Latest news with #M3GAN
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
7 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu and more (July 15-21)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. It's set to be a quieter week for new movies across the best streaming services. However, that doesn't mean there's nothing worth adding to your watchlist. Netflix is offering a new Korean thriller, while HBO Max has a 'subverse' rom-com and Hulu premieres a sci-fi movie set in a dystopian future. Meanwhile, in the premium streaming space, the live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon' remake and sequel 'M3GAN 2.0' make the switch from theatres to home streaming. However, only one of them is worth the premium video-on-demand rental fee, in my opinion. Cue: It's not the one with a number in its title. It may not be the most packed week of new streaming releases, but there's still a handful of movies you'll want to consider. So, these are the biggest new movies arriving on streaming this week. For more recommendations see our list of the top new TV shows this week and check out this Netflix show with 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. 'How to Train Your Dragon' (PVOD) The latest live-action remake of an animated flick doesn't come from Disney. Instead, it's rival DreamWorks reimagining its 2010 family-favorite 'How to Train Your Dragon.' Like several similar projects, 'How to Train Your Dragon' loses some of its charm in the transition, but the heart of the story is largely the same. The extra 20 minutes bolted onto the runtime feel unnecessary and create a movie that drags in spots. Still, the relationship between cowardly Viking Hiccup and dragon Toothless is as heartwarming as it's ever been. Set in a whimsical fantasy universe, 'How to Train Your Dragon' opens with the Vikings of Berk at war with fearsome dragons, but when the timid son of the village's chieftain, Hiccup (Mason Thames), stumbles on a wounded Night Fury, he discovers that these winged monsters might not be so scary after all. Nursing the dragon, whom he names Toothless, back to health, the two team up to fight a new threat that could endanger both dragons and Vikings. And in the process, Hiccup might just prove that dragons can be friends, not foes. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 15 'M3GAN 2.0' (PVOD) Back in 2022, a creepy life-like doll called 'M3GAN' took social media by storm, so a sequel was inevitable. However, it appears that Blumhouse Productions may have overestimated M3GAN's appeal with the average viewer because this sequel flopped at the box office. Now "M3GAN 2.0" arrives on PVOD in the hopes of clawing back some interest, and perhaps maybe even going viral again (there's an extended dance scene that screams 'post this on TikTok, please'). But, unfortunately, this movie has all the hallmarks of a lackluster follow-up. The movie's biggest sin is switching genres, while the first 'M3GAN' was an intentionally silly horror, 'M3GAN 2.0' opts for a more action-oriented route, which feels like a real downgrade. Plus, the bizarrely convoluted plot and mismatched tone don't exactly help matters either. This movie sees 'M3GAN' resurrected to help defeat a military-grade robot known as AMELIA, who is unleashing cyber havoc. Rebuilt to be more lethal than ever, it all leads to a M3GAN vs. AMELIA showdown. This is very much one for the M3GAN superfans only, but considering the box office returns, it would appear that group is a lot smaller than initially believed. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 15 'The Amateur' (Hulu) A spy movie that is perfect for fans of the 'Jason Bourne' franchise, 'The Amateur' is a slightly more grounded take on the world of espionage (though only slightly, it's still pretty unrealistic), and sees Rami Malek prove himself capable of leading an exciting and very engaging globe-trotting thriller. Based on the Robert Littell novel, Malek plays a CIA analyst whose world is shattered when his wife is killed in a terrorist attack while on a trip to London. Using his skills, he identifies those responsible for his wife's murder and blackmails his superiors into giving him a license to hunt them down and get cold-blooded revenge. A novice in the field, Charlie (Malek) is shown the ropes by a gruff mentor, Hendo (Laurence Fishburne). However, even with some training, he's still a fish out of water. Quickly realizing he can't outshoot his enemies, he focuses on outthinking them using his superior intellect. The flick also contains one of my favorite action sequences of the year (so far) involving a glass swimming pool suspended between two skyscrapers. It's just a shame the movie's trailers thoroughly spoil 'The Amateur's' best moment. So perhaps skip them before streaming. Watch on Hulu from July 17 'Wall to Wall' (Netflix) Getting on the property ladder is hard enough for most people, but what if you finally managed to save up enough to buy a place of your own, only for it to turn into a nightmare? That's the compelling pitch for 'Wall to Wall,' Netflix's new South Korean thriller. Woo-sung (played by 'Squid Game' star Kang Ha-neul) moves into his new 84-square-meter apartment and is full of excitement to be a homeowner at long last. But that joy doesn't last very long. The home becomes a waking nightmare of strange noises and oddball neighbors, who are just unnerving enough to be creepy. As tensions within the apartment block bubble over, Woo-sung finds himself caught in the middle of an increasingly heated neighborhood stand-off as he's blamed for being the source of the mysterious disturbances. Netflix has been on a roll lately with loads