Jump into the ring for a May movie match
Sure, a trip to the Cineplex to see some smart apes or Ryan Gosling would be great. But if you’d rather hang out at home, there are plenty of options too. ⬤ Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video, Peacock, Max, Apple TV+, Paramount+ and others boast all sorts of streaming films for fans with various tastes, from comedy and horror to an Anne Hathaway double feature. There are recent theatrical releases such as Zac Efron’s buzzy pro wrestling drama, a restored 1970 Beatles movie available for the first time in decades, plus a slew of original flicks such as Jerry Seinfeld’s Pop-Tarts movie, a new film adaptation of a John Green book and a return to the film world for Brooke Shields, in a Netflix flick perfect for moms of all stripes. ⬤ Here are 10 notable new movies you can stream right now:
‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’
Yarn sculptor Aren (Justice Smith) is recruited by mentor Roger (David Alan Grier) into a secret organization of Black agents whose mission is to keep white people comfortable, and Aren’s first assignment turns messy when love gets in the way of the job. It’s a satirical take on the “magical negro” trope that makes some points about race and culture before losing its way (and any sort
of bite) when the film turns into a predictable rom-com.
⬤ Where to watch: Peacock.
‘The Book of Clarence’
An entertaining blast rather than being blasphemous, the biblical epic stars LaKeith Stanfield as the title character, a weed dealer in Jerusalem circa A.D. 33 who sees the respect Jesus gets and touts himself as “the new messiah.”
Directed by Jeymes Samuel (“The Harder They Fall”), it’s a bold, thought-provoking retelling of the resurrection story through the lens of Black culture that anyone can relate to, believer or not.
⬤Where to watch: Netflix. ‘Eileen’
Like “Carol” painted with some noir-ish shades, the 1960s-set thriller casts Thomasin McKenzie as the title character, a mousy secretary at a Boston boys prison who lives at home with an abusive dad (Shea Whigham) drinking himself to death. Eileen gets a pick-me-up at work with the arrival of sophisticated psychologist Rebecca (Anne Hathaway), who pulls the fragile younger woman into unfortunate circumstances.
⬤ Where to watch: Hulu. ‘The Idea of You’
There’s a bit of a “Notting Hill” vibe to this rom-com starring Hathaway as 40-year-old divorced mom Solène, who reluctantly takes her teen daughter to Coachella and inadvertently meets – and sparks a spicy romance with – Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine), lead singer of a popular boy band. It’s a lot more serious and emotionally wrought than you might expect, but Hathaway nails her character’s layered nuance as Solène’s relationship goes viral.
⬤Where to watch: Prime Video. ‘The Iron Claw’
A very ripped (and amazing) Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson play members of the Von Erich pro wrestling dynasty in this gripping 1980s-set biopic. Raised by their ex-wrestler father (Holt McCallany), the Von Erichs find success in the ring while navigating a series of tragic losses outside it in director Sean Durkin’s touching story of Americana mixed with sibling rivalry, parental pressure and brutal despair.
⬤ Where to watch: Max.
‘Let It Be’
For Beatles fans or music lovers, in general, who have just never seen it, Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s restored 1970 documentary is a fascinating, candid look at the Fab Four recording the “Let It Be” album, bickering, goofing off and also creating timeless gems. Not as exhaustive or drama-filled as Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” docuseries – which pulled from Lindsay-Hogg’s wealth of footage – it’s still a groovy watch of musical geniuses at work.
⬤ Where to watch: Disney+. ‘Mother of the Bride’
It’s nice to see Brooke Shields still relevant and as a lead in a rom-com no less. (“Suddenly Susan” hive, rise up!) But this cheeseball affair is only for Shields completists: The actress plays a famous geneticist whose daughter (Miranda Cosgrove) drops the bomb that she’s suddenly getting married, and then the protective mom finds out at the destination wedding in Thailand that the father of the groom is her college ex (Benjamin Bratt).
⬤ Where to watch: Netflix. ‘Prom Dates’
What could easily be just another R-rated “one crazy night” teen comedy gets a boost from its lively main characters. Jess (Antonia Gentry) and Hannah (Julia Lester) made a pact to have the perfect senior prom at 13, but on the eve of the big night, Jess dumps her cheating beau and Hannah comes out as a lesbian. When they have to scramble to find the perfect dates, assorted shenanigans and, of course, personal growth ensue.
⬤ Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+. ‘Turtles All the Way Down’
Adaptations of John Green’s young adult novels (including “The Fault in Our Stars”) have been a mixed bag, but this one’s the best if just for its effectiveness in capturing mental health struggles. Aza (Isabela Merced) dreams of going to college, has ride-or-die pal Daisy (Cree) in her corner and reconnects with camp friend Davis (Felix Mallard), though her crippling obsessive-compulsive disorder – and fear of germs and infection – is a constant threat to foil each one.
⬤ Where to watch: Max. ‘Unfrosted’
Jerry Seinfeld’s delightfully ridiculous directorial debut explores the origins of Pop-Tarts with an extremely silly not-so-true story and tons of gags and cameos. The comedian and Melissa McCarthy play Kellogg’s employees tasked in 1963 with creating a toaster pastry before their competitors, a processed food spin on the space race that also involves a milk mafia, disgruntled breakfast cereal mascots and a heap of nostalgia.
⬤ Where to watch: Netflix.