‘Chappaquiddick’ an expert thriller, character study of Ted Kennedy

“Chappaquiddick”: is primarily set in the aftermath of the accident which claimed the life of 28-year-old political staffer Mary Jo Kopechne (Kate Mara). Senator Ted Kennedy is portrayed by Jason Clarke. Less sensational than you might expect, the drama humanizes Mary Jo, making her death seem all the more tragic, while also shedding light on Kennedy without ever excusing his actions. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.

Also New to VOD and Streaming

Ismael’s Ghosts: The latest from French filmmaker Arnaud Desplechin is a real head-scratcher. It is something of a romantic triangle between an overworked director named Ismael (Mathieu Amalric), his girlfriend of two years (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and his wife (Marion Cottilard), who returns after disappearing two decades earlier. The central dilemma — will Ismael embrace the future or the past? — is quite compelling, but Desplechin stuffs his saga with slapstick interludes and scenes from a movie-within-a-movie. “Ismael’s Ghosts” feels like a film at war with itself. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.

Another Wolf Cop: The sequel to the surprise Canadian hit “Wolf Cop” is gory, sloppy and so goodnatured its guaranteed to make you chuckle. Once again, Leo Fafard stars as a beer-guzzling, small-town police officer who transforms into a ferocious lycan lawman when the moon is full. This time around, his enemies include deadly aliens who plan on infiltrating Woodhaven with help from a slithery entrepreneur (Yannick Bisson). Ahoooo. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.

The Cured: Set after a zombie apocalypse, this thriller pivots on flesh-eaters who’ve been cured and re-introduced back into society. But former zombie Senan (Sam Keeley) isn’t exactly welcomed back home by his friends

and neighbors. While there’s plenty of tension, thanks to the occasional zombie attack, what really distinguishes “The Cured” is the attention writer/director David Freyne pays not only to sociopolitical matters, but also to the guilt that Senan feels about his past deeds. At its best, the movie is a redemption saga which just happens to have a high body count. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu. Escape Plan 2 — Hades:

The original “Escape Plan” was a fun B-movie that made the most of the chemistry between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. The follow-up, which Arnold wisely avoided, finds Stallone breaking into a secret prison in hopes of extracting a kidnapped team member (Huang Xaoming.) Surprisingly, Stallone only plays a supporting role and the prison break occupies scant screen time. “Escape Plan 2” lurches from a decent premise into a no-man’s land of dimly-lit fight scenes and unconvincing techie gibberish. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.

Sunset: In this indie dramedy, a handful of folks (Austin Pendleton, Suzette Gunn, Liam Mitchell) are confronted with the very real probability of a nuclear strike to the East Coast. Director Jamison M. LoCascio and co-writer Adam Ambrosio center in on ordinary people as they find themselves forced to make extraordinary choices. According to FlickFest, the film ‘leaves you thinking.’ On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu. Nailed It! — Season 1:

Home bakers with a terrible track record take a crack at re-creating edible masterpieces for a $10,000 prize in a cooking show unlike any other. It’s part reality contest, part hot mess. On Netflix Frontline — Weinstein:

There will likely be many documentaries to come about serial sexual-abuser Harvey Weinstein, but this “Frontline” broadcast covers the basics. The most fascinating interviews date back to Weinstein’s days in Buffalo; when in the midst of producing his first movie, “The Burning,” he was already preying on the women working for him. “Weinstein” also chronicles the ways that the movie mogul used lawyers and private detectives in an attempt to discredit the women who made allegations against him. Fascinating. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.

For the Kids

OK K.O.! TKO: Join the heroes of Lakewood Plaza Turbo, including K.O. and his friends Enid and Rad, as they train by working at Gar’s Bodega, a hero supply store. When they’re not wiping the floor with Lord Boxmore’s evil robots, they’re literally wiping the floor. Over the course of 19 episodes, the friends prove their strength in the Plazalympic games, tackle intruders and make their gruff boss, Mr. Gar, proud of them. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.

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