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CNET
05-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Streaming on Max: The 28 Absolute Best Movies to Watch
Wondering what you should watch next on the Max streaming service? Max (which will soon be called HBO Max again) streams a variety of titles, including Warner Bros. movies like Dune and HBO originals such as Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off. Below, you'll find a batch of can't-miss films, plus a look at new releases for this month. If you're still trying to figure out if Max is right for you, skim our review of the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming service. New releases for June Note: These descriptions are taken from Max press releases and official websites for the films. They've been lightly edited for style. June 6 Parthenope (2024): Drama. Parthenope, born in the sea of Naples in 1950, searches for happiness over the long summers of her youth, falling in love with her home city and its many memorable characters. June 13 Cleaner (2025): Action thriller. Set in present-day London, a group of radical activists take over an energy company's annual gala, seizing 300 hostages in order to expose the corruption of the hosts. June 27 The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024): Animated comedy. Porky Pig and Daffy Duck venture to the big screen as unlikely heroes when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind control plot. TBD June A Minecraft Movie (2025): Adventure. Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. Read more: Best TV Shows to Watch on Max The best movies to watch The films below consist of notable new releases and blockbusters, HBO and Max originals and Warner Bros. films made exclusively for Max. Drama A24 Sing Sing (2024) Sing Sing is a subtle and impactful prison drama starring Colman Domingo -- who earned a 2025 best actor Oscar nomination for his role -- and formerly incarcerated actors. Domingo plays Divine G, who acts in a theater group while imprisoned at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. The film will surprise and uplift you. Warner Bros. Juror #2 (2024) Nicholas Hoult, J.K. Simmons and Toni Collette are in the cast of this absorbing, haunting Clint Eastwood courtroom drama. Hoult stars as Justin Kemp, who faces a moral dilemma after getting called for jury duty. He must decide whether to disclose information that would change the outcome of the high-profile trial and impact his own life. A well-acted, well-paced flick that will get you thinking. Max Turtles All the Way Down (2024) Don't usually dabble in the young adult genre? You shouldn't let that keep you from taking in Turtles All the Way Down, based on a 2017 novel of the same name by John Green. The film stars Isabela Merced (The Last of Us, Alien: Romulus) as a teen who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. With elements of romance and a captivating performance from Merced, this straight-to-streaming movie deserves more attention. A24 Priscilla (2023) Sofia Coppola's Priscilla, about the relationship between Priscilla and Elvis Presley, is streaming on Max along with other recent films from entertainment company A24. Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi star in the stylish flick, which tells things from Priscilla's point of view. If you like new A24 flicks, Max's stash also includes The Iron Claw, The Zone of Interest, Dream Scenario, Love Lies Bleeding and Civil War. WarnerMedia The Fallout (2022) After a shooting occurs at her high school, 16-year-old Vada Cavell must navigate friendships, school and her relationship with her family. The Fallout skillfully approaches serious subject matter with realistic dialogue and compassion for its characters. With strong performances from stars Jenna Ortega as Vada and Maddie Ziegler as her new friend Mia Reed, the feature will keep you glued to the screen for the entirety of its 90-minute runtime. Warner Bros. Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024) Remember 2021, when Warner Bros. movies hit HBO Max on the same day they premiered in theaters? That exciting period may be over, but at least we'll always have the memory of watching Denis Villeneuve's spectacular sci-fi epic at home and still being part of the conversation. Both parts of Dune are now streaming on Max. Criterion Drive My Car (2021) What can we say about the acclaimed Japanese drama Drive My Car? Well, it snagged an Oscar for Best International Feature Film at the 2022 Academy Awards. It's also a three-hour movie that people are sitting and watching all the way through, which, to me, speaks volumes. Seriously, Drive My Car is a powerful film that explores loss and letting go. If you missed it, stream it now. Chiabella James/Warner Bros. Pictures King Richard (2021) King Richard is a feel-good biopic about the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. The film winds back the clock to before the sisters became