What to watch this weekend: Marvel’s ‘Thor: Love and Thunder,’ Netflix’s ‘Hello, Goodbye’
Chris Hemsworth’s biceps?
This weekend, the Avengers’ resident thunder god returns in the fourth Marvel “Thor” film, reuniting Hemsworth with Natalie Portman against a villainous Christian Bale. Karl Urban (“The Boys”) voices a monster-hunting seafarer in a new animated adventure on Netflix, and the streaming service adds to its growing list of young-adult romances with a teen-oriented film starring former “Dancing With the Stars” champ Jordan Fisher.
Here’s a guide to new movies that will satisfy every cinematic taste, plus some noteworthy theatrical films making their streaming and on-demand debuts:
‘Superhero summer camp’:How ‘Thor’ stars Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson bulked up for their roles
If you love 1980s pop culture and screaming goats: ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’
Director Taika Waititi’s latest “Thor” outing is the best solo effort yet for Hemsworth’s blond hero. Thor’s path in the Marvel movies has led him to a bit of an identity crisis, and on top of that he runs into his ex Jane (Portman), now a powerful goddess herself wielding Thor’s old magic hammer. The cosmic adventure marries metal tunes and retro influences with rom-com high jinks, feel-good vibes, a few profound themes and a standout turn from Bale as a deity-killing menace.
Where to watch: In theaters
‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ review:Magic, music and muscle fuel Marvel’s heartfelt superhero jam
If you heart teen-movie romance: ‘Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between’
The adaptation of Jennifer E. Smith’s young-adult novel casts Fisher and Talia Ryder as a high school couple who spend their senior year together with one caveat: They make a pact to break up before college. The pair intend on revisiting a bunch of their “firsts” on a final date that naturally doesn’t go as planned – though it’s not the only failure here. Fisher and Ryder lack spark in a coming-of-age story more interested in throwing obstacles at its main characters than it is in caring about them.
Where to watch: Netflix
If you need a good kid flick: ‘The Sea Beast’
“Moana” fans will get a kick out of this comedic animated adventure with colorful creatures and a big heart. Jacob (Urban) is a captain-to-be on a legendary ship hunting an infamous gigantic crimson sea monster but when he meets a spunky orphan girl (Zaris-Angel Hator) – and they have a run-in with the beast – the sailor gains a new perspective. It’s a bold and often funny film that offers an important lesson about mankind and nature.
Where to watch:Netflix
If you enjoy twisty crime dramas: ‘Take the Night’
Seth McTigue writes, directs and stars as the leader of a shady group hired to kidnap a young CEO (Sam Song Li) as a birthday prank by the guy’s black-sheep older brother (Roy Huang), a plan that goes sideways when the criminals get greedy. There’s an interesting narrative thread about family legacy and siblings that ends up taking a backseat to plot swerves in this decent but flawed thriller.
Where to watch: In theaters (available Tuesday on Apple TV, Google Play)
If you dig a cool Faustian horror tale: ‘The Summoned’
There are echoes of “Get Out” and “Ready or Not” in this darkly comic horror film, which features “Hamilton” alum J. Quinton Johnson as a singing mechanic who goes with his rock-star girlfriend (Emma Fitzpatrick) when she’s chosen to take part in a posh self-help retreat for the rich and famous. However, there are some seriously dark secrets afoot alongside the therapy in a blood-spattered chiller that smartly tackles fame and success.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Vudu
Also on streaming
- “The Bad Guys,” a hit animated comedy about criminal critters starring Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina and Anthony Ramos, is available to watch on Peacock as well as Apple TV and other on-demand platforms.
- “Gold,” a dystopian drama starring Zac Efron as a drifter who has to survive extreme heat to protect a valuable commodity, begins streaming on Hulu Saturday.