The weekend is here so that only means one thing: It’s time to catch up on the latest movie releases and TV shows. We know time is of the essence so we’ve managed to choose just a select few options that we think are worth spending your days off on.
There are a few good options in theaters like last week’s Smile and this week’s big release, the star-studded Amsterdam. Netflix is providing a wide range of entertainment this week like The Redeem Team for sports fans, Luckiest Girl Alive for our thriller seekers, and Hasan Minhaj’s latest comedy special for those of us who desperately need a laugh. Werewolf By Night hit Disney+ this week for those looking to get in the Spooky SZN spirit.
As always, our favorite shows currently on air are also trucking along. This week, Season 4 of Atlanta delivered a phenomenal Episode 5, Abbott Elementary had yet another hilarious episode, and House of the Dragon gave us an Episode 7 we just had to break down for you.
Check out our choices for this week’s What to Watch below, and come back next week for more.
'Amsterdam'
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When: Friday, Oct. 7
Where: In theaters
Amsterdam is about a group of three World War I veteran friends—consisting of Dr. Burt Berendsen (Christian Bale), nurse Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie), and lawyer Harold Woodsman (John David Washington)—witness the murder of United States Senator Bill Meekins in 1933. They somehow become the prime suspects in the murder they didn’t commit and while attempting to uncover the truth, they end up discovering one of the most shocking plots in American history. David O. Russell has a knack for putting together massively talented casts in his films like Silver Linings Playbook or American Hustle. And Amsterdam is no different with a cast including Robert De Niro, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldaña, Rami Malek, Chris Rock, Michael Shannon, and Taylor Swift. Only time will tell if this will live up to the high standards his previous Oscar-nominated projects have set for him.
Unfortunately, abuse and assault allegations have been plaguing the famed director for quite some time. Stars like Amy Adams and George Clooney have been open about his aggressiveness and over-the-top approach on film sets, but that doesn’t seem to stop Hollywood’s biggest names from enlisting in one of his films. Is it because they almost always get recognition from the Academy or because he is simply good at what he does? We may never know, but as a fan of his work, I am torn about whether or not purchasing movie tickets for his projects and suggesting them to readers makes me an enable of his behavior. The conversation of separating the man from the art has been had repeatedly and we will continue to have it, as long as famous men continue to behave poorly. Until then, it’s up to us to decide when and how we spend our money and time. As for me? I simply have to support anything and everything John David Washington and Margot Robbie are in. So if you’re looking for me, you can find me in a theater watching Amsterdam at some point this weekend. —Karla Rodriguez.
'The Redeem Team'
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When: Friday, Oct. 7
Where: Netflix
If you’re a basketball fan, The Redeem Team documentary is a must-watch. With producers LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Jon Weinbach, the director of The Last Dance, the film takes you through the rise of Team USA basketball from being an embarrassment to being the powerhouse it’s become today. The story reveals anecdotes that weren’t known to the public and captivating stories that would interest any basketball fan. If you’re a Kobe Bryant fan, the doc does a great job of showing us different perspectives of Kobe during his playing days that really characterized his legacy as a basketball and a person.
There were a plethora of nostalgic moments watching this film, whether it was the breakdown of Kobe and LeBron’s relationship during the era they were pitted against each other or the behind-the-scenes look at the iconic Olympic moments we all see on social media today. It may not be the best storyline or have the most captivating plot but if you’re a fan of basketball, you’ll appreciate this documentary. – Zion Olojede
'Werewolf by Night'
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When: Friday, Oct. 7
Where: Disney+
One of the biggest issues I’ve found myself rubbing against with the MCU’s Disney+ offerings is the central idea of whether or not these series are “essential” viewing. To wit: there was so much conversation around the idea of WandaVision being directly tied to Multiverse of Madness that Marvel made it seem as if missing the show would mean you wouldn’t get the movie. That didn’t turn out to be the case, and ever since, I’ve questioned how invested I should be getting in these series after being trained for so long that everything connects.
All this throat-clearing aside to say, Werewolf by Night—the first in what I assume is inevitable series of “Marvel Studios Special Presentations”—is the kind of content I imagine a lot of those burnout by the “keeping up with the joneses” of the MCU will love. Helmed by composer Michael Giacchino in his dictatorial debut, Night is unequivocally a stand-alone special that feels unlike most of the Disney+ offerings. In fact, outside of the typical Marvel Studios fanfare and one subtle Avengers nod, you’d be hard-pressed to watch this and know these characters share a world with Thor or Captain America.
