So you wanna watch something...

ELVIS: Baz Luhrmann’s much anticipated film tells the story of the King through the eyes of the rockstar’s manager Tom Parker—played by Tom Hanks as the shady huckster sucking a vulnerable young star dry. It charts the entire arc of Elvis’ career—from a young boy with prodigious talent to an overweight, drug-addled has-been. Hollywood Reporter says the “signature brash, glitter-bomb maximalism” is classic Luhrmann—and makes the movie eminently watchable despite the weak writing. GQ loves every bit of it—including  Austin Butler’s performance as Elvis—calling it one of the films of the year.

‘ELVIS’ premieres today in theatres.

The Black Phone: Teenage siblings Finney (Mason Thames) and Gewn (Madeleine McGraw) have more than just schoolyard bullies and an alcoholic father to worry about—there is a serial killer loose in their town. Finney soon falls prey to ‘The Grabber’ (Ethan Hawke) while Gwen races against time to save her brother. Finney finds himself trapped in the Grabber’s decrepit basement with nothing but a disconnected rotary phone on the wall—but soon enough, the phone rings with the ghosts of The Grabber’s previous victims on the line. 

New York Times calls it “more touching than terrifying” and “less a horror movie than a coming-of-age ghost story.” Unlike most supernatural movies these days, ‘The Black Phone’ is also low on blood and gore. But Collider isn’t impressed by the slow pace of the film—and the lack of backstory and suspense. Releases in theatres today.

Loot: In this comedy series, Maya Rudolph plays the newly divorced wife of a billionaire—looking to find new meaning in philanthropy, specifically a foundation named after her. Yup, it’s a fun spin on the likes of MacKenzie Scott and Melinda Gates. This is all about a rich, spoiled but nice person getting a taste of a real job—and the real world. The other half of this odd couple is the head of the foundation played by Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. Collider appreciates the show’s brilliant cast and calls it “a heartfelt ‘Ted Lasso’ meets ‘The Office’-style comedy complete with various layers of odd-couple dynamics that most certainly do not disappoint.” Entertainment Weekly says that “even without that deeper layer of introspection, Loot is a hoot.” It premieres today on Apple TV+.

The Man from Toronto: This action-comedy film follows a classic case of mistaken identity that arises after a sales consultant Teddy (Kevin Hart) and the world’s deadliest assassin (Woody Harrelson) cross paths—after showing up at the wrong Airbnb. Circumstances force Teddy to impersonate the contract killer. The only problem? He’s a bit squeamish about violence. Harrelson and Hart inevitably team up together in a plot that follows the familiar ‘odd couple’ trope.

Indie Wire says the film never fulfils its promise: “Like almost every big-budget Netflix action movie, there is no shortage of lavish setpieces that, while competently executed, feel completely devoid of meaning or stakes.” But Variety calls it “a throwback buddy action-comedy that offsets its run-of-the-mill sense of humor with a pair of appealing leads.” It premieres on Netflix today.

Queen: Sylwester (Andrzej Seweryn of ‘Schindler’s List’) is a renowned tailor in Paris—and a drag queen named Loretta. He returns to his hometown—for the first time in decades—to make amends to his daughter and build a relationship with his grandchild. This is a miniseries about acceptance and making peace with the past—as Sywester introduces his drag identity to residents in his small Polish town. We think it will make for a wholesome weekend watch. Catch it on Netflix.

A list of good reads

• This is from March, but worth a read: Scientific American looks at what parts of our brain process sensations from genitalia. 
• BBC Future explains why 'natural' is not always better—either for your health or the planet—when it comes to buying products.
• This Atlantic piece confirms everything we experience every day at splainer: Google Search has become a disaster.
• Scroll looks at Indians’ blind love for sadhus—and why it hurts our democracy.
• Prevention magazine explains why it will no longer look at Body Mass Index as a measure of health—and why you shouldn’t either.
• AFP via NDTV has an interesting report on the new hairstyle trend in Saudi Arabia—the ‘boy’ cut—which has soared in popularity since the kingdom lifted the hijab requirement.
• What will Gen Z celebs look like when they're older? This is just a fun Buzzfeed listicle—especially if you’re a bit older lol!
• Sticking with photo galleries, Vogue pays tribute to one of the happiest—and understated—marriages in Hollywood—between Meryl Streep and Don Gummer.
• Quartz reports on global VCs setting up dedicated India funds—to protect startups from the funding crunch ahead.
• The News Minute lays out the cultural violence within the practice and performance of Bharatanatyam.
• Stylist has some useful tips if sunscreen makes your skin break out. 
• Huffington Post lays out the difference between having strong emotions and being triggered. 
• A good listen: Utsav Mamoria in Postcards from Nowhere explores the history of Mumbai and its explosive growth. (h/t Ashwin Row Kavi)