Weekend #32 of 53 (8/7 – 8/9/2020) for 2020 Picks By Streaming Service
This week I’m most looking forward movie-wise to watching An American Pickle (FIRST LOOK) starring Seth Rogen on HBO Max. It is available for streaming on August 6, 2020.
For TV, I’m looking most forward to the new adult animated series: Star Trek: Lower Decks (FIRST LOOK) on CBS All Access. To get into that Star Trek mode, I’ve been watching The Orville on Hulu, which has a very Next Generation feel. Lower Decks is also available for streaming on August 6, 2020.
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*Title with asterisk – newly released Title is linked and has star rating – already watched, rated and reviewed Title bolded – on our schedule to watch/rewatch, rate and review (or in progress)
NOTE: If you’re coming to these posts weeks or months later, some and/or all of the picks listed below may no longer be on the streaming services indicated. Anything marked as “Original” typically doesn’t expire on the streaming services.
Weekend #31 of 53 (7/31 – 8/2/2020) for 2020 Picks By Streaming Service
The first of the month is huge for the various streaming services, as this is when a bunch of movie licenses move around.
It’s not uncommon to see dozens of movies added and removed from the leading services each month on this day. For movie lovers like us, this is like Christmas Day every month. Included in this week’s streaming picks are lists of movies cycled in on the first of the month by service.
There are plenty of sources out there covering every single movie title.
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*Title with asterisk – newly released Title is linked and has star rating – already watched, rated and reviewed Title bolded – on our schedule to watch/rewatch, rate and review (or in progress)
NOTE: If you’re coming to these posts weeks or months later, some and/or all of the picks listed below may no longer be on the streaming services indicated. Anything marked as “Original” typically doesn’t expire on the streaming services.
NETFLIX Movies
*Banana Split (2018)
*The Hater (2020)
*Seriously Single (2020)
*Killing Hasselhoff (2017)
If you missed rewatching (or watching for the first time — gasp!) the first three Jurassic Park movies have moved from Peacock to Netflix this month and are available as of August 1, 2020. Also, Mad Max (1979).
NETFLIX available for streaming on August 1
A Knight’s Tale Acts of Violence The Addams Family (1991) An Education Being John Malkovich Death at a Funeral Dennis the Menace Elizabeth Harvest Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Hardcore Henry Iron Man: Armored Adventures: Season 1-2 Jurassic Park The Lost World: Jurassic Park Jurassic Park III Mad Max (1979) Mr. Deeds My Perfect Landing: Season 1 Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea: Season 1 The NeverEnding Story The NeverEnding Story 2: The Next Chapter The Next Step: Season 6 Nights in Rodanthe Ocean’s Thirteen Ocean’s Twelve Operation Ouch: Season 1 Operation Ouch: Special Remember Me Seabiscuit Super Monsters: The New Class — Netflix Family Toradora!: Season 1 Transformers Rescue Bots Academy: S2 The Ugly Truth What Keeps You Alive
NETFLIX TV
*The Umbrella Academy – Season 2
*Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy – Chapter 1 (5 episodes)
*Tread Documentary, True Crime
*Last Chance U – 5 parts Documentary, Sports
*The Speed Cubers Documentary, Puzzle, Game
I’m not a huge Transformers fan, but the Cybertron trilogy on Netflix makes me want to check it out. The trailer is below.
