PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — If there's a theme to this weekend's offerings, it's stars.
After all, one of the world's biggest movie stars — and arguably Philadelphia's favorite son — is returning not only to the big screen, but every screen with HBO Max thanks to the streamer's hybrid release plan.
But in a more literal sense, one of the year's biggest streaming drops takes viewers across the stars.
Somewhere in between, we have Nicolas Cage. So let's get to it.
Amigos! To say we’re excited about Netflix’s live-action adaptation of “Cowboy Bebop” is a bit of an understatement.
The original series is arguably the most popular anime of all time. There have been t-shirts, action figures, model kits and a movie. In fact, “Cowboy Bebop” helped jump-start Adult Swim, as part of its original lineup in 2001.
So we’re absolutely thrilled at What to Watch HQ. We won’t even let the middling reviews dampen our enthusiasm.
“Cowboy Bebop” is ostensibly a sci-fi show about a ragtag crew of bounty hunters tracking down the wildest and weirdest criminals the galaxy has to offer. But to paraphrase another Netflix character, it’s really a cosmic gumbo that moves to the beat of jazz. The original anime lived and died by its ample style and quirky characters, and its pulse was literally its amazing soundtrack by master composer Yoko Kanno (who thankfully returns to score the new series).
The new series stars John Cho as Spike, a gangster-turned-bounty hunter whose partner, Jet (Mustafa Shakir), is an ex-cop. They’re joined by mysterious grifter Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) and a super-intelligent Welsh corgi named Ein. Together, they trawl the galaxy looking for the next big bounty, so they can keep fuel in their tanks and food in their bellies.
It’s a hard life for the Bebop crew, but if it’s even a fraction as entertaining as the original show, the diehards here at What to Watch will be happy. Premieres Friday on Netflix.
It feels to us like Will Smith’s latest feature has taken a backseat lately to his revelatory new memoir. But let’s not forget how big this movie is. Smith stars as the father of the Williams sisters, two of the most successful athletes on the face of the planet.
Co-starring Aunjanue Ellis and Jon Bernthal, “King Richard” chronicles Richard Williams and his efforts to raise his two daughters from Compton tennis prodigies to world champions.
And while we’re wary of a film that foregrounds a man in Venus and Serena Williams’ success story, the trailer has us excited to see just how Smith brings the patriarch to life. Long live the king. Premieres Friday in theaters and on HBO Max. Available to stream for 30 days.
Speaking of kings, the trainwreck that got so many people through the early pandemic is back for a second season.
You know what to expect here. We don’t really have to say much more. It’s “Tiger King.” Cool cats and kittens, all of that.
Yeah, we know you’re gonna watch it. Currently streaming on Netflix.
Lin-Manuel Miranda makes his film directorial debut with this adaptation of “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson’s semi-autobiographical musical of the same name. Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp and Vanessa Hudgens star in a story of creativity, struggle and success.
Reviews have been very strong, especially for Garfield’s performance and the spontaneous energy of the musical numbers. We’re waiting as the clock ticks down to its debut. Premieres Friday on Netflix.
The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star
Hudgens also stars in the latest “Princess Switch” movie, playing not only the princess and pauper of the first movie, but the princess’ evil cousin from the sequel. This time, they have to join forces with Lady Fiona - and then impersonate her - to recover a stolen artifact.
Triple the identity swaps makes for a sillier, frothier experience, so this should be a fun one. Premieres Thursday on Netflix.
Amazon is betting big on fantasy with a huge "The Lord of the Rings" series on the horizon. But they're not sitting on their hands until then. Another fan-favorite book series is getting a splashy adaptation for Prime Video.
Rosamund Pike ("Gone Girl") stars in Prime's new series based on Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" books. For fans, it's a monumental occasion, but it looks like casual fantasy viewers may find enough action and magic to satisfy them as well. First three episodes premiere Friday on Prime Video. New episodes weekly.
Fans of Louise Fitzhugh's classic children's novel "Harriet the Spy" (or the 1996 movie based on it) should be happy to hear Apple TV+ has a new animated take on the beloved book.
Beanie Feldstein and Jane Lynch lead the voice cast, but the crew has us curious. Jim Henson Productions is working on the cartoon series, written by "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" co-creator Will McRobb. We're big "Pete & Pete" fans at What to Watch, so consider us intrigued. First five episodes premiere Friday on Apple TV+.
Another title for "Marvel's Hit-Monkey" could be "Marvel's So It's Come to This."
Hit-Monkey was a Deadpool supporting character that somehow caught on during that anti-hero's big boom. He is literally a snow monkey turned assassin.
Jason Sudeikis stars as Bryce, a chatty, lonely assassin hired to kill a crusading Japanese politician. Betrayed and wounded by his clients, Bryce falls in with a tribe of snow monkeys. An angry young monkey ends up becoming Bryce’s protege, who ends up having to take on the hitman’s unfinished business.
Despite the rough animation and uninspired dialogue (fortunately elevated by Sudeikis' timing and pathos), this might be one of the weirdest productions to come from Marvel. "Hit-Monkey" is a surprisingly dark and graphic action-comedy that isn’t afraid to get strange and sad. The end of the pilot teases a dynamic that might offer more laughs in episodes to come.
Then again, if “Hit-Monkey” isn’t for you, you could just watch the first two “Deadpool” movies, which are also on Hulu. “Deadpool 2” is, in our opinion, the better of the pair, with one of the best, boldest and bleakest set pieces in any major studio comedy, complete with one of the biggest, most pointless and hilarious cameos ever. Currently streaming on Hulu.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
If you’ve seen a painting or drawing of an anthropomorphic cat with big eyes, then you’re probably familiar with the work of Victorian artist Louis Wain. Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this biopic on Wain, with Claire Foy as Wain’s wife.
As Wain strikes out as a freelance artist and marries his sisters’ governess, his life takes an even bigger turn when he meets the friend who will become his muse — a cat named Peter. Cat lovers, art lovers and fans of Benedict Cumberbatch all have something to enjoy in this critically acclaimed feature. Currently streaming on Prime Video.
Prisoners of the Ghostland
Iconoclastic director Sion Sono has a reputation for being one of Japan’s weirdest auteurs. What happens when you pair him with Nicolas Cage? You get a post-apocalyptic horror Western, or what Cage himself called “the wildest movie I’ve ever made.”
Cage stars as Hero, a criminal sprung from jail by a warlord known as the Governor and ordered to rescue his adopted granddaughter from a dangerous region called Ghostland. If Hero tries to escape, or fails to rescue her, the explosives embedded in his suit will blow off various, well, extremities.
But when Hero learns the truth of both the Ghostland and the Governor’s granddaughters, he finds himself way in over his head. It’s sure to be a ride for all Cage fans. After all, he said so himself. Premieres Friday on Shudder and AMC+.