Another week of 2020, another week largely without movie theaters. Fortunately, it is a huge week for new movies making their way to streaming. While it may be from the comfort of home and not at a theater near you, there is no shortage of options when it comes to finding something to watch this weekend.
We have a brand new comedy from Seth Rogen, the latest from director David Ayer and an update to a classic tale. There is also a horror flick focused on killer crocodiles, a new documentary on Disney+ and a few recent acclaimed titles that are finally arriving on streaming services. Here at this week’sstreaming selections.
15An American Pickle- HBO Max
It feels a bit like a broken record at this point in 2020, but here we have another big movie that was previously destined for the big screen making a debut on streaming instead. HBO Max scooped up the rights toAn American Pickle, the latest starring Seth Rogen in not one but two roles. It also is the feature directorial debut of Brandon Trost, who has worked with Rogen in the past behind the camera. The movie was adapted by Simon Rich from his 2013 New Yorker novellaSell Out. It centers on Herschel Greenbaum, a struggling laborer who immigrates to America in 1919 and dreams of building a better life for his family. That changes one fateful day at his factory job when Herschell falls into a vat of pickles and is brined for 100 years. It perfectly preserves him and when he awakes in present-day New York to find that he hasn’t aged a day. He soon learns that his only surviving relative is his great-grandson Ben Greenbaum, a mild-mannered computer coder.An American Pickleis streaming on HBO Max now.
14The Tax Collector- Digital
Director David Ayer is back with his latest,The Tax Collector, which is available on digital platforms starting August 7. Ayer is taking a break from big budget superhero movies, such asSuicide Squad, with a small scale crime thriller. Ayer is reuniting with Shia LaBeouf, with the two previously collaborating onFury. It focuses on a pair of enforcers for a crime lord who face an uncertain future when an old rival unexpectedly reappears. Of note; LaBeouf actually got his entire chest tattooed for real for this role. So, even if this movie doesn’t wind up standing the test of time, the actor will have a big, permanent souvenir to carry with him for the rest of his life.
13Waiting for the Barbarians- Digital
Waiting for the Barbarians, which arrives on digital platforms on August 7, has a lot going for it on paper. It stars Johnny Depp, Robert Pattinson and Mark Rylance in a historical drama directed by Ciro Guerra. It tells the story of the Magistrate of an isolated frontier settlement on the border of an unnamed empire who is looking forward to an easy retirement. That is, until the arrival of Colonel Joll, who is tasked with reporting on the activities of the ‘barbarians’ and on the security situation on the border. Joll conducts a series of ruthless interrogations, which leads the Magistrate to question his loyalty to the empire.
12The Secret Garden- Digital
Here, we have an update to a tried and true classic withThe Secret Garden, which hits digital platforms on August 7. It tells the tale of Mary Lennox whose parents suddenly die. She is then sent to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven, at his remote country estate. While exploring the property, she discovers a hidden magical garden. Colin Firth, Julie Walters and Dixie Egerickx star. Marc Munden is in the director’s chair.
11Howard- Disney+
The latest Disney+ original movie, which debuts on August 7, focuses on the legendary Howard Ashman. Simply titledHoward, it is directed by Don Hahn. It tells the untold story of Ashman, the brilliant lyricist behind Disney classics such asAladdin,Beauty and the BeastandThe Little Mermaid. Spanning his childhood in Baltimore, to his formative years in New York, and his untimely death from AIDS, it takes an in-depth look at the man’s journey to become the lyricist behind some of the most beloved and well-known classic family classics ever made.
10Out Stealing Horses- Digital
Available digitally starting August 7,Out Stealing Horsesis a new drama from filmmaker Hans Petter Moland. It sees a man retire in favor of a solitary life in the Norwegian woods after the death of his wife, only for the past to resurface. Stellan Skarsgard, Danica Curcic, Tobias Santelmann and Jon Ranes star.
9How to Fake a War- Digital
How to Fake a Warcomes from documentarian Rudolph Herzog, who is taking a stab at narrative comedy with his latest. The movie takes place as an outbreak of peace threatens rock star Harry Hope’s charity concert. The musician dispatches his PR consultant to create a fake war story to save the concert.SNLalum Jay Pharoh stars alongside Lily Newmark, Katherine Parkinson and Daryl McCormack. The movie is available on digital platforms on August 7.
8Made in Italy- Digital
James D’Arcy is a well-known actor for his roles inAgent Carter,Dunkirkand more, but he has stepped behind the camera forMade in Italy. Starring Liam Neeson in the lead role, it centers on a London artist and his estranged son who are looking to mend their relationship as they work together to fix up a house in Italy that is in disrepair. It is streaming via digital retailers on August 7.
7Black Water: Abyss- Digital
Director Andrew Traucki is back with a sequel to 2007’sBlack Waterin the form ofBlack Water: Abyss. While it is difficult to imagine anything topping last year’sCrawlin this department, the movie takes place deep in the forests of Australia and focuses on a group of friends who are exploring a remote cave system when a tropical storm hits. As rising floodwaters trap them deep below the surface, something even deadlier emerges from the darkness in the form of killer crocodiles. It is available through digital retailers on August 7.
6She Dies Tomorrow- Digital}
The latest from writer/director Amy Seimetz,She Dies Tomorrow, has been met with a warm reception from critics thus far. Available digitally August 7, the movie lovers may know Seimetz from her work on-screen in projects likeAlien: CovenantandPet Sematary. The movie centers on a woman who has a strong conviction that she will die tomorrow, which spreads like a contagion through a town. Kate Lyn Sheil, Jane Adams, Michelle Rodriguez and Olivia Taylor Dudley star.
