Looking for something new to watch this weekend? We've got you covered.
From an all-new season of The Bear, Jennifer Lawrence hitting her funny bone on the big screen, a Marvel spy thriller series, and more musings from Carrie Bradshaw, there's a little something for everyone in this week's round-up. Here are the highlights according to us of what's worth checking out on streaming and in your local theaters this weekend. Grab your snacks, and enjoy the show!
The Bear
Credit: Chuck Hodes/FXYes, chef! FX's hit series is officially back with a second season, and if you haven't watched the first season of The Bear yet, this is your sign. The show follows Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), an esteemed chef from the fine-dining world who trades his Michelin stars for a grimy, Italian sandwich shop formerly run by his late brother. As Carmy tries to rally the team at his new gig, he realizes that there's several lessons to be learned along the way, from navigating grief to perfecting an Italian beef. The Bear also stars Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
What we thought: "Season 2 of The Bear makes sure to affirm that things are going to be different this time around. Long gone are the days of scrambling to prep before The Beef opens. Long gone are the days of everyone yelling 'corner' while carrying hot pans. Instead, The Bear makes the daring decision to leave the kitchen, focusing on its characters trying to better themselves rather than the restaurant itself — and it saves the show." — Yasmeen Hamadeh, Freelance Contributing Entertainment Writer
How to watch: All seasons of The Bear are now streaming on Hulu.
Secret Invasion
Credit: Courtesy of Marvel StudiosNick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) finally has his own show. The latest Marvel series to hit Disney+ is Secret Invasion, a spy thriller that follows Fury as he tries to save Earth from an alien race. (You might remember these aliens as the Skrulls from Captain Marvel.) Alongside Jackson's Fury is a star-studded cast that includes Emilia Clarke, Cobie Smulders, Olivia Colman, with Martin Freeman returning as Black Panther's Everett K. Ross.
What we thought: "Marvel's latest, the Nick Fury-centric Secret Invasion, continues that pattern with its deep ties to spy thrillers… The first two episodes deliver exciting set pieces, intriguing political espionage, and a healthy dose of double agent paranoia courtesy of a shapeshifting foe." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Secret Invasion is now streaming on Disney+.
Infinity Pool
Credit: NEONEat-the-rich comedies have been a staple for the past year, and Brandon Cronenberg's Infinity Pool is no exception. The film is set in a sketchy, isolated island where all crime is punishable by death — unless you're rich enough to make a clone of yourself to stand in for your execution instead. Yup, it's wild. But the island's criminal laws aren't the only thing that make it terrifying; there's also a pool (pun intended) of downright horrifying residents who'll make your skin crawl every step of the way. If that hasn't sold you yet, the film stars Alexander Skarsgård, Cleopatra Coleman, and Mia Goth — the new mother of horror.
What we thought: "Horror and science fiction play at the center of Cronenberg's follow-up to the eerie Possessor. But amid splurts of blood, piss, semen, and other mysterious oozes, there's a wickedly wry humor at play. As we watch the merciless fall of a vain and wealthy man, we're urged to cackle. And who better to usher us down this path of unhinged humor than Pearl's shining star, Mia Goth?" — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor
How to watch: Infinity Pool is now streaming on Hulu.
The Perfect Find
Credit: Alyssa Longchamp / NetflixBased on Tia Williams's novel of the same name, The Perfect Find is a delicious rom-com starring Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers. The film follows Jenna Jones (Union), a fashion editor who's trying to make a career comeback and kickstart her new girlboss era. But Jenna's plans for progress hit a slump when she accidentally hooks up with none other than her boss's son, Eric (Powers). Will she risk her career? Or will she forgo what could be her true love instead? Is it even a rom-com without that age old dilemma?
What we thought: "Union and Powers have solid chemistry, especially in scenes that require more dramatic heavy lifting, such as Eric telling Jenna about his dead father. Their first meeting — a chance encounter at a party where both are instantly smitten — is a whirlwind romance all on its own as well. But several other aspects of their relationship leave much to be desired." — B.E.
How to watch: The Perfect Find is now streaming on Netflix.
You Hurt My Feelings
Credit: A24Why do we all tell little white lies, and why do those seem to hurt more than the big ones? So goes the premise for A24's comedy You Hurt My Feelings, which warps us into the lives of several couples and the lies they tell each other. With a fantastic ensemble cast that includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, David Cross, and Arian Moayed, You Hurt My Feelings digs deep into relationships, the things we say to not hurt each other, and what happens when we decide to be truthful instead.
What we thought: "Writer-director Nicole Holofcener explores the little white lies we tell our loved ones, like pretending to like a gift or a piece of their work. But as You Hurt My Feelings unfurls, it turns out that the discovery of these smaller fibs may hurt more than bigger, more malicious lies. Holofcener employs her trademark authenticity and sharp wit to create an incisive look at the small things we keep from each other — and to question why we do so in the first place." — B.E.
How to watch: You Hurt My Feelings is now available on Video on Demand.
No Hard Feelings
Credit: SonyRaunchy comedies are back, baby! In this funny flick, Jennifer Lawrence stars as Maddie, a young woman in a financial pinch who stumbles upon a gig listing she just can't refuse. A wealthy couple (played by the incredible Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti) are looking for someone to "date" their 19-year-old son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), before he goes to college, in exchange for a Buick Regal. Who do you think takes the job? None other than Maddie herself; after all, you can't be an Uber driver if your only mode of transport is rollerblades.
What we thought: "This summer comedy is an old-school raunch-fest with plenty of laughs that nevertheless might've made its way to the party one round of Beer Pong too late. Mid-budget star-centric comedies like this have now become a rarity on the big screen, and this one, sweet and totally agreeable as it is, probably isn't revolutionary enough to alter that downward trajectory." — Jason Adams, Freelance Entertainment Writer
How to watch: No Hard Feelings is now playing in theaters.
I'm a Virgo
Credit: Courtesy of Prime VideoThis surreal but touching coming-of-age story follows Cootie (Jharrel Jerome), a 13-foot-tall teenager who's had enough of hiding at home. As Cootie ventures off into the great big world outside his front door, he stumbles upon new friends, crushes, and life lessons — as well as a Marvel-esque villain determined to get rid of him. An absurdist story with as much heart as humor, I'm a Virgo is one of the most original releases of this year.
What we thought: "Like its 13-foot-tall protagonist, Cootie (Jharrel Jerome), I'm a Virgo stands out in a TV landscape populated by reboots and popular IP. It's singular in terms of story, messaging, and visuals, keenly using its absurdity to explore a heightened fantasy world whose problems very much reflect our own. In fact, it's so good and so self-assured in its originality that it's hard to believe it's only [Boots] Riley's second project." — B.E.
How to watch: I'm a Virgo is now streaming on Prime Video.
And Just Like That…
Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxThe reboot of the beloved HBO hit Sex and the City is back on Max with a second season that's even more nostalgic than the first. While there's a lot to catch up on with Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte (Kristin Davis), this new season of And Just Like That is also finally seeing the long-awaited return of fan fave Samantha (Kim Cattrall) — sorta.
What we thought: "And Just Like That is back for its second season, and some critics have suggested that the show has more closely replicated what enthralled fans of the original show in the first place (a cocktail of sex, fashion, and friendship). Things are certainly not the same, nor would they ever be — the first season made that clear… Still, the show is funnier than before; the cast also seems to have found their footing, delivering the right emotional notes. There are plenty of sex scenes that range from awkward to heated, and more frank conversations about race that don't involve educating a middle-aged woman about diversity." — Meera Navlakha, Culture Reporter
How to watch: And Just Like That is now streaming on Max.
