This week’s cinematic menu is packed with everything from brutal fatalities to heartwarming octopus movies. Whether you’re heading to the theater or curling up on your couch, here is my breakdown of what’s worth your time.
What to Watch in Theaters
The Blockbuster: Mortal Kombat II
The Verdict: Skip it. Five years after the pandemic-era debut of the first film, the sequel has arrived, and unfortunately, it doubles down on everything that didn’t work. Despite the addition of Karl Urban as the washed-up action star Johnny Cage, the movie is a joyless slog.
- The Problem: Director Simon McQuoid treats the material with an inane, self-serious tone that clashes with its gory, arcade-style roots.
- The Action: The fight choreography is choppily edited and buried under rubbery CGI. It looks cheap despite being a massive production.
- What Others Say: Reviews are mixed. Some find the “cheesy one-liners” fun, but others find the junkiness distracting.
The Charmer: The Sheep Detectives
The Verdict: See it. Based on the 2005 novel Three Bags Full, this is an utterly delightful surprise. Hugh Jackman stars as a shepherd whose sheep become brilliant crime solvers after a mysterious incident on the farm.
- Why it Works: Beyond the talking sheep, the film explores moving human ideas about grief and truth.
- The Pedigree: The screenplay is by Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), who elevates the material into something truly special for all ages.
The Spectacle: Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)
Visionary director James Cameron co-directed this immersive concert film. It captures the fan experience in stunning 3D, making you feel like you’re standing in the front row. Even if you aren’t a die-hard fan, the technical craft is undeniable.
Movies Newly Available to Rent or Buy
The Dark Comedy: The Drama
The Verdict: See it. Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star in this pitch-black comedy about a couple whose wedding preparations unravel after a night of revealing dark secrets.
- The Hook: It’s a brilliant exploration of the performance involved in dating and the hypocrisy of how we present ourselves.
- Vibe: Slyly brilliant and impeccably edited, it will make you laugh and squirm in equal measure.
The Slasher: Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
The “eat the rich” subgenre is back. Samara Weaving returns as Grace, who is now being hunted by four rival elite families in a Satanic game for global control. It takes the John Wick route of absurd world-building and delivers plenty of gory, tongue-in-cheek fun.
New on Streaming Services
The Thriller: Send Help (Hulu)
Sam Raimi returns to his horror-comedy roots with this survival thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. Stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash, a corporate power struggle turns into a depraved, slapstick battle for survival. It’s trashy, twisted, and exactly what we want from Raimi.
The Heartwarmer: Remarkably Bright Creatures (Netflix)
Based on the 2022 bestseller, this film stars Sally Field as a widow who forms a bond with a curmudgeonly, intelligent octopus named Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina). It’s a cozy, sentimental “tear-jerker” that works thanks to the chemistry of its leads.