USA TODAY International Edition
Stream ‘ You People,’ skip ‘ Shotgun’
Good news for homebodies: You don’t have to schlep out to the movie theater to see Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Lopez‘ s latest flicks. ● This weekend, Murphy plays a Muslim father who gives the business to the Jewish man ( Jonah Hill) who wants to marry his daughter in a Netflix culture- clash comedy directed by “Black- ish” creator Kenya Barris. And Lopez stars opposite Josh Duhamel as a couple whose island wedding is crashed by pirates in an action- filled romantic comedy on Amazon Prime Video. ● Here’s a guide to new movies that will satisfy every cinematic taste, plus some noteworthy theatrical films making their streaming and on- demand debuts:
If you want to see a great ‘ SNL’ reunion: ‘ You People’
In a hilariously heartfelt twist on “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” Ezra ( Hill) and Amira ( Lauren London) are looking to take the next step in their relationship. That means meeting the parents, including Amira’s stern Muslim dad ( Murphy) and mom ( Nia Long) and Ezra’s Jewish parents ( Julia Louis- Dreyfus and David Duchovny). Playing more of a straight man than usual, Murphy strikes a fun buddy- comedy vibe with Hill and playfully locks horns with fellow “SNL” alum Louis- Dreyfus.
Where to watch: Netflix
If you’re a J. Lo rom- com completist: ‘ Shotgun Wedding’
It’s no “Marry Me,” but this at least has more firearms, torched faces, explosions and bloody fatalities than the usual Lopez fare. She and Duhamel play a couple about to get married – and dealing with some last- minute relationship issues – when a group of pirates crashes their destination wedding seeking millions from the bride- to- be’s dad ( Cheech Marin). Lopez veers way too broad with her character, and Duhamel does his goofy part but the film isn’t campy or clever enough for a good time.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
If you’re a die- hard for TV werewolves: ‘ Teen Wolf: The Movie’
There’s a plethora of fan service and supernatural soap operas with the continuation of the MTV series, which is set 15 years after we last saw the characters. its conclusion ( it really ended in 2017). Alpha werewolf Scott McCall ( Tyler Posey) now runs an LA animal shelter but is called back to Beacon Hills for the return of an enemy demon and the resurrection of his dead ex ( and werewolf hunter) Allison ( Crystal Reed). The film overdoes it with old friends and callbacks, but it’s not a half- bad watch for “Wolf” newbies who are down with banshees, hellhounds and ghost ninjas.
Where to watch: Paramount+
If you’re in the mood for something supremely messed- up: ‘ Infinity Pool’
Exquisitely unsettling in last year’s “X” and “Pearl,” Mia Goth manages to be even scarier in Brandon Cronenberg’s twisted sci- fi horror flick. A novelist ( Alexander Skarsgård) at an all- inclusive getaway meets a fan ( Goth), runs over a local man and is sentenced to death. But this fictional country has some bizarre laws, so his clone is executed instead, and the writer joins a debaucherous crew in a violent gore- fest that doesn’t skimp on bodily fluids.
Where to watch: In theaters
If you yearn to see a bunch of aging A- listers: ‘ Maybe I Do’
A young couple ( Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey) wondering if they should even get married plan a get- together with their parents – and that’s when the old folks realize her dad ( Richard Gere) has been sleeping with his mom ( Susan Sarandon) and his dad ( William H. Macy) has been out on the town with her mom ( Diane Keaton). Somehow, this obvious reveal takes forever in this unnecessarily convoluted rom- com.
Where to watch:
In theaters
If you’re still all about social distancing: ‘ Fear’
A group of friends ( played by Joseph Sikora, Ruby Modine and Tip “T. I.” Harris) gather at a remote hotel for a holiday, which takes an unfortunate turn when the place’s dark history is revealed and everyone is forced to face their personal frights ( blood, claustrophobia, etc.). Despite some eerie imagery, “Fear” is frustratingly caught in a nebulous place between a mediocre haunted- house flick and pandemic- era creeper ( with a nice bit of COVID- 19 freakiness).
Where to watch: In theaters
If you feel like watching someone use the Internet for good: ‘ Missing’
A follow- up to “Searching,” the satisfyingly twisty “screen life” thriller – told through computer applications, texts, email and video chats – centers on teen June ( Storm Reid), whose mom ( Nia Long) disappears with her new boyfriend ( Ken Leung) while on vacation in Colombia. With real- world help and online rabbit holes, June uncovers a bevy of red flags and secrets before a white- knuckle conclusion.
Where to watch: In theaters
If you like to see women uplifting women: ‘ Alice, Darling’
Anna Kendrick stars as the title character who goes on a lakeside getaway with her best friends ( Wunmi Mosaku and Kaniehtiio Horn). But it’s more needed than anyone knows in this insightful potboiler: Psychologically abused by her boyfriend ( Charlie Carrick), Alice doesn’t realize the full extent of her trauma until she’s around her confidantes, who are ready and willing for anything when the dude suddenly shows up at their doorstep.
Where to watch:
In theaters
If you love spot- on movie titles: ‘ Women Talking’
Based on the Miriam Toews novel, writer/ director Sarah Polley’s intimate drama centers on a group of women in a religious colony who, after a series of rapes, have to decide whether to stay or go. The storytelling momentum wanes at times but the acting is phenomenal, with Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy and Rooney Mara among those playing characters determining their fate in a life- altering barn debate.
Where to watch: In theaters
Also on streaming
Musical drama “Tár,” starring Cate Blanchett as a famous orchestra conductor, arrives on Peacock Friday.