10,000 BC (2008) All the President’s Men (1976) Altered States (1980) Awkwafina is Nora from Queens (Season 1) Bad Influence (1990), HBO Barefoot in the Park (1967) Barkleys of Broadway (1949) Batman (1989) Batman & Robin (1997) Batman Begins (2005) Batman Forever (1995) Batman Returns (1992) The Bear (1989), HBO Bee Season (2005), HBO Before Sunrise (1995), (HBO) Before Sunset (2004), (HBO) Biloxi Blues (1988), HBO Blade Runner: The Final Cut (2007) Blue Crush (2002) HBO The Candidate (1972) Carefree (1938) The Change-Up (2011), HBO Chariots of Fire (1981) Contact (1997) The Dark Knight (2008) The Dishwasher (2020), HBO Driving Miss Daisy (1989) Elf (2003) The First Grader (2011), HBO The First Wives Club (1996) Flipper (1996) HBO Flying Down to Rio (1933) Flying Leathernecks (1951) Fool’s Gold (2008) Fracture (2007) The Fugitive (1993) The Gay Divorcee (1934) Get on Up (2014), HBO Go Tell It on the Mountain (2004), HBO Grace Unplugged (2013), HBO Hard to Kill (1990), HBO Harley Quinn: Seasons 1 & 2 [RECOMMENDED] Highlander: The Final Dimension (1995), HBO Highlander IV: Endgame (2000), HBO The Hindenburg (1975), HBO Hours (2013), HBO House of Wax (2005) House Party (1990) House Party 2 (1991) House Party: Tonight’s the Night (2013) How to Be a Player (1997), HBO Idiocracy (Extended Version) (2006), HBO Interview with the Vampire (1994) Jeremiah Johnson (1972) Jim Thorpe: All-American (1951) Kung Fu Panda (2008) Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) Leprechaun (1993), HBO Leprechaun 2 (1994), HBO Leprechaun 3 (1995), HBO Leprechaun 4: In Space (1997), HBO Leprechaun: Origins (2014), HBO The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) The Lost Boys: The Thirst (2020), HBO The Lost Boys: The Tribe (Unrated Version) (2020), HBO Love Field (1992), HBO Lovelace (2013), HBO Lying And Stealing (2019), HBO The Marine (Unrated Version) (2006), HBO Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011), HBO Marvin’s Room (1996), HBO Maverick (1994) Monkeybone (2001), HBO Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007), HBO Murder at 1600 (1997) The Mustang (2019), HBO My Blue Heaven (1990) My Sister’s Keeper (2009) Nell (1994), HBO New Year’s Eve (2011), HBO Ocean’s Eleven (2001) On Dangerous Ground (1952) On Golden Pond (1981), HBO Phantom (2013), HBO Pi (1998), HBO Raise the Titanic (1980), HBO Roberta (1935) Romeo Must Die (2000) Savages (Unrated Version) (2012), HBO Say It Isn’t So (2001) (HBO) Serendipity (2001) Skyline (2010) (HBO) South Central (1992) Spy Game (2001) (HBO) Steven Universe Movie (2019) The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939) Striptease (1996) Swing Time (1936) They Live by Night (1949) Things Never Said (2020) (HBO) Three Days of the Condor (1975) Time Bandits (1981) (HBO) Top Hat (1935) Two Minutes of Fame (2020) (HBO) Walk the Line (Extended Version) (2005), HBO Wedding Crashers (2005) Without Limits (1998) Yes Man (2008)
HBO Max TV
*I’ll Be Gone In The Dark – episode 6 – finale episode Crime, Golden State Killer – Original Miniseries
*Doom Patrol – Season 2 – episodes 8 (also available on DC Universe)
*Perry Mason – episode 7
Amazon Prime Video available for streaming on August 1
3:10 to Yuma (2007) Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) Inception (2010) Margin Call (2011) My Bloody Valentine (1981) Rain Man (1988) Rustlers’ Rhapsody (1985) Safe (2012) Something’s Gotta Give (2003) Square Parts (2015) Spider-Man 3 (2007) Steel Magnolias (1989) The Holiday (2006) Top Gun (1986)
DC Universe TV
*Stargirl – Season 1, Episode 12: “Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E Part One”
Last week’s episode #10 was action-packed, fun and entertaining. Will be cool too see if they can follow up that episode.
Hulu available for streaming on August 1
71 (2015) 3:10 to Yuma (2007) A Good Woman (2006) A Perfect Murder (1998) Australia (2008) The Brothers McMullen (1995) Cats & Dogs (2001) Child’s Play (1988) City Slickers (1991) City Slickers 2: The Legend of Curly’s Gold (1994) Company Business (1991) Death At A Funeral (2010) Elena Undone (2010) Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) Free Fall (2013) Gayby (2012) Hellraiser (1987) Hurricane Bianca (2016) Just Charlie (2017) The Last Stand (2013) Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls Of Ga’Hoole (2010) Margin Call (2011) Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) My Bloody Valentine (1981) Pit Stop (2013) Rain Man (1988) Rustlers’ Rhapsody (1985) Safe (2012) The Saint (1997) Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) Sordid Lives (2000) Spare Parts (2015) Stanley & Iris (1990) Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) Stuck On You (2003) Top Gun (1986) Ultraviolet (2006) Up in the Air (2009) Were The World Mine (2008)
Amazon acquired the stoner comedy Boyz In The Wood after a successful festival run and it’s coming to Prime Video subscribers the first week in August.
