Quantcast
Channel: Movies
Viewing all 8368 articles
Browse latest View live

How to watch Hulu's new romantic comedy 'Palm Springs' when it premieres on July 10

0
0
 

 

"Palm Springs," Hulu's latest original film, is set to start streaming on Friday, July 10. The movie originally premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2020. Production company Neon and Hulu then purchased the distribution rights for the film.

Andy Samberg stars as Nyles in the film, alongside Cristin Milioti who plays Sarah. The two characters meet at a wedding in Palm Springs, and soon find themselves trapped in a time loop. No matter what they do, every morning they wake up in Palm Springs living the same day over and over again. 

The movie has received critical acclaim, and currently holds a 98% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and a score of 82 out of 100 on Metacritic. Jason Guerrasio, senior entertainment reporter at Insider, gave the film an A- grade in his full review.

Below, we've detailed everything you need to know about watching "Palm Springs" on Hulu.

How to watch "Palm Springs" on Hulu

To watch "Palm Springs" you'll need a subscription to Hulu. The movie will start streaming exclusively through the service on July 10.

The cheapest way to subscribe to Hulu is via its ad-supported plan for $5.99 per month. This option gives you access to all of the platform's on-demand programs, including "Palm Springs." If you're sick of commercials, an ad-free Hulu plan is available for $11.99 per month. 

Meanwhile, cord-cutters looking for live TV streaming to go along with Hulu's on-demand library, can opt for Hulu + Live TV. This plan adds access to over 65 channels for a starting price of $54.99 a month.   

Finally, If you want even more on-demand streaming content, the ad-supported version of Hulu is also available as part of a discounted bundle with Disney Plus and ESPN+ for a total of $12.99 per month. That's about $5 less per month than you'd pay if you signed up for each service separately.

Once you subscribe to Hulu, you can watch "Palm Springs" through the Hulu app or website. Hulu is supported on most connected devices, including iOS and Android smartphones, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, smart TVs, and streaming players from Apple, Roku, Amazon, and Chromecast. You'll need an internet connection to stream "Palm Springs," and subscribers with a Hulu ad-free plan should also be able to download the movie to a mobile device for offline viewing.

What other exclusive movies and shows can I watch on Hulu?

Hulu features a sizable library of original films and series. Other exclusive movies recently released on Hulu include the thriller "Delivered", the comedy "Big Time Adolescence," and the horror film "Little Monsters."

Popular Hulu original series include "The Handmaid's Tale,""Little Fires Everywhere,""The Great,""Castle Rock,""Ramy", "Future Man," and more. In addition to exclusive titles developed just for Hulu, the streaming service also includes access to many current and classic network shows and Hollywood films

For more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out our guide to the best streaming services.

 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Pathologists debunk 13 coronavirus myths


A new study suggests audiences would pay $14 to watch a new superhero movie at home. Here's how other genres compare.

0
0

  • If theaters remain closed for the foreseeable future, movie studios will face an unprecedented choice: resort to premium video-on-demand services for blockbuster titles or wait for theaters to reopen.
  • A new study by TV tracking app TV Time, which surveyed 6,891 users, suggests that audiences would be willing to pay more for a superhero movie on PVOD platforms than other genres, with the average price among respondents being nearly $15.
  • But most digital releases during the coronavirus pandemic have been $20 and it would be difficult for studios to match the profits these blockbusters make at the global box office.
  • A more likely scenario is that studios would evaluate releases on a movie-by-movie basis. It's unlikely that "Black Widow" would be released on digital services before theaters, but Disney has experimented with other movies, for instance.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Theaters across the US have been closed since mid-March and blockbuster movies set for July like Warner Bros.' "Tenet" and Disney's "Mulan" have been pushed to August. With coronavirus cases surging in some states, it's likely that they will be delayed again.

Given the circumstances, movie studios face an unprecedented choice: resort to digital rentals and purchases via premium video-on-demand services (PVOD) or wait for theaters to reopen. Jeff Bock, the Exhibitor Relations senior media analyst, isn't confident about the latter.

"With this current COVID surge, it's obvious to me that most movie theaters won't be opening any time soon," Bock said. "Probably at the earliest fall, but if Broadway is any indication, maybe 2021."

Studios have already experimented with PVOD as an alternative, but mainly with smaller titles like family movies ("Trolls World Tour" and "Scoob!") and comedies or indie fare ("The King of Staten Island"). But if theaters remain closed for the foreseeable future, the pressure would be on to consider PVOD as a more viable option for bigger-budget titles like superhero movies.

A new study provided to Business Insider suggests that audiences would be willing to pay more for those titles than others from the comfort of their own homes.

TV tracking app TV Time surveyed 6,891 respondents who are active users of the app in the US from April 29 to April 30. The results were balanced to account for demographic differences between the US population and TV Time users. Respondents were asked what would be a reasonable amount to pay, between $0 and $50, for a PVOD release in several genres.

The superhero genre, typically the highest grossing at the box office, came out on top with an average amount of $14.17.

Action/adventure and drama followed at $13.49 and $12.38, respectively. Horror ($11.12) and art house movies ($9.45) were the genres respondents said they would pay the least amount of money for.

Below are the average prices respondents said they would pay for each genre:

  • Superhero — $14.17
  • Action/adventure — $13.49
  • Drama — $12.38
  • Comedy/Romance — $11.86
  • Animation — $11.78
  • Live-action family/kids — $11.28
  • Horror — $11.12
  • Art house — $9.45

Studios are still committed to movie theaters

While respondents were willing to pay nearly $15 for a superhero movie, digital releases are typically $20, which may be a steep price for many at-home consumers. 20% of respondents said they had bought a movie digitally after coronavirus safety guidelines were put in place at the time of the survey in late April.

51% of respondents cited "too expensive" as a reason they had not purchased a digital movie.

It would be difficult for studios to match the profits they make from superhero blockbusters at the global box office with $20 digital releases, let alone $15.

A more likely scenario is that studios would evaluate releases on a movie-by-movie basis. Disney moved "Artemis Fowl," originally set to hit theaters, to Disney Plus and is doing the same with the upcoming "The One and Only Ivan." But it's unlikely that a movie like Marvel and Disney's "Black Widow," which was pushed from May to November, would be released on PVOD services given Marvel's ability to attract audiences to theaters. 

A person familiar with Sony's thinking told Business Insider that the studio believes in the traditional theatrical window. Other studios have also recently expressed solidarity with theaters, even Universal, which has been the major studio to be the most aggressive in experimenting with PVOD.

After "Trolls World Tour" debuted on digital platforms in April, NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell said that movies would be released on both digital and to theaters once they reopen. AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron said that Universal's movies would not be shown at AMC venues in the future, prompting Universal to reiterate its commitment to the theatrical experience.

But Shell's comment could offer a preview of what's to come for the relationship between studios and theaters. Not releasing blockbusters to theaters would further anger exhibitors and would be a risk, as blockbuster releases bring in huge profits. But theaters also rely on these blockbusters to stay afloat. So it's hard to believe Universal and AMC wouldn't reach a compromise, as Universal will release sure-thing blockbusters next year like "Fast and Furious 9" and "Jurassic World: Dominion." Whatever course studios choose for PVOD will likely be temporary.

"PVOD has been and will remain part of the conversation so long as theaters aren't up and running, but it remains a worst-case scenario for the vast majority of high-profile releases," said Shawn Robbins, the Box Office Pro chief analyst. "Tentpoles, and the studios that depend on them, simply cannot thrive financially without the theatrical window."

SEE ALSO: Movie studios face an unprecedented choice as summer drags on: resort to high-priced digital rentals or wait for theaters to reopen

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why Pikes Peak is the most dangerous racetrack in America

Netflix's 'The Old Guard' writer explains the challenges of turning his comic into a movie and his 'in case of sequel, break glass' ending

0
0

the old guard netflix

  • Netflix debuted its new comic-book action movie, "The Old Guard," on Friday.
  • Business Insider talked with the screenwriter Greg Rucka, who also wrote the comic it's based on, about the challenges of adapting it for the screen.
  • He also discussed a potential sequel to the movie and when fans could expect the next installment of the comic series.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Under normal circumstances, the summer movie season would be in full swing right now and blockbusters would be lighting up the box office.

But the coronavirus pandemic has forced theaters to stay in the dark for the past four months and movie studios have pushed back summer tentpoles. The few that remain on the schedule are likely to be delayed, again, as coronavirus cases surge in some US states.

But for anyone pining for the return of the summer action movie, Netflix has them covered.

On Friday, the streaming giant debuted "The Old Guard," based on the comic book of the same name about a group of immortal mercenaries by writer Greg Rucka and artist Leandro Fernández. It's directed by "Love and Basketball" director Gina Prince-Bythewood and stars Charlize Theron, who is no stranger to action movies with dynamite performances in "Mad Max: Fury Road,""Atomic Blonde," and more.

Rucka, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie, talked with Business Insider on Thursday about how he translated the comic to the screen, the challenges of doing so, and what the future has in store, including a potential movie sequel and the next installment of the comic series.

When Rucka hopped on the phone, he said he was bewildered, but proud, that a movie he wrote was about to debut on Netflix for the world to see.

the old guard netflix

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Travis Clark: You mentioned that you're bewildered. Why?

Greg Rucka: In 2013 or so, I had this idea for this character [Andy, played by Charlize Theron] and she's the manifestation of ideas that I've been bouncing around with my wife for 20 to 30 years. And then [artist and cocreator] Leandro [Fernández] and I actually make the comic and [production studio] Skydance says "we really like it and by the way you can write the screenplay." And here we are in July 2020 and there's a movie coming out on Netflix, which could not have been a better choice. It's directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and stars Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne ... so yeah, I think "bewildered" is a good word. 

Clark: So when did Netflix come on board?

Rucka: Skydance optioned the comic [in 2017]. We got the screenplay ready and they were very excited, then Gina came on to direct [in 2018]. Around early preproduction I think, Netflix comes aboard [in 2019]. They said they really wanted to release it to streaming and potentially theatrical.

[A person familiar with the situation told Business Insider that Netflix considered a theatrical release before the coronavirus pandemic, and that thinking changed in March.]

We had started out thinking it was a fairly modest film in a lot of ways. And when Netflix comes in, we all of a sudden have a much more prominent project than I had thought of from the start. I thought it was fairly quiet in its own way, knowing it's an action movie. But it's restrained and subtle for an action film. It could have been done for a reasonably limited budget. But Netflix brings the opportunity to do so much more because of their resources.

Clark: What are the hardest parts of adapting a comic you wrote into a movie?

Rucka: The fundamental truth is that the work must change because the medium changes. The mediums have different strengths. The first truth in approaching the adaptation was to retain what attracted Skydance to it, so the heart and soul of the material, but in a way that works on the screen. That then leads to choices that are pretty mechanical and self-evident.

the old guard netflix

Clark: What were some of those choices?

Rucka: I'll give you a great example. Leandro has a beautiful sense of graphic storytelling and design. He also plays a bit with caricature so what he's drawing can be realistic but not literal. When we reveal to the reader that the characters can be shot as many times as possible and still be fine, and when Leandro draws that, he can draw someone with an eyeball hanging from their optic nerve and it doesn't look as gross as it sounds. It looks kind of silly. You can't do that in a movie. The literalism would have been so off-putting and grotesque. Tonally, it would have been a different movie. We found ourselves making choices with an eye to that.

