All the new movies and early theater releases you can watch at home right now

This story was originally published 2020/03/20
1:07pm PDTon Mar 20, 2020 and last updated 2020/12/18
4:21pm PSTon Dec 18, 2020.

Movie theaters are slowly reopening, but most of the new releases are headed to streaming services rather than the big screen. Whether you’re staying at home to limit potential risks, or just saving a few bucks by watching from the couch, we’ve organized a huge list with many of the newly added films and some upcoming titles.

New this week:

I hope everybody is doing peachy! I’ve busy with contributing to Techathon, a charity live stream focusing on Doctors Without Borders, and I didn’t have time to write this section. However, this week’s new movies are in the list, including reviews for three brand new titles: Breach, Skylines, and Army of One.

There will be an update to this post in the next day or so, including more upcoming titles and a proper summary of this week’s releases. Besides, you all know you’re going to be watching Tenet, now that it has come to streaming services after a disappointing theatrical launch.

December 18

Tenet

Action, Sci-Fi | Streaming: December 15 | Theaters: September 3 | IMDb

Starring: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki

Armed with only one word, Tenet, and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.

Army of One

Action, Revenge | Streaming: December 15 | IMDb

Starring: Ellen Hollman, Matt Passmore, Geraldine Singer, Gary Kasper, Cam Bowen

Out hiking, Special Forces Brenner Baker and her husband stumble upon an illegal drug compound. The drug dealers capture them, kill her husband, and leave her for dead. They should have made sure they finished the job. Now, 1st Lieutenant Brenner Baker of the Army’s 75th Ranger Division is on a one-woman killing mission carving up everyone in her path until there is only one person standing, her.

Cody’s Review: Where and how do I begin? Let’s just say, if you’re into the idea of revenge porn (not the sexual kind) with a not-so-subtle dose of girl power, keep reading so I can set your expectations appropriately low before watching. And by that, I mean you can practically write this script by filling in the blanks of classic movie tropes, Mad Libs style. This is a Roaring Rampage of Revenge starring perhaps the greatest example of a (God Mode) Mary Sue in cinematic history. Rey (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and her excessive Force powers have nothing on Ellen Hollman’s character Brenner. She’s an Army Ranger with expert hunting/tracking/trapping skills, she can’t be shot but always hits every target, she can take down any man 3x-4x her size and weight, her hair and makeup never get messed up, and she doesn’t even sweat — seriously, just watch, it never happens. Look, I wrote 2 pages of notes before giving up; believe me when I say you’re just gonna have to turn off your brain for this one. Strangely, that might be the thing that redeems Army of One: it’s kinda fun to watch once you stop caring, or maybe even go full MST3K on it. Most of the acting is B-grade, and sometimes barely above the standards set by porn, and the writing didn’t give anybody much to work with anyway. The villains are two-dimensional rednecks running a human trafficking empire; and they’re revealed to be even more evil with every other scene, just to ensure the viewer will feel good about hating them unconditionally. Verdict: I’ll say it again, don’t expect too much; just turn off your brain, don’t ask any questions, and enjoy a hot girl leaving a trail of bodies behind… if that’s your thing. Oh, but if you’re going to take anything away from reading this, DO NOT START COOKING FIRES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRUSH, DURING A DRY SEASON, AND WITHOUT EVEN SETTING UP A ROCK WALL BARRIER!!! How f***ing stupid can these two ‘protagonists’ be?!?! And she’s supposed to be a tracker!?!?! I almost started to cheer for the villains, at least they’re not trying to burn down the place.

The Croods: A New Age

Animation, Adventure, Comedy | Streaming: December 17 | Theaters: November 25 | IMDb

Starring: Kirk DeMicco, Catherine Keener, Leslie Mann, Joel Crawford, Dan Hageman, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke, Peter Dinklage

The Croods have survived their fair share of dangers and disasters, from fanged prehistoric beasts to watching their daughter get heart eyes over a new boyfriend. But now they face something that will shake their pack to its core and make them reconsider everything they hold true: another family.

The Beach House

Drama, Horror, Mystery | Streaming: December 15 | IMDb

Starring: Liana Liberato, Noah Le Gros, Maryann Nagel, Jake Weber

Hoping to reignite their relationship, college students Emily (Liberato) and Randall (Le Gros) arrive at their weekend getaway only to discover a peculiar older couple already staying there. They all agree to share the home but, after an indulgent night of partying, they’re awoken to a living nightmare of apocalyptic proportions. A mysterious airborne microbe has infected the water and it’s making its way to the house.