Written and directed by Ninian Doff in his feature directorial debut, the film follows teenage pals Dean, Duncan and DJ Beatroot from Glasgow who embark on a character-building camping trip inspired by the real-life program Duke of Edinburgh Award, where foraging, teamwork and orienteering are the order of the day. Eager to cut loose and smoke weed in the Scottish Highlands, the trio finds themselves paired with straight-laced Ian, a fellow camper determined to play by the rules.
Not quite sure what to make of this one. The trailer makes it seem somewhat off the hook, which is right up my alley. As a huge fan of comedies, I’m going to check it out. Anybody else excited about this one?
Boyz In The Wood is streaming on Amazon Prime Video August 7, 2020.
To date this is my favorite new TV show of 2020 (see: YES – Amazon Greenlights Upload Season 2) being teased for what’s coming by creator Greg Daniels at Comic-Con@Home.
“We’re right in the middle of writing it so I don’t want to get into too many specifics in case the plans change,” Greg continued. and”But there’s going to be a lot more new tech, we’re going to find out more about the ‘Luds’ and their community.”
More new tech. Oh, yeah! We need these phones with the floating tech displayed in the show — right now.
Looks very similar to an Android phone — floating touch-screen UI
In my review of the first season, I highlighted more of the tech, but if you haven’t seen this show on Amazon Prime yet, what are you waiting for? It’s more than just eye candy for those who love futuristic tech, it has some truly believable tech, which is part of what made me enjoy it so much.
Think of the safety aspect of drone police in traffic stops
You think back to the 60s Star Trek and some of that tech hat might have seemed impossible at the time and 50+ years later we have some of it, particularly the communicators and GPS positioning.; ,
Recently, I started watching The Orville on Hulu. I’ve only seen the first two episodes of the first season but like what Seth Macfarlane has cooking there so far. Too early for me to gauge the use of tech in that show, but it’s an important part of what makes sci-fi movies and TV fun.
It’s great seeing that Greg Daniels and his team are doing some deep thinking on the tech for season 2. There has been no date announced for when we might see season two, but remain hopeful it can be at some point in 2021. We need the Bill & Ted phone booth to beam into the future and watch the future seasons of Upload.’
What futuristic tech would you like to see explored in Upload and/or other sci-fi shows?
Weekend #30 of 53 (7/24 – 7/26/2020) for 2020 Picks By Streaming Service
If you plowed through everything Peacock had to offer last week (Lost Speedways was very good for those who like racing, BTW, I recommend that series), then several movies await this weekend across the streaming services.
I haven’t seen the first movie The Kissing Booth, but the sequel is coming straight to Netflix this weekend and the main lead stars are returning. I’m looking more forward to seeing Radioactive and Spotlight. The animated films: Animated Crackers and Dragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the Songwing might be worth a look, too.
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*Title with asterisk – newly released Title is linked and has star rating – already watched, rated and reviewed Title bolded – on our schedule to watch/rewatch, rate and review (or in progress)
NOTE: If you’re coming to these posts weeks or months later, some and/or all of the picks listed below may no longer be on the streaming services indicated. Anything marked as “Original” typically doesn’t expire on the streaming services.
The main problem with Amazon Prime Video is that it was so clearly developed as an offshoot of the main Amazon Prime retail website, rather than a TV platform in its own right.
We watched more movies on Amazon Prime in 2019 than any other streaming service. In 2020, Netflix is leading. HBO Max could soon roll into the #2 spot in 2021 (maybe not enough time since they didn’t launch until May 2020), as they have a lot of great movies we want to watch/rewatch but we must switch from Roku on the TV to Chromecast input (argh!).
Netflix has one of the best UI (User Interface). It’s not quite as good as Roku, but it’s very close. I love what they’ve done with the “What’s Hot” section making it easy for me to see what is coming soon, what has newly been added and what’s most popular via their daily Top 10 list.
My favorite categories at any streaming service are “currently watching”, “coming soon”, “recently added” and “leaving soon.” These are the primary streaming channel staples. Tell me what’s coming, what’s been added and what I have limited time left to watch before it’s rotated out.
Some of these streaming services are good about highlighting this information and others make you dig for it. To varying degrees.
Perhaps Amazon’s biggest problems is they try and blend way too much information into the interface. We don’t need to see, by default, movies and TV shows on VOD and on premium channels mixed with “included with Prime Video” titles. Yes, there is a way to filter and show only those titles. Also, when you click to view more in a category it looks just like the rest of Amazon … that you’re about to buy a physical product (sometimes you actually are).