of fantastic Korean content — not least of which is 'Squid Game' itself — and 'Wall to Wall' looks like it could be another winner from the country. Watch on Netflix from July 18 'I Love You Forever (HBO Max) The romantic-comedy genre is often comforting, but also pretty formulaic, with many entries falling into predictable patterns and leaning on classic tropes. In steps, 'I Love You Forever,' which aims to be a 'subversive' take on a 'girl meets boy' story. The movie premiered in theatres earlier this year and was largely well-received by critics. It currently holds an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising it for tonal shifts and the balance of comedic moments and dramatic beats. It looks well worth streaming now that it's arriving on HBO Max. At the heart of this (anti-)love story is Mackenzie (Sofia Black-D'Elia), a 25-year-old law student whose love life is a blur of hookups without any real commitment. But when she meets a handsome journalist named Finn (Ray Nicholson), she is ready to give proper love a shot. However, the honeymoon phase can't last forever, and as their relationship becomes increasingly tumultuous, Mackenzie must confront Finn's darker side and consider whether 'love true' can actually exist, or if it's just the stuff of fairy tales and sappy rom-coms. Watch on HBO Max from July 18 'The Assessment' (Hulu) 'The Assessment' earned my interest based on its leading stars alone. Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander and Himesh Patel is quite the trio, and factor in its strong reception with a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 'Certifed Fresh' rating from critics, it looks like Hulu might just have a hit on its hand with this sci-fi thriller set in a dystopian future. The feature film debut of director Fleur Fortuné, it focuses on Mia (Olsen) and Aaryan (Patel), a couple hoping to have a child, but in this alternative reality, having kids requires approval from the government. Resources are limited, so reproduction is state-controlled rather than a matter of personal choice. In steps Virginia (Vikander), a government assessor, who moves into Mia and Aaryan's home for seven days, during which she will judge their suitability to be parents. What they hope will be a simple process becomes increasingly nightmarish as they're forced to question the society around them, and even the very fundamentals of what it means to be human. It sounds like an intriguing sci-fi yarn, and I can't wait to stream it when it arrives on Hulu this weekend. Watch on Hulu from July 19 'Bride Hard' (PVOD) Rebel Wilson stars in 'Bride Hard, a crude comedy about an unruly bridal party. No, it's not a seriously late sequel to 2011's 'Bridesmaids,' instead it's a mix between raunchy humor and no-holds-barred action that also features Anna Camp, Anna Chlumsky and Oscar-winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph. On paper, there are enough elements here to think 'Bride Hard' might be worth a trip down the aisle, but the critical reception is less than stellar. The movie currently holds a miserable 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, so I'm doubting this Simon West-directed comedy is worth the rental fee. If the poor reviews haven't put you off, here's the gist: Sam (Wilson) is a secret agent and also the maid of honor for the upcoming wedding of her best childhood friend (Camp). But after blowing off bridal duties to save the world, she's demoted to merely a bridesmaid. However, her shot at redemption comes swiftly when armed mercenaries spoil the big day, and only Sam can take them down. Consider this one only for Rebel Wilson superfans. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 18 More from Tom's Guide 5 top new shows to stream this week Netflix top 10 movies — here's the 3 worth watching 7 new shows and movies I'd stream on Netflix this week
Time Out
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Breathe easy, cinephiles: The AMC Lincoln Square is back open after that brutal flooding
Moviegoing is back! Or at least AMC's Lincoln Square cinema is, having quickly bounced back from a brief shutdown due to Monday night's downpour, which caused a roof pipe to burst, flooding the lower levels of the multi-story building. The Upper West Side movie theater reopened in time for screenings Tuesday evening and will continue operations as scheduled, with only some auditoriums and areas on the bottom floor closed for cleanup. Cinephiles can return to debating the latest summer blockbuster over M3GAN and Jaws themed popcorn buckets without further concern. New York City experienced the second-wettest hour of its recorded history (after Hurricane Ida in 2021), with 2.07 inches of rain falling between 7 and 8 p.m. As photos and videos of the storm poured into everyone's social media feeds, a widely shared video on TikTok showed a concessions counter at the Manhattan multiplex being badly beaten with water. Audiences had to be evacuated from the theater Monday night, though no one was injured. Located steps away from Lincoln Center, AMC's Lincoln Square theater houses one of the largest IMAX screens in the world—currently treating audiences to around 75 feet worth of David Corenswet in the latest Superman —as well as a Dolby Cinema auditorium. Both the IMAX and Dolby halls were undamaged, but a few of the other screens and areas in the lower levels of the cinema remain shut. Refunds were automatically issued by AMC to ticket-buyers affected by Monday and Tuesday's closure. A message which read, 'We apologize for the inconvenience, but this theatre is temporarily closed for unforeseen maintenance,'was briefly on the cinema's website.