household names, giving us a glimpse of their upbringing in Compton and time spent practicing on rundown courts with their father, Richard Williams (Will Smith). Convinced his daughters are going to be successful, Richard works tirelessly to get their star potential noticed by professional coaches. A complicated man with a tremendous personality, Richard is fascinating to get to know, and his unwavering belief in Venus and Serena is inspiring. Imaginal Disc Son of Monarchs (2020) A rare (nowadays) 90-minute film, American Mexican drama Son of Monarchs will stay with you long after the credits roll. This deep character study follows two brothers who are changed in markedly different ways by the trauma they suffered in childhood. This story, folding in magical realism, follows how they move forward in life -- the butterfly metaphors are strong, with biologist Mendel returning to his hometown surrounded by majestic monarch butterfly forests. HBO Bad Education (2019) Based on a magazine article by journalist Robert Kolker, this tale about a public school embezzlement scandal and the student journalists who broke the news is captivating from start to finish. Allison Janney and Hugh Jackman are great in their roles as the school officials who took part in the scheme. The drama also won the 2020 Emmy award for Outstanding Television Movie. Action and adventure Warner Bros. Pictures Mickey 17 (2025) Mickey 17 comes from acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, Parasite) and stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes. Barnes escapes Earth for another planet by applying to be an "expendable." The role subjects him to deadly missions and experiments, with his body reprinted each time he doesn't make it. Black humor, heart, eccentricity and great performances are all on display. Even if the film doesn't surpass any of Bong's earlier works, it deservedly makes it on this list. Janus Films Flow (2024) Winner of Best Animated Feature at the 2025 Oscars, this wordless Latvian film follows a black cat after a great flood devastates his home. The brave feline bands together with a capybara, a lemur, a bird and a dog in a stunning and thought-provoking film that will appeal to adults and kids alike. Studio Ghibli The Boy and the Heron (2023) Who can pass up a Studio Ghibli film? Hayao Miyazaki came out of retirement to make The Boy and the Heron, which won the award for best animated feature at the 2024 Oscars. The starry English voice cast includes Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh and more. Warner Bros. Pictures Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) This thrilling prequel to the 2015 movie Mad Max: Fury Road stars Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit, The Menu) as a younger version of Charlize Theron's Imperator Furiosa. Life takes a turn for the protagonist when she finds herself in the Wasteland rather than the Green Place of Many Mothers. The resourceful heroine fights for survival, facing off with villains such as the warlord Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth. Visually striking and intense, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is chock-full of postapocalyptic action, and you won't want to miss a minute. Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Barbie (2023) Unless you've been living in Barbie Land (or another place that isn't the real world), chances are you're very familiar with this pink-coated comedy already. The flick -- Warner Bros.' highest-grossing global release of all time -- brings a long list of stars together for a hilarious and heartfelt adventure. Greta Gerwig directs, Margot Robbie plays the titular role and Ryan Gosling belts out an incredible power ballad as Ken. Superhero Warner Bros. The Suicide Squad (2021) Over-the-top violence abounds in this DC film about supervillains who agree to help the US government in exchange for some time off their prison sentences. Their mission is to destroy something alluded to as Project Starfish, harbored in the fictional island country of Corto Maltese. With a notable cast that includes Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena, 2021's The Suicide Squad is a wickedly entertaining, darkly funny bloodbath that differs from what you usually see in superhero movies. (Peacemaker, a spinoff TV series, is also available on Max.) Warner Bros. The Batman (2022) Robert Pattinson steps out as Batman in this moody superhero flick directed by Matt Reeves. The movie takes place in a perpetually gray and rain-soaked Gotham City, where Bruce Wayne starts to seek out a murderer with an affinity for riddles. Along the way, he meets Catwoman, played by a swaggering Zoë Kravitz. Catch up on the dark and satisfying mystery before you watch the Max spinoff series, The Penguin. Comedy Emily Knecht/Max Am I OK? (2022) This comedy-drama follows Dakota Johnson's character, 32-year-old Lucy, who tells her longtime best friend Jane that she likes women. But