That’s what Amazon ultimately wants us to do: buy more stuff. Buy it, so they can ship it.
Amazon Prime Video Profiles now appears from website
From the better late than never department comes this streaming channel feature update.
Amazon is finally giving households the ability to have multiple user accounts — up to six different accounts — for their Amazon Prime so that watchlists can be maintained separately.
Netflix has had this functionality forever and Disney+ and HBO Max launched with it. Not sure if Hulu has it, somebody can let me know in the comments, but Shudder doesn’t and neither does DC Universe. Peacock doesn’t either, but maybe it will launch with that added functionality.
So, Amazon isn’t the lone holdout, they’re just one of the bigger and longest running services that hasn’t. Why the change of heart?
Amazon is making these changes amidst rising competition. Disney+ has seen massive growth in recent months, and Netflix seems to be faring well, too. Big new entrants to the market with massive libraries of exclusive content, like HBO Max and Peacock, are also hitting the scene, which puts pressure on Prime Video to offer competitive features and content.
We could question what took Amazon so long to offer this feature. I surely hope it’s not because of rising competition and because, well, families use Amazon Prime accounts and this feature is useful.
As the topmost image shows, it is available from the website.
We access Amazon Prime on our TV through Roku primarily and haven’t seen this new user profile feature available yet, but it’s good to hear that it’s coming very soon (?).
Have you seen and used these new features yet? Tell us about your experience.
Weekend #25 of 53 (6/19 – 6/21/2020) for 2020 Picks By Streaming Service
HBO Max – a top five 2019 movie for us: Ford v Ferrari ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (see list: 2019 Favorite Movies) and reboot of Perry Mason kicks off with the pilot TV episode.
Netflix offers original movies on Friday 6/19: Lost Bullet and Feel The Beat, plus a wacky looking competitive game show called Floor Is Lava.
Amazon – already streaming 7500 (was supposed to debut on June 19, but available at least one day early). This airplane in terrorist stress thriller looks promising.
Tubi (FREE) has a bunch of Rudy Ray Moore movies, a comedy special and documentary available to binge-watch
Shudder – the season finale of Joe Bob Briggs The Last Drive-In double-feature on Friday night
DC Universe – Superman: Red Son available on streaming service for the first time
KEY *Title with asterisk – newly released Title is linked and has star rating – already watched, rated and reviewed Title bolded – on our schedule to watch/rewatch, rate and review (or in progress)
NOTE: If you’re coming to these posts weeks or months later, some and/or all of the picks listed below may no longer be on the streaming services indicated. Anything marked as “Original” typically doesn’t expire on the streaming service.
Tubi is all in on hard-working, dedicated comic Rudy Ray Moore’s low budget 70s movies.
Known for being so bad they are good, this is your chance to binge-watch Rudy’s signature movies on one service, also includes a documentary (The Legend of Dolemite: Bigger & Badder) and a live comedy performance (Live at the Wetlands). If you have a subscription to Netflix, catch Eddie Murphy’s take on Dolemite.
*Perry Mason – Season 1 – Episode 1: “Chapter One” (June 21) reboot of classic series – Original
*Karma – Season 1 – Children’s reality TV game show – Original
South Park – Seasons 1-23 (June 24)
Robert ‘Iron Man’ Downey Jr. is executive producer of the reboot of Earl Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason. Downey was originally hired to star as Perry Mason, but due to scheduling conflicts had to bow out. Matthew Rhys was cast to replace Downey. Also, all 23 seasons of South Park will be available on Wednesday, June 24.
*The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs Season 2 Episode 9 – Season Finale! Horror films double-feature with host commentary Friday June 19, 2020 @ 6pm PST (GMT-8), 9pm EST (GMT-5) Discord chat via reddit/shudder group
Bone Box
Mausoleum
DC Universe Movies
Superman: Red Son
DC Universe TV
*Harley Quinn TV Series – Season 2, Episode12: “Lovers’ Quarrel”
*Stargirl – Season 1, Episode 6: “The Justice Society”
Weekend #24 of 53 (6/12 – 6/14/2020) for 2020 Picks By Streaming Service
Disney+ subscribers can watch Artemis Fowl [FIRST LOOK] available on Friday June 12. HBO Max sees the final 4 episodes of Love Life starring Anna Kendrick. For those partial to zombies, comes Reality Z Season 1 to binge all 10 episodes on Netflix, also The Woods first season. Amazon Prime Video has the most excellent Knives Out this weekend.
