Welcome to Streaming Rewind, a weekly breakdown of the new and noteworthy as we work to help readers wade through the absolute deluge of television series and movies in the streaming space. Check out our last entry: Streaming Rewind: Big Week For Adaptations, Meltdowns and Shows No One Saw Coming
So far as streaming is concerned, this week was quite slow. The lull, however, is welcome before next week’s deluge of shows with both The Penguin and Agatha All Alone hitting Max and Disney+ respectively. And, while things may have been slower than we’re used to on the streaming front, there were still a few morsels worth discussing.
Obi-Wan Season 2?
Earlier this week, Ewan McGregor said that he’d like to return to the character and continue the story prior to where we meet Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first Star Wars. While there were a considerable number of folks who thought the Obi-Wan series didn’t do much to justify its existence while Kenobi and a young Leia went on a side-quest, I am all for a second bout. Sometimes I don’t need a show to have a deep, meaningful impact on the bigger series that it’s a part of. Sometimes it’s just about a nice time, and I thought the first season of Obi-Wan was just that. So I hope you get your wish, Ewan. For everyone else, if you skipped Season 1 of the series, it’s just waiting for your eyeballs over on Disney+ (y’know, along with the rest of Star Wars).
Salem’s Lot Gets a First Trailer
And it’s a good one! Adequately spooky vibes introduce a new generation to one of Stephen King’s most harrowing stories. While it’s a pity that the film will no longer have a theatrical release, that means we get to enjoy it all the sooner on Max (on October 3rd, in fact, right alongside Prime Video’s The Legend of Vox Machina Season 3). In the meantime, you can check out the 1979 version of the vampire in a small New England town tale over on Shudder (I don’t care for this version, but some people dig it).
Did the Debates Leave You Feeling Political?
If you saw them, you probably feel like you’re going insane. If you didn’t, good on ya for protecting your peace. If you’re feeling political, here are two flicks to check out this weekend.
Air Force One: I love this unhinged movie. Have since I was a kid, and no, I won’t explain why an 8 year old was watching an R-rated film. (You should see the list of horror movies I watched too young.) All you need to know is that Harrison Ford is the President of the United States of America, Gary Oldman is a Russian terrorist, and the good ol’ U.S. of A. does not negotiate with terrorists. The film isn’t available to stream anywhere, but you can rent it wherever you like.
The Candidate: Need something funnier-yet-sobering after [gestures at the state of American politics] all of that? Check out Michael Ritchie’s The Candidate. Jeremy Larner’s screenplay for the film won an Oscar, and Robert Redford’s performance as presidential candidate Bill McKay is an all-timer. Read nothing else about it, just find it to rent on your platform of choice.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Bets a Whole Lot on Faith
In this week’s episode of Rings of Power, Sauron (Charlie Vickers) and Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) continue to bicker over the rings while Eregion sits in mortal (or immortal, given that they’re elves) peril. Elsewhere, Queen Regent Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) tells Elendil (Lloyd Owen) to be still and not fight against Pharazon (Trystan Gravelle) no matter what evils the man and his acolytes commit. While you should watch the episode yourself to learn just what those evils are, it seems that Miriel’s faith in the Valar may lead to what she fears most: the fall of Numenor.
You can stream The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Prime Video.
The Crow Is On VOD, If You Dare
The remake of the Brandon Lee cult classic was released in theaters just three weeks ago, and now it's already hitting VOD. Bill Skarsgård stars (and IGN gave it a 5 out of 10, go with your gods).
New To Streaming This Week
- Uglies – Joey King stars in the tale of a dystopian society where cosmetic surgery is mandatory. (Netflix)
- Civil War – Kirsten Dunst stars in the tale of a dystopian society too, one where the United States is once again at war with itself. (Max)
- Emily In Paris Season 4 Part 2 (Netflix)