there's more for Lucy to navigate as that friend, played by House of the Dragon's Sonoya Mizuno, is moving far away to London. If you enjoy stories about late blooming and female friendships, it's no question -- you should check out the funny, touching Am I OK? Warner Bros. Father of the Bride (2022) Max's Father of the Bride introduces a Cuban American family that includes patriarch Billy, a traditional guy who struggles to digest surprising news from his eldest daughter: She's met a guy, and she wants to marry and move away with him. The third film adaptation of a 1949 novel of the same name by Edward Streeter, the movie is an enjoyable iteration that includes stars like Andy Garcia and singer Gloria Estefan. Max Let Them All Talk (2020) Meryl Streep playing an eccentric author in a Steven Soderbergh comedy. What more do you need to know? If you do want to know more: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Alice Hughes (Streep) is struggling to finish her next book, chased by her literary agent (Gemma Chan). She boards a cruise ship with old friends, who inspired her best-known work. Tensions are strong. It looks great -- Soderbergh uses crisp, natural light -- and most of the dialogue is improvised. See how Dianne Wiest, Candice Bergen, Lucas Hedges and the rest of the impeccable cast have fun with that. Thriller Warner Bros. Kimi (2022) Steven Soderbergh directs this engaging tech thriller set during the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela, a Seattle tech worker played by a neon blue-haired Zoë Kravitz, has agoraphobia, a fear that prevents her from making it past the front door of her apartment. But when she uncovers an unsettling recording while doing her job, she's pushed to make the leap. Kimi is a stylish thriller complete with eye-catching cinematography, a solid score and a protagonist you'll be rooting for. Max No Sudden Move (2021) A movie from Steven Soderbergh, the great director behind Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven and, more recently, Logan Lucky? Twists, thrills and desperate characters populate this crime thriller set in 1950s Detroit. When a seemingly simple job gets out of hand, a group of criminals must work together to uncover what's really going on. Take in the incredible cast: Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm and Amy Seimetz. While the plot can be a little convoluted and some won't be able to get past the fish-eye lens cinematography, Soderbergh's sense of humor and immersive direction make this crime caper an entertaining night in. Documentary HBO All That Breathes (2022) This captivating documentary is filled with images that will stick with you. It centers on two brothers in New Delhi who run a bird hospital dedicated to black kites -- birds of prey that are a staple of the sky. It was a contender for best documentary feature at the 2023 Oscars. Max Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off (2022) Tune into this HBO doc for the gravity-defying skateboard stunts, a time capsule of the '80s skateboarding scene, and a version of Hawk you've probably never seen. We get to know the renowned athlete as a lanky, stubborn but determined kid who adopted his own skateboarding style. Hawk's persistence is something to marvel at, along with all the stunning skateboard moves this film packs in. Hang on for a memorable ride. CNN/Focus Features Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021) This film about beloved author, chef and globe-traveling TV host Anthony Bourdain comes from documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville, who also directed 2018's Won't You Be My Neighbor? and the Oscar-winning film Twenty Feet from Stardom. In interviews with people who knew Bourdain, like his friends, former partners and longtime colleagues, the doc tracks his career path, relationships and personal struggles. Bourdain fans and those less acquainted with the star will likely appreciate this two-hour look at his life. Musical Warner Bros. Pictures Wonka (2023) Dune's Timothée Chalamet stars in this prequel to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it's a total treat. With new and familiar tunes, a committed cast and oodles and oodles of whimsy, the film allows audiences to get to know a young Willy Wonka with giraffe-sized ambition and undeniable chocolate-making skill. It's a quirky, comforting flick from Paddington director Paul King that you'll absolutely want on your plate. Warner Bros. Pictures The Color Purple (2023) This movie musical version of The Color Purple is adapted from Alice Walker's 1982 novel and the Broadway play. Set in the early 1900s, the film tells the story of Celie, a Black woman living in the South who faces multiple hardships but is able to find strength in the bonds in her life. The cast includes Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey and Danielle Brooks, who received a 2023 Oscar nomination for her role as Celie's daughter-in-law, Sofia.
