Streaming guide: What to watch this weekend
The Favourite is a clever and devious period piece that headlined last year’s Oscars and is now ready to stream. And here’s what else to watch, including a sci-fi snoozer you might actually want to avoid.
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THE ONE EDDIE MURPHY FANS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME (R18+)
****
NETFLIX
If Eddie Murphy’s wired and inspired turn in the lead of this true-story comedy doesn’t hit you as the comeback of the year, then you are just too hard to please.
Seriously, the one-time most popular comedian in the world (both as a live stand-up and on the big screen) has not been this great in decades.
While the talk of Oscar nominations for Murphy is laying it on too thick, his craft, commitment and connection to this material is there for all to see, admire and enjoy. Murphy plays Rudy Ray Moore, a former no-hit-wonder singer who miraculously reinvented himself as both a wildly popular comedian and movie star with African-American audiences in the 1970s.
What this mercurial figure lacked in talent, he more than compensated for with a flair for do-it-yourself, seat-of-the-pants entrepreneurship that succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams (or what was considered to be the boundaries of good taste at that time).
A joy to watch, further boosted by a ripping support cast led by Wesley Snipes and Chris Rock.
THE ONE THAT CAN’T SPLIT THE THRONE FROM THE WRECKAGE
THE FAVOURITE (MA15+)
****1/2
FOXTEL GO
This clever, vibrant and deviously shapeshifting period piece was a frontrunner in all the categories that matter at the last Oscars.
It is early in the 18th century, and on the face of it, Queen Anne (Best Actress winner Olivia Colman) reigns supreme over the British Empire.
However, behind closed doors, her physical and mental wellbeing fluctuate wildly.
Taking advantage of this power vacuum is Anne’s trusted advisor (and secret lover) Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), determined to call the shots as her husband leads the nation into war with the French.
This cosily calculated arrangement is rudely interrupted by the arrival to court of Abigail (Emma Stone), a cousin of Sarah who has fallen on hard times.
But not for long, once Abigail senses her own opportunity to sway the throne this way and that.
The highly combustive feminine firepower let go by the three leads here is a wonder to behold, as is the withering wit of the writing and the mesmerising direction of in-form filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (Killing of a Sacred Deer).
THE ONE PLAYING ITS PARTITION TO PERFECTION
THE WALL (MA15+)
***1/2
AMAZON
In a remote part of Iraq, two US soldiers become target practice for a rogue sniper.
The marksman (John Cena) of the duo has already been hit, and is lying exposed in the blistering heat.
His spotter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) has cover behind the remnants of a brick wall, and limited means with which to combat the hidden enemy.
Short, sharp and shocking stuff, with an unexpected ending well worth sticking around for. Directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity).
THE ONE THAT DOESN’T CRASH, BUT MAY BURN OUT
FLIGHT (MA15+)
****
STAN
Some might say Flight peaks very early. Those folks would be absolutely right. But what a peak it is.
Whatever you do, do not show up late. The opening half-hour is truly stunning.
Denzel Washington is a commercial pilot who pulls an astonishing move during a troubled flight that saves the lives of almost all aboard.
However, when a later toxicology report shows our hero was both drunk and high on cocaine, the celebrated fly-boy is brought to ground very quickly.
The more we learn about this damaged human being – as convincingly portrayed by Washington, a man capable of Olympic levels of self-denial – the more we are left to wonder how he even made it into the cockpit that fateful morning.
Co-stars Kelly Reilly, John Goodman.
THE ONE SAVED BY HIS SAVES
THE KEEPER (M)
***
RENT via GOOGLE, ITUNES, YOUTUBE MOVIES
A dramatised biopic of German goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, whose heroics for Manchester City in the 1956 FA Cup Final (playing the last 17 minutes with a broken neck!) remain the stuff of legend.
Trautmann (played by David Kross) first entered the UK as a prisoner of war, having served as a decorated paratrooper for the Luftwaffe before his capture in 1945.
The goalie’s path to redemption and respect in the eyes of a hostile British public is a rocky one, with many obstacles cleared by the love of a good woman (Freya Mavor) and a steely determination to prove himself.
THE ONE WHO HAD THE WRITE STUFF
TRUMBO (M)
***
SBS ON DEMAND
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) does a fair job in the title role, the ideological figurehead of ‘The Hollywood Ten’.
This group of Tinseltown talents fell foul of US authorities during a nationwide witch-hunt for Communist sympathisers in the late 1940s.
Trumbo himself did jail time for sticking to his fundamental beliefs.
This well-meaning production does justice to the tale, even if it doesn’t make the most of it. Co-stars Diane Lane, John Goodman.
THE ONE YOU MIGHT WISH TO AVOID
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS (M)
**
NETFLIX
This visually spectacular, narratively comatose sci-fi snoozer can be filed away as an Avatar that doesn’t ‘av-a-clue.
The story tracks the adventures of an antsy young space jock, Valerian (Dane DeHaan). Together with his partner Laureline (Cara Delevingne), this wannabe Han Solo must neutralise a threat which not only will destroy the fabled space-station metropolis of Alpha, but the galaxy as a whole.
Co-starring Rihanna as a shapeshifting pole dancer named Bubble, if that means anything to you.
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