USA TODAY International Edition
‘ Irresistible’ weekend TV choices
Theaters are still closed, but new streaming movies are coming to entertain you and your family during socially distanced times. h This weekend, Jon Stewart’s latest writing/ directing effort takes on political divisions; Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams team up for a Netflix musical comedy; “Guardians of the Galaxy” star Dave Bautista flexes his family- friendly muscles; and a couple of documentaries chronicle the USA Gymnastics scandal and the late front man of rock outfit Blind Melon.
If that’s not enough to get you online and watching movies, Universal’s musical- centric “The Shows Must Go On!” YouTube channel is streaming “The Sound of Music Live!” with Carrie Underwood starting at 2 p. m. EDT/ 11 a. m. PDT Friday.
Here’s a rundown of new movies hitting streaming this weekend, for every cinematic taste:
If you’re in need of a good political comedy: ‘ Irresistible’
Fans of Stewart’s razor- sharp wit will appreciate his new satire about partisanship and campaign finance reform – though this is much more entertaining than that sounds. Another “Daily Show” alum, Steve Carell, plays a Democratic strategist trying to get an earnest retired Marine colonel ( Chris Cooper) elected mayor of a rural Wisconsin town; humorous situations and clever evisceration of our politics ensue.
Where to watch: Apple TV,
Vudu, FandangoNOW
If you enjoy comedies with large muscular dudes: ‘ My Spy’
Wrestlers in family films are a whole thing ( John Cena in “Playing with Fire,” Dwayne Johnson in “The Tooth Fairy”) and usually not very good. The amusing and action- y “My Spy” actually is one of the de
cent ones, pairing Bautista as a loosecannon CIA operative and Chloe Coleman as a spunky little girl with a badguy uncle. She of course helps brings out our huge hero’s softer side and funky dance moves.
Where to watch: Amazon
If you want to get mad at USA Gymnastics all over again: ‘ Athlete A’
The Netflix documentary is an enthralling and honestly infuriating overview of the gymnastics scandal and toxic culture unearthed by an Indianapolis Star investigation ( part of the USA TODAY Network). Former and current athletes speak out about the abhorrent sexual abuses committed by disgraced doctor Larry Nassar, and the film traces Maggie Nichols’ journey from Olympic shoo- in to also- ran after telling the truth. It’s an intriguing, revealing chronicle that’s ultimately about innocence forever lost.
Where to watch: Netflix
If you’re wondering what Hurley from ‘ Lost’ is up to: ‘ Nobody Knows I’m Here’
Jorge Garcia has worked pretty regularly in TV and film since the twisty phenom went off the air, though he gets a rare spotlight role – and does a lot with it – in this slow- burn drama. Garcia plays a former child singer and now quiet recluse living on his uncle’s isolated sheep farm in Chile, and the mystery of his traumatic past begins to unravel after a helpful local woman ( Millaray Lobos) shows up on the farm and digs his voice.
Where to watch: Netflix
If you’re in the mood for an international coming- of- age tale: ‘ House of Hummingbird’
Set in 1994, the Korean drama – which packs some serious gut- punch moments – centers on 14- year- old Eunhee ( Park Ji- hu), an eighth- grade girl who’s abused at home, bullied by classmates and labeled a delinquent. Lonely and looking for real love, be it from a boy or a girl, Eunhee also is forced to deal with an urgent medical situation but begins to turn it around when she befriends her mercurial new calligraphy teacher ( Kim Sae- byuk).
Where to watch: Virtual cinemas
If you’re in a ’ 90s nostalgia phase: ‘ All I Can Say’
Blind Melon singer Shannon Hoon videotaped his life for five years up until the day he died of a drug overdose in 1995, and the footage fuels the lively and heartbreaking documentary seen through Hoon’s eyes and a fish- eye lens. The film captures his Midwestern roots, the band’s success, the making of the breakthrough “No Rain” music video as well as the all- naked Rolling Stone cover, the birth of his baby daughter and his struggles with sobriety.
Where to watch: Virtual cinemas
If you’ve been dying for a ‘ Sons of Anarchy’ reunion: ‘ Run With the Hunted’
“Anarchy” stars Ron Perlman and Mark Boone Junior are back together and on the wrong side of the law in this crime drama. Fifteen years after killing his best friend’s abusive father, Oscar ( Michael Carmen Pitt) is leading a pack of Lost Boys and working for an intimidating crime boss ( Perlman) when his old pal ( Sam Quartin) shows up to find him. It’s mostly a fine flick, though weirdly just suddenly ends once it starts getting good.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Vudu,
FandangoNOW
If you’ve watched everything else on this list: ‘ Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’
There’s a great movie to be had sending up the high camp and complete musical absurdity that is Eurovision, but this painfully unfunny, epically bad effort wastes the premise ( and a couple of not- terrible tunes) over two very long hours. Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams play Iceland’s accidental entry into the competition, a mismatched duo working out their feelings for each other amid a flurry of horrid accents, an unfortunate spin on a “Pitch Perfect” riff- off, head- scratching plot turns and a narrative flameout.
Where to watch: Netflix