In terms of character, Nile's [played by KiKi Layne] story in the comic isn't influencing the plot of the overall work. It doesn't truly alter the outcome. You can't do that in a movie. Nile needed much more attention when it came time to adapt than I had given her in the comic.

Clark: Were choices like this made during the writing process or did they come from working with [director] Gina [Prince-Bythewood]?

Rucka: Gina had a very clear vision. The comic is goofy. These are Looney Tunes characters. They're all Wile E. Coyote. What became very clear working with Gina early on is that she was focusing on the emotional truth. That meant that a lot of the glibness of the source material, and some of it in the early drafts of the screenplay, went away. It becomes darker. The laughs come less from gag and more from the emotional truth of situations.

Clark: In terms of story and specific plot points, what were some things you knew worked in the comic that wouldn't in the movie?

Rucka: In the comic, getting Nile from Afghanistan to Paris takes two pages. In the movie, at that point in the story, Nile has questions that need answers. She's not a willing participant. That's how you get the plane sequence in the movie. In early drafts, there had been even more to it. Getting Nile onto the plane had been a sequence in and of itself. That's the prime difference. Comics rely on a lot of effort on the part of the reader without the reader really thinking they're providing it. A comic implies and lets you do the work by filling in between the panels what leads from A to B to C. Movies don't do that.

the old guard netflix

Clark: Are you starting to feel more comfortable writing screenplays than comics? 

Rucka: My first literary agent out of grad school gave me advice: you're a storyteller first and foremost. I say this as a guy who started as a novelist then I moved into comics and novels and now I am writing screenplays and novels and comics. The luxury in that is at 50 years old I feel I have mastery of different skill sets. I can think about what medium will serve the story most. 

Clark: The movie ends on a big cliffhanger, so I was wondering if that came naturally or if you had a sequel in mind?

Rucka: When Leandro and I finished the first comic series, I said "we're done." Almost immediately Leandro said he wanted to do more. So I could see three acts for an overall story, even before Skydance and Netflix. So the final scene of the movie is what I've come to refer to as the "in case of sequel, break glass" scene. If Netflix decided they wanted to make more, we absolutely can. If we do not, I am very content with the movie. I think it's a complete work. While it does end on a question, it doesn't demand another movie. It opens the door for more.

Clark: Just to clarify, the comic is planned to be three acts? Is there a release date set for the third story?

Rucka: Issue five — the last issue — of the second story, which is called "The Old Guard: Force Multiplied," is out next week [July 15]. And then Leandro and I are starting work on the third story in the next month or so. When it comes to comics, if Leandro were to start drawing something in September, I don't see us releasing anything until summer of 2021.

SEE ALSO: A new study suggests audiences would pay $14 to watch a new superhero movie at home. Here's how other genres compare.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's what it's like to travel during the coronavirus outbreak

The 15 best movies on Hulu that you can stream right now

0
0
 

Generic Hulu Thumbnails 3 4x3

  • For $5.99 a month (ad-supported) or $11.99 a month (ad-free), you'll gain access toHulu's entire streaming catalog of TV shows, original series, and movies.
  • While movies often aren't the main draw ofHulu, its collection of around 2,500 titles is nothing to sneeze at.
  • Standout new releases include "Palm Springs,""Parasite", "Booksmart", and "Mission: Impossible - Fallout."
  • If you're looking for a reliable device to stream Hulu on, check out our guides to the best 4K TVs and the best streaming players.
  • Read more: The 17 best TV shows that you can stream on Hulu right now

 

Though Hulu originally launched as a platform aimed at bringing TV series to streamers, over the years it's built a sizable movie catalog, with an estimated total of around 2,500 titles across genres. I've often viewed it as a nice supplement to my Hulu subscription rather than what drives me to the platform, which is still its collection of my favorite shows and its host of original content

But as I was browsing their film selection, I kept finding myself saying, "I didn't know Hulu had this," and adding it to my watch list. It's become clear to me that I have to turn my attention away from watching "30 Rock" over and over again and start streaming some of Hulu's vast movie collection. Clearly, I have a lot of content to catch up on.

If you don't yet have a Hulu subscription, the ad-supported option remains one of the most affordable streaming services on the market at $5.99 a month, or you can upgrade to the ad-free option — which I think is well worth it— for $11.99 a month. For those who want even more content, the ad-supported Hulu is also available as a bundle with Disney Plus and ESPN+ for $12.99 a month ($5/month less than buying each separately). 

Each tier gives you access to Hulu's entire movie catalog as well as the platform's entire collection of shows and Hulu Originals. And it couldn't be easier to stream. The Hulu app already comes installed on most smart TVs, so all you have to do is log in and start streaming. If you don't have a smart TV, most streaming boxes or sticks will have Hulu available as an app as well. Or you can always stream on your phone or laptop.

Once you get set up, here's our list of the best movies available for streaming on Hulu. Our selection features a mix of recent releases and classic titles across multiple genres, ensuring that all viewing needs are accounted for. All of the movies we've selected are categorized as fresh by critics and audience members on the review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes

Updated on 07/10/2020 by Steven Cohen: Removed films no longer available on Hulu. Added "Palm Springs,""Best in Show,""Little Monsters," and "Big Time Adolescence."

'Palm Springs'

"Palm Springs" is a romantic comedy with a sci-fi spin. The film stars Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti as two strangers who get trapped in a time loop. No matter what they do, every morning they wake up at a wedding in Palm Springs living the same day over and over again. The Hulu Original movie is directed by Max Barbakow, and features a script written by Andy Siara. Jason Guerrasio, senior entertainment reporter at Insider, gave the film an A- grade in his full review.



'Parasite'

Winner of the 2020 Academy Award for Best Picture, "Parasite" is a dark comedy that deals heavily with social and economic themes related to class. The story centers on a poor family, the Kims, who are in need of work. When the Kims trick a wealthy family into hiring them all for various jobs, it looks as if their money problems are solved. But complications soon arise that could reveal the family's con. "Parasite" comes from director Bong Joon Ho ("Snowpiercer") and is presented on Hulu with its original Korean audio mix. English and Spanish subtitle options are available.



'A Quiet Place'

John Krasinski is most prominently known as Jim from "The Office," but "A Quiet Place"— which he co-wrote, directed, and starred in — is one of the films that helped him break away from his lovable goofball sitcom persona. This critically acclaimed thriller sees him alongside his real-life spouse Emily Blunt trying to survive in a world where monsters with ultrasensitive hearing attack anything that makes noise. Watch this one now before checking out the upcoming sequel.



'RBG'

In the past several years, Ruth Bader Ginsburg has undergone a transformation from legal expert and Supreme Court Justice to the Notorious R.B.G. — an unlikely pop culture icon and feminist superstar. This critically acclaimed documentary tracks the groundbreaking, revolutionary career of a political powerhouse and her rise to prominence as the second-ever female Supreme Court Justice.



'Best in Show'

Director Christopher Guest's mockumentary "Best in Show" is a classic deadpan comedy. The film follows a group of quirky contestants who enter a national dog show competition. As the entrants and their four-legged companions all vie for the top prize, rising tension leads to hilarious results. The talented cast includes Fred Willard, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Michael McKean, Jane Lynch, and Jennifer Coolidge.



'Mission: Impossible - Fallout'

Paramount's Mission: Impossible franchise has been going strong since 1996, and the latest installment in the series just might be the best yet. "Mission: Impossible – Fallout" picks up after the events of the last film, and focuses on Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) as he and his team of spies attempt to track down a criminal who has stolen plutonium. Filled with thrilling visuals, the movie is a perfect fit for action junkies.  



'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World'

If you're looking for an entertaining family film on Hulu, then Dreamworks' "How to Train your Dragon: The Hidden World" is a great fit. The third film in the animated trilogy finds Hiccup and Toothless embarking on a journey to find a secret land where dragons live in peace. The movie stars the vocal talents of Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett, Craig Ferguson, and F. Murray Abraham. 



'I, Tonya'

This dark comedy mockumentary follows the infamous scandal in which Tonya Harding's ex-husband hired a goon to attack and injure rival ice skater Nancy Kerrigan prior to the 1994 Olympics. Harding's involvement in the plot ruined her career and got her banned from ice skating competitions for life. Margot Robbie earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Harding, and the great Allison Janney took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Harding's mother



'Little Monsters'

In this Hulu Original movie, Lupita Nyong'o plays a school teacher who must protect her kindergarten class during a zombie apocalypse. The film also stars Alexander England as a struggling musician, and Josh Gad as a kids' TV personality. Blending horror and laughs, "Little Monsters" offers a gory twist on romantic comedy sensibilities. 



'Sorry to Bother You'

Sign up for Hulu here

Cash is finding his job as a telemarketer to be nearly impossible until his coworker lets him in on the secret to success: "white voice." When he excels at the skill, he rises quickly through the ranks only to discover the company he's working for has a freakish dark side. This sci-fi satire takes on race, class, and labor themes in a truly unique way.



'Three Identical Strangers'

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, the documentary film "Three Identical Strangers" presents a classic instance of "truth is stranger than fiction." This unlikely true story examines the peculiar case of identical triplets who meet each other as young adults after being separated at birth. As the three brothers attempt to piece together how this could have happened, they discover surprising twists and turns that gradually expose a complex mystery.  



'The Cabin in the Woods'

More than just a typical horror flick, director Drew Goddard's "The Cabin in the Woods" acts as a clever satire on typical horror movie tropes and clichés. The film starts off with a standard premise as five friends encounter a deadly threat in a secluded cabin – but as the story develops, the movie playfully turns that common plot on its head. Funny and thrilling, this is a slasher with some genuine smarts and laughs on top of a healthy helping of scares.



'Booksmart'

Following in the footsteps of similar coming-of-age teen comedies, "Booksmart" offers ample laughs and heartfelt insights in equal measure. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein star as a pair of high school seniors who suddenly realize they've spent their entire lives focusing on grades without having any fun. Before their graduation, they attempt to make up for lost time with a night of partying they'll never forget.  



'Missing Link'

Winner of the 2020 Golden Globe for Best Animated Motion Picture, "Missing Link" is a beautiful stop-motion film from the same studio who produced "Coraline" and "Kubo and the Two Strings." The story follows a Sasquatch named Mr. Link who seeks the help of an explorer to help him find his Yeti relatives. Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, and Zach Galifianakis all lend their voices to the cast.



'Big Time Adolescence'

"Big Time Adolescence" focuses on a high school student named Monroe (Griffin Gluck) as he follows the unusual guidance of his best friend, a college dropout named Zeke (Pete Davidson). The coming-of-age comedy also stars Jon Cryer, Emily Arlook, Colson Baker, and Sydney Sweeney. "Big Time Adolescence" is written and directed by Jason Orley. The movie originally premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.



The top 9 movies on Netflix this week, from 'Desperados' to 'Patriots Day'

0
0

  • This week's list of the top movies on Netflix is lacking Netflix originals.
  • Netflix introduced daily top lists of the most popular titles on the streaming service in February.
  • Streaming search engine Reelgood keeps track of the lists and provides Business Insider with a rundown of the week's most popular movies on Netflix every Friday.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Yet another movie about a deadly virus has made it into Netflix's top 10.

"Only," about a virus that is lethal to the world's female population, follows a string of pandemic-related movies to become popular on Netflix amid the coronavirus, including 1995's "Outbreak."

Netflix introduced daily top 10 lists of its most viewed movies and TV shows in February (it counts a view if an account watches at least two minutes of a title).