Time Out
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
End of an era as Cavendish cinemas close
It was, perhaps, inevitable that this day would come. But the news this week that Ster-Kinekor will close its cinemas in the Claremont shopping centre, Cavendish Square, marks the end of an era. From high school dates to family outings, the cineplex at Cavendish Square has long been part of the fabric of the city's southern suburbs. Once famous for its plush seats, a choice of Cinema Nouveau downstairs and more commercially-minded 'flicks' up top, and the luxurious seating of the Cine Prestige, it seems Ster Kinekor did pretty much everything they could to keep us coming back to the silver screen. And it didn't work. Not even the prospect of 3D screens could pry us off the couch and into the cinema again. In the face of rising costs, Covid, and all-pervasive streaming services, the writing has been on the wall for some time and it was perhaps only a matter of when, not if, the price (ever-increasing) of selling movie tickets and popcorn could cover hefty rents in Cavendish Square. It turns out the 'when' is Monday, 2 June: this will be the last day of trade for Ster-Kinekor at Cavendish Square, and the screens will go dark. The lights will go up, the popcorn swept from the floor, and movie-goers will file out into the light one last time. I'll miss the after-credits chats about whether the movie was any good. I'll miss the lingering taste of sour cream and chives (always, the sour cream and chives) popcorn salt. I won't miss the outrageous cost of said popcorn, or the people who check their phones and take calls (who does that?) in the middle of the movie. 'While this chapter closes, we're firmly focused on the future and are actively investing in our current cinema complexes,' Ster-Kinekor said in a statement released this week. '[This will] ensure that every visit to watch a movie at one of our Ster-Kinekor theatres delivers a truly exceptional movie-going experience, every time.' The question is: do we still want that kind of movie-going experience? Or are we happier on our own couch? Given that the Cavendish closure follows in the wake of cinemas shuttering in Johannesburg and Durban, that remains to be seen. Perhaps we'll be jolted into a wave of nostalgia that has us rushing back to the cinema? Or perhaps we'll just fire up the flat-screen at home and make our own microwave popcorn instead. Sadly, it'll never be as good as that sour cream and chives. Whether you'll miss it or not, come the end of Monday, the days of the silver screen at Cavendish come to an end. As Porky Pig (and later Bugs Bunny) would famously remind us at the end of each Looney Tunes cartoon: 'That's all folks!'
Geek Vibes Nation
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie' Blu-Ray Review - A Gift For Classic Looney Tunes Fans
A brand new buddy comedy starring Porky Pig and Daffy Duck! This richly-crafted, hand-drawn 2D animated adventure marks the first fully-animated feature-length film in Looney Tunes history, told on a scope and scale that's truly out of this world. For in-depth thoughts on The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, please see my colleague Phil Walsh's review from its original theatrical release here. Video Quality The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie comes to Blu-Ray with a sterling 1080p transfer. The level of care and precision these animators put into every unique environment really flourishes here. The texture of the classic character designs and the environments are impressive and give the film a real sense of dimension within its traditional 2-D origins. The fluid nature of the character designs is one of the reasons this film stands out in HD. Viewers are treated to a vibrant array of colors that radiate off the screen with the wide range of hues saturating every inch of the frame. Black levels are incredibly strong with no instances of compression artifacts or digital anomalies of the sort. This transfer is every bit as wonderful as a modern animated film should be on Blu-Ray. Audio Quality This Blu-Ray makes the most of its Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track which gives this story a solid presentation. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without ever getting overshadowed by the competing music or sound effects. This track puts a focus on the front channels for a significant chunk of the sounds, but activity extends to the surrounds and rears during the more looney and action-oriented bits along with the musical soundscape. The low end effects from the subwoofer give memorable sequences that extra push to ramp up the fun. Music maintains a flawless fidelity as it flows through the room. Atmospheric sound effects are rendered creatively within the mix so that directionality is never in question. While we wish this were a full lossless track, Ketchup Entertainment has delivered a fine audio experience for this one. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Trailer (1:01) Final Thoughts The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is a welcome throwback to old-school Looney Tunes sensibilities thanks to the sumptuous 2-D animation and its deft mixture of wit and broad gags. The narrative does not try to overindulge on fan service by including a deluge of familiar faces from the greater universe; the film trusts the star duo to anchor the proceedings, and they do so effortlessly. Even with the short runtime, the film does begin to feel a bit long near the end, but the movie has built up enough goodwill by this point that you forgive these minor shortcomings. Ketchup Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray featuring a sterling A/V presentation but almost nothing in the way of supplemental materials. If you love the characters, you will at least have a great time with this entry. Recommended The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Ketchup Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie' Gets Max Streaming Date
