New movies to stream this week:
“Another Round”: It’s always uncanny when the movies anticipate their moments. Thomas Vinterberg’s “Another Round” arrives when many of us are enjoying more than the doctor-recommended 1.5 glasses of wine every day. Mads Mikkelsen stars as a high school teacher with a case of the blahs, midlife ennui shared by his three best friends. When one of them learns of a theory that a steady state of mild inebriation makes one more productive, relaxed and fulfilled, they proceed to test the hypothesis with gusto. The predictable excesses and self-destruction ensue, but Vinterberg, who directed Mikkelsen in “The Hunt” a few years ago, knows how to see past the fireworks of pathology and burrow into the meaning of behavior. We can stipulate that there’s nothing special about watching a bunch of guys getting drunk, but Vinterberg, Mikkelsen and their ensemble manage to make “Another Round” — Denmark’s official Oscar submission in the foreign-language category — more than just a stop at the human zoo. Not rated. Available at afisilver.afi.com and virtualavalon.org. Contains strong language, smoking, heavy drinking and mature thematic material. In Danish and Swedish, with English subtitles. 1 hour, 53 minutes.
“Beast Mode”: Billed as a throwback to 1980s horror, “Beast Mode” tells the story of a Hollywood producer (C. Thomas Howell) who, after he accidentally kills an actor, inadvertently unleashes a horde of shapeshifting beasts when he tries to resuscitate the dead man with an ancient elixir. Eye for Film calls watching the film a “miserable experience.” TV-MA. Available on various streaming platforms. 1 hour, 27 minutes.
“Billie”: The life and career of the talented, troubled singer Billie Holiday is the focus of a new documentary. According to Variety, the film “passes the test for any doomed-singer documentary: There’s a creditable emphasis on the gift, not just the grubbiness.” Not rated. Available on various streaming platforms. 1 hour, 36 minutes.
“Elyse”: The title character (Lisa Pepper) is a woman suffering from psychological trauma, under the treatment of a doctor (Anthony Hopkins). The performances, according to Movie Nation, are “seemingly molded from single-use plastic” in a “story that goes nowhere and does so at an excruciating pace.” Not rated. Available on various streaming platforms. 1 hour, 35 minutes.
“Gap Year”: From LeBron James’ production company, this documentary follows basketball player Darius Bazley from high school graduation to the NBA draft. Not rated. Available on various streaming platforms. 1 hour.