Every week, the streaming search engine Reelgood compiles for Business Insider a list of which movies have been most prominent on Netflix's daily lists that week. On Reelgood, users can browse Netflix's entire movie library and sort by IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes ratings.

The lists have helped spotlight Netflix originals, but this week's list is lacking in that regard except for the top spot.

But the streak of critically reviled movies surging up the charts continues, as there is more than one with a 0% Rotten Tomatoes critic score on the list.

Below are Netflix's 9 most popular movies of the week in the US:

SEE ALSO: The subscriber boost Disney Plus got from 'Hamilton' was much bigger than early reports suggested, according to new transaction data

9. "Double Jeopardy" (1999)

Description: "After being framed and serving time for her husband's supposed murder, Libby decides to kill her 'late' husband for good."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 27%

What critics said: "Double Jeopardy is a stew pot of standard story elements all thrown together."— San Francisco Chronicle



8. "Only" (2019)

Description: "A couple must endure a self-imposed quarantine and elude authorities after a mysterious virus proves lethal to the world's female population."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 39%

What critics said: "There's something wrong when you're watching a post-apocalyptic thriller and all you can think about is how much the central characters would benefit from couples therapy."— Hollywood Reporter



7. "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" (2012)

Description: "The forest-dwelling Lorax has to stop the short-sighted Once-ler from ruining the environment for profit in this adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 53%

What critics said: "It looks bright and clean and sharp. But there is no charm or life."— Guardian



6. "365 Days" (2020)

Description: "A fiery executive in a spiritless relationship falls victim to a dominant mafia boss, who imprisons her and gives her one year to fall in love with him."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 0%

What critics said: "The movie pretty much cops every move made by 50 Shades, as if it were a bible of antisexy awfulness."— Decider



5. "A Thousand Words" (2012)

Description:"When he learns his karma will permit him to speak just a thousand more words before he dies, fast-talking agent Jack must make every syllable count."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 0%

What critics said: "The high concept breeds lowbrow gags."— Time Out



4. "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" (2007)

Description:"When widower Larry asks Chuck to pose as his gay lover so that he can get domestic partner benefits for his kids, his loyal buddy agrees."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 15%

What critics said: "Does anybody laugh at this stuff anymore?"— New York Daily News



3. "The Town" (2010)

Description: "Career bank robber Doug and his volatile partner hit a roadblock when Doug falls for bank manager Claire, whom he kidnapped during their last heist."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 93%

What critics said: "It's better than a simple heist movie and less efficient than a really good one. Affleck has made it about character and place, at the expense of the heist, so it's a film of mixed attractions."— Sydney Morning Herald



2. "Patriots Day" (2016)

Description:"A tough cop on punishment duty at the Boston Marathon helps track down those responsible for the bombing that stunned the nation."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 80%

What critics said: "It isn't quite Captain Phillips or Zero Dark Thirty, but it's a more thoughtful and restrained film than you might've been expecting."— NPR



1. "Desperados" (2020, Netflix original)

Description: "After drunkenly sending a cringeworthy email, hopeless romantic Wes heads to Mexico with her best friends to erase the note before her new love reads it."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 14%

What critics said: "The logical leap required to accept a premise as monumentally stupid as this one transcends mere suspension of disbelief and lands somewhere more troubling."— Newsday



NBC's new streaming service Peacock has its own original shows and movies — here's a breakdown of what's exclusive on launch day

0
0
 

  • NBCUniversal will launch it's new streaming service, Peacock, on July 15 with thousands of hours worth of TV shows, movies, original series, live sports, and news programs.
  • While the basic version of Peacock is available for free, you'll need a Peacock Premium subscription to watch all of the platform's new exclusive shows and movies.
  • Peacock Premium costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
  • Below, we've included a brief synopsis for every Peacock original series and movie you'll find once the service launches on July 15.

After months of anticipation and a three-month early access period, NBCUniversal's ad-supported streaming service, Peacock, is finally ready to launch nationwide. Peacock will be available on July 15 with free, premium, and ad-free subscription tiers. The platform will compete with a growing field of on-demand services that includes the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max.

Peacock's catalog includes a mix of new and classic NBC shows, like "Saturday Night Live" and "Parks and Recreation," along with movies from Universal films and live events broadcast by NBC Sports. Premium subscribers will also have access to new shows that are exclusive to Peacock, including an adaptation of the classic novel "Brave New World," and the critically acclaimed British crime drama "The Capture."

How do I watch Peacock original shows and movies?

While a few of the originals will be available for free, you'll need a Peacock Premium subscription to watch the full selection of original series and movies.

Peacock Premium costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. People who pre-order a Peacock Premium subscription can get a 40% discount if they sign up for a full year, dropping the annual price to $29.99.

The pre-order discount is available through July 14. Meanwhile, if you already subscribe to Xfinity internet or cable you get Peacock Premium for free with your current subscription.

However, Peacock Premium still has commercials. If you want to watch Peacock Premium without ads, you need to upgrade to the Peacock Premium ad-free plan for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. If you pre-order an annual Peacock Premium ad-free subscription, you can receive a 20% discount on your first year, bringing the price down to $79.99. This promotion will be available through July 14.

Below, you can find every original show and movie available on Peacock:

"Brave New World"

"Brave New World" is a dystopian sci-fi series based on Aldous Huxley's book of the same name. "Brave New World" depicts an alternate future where the world has united under a single culture based on logic, forgoing common notions of race, religion, marriage, and national identity.

Though citizens of the World State believe they're living in a utopia, Huxley's characters rely on a drug called soma to maintain happiness and struggle to rise above their predetermined status in society. Their utopia is further called into question when World State citizen Bernard Marx encounters a young man raised in the outside world. The show stars Alden Ehrenreich, Jessica Brown Findlay, and Harry Lloyd.



"Cleopatra in Space"

A teenage version of the famous Egyptian queen is sent 30,000 years into the future to battle an alien space ruler in this kid-focused adaptation of the comic book series created by Mike Maihack.



"Curious George"

Peacock will be the exclusive home for new seasons of the "Curious George" TV show, which began on PBS Kids in 2006. The show follows the young ape on a series of adventures and teaches young kids how to safely explore the world around them.



"Where's Waldo"

"Where's Waldo" will launch its second season on Peacock after premiering on Universal Kids in 2019. The show brings viewers to a new city around the world in each episode with the intention of teaching kids about different cultures.



"Psych 2: Lassie Come Home"

"Psych" was a successful mystery-comedy series that ran for eight seasons on the USA Network from 2006 to 2014. James Roday plays Shawn Spencer, a psychic detective who fakes his abilities but still manages to solve mysteries with the help of his friend Gus (Dulé Hill) and police detective Carlton "Lassie" Lassiter (Timothy Omundson).

"Psych" returned in 2017 with a made-for-TV movie that continued the story three years after its conclusion. "Psyche 2: Lassie Come Home" will move the show from the USA Network for the very first time, and creator Steve Franks said he'd be willing to do up to six "Psych" movies.



"In Deep with Ryan Lochte"

After earning six gold medals over the course of his Olympic career, swimmer Ryan Lochte is working to repair an image that was tarnished after he was arrested in Brazil following the 2016 Olympics and suspended in 2018 for violating US anti-doping policies.

Now 35-years-old, the documentary will track Lochte's past and his efforts to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.



"Lost Speedways"

Narrated and produced by NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr, "Lost Speedways" traces the history of America's car racing culture through the decades, unearthing forgotten tracks where the sport found its origin.



"The Capture"

In this British crime drama, a detective works to uncover if a military veteran is being framed for the murder of a judge after the accused is seemingly captured committing the crime on camera. The suspenseful six-episode drama has already received high praise in the UK after airing on BBC, and it will be available exclusively on Peacock in the US.



"Intelligence"

"Friends" actor David Schwimmer stars in this British sitcom about an NSA agent who finds himself in over his head while working as a liaison to the British government. The first season aired in the UK and a second has already been confirmed, but the series will be exclusive to Peacock in the United States.



More shows coming to Peacock in the future

Peacock has a long list of original series and movies planned for the future, including reboots of "Battlestar Galactica" and "Punky Brewster."

Peacock renewed the sitcom "A.P Bio" as an exclusive after two seasons on NBC.  The third season will be exclusive to Peacock in September 2020.

Future international programming on Peacock includes the British comedy "Hitmen" releasing August 6, the Australian drama "Five Bedrooms" premiering on August 13, and the Canadian crime-drama "Departure" which will debut on Peacock on September 17.

We'll keep updating this list as new original shows are added, and you can find out what else comes with your Peacock subscription in our full breakdown.



7 retail-related ways the world we live in is like the dystopian future from 'Idiocracy', and 1 notable way it isn't

0
0

  • The dystopian future depicted in Mike Judge's 2006 film "Idiocracy" no longer looks like a worst-case scenario.
  • In fact, there are seven retail-related ways the world we live in is just like the world of "Idiocracy," and one way it's notably different.
  • Crocs are in, brands are people, and fast food is in the White House — and more.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Somehow, the dystopian future predicted in Mike Judge's 2006 film "Idiocracy" has gone from far-fetched satire to something closer to a documentary. 

There are some retail-specific ways, however, in which the world we live in currently resembles the world of "Idiocracy." Here are seven ways that today's retail world is a lot like the future of "Idiocracy"— and one way it very much isn't.

SEE ALSO: Meet Flippy, White Castle's new robot chef that can fry food and flip burgers

1. Crocs are in.

When Crocs first came out, Mike Judge thought, "Wow, these look really stupid." Crocs went through a period of brief popularity in the 2000s before retreating to the market niches of people with jobs that require standing a lot, like nurses. Fast forward to 2020. Crocs are in again? And they've partnered with fast-food brands to bring even more commerciality to high fashion? Thank your local VSCO girl and move on.



2. Fast food is in the White House.

Fast food is both literally and metaphorically in the White House, and also in real life.

In a scene from "Idiocracy" where Luke Wilson's character tries to convince the most powerful people in America to water their plants with water instead of a sports drink, the table is littered with junk food. And the Secretary of Education keeps saying "brought to you by Carl's Jr.," because the government in the movie is funded and controlled in part by the fast-food brand.

President Trump, who is himself a fast-food devotee, nominated Andrew Puzder, the former CEO of Carl's Jr's parent company, CKE Holdings, to the position of Secretary of Labor. While Puzder's nomination was eventually withdrawn, Trump has remained close to many fast-food executives, most recently making chummy small-talk at a restaurant industry roundtable with James Bodenstedt, the owner of MUY! Brands, one of the biggest fast-food franchisee operators and a major Trump donor.



3. And so is corporate sponsorship.

Brought to you by Carl's Jr.!

 



4. Fully automated payment is a thing.

Okay, so we don't exactly have barcode tattoos that allow us to automatically pay for everything we buy. But we do have Amazon Go.

Automatic, contactless payment was actually one of the brighter ideas in the film's future of idiots. And thanks to the coronavirus, the buy-things world is fast-tracking the adoption of contactless payments.



5. The line between brands and people have blurred.

So far, there hasn't been a trend of naming babies after junk food (characters in the movie are named things like Frito, Mountain Dew, and Beef Supreme), although the hundreds of babies named "Khaleesi" may face similar challenges in the coming decades.

However, the line between corporate brand and human has become even more blurred with the rise of influencers and the personal brand. There are influencers selling everything on this spinning ball of dirt, including Mountain Dew.

Social media platforms like also Twitter further helped anthropomorphize brands. Does Wendy's have a great personality? Maybe it's Maybelline, or maybe it's a social media marketing company. Does Walmart have a fun, young soul? Young people seem to think so.