The aminated film The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is coming soon to streaming on Max. Directed by Pete Browngardt, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie marks the first fully-animated feature-length film in Looney Tunes history. It was released in theaters on March 14 before arriving on digital streaming via premium video on demand on April 15. The official summary of the 2D hand-drawn movie reads, 'Porky Pig and Daffy Duck venture to the big screen as unlikely heroes and Earth's only hope when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind control plot. Faced with cosmic odds, the two are determined to save their town (and the world!) ... that is if they don't drive each other totally looney in the process.' Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced in a press release that The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie will make its streaming video on demand debut on its Max streaming service on Friday, June 27, and will begin airing on HBO linear on Saturday, June 28, at 8 p.m. ET. Eric Bauza voices both Daffy Duck and Porky Pig in The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, while Candy Milo voices Petunia Pig and Peter MacNicol voices The Invader. The voice cast also includes original Saturday Night Live star Laraine Newman as Mrs. Grecht and Wayne Knight as the Mayor. The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie was distributed by Ketchup Entertainment and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Viewers who don't have Max — which will soon revert to its original name, HBO Max — have a choice of three streaming packages. The ad-based package is available for $9.99 per month, while the ad-free package is $16.99 per month. Max also has an ad-free package that includes 4K Ultra HD programming for $20.99 per month. Director Pete Browngardt told IndieWire in a November 2024 interview that The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie presented a great opportunity to pair up Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. It goes to most classic buddy comedies and how it always seems to work, this sort of wacky, out-of-control, off-the-cuff character, and the more grounded, sensible character,' Browngardt told IndieWire. 'And I just was always amazed that it never got old. You can always throw them in a modern situation and figure out how to make them funny. 'Daffy is just sort of the greatest cartoon character in a way. He can play so many personalities, he's so versatile. He's loony,' the director added. 'But then he became a greedy a------ when Bugs needed an adversary, and that was relatable. Some people prefer the old one, but I like them both. They both served their purpose.' The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie will arrive on streaming on Max on June 27 and will debut on HBO linear on June 28 at 8 p.m. ET.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New movies streaming this week: 'Captain America: Brave New World' and 'The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie' now available
Porky Pig and Daffy Duck are back. In The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, the duo (and a few other familiar friends) return to the big screen thanks to Ketchup Entertainment after Warner Bros., the longtime steward of the iconic characters, chose to sell off the film rather than distribute it themselves. The new Looney Tunes movie is just one of several newly available to stream this week, including Marvel's Captain America: Brave New World, starring Anthony Mackie as the titular hero and Harrison Ford as the president of the United States. Eephus, a quietly profound indie gem about baseball that is ultimately about life itself, is now available at home, as is the English-language debut of acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, The Room Next Door, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, which heads to Netflix on Saturday. The Order, an underrated based-on-true-events thriller with an A-list cast including the likes of Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult, makes its way to Hulu. Here's what to know about the movies newly available to stream as of this week, and where you can find them. Click on the links below to jump straight to a specific movie:Marvel's latest Captain America movie was the highest-grossing movie of 2025, until A Minecraft Movie dethroned it faster than you can say 'chicken jockey'! In the film, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie, sporting the superhero's suit and