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The Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
How 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' sets a foundation for the future of the MCU
After three previous movie incarnations of the Fantastic Four which have been some of the most uncreative and blasphemous portrayals of the team, we finally have a movie that is worthy of the word 'fantastic'. Fantastic Four: First Steps finally does justice to Marvel's First Family, with strong performances by the leading actors, a fun, comic book-like 60s retro feel, and a Galactus that is truly worthy of the name 'Devourer of Worlds'. The new movie stars current King Of Pop Culture Pedro Pascal ( The Last Of Us , The Mandalorian ) as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby ( The Crown ) as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach ( The Bear ) as Ben Grimm/The Thing. and Joseph Quinn ( Stranger Things ) as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch. It also stars Julia Garner as the female Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus. In tribute to the First Family's return to the big screen, here is a brief recap of what it means to be 'fantastic'! The Fantastic Four's first steps into the MCU couldn't have gone better. — Photos: Marvel Comics Although it's called 'First Steps', this is hardly the first time the Fantastic Four have been on the big screen, of course. Unfortunately, the actual cinematic first steps the team was supposed to take back in 1994 never really materalised, and hogged the headlines for the wrong reasons. 30 years ago, low-budget specialists Roger Corman and Bernd Eichinger made The Fantastic Four for a budget of less than US$1mil (RM4.2mil). For comparison, First Steps cost almost US$200mil (RM843mil) to make! The English-language German superhero movie was made (or rather rushed) to allow Eichinger to keep the FF film rights. The first ever Fantastic Four movie in 1994 was never released. To be fair, the movie (by comic book movie standards back then) was actually quite true to the comics, but Marvel Studio founder Avi Arad was concerned that releasing the low-budget film might cheapen the then-fledgling brand. In the end, Arad decided to purchase the film for a couple of million dollars and ordered all the prints destroyed, thus preventing its release (or so he thought). Fun fact: The original cast from the unreleased film – Alex Hyde-White, Rebecca Staab, Jay Underwood, and Michael Bailey Smith – all make cameos in First Steps . It took over a decade for the FF to have another outing on the silver screen, and I personally loved Tim Story's Fantastic Four (2005), which made enough to spawn a sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer , in 2007. The team dynamics was wonderful, with a real-life cast that mirrored the comic characters (who can forget Chris Evans' Johnny Storm, Michael Chiklis' rocky rendition of the Thing, a highly visible Jessica Alba as Sue Storm, and the scintillating Silver Surfer). The 2005 movie (and its sequel in 2007) were fun and true to thecomic books (except for space cloud Galactus!) Sure, it was a very campy cinematic take of the FF, but it was fun and entertaining. Plus without it, we would not have that iconic scene of Chris Evans going 'Flame On!' in Deadpool & Wolverine ! The only thing that spoiled it for me and the legions of Marvel fans was the way Galactus was depicted in the second movie... as nothing but a giant space cloud of dust! By 2015, the popularity of the MCU was almost at its 2019 Endgame peak, and superheroes were dominating the box office. So, it made sense for 21st Century Fox to come up with a 'reboot' of the Fantastic Four (plus they needed to make one just to hold on to the cinematic rights at the time). Unfortunately, Josh Trank's 2015 'Fant4stic Four' was an abomination that has since been dubbed one of the worst superhero films ever made. I remember watching it during the pandemic and thinking that it was an experience even worse than getting Covid-19! The less said about the 2015 'Fant4stic' abomination, the better. Besides being an utterly uninspired take on the superheroes, it also blasphemously changed the FF's origins – instead of cosmic rays from a space mission, they get their powers from an accident involving a 'Quantum Gate' designed by... Victor Von Doom. There are three things I (unfortunately) remember about the movie – Doctor Doom's low grade costume, Michael B Jordan as the most bored-looking Johnny Storm ever, and Trank publicly disassociating himself with the film prior to its release! Thankfully, Disney later bought 21st Century Fox and the rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four came with it, which leads us to... After experiencing the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in the FF's cinematic journey, another relaunch required substantial care, creativity and culmination of every ingredient that makes the FF ... Fantastic! Directed by Matt Shakman, First Steps is set in a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic parallel Earth (designated Earth-828), with the team already four years into their role as the planet's protectors. With 'First Steps', Marvel's First Family finally has a movie that truly does justice to its name. The film returns to