Women’s stories rule weekend viewing
New streaming movies are coming to entertain you and your family during socially distanced times.
This weekend, Netflix unleashes an Oscar-ready Vanessa Kirby in a heartbreaking family drama, Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy star in a tense psychosexual thriller, an abused Irish mom does what she can to put a roof over her daughters’ heads in an Amazon Prime import, Meagan Good stars in and codirects a movie about a group of Black female friends who come together to help one of their own, and a romantic comedy goes down South for a love story and some songs by former “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks.
Here’s a rundown of new movies hitting streaming and on-demand platforms this week, for every cinematic taste:
If you’re on board the ‘Vanessa Kirby for best actress’ campaign: ‘Pieces of a Woman’
In director Kornél Mundruczó’s drama, Kirby and Shia LaBeouf star as a Boston couple whose home birth ends tragically, and the aftermath follows their different paths dealing with grief, he growing more vulnerable and she isolating herself to move on. Kirby is absolutely fantastic in an extremely raw portrayal of a woman weathering loss, Ellen Burstyn is a standout as a meddling mom to Kirby’s quietly furious main character, and the film’s opening 24-minute birthing sequence will leave you breathless.
Where to watch: Netflix
If you love ‘Fatal Attraction’ and its maybe-don’t-cheat ilk: ‘Fatale’
Director Deon Taylor’s twisty psychosexual thriller leans a little too complicated and formulaic but it also has a deliciously watchable side. Michael Ealy plays married sports agent Derrick who, on a trip to Vegas, hooks up with Val (Hilary Swank). Infidelity bites him in the posterior, though: She turns up at his, ahem, swank LA house after a robbery attempt as the decorated cop leading the investigation, and the situation gets more bloody, deadly and cuckoo crazy pants from there.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Vudu, FandangoNOW
If you need a feel-good Irish pick-me-up: ‘Herself’
Phyllida Lloyd (“Mamma Mia!”) directs the uplifting family drama about a single mother (co-writer Clara Dunne) who finally escapes her physically abusive partner (Ian Lloyd Anderson) but needs to find a stable home for her two daughters (Ruby Rose O’Hara and Molly McCann). She decides to build her own house, getting help from the kindness of friends and strangers while also navigating a flurry of legal troubles.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
If you could use a tale of friendship: ‘If Not Now, When?’
Meagan Good co-directs the affecting drama with writer Tamara Bass and also stars as a mom forced to go to rehab. While she (at first reluctantly) goes in to get cleaned up, her childhood friends (Bass, Mekia Cox and Meagan Holder) reconnect to take care of their pal’s teenage daughter (Lexi Underwood), deal with a number of long-simmering issues between them, and lean on each other with their own personal problems.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Vudu, FandangoNOW
If you’re still down with the Soul Patrol: ‘Stars Fell on Alabama’
New music from harmonica-rockin’ Hicks (who has a cameo) peppers this country-fried romantic comedy with Hallmark-level cheese. A Hollywood agent (James Maslow) asks his on-therise actress client (Ciara Hanna) to pretend to be his girlfriend at an Alabama high school reunion, and there are predictable sparks alongside a rental monster truck, flag-football shenanigans and over-the-top line dancing.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Vudu, FandangoNOW