shield) finds himself in the middle of an international incident after meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford). He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red. Harrison Ford turning into Red Hulk was the centerpiece of the film's marketing campaign, which is a real shame considering the movie treats it as a late reveal, and most of the audience is likely already aware that's what's happening. That means that for most of the movie, it's just Ford taking pills to stop from Hulking out, which isn't very exciting to watch. It's also a bizarre artifact in terms of how it fits into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe — not only is it a stealth sequel to 2008's The Incredible Hulk, but it also requires you to have watched the Disney+ series The Falcon & Winter Soldier to fully grasp who some of the key characters are. The final product is poorly assembled and visually muddled, but fans of the MCU who missed it in theaters and want to stay up-to-date ahead of Thunderbolts* now have their chance. How to watch: Captain America: Brave New World is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video and other video-on-demand platforms. Rent or buy The Day the Earth Blew Up is the first-ever feature-length movie in the 96-year history of Looney Tunes that is 100% animated. Every other Looney Tunes movie has a live-action element; think Space Jam or Brendan Fraser in Looney Tunes: Back in Action. Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, the classic animated odd couple, star in the film and turn into unlikely heroes when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind control plot. Against all odds, the two are determined to save their town, and the world, if they don't drive each other crazy first. Both kids and adults are likely to find it funny throughout, and the stunningly beautiful hand-drawn animation will make you wish more kids fare looked more like this. How to watch:The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video and other video-on-demand platforms. Rent or buy The Order might be the best movie you haven't heard of 2024, and it's finally easily available to watch. Based on the chilling true story, the movie follows veteran FBI agent Terry Husk (Jude Law) as a string of violent robberies in the Pacific Northwest lead him to discover a white supremacist plot to overthrow the federal government. It's gripping from the start and never lets up, features terrific performances from some of its leads as well as all the recognizable actors in supporting roles. It deftly mines a ripped-from-the-headlines story from a different era for the elements that make it relevant today. It's as bleak as it is thrilling, so be forewarned. But if you're into police procedurals or movies about manhunts, this is a great one to put on your list! The Order is now streaming on Hulu. Stream on Hulu An 'eephus" is one of the rarest pitches thrown in baseball, known for its exceptionally low speed and ability to catch a hitter off guard. Typically, an eephus is thrown high in the air, resembling the trajectory of a slow-pitch softball toss. As a character in the movie describes it, it's a pitch that feels like it goes on forever yet somehow is still gone too fast. Sound familiar? Eephus is movie about baseball that functions as just a pure love letter to the sport but also as a metaphor for life and the bitter end of the things that we love. As an imminent construction project looms over a beloved small-town baseball field, a pair of New England rec-league teams face off for the last time. Tensions flare and laughs are shared as an era of camaraderie and escapism fades into an uncertain future. It's a movie that's both celebrating and mourning the end of an era, as these men are set to lose what binds them together. It's a hangout movie not concerned with plot, quietly profound and powerful, and if you weren't romantic about baseball beforehand, you might just be afterward. Eephus is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video and other video-on-demand platforms. Rent or buy Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton star in The Room Next Door, Pedro Almodóvar's first English-language film It follows Ingrid and Martha, who were close friends in their youth when they worked together at the same magazine. After years of being out of touch, they meet again in an extreme but strangely sweet situation: When Martha faces the prospect of her life ending due to terminal illness, she turns to Ingrid to ask for a not so simple favor. It's a movie about accepting death featuring two characters with different views on the subject, and the uniquely human quality of having the ability to make choices in life. It's a beautifully crafted knockout that will sneak up on you if you let it, though some may bristle at the odd intonation and pacing of the dialogue. There's a poetry to the language, though, and there are some undeniably moving sections and the usual Almodóvarian bright, colorful imagery. Fans of his won't want to miss it, even if it never reaches the highs of some of his previous works. The Room Next Door starts streaming April 19 on Netflix. Stream on Netflix Bonus: Wolf Man is now available on Peacock, and Companion, which I recommended a few weeks ago, is now on Max.
