Latest news with #JamesHawes
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This Action-Packed Spy Thriller Remake Is The Top Movie On Hulu Right Now
'The Amateur,' starring Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne, is the No. 1 movie on Hulu after hitting the streamer on July 17. The espionage thriller follows a highly intelligent CIA operative (Malek) whose world flips upside down when his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to intervene, he takes it upon himself to track down the perpetrators for a dangerous mission across the globe. The James Hawes-directed film, a remake of the 1982 movie based on Robert Littell's novel of the same name, hit theaters back in April. It also stars Jon Bernthal, Julianne Nicholson, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Adrian Martinez and Danny Sapani. Read on for more trending movies of the moment across streaming services, including Netflix, HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video. And if you want to stay informed about all things streaming and entertainment, subscribe to the Culture Catchall newsletter. 'Brick' One of the top movies on Netflix right now is a German thriller about a mysterious brick wall. 'Brick,' written and directed by Philip Koch, centers on residents of a building who get trapped in their apartment after strange black bricks block every possible exit. The movie premiered on Netflix on July 10. 'Man of Steel' The arrival of a new Superman movie has renewed interest in an old one that's currently trending on HBO Max. 'Man of Steel,' which premiered in 2013, tells the origin story of Clark Kent, a superpowered alien who assumes the role of mankind's protector when the fate of humanity is threatened. The movie stars Henry Cavill as Superman, alongside Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Shannon and Diane Lane. 'Uncharted' Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg's 'Uncharted' is currently trending on Prime Video. The action flick, based on the popular PlayStation video game, follows a street-smart thief who gets recruited by a seasoned treasure hunter to recover a 500-year-old lost fortune. If you're looking for other films to watch, check out our What We're Watching blog. Related... Forget The Dumb 'Superman' Controversy — This Movie Is A Truly Great Superhero Film The New 'Jurassic World' Sequel Is Big, Dumb And Fun He Rewrote The Rules Of TV For Black Artists — And Forever Changed American Pop Culture
The Guardian
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Amateur to Happy Gilmore 2: the seven best film to watch on TV this week
Rami Malek lends his disquieting intensity to this surprisingly enjoyable spy thriller. He plays a mild-mannered CIA cryptographer sent on a bloodthirsty revenge quest after his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. What's fascinating about this film is that, had the lead been any other actor, it would have devolved into generic pulp. But Malek, in the hands of director James Hawes, really leans into the character's psychopathy. He has a dead-eyed stare throughout, the sort you'd usually expect to find on a film's antagonist. Sure, this is a globe-trotting Bourne-style romp, but you're never allowed to forget the ethical iffiness of, say, blowing someone up inside a swimming pool. Out now, Disney+ Based on the 2018 novel by Miriam Toews, which was in turn based on true events, Sarah Polley's Women Talking is startlingly unconventional. The story of a Mennonite community in remote Bolivia, whose women discover that they are being drugged and raped, Women Talking centres around the discussion of how they should react. Do they leave, do they fight back, or do they do nothing? With a world-beating cast (Rooney Mara, Jesse Buckley, Claire Foy and Frances McDormand), the film is light on action but will linger long after the credits roll. Tuesday 22 July, 11pm, BBC Two This 2020 Jane Austen adaptation was the directorial debut of photographer Autumn de Wilde, who brought all the experience of her old career to the table. The story of a wealthy woman who attempts to act as a matchmaker, with far-reaching consequences, has been told over and over again. What sets this version apart are the lively performances – from Anya Taylor-Joy, Josh O'Connor and Bill Nighy – and visuals that are modern enough to cut through all the period stuffiness. Wednesday 23 July, 11pm, BBC Two Well, this is a weird one. Tin Soldier is a film where Scott Eastwood attempts to infiltrate a cult and overthrow its leader. What makes it weird, however, is how heavily this is overshadowed by its supporting cast. Robert De Niro features in a typically underpowered late-stage role as a kind of military advisor. But even he recedes into the shadows next to Jamie Foxx, playing the aforementioned cult leader. He has huge hair. He has silly glasses. He has questionable facial hair. His name is The Bokushi. None of it makes any sense. It's sort of incredible. Wednesday 23 July, Prime Video Sign up to What's On Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday after newsletter promotion Few recent films stumbled into cinemas as dead on arrival as Kraven the Hunter. Knocked by Sony's repeated duff attempts to create a universe of Spider-Man baddies, none of which actually featured Spider-Man, the film was so poorly anticipated that the director was reduced to begging people to give it a chance. The good news is that Kraven the Hunter is actually a good film. It's less silly than Madame Web and less wild than Morbius. Come expecting nothing more than a sturdy action film and you shouldn't leave disappointed. Friday 25 July, 10.50am, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere There is a huge portion of the world that treats Happy Gilmore like a foundational text. A 1996 sports comedy about a short-tempered ice hockey fanatic who finds a surprising affinity for golf, this is arguably the archetypal Adam Sandler performance; loud, profane, occasionally syrupy. Now, almost 30 years later, it's time for the sequel. Here, Gilmore is forced out of retirement to pay for his daughter's ballet school. Expect lots of shouting, a billion cameos and – most intriguing of all – a turn by Sandler's Uncut Gems director Benny Safdie. Friday 25 July, Netflix If you need to get acquainted with the man who'll lead James Bond into the future, this is a decent place to start. Denis Villeneuve's sequel to Ridley Scott's original is monumental in every way. It moves slowly but loudly, and every frame is a maximalist spectacle. Here Ryan Gosling plays a replicant who discovers that his kind are able to biologically replicate, leading him down a dark path that will take him to the fringes of society and make him question his own identity. If the next Bond is even a tenth as ambitious as this, we're in for a total treat. Friday 25 July, 11.25pm, BBC One
