What’s new in streaming and cinema this week: ‘Bottoms’ to ‘Ahsoka’
It’s the weekend and that means one thing: time to relax and watch something (or many things) on the screen of your choice. From a lesbian fight club to a Star Wars spinoff – two genres we never thought would fit into one sentence – here’s everything new to stream and in theaters this week.
Will going to the cinema during the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike exceed the picket lines?
Ahsoka
Photo credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.
We’ve been blessed with a lot war of stars Spin-offs in recent years, from The MandalorianThere are many mishaps Andoris the slowly built spectacle. The latest addition to the Star Wars series is here Ahsokaan eight-part series about the eponymous Jedi as she fights to save the galaxy from a new threat. Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) plots a horrific takeover that would wreak untold damage on the galaxy. Swooping in, Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), Anakin Skywalker’s former student and immensely powerful Jedi Knight, saves the day. If you grew up watching Star Wars rebels or The clone warsthen you are already familiar with it how badass Ahsoka can be.
Who is Ahsoka Tano? Meet the Star Wars fan favourite.
What we thought: “The show feels more like it rebels Season 5 as it is Ahsoka Season 1, and this award does her beloved protagonist a disservice instead of doing her justice.” — Belen Edwards, entertainment reporter
How to watch: Ahsoka is now streaming on Disney+.
bottoms
Photo credit: ORION Pictures Inc.
In the wise words of the chroniclers on the internet: Movies are soooooooo back. After releasing a masterful feature film debut with Shiva babyEmma Seligman returns bottoms, a hilarious high school comedy with a plot so over the top you can’t even believe it’s real. Seligman’s second film stars Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott as gay high school seniors who are too far down the social ladder to deserve a second look from the babes they desire. She start a women’s fight club under the guise of teaching girls self-defense, but in reality it’s all a ploy to hook up with some hot cheerleaders before graduation. What chaos will ensue? How many spanks are taken before the girls start having sex? Why don’t you already buy tickets to see this?
What we thought: “You might think you know what to expect bottoms, but I can assure you that you are wrong. And that’s pretty awesome.” — Kristy Puchko, film editor
How to watch: bottoms is playing in select theaters now.
Gran Turismo
Credit: Gordon Timpen/Sony
How did a gamer become a professional racer? Ask Jann Mardenborough. Gran Turismo is a biographical sports drama based on the true-life success story of Mardenborough. The film stars Archie Madekwe as Mardenborough and follows his development from a teenager with exceptional abilities into racing simulation games to a professional racer who puts all his gaming knowledge to the test. Next to Madekwe, Gran Turismo Also starring are David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, Emelia Hartford, Djimon Hounsou and Geri Horner (née Halliwell).
What we thought: “The film’s dramatic potential – largely thanks to its performances – is eventually snuffed out by cinematic instincts that can best be described as anti-cinematic. Racing has rarely looked so boring.” — Siddhant Adlakha, Freelancer
How to watch: Gran Turismo is playing in the cinema now.
past lives
Photo credit: A24
That’s unbelievable past lives is Celine Song’s directorial debut. Navigating the “what if” and “what could have been” questions, this breathtaking snippet of life lovingly explores the emotional burden of our decisions about who we want to be with – and by whom we let go, what’s left. Such is the case with the film’s protagonist, Nora (Greta Lee), a Korean-American immigrant living in NYC who reconnects with an old crush, Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), via social media and Zoom. When Hae Sung comes to visit, Nora’s otherwise happy life with husband Arthur (John Magaro) is thrown into question. It’s romantic drama, yes, but it doesn’t shy away from venturing into the awkwardness of the situation — or the humor.
What we thought: “In an electrifyingly vibrant debut film, writer/director Celine Song delivers the kind of film you don’t just settle into, but want to watch again. And yes, it’s probably one of them.” the very best movies of 2023.” — CP
How to watch: past lives is now available to buy and watch on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.
The little mermaid (sing along)
Photo credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
If you’ve seen Disney’s live action The little mermaid in theatres and burst at the seams when trying not Don’t worry if you sing along to Halle Bailey’s rendition of “Part of Your World”! Disney re-releases it The little mermaid is coming to theaters as a sing-along version, so viewers of all ages can join in and listen with heart and soul to the film’s soundtrack. come because of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” Stay for Under the Sea and do your best to get through The Scuttlebutt.
What we thought: “It’s like that in a movie determined It’s about chasing dreams and finding your own voice. It’s impossible not to be disappointed with how disappointing so much of this is. As The little mermaid crawls by at a snail’s pace, the wondrous moments complicated by missed opportunities for spectacle, emotion and uncompromising bombast. Overall that Little Mermaid has some grandeur, but – like its eponymous heroine – I want moooooooooore!“— CP
How to watch: The little mermaid (Sing-Along) is now in theaters for a limited time only.