Streaming Picks
Much Ado About Nothing, Joss Whedon's modern take on the Shakespearean classic comedy, is newly available on Netflix streaming. For a throwback to a young Johnny Depp, check out the 1990's cult classic Cry Baby now streaming on Netflix. Our classic pick of the week, the original Cheaper by the Dozen, doubles as a substitute for a family favorite and is also available on Netflix. And if your family is looking for something a little more current, Saving Mr. Banks, the new instant classic starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, is now available on Amazon Prime.
Critics Roundup
Critics are split on the new Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore rom com mash-up Blended, but in both camps, the good intentions of the film do not go unnoticed. Most critics are merely upset due to the downturn of Sandler's once comedic genius seen in his other two collaborations with Barrymore. According to the Associated Press over at NPR, "Some of us are old enough to recall a time when Sandler made movies that were authentically funny, and didn't merely earn laughs by reminding people of their most puerile instincts." Despite the cheap and at times risqué jokes made throughout the film, Adam R. Holz of Plugged In admits, "Sometimes a movie works so well emotionally that you just can't remember how many nasty content issues it has. Or, if you do remember, you're tempted to minimize them."
ABC's mid-season television addition Mind Games follows the suspenseful story of two brothers (Christian Slater and Steve Zahn) and their understanding of the human mind. Crosswalk's Glenn McCarty likens the "zip-quick dialogue and oddball characters" to that of J.J. Abram's work. He believes the "show will succeed or fail based on the audience's ability to track with these two charismatic leads," one struggling with a lifelong battle of bipolar disorder and the other an unpredictable con artist past. Brian Lowry of Variety firmly believes, "if a series about subtly manipulating behavior doesn't make it in its quest to win over hearts and minds, one needn't be any kind of expert to foresee the snarky headlines practically write themselves."
News
Legendary SNL funnyman Mike Meyers returns this summer with his directorial debut. "Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon" hits theaters June 6. Read more here.
Tony Palladino, designer of the infamous lettering for Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, passed away last week at the age of 84. Read more about his life and work here.
On Thursday, Lifetime announced a 2015 original movie based on the life and career of Whitney Houston. It will strongly focus on her relationship with Bobby Brown. Find out more details here.
FX has just announced a new Monday night sitcom starring funnyman Martin Lawrence and Cheers' Kelsey Grammer. Set to premiere on August 4, Partners follows two Chicago-based lawyers who suddenly cross paths. To find out more information, click here.
Larisa Kline is CT Movies' summer intern and a student at The King's College in New York City.