7. Fast food may soon be the only food left.

Well-funded chain restaurants that have a corporate safety net are more likely to survive the pandemic than mom-and-pops. It's not like fast food will be the only food left after the pandemic. But the ratio of fast-food restaurants to local restaurants will be much, much higher.



6. Retail corporations have taken on government duties.

In "Idiocracy," when Luke Wilson's character visits a hospital, he's shocked to find the water fountain flowing with sports drink. In the real world, patients go to Walmart for their COVID tests and are sometimes greeted by a Pepsi sign.



But there's one retail-related way the world of "Idiocracy" differs from ours.

In the future of "Idiocracy," a sports drink named Brawndo is so ubiquitous it's all people and plants drink, and half the country is employed at the company that makes it.

America hasn't exactly kicked its sugar habit, but sports drinks aren't nearly as universally consumed as "Idiocracy" predicted. Instead, we have kombucha, flavored seltzer, hard seltzer, pickle slush, and more.

However, there's still nearly 500 years between 2020 and 2505, and the sports drink market is still steadily growing. There's plenty of time for a Brawndo-like drink to take over the world — and it might happen sooner than we think.



18 celebrity hairstyles from the '80s that you completely forgot about

0
0

george clooney then and now

The '80s brought us mullets, crimped looks, and heavy hairspray. The bigger the better.

Prepare to relive the rise of Calvin Klein jeans by Brooke Shields, Pac-Man, the Walkman, Jane Fonda's workout videos, and, of course, the hairstyles.

We've compiled some of the most memorable looks of the decade. Rewind back to the '80s and see how the stars wore their locks.

FOLLOW US: Business Insider is on Facebook

Sarah Jessica Parker wears her long locks straightened now.

She's best known for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and the City."



Back in 1985, she showed off her very curly crop in "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."

She starred alongside Lee Montgomery, Shannen Doherty, and Helen Hunt.



These days, Cyndi Lauper's hair is short and wavy.

In a commencement speech at Northern Vermont University-Johnson, Lauper told graduates to "Make your bad luck your good luck."



During the '80s, it flowed like a lion's mane.

Lauper won best new artist at the Grammys in 1985.



Rob Lowe's hair isn't particularly notable now.

He starred on "Parks and Recreation" from 2010 to 2015.



But before he was on "Parks and Recreation," he was rocking a mullet.

Lowe was spotted walking around Los Angeles in 1985 sporting sunglasses and a perfectly coiffed mullet.



Madonna has had many hairstyles over the years, but she has stuck with loose blonde waves in recent years.

She's won seven Grammys and sold over 300 million records.



In 1987, she chopped off her hair and performed with a short 'do during her "Who's That Girl" tour.

Her first tour was two years prior in 1985.



Jon Bon Jovi keeps his hair short these days.

In addition to his music, he runs a charity restaurant called JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey.



But back in the day, he waved his shaggy 'do around on stage back.

He posed with electric guitar creator Les Paul in 1988.



English pop singer Boy George has a colorful collection of hats now.

His band, Culture Club, was responsible for hits such as "Karma Chameleon" and "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me."



Back in the '80s, though, he rocked a rainbow frock of colorful braids and crimped long hair.

He visited his wax double at Madame Tussauds in June 1984.



Janet Jackson wears her hair straight as a pin today.

She is the youngest of the Jackson family's 10 kids.



During the release of her 1986 album, "Control," she had serious curls on display.

Her song "Nasty"won two awards at the 1987 American Music Awards.



George Clooney's closely cropped grey hair suits him.

The longtime bachelor married human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2014.



There's no replacing his voluminous curls on "Facts of Life."

He starred on "The Facts of Life" from 1985 to 1987.



Julia Roberts rarely wears her hair curly these days.

Her recent movies have included "Ben Is Back" and "Wonder."



But her famous locks made her a household name in "Mystic Pizza" and later in "Pretty Woman."

She won a Golden Globe for her iconic role in "Pretty Woman."



Nicole Kidman sometimes shows off subtle waves.

Kidman attended the annual ELLE Women in Hollywood event in Los Angeles in 2019.



Back in the '80s and early '90s, she was known for her curly mane.

1983 was a big year for Kidman. She starred in "Bush Christmas,""BMX Bandits,""Skin Deep," and "Chase Through the Night."



Glenn Close wears her hair in tousled waves.

Close has been nominated for seven Oscars.



At the Tony Awards in 1984, Close wore it in tight curls.

Close won the Tony for best actress in a play for "Annie in The Real Thing."



John Stamos reprised his "Full House" role in the "Fuller House" reboot in 2016.

Stamos played Jesse Katsopolis, one of the show's main characters.



Back in the '80s, hair-obsessed Uncle Jesse had a slick mullet.

Stamos appeared on "Full House"from 1987 to 1995.



Cher has been the reigning Goddess of Pop since the 1960s.

Cher rose fame as one half of Sonny and Cher, and became known for frequently reinventing herself and her music.



Many will recall Cher's hair-raising look at the 1986 Oscars.

She won best actress at the 1988 Oscars for "Moonstruck."



Ozzy Osbourne's hair is around shoulder length these days.

His recent projects include voiceover work in "Gnomeo & Juliet" and "Sherlock Gnomes."



It was much wilder in 1985.

In 1985, he joined Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi at a Live Aid concert.



Kylie Minogue wears her hair in sleek tresses to award shows.

Her song "Come Into My World"won a Grammy in 2004.



Back in her soap opera days, she styled her hair for maximum volume.

Minogue starred in the Australian soap opera "Neighbors" from 1986 to 1988, making her an international star.



Michelle Pfeiffer starred in the movie version of the hit musical "Hairspray" in 2007.

She also joined the Marvel universe as Janet Van Dyne in "Ant-Man and the Wasp."



Back in the '80s, she used a lot of hairspray when she was "Married to the Mob."

Pfeiffer starred in "Married to the Mob" alongside Alec Baldwin, Paul Lazar, and Dean Stockwell.



Jane Fonda embraced her grey hair at the 2020 Academy Awards.

Hair colorist Jack Martin helped Fonda go grey.



In the '80s, when her hair was longer and wavy, she took a risk releasing workout videos, which became a surprise success.

She also appeared in classic '80s movies like "9 to 5."



Linda Hamilton is best known for starring in the "Terminator" movie series.

She reprised her role of Sarah Connor in "Terminator: Dark Fate" in 2019.



Her hair in the first "Terminator" was also memorable.

The first "Terminator" movie came out in 1984.




Netflix shares its 10 most popular original movies of all time

0
0

  • Netflix provided a list of its 10 most popular original movies of all time to Bloomberg on Wednesday.
  • The list includes "Extraction,""Bird Box," and "The Irishman."
  • Netflix counts a view if an account watches at least two minutes of a movie or TV series.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Netflix has revealed its most popular original movies ever.

The list, provided to Bloomberg on Wednesday, includes the action movie "Extraction" starring Chris Hemsworth, the thriller "Bird Box" starring Sandra Bullock, and Martin Scorsese's Oscar contender "The Irishman."

Netflix has lifted the curtain on viewership numbers in recent years on some of its biggest hits, but never indicates whether an original movie has performed poorly. It also introduced daily top 10 lists of its most popular movies and TV shows earlier this year. This is the first time the streaming giant has offered its own list of its most popular movies of all time, though.

Netflix counts a view if an account watches at least two minutes of a movie or TV series, which is how it calculated this list and its daily lists. The list of biggest movies ever is based on viewership within the first four weeks.

After "Extraction" debuted in April, Netflix said it was pacing to be its biggest movie premiere of all time. It looks like it lived up to expectations, as it topped the list.

Netflix's latest original movie, "The Old Guard," is another hit and has topped the daily lists since it debuted on Friday.

Below are the 10 most popular Netflix original movies ever:

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Old Guard' writer explains the challenges of turning his comic into a movie and his 'in case of sequel, break glass' ending

10. "The Perfect Date" (2019) — 48 million viewers in first four weeks

Description: "To earn money for college, a high schooler launches an app offering his services as a fake date. But when real feelings emerge, things get complicated."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 65%

What critics said: "'The Perfect Date' feels engineered by Netflix algorithms."— Los Angeles Times



9. "The Platform" (2020) —56 million

Description: "In a prison where inmates on high floors eat better than those below, who get the scant scraps, one man tries to effect change so everyone gets enough."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 83%

What critics said: "If you can stomach it, 'The Platform' is a funny and fierce farce with its eyes on race, class and the ways people can rise up for the betterment of all by working together."— Detroit News



8. "The Wrong Missy" (2020) — 59 million

Description: "Tim thinks he's invited the woman of his dreams on a work retreat to Hawaii, realizing too late he mistakenly texted someone from a nightmare blind date."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 36%

What critics said: "One can't shake the impression that Spade has been handed his unwanted leftovers."— AV Club



7. "Triple Frontier" (2019) — 63 million

Description: "Loyalties are tested when five former special forces operatives reunite to steal a drug lord's fortune, unleashing a chain of unintended consequences."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 71%

What critics said: "There's a meta-narrative in there somewhere, condemning films like Triple Frontier for exploiting the violence of war for superficial ends, but Chandor doesn't delve into self-analysis long enough to make a point about it."— The Wrap



6. "The Irishman" (2019) — 64 million

Description: "Hit man Frank Sheeran looks back at the secrets he kept as a loyal member of the Bufalino crime family in this acclaimed film from Martin Scorsese."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 96%

What critics said: "It's the ultimate fusing of Scorsese's two sides ... And even though it takes a while to get there, the movie is a masterpiece, one made by a man counting down his own years as if they were rosary beads."— Boston Globe 



5. "Murder Mystery" (2019) — 73 million

Description: "On a long-awaited trip to Europe, a New York City cop and his hairdresser wife scramble to solve a baffling murder aboard a billionaire's yacht."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 44%

What critics said: "It would be uncomfortably cynical to assume that Sandler thinks these novocaine-like comedies are what common people want to watch, but the guy doesn't leave us much choice."— Indiewire



4. "6 Underground" (2019) — 83 million

Description: "After faking his death, a tech billionaire recruits a team of international operatives for a bold and bloody mission to take down a brutal dictator."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 36%

What critics said: "This is a terrible action movie that utilizes Michael Bay's worst instincts and none of his best."— Newsday



3. "Spenser Confidential" (2020) — 85 million

Description: "Spenser, an ex-cop and ex-con, teams up with aspiring fighter Hawk to uncover a sinister conspiracy tied to the deaths of two Boston police officers."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 37%

What critics said: "It's an action-comedy-mystery-thriller that manages to spectacularly fail at all the above, an algorithmic abomination that's as coldly constructed as it is clumsily made."— Guardian



2. "Bird Box" (2018) — 89 million

Description: "Five years after an ominous unseen presence drives most of society to suicide, a survivor and her two children make a desperate bid to reach safety."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 63%

What critics said: "Unfortunately, Bird Box puts these performers through familiar paces, in roles of such tight typecasting that they seem like recurring characters in an extended TV series."— New Yorker



1. "Extraction" (2020) — 99 million

Description: "A hardened mercenary's mission becomes a soul-searching race to survive when he's sent into Bangladesh to rescue a drug lord's kidnapped son."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 68%

What critics said: "No judgments here if you just want to hang back and let nonstop gore, gunfire, explosions and a gung-ho Chris Hemsworth numb you into submission."— Rolling Stone



The top 9 movies on Netflix this week, from 'The Old Guard' to 'Only'

0
0

  • "The Old Guard" surged up Netflix's popularity rankings this week. 
  • Netflix introduced daily top lists of the most popular titles on the streaming service in February.
  • Streaming search engine Reelgood keeps track of the lists and provides Business Insider with a rundown of the week's most popular movies on Netflix every Friday.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

"The Old Guard" is officially a major hit for Netflix.