Geek Vibes Nation
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
20th Century Studios To Release The Rami Malek Action-Thriller 'The Amateur' On 4K UHD Blu-Ray This July
20th Century Studios has announced that they will be releasing the action thriller The Amateur on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, and DVD on July 8, 2025. The film is currently available on Digital platforms. Directed by James Hawes, the film stars Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan, and Jon Bernthal. Audiences can uncover additional intel through bonus features that shed new light on the film including deleted scenes and more. The 4K UHD Blu-Ray release will come in Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio. Get more details below! Synopsis: Charlie Heller (Malek) is a brilliant, but deeply introverted decoder for the CIA working out of a basement office at headquarters in Langley whose life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, he takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence serving as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge. SPECIAL FEATURES The Team – Join the cast and crew as they reflect on what drew them to this bold project. Rami Malek shares his dual experience as both actor and producer. Director James Hawes and others discuss how the script blends emotional depth and high-stakes action. – Join the cast and crew as they reflect on what drew them to this bold project. Rami Malek shares his dual experience as both actor and producer. Director James Hawes and others discuss how the script blends emotional depth and high-stakes action. The World – Explore how the film's production combined real-world locations with intricate set designs to create a visually stunning and immersive world, from the shadowy halls of CIA headquarters to the bustling streets of Europe. – Explore how the film's production combined real-world locations with intricate set designs to create a visually stunning and immersive world, from the shadowy halls of CIA headquarters to the bustling streets of Europe. The Pool – Go behind the scenes as the talented creative team uncovers how Charlie's ingenious plan involving the sky pool was conceived, planned and executed, blending practical effects and cutting-edge technology to deliver a show-stopping moment. – Go behind the scenes as the talented creative team uncovers how Charlie's ingenious plan involving the sky pool was conceived, planned and executed, blending practical effects and cutting-edge technology to deliver a show-stopping moment. The Score – Listen in as the composer and director talk about the challenges of creating the score's various themes — and using unusual instruments and techniques — to bring emotion and drama to this unique thriller. – Listen in as the composer and director talk about the challenges of creating the score's various themes — and using unusual instruments and techniques — to bring emotion and drama to this unique thriller. Deleted Scenes: Sarah Wonders How Charlie Can Trust His CIA Bosses Henderson Blasts Heller for Failing a Training Exercise Heller Tracks Gretchen Through Paris A Third Assassin Chases Heller Through the Hotel Basement Heller Asks Inquiline Some Personal Questions Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount! Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link!
Tom's Guide
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
7 top new movies to stream this week on Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus and more (June 10-16)
This week is packed with a bunch of new movies hitting the best streaming services. They include Prime Video's original crime-comedy "Deep Cover," which sees an improv teacher and two of her students pose as hardened criminals to infiltrate London's criminal underworld. There's also the release of "Snow White" on Disney Plus and Rami Malek's "The Amateur" getting a digital streaming release. Hulu and HBO Max will have new movies to watch, too, but the title I'm most intrigued about is "Echo Valley," a new thriller arriving on Apple TV Plus. If you're looking to stream something new this week, I'll be sharing all the top new movies across streaming services. Plus, be sure to check out all the top new TV shows you'll want to binge-watch this week as well. Fresh off a string of intriguing genre projects, Rami Malek stars in 'The Amateur,' a grounded, slow-burn espionage thriller that does things a little differently than your usual spy fare. Directed by James Hawes, this cerebral thriller plays it cool, focusing less on gadgets and globe-trotting and more on grief and obsession. Malek plays a CIA codebreaker devastated by a personal tragedy. When red tape blocks him from getting justice, he takes matters into his own hands by forcing his way into the field and setting off a chain reaction of internal conflict and covert danger. And no, this isn't an action-packed Bond riff. It's a tight, deliberately-paced character study that asks how far someone's willing to go when pushed to the edge. Also starring Rachel Brosnahan, Jon Bernthal, and Laurence Fishburne, 'The