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Looking to settle in with a good movie? Me too. That’s why I’ve pored over release schedules to bring you the best original and new-to-streaming movies you can watch on Netflix, Prime, Max, Hulu, and other streaming platforms this week.
Pedro Páramo
Based on Juan Rulfo’s seminal work of magical realism, Pedro Páramo stars Manuel García-Rulfo from The Lincoln Lawyer as the title character, who finds himself in the ghost town of Comala, where the past and present coexist. Described by Netflix as a “mesmerizing story of desire, corruption, and inheritance,” Pedro Páramo is the directorial debut of frequent Scorsese cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, so we know for sure it’s going to look amazing.
Where to stream: Netflix
My Old Ass (2024)
A twist on the coming-of-age story, My Old Ass stars Maisy Stella as confused 18 year-old Elliott. She takes mushrooms on her summer vacation, and instead of just seeing brighter colors, she’s visited by the 39-year-old version of herself, played by the great Aubrey Plaza. Plaza is one of a kind, and My Old Ass gives her plenty of room to flex her deadpan, eye-roll delivery, but it’s also a smart, sensitive movie. Not to be missed.
Where to stream: Prime
Despicable Me 4
Gru and his army of lovable yellow minions are back, in streaming form. The fourth entry in the franchise sees Gru welcoming a son into the world, Gru Jr. It also sees Gru’s nemesis, Maxime Le Mal, return. After escaping from prison, Le Mal plots to turn all humans into human-cockroach abominations—an improvement if you ask me—but Gru and co feel differently, and set out to thwart the evil scheme. If you have kids, you really can’t miss with a movie like Despicable Me 4.
Where to stream: Peacock
Meet Me Next Christmas
Christina Milian stars in a holiday movie about Layla, who is desperately trying to get her hands on tickets to the sold-out Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert. A bright-and-cheery romantic comedy powered by the a cappella musical stylings of Pentatonix is both a can’t-miss holiday movie concept and literally my worst nightmare. Meet Me Next Christmas also stars Kofi Siriboe as James, who, unlike me, is handsome and charming and presumably likes listening Pentatonix.
Where to stream: Netflix
Last week’s picks
Janet Planet (2023)
A24 has cracked the code for making emotional movies for smart people; movies like Janet Planet, in which precocious 11-year-old Lacy (Zoe Ziegler) spends the summer of 1991 splitting time between living in her rich internal world and quietly worshipping her otherworldly mother Janet (Julianne Nicholson). Writer/director Annie Baker’s carefully crafted film explores the subtly and intensity of a mother-daughter relationship with rare grace.
Where to stream: Max
Music by John Williams
Star Wars wouldn’t be Star Wars without its theme music. Raiders of the Lost Ark wouldn’t be Raiders, Jaws wouldn’t be Jaws, etc. Composer John Williams’ scores are that iconic. Music by John Williams features interviews with Williams and GOAT filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Ron Howard. It offers a ton of the music that defined cinema over the last 50 years or so.
Where to stream: Disney+
Coen brothers collection
It’s impossible to be a “guy who writes about movies” and not mention the Coen brothers collection streaming on the Criterion Channel this week. Joel and Ethan Coen make the best movies, end of discussion. Whether you want to watch a re-imagined western like 2010’s True Grit or a slapstick comedy like screwball comedy like 1987’s Raising Arizona, the Coen brothers have your back. Here’s the full list of Coen bros. bangers coming to Criterion:
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Blood Simple (1984)
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Raising Arizona (1987)
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Miller’s Crossing (1990)
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Barton Fink (1991)
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The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
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The Big Lebowski (1998
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A Serious Man (2009)
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True Grit (2010)
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Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
Where to stream: The Criterion Channel
Hallmark Christmas movie collection
Attention should be paid to Hallmark’s Christmas movies. The greeting-card-company-turned-cable-network-for-some-reason churns out Christmas-themed romantic comedies with the ruthless efficiency of a German industrial plant. They’re usually not bad either, if you’re into that sort of thing. I haven’t seen any of the movies Netflix is streaming in November, but I assume all are perfectly serviceable background movies for wrapping presents and putting lights on the tree. Here’s the list.
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A Biltmore Christmas (2023)
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A Merry Scottish Christmas (2023)
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A Heidelberg Holiday (2023)
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Christmas Island (2023)
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Christmas on Cherry Lane (2023)
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Christmas with a Kiss (2023)
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Miracle in Bethlehem, PA (2023)
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Christmas in Notting Hill (2023)
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Haul Out the Holly (2023)
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Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up (2023)
Where to stream: Netflix