the 'space mission and cosmic rays' origin story (which is told via flashbacks), and focuses a lot more around the family bonds between the four. As the movie opens, however, we learn that four will soon be becoming five, as Sue is pregnant with a son! Soon, however, the FF face an immediate danger with the impending arrival of Galactus aka the Devourer of Worlds, preceded by a stark warning by his herald, the Silver Surfer! Expect more FF versus Doom mayhem in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie next year. If you're still looking for an origin tale to prepare yourself for the movie, Marvel has handily released a one-shot comic written by none other than former FF scribe Matt Fraction with art by Nark Buckingham, which serves as a prologue to the movie. My biggest gripe about comic book movies is that they are usually not in-sync with the comics. The new Fantastic Four continuing series is well worth the money. Fortunately, Marvel has learned from past mistakes and there is currently a new Fantastic Four regular series by Ryan North and Humberto Ramos. Ignoring the 22 variant covers, the story and art were worth spending US$5 (RM21) on, as they remind me of a Hickman-Byrne combo! The idea of setting the story four years after the team's inception is actually ... refreshing. It also makes sense for them to have a somewhat fresh start, as they were Marvel's first Silver Age heroes, paving the way for Spider-Man, the Avengers, the X-Men and the others to shine. The Fantastic Four have always focused on family above all else, even the squabbling bits. Speaking of the Silver Age, the movie also draws inspiration from legendary FF-scribes, such as creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, as well as latter-day maestros Jonathan Hickman and John Byrne. Best of all is the inclusion of reference characters and places iconic to the FF, such as H.E.R.B.I.E. the Robot, the Baxter Building, Yancy Street Gang, and the Future Foundation, which provides a nice fusion of old and new into the whole ecosystem. The inclusion of Franklin both completes and complicates things for the First Family. In the comics, Franklin is a vastly powerful being who possesses powers exceeding Omega-level Mutants, capable of creating pocket universes and warping entire realities. While he is still a toddler by the time First Steps ends, THAT Doom-related post-credit scene should indicate that he might have a huge part to play in Avengers: Doomsday next year. Franklin Richards is set to become a pivotal character in the MCU. Still, with the inclusion of Franklin, the FF's embodiment of the word 'family' is one that transcends cosmic realities. The team has always been a family, bonded by marriage, blood ties, friendship and a heavy dose of cosmic rays. While other super team comic book movies have the elements of dysfunctionality ( Guardians Of The Galaxy, Thunderbolts, Suicide Squad ) or have a shared common ground (the X-Men), the FF has always lived up to the moniker of 'First Family' in the Marvel Universe. And if this movie is any indication, it is definitely setting the right foundations for the future of the MCU.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Vanessa Kirby confirms huge Fantastic Four secret everyone is talking about
Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Vanessa Kirby has confirmed the truth behind that Fantastic Four mid-credits sequence. The British actress, 37, plays Sue Storm—or the Invisible Woman, to those in the know—in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Sue makes up one quarter of Marvel's First Family, appearing alongside husband Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), hotheaded brother Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and human rock face The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as the titular Fantastic Four. With the Fantastic Four's Marvel Cinematic Universe debut out now, audiences have been flocking in droves to witness their arrival. The team may have their hands full battling cosmic world-eater Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), but there'll be an even bigger villain on fans' minds once the end credits finish rolling. With the cat out of the bag, Kirby has clarified what Doctor Doom's cameo at the end of the film means… and confirmed that star Robert Downey Jr. is already very much back. In the first of two post-credits sequences, Sue is shocked to find a menacing hooded figure looming over her young son, Franklin. Fans will already know this to be the Fantastic Four's longtime nemesis, Doctor Doom, who will be played by Robert Downey Jr. in the upcoming sequel, Avengers: Doomsday. Although the villain's face is obscured, Kirby has revealed that it was indeed Downey Jr. behind that hood. 'Yeah! Robert's never not been on set,' she told Variety when asked whetherRDJ was present for the shoot. She continued: 'He's always there. He is our leader. We call him our Godfather. He's looked after us. This sequence was filmed by the Russo Brothers as part of their work on Avengers: Doomsday and shot while Kirby was pregnant in real life. 'It's such a joy working with the Russos and him, because they've had such deep collaboration for so long,' she revealed. 