This week is really big. We have a big sci-fi movie from the team behind “Game of Thrones” on Netflix (“3 Body Problem”); a remake of “Road House” with Jake Gyllenhaal on Prime Video; and the return of the ‘90s “X-Men” animated series on Disney+. In addition, there's a documentary on Stormy Daniels (“Stormy”), a portrayal of the Yorkshire Ripper case (“The Long Shadow”), and Regina King playing Shirley Chisholm (“Shirley”). Huge stuff, right?
Let's move on to the TV shows!
“3 Body Problem”
Thursday, March 21, Netflix
This is one of the biggest Netflix original series of the year. Created by the “Game of Thrones” team of David Benioff and D.B Weiss, along with Alexander Woo, and based on the international bestseller by Liu Cixin, “3 Body Problem” is an epic science fiction saga. Starring Eiza González as a physicist who starts seeing an unsettling vision of a countdown clock, it features mysterious deaths, virtual reality, a potential alien invasion, a “Big Chill”-style friend reunion and enough physics-based head-scratchers to make Oppenheimer confused. The series is skillfully handled and has a talented cast, including Benedict Wong, John Bradley, Alex Sharp, Rosalind Chao, Jonathan Pryce and Liam Cunningham.TRAILER]
“Halo”
Thursday, March 21, Paramount+
We are currently in the golden age of television series based on video games, with series like “Arcane” and “The Last of Us” (and upcoming projects like “Fallout” and “Knuckles”). Whether or not “Halo,” the long-awaited adaptation of Xbox’s flagship video game series, will be among these greats remains uncertain. However, the finale of the second season has arrived. The last season’s finale included a first-person sequence straight out of the video game series, which sparked mixed reviews. We wonder if this finale will have a similar impact. Only one way to find out. It's “Halo” time.TRAILER]
“Road House”
Thursday, March 21, Prime Video
Yes, they decided to remake “Road House,” the 1989 cult classic that starred Patrick Swayze and included a subplot about how he once ripped a guy’s throat out (which of course leads to a moment where he rips another guy’s throat out). And for some it is sacrilege that a remake is happening at all. But fear not – this new version stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a washed-up UFC fighter who takes a job at a bar in the Florida Keys, attempting to cool down the feisty clientele. But wouldn’t you know, there’s a bigger mystery at foot, involving a local gangster (Billy Magnussen), a corrupt cop (Joaquim de Almeida) and a genuine psychopath (Conor McGregor). It’s outrageously violent, profane and aggressive. It’s also one of the most entertaining movies of the year (and also one of the best, period). Directed by Doug Liman, who doesn’t get enough credit as an action stylist, “Road House” has an electric, unstoppable energy, and Gyllenhaal has never been better or more charismatic. It’s just a nonstop thrill. Order pizza. Invite the boys over. Have a blast with “Road House.” [TRAILER]
“Stormy”
Monday, March 18, Peacock
Yes, this is a long documentary about Stormy Daniels' life, whose relationship with Donald Trump was widely covered by the media. Directed and produced by Sarah Gibson, the documentary features Daniels sharing her personal story about events that have become part of American history. The film, which was executive produced by Judd Apatow and the team behind Imagine Documentaries, takes the audience behind the scenes as Stormy navigates being a mother, an artist, and an advocate, while still dealing with the dramatic event that occurred in her life five years earlier. The movie recently premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival where it received strong reactions, similar to its subject matter.TRAILER]
“The Dog House UK”
Max
The most adorable series available for streaming is back for a fifth season! If you’ve never seen “The Dog House,” it is set at Woodgreen, an amazing dog shelter and rehabilitation facility in the British countryside, featuring the stories of several dogs looking for permanent homes, and the humans looking for a four-legged companion. Both humans and animals usually have sad backstories, with a follow-up at the end of the show to see if they’ve kept their new friend. Prepare some tissues. You will be crying, but mostly in a positive way.WATCH]
“Palm Royale”
Wednesday, March 20, Apple TV+
Apple TV+’s newest prestigious drama is set in high society Palm Beach in 1969 and stars Kristen Wiig (who also executive produces) and Oscar winner Laura Dern. Loosely adapted from the novel “Mr. & Mrs. American Pie” by Juliet McDaniel, the series also features Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Leslie Bibb, Amber Chardae Robinson, Mindy Cohn, Julia Duffy and Kaia Gerber, with guest appearances by Bruce Dern and Carol Burnett. This is just the kind of lush period drama that will undoubtedly make you swoon. Also exciting: the first three episodes premiere Wednesday, with subsequent episodes streaming weekly. Binge watch to your heart's content.TRAILER]
“X-Men ‘97”
Wednesday, March 20, Disney+
There was a mini-boom of high-quality, superhero-themed animated films in the early 1990s, largely inspired by the success of “Batman: The Animated Series.” In a world that was a few years away from the modern live-action superhero boom, these shows were extremely influential. And few were as significant as “X-Men” (also known as “X-Men: The Animated Series”) which debuted in 1992 and ran for 75 episodes. “X-Men ‘97” is intended as a direct continuation of the earlier series, with an animation style that has been updated to be more fluid and influenced by anime aesthetics (this time by Korean vendor Studio Mir, known for their exceptional TV animation). The unforgettable theme music is already playing in our heads…TRAILER]
"Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told"
Thursday, March 21, Hulu
According to the press release, this documentary celebrates the lively times of Freaknik, the famous Atlanta street festival that attracted hundreds of thousands of people in the 80s and 90s, helping bring cultural attention to Atlanta. It started as a cookout for Black college students, but then became known for wild stories of encounters on the highways and epic late-night parties, leading to the decline of the festival. We're excited to watch it.TRAILER]
"The Long Shadow"
Thursday, March 21, AMC+
This seven-part true-crime thriller was first shown on England’s ITV1 last autumn and is now available in America. "The Long Shadow" tells the story of the Yorkshire Ripper, a serial killer who terrorized Yorkshire and Manchester from 1975 to 1980. The suspect was later found guilty of killing thirteen women and trying to kill seven others. The series features Toby Jones, David Morrissey, Daniel Mays, and Lee Ingleby. It's not for the easily frightened.TRAILER]
“Shirley”
Friday, March 21, Netflix
Regina King takes on the role of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black congresswoman, in this biographical film that showcases her campaign for the U.S. presidency in 1972. The Netflix original was written and directed by John Ridley, who won an Oscar for his screenplay for “12 Years a Slave.” The movie also boasts an impressive cast, including Lane Reddick, Lucas Hedges, Terrence Howard, and André Holland. After a brief run in theaters, it is now available on Netflix. It seems to be the kind of inspiring true story we need right now.TRAILER]
