It’s another very special 3 part episode of BuRStS. I wonder if the guy who played Dudley on Diff’rent Strokes has flashbacks when he hears the words “very special episode”? 15 new movies and 1 very important re-release hit the home market as there are plenty of options to stay home and watch a movie this week. Most of them don’t completely suck, either. Here are MHT’s recommendations for what to buy, rent, stream and skip for the week of September 6th:
A Bigger Splash —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: A rock star and a filmmaker have their secluded vacation interrupted by the rock star’s ex-lover and his daughter. Jealousy, passion and danger ensue.
Why Buy?
You’re a fan of great performances and Ralph Fiennes gives one heck of a performance in this one.
Why Rent?
Dakota Johnson? You’re still a little skeptical, I know. (I was, too.)
Why Stream?
You usually hate movies critics love but audiences aren’t thrilled about.
Why Skip?
You can’t swim.
MHT Verdict: Buy it!
A Bigger Splash is not for everyone but if you like artsier fare that’s both psychological and carnal, you should tap into this one. And even if you don’t, there’s always Ralph Fiennes’ performance which is impressive.
The Darkness —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: Low budget horror flick about supernatural forces following a family home from the Grand Canyon.
Why Buy?
You’re the President of the Kevin Bacon Fan Club.
Why Rent?
Unnecessary jump scares are super cool.
Why Stream?
A 4% Tomatometer and 20% Audience Score? Now you have to see how bad it really is.
Why Skip?
If you’ve seen one generic horror movie, you’ve seen ’em all. Well, not really but you’ve seen enough.
MHT Verdict: Skip it!
Blumhouse Productions has spawned a few decent low budget horror movies but The Darkness is not one of them.
Honey 3: Dare to Dance –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: Like Honey and Honey 2 but with even lesser known cast members.
Why Buy?
You think the Honey franchise is sweet.
Why Rent?
Cassie Ventura is alluring enough to get you to watch even the most trite sequel.
Why Stream?
There’s a character named Laser yet it isn’t an unauthorized behind the scenes look at American Gladiators.
Why Skip?
You’re holding out for Step Up 6.
MHT Verdict: Stream it!
Despite their shortcomings, dance movies are often easy to watch and have a way of entertaining.
Money Monster —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: A Jim Cramer-type TV personality is threatened with a bomb on live TV. Chaos ensues.
Why Buy?
George Clooney and Julia Roberts… how could you go wrong?
Why Rent?
If director Jodie Foster is really going to say this movie’s main character isn’t based on Jim Cramer, how can it be taken seriously?
Why Stream?
Even though you’re not that interested in the topic, there’s too much talent to skip this movie.
Why Skip?
If you’ve seen one tense hostage situation in a movie, you’ve seen ’em all.
MHT Verdict: Rent it!
The cast alone makes it worth the watch. Clooney and Roberts have great chemistry on screen.
The Ones Below –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: Psychological apartment wars between an expectant couple and their neighbors below.
Why Buy?
Low budget thrillers are the genre you enjoy the most.
Why Rent?
You’ve lived in an apartment before so you can relate.
Why Stream?
Critics like it and audiences don’t hate it according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Why Skip?
You live in an apartment and/or are pregnant so you don’t need any ideas put in your head.
MHT Verdict: Stream it!
While it hasn’t been one on the radar, The Ones Below looks like it might have a few twists to make it worth watching.
Urge –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A group of friends, an island paradise and a designer drug. The combination devolves into a tropical madhouse.
Why Buy?
For your money, there’s nothing better than an over-the-top Pierce Brosnan.
Why Rent?
Wait! Isn’t that Hyde from That 70’s Show?
Why Stream?
You watched the trailer and you have to find out what’s up with that cake.
Why Skip?
You haven’t even started watching it and the only urge you have is to shut it off.
MHT Verdict: Stream it!
If it’s as bad as it looks, you can always turn it off but it might be so bad it’s entertaining.