'And it's been amazing being pregnant and working on Avengers. I felt so inspired and so relieved that I've been so taken care of. It's been a really beautiful journey. Robert is just doing incredible work. I'm so excited.' It was announced last year that Downey Jr. would be returning to the long-running franchise, six years after being killed off in Avengers: Endgame. This came as Earth's mightiest heroes faced off against purple menace Thanos (Josh Brolin) for the fate of the universe. This spelt the end of Downey Jr.'s career-defining stint as Tony Stark—aka Iron Man—sacrificing himself at the end of the film to secure the future of reality as we know it. A few years later, it was confirmed that he would be returning, albeit in an entirely different role. The actor's appointment to the post was unveiled at last year's Comic-Con, when a cloaked Downey Jr. removed his mask to reveal that he would be playing Doom, real name Victor von Doom. This character was previously played by late Nip/Tuck actor Julian McMahon in the 2005 and 2007 films and by Toby Kebbell in the 2015 reboot. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Doom's brief appearance at the end of First Steps gives little away as to what he has planned, although we do know it involves Sue and Reed's infant son. He will spearhead a massive cast in Avengers: Doomsday, which is currently set for release on December 26, 2026. More Trending Names already announced include Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright and Paul Rudd, as well as X-Men actors Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn and James Marsden. Of his return to the MCU, Downey Jr. joked: 'New mask, same task. 'What did I tell you? I like playing complicated characters.' The Fantastic Four: First Steps is out in UK cinemas now. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Pedro Pascal responds to misconceptions and his answer is so on-brand MORE: Benedict Cumberbatch blasts 'grossly wasteful' film industry MORE: Meet the 'hidden' Russo sibling leading her Marvel director brothers' studio
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Third reboot's a charmer
Facing some heroic competition from DC's Superman this summer, the Marvel Cinematic Universe — which has been suffering from franchise bloat and slumping box-office numbers – seems to be trying for a reset with this new crack at Marvel's First Family. There's a modesty to the movie's subtitle, perhaps a slightly abashed admission that the last attempts to bring the Fantastic Four to the big screen — a 2005 flick and a 2007 sequel, and then a 2015 reboot — have all been stinkers. This time round, the MCU is trying, with care and focus and a self-contained storyline, to get these characters back on their feet. Bright, peppy and fun, this fresh take on the Fantastic Four — helmed by WandaVision director Matt Shakman — mostly succeeds. Things falter in the third act when the massive mega-villain arrives, but when F4 concentrates on its core characters, played by a tight and talented ensemble cast, it really zings. And the movie looks, well, fantastic. Set in a super-stylish retro-futuristic version of the 1960s on Earth 828, it's packed with tulip chairs, sunken living rooms and great lighting fixtures. The crew's blue outfits look like they're made out of Orlon. There are a few notable differences in this version of the '60s. For instance, you can get at-home pregnancy tests, something that becomes integral to the plot in the very first scene. Our superheroes are married astronauts — genius scientist Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal from The Last of Us), decent but a bit distracted, and Sue Storm (The Crown's Vanessa Kirby), grounded and good at getting things done. They live in the ultracool Baxter Building in an alt-New York City with Reed's good friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach of The Bear) and Sue's kid brother Johnny Storm (Stranger Things fan favourite Joseph Quinn). The story starts with a quick television flashback, summing up how the four were exposed to cosmic radiation in space and came back to Earth with superpowers, becoming celebrities, diplomats, researchers and protectors. As the TV roll tells us, the four are often kept busy dealing with Mole Man or defeating Red Ghost and his Super-Apes, but right now the most pressing issue for the gang involves getting ready for Sue and Reed's baby. 'Nothing is going to change,' Sue insists, something expectant parents often say (delusionally, of course). Babies always change things, and that goes double when the entire world is threatened. Marvel/Disney From left: Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm; Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm; Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards; and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm are at the heart of the new Fantastic Four movie. Soon the Four are battling sleep deprivation while taking on the enigmatic Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) and the world-devouring Galactus (voiced by Ralph Ineson). At its best, the movie is a nifty blend of the domestic and the cosmic. There's a comic scene with three guys arguing about how to install an infant seat in a Jetsons-style flying car that's quite relatable. There are few moments that look like clips from a sci-fi version of Baby's Day Out. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. The scriptwriting team (maybe coincidentally, there are four of them — Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer) don't just inject the word 'family' into the dialogue, which is practically obligatory in action movies these days. They actually create the recognizable dynamics of a bickering-but-close clan. The strong writing is supported by the cast. Kirby and Pascal have great married-people chemistry. Moss-Bachrach knows a bit about bickering families from his work on The Bear, and he brings a palooka-type sweetness to his role. Johnny, who has been absolutely obnoxious in previous F4 iterations, is maybe a bit impetuous and eager to prove himself, but Quinn brings out his underlying charm. On the larger scale, though, F4 ends up falling into that common Marvel problem: as a villain, Galactus is a bit of a void. He may be huge — he looks down on the Statue of Liberty — but he's not particularly scary. The story's final showdown feels anticlimactic. Overall, though, when it comes to Fantastic Four reboots, this third time finally makes good. First Steps isn't completely fantastic, but it's pretty swell, and it sets up a promising franchise future. (Oh, and stick around for the end-credits sequence if you want to see who the next Big Bad will be.) fparts@ Alison GillmorWriter Studying at the University of Winnipeg and later Toronto's York University, Alison Gillmor planned to become an art historian. She ended up catching the journalism bug when she started as visual arts reviewer at the Winnipeg Free Press in 1992. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
What parents need to know about ‘The Fantastic Four,' ‘Ballard' and more
Age 11+ Marvel's First Family gets a retro, action-packed reboot. This Marvel Cinematic Universe adventure unfolds in an alternate version of Earth that resembles the 1960s. It follows superheroes Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they work together to protect their world from extraterrestrial forces. Expect frequent comic book-style action and large-scale destruction. Violence include battles with superpowers (fire, force fields, super strength), high-speed pursuits, collapsing buildings and intense suspense (such as a baby in danger). While there's little blood or on-screen death, one planet's destruction implies mass casualties. An affectionate married couple kisses and holds hands, and there's a mildly suggestive joke about pregnancy. Characters briefly drink what appears to be beer. Language includes infrequent use of 'bulls---,' 'sweet Jesus' and 'God.' Positive themes include teamwork, perseverance, unconditional familial love and using your abilities to protect others. (118 minutes) Available in theaters. Age 15+ Broody detective spin-off has cursing, violence and sex. Starring Maggie Q as Detective Renée Ballard, this 'Bosch' spin-off explores mature topics such as murder, sexism, sexual assault and police corruption. There's lots of violent content: shootings, physical altercations, images of corpses and more. There are also suggested sexual acts and bare bottoms, and you can expect to hear words such as 'f---,' 's---,' 'b----' and 'goddamn.' Characters occasionally drink beer and discuss drug use (usually within the context of criminal activity). (10 episodes) Available on Prime Video. Age 8+ Branded stop-motion story looks sweet but has dark twists. This stop-motion animated series is based on characters from the Japanese brand Sanrio. While it may come across as cute and fluffy, the story gradually gets darker as characters with glowing eyes act possessed, chase the protagonists and even eat a character made out of cotton candy. There's no gore or blood, but the lighting and sound effects might distress younger viewers. For kids who can handle fantasy horror or are used to dense anime plots, this one is full of mystery and complexities. The series arrives at a positive message about kindness and friendship, but there's plenty of negativity in the road there. My Melody (voiced by Junko Takeuchi) is a role model of kindness, caring and positivity. Kuromi (Rei Sakuma), on the other hand, wants to compete and acts out in rage by yelling, growling and mistreating others. (12 episodes) Available on Netflix. Age 3+ Simple preschool stories star Mickey and pals. Targeted toward preschoolers, this is a colorful reboot of the animated 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse' educational series that aired from 2006 to 2016. Featuring Mickey (voiced by Bret Iwan), Minnie (Kaitlin Robrock), Donald (Tony Anselmo) and other classic Disney characters, this simple series finds the crew modeling teamwork as they solve problems and learn together. Expect mildly scary excitement — like Mickey being whisked away by a hot-air balloon — that's quickly resolved. Otherwise, there's no iffy content. (10 episodes) Available on Disney Jr. and Disney+. Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New movies to watch this weekend: See 'The Fantastic Four' in theaters, rent 'Materialists,' stream 'Happy Gilmore 2' on Netflix and more
"The Fantastic Four: First Steps" shows that "Superman" was the start of a new trend. 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 streaming on HBO Max. That's all for this week — we'll see you next Friday at the movies!
