his death. Debby Ryan, who starred in nearly 100 episodes of Disney's Jessie from 2011 to 2015, opened up about the loss of Jeff Baena, whom she had worked with on several projects. Baena, a film director and screenwriter who was married to actress Audrey Plaza, died by suicide in January. As E! News noted, Baena and Ryan worked together on the 2022 project Spin Me Round as well as the 2020 project Horse Girl. June 29 would have been Baena's 48th birthday. As a tribute to him, Ryan posted a handful of highlights on her Instagram page and wished him a happy birthday. In the caption, the Disney alum asked her followers to "Bear with me," as she's "never been a public griever, and have a hard time sharing fragile feelings with strangers." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Debby Ryan (@debbyryan) Despite her hesitations, Ryan went on to admit she had thought about Baena every day since his death. "At the beginning of the year, I lost a dear friend, cherished collaborator and mentor in Jeff Baena," Ryan shared. She noted that dealing with the loss of Baena has been "Very hard and heavy." Ryan pointed out that she's come to understand that grief isn't linear. As she navigates the stages of grief, she wrote that she hopes those stages shift to become "not a place to live." "Today on his birthday, I want you to know a few things about Jeff-- he was generous. Warm while principled. Intentional with a casual in debate," Ryan wrote. She also wrote that Baena believed in her, and "I feel really proud to be able to say that." Ryan added quite a bit more in an additional comment on her Instagram post. She wrote that Baena made her feel she was "worth believing in" and "deserving of respect." She touched on the struggles she has experienced in coming to terms with Baena's death over the past six months. Ryan admitted she was "trying to forgive my friend for taking my friend." Fans stepped up to lend their support to Ryan. "Grief comes in waves and I'm glad you have a space to feel those emotions whenever they do arise. Hugs Debby 🤍 thanks for sharing your grief with us, even for a moment," one comment read. "What a very sweet and well thought out post. I'm so sorry for your loss (and seems to be a big loss for many people) happy birthday Jeff, ❤️" wrote someone else. Another commenter shared, "I know you'll perpetuate his values, energy and ideas. he saw something in you, so keep showing the world what he saw." If you feel like your friend or loved one needs help please call the at 1-800-273-8255 for immediate help and to speak with someone who knows exactly what's going on. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Plus, they have online chats available and all information is confidential. You can also text 'HELLO' to 741741 to be connected with the Crisis Text Line. Disney Alum Posts Heartfelt Birthday Tribute for Late Colleague first appeared on Parade on Jun 30, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Stephen A. Smith happy to get ‘well-earned relief' from one part of his ESPN responsibilities
With 'Inside the NBA' coming to ESPN, that means that Stephen A. Smith will be on fewer NBA broadcasts, something that will not only make a segment of viewers at home happy but also Smith himself. The well-known ESPN personality expressed excitement that the beloved TNT studio show will be joining ESPN through a licensing agreement struck with the NBA. Stephen A. Smith, NBA analyst for ESPN, looks on before the Boston Celtics play the Knicks in the playoffs. Getty Images That excitement stems not just from his enjoyment of the show, but for the chance to take a step back from some of his on-air appearances. ''Inside The NBA' is coming here and nobody can be happier for that than me,' Smith told Boardroom in an interview. 'Not just because those guys are great, but it gives me what I believe to be well-earned relief. It's been a long time. I've been covering the NBA for 30 years, so I'm going to get somewhat of a reprieve to some degree in that regard in terms of an inordinate amount of assignments that I've had in the past. So, I'm happy about that.' Smith was busy during ESPN's coverage of the NBA Finals and the NBA draft, and that's without even mentioning his number of projects and appearances away from NBA coverage and sports in general. The $100 million sports commentator is expected to play a bigger role in the network's NFL coverage as part of his new deal with the Disney-owned network, and in the interview with Boardroom, he expressed excitement over some vacation time that will help him recharge for the fall. ESPN reporters Stephen A Smith, Malika Andrews and Michael Malone talk during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals on May 26, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images 'I'll have a greater appreciation for it come NFL season when I'm back,' Smith said, speaking about his duties on 'First Take.' 'Because obviously I'll be fresh, refreshed, ready to roll, and I'll have an even greater appreciation then than I do of it now.'
