Let’s check out the best new movies of the week from the comfort of our sofa. And not only is the Mario movie far exceeding our expectations online, but the Dungeons and Dragons movie is also streaming.
Also, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is finally coming to Disney Plus, so that those who don’t make it can finally see the film that will amaze everyone. Over there Netflixwe have a missing persons thriller with tons of twists and a unique perspective.
HBO Max also proves why it is one of the best streaming services, featuring a documentary about legendary musician Donna Summer. There’s a new take on an old classic over on Hulu. Be sure to check out our list as well 7 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney Plus and more.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Digital)
Mario’s second attempt at movie stardom proved to be the appeal, as a super-strong cast breathed life into a no-fuss adaptation of the Nintendo series.
Thanks to the magic of the Warp Pipes, plumber/brother/New York duo Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) find themselves in a whole lot of trouble they didn’t expect. Mario is cast into the Mushroom Kingdom and Luigi into an adjacent land where the evil Bowser (Jack Black) is on a warpath. The Koopa King only wants one thing: Princess Peach’s (Anya Taylor-Joy) hand in marriage.
While The Super Mario Bros. MovieThe plot is nothing special, the film is a lot of fun. While some of this is thanks to a lot of fan service, there are also plenty of happily memorable moments in the film, such as Bowser’s musical number, Luigi’s time in prison, and all things Donkey Kong.
Buy up digitally Amazon and other digital retailers currently (published Tuesday, May 16)
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Paramount Plus)
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves wins with a reliable formula: revitalize a popular brand by starring Chris Pine as the likable but flawed hero. While we first meet Edgin (Chris Pine), the bard, in prison, we soon follow him on a grand adventure to save his daughter, with the help of his brawny barbarian friend, Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez).
Along the way, our heroes make friends who can cast the spells they need to both save Edgin’s daughter and stop a spooky wizard cult. Yes, it’s a standard adventure film, but it has a fun script, an awesome cameo, and characters that you’ll love.
Watch now Paramount Plus (posted Tuesday, May 16)
Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Disney Plus)
Paul Rudd returns as ex-con turned avenger (he’s an avenger, right?) Scott Lang, whose family somehow manages to put him in even more danger. In order to communicate with the quantum realm, his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton) sends her entire family into the mysterious hidden world.
There, the evil ruler Kang (Jonathan Majors) tries to break free and offers Lang a deal for his escape. The only catch? Kang can’t be trusted, which Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer) already knew.
Quantumania is one of the lowest-rated Marvel films of all time (right next to Eternals), but it does have some enjoyable aspects, such as the strange aliens the Langs encounter.
Majors is currently facing assault charges at the time of publication after being arrested on suspicion of strangulation, assault and molestation.
look further DisneyPlus starting tomorrow (releases Wednesday 17 May)
Sisu (Digital)
“What if John Wick, but” is a popular phrase these days, and Sisu modifies it with “Nazis and gold.” Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila) is a prospector living in Lapland – a Finnish region that fought its own war with Germany during World War II. And while Korpi finds gold, the Nazis find him – and his dog – before our hero can bank his riches.
Violence breaks out and critics rave. Sisu isn’t afraid to be silly or absurd because her number one goal is to entertain.
Buy up digitally Amazon and other digital retailers currently (published Tuesday, May 16)
Pearl (Showtime)
Pearl, the second chapter in Ti West’s horror trilogy about fame and movies, shows us how the need to escape a stifling life situation can drive you insane. During the 1918 flu pandemic, Pearl (Mia Goth) lives with her ailing and barely functioning father (Matthew Sunderland) and her strict, guilt-ridden mother Ruth (Tandi Wright).
But when she discovers the cinema and learns about a casting call, Pearl sees an opportunity that she doesn’t want to miss. Goth delivers a strong lead performance that helps push the sometimes slow and seething movie forward. Her increasingly unbridled energy doesn’t match anything in the small town she’s stuck in, and that’s the point.
look further show time (published today, May 16)
Missing (Netflix)
A sort of sequel to 2018’s “Searching,” Missing shows audiences the search for a missing person through the perspective of the many computer screens associated with the disappearance. But high schooler June (Storm Reid) doesn’t know this yet, because the film begins with the teenager throwing a party while her single mother Grace (Nia Long) is on vacation with her new boyfriend Kevin (Ken Leung).
But when Grace doesn’t come home, the search begins, sending June down a rabbit hole full of secrets and surprises. With the FBI getting involved, June finds real help in Javier (Joaquim de Almeida), a gig economy worker doing his best.
Sometimes far-fetched and definitely a bit silly, “Missing” is as exciting as it is visually unique. If you’re anything like me, you’ll spend the last half hour on the edge of the couch practically yelling at the TV (in a good way).
look further Netflix from Saturday (May 20th)
White Men Can’t Jump (Hulu)
The eternal case of “don’t judge a book by its cover” extends to this revival of the basketball flick about how you can’t judge a basketball player by his lack of melanin. Kamal (Sinqua Walls) doesn’t understand this, however, and writes Jeremy (Jack Harlow) off as soon as he steps onto the field. Surprise: He got game.
Co-written and produced by Kenya Barris (Black-ish), this White Men Can’t Jump “retelling” looks hilarious. Unnecessary? Possibly. Rapper Vince Staples and the late Lance Reddick star.
look further hulu this Friday (May 19)
I love you, Donna Summer (HBO Max)
Some younger viewers are getting the musical education they need when “Love to Love You, Donna Summer” debuts on HBO Max. The documentary follows Summer’s career from Germany to New York and tells his story through photographs and never-before-seen home video footage. Some of the latter were even filmed by Summer himself.
The film showcases both sides of Summer’s life, from her time in the public eye to the secrecy with which she kept things from those around her.
look further HBO Max this Saturday (May 20th)
Polite Society (Digital)
Ria Khan (Priya Kansara) is a teenager with a dream that even the most loving parents couldn’t achieve: she wants to be a stuntwoman. Luckily, her friends believe in her, including her older sister Lena (Ritu Arya). Unfortunately, a suitor with nefarious intentions is trying to marry Lena.
And now Lena’s best hope is the skills she helped Ria discover. An amazingly unlikely action film full of fights and wild outfits.
Buy up digitally Amazon and other digital retailers currently (published Tuesday, May 16)