The comic-book action movie, starring Charlize Theron, has spent the last week at the top of the streaming giant's daily top 10 lists of its most popular titles.

Netflix introduced daily top 10 lists of its most viewed movies and TV shows in February (it counts a view if an account watches at least two minutes of a title).

Every week, the streaming search engine Reelgood compiles for Business Insider a list of which movies have been most prominent on Netflix's daily lists that week. On Reelgood, users can browse Netflix's entire movie library and sort by IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes ratings.

Below are Netflix's 9 most popular movies of the week in the US:

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Old Guard' writer explains the challenges of turning his comic into a movie and his 'in case of sequel, break glass' ending

9. "Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado" (2020, Netflix original)

Description: "Dazzling and tender-hearted, legendary astrologer Walter Mercado vanished at the peak of his fame. This documentary poignantly explains what happened."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 100%

What critics said: "The film is a wild ride and a loving portrait, providing a vital record of this outsized figure who was so ahead of his time it seemed as though he transcended the laws of the universe."— Indiewire



8. "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" (2007)

Description: "When widower Larry asks Chuck to pose as his gay lover so that he can get domestic partner benefits for his kids, his loyal buddy agrees."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 15%

What critics said: "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is a comedy of masquerade that Shakespeare might have written if he were pea-brained and talentless and had been commissioned to script an Adam Sandler movie."— Financial Times



7. "Despicable Me" (2010)

Netflix description: "Villainous Gru hatches a plan to steal the moon from the sky. But he has a tough time staying on task after three orphans land in his care."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 81%

What critics said: "The Steve Carell-starring animated comedy is an instant classic, and for anyone with kids, this might buy you a couple hours' peace."— Daily Beast



6. "365 Days" (2020)

Description: "A fiery executive in a spiritless relationship falls victim to a dominant mafia boss, who imprisons her and gives her one year to fall in love with him."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 0%

What critics said: "Like a big-budget porn film with dramatically thinned out narrative and character development, a bunch of unambiguously abusive 'foreplay' added in, and all of the hardcore elements taken out."— Jezebel



5. "How Do You Know" (2010)

Description: "Feeling spurned after being cut from the national team, newly single softball player Lisa finds herself in a heated love triangle."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 31%

What critics said: "Though neither mindless nor insensitive, this interminable movie falls far short of Brooks's best work, which is to say Broadcast News and As Good As It Gets."— Guardian



4. "Desperados" (2020, Netflix original)

Description: "After drunkenly sending a cringeworthy email, hopeless romantic Wes heads to Mexico with her best friends to erase the note before her new love reads it."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 13%

What critics said: "Among the most abysmal romantic comedies that came out of this century."— RogerEbert.com



3. "Only" (2019)

Description: "A couple must endure a self-imposed quarantine and elude authorities after a mysterious virus proves lethal to the world's female population."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 40%

What critics said: "A dramatic quietude lifts this indie above the tumult of many exploitative, apocalyptic thrillers."— Variety



2. "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" (2012)

Description: "The forest-dwelling Lorax has to stop the short-sighted Once-ler from ruining the environment for profit in this adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 53%

What critics said: "About as factory-produced a film as it's possible to make about the evils of commercialism, while the bulbous, Haribo-hued animation style reflects none of Seuss's visual wit."— Time Out



1. "The Old Guard" (2020, Netflix original)

Description: "Four undying warriors who've secretly protected humanity for centuries become targeted for their mysterious powers just as they discover a new immortal."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 81%

What critics said: "In drawing our attention to who these characters are as opposed to leaning upon the awe-inspiring moves they can pull off, the movie opts to be rich with emotional resonance as opposed to lousy with quips and explosions."— Salon

 



6 of the most expensive movies Netflix has ever made

0
0

  • Netflix's "The Gray Man," from "Avengers: Endgame" directors Joe and Anthony Russo, will cost "upward of $200 million" to make, according to Deadline.
  • That would make it Netflix's most expensive movie yet.
  • We gathered six movies that Netflix has committed huge amounts of money to, from "Bright" to "The Irishman."
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Netflix is set to make its most expensive movie yet.

The streaming giant's "Gray Man," from "Avengers: Endgame" directors Joe and Anthony Russo and starring Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling, will have a budget "upward of $200 million,"Deadline reported on Friday.  The Russo Brothers intend to create a franchise "with a James Bond level of scale," according to Deadline.

Netflix is known for committing a lot of money to movies that traditional movie studios are wary of.

Its R-rated action-drama "Triple Frontier" cost $115 million to produce, according to IndieWire. Star Ben Affleck was paid $8 million, according to Variety. Martin Scorsese's Oscar contender "The Irishman" cost nearly $160 million to make, according to IMDb Pro.

The upcoming action movies, "Red Notice" will cost between $160 million and $200 million, according to Variety, and the aforementioned "Gray Man" will cost around $200 million.

Business Insider gathered six of Netflix's most expensive movies and ranked them from least to most expensive.

SEE ALSO: Netflix shares its 10 most popular original movies of all time

6. "Bright" (2017)

Budget: $90 million (Source: IMDb Pro)

"Bright" is one of Netflix's earlier original movies, but the streaming giant was still confident enough in the project to commit $90 million to it. The Will Smith action-fantasy debuted before Netflix started revealing viewership numbers, but content chief Ted Sarandos said after its release that its success showed how critics are "disconnected from the commercial prospects of a film." It has a 28% Rotten Tomatoes critic score.



5. "Triple Frontier" (2019)

Budget: $115 million (Source: Indiewire)

Netflix took a chance spending so much on the R-rated action-drama "Triple Frontier." It seems to have worked, as Netflix said that "Triple Frontier" was one of its most popular movies ever and was watched by 63 million households in its first four weeks of release.



4. "6 Underground" (2019)

Budget: $150 million (Source: IMDb Pro)

Michael Bay's "6 Underground" is among Netflix's most popular movies of all time. It ranks fourth on the list with 83 million viewers in its first four weeks of release, according to the streamer. 



3. "The Irishman" (2019)

Budget: $159 million (Source: IMDb Pro)

Martin Scorsese's three-and-a-half-hour gangster epic was nominated for 10 Oscars. While it didn't win any, Netflix said it is one of its most-watched movies ever at 64 million households in its first four weeks. The budget ballooned thanks largely to deaging technology used to make the actors, including Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, look younger.



2. "Red Notice" (No release date)

Budget: $160 million-$200 million (Source: Variety)

Production on "Red Notice"— starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot — was delayed earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and no release date has been announced. The three stars are receiving massive paydays: Gadot and Reynolds are both getting $20 million for the movie while Johnson is expected to make more because he is also a producer, according to Variety. While the movie could cost up to $200 million, Variety reported it may be closer to $160 million.



1. "The Gray Man" (No release date)

Budget: Upward of $200 million (Source: Deadline)

Joe and Anthony Russo, known for "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Endgame," will direct "The Gray Man" for Netflix, which Deadline reported will have a budget upward of $200 million, making it Netflix's most expensive movie yet. Captain America actor Chris Evans will reteam with the Russos, along with Ryan Reynolds. 



7 movies you can stream right now if you're trying to understand what it means to be an anti-racist

0
0

moonlight

  • Black Lives Matter protests spread across the country and the world after George Floyd was killed in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25.
  • Anti-racism is an effort to consciously work against systemic racism.
  • To practice anti-racism, one must learn about how racial oppression and inequality have shaped the country's history.
  • Business Insider spoke with Samantha Sheppard, an assistant film professor at Cornell University with an academic focus on Black cultural production and African American cinema, about how films can help people understand anti-racism.
  • Sheppard said that people can watch films that talk about American history, the Black experience, and even racist films to learn about how racism exists and functions.
  • Here are some of Sheppard's film recommendations for learning what it means to be anti-racist.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

There is no such thing as a "non-racist" person, racism scholar Ibram X. Kendi says. Rather, people are either racist or anti-racist, because there is no room to be neutral. To be anti-racist, one must consciously work against racism, Robert J. Patterson, professor of African American Studies at Georgetown University, previously told Business Insider.

Start your anti-racist work by educating yourself. One way to educate yourself is through films, according to Samantha Sheppard. Sheppard teaches film at Cornell University, with a focus on Black cultural production.

Some of these films explore the beauty, pleasure, pain, and politics of Blackness and others have the power to teach you "the ways Hollywood has framed and tried to reframe Black people into very small categories and representational tropes," Sheppard told Business Insider. 

Sheppard added that you can even do anti-racist work by watching racist films and paying attention to the ways that the film is supporting racism. You have to interact with the film to do so. 

Two of Sheppard's recommended films aren't currently available online but are valuable to watch. "The Spook Who Sat by the Door," a 1973 film about a Black man who has an apprenticeship with the C.I.A. and uses what he learns to organize a Black Revolution, is "perhaps one of the most powerful films that has ever existed" in Sheppard's opinion. Another is "Killer of Sheep", a film about Black families living in poverty in the mid-1970s in the neighborhood of Watts, Los Angeles, told from the perspective of a father who works at a slaughterhouse. These films, Sheppard said, can help viewers understand Black pain and politics.

Here are seven other movies you can stream right now to get you started, listed in order of release date.

SEE ALSO: 18 books on race and white privilege that will show you what's really happening in America right now

DON'T MISS: What it really means to be an anti-racist, and why it's not the same as being an ally

1. "Something Good-Negro Kiss" (1898)

"Something Good-Negro Kiss," a silent short film, shows two Black actors kissing and laughing four times in less than 30 seconds. It is the first-known film of a Black couple kissing.

The film was inducted into the Library of Congress in 2018. The press release marking the occasion said that the chemistry between the actors is what makes the film so powerful.

"It's really a beautiful piece of art and artifacts," Sheppard told Business Insider.

Watch it here >>



2. "Within Our Gates" (1920)

"Within Our Gates" is a silent film about a Black woman who works to save a school for impoverished Black students. The film was a response to a film called "The Birth of a Nation," about southern white people and the Ku Klux Klan. 

Dick Lehr, the author of the book "The Birth of a Nation: How a Legendary Filmmaker and a Crusading Editor Reignited America's Civil War,"told NPR in 2015 that the film's director, D.W. Griffith, "portrayed the emancipated slaves as heathens, as unworthy of being free, as uncivilized, as primarily concerned with passing laws so they could marry white women and prey on them."

"'Within Our Gates' really speaks back to the sort of racist white programming at the time that painted African Americans in really viscerally evil ways," Sheppard said. "And 'Within Our Gates' really takes seriously the very form and function of racism during this time, including white mob violence, the assault of Black women by white men, and tries to carefully reconstruct the Black path to Black memory."

This film is in the Library of Congress

Watch it here >>



3. "Do the Right Thing" (1989)

"Do the Right Thing" is a comedic drama that takes place over the course of one summer day in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. The film highlights racial tensions in Brooklyn when a Black pizzeria delivery driver confronts the owner of the restaurant about its depiction of the neighborhood.

No. 27 on the National Society of Film Critics' "100 Essential Films" list, "Do the Right Thing" was controversial at the time of its release, but now it's considered a classic. 