KEY *Title with asterisk – newly released Title is linked and has star rating – already watched, rated and reviewed Title bolded – on our schedule to watch/rewatch, rate and review (or in progress)
NOTE: If you’re coming to these posts weeks or months later, some and/or all of the picks listed below may no longer be on the streaming services indicated. Anything marked as “Original” typically doesn’t expire on the streaming service.
NETFLIX Movies
*Da 5 Bloods
NETFLIX TV
*Reality Z [FIRST LOOK] – Season 1 (10 episodes) Zombies – Original
*The Woods – Season 1 Thriller – Original
*Lennox Hill – Season 1 (8 episodes) Documentary, Medical – Original
*F is for Family – Season 4 Adult, Animated
*KIPO And The Age Of Wonderbeasts – Season 2 Animated
Based on the novel by Harlen Coben, The Woods TV series season 1 available Friday June 12, 2020 on Netflix
Disney+ Movies
*Artemis Fowl (June 12)
The movie originally planned to be released in theaters and headed straight to Disney+ instead.
*Love Life – Season 1 – Episodes 7-10 Anna Kendrick, romance comedy – Original
The final four episodes of the first season of Love Life. HBO announced they have renewed Love Life for a second season, making it the first new series on HBO Max to get a second season greenlight (source: Deadline).
*The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs Season 2 Episode 8 Horror films double-feature with host commentary Friday June 12, 2020 @ 6pm PST (GMT-8), 9pm EST (GMT-5) Discord chat via reddit/shudder group
Warning: Do Not Play
DC Universe TV
*Harley Quinn TV Series – Season 2, Episode11: “A Fight Worth Fighting For”
*Stargirl – Season 1, Episode 5: “Hourman and Doctor Mid-Nite”
Weekend #23 of 53 – 6/5-6/7/2020 for 2020 Picks By Streaming Service
The first of the month is here and talk about overload — in a good way — of new movies hitting all the services.
I’ve picked out a few from several different services, but there are a bunch of good to great to amazing movies available to watch, not to mention a weekend of new movies and TV shows hitting.
It’s pretty much impossible for any one person who doesn’t make this their job (we both have full time jobs that have nothing to do with this) to stay on top of what’s new on all the streaming services, so I’m thinking the current strategy is to just try and be aware of what’s out there by hitting the top 10 lists and seeing what the buzz is from social media, movie and TV bloggers and the news, plus of course word of mouth from others you know.
If there is something great you want to mention that is available this weekend, please use the comments below to talk about it. We need to help each other sift through the massive amount of content changing, rotating and coming out new.
NOTE: If you’re coming to these posts weeks or months later, some and/or all of the picks listed below may no longer be on the streaming services indicated. Anything marked as “Original” typically doesn’t expire on the streaming service.
KEY *Title with asterisk – newly released Title is linked and has star rating – already watched, rated and reviewed Title bolded – on our schedule to watch/rewatch, rate and review (or in progress)
NETFLIX Movies
*The Last Days of An American Crime
Our House
The Show
The Healer
NETFLIX TV
*Fuller House – Season 5 – 18 episodes Comedy – Original
This weekend is your last chance to catch the virtual film festival, so if you’re interested in catching what’s being screened during the even, be sure to check out this weekend.
*The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs Season 2 Episode 7 Horror films double-feature with host commentary Friday June 5, 2020 @ 6pm PST (GMT-8), 9pm EST (GMT-5) Discord chat via reddit/shudder group
*Love Life – Season 1 – Episodes 4-6 Anna Kendrick, romance comedy – Original
I May Destroy You – Season 1 – Episode 1 “Eyes, Eyes, Eyes, Eyes”
Looney Tunes Cartoons (2020) Animated
Watched Love Life starring Anna Kendrick the first three episodes last week and it covers her adventures trying to find and secure love. It’s an awkward and unusually paced TV show.
Not sure how much or even if I like it or not yet, but it manged to keep my interest through the first three episodes (it’s just comes off as an unusual way of watching someone trying to fall in love). The next three episodes (4-6) are dropping to check out, so will see how that goes.
DC Universe TV
*Harley Quinn TV Series – Season 2, Episode10: “There’s No Place To Go But Down”
*Stargirl – Season 1, Episode 4: “Wildcat” (6/7)
Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E ready for action in episode #3, episode 4 airs Sunday 6/7 @ 9pm PT (GMT-8)