The Last Blockbuster

Documentary | Streaming: December 15 | IMDb

Starring: Taylor Morden, Zeke Kamm, Sandi Harding, Adam Brody, Ione Skye, Doug Benson, Paul Scheer, Kevin Smith

This fun, nostalgic documentary follows the manager of the last Blockbuster as she struggles to keep the store open and reveals why Blockbuster corporate really went out of business.

Breaking Surface

Action, Drama, Thriller | Streaming: December 15 | IMDb

Starring: Moa Gammel, Madeleine Martin, Trine Wiggen

A few days after Christmas, half-sisters Ida and Tuva set out on a winter dive in a remote part of the Norwegian coastline. Towards the end of the dive, a rockslide traps Tuva under water. As Ida surfaces to call for help, she discovers that the rockslide has struck above water as well, burying their equipment, phones and car keys–they are completely cut off from any chance of outside rescue. As the frantic race for survival unfolds, Ida is put to the ultimate test of character and forcefulness. During Ida’s fight to save Tuva, a fractured sisterhood is exposed, and when all seems lost, the stakes rise beyond simple survival.

Sister of the Groom

Comedy, Drama, Romance | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Tom Everett Scott, Mathilde Ollivier

Liam is set to wed a younger French girl, Clemence, in the Hamptons. His sister, Audrey, and her husband, Ethan, drive to attend, yet Audrey’s motives are likely to stop the wedding. Audrey and Clemence do not get along, as Clemence, a perfect gorgeous French woman, reminds Audrey of her own imperfections. Feelings of jealousy due to her own lost opportunities, uncertainty of herself and 40 years of lifetime choices could explode and scorch her new sister-in-law.

Greenland

Action, Drama, Thriller | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Basil Iwanyk, Morena Baccarin, Gerard Butler, David Denman, Andrew Bachelor, Joshua Mikel, Sébastien Raybaud, Nik Bower

John Garrity, his estranged wife and their young son embark on a perilous journey to find sanctuary as a planet-killing comet hurtles toward Earth. Amid terrifying accounts of cities getting leveled, the Garrity’s experience the best and worst in humanity. As the countdown to the global apocalypse approaches zero, their incredible trek culminates in a desperate and last-minute flight to a possible safe haven.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Drama, Music | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Taylour Paige, George C. Wolfe, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Dusan Brown

Tensions rise when the trailblazing Mother of the Blues and her band gather at a Chicago recording studio in 1927. Adapted from August Wilson’s play.

Skylines

Sci-Fi, Action | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Lindsey Morgan, Jonathan Howard, Rhona Mitra, James Cosmo, Alexander Siddig, Daniel Bernhardt, Cha-Lee Yoon

When a virus threatens to turn earth-dwelling friendly alien hybrids against humans, Captain Rose Corley (Lindsey Morgan) must lead a team of elite soldiers on a mission to the alien’s world in order to save what’s left of humanity.

Cody’s Review: Welcome to the third installment to the Skyline universe — at least it must be a ‘universe’ by now, right? Skyline (2010) kicked off the story and was eventually followed by Beyond Skyline (2017), each with entirely different themes and cast members. Skylines is lead by Lindsey Morgan (The 100) as (former) Captain Rose Corley, the first person to ever reprise a role in the franchise, even if she only had about 2 minutes of screen time in the previous film. It won’t matter much if you’re just dropping into Skylines without watching the first two entries, most of the important details are covered by a rapid retelling of events and a few contextual clues in the early scenes. A few things might be a little confusing, but you’re not missing out on much. Like its predecessors, Skylines is a typical B-grade sci-fi with tons of action, but with a budget that looks almost A-list in quality. It helps that the cast and crew clearly care enough to deliver a polished product. The plot is a bit of a mixed bag, as the first act presents a good setup with room for it to become a pretty rich story, but the remainder of the movie backslides into fairly generic action scenes and a very familiar plot. This feels a lot like recent Star Trek movies, but Skylines doesn’t ask you to pretend it has anything to do with a once-beloved (and now abused) franchise. Aside from our heroine, the remaining cast of characters is largely forgetable and exists primarily to keep her from doing the entire movie alone. The sci-fi can be cheesy at times and the dialog isn’t particularly elegant, but there are also a lot of lines that intentionally reveal Skylines doesn’t take itself too seriously. You’re meant to laugh along with the writers, and if you’re in on the joke, the story is more enjoyable. Verdict: This is the simplicity of a Saturday morning cartoon, but the look of a well-funded flick. There’s nothing particularly special here, but if you’re looking for a low commitment sci-fi with plenty of action, Skylines is definitely the one to watch.