"It's not dated; it hasn't aged,"Spike Lee, writer, director, and star of the film told USA Today in 2019.  "I was just trying to capture some truths as I saw them at the time that are still relevant today."

Watch it here >>



4. "Daughters of the Dust" (1991)

"Daughters of the Dust" is the story of a Black family living in South Carolina in the early 1900s after being enslaved in West Africa. Exploring themes of Black female identity, generational trauma, love, and belonging, this is Sheppard's favorite film on this list.

"I think that this film really understood that [making] films of a Black woman — and more importantly, [watching] films as a Black woman — involves a retraining of how you watch movies," Sheppard told Business Insider.

A film that is created to make us think about the way we look at cinema, Black women, and the way we remember history is a pleasure to experience, in Sheppard's view.

Watch it here >>



5. "Black Is ... Black Ain't" (1995)

"Black Is ... Black Ain't," a documentary, explores Black identity and diversity across the US. Produced by Marlon Riggs, the film explores perspectives of Black people of various ages with various backgrounds, including a range of wealth and sexual identity.

Watch it here >>



6. "Watermelon Woman" (1997)

"Watermelon Woman" is a romantic comedy-drama about a Black lesbian documentarian named Cheryl who is trying to make a film about an imaginary 1930s Black film actress commonly known as "the Watermelon Woman." The film is ultimately about Cheryl finding her own sense of identity and community.

Watch it here >>



7. "Moonlight" (2016)

"Moonlight"  tells the story of a gay Black man named Chiron growing up in Miami struggling with self-acceptance. The movie beautifully documents Chiron's experiences and emotions throughout his childhood and into his adult life. It won the Oscar for Best Picture at the 89th Academy Awards in 2017.

Watch it here >>



The top 9 movies on Netflix this week, from 'Fatal Affair' to 'The Old Guard'

0
0

fatal affair netflix

  • "The Old Guard" was dethroned this week by another Netflix movie, "Fatal Affair."
  • Netflix introduced daily top lists of the most popular titles on the streaming service in February.
  • Streaming search engine Reelgood keeps track of the lists and provides Business Insider with a rundown of the week's most popular movies on Netflix every Friday.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Netflix's "The Old Guard" continues to be a hit with audiences, but it was dethroned this week in the streamer's popularity rankings by another Netflix original, the new thriller "Fatal Affair."

Netflix introduced daily top 10 lists of its most viewed movies and TV shows in February (it counts a view if an account watches at least two minutes of a title).

Every week, the streaming search engine Reelgood compiles for Business Insider a list of which movies have been most prominent on Netflix's daily lists that week. On Reelgood, users can browse Netflix's entire movie library and sort by IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes ratings.

Below are Netflix's 9 most popular movies of the week in the US:

SEE ALSO: HBO Max and Peacock are already losing some high-profile movies and it shows how they're taking a different approach than Disney Plus

9. "Devil's Gate" (2017)

Description: "Seeking a missing woman in North Dakota, an FBI agent and a sheriff focus on her religious zealot husband but discover something far more sinister."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 38%

What critics said: "This is one of those horror movies that want to have it every way possible. It's not good, but it could pass muster among midnight-movie enthusiasts or curious stoners."— New York Times



8. "365 Days" (2020)

Description: "A fiery executive in a spiritless relationship falls victim to a dominant mafia boss, who imprisons her and gives her one year to fall in love with him."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 0%

What critics said: "The movie pretty much cops every move made by 50 Shades, as if it were a bible of antisexy awfulness."— Decider



7. "Ip Man 4: The Finale" (2019)

Description:"Ip Man travels to San Francisco with his son and wrestles with tensions between martial arts masters and his star student, Bruce Lee."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 90%

What critics said: "Ip Man 4: The Finale wraps up the parent series with a movie that's comparatively weak in the kung fu department but atypically solid at killing time between set pieces. The highs are lower than usual, the lows higher. It all goes down smooth."— AV Club



6. "Despicable Me" (2010)

Netflix description: "Villainous Gru hatches a plan to steal the moon from the sky. But he has a tough time staying on task after three orphans land in his care."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 81%

What critics said: "It is a perfectly agreeable family entertainment, but not exactly original and nowhere near Pixar's great creations."— Guardian



5. "MILF" (2018, Netflix original)

Description: "In the south of France, three best friends in their 40s navigate loss and heartbreak while embarking on steamy affairs with much younger men."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 17%

What critics said: "Movie I'd like to forget."— Hollywood Reporter



4. "How Do You Know" (2010)

Description: "Feeling spurned after being cut from the national team, newly single softball player Lisa finds herself in a heated love triangle."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 31%

What critics said: "Everything looks primed for civilized amusement, but somewhere along the way the laughs dropped off, together with the question mark in the title."— New Yorker



3. "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" (2012)

Description: "The forest-dwelling Lorax has to stop the short-sighted Once-ler from ruining the environment for profit in this adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 53%

What critics said: "When a film misses the point as cretinously as The Lorax does, it really gets the blood up, although perhaps the lesson to learn here is simply that Seuss's aesthetic resists a cinematic treatment."— Daily Telegraph



2. "The Old Guard" (2020, Netflix original)

Description: "Four undying warriors who've secretly protected humanity for centuries become targeted for their mysterious powers just as they discover a new immortal."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 81%

What critics said: "If you miss the blockbuster and the star vehicle and the big action sequence, and if you want something that can be all those things while still having humanity and thought and a point of view, this is your film."— NPR



1. "Fatal Affair" (2020, Netflix original)

Description: "A lawyer is caught in a terrifying game of cat and mouse when a drink with an old friend escalates into an obsession that jeopardizes everyone she loves."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 22%

What critics said: "If a thriller is only about as good as its villain, Fatal Affair is in sad shape."— RogerEbert.com



HBO Max has over 900 more movies and TV shows than HBO does, but Roku and Amazon Fire TV users can't watch them

0
0

lord of the rings

  • WarnerMedia's HBO Max launched in May, but is still not available on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, the two largest streaming TV distribution platforms.
  • Subscribers using those platforms only have access to HBO content (currently through the HBO Now or HBO Go apps).
  • How big of a difference is there between the HBO Max and HBO catalogs?
  • The streaming search engine Reelgood provided Business Insider with exclusive data that show that HBO Max has has 754 more movies and 186 more TV shows than HBO.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

WarnerMedia's HBO Max launched in May with 10,000 hours of content, but not everyone can access it two months after its debut.

Max has yet to reach a deal with Roku and Amazon, the two largest streaming distribution platforms. They accounted for 70% of the combined market share as of July 2019, according to the market research firm Parks Associates

The standoff means that millions of Roku or Amazon Fire TV users can only access content on HBO (currently through the HBO Now or HBO Go apps) rather than the hundreds of additional movies and TV shows that are available on HBO Max. 

Reelgood, the streaming search engine, provided Business Insider exclusive data that show how many movies and TV shows Roku and Amazon customers are missing out on.

Reelgood   HBO Max and HBO Now Catalog Snapshots as of 7.22.2020

As of July 22, HBO Max had 1,838 movies and 442 TV shows, while HBO had 1,084 movies and 256 TV shows, according to Reelgood. That means that Max has 754 more movies and 186 more TV shows than HBO (940 in total), all of which are unavailable to Roku and Amazon users.

Some of the highlights that are on Max but not on HBO include the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and Adult Swim's "Rick and Morty." The hit sitcom "Friends" is also exclusively on Max. WarnerMedia snagged the "Friends" streaming rights last year from Netflix for $425 million ($85 million a year for five years), according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Why hasn't a deal been reached?

Variety reported that one sticking point is that Max and NBCUniversal's new streaming platform, Peacock — which also hasn't reached a deal with Roku or Amazon — want users to access the services directly through the apps rather than through the Roku Channel and Amazon Channels, so that the companies can gather user data.

AT&T said last week that Max and HBO had a combined 36.3 million subscribers in the US as of June 30. The company said that about 3 million new subscribers signed up directly to Max and that there were 4.1 million total activations of the Max app. That means that just over 1 million customers who were already paying for HBO through a cable or live TV provider have accessed Max. That's a tiny number given that Max is free with their HBO subscription and has all of HBO plus hundreds more movies and TV shows.

It suggests that the lack of Roku and Amazon Fire TV support, or a lack of brand awareness for HBO Max, are hurting adoption.

Below are the top five movies on HBO Max that are not on HBO based on IMDb ratings, according to Reelgood:

  1. "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy (2001-2003)
  2. "Saving Private Ryan" (1997)
  3. "Spirited Away" (2001)
  4. "Seven Samurai" (1954)
  5. "Pather Panchali" (1955)

And here are the top five TV shows:

  1. "Rick and Morty" (2013-present)
  2. "Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood" (2009-2010)
  3. "Death Note" (2006-2007)
  4. "Friends" (1994-2004)
  5. "Hunter x Hunter" (2011-2014)

SEE ALSO: HBO Max and Peacock are already losing some high-profile movies and it shows how they're taking a different approach than Disney Plus

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why thoroughbred horse semen is the world's most expensive liquid

Horror, disaster, and sports: Exclusive data reveals what movies audiences have watched during the pandemic

0
0

contagion movie

  • The digital movie app Movies Anywhere provided Business Insider a look at user behavior from March through May, after coronavirus safety guidelines were introduced.
  • Total digital purchases from Movies Anywhere for April and May were up 65% compared to last year.
  • Certain genres saw significant spikes, such as disaster movies, driven by the popularity of the 2011 pandemic movie "Contagion."
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With movie theaters closed since March and major movie releases delayed, audiences have had to rely more on streaming and video-on-demand platforms.

The digital movie app Movies Anywhere noticed a shift in user behavior that is evident in data it tracked from March to May this year, after coronavirus-related safety guidelines were introduced.

Movies Anywhere provided Business Insider exclusive data that provide a snapshot of the kinds of movies people were watching while staying indoors and social distancing.

It also announced on Tuesday a new feature called Watch Together, which offers users co-viewing across mobile, web, and most smart TV platforms. For those participating in the Screen Pass beta, they will be able to send a Screen Pass-eligible movie to others who did not purchase it for co-viewing, at no additional cost.

Total digital purchases from Movies Anywhere for April and May were up 65% compared to last year, the company said, but the increase for specific genres was even more notable.

"We are seeing the largest spikes around family animation and sports, as well as escapist movies such as horror and thrillers," said Karin Gilford, the Movies Anywhere general manager. 

Movies Anywhere said that family films were still the top genre for the service, but other genres saw significant spikes.

"Contagion," a 2011 movie about a deadly pandemic, saw a surge in popularity during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, which was clear for Movies Anywhere, too. It was the top movie for the thriller and disaster genres, which were up 149% and 143%, respectively, in year-over-year sales in May.

Sports movies saw a dramatic increase in sales of 339% in May compared to last year, suggesting audiences were starving for that content while real-life sports took a hiatus.

Movies Anywhere also saw spikes in the amount of time users spent watching on certain devices in April, year-over-year:

  • Android TV — up 57%
  • Apple TVOS — up 30%
  • Amazon Fire TV — up 27%
  • Roku — up 27%

Below is how much each genre increased in sales for May compared to last May, and the top three movies in each genre:

SEE ALSO: HBO Max has over 900 more movies and TV shows than HBO does, but Roku and Amazon Fire TV users can't watch them

Disaster movie purchases were up 143% in May year-over-year.

  1. "Contagion" (2011)
  2. "Armageddon" (1998)
  3. "Twister" (1996)


Sales for thrillers were up 149% in May compared to last year.