Amateur' might not be flashy, but the slow-brewing tension and restrained performances make it a satisfying watch for those who like their thrillers smart and serious. Buy or rent on Amazon from June 10 Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 'Clown in a Cornfield' tries to lean into the campy slasher vibes its title promises, but despite the blood and greasepaint, it never quite sticks the landing. Based on the cult YA novel by Adam Cesare, the movie follows a group of teens who find themselves stalked by a deranged killer clown called Frendo in the middle of rural America. Sounds like it should be a blast, right? Unfortunately, this one's a real misfire. In a year full of inventive horror flicks, 'Clown in a Cornfield' stands out for all the wrong reasons. The tone is all over the place, the characters are incredibly annoying, and there's just too much cringe humor. It doesn't even manage to hit that sweet spot of being 'so bad it's good.' Still, if you're a slasher completionist, there are a few silver linings: Some of the kills are enjoyably gnarly, and the clown costume design is weirdly fun to look at. Buy or rent on Amazon from June 10 Disney's live-action 'Snow White' finally arrives on Disney Plus, and while it doesn't quite reach the heights of the studio's strongest remakes, it's not without its merits. Directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess, this retelling makes a clear effort to modernize the story with updated themes and some fresh musical choices. However, despite a few visually striking moments and Zegler's natural screen presence, 'Snow White' does struggle to justify its existence. Much of the charm that made the original an enduring classic is nowhere to be found, and it turned out to be far less compelling than the social media uproar might have led you to expect. But for younger viewers or die-hard Disney fans, there's just enough appeal to make it worth a watch. It may not be a classic in the making, but it offers a soft, visually pleasing experience that's easy to put on for a cozy night in. Watch on Disney Plus from June 11 'Deep Cover' is one of Prime Video's more intriguing original releases this year. The premise: a team of improv comedians goes undercover. And based on the trailer, this crime comedy looks like a wild, over-the-top dive into London's offbeat criminal scene with plenty of laughs along the way. Kat (Bryce Dallas Howard) is an improv teacher stuck in a rut and wondering if her big break has passed her by. That changes when a mysterious undercover cop (Sean Bean) presents her with an unexpected opportunity: help him pull off a risky infiltration of London's criminal underworld. Sensing her moment, Kat ropes in two of her most eager students (Orlando Bloom and Nick Mohammed) to pose as hardened criminals, diving headfirst into a world far beyond the stage. Watch on Prime Video from June 12 'Absolution' quietly dropped in theaters last November, but it finds new life this month as it hits Hulu. Liam Neeson plays a fading mob enforcer battling memory loss and years of regret, trying to make peace with his estranged daughter while dodging the violent fallout of his past. Directed by Hans Petter Moland, 'Absolution' doesn't do anything new, but it leans hard into the noir vibes — bleak lighting and just enough grit to keep you hooked. Neeson does what Neeson does best, growling his way through emotional monologues and brutal fight scenes, even if the material feels a little too familiar. It's not a must-watch, and at times it drags, but there's something satisfying about its stripped-down simplicity. If you're a fan of Neeson's late-career crime roles, this one fits comfortably in the rotation. Watch on Hulu from June 13 I thought I had made a mistake by reading the reviews before watching 'Cleaner,' since I usually avoid doing that. But going into this action-thriller with low expectations actually helped me enjoy it, and I ended up pleasantly surprised. 'Cleaner' centers on Joey (Daisy Ridley), a former soldier turned high-rise window cleaner working on One Canada Square in London. During a gala hosted by a major energy corporation, eco-terrorists seize the building, using sleeping gas to take around 300 hostages. High above the chaos, suspended outside on a glass platform, Joey and her autistic brother accidentally witness the attack and become the building's unlikely lifeline. Don't expect anything groundbreaking when going into this thriller. Unfortunately, it leans a little too heavily on familiar tropes from better movies to truly stand out, but there's still plenty of fun to be had along the way. Watch on HBO Max from June 13 There's just something about a slow-burn psychological thriller with a messy mother-daughter dynamic that always pulls me in, and based on the 'Echo Valley' trailer, this looks like exactly that kind of story. Julianne Moore stars as Kate, a former competitive rider now living a quiet, grief-tinged life training horses in rural Pennsylvania. Things take a sharp turn when her daughter Claire (Sydney Sweeney) shows up one night, bloodied and clearly in shock. She says she's done something awful… and that's when the real unraveling begins. Written by 'Mare of Easttown' creator Brad Ingelsby, I'm expecting morally murky choices, emotional gut punches, and characters who don't fit neatly into 'good' or 'bad.' Throw in Domhnall Gleeson as a cryptic figure from Claire's past, and it's even more intriguing. Watch on Apple TV Plus from June 13
NZ Herald
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Amateur says it all: Rami Malek miscast as underdog vigilante
Rami Malik: Dreadful when playing original characters. The Amateur, directed by James Hawes, is out now. Rating out of five: ★★ With its airport novel storytelling and TV movie acting, The Amateur wastes what might have been a neat premise. Rami Malek (an Oscar winner for impersonating Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody but dreadful when playing original