Breach

Sci-fi, Action | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Cody Kearsley, Bruce Willis, Rachel Nichols, Thomas Jane

Bruce Willis stars in the action-packed, Sci-fi thriller. Fleeing a devastating plague on Earth, an interstellar ark comes under attack from a new threat; a shape-shifting alien force intent on slaughtering what is left of humanity.

Cody’s Review: Breach calls back to some good ol’ hard sci-fi films like Alien, and that comparison is easy since we find ourselves with a small crew of spacefarers doing grunt work as a foreign creature picks them off one-by-one. However, things never reach ominous creature feature stage, but instead take a hard turn to zombie movie… IN SPAAAAAACE. It’s still a good watch despite lots of poor post-production. For example, scenes are occasionally missing, sound design is incomplete, and some special effects look like they were farmed out to people on Fiverr for $50. Maybe a Director’s Cut will finish the work someday, but viewers should just be prepared to forgive this one. Counterintuitively, the set looks pretty good, and most of the actors deliver appropriate performances (which doesn’t necessarily mean they’re good, [cough] Thomas Jane). And on that note, Bruce Willis has had a year of phoning in movies like Hard Kill and agreeing to do a horrendous ‘DieHard is Back’ commercial. However, he’s not just walking in front of a camera for a paycheck this time, it seems like Willis cared enough to surface some personality again. Make no mistake, Breach isn’t his best work, it’s not even better than Live Free or Die Hard, but at least it’s Bruce doing his thing. It’s a servicable space thriller that will get you through another night. Just be prepared for a few groans and some cliche moments, particularly the very last few seconds. #nospoilers. Verdict: If you liked Alien, go ahead and watch Breach, just be ready to forgive it for a half-assed editing job, courtesy of 2020.

Hunter Hunter

Thriller, Horror, Suspense | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Devon Sawa, Nick Stahl, Camille Sullivan, Summer Howell

HUNTER HUNTER follows a family living in the remote wilderness earning a living as fur trappers. Joseph Mersault (Devon Sawa), his wife Anne (Camille Sullivan), and their daughter Renée (Summer H. Howell) struggle to make ends meet and think their traps are being hunted by the return of a rogue wolf. Determined to catch the predator in the act, Joseph leaves his family behind to track the wolf. Anne and Renée grow increasingly anxious during Joseph’s prolonged absence and struggle to survive without him. When they hear a strange noise outside their cabin, Anne hopes it is Joseph but instead finds a man named Lou (Nick Stahl), who has been severely injured and left for dead. The longer Lou stays and Joseph is away, the more paranoid Anne becomes, and the idea of a mysterious predator in the woods slowly becomes a threat much closer to home.

Infidel

Action, Adventure, Thriller | Theaters: September 18 | IMDb

Starring: Jim Caviezel, Claudia Karvan, Hal Ozsan

An American man, played by Jim Caviezel, is kidnapped after a friend invites him to Cairo to speak out about recent militant uprisings. His wife heads to the city after hearing the news, determined to get him back.

Honest Thief

Action, Crime, Drama | Streaming: December 8 | Theaters: October 16 | IMDb

Starring: Liam Neeson, Kate Walsh, Jai Courtney

Hoping to cut a deal, a professional bank robber agrees to return all the money he stole in exchange for a reduced sentence. But when two FBI agents set him up for murder, he must now go on the run to clear his name and bring them to justice.

Radium Girls

Drama | Streaming: December 18 | Theaters: October 23 | IMDb

Starring: Joey King, Abby Quinn, Cara Seymour

Early in the 20th century, women work at the U.S. Radium Factory, painting glow in the dark watches, unaware of the dangers of working with radium.

Let Him Go

Crime, Drama, Thriller | Streaming: November 25 | Theaters: November 6 | IMDb

Starring: Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Lesley Manville

Following the loss of their son, a retired sheriff and his wife leave their Montana ranch to rescue their young grandson from the clutches of a dangerous family living off the grid in the Dakotas.

December 11

Archenemy

Action, Thriller | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Joe Manganiello, Skylan Brooks, Zolee Griggs, Amy Seimetz, Glenn Howerton

Max Fist (Manganiello) claims to be a hero from another dimension who fell through time and space to Earth, where he has no powers. No one believes his stories except for a local teen named Hamster. Together, they take to the streets to wipe out the local drug syndicate and its vicious crime boss known as The Manager.

