Between last week and this week, 21 movies have become available for your home viewing pleasure. The list isn’t the best but there’s at least plenty to choose from. If you’re questioning whether you should read further, realize there are movies starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jean-Claude Van Damme on this list. (I’m not sure if that’s a selling point or a caution.) Here’s what to buy, rent, stream and skip for the weeks of June 6 & 13:
Buy It!
Beauty and the Beast —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: Live action version of the animated Disney classic.
Why Buy?
It is indeed a tale as old as time but now features Emma Watson in the role of Belle. The Disney live action remake blew up at the box office and is currently the #1 movie of 2017 at more than $500 million in box office coin.
John Wick: Chapter 2 —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: John Wick is back. His wife (and dog) is still dead and he’s still kicking a whole lot of ass.
Why Buy?
Typically, sequels fall short but this one holds up well. It didn’t make the $100 million mark but it did more than double the box office gross of the original.
Rent It!
Growing Up Smith –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: That 70s Show: The Indian Edition. A 10-year-old Indian boy named Smith falls in love with the girl next door as he tries to adapt to American culture and fit in with his new surroundings.
Why Rent?
This looks like the quintessential Indie flick. Also, it’s good to see Jason Lee is still getting work. (I try to completely ignore the fact that he’s in the Alvin and The Chipmunks movies.)
The LEGO Batman Movie —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: The spirit of The LEGO Movie inhabits the Dark Knight and friends… and villains.
Why Rent?
Actually, if you have kids, you might want to movie this one to the “Buy It!” list because renting it for them will probably not be enough. Otherwise, enjoy the same fun of The LEGO Movie applied to Batman and voilà!
A United Kingdom –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: Based on a true story of the King of Botswana and his marriage to a white British woman in 1947.
Why Rent?
Not only does the film feature David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike in the main roles, it currently sits at an 83% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes.
Stream It!
The Assignment –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A rogue surgeon turns a hitman into a woman as revenge for the murder of her brother.
Why Stream?
Originally, this was on the “Skip It!” list but, come on! It has Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodríguez, Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia and Caitlin Gerard and that trailer… how can you possibly not at least stream this one?
Chapter & Verse –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A reformed gang leader struggles to re-enter society.
Why Stream?
The film has some authenticity with Jamal Joseph in the director’s chair as he served 5 and a half years in Leavenworth.
A Cure for Wellness —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: There’s something strange going on at a “wellness center” in the Swiss Alps where a young executive is sent to retrieve his company’s CEO.
Why Stream?
Gore Verbinski finally got away from those Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
Headshot –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: An amnesiac is nursed back to health but his past comes back to haunt him.
Why Stream?
This Indonesian film sits at 73% on the Tomatometer.
The Last Word –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A control freak even wants to exert her will over the obituary that will eventually be written about her.
Why Stream?
Shirley MacLaine and Amanda Seyfried star in this film that hasn’t received the best reviews but has a compelling enough trailer that will make it worth streaming.
Mine –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A U.S. Marine finds himself trapped on a land mine in a North African dessert.
Why Stream?
How often do you find a movie written and directed by two guys named Fabio?
The Sense of an Ending —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: A reclusive old curmudgeon gets dragged into his past by an unseen diary of the mother of an ex-girlfriend.
Why Stream?
This very British film is worth a look even if it wasn’t spectacular.
Table 19 –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: The ex-maid of honor decides to attend the wedding despite being dumped by the best man via text and ends up at the reject table full of people who should have known better than to come to the wedding in the first place.
Why Stream?
Even in bad movies Anna Kendrick is entertaining. The same can often be said for Craig Robinson, too.
The Ticket –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A blind man inexplicably regains his vision and his lifestyle improves while the relationships of his old life deteriorate.
Why Stream?
I think this movie is trying to sell me on the idea that this guy would have been better off blind. Okay, I’m game.
Voice from the Stone –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A nurse is charged with helping a young mute boy dealing with the trauma of the sudden death of his mother in 1950s Tuscany.
Why Stream?
Emilia Clarke is enough for me.
Skip It!
All Nighter –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A workaholic father must partner with his daughter’s ex-boyfriend to find her after he learns she’s disappeared when he goes to visit.
Why Skip?
How can you overcome a 0% Tomatometer?
Aftermath –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: An air traffic controller’s error leads to a plane crash that kills the wife and daughter of a construction foreman. He seeks revenge.
Why Skip?
I’m sorry but I don’t think I’m ready to see Arnold Schwarzenegger in a more dramatic role.
Bitter Harvest —MOVIE HOT TAKE REVIEW—
Super Simple Synopsis: The largely untold story of the Ukrainian genocide through starvation by Stalin and a love story that intertwines the tale.
Why Skip?
Unless you want a history lesson, the rest of the film including its embellished dramatic romance is as dry as burnt toast.
El Americano: The Movie –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A Mexican parrot would rather imitate his TV super-parrot hero than do his chores at the circus. It’s animated.
Why Skip?
Maybe I should be more open to this flick as I loved Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos and this one has a similar look and feel to it. However, the reviews aren’t anywhere near as good so we’ll pass on this one and just watch Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos again.
Enter the Warriors Gate –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: A teenager magically transported to China must save the princess and transforms himself into a Kung Fu warrior through his video game skills.
Why Skip?
But our princess is in another castle.
Kill ‘Em All –NO REVIEW–
Super Simple Synopsis: I can’t get past “starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.”
Why Skip?
Jean-Claude Van Damme.