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
'M3GAN 2.0' arrives on streaming and don't listen to the haters — it's exactly what a summer blockbuster's supposed to be
"M3GAN 2.0" isn't doing too hot in theaters, so much so that it's already on digital streaming. That's right, you can stream Blumhouse's sequel to the campy 2022 horror hit from home, less than three weeks after it opened in theaters on June 27. Typically, that's a sign that a moviemaker is desperate to drum up more buzz (and sales) for a flop in the premium video-on-demand market. "M3GAN 2.0" is no exception, earning $36 million during its theatrical run so far, compared to the original's $180 million global haul. It isn't faring much better with critics either. Currently, it holds a 58% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes (though notably, the "fresh" reviews slightly outweight the "rotten" ones.) But after seeing it in theaters, I'm here to say: Don't listen to those haters. If you're expecting another horrifying take on the rise of AI, you might be disappointed, sure. But if you go into it expecting a typical summer blockbuster where the only goal is to have fun and be entertained, you'll have a blast. Audiences seem to be on my side, too, as it has a considerably better 82% Popcornmeter from Rotten Tomatoes users. The sequel shifts from small-scale horror into a superhero action movie a la "Terminator 2," and that genre switch-up may have some viewers understandably bummed. That being said, I had so much fun seeing it in theaters that I think M3GAN's killer glow-up has the makings of the next sleeper hit on streaming. Those who enjoyed the original's campier parts will be eating good. There's more ridiculous dancing, more over-the-top deaths, more snarky comebacks and more queer overtones than you can shake a dismembered arm at. (Just look at that bisexual lighting in the image above — I am here for it!) Here's everything you need to know about where to watch "M3GAN 2.0" online, and when we expect to see "M3GAN 2.0" streaming free on Peacock. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The first "M3GAN" introduced us to the titular autonomous android (played by Amie Donald and voiced by Jenna Davis ), designed by roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams) to be a companion for her niece Cady (Violet McGraw) after her parents are killed in a car accident. When M3GAN develops self-awareness and goes off the rails, taking her mission to protect Cady to deadly extremes, the two are forced to take her out of commission. The sequel continues two years after M3GAN went rogue. When a dangerous new android, AMELIA (Ivanna Sakhno), built using M3GAN's initial design starts cracking skulls, government agents break into Gemma and Cady's home demanding answers. Once they leave, Gemma, now an advocate for AI regulation (and who can blame her?), discovers M3GAN is not only still around but has been secretly pulling the strings to fast-track her career. With M3GAN's cover blown and her protocol to protect Cady still driving her, she volunteers to help take down her power-hungry counterpart, becoming a reluctant anti-hero along the way. There's just one condition: She'll need a new body, and she wants to be taller this time. As of July 15, you can buy or rent "M3GAN 2.0" on Amazon, Apple and other VOD platforms. As with other premium new releases, it's available to rent for $19.99 or purchase for $24.99, though the price may vary depending on your platform of choice. As of now, "M3GAN 2.0" is not streaming on any subscription streaming services. We expect to see "M3GAN 2.0" arrive on Peacock at some point in the future, but an official date has not yet been announced. We do have a guess, though. Another Universal release, "The Woman in the Yard," came to Peacock on June 27, about three months after opening in theaters. If history repeats itself, that would mean "M3GAN 2.0" could land on Peacock around late September or the first week of October. I'll always prefer a messy swing for the fences over a safe single. Even at its most chaotic, "M3GAN 2.0" remains energetic and entertaining, packed with the same sharp wit and wicked edge that defined the original. "M3GAN" became a hit thanks in large part to a surge of internet memes, and "M3GAN 2.0" definitely tries to recapture lightning in a bottle with moments clearly designed to go viral. Some land while others don't, though one standout reference to the infamous singing scene from the original had me and the rest of the theater cracking up. While "M3GAN 2.0" may not match the first movie's endlessly quotable appeal and it largely trades scares for pulpy mayhem, it still delivers plenty of wild, memorable scenes that are easy to lose yourself in. M3GAN's transformation from a once-lethal cyborg to humanity's protector will resonate with fans of the "Terminator" movies, the series's clearest inspiration. In many ways, it feels like an old-fashioned "turn your brain off and enjoy" action film, perfect for cackling over some popcorn on a summer night. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