Cody’s Review: Archenemy raids the anti-hero pantry to construct an alcoholic, homeless Max Fist (Joe Manganiello). It may sound crazy, but I think this is most original movie I’ve seen in years. It’s not that Archenemy is filled with brand new ideas, but rather, it revives concepts that failed in movies like Hancock (2008) and The Punisher (2004). This film works because it blows through the tropes and embraces the worst ways a person can fall, and what they need to get back up. The formulas fit the superhero genre we all know, but the story feels unpredictable and surprising, and by the end you’ll feel more invested because this is different. Manganiello is the headliner, and he does an awesome job, but the true stars of the show are Skylan Brooks and relative newcomer Zolee Griggs, playing brother/sister pair Hamster and Indigo. While the casting, script, and set design are all solid, there is one woeful mistake: animation. Somebody had the misguided plan to shoehorn animated comic cells between scenes to shed light on the backstory, and it looks bad. Despite this and a few other mistakes, Archenemy deserves a place at the table for award season, even if it’s only just to get a couple nominations. Verdict: Archenemy will likely be the most underrated film of the year. It is to superhero movies what the original versions of Grimm’s Fairytales are to the children’s stories we grew up with — uncomfortably dark and grimy, definitely not for everyone, but it tells a story that doesn’t bury the cold realities of life. Warning: if you’re easily put off by themes of mental illness, alcoholism, or drug abuse, turn back now.

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee

Comedy | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Paul Hogan, John Cleese, Chevy Chase, Luke Hemsworth, Mel Gibson, Olivia Newton-John

Retired in L.A. and overshadowed by his Crocodile Dundee character, Hogan is offered a knighthood by the Queen of England. But before he can accept it, Hogan gets caught up in a series of comical scandals that dominate gossip shows and social media feeds. Can he keep his reputation clean long enough to hang onto his prize — and his dignity? Hilarious celebrity co-stars include Chevy Chase, John Cleese, Olivia Newton-John, and more!

The Stand In

Comedy | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: T.J. Miller, Drew Barrymore, Holland Taylor, Jamie Babbit, Sam Bain, Michael Zegen, Michelle Buteau

When ordered to serve a year in rehab, actress Candy (Drew Barrymore) hires her on-set stand-in to take her place. The unassuming woman flips the script and steals her identity, career and boyfriend in this hilarious comedy about trading places.

The Prom

Comedy, Drama, Musical | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, Keegan-Michael Key, Tracey Ullman

A group of down-on-their-luck Broadway stars shake up a small Indiana town as they rally behind a teen who just wants to attend prom with her girlfriend.

The Planters

Comedy | Streaming: December 8 | Theaters: October 9 | IMDb

Starring: Alexandra Kotcheff, Hannah Leder, Phil Parolisi

Awkward telemarketer Martha Plant lives a lonely existence burying treasure and eating split pea soup. When she takes in a vagrant with multiple personalities, she discovers having three friends in one may be more than she can handle.

Freaky

Comedy, Horror, Thriller | Streaming: December 4 | Theaters: November 13 | IMDb

Starring: Kathryn Newton, Vince Vaughn, Alan Ruck

Seventeen-year-old Millie Kessler spends her days trying to survive high school and the cruel actions of the popular crowd. But when she becomes the latest target of the Butcher, the town’s infamous serial killer, her senior year becomes the least of her worries. When the Butcher’s mystical dagger causes him and Millie to magically switch bodies, the frightened teen learns she has just 24 hours to get her identity back before she looks like a middle-aged maniac forever.

Wolfwalkers

Animation, Adventure, Family | Streaming: December 11 (Apple TV+) | IMDb

Starring: Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, Sean Bean

A young apprentice hunter and her father journey to Ireland to help wipe out the last wolf pack. But everything changes when she befriends a free-spirited girl from a mysterious tribe rumored to transform into wolves by night.

Smiley Face Killers

Thriller | Streaming: December 8 | IMDb

Starring: Ronen Rubinstein, Mia Serafino, Crispin Glover

As a strange wave of mysterious drownings of male college students plagues the California coast, Jake Graham (Rubinstein) struggles to keep his life together at school. Finding himself stalked by a hooded figure (Glover) driving an unmarked van, Jake fears he may become the next victim in the killers’ horrific spree.

I’m Your Woman

Drama | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Julia Hart, Jordan Horowitz, Rachel Brosnahan, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Arinzé Kene, Frankie Faison, Bill Heck

In this 1970s set crime drama, a woman is forced to go on the run after her husband betrays his partners, sending her and her baby on a dangerous journey.

Wild Mountain Thyme

Drama, Romance | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Emily Blunt, Jamie Dornan, Christopher Walken

The headstrong farmer Rosemary Muldoon (Emily Blunt) has her heart set on winning her neighbor Anthony Reilly’s love. The problem is Anthony (Jamie Dornan) seems to have inherited a family curse, and remains oblivious to his beautiful admirer. Stung by his father Tony’s (Christopher Walken) plans to sell the family farm to his American nephew (Jon Hamm), Anthony is jolted into pursuing his dreams in this comedic, moving and wildly romantic tale.