  1. "Contagion" (2011)
  2. "Armageddon" (1998)
  3. "Con Air" (1997)


Horror sales increased 194%.

  1. "The Shining" (1980)
  2. "Zombieland" (2009)
  3. "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" (2016)


Sales for sports movies were up 339%.

  1. "The Sandlot" (1993)
  2. "The Karate Kid" (1984)
  3. "A League of Their Own" (1992)


Family films are still Movies Anywhere's most popular genre, the company said.

  1. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001)
  2. "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" (2017)
  3. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002)



The top 9 movies on Netflix this week, from 'The Kissing Booth 2' to 'Animal Crackers'

0
0

kissing booth 2

  • Both of the "Kissing Booth" movies are hits on Netflix this week.
  • Netflix introduced daily top lists of the most popular titles on the streaming service in February.
  • Streaming search engine Reelgood keeps track of the lists and provides Business Insider with a rundown of the week's most popular movies on Netflix every Friday.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Netflix recently debuted "The Kissing Booth 2," and it's a hit on the streaming giant. It also gave the first movie a big bump in popularity.

Netflix introduced daily top 10 lists of its most viewed movies and TV shows in February (it counts a view if an account watches at least two minutes of a title).

Every week, the streaming search engine Reelgood compiles for Business Insider a list of which movies have been most prominent on Netflix's daily lists that week. On Reelgood, users can browse Netflix's entire movie library and sort by IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes ratings.

Below are Netflix's 9 most popular movies of the week in the US:

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Umbrella Academy' creator on how he used the show's budget 'more effectively' in season 2 and his plans for future seasons

9. "How Do You Know" (2010)

Description: "Feeling spurned after being cut from the national team, newly single softball player Lisa finds herself in a heated love triangle."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 31%

What critics said: "Instead of juicing it up with jokes, Brooks has inadvertently given us another story of the American condition, which is that of absolute and incorrigible self-centredness."— Independent



8. "Fatal Affair" (2020, Netflix original)

Description: "A lawyer is caught in a terrifying game of cat and mouse when a drink with an old friend escalates into an obsession that jeopardizes everyone she loves."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 18%

What critics said: "Exactly the kind of barely-there diversion that you might have flipped past on the Lifetime channel in days of yore."— Globe and Mail



7. "Despicable Me" (2010)

Netflix description: "Villainous Gru hatches a plan to steal the moon from the sky. But he has a tough time staying on task after three orphans land in his care."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 81%

What critics said: "One of the year's most likeable family entertainments."— Time Out



6. "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" (2012)

Description: "The forest-dwelling Lorax has to stop the short-sighted Once-ler from ruining the environment for profit in this adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 53%

What critics said: "It stinks."— London Evening Standard



5. "Ip Man 4" (2019)

Description: "Ip Man travels to San Francisco with his son and wrestles with tensions between martial arts masters and his star student, Bruce Lee."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 90%

What critics said: "Yen's Ip Man will be sorely missed if this is indeed his last match, but at least he walked into the sunset on an exuberant and heartfelt note."— RogerEbert.com



4. "The Old Guard" (2020, Netflix original)

Description: "Four undying warriors who've secretly protected humanity for centuries become targeted for their mysterious powers just as they discover a new immortal."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 81%

What critics said: "A movie that, beneath its strong female presence and few contemporary bits of flair, has a sort of inevitable bog-standard action feel, just entertaining enough in its live-die-repeat machinations to pass the engagement test."— Entertainment Weekly



3. "The Kissing Booth" (2018, Netflix original)

Description:"When teenager Elle's first kiss leads to a forbidden romance with the hottest boy in high school, she risks her relationship with her best friend."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 17%

What critics said: "It feels like it was written by someone who simply digested everything she was told 'romance' was supposed to be by the patriarchy, and vomited back at us. Nearly every cliché in the film feels cribbed from another movie."— NBC News Think



2. "Animal Crackers" (2020, Netflix original)

Description: "Enchanted animal crackers turn Owen into whatever shape he eats! But to save the family circus, he'll have to keep them out of his evil uncle's hands."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 58%

What critics said: "Proceeds like a John Steinbeck tome for kindergartners."— New York Times



1. "The Kissing Booth" (2020, Netflix original)

Description: "With college decisions looming, Elle juggles her long-distance romance with Noah, changing relationship with bestie Lee and feelings for a new classmate."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 24%

What critics said: "The one saving grace is King, a genuinely delightful young actor who manages to hold your attention and empathy even if her underwritten character barely deserves it."— Associated Press



How to enable Hulu closed captions and format them for better visibility

0
0

Hulu app on android mobile screen

  • You can enable Hulu's closed caption feature for assistance with dialog regardless of the device you're using to watch Hulu. 
  • On most devices, you can enable closed captions and choose the language you want to see using the Settings icon, which is shaped like a gear.
  • You can also customize the font size, style, and color on most devices.
  • On your phone, you set that from the device's accessibility settings, while the process varies for the web and smart TVs.
  • Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

You can enable closed captions within Hulu for most shows and movies, but adjusting them varies depending on the show you've chosen. 

While English and Spanish are available for many programs, not every show has Spanish, for example. The device you are watching a title on can also impact the captions you have available. 

And unlike some other streaming apps, you'll have to enable captions on each device you're streaming Hulu shows and movies on. Enabling captions on one device will not allow them on your phone, computer, or smart TV. 

Here's how to enable and format captions on Hulu. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Hulu monthly subscription (From $5.99 at Hulu)

Apple Macbook Pro (From $1,299.00 at Apple)

Acer Chromebook 15 (From $179.99 at Walmart)

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Apple)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $699.99 at Walmart)

How to use Hulu closed captions in a web browser

1. When you are watching a show on Hulu in a web browser, click the Settings icon, which looks like a gear.

Hulu closed caption 1

2. Click "Subtitles." 

3. Select the language you want to see. 

4. To turn off subtitles, choose "Off" in the same menu. 

5. To customize your captions, first, click the "Settings" link in the Subtitles menu. 

6. Adjust the caption font, color, and other style options to your preferences. 

Hulu closed caption 2

7. Click "Done" to save your changes. 

How to use Hulu closed captions in the iOS app

1. While watching a show on your phone or tablet, tap the Settings icon, which looks like a gear.

2. In the Settings dropdown, swipe the Subtitles button to the right to turn it on. 

3. Then choose the language you want to see. 

Hulu closed caption 4

How to use Hulu closed captions in the Android app

1. While watching a show on your phone or tablet, tap the Settings icon, which looks like a gear.

2. In the Settings dropdown, swipe the Subtitles button to the right to turn it on. 

3. Choose the language you want to see. 

4. To customize your captions, tap the Account icon at the bottom of the screen.

5. Select "Settings." 

6. Tap "Subtitles & Captions" and wait for the Hulu app to open your phone's Settings to the Google subtitles page. 

7. On the Google subtitles menu, adjust your closed caption settings. Changes you make here will be applied to the closed captions in the Hulu app.

How to use Hulu closed captions on your smart TV

1. While watching a show, use the remote control to open the control bar (usually, you need to press the "up" button on the remote). 

2. Select the Settings menu.

Hulu closed caption 5

3. In the Captions & Subtitles section, choose "On" or "Off."

4. Select the language you want. 

Hulu closed caption 6

5. To customize your captions, go to the Hulu app's Home screen.

6. Use the remote control to select the Account icon. 

7. Pick "Settings." 

8. Now choose "Subtitles & Captions." 

9. Use the Style page to adjust the font style and size and other aspects of the text. 

10. When you're done, use the remote control to go back to the previous screen to save your settings. 

 

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

SEE ALSO: The best smartphones for streaming shows and movies

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: What makes 'Parasite' so shocking is the twist that happens in a 10-minute sequence

The best New York City pandemic summer escape is a drive-in movie theater — here's what it's like

0
0

The Skyline Drive In19

  • Skyline Drive-In, a drive-in movie theater in Brooklyn, opened on June 14.
  • It plays movies every night and guests are treated to a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline.
  • Tickets cost $54.99 per car and $34.99 per motorcycle.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As the sun set, casting its long and golden rays, I found myself looking upon a sight I never thought I'd see.

A stories-high brick-and-concrete wall, to the front of which was affixed a giant screen, towered over a row of cars, lined up neatly and orderly, waiting. To the right, across the river, the iconic New York City skyline glittered against the dusky sky. 

The Skyline Drive In4

This is the scene that awaits you if you visit the Skyline Drive-In theater in Greenpoint — Brooklyn's newest outdoor attraction. 

The movie (that Wednesday's was "Crocodile Dundee") wasn't set to begin until 9 p.m. But by the time I showed up at 7:45 p.m., the lot was already half-full. Cars parked forward-facing or backward-facing, their occupants leaving the liftgates open and letting their legs dangle down past the rear bumper.

The Skyline Drive In23

People in masks milled about, drinking beverages brought from home and taking in the view. Dogs on leashes sniffed about excitedly. Children did cartwheels on the pavement.

At the very back, a group of friends chattered idly by the van they had driven up in. Two of them sat on the roof with their legs hanging off the edge. And around them all, neon-vested staffers directed the traffic with the professionalism of a well-oiled machine. We asked and were told emptying out the entire Skyline Drive-In swiftly happens in a mere 10 minutes. 

The Skyline Drive In1

It's hard to imagine the place has only been operating for a couple of months.

Just getting started

Located at 1 Oak Street in Brooklyn, the Skyline Drive-In is situated on a huge, open industrial yard that's oftentimes used in commercials and as movie shoot locations. Most recently, you might have seen it as the backdrop for "The Punisher" on Netflix. 

The Skyline Drive In10

Right now, there is still some industrial equipment being stored there — dumpsters, construction materials — but there are plans to clear all of that away.

Its CEO, Ari, wants to expand. 

The Skyline Drive In15

Currently, there is one screen, one food truck, and only room for cars and motorcycles. Ultimately, Ari wants three screens, a luxurious lounge-like seating area for pedestrians and cyclists, and multiple food trucks. 

"How much space do you have?" I asked. "How many square feet?"

Ari gestured vaguely all around. "Oh, as far as the eye can see," he said. "About four acres."

The Skyline Drive In3

At this, I had to laugh. Acreage is not a unit of measurement you hear thrown around very often when discussing real estate in New York City. 

But it's a massive space, for sure. And it seems like Ari wants to have as many people out to enjoy it as he can.

The perfect social-distancing solution

The Skyline Drive In13

While Ari said he'd hatched the idea of a drive-in movie theater a few years ago, it wasn't his intention to open during the COVID-19 pandemic. "But then you see people ready to climb over walls to get out," he said of the stay-at-home and social-distancing mandates. "We wanted to give them something to do while everything else is closed." 

New York City is the last place you'd expect anyone to put a drive-in theater, but Ari's bet seems to be paying off.

The Skyline Drive In6

As a car owner here, I can personally attest that even on the best days, it feels like jousting with a city that hates cars and is doing its best to destroy yours. Gridlock, poor road quality, alternate-side parking squabbles, and hilariously expensive garage costs make up the crucible that is to have your own vehicle here. 

And on the worst days? Well, you may or may not catch me thinking about just throwing the keys into the East River and being done with it all. 

The Skyline Drive In14

To add to that: there's also a (largely) robust public transportation system that will (reasonably) get you where you need to go (on time, sometimes). The majority of New York City gets along just fine without ever needing to drive a car. My dad, who grew up here, didn't get a driver's license until he was well into this 30s and had moved to the suburbs. 