Presented entirely in black and white, Night offers plenty of thrills in a homage/love letter to classic Universal monster movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein, and others, opting for shlocky-style moments than outright horror while exploring the creature feature of Marvel Comics. The characters that populate Night would be ill-fitting in most MCU flicks (save for maybe Blade) but are nevertheless worth exploring if done the right way. As such, Giacchino provides a steady handy to Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron’s script, which posits a bunch of monster hunters, including Jack Russell (the affable and charming Gael García Bernal) and Elsa Bloodstone (The Nevers star Laura Donnelly), vying for control of an ancient artifact called the Bloodstone. It’s no coincidence Elsa is here to claim what she believes is her inheritance, but the motivations of everyone else involved are slightly murkier, including Jack’s. Night stumbles in providing full motivations to the coterie of gathered hunters outside of Elsa, Jack, and Phantom Thread/Licorice Pizza scene-stealer Harriet Sansom Harris. Giacchino does a great job as a first-time director, capable of crafting some striking visual sequences, including one towards the end with a strobe light and plenty of shadows.
Werewolf by Night is a slight offering—almost by design—but manages to rise above it with a fun and brief seasonal-appropriate special. More MCU offerings like this, please. —William Goodman
'Luckiest Girl Alive'
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When: Friday, Oct. 7
Where: Netflix
It feels like a while since we’ve seen Mila Kunis act, but she’s back this week with Netflix’s Luckiest Girl Alive. The film is based on the 2015 New York Times bestselling book by Jessica Knoll. And if the film is anything like the novel, be aware, because shit gets dark. The movie is about a 28-year-old woman named Ani who appears to have a perfect life. She works as an editor at a women’s magazine in New York City and is engaged to a man from a well-to-do family. Her perfect life comes crashing down when her teenage past comes back to haunt her. Ani has kept secrets from her fiancee about the traumas she went through as a teenager that deeply affected who she is now. When those secrets are on the verge of resurfacing, Ani finds herself threatened by her past, making her future uncertain. If you’re searching for a thriller that will keep you on edge this weekend, look no further. This is it. —Karla Rodriguez
'Hasan Minhaj: The King's Jester'
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When: Tuesday, Oct. 4
Where: Netflix
Hasan Minhaj is back on Netflix with a new comedy special. The standup comedian delivered Hasan Minhaj: The King’s Jester earlier this week and the special focuses on everything from him and his wife struggling to have a child, how parenthood has transformed him, and how he has dealt with becoming famous. In the special, Minhaj showcases his signature style of delivering jokes in a serious yet sarcastic way that people grew to love him for on his talk show Patriot Act and on The Daily Show. Netflix green lights plenty of comedy specials like this one, but seeing Minhaj take the stage again feels refreshing thanks to his smart and hilarious commentary on politics, race, religion, and everyday life. If you have an hour to spare this weekend, give this a watch. —Karla Rodriguez
'House of the Dragon,' Episode 7
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When: Sunday, Oct. 2
Where: HBO
Of the myriad of different phrases uttered throughout Game of Thrones, my favorite is: “I wish you good fortune in the wars to come.” Ostensibly the Westeros version of “godspeed,” it’s also an acknowledgment that war in this world is inevitable. With the time jump fully established, it’s time for the two sides of the looming Targaryen civil war to begin shoring up their assets.
I unbiasedly love when shows come up with an excuse to bring the whole cast together and, more often than not, that construction involves funerals or weddings. Considering we had the latter, it’s time for the former. My (non-visibility) frustrations with “Driftmark,” however, involve the fact we haven’t spent the considerable amount of time with Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell) needed to make her funeral impactful. As such, the first half is about lighting the fuse for the explosions and drags in the process. Once those begin, “Driftmark” excels, featuring some of the series’ best moments, including another breathtaking dragon riding sequence, the fantastic Rhaenyra and Alicent confrontation, and Rhaenyra and Daemon’s elopement. That’s a lot to stuff into one episode and makes the back half stand out in stark contrast to the pensive and slower tone of the front half.
After a lot of preambles, House of the Dragon delivers a near barn-burner of an episode, stoking the flames of this war considerably. We’re still a ways away from a full-on flame, but smoke is rising—and by the time it’s all said and done, “Driftmark” may, well, mark a significant point in the road to war. I wish everyone involved good fortune in the war that’s soon to come. —William Goodman