Parallel

Drama, Thriller | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Kathleen Quinlan, Alyssa Diaz, Georgia King

A group of friends stumble upon a mirror that serves as a portal to a ‘multiverse’, but soon discover that importing knowledge from the other side in order to better their lives brings increasingly dangerous consequences.

Safety

Biography, Drama, Sport | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Jay Reeves, Hunter Sansone, Reginald Hudlin, Mark Ciardi, Nick Santora, Randy McKinnon, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Corinne Foxx

The story of Ray-Ray McElrathbey, a freshman football player for Clemson University, who secretly raised his younger brother on campus after his home life became too unsteady.

Wander Darkly

Drama | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Sienna Miller, Diego Luna, Beth Grant, Aimee Carrero, Tory Kittles, Vanessa Bayer

In Wander Darkly, a traumatic accident leaves a couple, Adrienne (Sienna Miller) and Matteo (Diego Luna), in a surreal state of being that takes them on a disorienting journey through the duality of their shared moments. By reliving fond recollections from the beginning of their romance while also navigating the overwhelming truths of their present, they must rediscover the love that truly binds them together. Writer/director Tara Miele offers a profound new perspective on the delicate nature of relationships with this emotionally moving story about a couple who must reflect on their past in order to face their uncertain future.

Knuckledust

Action, Thriller | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Camille Rowe, Gethin Anthony, James Kermack, Moe Dunford, Kate Dickie, Phil Davis, Alex Ferns, Olivier Richters

Police discover an elite fight club where they find seven underground levels, filled with the dead bodies of fighters from around the world. Only one man is found left alive. The task force has to work out if he’s a mass murderer or the lone survivor?

Beyond Hell

Horror, Fantasy | Streaming: November 17 | IMDb

Starring: Dominique Smith, Sean Rey, Kearsten Johansson

After trying a new version of the drug Changa, Maryssa finds herself transported to a hell dimension where the demon, Belial, latches on to her. through Maryssa, Belial begins killing her friends one by one in horrific hallucinations.

The Black Book Of Father Dinis

Drama, History, Romance | Streaming: December 8 | IMDb

Starring: Lou de Laâge, Stanislas Merhar, Niels Schneider

THE BLACK BOOK OF FATHER DINIS explores the tumultuous lives of Laura (Lou de Laâge), a peasant maid, and Sebastian (Vasco Varela da Silva), the young orphan in her charge, against a backdrop of overflowing passion and revolutionary intrigue in Europe at the twilight of the 18th century. An unlikely adventure yarn that strides the continent, from Rome and Venice to London and Paris, with whispers of conspiracies from the clergy, the military, and the gentry, this sumptuous period piece ponders the intertwined nature of fate, desire, and duty. Conceived by director Valeria Sarmiento as an appendix to the expansive literary maze of her late partner Raul Ruiz’s landmark MYSTERIES OF LISBON, this picaresque chronicle both enriches the earlier work and stands on its own as a grand meditation of the stories we construct about ourselves.

Giving Voice

Documentary | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, Stephen Henderson

Six ambitious student actors audition for the prestigious August Wilson Monologue Competition, culminating in a riveting final round on Broadway.

December 4

Godmothered

Comedy, Family, Holiday | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Jillian Bell, Melissa Stack, Isla Fisher, Willa Skye, Justin Springer, June Squibb, Stephnie Weir, Sharon McGuire

Set at Christmas time, “Godmothered” is a comedy about Eleanor, a young, inexperienced fairy godmother-in-training (Jillian Bell), who upon hearing that her chosen profession is facing extinction, decides to show the world that people still need fairy godmothers. Finding a mislaid letter from a 10-year-old girl in distress, Eleanor tracks her down and discovers that the girl, Mackenzie, is now a 40-year-old single mom (Isla Fisher) working at a news station in Boston. Having lost her husband several years earlier, Mackenzie has all but given up on the idea of “happily ever after,” but Eleanor is bound and determined to give Mackenzie a happiness makeover, whether she likes it or not.

Evergreen

Drama | Streaming: November 24 (iTunes), December 1 (streaming) | IMDb

Starring: Olivia Grace Applegate, David Bianchi, Tanner Kalina

From writer and director Joe Duca (Her Name Was Jo), Evergreen is an intimate character study of an interfaith couple’s relationship over a tumultuous Christmas weekend. Paul (Tanner Kalina, Everybody Wants Some!!), a contemporary Catholic, plans to propose to his girlfriend, while pragmatic Gena (Amanda Maddox, Gripped: Climbing the Killer Pillar) wants to finally take their celibate relationship to the next level. When expectations clash, the two set aside their prior notions and agree to a brutally honest, no-holds-barred weekend of ‘question and answer,’ unearthing long-buried secrets and manifestations from relationships past.

