4 days ago
'Happy Gilmore 2,' 'Fantastic Four' — TV and movie new releases to see or skip this weekend in Canada — streaming and in theatres
Best and worst new releases of the week, from Netflix hits to theatrical blockbusters
Two of the most highly anticipated movies of the year, Happy Gilmore 2 and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, were released this week, both likely to find their own fandom. But if you're looking to tuck into a full series over the weekend, The Assassin and The Hunting Wives are new releases on Crave.
A real highlight of the week is Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, a particularly unique documentary about the Oscar-winning star, now available in select theatres in Canada. A great watch no matter how much you know, or don't know, about Matlin Matlin: Not Alone Anymore — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Shoshannah Stern's approach to the documentary Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore is incredibly unique. While you would likely assume that a film about the Oscar-winning Deaf actor would largely be told through voiceovers, Stern took a visual approach to storytelling that put American Sign Language (ASL) front and centre.
It's a brilliant reframing of Matlin's life story that presents an authentic and candid exploration of the beloved star. Also proving how having a Deaf director leading a story about a Deaf actor is incredibly important and impactful.
While the film tackles subjects like Matlin's substance abuse, domestic violence and the pressure of being thrust into the spotlight after Children of a Lesser God, Stern and Matlin create a lasting feeling of joy in the film.
Their conversations are energetic, just as witty and humorous as they are emotional, in this really honest and heartfelt story.
Where to watch Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore: Now in select theatres in Toronto and Vancouver
Happy Gilmore 2 — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adam Sandler understood the assignment for Happy Gilmore 2. As a fan of the original film, which I first watched when I was probably way too young, I was craving some outrageous comedy moments, callbacks to the original with fun surprise appearances throughout the new film, and Sandler delivered.
It's been almost 30 years since the the first film was released, but Happy Gilmore 2 succeeds with keeping familiar beats, but telling a new story with a different approach to Happy. He's not the same character we saw in Happy Gilmore, his life has evolved in an interesting way, which I won't spoil, but it all helps the film not feel redundant.
Happy Gilmore 2 is a goofy underdog story and a movie that knows landing its nostalgia factor is critical. It proves why Sandler is really the best at being silly, giving us another enjoyable film that's just a really fun watch.
It's also worth noting that Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, more commonly knows as Bad Bunny, is a highlight as Happy's caddie. I will happily watch him in many more comedies.
Where to watch Happy Gilmore 2: Netflix
The Assassin — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From writers and producers Harry Williams and Jack Williams, who both worked on Fleabag and The Tourist, the new series The Assassin, starring Keeley Hawes and Freddie Highmore is a really engaging exploration of a unique mother-son relationship, within a globe-trotting, high stakes adventure.
What really stands out is the great humour in the dialogue, finding that balance that's always satisfying when a big action project can have dimension, and that's absolutely what you get here.
Hawes is just an amazing actor, to put it simply, and it's interesting to start a story with an assassin who's retired, and seeing her get drawn back in. Unlike many similar projects, the show leans into instead of shying away from the fact that Hawes' character Julie is doing this as a middle-aged hitwoman, and she's as badass as ever.
Highmore is also a perfect pairing for Hawes, playing her son. He's an actor who really has the skill shift through all the different tones of the series with ease, creating a particularly appealing character.
Where to watch The Assassin: Crave
The Fantastic Four: First Steps — ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Starting Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Marvel Studios is giving us more character-driven storytelling with The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The real beating heart of the film is family, and Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach have the perfect chemistry together to really make you feel invested in this family unit.
The story of Sue Storm (Kirby) as a superhero who gets pregnant and has a child is particularly affecting, and she's the emotional core and strength of the film.
While sometimes leaning too far into predictable beats, Fantastic Four is a pleasing film, but also made me really wonder how this story could and will expand.
Where to watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps: Now in theatres
The Hunting Wives — ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The pull of a soapy, sultry drama is just undeniable, and that's the case with The Hunting Wives.
Much of what happens in this show feels absurd, but there are so many twists and turns in the story I just couldn't stop watching. Malin Akerman, in particular, is always great at playing characters with fierce personalities, and a mysterious edge, and really shines in this show.
While it feels particularly chaotic at the beginning, when all the various threads of this story start coming together in the final episodes, it's incredibly satisfying.
If this is your genre, get ready to get sucked in.
Where to watch The Hunting Wives: Crave