But COVID-19 changed that. The virus struck the city and suddenly people don't feel comfortable taking public transportation anymore. Instead, they are looking to what everyone else in the country has always known to be a source of great personal convenience and mobility: cars. 

The Skyline Drive In5

Whether or not the cars that showed up that Wednesday night were the result of COVID-19 panic-buying, it was undeniable that people in New York City do, in fact, own cars when you wouldn't think many of them would. 

The Skyline Drive-In has a capacity of about 130 cars. A staffer who gave us a tour said that tickets have been selling out every night since it showed its first movie on June 14. 

The Skyline Drive In8

The theater started out with one showing per day at 9 p.m., but Ari said that he's gotten so many requests for more showings that he opened up a second showtime at midnight. Those tickets are selling out, too, he said. 

How it works

Tickets are sold per car or per motorcycle — rather than per person — at $54.99 and $34.99, respectively. Ari said this is all in the name of efficiency: he doesn't want people fumbling for their tickets at the entrance and creating a traffic jam. 

The Skyline Drive In18

Instead, all that drivers have to do to get in is hold up a code sent straight to their phone that can be read through the windshield. Totally contactless. Once parked, guests don't even need to open their windows. The movie sound is broadcasted over an FM radio station and can be heard that way. 

"If people don't want to get out of their car, they don't need to," Ari said. 

The Skyline Drive In17

Seating is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. SUVs and bigger vehicles are encouraged to keep to the rear so people in smaller cars can see the screen. Big groups coming in vehicles such as vans are allowed, but not buses. 

"That would block the screen," the spokesperson giving the tour said. 

The Skyline Drive In24

If people want to face their cars backward so they can sit in the trunk, staffers will help them orient everything. Lawn chairs, beach towels, and outside food are welcome. You just have to turn your car's lights off and you can't leave your engine idling. Staffers said they can jump cars at the end of the movie if need be. 

On its website, Skyline Drive-In assures you that you will not be using a porta-potty. "Yes, we have proper bathrooms," it writes. "No one likes porta-potties and we won't make you use them."

The Skyline Drive In34

Currently, there's just one food truck, which Ari said operates to full capacity, so he's looking to hire more. "I want concession stands," he said. 

It's very clear the Skyline team are grateful guests in the neighborhood. They take special pains to make sure the environment stays friendly and low-key. There are multiple speakers dispersed throughout the parking lot so they can keep the volume down low, so as not to disturb the neighboring residents. 

The Skyline Drive In25

The Alamo Drafthouse is famous for enforcing a silence policy at its theaters, and it's a reason many go. At the Skyline Drive-In, the vibe is different. 

"We want people to know they can come here to relax," Ari said. "We were showing 'Footloose' here a couple of nights ago and people were singing along to the music and playing the songs on their car stereos when they were leaving." 

The experience 

The Skyline Drive In22

The last time I went to a drive-in movie theater, I was visiting friends in Saratoga Springs, New York. We tried tempting a breeze that hot summer's night by leaving the windows down, but we were immediately attacked by mosquitoes. To protect ourselves, we rolled the windows back up and spent the next two hours sweating into my friend's leather upholstery. We couldn't see the screen at all from all the condensation that gathered on the windows.

The Skyline Drive-In couldn't have been more different. 

The Skyline Drive In28

The staffers had a front-row spot waiting for us, so after the tour was over, we bought ourselves some dinner and settled in the car for the show to begin. I also broke the one rule I have in my car — no eating.

The provided outdoor speakers were loud, but to hear the finer details, you really had to use your car speakers. We had all four windows rolled down and a constant breeze tumbled through the cabin. 

The Skyline Drive In32

It brought not the typical NYC stench of garbage, urine, and despair, but the pleasant yet faint smell of brine. To pass time at the Skyline Drive-In is to smell the sea.

Too often, I'd catch myself inadvertently glancing over to my right, where the Manhattan skyline twinkled. It was such a spectacular view that I found it difficult to maintain a constant focus on the movie. 

The Skyline Drive In30

Being cooped up in an apartment with no one around is isolating — but here, surrounded by people all still socially distant, sitting in their cars, and enjoying the experience together, felt like the first slice of "normal" I'd gotten since March.

Going to the movies offers people an escape from reality for a few hours at a time. When set starkly against the current and dreadful reality we now occupy, this new drive-in does exactly that and more. 

The Skyline Drive In31

The Skyline Drive-In has no intention of being a seasonal affair. Rain, shine, summer, winter — as long as people come, the movies will keep playing.

SEE ALSO: The rise and fall of movie theaters — and how the coronavirus pandemic might change them

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: July 15 is Tax Day — here's what it's like to do your own taxes for the very first time

Disney's market value soars by $21 billion after Disney Plus hits 60 million subscribers

0
0

lin manuel miranda hamilton.JPG

  • Disney stock jumped as much as 10% on Wednesday, adding more than $21 billion to the entertainment giant's market capitalization.
  • Investors celebrated the news that Disney Plus has attracted more than 60 million subscribers in its first nine months.
  • However, Disney's revenue plunged 42% last quarter as pandemic-related closures of theme parks, stores, and cinemas hammered its business.
  • Lower revenues and $5 billion in restructuring and impairment charges translated into a $4.5 billion net loss last quarter.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Disney stock soared as much as 10% on Wednesday as investors cheered strong growth at Disney Plus last quarter, boosting the entertainment giant's market cap by about $21 billion to $234 billion.

The company's revenue slumped 42% to below $12 billion last quarter as sales plummeted 85% in the parks, experiences, and products division and 55% in the studio business.

Read More: Vanguard is emerging as a key force in a $3.8 trillion battle against PIMCO and BlackRock for bond investors' cash. Meet 4 power players it brought on to help drive its push.

Those sharp declines reflected prolonged closures of theme parks, stores, and cinemas to combat the spread of the virus.

Disney's lower revenue, combined with $5 billion in restructuring and impairment charges, fueled a net loss from continuing operations of $4.5 billion — a sharp swing from $1.6 billion in net income in the same period last year.

However, the company's Disney Plus streaming service continued to serve as a partial hedge against the pandemic.

It has attracted more than 60 million paying subscribers since launching nine months ago — close to a third of Netflix's 193 million users at the end of June— as people continue to spend more time at home and many entertainment venues remain closed.

Read More: Fund manager Tom O'Halloran quadrupled investors' money in 9 years by betting on super high-growth companies. He explains his approach, and why new technologies could make the next decade even more prosperous than the 2010s.

The platform is likely benefiting from its increasingly varied range of content. A live-theater recording of "Hamilton" and Beyonce's visual album "Black is King" have been added in recent weeks, and "Mulan" is set to debut on the service instead of in cinemas at an additional cost of $29.99 to subscribers.

Here's a chart showing Disney's stock-price gain on Wednesday:

Disstock_050820

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's what it's like to travel during the coronavirus outbreak

'Mulan' will debut on Disney Plus on September 4 — here's how to watch the blockbuster movie at home

0
0
 

Mulan Disney Plus

  • "Mulan" will premiere on Disney Plus on September 4, forgoing its planned theatrical release in the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • "Mulan" will cost $29.99 to watch in addition to the Disney Plus subscription fee, which is $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. 
  • Once purchased, "Mulan" will remain unlocked to watch on Disney Plus for as long as you remain a subscriber.
  • Disney CEO Bob Chapek says the decision to debut "Mulan" on Disney Plus as a premium title isn't an attempt at a new business model for future movies, according to Variety.
  • For detailed impressions on Disney Plus, check out our Disney Plus review here.

 

Disney's "Mulan," a live-action reimagining of the Chinese folk hero, will debut on Disney Plus on September 4 as a premium title. Viewers will have to pay $29.99 to watch "Mulan," along with the cost of a Disney Plus subscription, which costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year.

"Mulan" was originally scheduled to hit theaters in March and even had a Hollywood premiere event before the coronavirus pandemic forced theaters around the world to close. Now the film, led by Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen and Jet Li, will be available online via Disney Plus, while countries where theaters have re-opened will still have the option for a theatrical release.

"Mulan" isn't the first Disney movie to find its way to Disney Plus after COVID-19 caused theaters across the United States to close, but it is the first to require an additional payment beyond the subscription fee. Pixar's "Onward" was also fast-tracked to Disney Plus in March after its theater run was cut short by the coronavirus. "Artemis Fowl" was scheduled to hit theaters in May but premiered on Disney Plus in June with disappointing reviews.

Marvel's "Black Widow" was due out in May but Disney has yet to reveal its plans for Scarlett Johansson's superhero film. Several new Marvel original series set to debut on Disney Plus in August have also been delayed due to the coronavirus.

According to Variety, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said the release of "Mulan" on Disney Plus is a special situation, rather than the company adopting a new business model. 

How to watch 'Mulan' on Disney Plus

"Mulan" will be available to stream on Disney Plus starting September 4. To watch, you'll need a monthly or annual Disney Plus subscription, and you'll have to pay the $29.99 premium title fee. With that said, "Mulan" is not a one-time rental. Instead, once purchased, Disney Plus members will continue to have access to "Mulan" for as long as they remain a subscriber. 

Streaming via Disney Plus will be the only way to watch "Mulan," since it wont be released in theaters in the United States and it's not yet available on Blu-ray.

What is Disney Plus and how does it work?

Disney Plus is a subscription streaming platform with on-demand access to Disney's iconic library of movies and TV shows. Along with "Mulan,""The Lion King,""Aladdin," and other recent live-action movies, you'll find classic franchises like "Star Wars,""The Simpsons" and Marvel's "Avengers."

A monthly subscription costs $6.99 per month while an annual subscription gives a small discount at $69.99 per year. Those looking for additional streaming content can sign up for a bundle with Disney Plus, ESPN+ and Hulu. The bundle costs $12.99 per month, which is about $5 less per month than it would cost to subscribe to each service separately.

Disney Plus is available to stream on Apple, PC, iOS, and Android devices, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and streaming devices from Amazon, Roku, and Chromecast. Disney Plus is also supported on smart TVs, including those from Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio. An internet connection is necessary to stream, but Disney Plus does provide an option to download movies and shows for offline viewing

All Disney Plus subscriptions include ad-free streaming and unlimited downloads for a growing library of films and TV series. Disney Plus supports up to 4K resolution video on select titles, as well as Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio with applicable devices. 

What other brand-new movies can I rent at home?

Disney isn't the only movie studio to make its planned theatrical releases available on streaming services. Universal Studios debuted "Trolls World Tour" as premium rental on multiple services for $20. Following the film's success, Universal announced a new deal to bring future theatrical releases to streaming services less than a month after they reach theaters.

At $29.99, "Mulan" will cost $10 more than "Trolls World Tour" before including the cost of a Disney Plus subscription. During the company's most recent earnings report Disney announced that Disney Plus now has more than 60 million subscribers worldwide. However, Disney Plus isn't earning nearly as much money per subscriber as Netflix, its top competitor, and the company has suffered heavy losses in its live entertainment and theme park business due to the pandemic.

Other studios, like Sony, Lionsgate, Paramount, and Warner Brothers, have also been offering streaming rental or purchase options for select titles that were originally planned for theaters. "In-theater" digital rentals or purchases can be made through a variety of services, including Amazon Prime VideoApple TVVuduFandangoNow, and Google Play. For more information about digital rentals, check out our guide to streaming rental services.

 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A cleaning expert reveals her 3-step method for cleaning your entire home quickly

Viewing all 8368 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images