Angela’s Christmas Wish

Family, Animated | Streaming: December 1 | IMDb

Starring: Lucy O’Connell, Brendan Mullins, Ruth Negga

With her father working far away in Australia, a determined Angela makes a plan — and a heartfelt wish — to reunite her family in time for the holidays.

100% Wolf

Animation, Adventure, Comedy | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Samara Weaving, Jane Lynch, Jai Courtney, Loren Gray

Freddy Lupin, heir to a proud family of werewolves, is in for a shock when his first ‘transwolfation’ turns him into a ferocious… poodle. He gets thrown out of his pack and finds himself in the clutches of a dog pound. Can Freddy and his new streetwise friend, Batty, escape? Despite his pink and fluffy exterior, Freddy now has until moonrise to prove that he’s still 100% Wolf!

Wander

Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Katheryn Winnick, Heather Graham, Tommy Lee Jones

Aaron Eckhart, Tommy Lee Jones and Heather Graham star in the edge-of-your-seat thriller following Arthur Bretnik, a paranoid private investigator with a troubled past. After Bretnik (Eckhart) is hired to investigate a suspicious death in the town of Wander, he becomes convinced the case is linked to the same ‘conspiracy cover up’ that caused the death of his daughter.

Black Bear

Comedy, Drama | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott, Sarah Gadon, Paola Lazaro, Grantham Coleman

At a remote lake house, a filmmaker named Allison (Aubrey Plaza) arrives to play house guest to a troubled couple (Abbott and Gadon), who have eschewed their life in the city after inheriting a family retreat. Battling writer’s block, Allison sparks a calculated game of desire and jealousy in pursuit of a new work that blurs the boundaries of autobiography and invention. Black Bear explores the complex nature of relationships, gender dynamics, and the erratic nature of love as it traces the conflict between our lust and our longing for internal harmony.

What Lies Below

Thriller, Sci-Fi | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Ema Horvath, Trey Tucker, Mena Suvari

Liberty, a socially awkward 16-year-old, returns from two months at camp only to be blindsided with the introduction of her Mother’s fiancée, John Smith, whose charm, intelligence, and beauty paint the picture of a man too perfect to be human.

Cody’s Review: What Lies Below reminds me of the early monster-of-the-week episodes of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. However, it trades out the clever banter for a slow methodical tone and ramp up. I suspect filming was interrupted by covid, because the first 15 minutes is marred by stiff performances and amateur-ish camera angles as it muddles through tons of filler backstory. Nevertheless, it eventually evens out and the real Creature Feature begins in earnest. Oh, did you see the trailer and think this was about a predatory guy pursuing his girlfriend’s daughter? I can see how you would get there with lines like, ‘You’re kind of a weird dude’ and ‘He grabbed me. Like Donald Trump, he grabbed me.’ Don’t worry, it’s not that kind of movie, but it regularly threatens to be. Ema Horvath and Trey Tucker deliver scenes together quite well, but Mena Suvari never really blends in. Verdict: What Lies Below doesn’t break new ground or excel in any particular way, but it’s a decent slow-burning thriller that will appease fans of the genre. Just be warned, the nature of some scenes will likely rule this out as a date movie.

Elyse

Drama | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Lisa Pepper, Aaron Tucker, Tara Arroyave, Fran Tucker, Anthony Apel, Julieta Oritiz, Danny Jacobs

Elyse (Lisa Pepper) languidly meanders out of a cold, concrete, designer house mirroring a mausoleum, externalizing the spirit of her dead son, Cody. She returns home disoriented, unwilling to join the family dinner, misconceives the gathering as a threat to her private life, and is unwarrantedly infuriated with her egocentric mother, Goldie, and her devoted husband, Steven. In a psychotic blackout, Elyse commits vehicular manslaughter of her son and his nanny, Julia. Elyse isn’t the only victim; her delusional thinking, narcissism, and violence annihilate her husband. Memory and hallucination intertwine to expose a history of trauma, revealing the truth: Elyse is Catatonic and institutionalized in a State Hospital. Elyse’s recovery is reliant on the dissolution of her marriage, the restoration of the relationship with her mother, and the mutual absolution with the nanny’s daughter, Carmen. It’s the care from Dr. Lewis (Anthony Hopkins) and the unconditional love from her nurse, David, that promise Elyse a new life.

