COUCH THEATER
“The Super Mario Bros.
Movie” (PG) -- If you’re looking for the perfect movie to watch with friends or family this weekend, look no further than the origin story of this beloved duo of brothers! Chris Pratt and Charlie Day voice plumbers Mario and Luigi, respectively, as they accidentally warp to an alternate world. While Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom ruled by Princess Peach, Luigi ends up in the Dark Lands that are ruled by Bowser, so it’s up to Mario and Peach, with the help of a few other friends, to save Luigi before Bowser destroys the Mushroom Kingdom. This movie is a treasure for generations of people who grew up loving Nintendo’s video games. After bringing home a whopping $1.349 billion from the box office, “Super Mario Bros.” finds a home on Peacock on Aug. 3. (Peacock)
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (PG-13) -- Following a successful theatrical release in May that catapulted this film to the No. 2 spot (the No. 1 spot getting nabbed by the film above) on the highest-grossing films of 2023, the final installment of the “Guardians” franchise hits streaming on Aug. 2. All our favorite tried-and-true Guardians, including the pre-Peter-Quill version of Gamora, are back for another mission -- this time to heal Rocket after he is critically wounded in battle with a Sovereign warrior. “Vol. 3” gives viewers glimpses into Rocket’s back story, as it bounces back and forth from flashbacks of his past to the present time; this character-building that gives Rocket his wellearned moment, paired with the action scenes that Marvel Studios is unrivaled at, tie a beautiful bow on the trilogy. (Disney+) “Happiness for Beginners” (TV-14) -- Ellie Kemper (“The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) stars as divorcee Helen, who feels bogged down by the weight of her breakup. To get out of this slump, she decides to book an adult camping trip on the Appalachian Trail, where she coincidentally reconnects with Jake, a friend of her brother’s. Helen and Jake, along with a team of people from all walks of life, start their 51-mile hike with the intent of finding adventure, but end up discovering so much more: new ways to approach life, keys to ensuring their own happiness, a community to belong in, and even love. Luke Grimes and Nico Santos co-star in this feel-good romantic comedy based on Katherine Center’s novel, out now. (Netflix)
(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.