See How ‘M3GAN 2.0' Built Itself a Bigger, Better M3GAN
For better or worse, M3GAN's sophomore outing in M3GAN 2.0 brought with it much more action-packed mania than the killer-doll horrors of the original. That, and of course the awkward inconvenience of M3GAN's body being destroyed in the climax of the first film, meant her return for round two needed a mechanical do-over… including a few upgrades for good measure. Now that M3GAN 2.0 is heading home digitally today, you can see just how the team behind the movie made those upgrades to make the all-new M3GAN animatronic for the movie. Although, of course, the character herself is still physically portrayed for the most part by Amie Donald (and voiced by Jenna Davis), in order to still keep some of that robotic authenticity, an advanced animatronic to capture close details is still necessary. As you can see in the video above, the team at Morot FX went to great lengths to give the new M3GAN an array of extra features, including more programmable and detailed moving elements across her facial expressions, hands, and body. And that head camera built into the top of her head to track you via a built-in camera? Perfectly creepy. The digital release of M3GAN 2.0 includes an unrated cut of the film and 30 minutes of bonus features like the one above, including a scene breakdown, a look at the movie's stuntwork, and more looks behind the scenes on M3GAN's sophomore outing. The unrated version of M3GAN 2.0 is now available digitally from Universal. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Tom's Guide
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
6 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu and more (July 15-21)
It's set to be a quieter week for new movies across the best streaming services. However, that doesn't mean there's nothing worth adding to your watchlist. Netflix is offering a new Korean thriller, while HBO Max has a 'subverse' rom-com and Hulu premieres a sci-fi movie set in a dystopian future. Meanwhile, in the premium streaming space, the live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon' remake and sequel 'M3GAN 2.0' make the switch from theatres to home streaming. However, only one of them is worth the premium video-on-demand rental fee, in my opinion. Cue: It's not the one with a number in its title. It may not be the most packed week of new streaming releases, but there's still a handful of movies you'll want to consider. So, these are the biggest new movies arriving on streaming this week. Plus, check out our guide to the top new TV shows this week for even more viewing options. The latest live-action remake of an animated flick doesn't come from Disney. Instead, it's rival DreamWorks reimagining its 2010 family-favorite 'How to Train Your Dragon.' Like several similar projects, 'How to Train Your Dragon' loses some of its charm in the transition, but the heart of the story is largely the same. The extra 20 minutes bolted onto the runtime feel unnecessary and create a movie that drags in spots. Still, the relationship between cowardly Viking Hiccup and dragon Toothless is as heartwarming as it's ever been. Set in a whimsical fantasy universe, 'How to Train Your Dragon' opens with the Vikings of Berk at war with fearsome dragons, but when the timid son of the village's chieftain, Hiccup (Mason Thames), stumbles on a wounded Night Fury, he discovers that these winged monsters might not be so scary after all. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Nursing the dragon, whom he names Toothless, back to health, the two team up to fight a new threat that could endanger both dragons and Vikings. And in the process, Hiccup might just prove that dragons can be friends, not foes. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 15 Back in 2022, a creepy life-like doll called 'M3GAN' took social media by storm, so a sequel was inevitable. However, it appears that Blumhouse Productions may have overestimated M3GAN's appeal with the average viewer because this sequel flopped at the box office. Now "M3GAN 2.0" arrives on PVOD in the hopes of clawing back some interest, and perhaps maybe even going viral again (there's an extended dance scene that screams 'post this on TikTok, please'). But, unfortunately, this movie has all the hallmarks of a lackluster follow-up. The movie's biggest sin is switching genres, while the first 'M3GAN' was an intentionally silly horror, 'M3GAN 2.0' opts for a more action-oriented route, which feels like a real downgrade. Plus, the bizarrely convoluted plot and mismatched tone don't exactly help matters either. This movie sees 'M3GAN' resurrected to help defeat a military-grade robot known as AMELIA, who is unleashing cyber havoc. Rebuilt to be more lethal than ever, it all leads to a M3GAN vs. AMELIA showdown. This is very much one for the M3GAN superfans only, but considering the box office returns, it would appear that group is a lot smaller than initially believed. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 15 A spy movie that is perfect for fans of the 'Jason Bourne' franchise, 'The Amateur' is a slightly more grounded take on the world of espionage (though only slightly, it's still pretty unrealistic), and sees Rami Malek prove himself capable of leading an exciting and very engaging globe-trotting thriller. Based on the Robert Littell novel, Malek plays a CIA analyst whose world is shattered when his wife is killed in a terrorist attack while on a trip to London. Using his skills, he identifies those responsible for his wife's murder and blackmails his superiors into giving him a license to hunt them down and get cold-blooded revenge. A novice in the field, Charlie (Malek) is shown the ropes by a gruff mentor, Hendo (Laurence Fishburne). However, even with some training, he's still a fish out of water. Quickly realizing he can't outshoot his enemies, he focuses on outthinking them using his superior intellect. The flick also contains one of my favorite action sequences of the year (so far) involving a glass swimming pool suspended between two skyscrapers. It's just a shame the movie's trailers thoroughly spoil 'The Amateur's' best moment. So perhaps skip them before streaming. Watch on Hulu from July 17 Getting on the property ladder is hard enough for most people, but what if you finally managed to save up enough to buy a place of your own, only for it to turn into a nightmare? That's the compelling pitch for 'Wall to Wall,' Netflix's new South Korean thriller. Woo-sung (played by 'Squid Game' star Kang Ha-neul) moves into his new 84-square-meter apartment and is full of excitement to be a homeowner at long last. But that joy doesn't last very long. The home becomes a waking nightmare of strange noises and oddball neighbors, who are just unnerving enough to be creepy. As tensions within the apartment block bubble over, Woo-sung finds himself caught in the middle of an increasingly heated neighborhood stand-off as he's blamed for being the source of the mysterious disturbances. Netflix has been on a roll lately with loads of fantastic Korean content — not least of which is 'Squid Game' itself — and 'Wall to Wall' looks like it could be another winner from the country. Watch on Netflix from July 18 The romantic-comedy genre is often comforting, but also pretty formulaic, with many entries falling into predictable patterns and leaning on classic tropes. In steps, 'I Love You Forever,' which aims to be a 'subversive' take on a 'girl meets boy' story. The movie premiered in theatres earlier this year and was largely well-received by critics. It currently holds an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising it for tonal shifts and the balance of comedic moments and dramatic beats. It looks well worth streaming now that it's arriving on HBO Max. At the heart of this (anti-)love story is Mackenzie (Sofia Black-D'Elia), a 25-year-old law student whose love life is a blur of hookups without any real commitment. But when she meets a handsome journalist named Finn (Ray Nicholson), she is ready to give proper love a shot. However, the honeymoon phase can't last forever, and as their relationship becomes increasingly tumultuous, Mackenzie must confront Finn's darker side and consider whether 'love true' can actually exist, or if it's just the stuff of fairy tales and sappy rom-coms. Watch on HBO Max from July 18 'The Assessment' earned my interest based on its leading stars alone. Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander and Himesh Patel is quite the trio, and factor in its strong reception with a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 'Certifed Fresh' rating from critics, it looks like Hulu might just have a hit on its hand with this sci-fi thriller set in a dystopian future. The feature film debut of director Fleur Fortuné, it focuses on Mia (Olsen) and Aaryan (Patel), a couple hoping to have a child, but in this alternative reality, having kids requires approval from the government. Resources are limited, so reproduction is state-controlled rather than a matter of personal choice. In steps Virginia (Vikander), a government assessor, who moves into Mia and Aaryan's home for seven days, during which she will judge their suitability to be parents. What they hope will be a simple process becomes increasingly nightmarish as they're forced to question the society around them, and even the very fundamentals of what it means to be human. It sounds like an intriguing sci-fi yarn, and I can't wait to stream it when it arrives on Hulu this weekend. Watch on Hulu from July 19