Trail of Ashes

Fantasy, Mystery | Streaming: December 1 | IMDb

Starring: Cecilia Arguelles, Arturo Lizardi, Héctor Escudero, Jasmin Sanabria, Migdalia Rosario, Carlos Miranda

When the empress’s daughter Lina disappears, the Crow Tribe, still rebelling against the empire, plans a mission to find her first, in an attempt to have leverage over their enemy. Silas, raised by the Crow Tribe, is tasked with intercepting a “quill” (or justice-seeker) sent to investigate the prime suspect in the case: an inquisitor, one of the empress’s elite. Silas, now posing as the quill Ranieri, is conflicted when he learns the inquisitor he is to interview is actually his long lost brother, Marco, who was raised by the empire after both brothers were orphaned due to a tragic and mysterious incident. As the investigation deepens, Silas realizes that nothing is what it seems. The case will unlock secrets that will blur the reality of everyone involved.

Ammonite

Biography, Drama, Romance | Streaming: December 4 | Theaters: November 13 (limited) | IMDb

Starring: Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Jones

In the 1840s, acclaimed self-taught palaeontologist Mary Anning works alone on the wild and brutal Southern English coastline of Lyme Regis. The days of her famed discoveries behind her, she now hunts for common fossils to sell to rich tourists to support herself and her ailing widowed mother. When one such tourist, Roderick Murchison, arrives in Lyme on the first leg of a European tour, he entrusts Mary with the care of his young wife Charlotte, who is recuperating from a personal tragedy. Mary, whose life is a daily struggle on the poverty line, cannot afford to turn him down but, proud and relentlessly passionate about her work, she clashes with her unwanted guest. They are two women from utterly different worlds. Yet despite the chasm between their social spheres and personalities, Mary and Charlotte discover they can each offer what the other has been searching for: the realisation that they are not alone. It is the beginning of a passionate and all-consuming love affair that will defy all social bounds and alter the course of both lives irrevocably.

Luxor

Drama, Romance | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Andrea Riseborough, Michael Landes, Shirin Redha

When British aid worker Hana returns to the ancient city of Luxor, she meets former lover Sultan. As she wanders, haunted by the familiar place, she struggles to reconcile the choices of the past with the uncertainty of the present.

Small Axe — Episode 3: Red, White and Blue

Drama | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: John Boyega, Steve Toussaint, Joy Richardson

Spotlights the true story of Leroy Logan, who at a young age saw his father assaulted by two policemen, motivating him to join the Metropolitan Police and change their racist attitudes from within.

Mank

Drama, Biography, True Story | Streaming: December 4 | Note: (Netflix) | IMDb

Starring: Gary Oldman, Lily Collins, Amanda Seyfried, Charles Dance, David Fincher, Ceán Chaffin, Tom Burke, Jack Fincher

1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing wit and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish Citizen Kane

Dear Santa

Documentary | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Dana Nachman

DEAR SANTA shines a light on the 100-year-old ‘Operation Santa’ Program of the United States Postal Service. Each year, hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa arrive at Post Offices around the country. Through Operation Santa, the USPS makes it possible for the public to safely adopt these letters and make children’s dreams come true. The film invites audiences along for the magic of this massive endeavor. Traveling the country, much like Santa does on Christmas Eve, the film focuses on select ‘Operation Santa’ Centers: some in metropolitan areas and others in small towns where the Post Office is the heart of the community.

Billie

Documentary | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday had one of the greatest voices of all time and changed the face of American music. She was a woman of breath-taking talent and global popularity while also stirring controversy. She started a notable rebellion singing ‘Strange Fruit’ which exposed the realities of Black life in America and earned her powerful enemies. Raw, emotional and brutally honest, Billie is filled with never-before-heard interviews from musical greats Count Basie, Charles Mingus, Sylvia Syms and Tony Bennett.

Mulan

Action, Adventure, Drama | Streaming: September 4 | Note: Free with subscription on December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Jet Li, Li Gong

[Note: Not a new release, but the separate $30 rental price is no longer in effect. Disney+ subscribers can now watch Mulan at no additinal cost, just like any other movie on the platform.] When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.

November 26

Fatman

Action, Comedy, Thriller | Streaming: November 24 | IMDb

Starring: Mel Gibson, Walton Goggins, Marianne Jean-Baptiste

To save his declining business, Chris Cringle, also known as Santa Claus, is forced into a partnership with the U.S. military. Making matters worse, Chris gets locked into a deadly battle of wits against a highly skilled assassin, hired by a precocious 12-year-old, after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking.

Buddy Games

Comedy | Streaming: November 24 | IMDb

Starring: Josh Duhamel, Bob Schwartz, Nick Swardson, Jude Weng, Seamus, Kevin Dillon, Dax Shepard, Olivia Munn

A group of thirtysomething friends reunite to play the Buddy Game. That is a wild assortment of absurd physical and mental challenges. In the process, they heal old wounds, right past wrongs and figure out the true meaning of friendship — or die trying.

Girl

Thriller | Streaming: November 24 | IMDb

Starring: Bella Thorne, Mickey Rourke, Chad Faust

A young woman returns to her small hometown intent on killing her abusive father only to discover someone murdered him the day before. As the girl searches for answers, she uncovers a family legacy more dangerous than she’d imagined.

Notes for My Son

Drama | Streaming: November 24 | IMDb

Starring: Mónica Antonópulos, Paola Barrientos, Valeria Bertuccelli

When María ‘Marie’ Vázquez finds out she has a terminal disease, she decides to face her fate the only way she knows how: with emotion and a sarcastic humor that defines her. She spends most of her time writing a book for her four-year-old son, Tomy, with the idea that his mother’s image will stay with him for ever. María also shares her experience through social media, with her unique style, and her life story becomes really popular. Her last days are full of mixed feelings as she is joined by her lovely husband, Federico, and her closest friends to celebrate her life.

Hillbilly Elegy

Drama | Streaming: November 24 | IMDb

Starring: Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Gabriel Basso, Freida Pinto

A Yale Law student drawn back to his Appalachian hometown reflects on his family’s history and his own future.

Christmas on the Square

Family, Musical | Streaming: November 22 | IMDb

Starring: Dolly Parton, Christine Baranski, Treat Williams

Christmas On The Square follows small town ‘Scrooge’ Regina Fuller (Christine Baranski) as she’s visited by a rhinestone-bedazzled angel (Dolly) who guides her on a musical journey of redemption. Will this stingy property owner evict the entire town of Fullerville on Christmas Eve, or will her greed give way to the Christmas spirit?

Happiest Season

Comedy, Romance | Streaming: November 25 | IMDb

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Clea DuVall, Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner, Alison Brie, Daniel Levy, Mary Holland

Meeting your girlfriend’s family for the first time can be tough. Planning to propose at her family’s annual Christmas dinner — until you realize that they don’t even know she’s gay — is even harder. When Abby (Kristen Stewart) learns that Harper (Mackenzie Davis) has kept their relationship a secret from her family, she begins to question the girlfriend she thought she knew. Happiest Season is a holiday romantic comedy that hilariously captures the range of emotions tied to wanting your family’s acceptance, being true to yourself, and trying not to ruin Christmas.

Stardust

Drama, Biography, Music | Streaming: November 25 | IMDb

Starring: Marc Maron, Aaron Poole, Ryan Blakley, Johnny Flynn, Annie Briggs, Jena Malone, Roanna Cocharne, Jorja Cadence

Documents the life of David Bowie before he became one of the most iconic artists in the history of music.

Uncle Frank

Drama | Streaming: November 25 | IMDb

Starring: Paul Bettany, Judy Greer, Stephen Root, Steve Zahn, Margo Martindale, Alan Ball, Sophia Lillis, Peter Macdissi

In 1973, teenaged Beth Bledsoe (Sophia Lillis) leaves her rural Southern hometown to study at New York University where her beloved Uncle Frank (Paul Bettany) is a revered literature professor. She soon discovers that Frank is gay, and living with his longtime partner Walid “Wally” Nadeem (Peter Macdissi) — an arrangement that he has kept secret for years. After the sudden death of Frank’s father — Beth’s grandfather — Frank is forced to reluctantly return home for the funeral with Beth in tow, and to finally face a long-buried trauma that he has spent his entire adult life running away from.

The Christmas Chronicles 2

Adventure, Comedy, Family | Streaming: November 25 | IMDb

Starring: Tyrese Gibson, Michael Barnathan, Kurt Russell, Darby Camp, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, Judah Lewis, Julian Dennison

It’s been two years since siblings Kate (Darby Camp) and Teddy Pierce (Judah Lewis) saved Christmas, and a lot has changed. Kate, now a cynical teenager, is reluctantly spending Christmas in Cancun with her mom’s new boyfriend and his son Jack (Jahzir Bruno). Unwilling to accept this new version of her family, Kate decides to run away. But when a mysterious, magical troublemaker named Belsnickel threatens to destroy the North Pole and end Christmas for good, Kate and Jack are unexpectedly pulled into a new adventure with Santa Claus (Kurt Russell).

Superintelligence

Comedy | Streaming: November 26 | IMDb

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, James Corden, Ben Falcone, Brian Tyree Henry, Steve Mallory, Jean Smart

Nothing extraordinary ever happens to Carol Peters (McCarthy), so when sh