We recommend: The best new movies and TV series
The Naked Gun: Who said slapstick comedy was dead? This legacy sequel to the ‘80s-era cop parody trilogy stars Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr, the son of the iconic police detective played by Leslie Nielsen. As with the original Naked Gun, the LAPD’s Police Squad remains in perpetual danger of being shut down if Drebin Jr does not solve the latest high-profile murder case. Along with him for the ride are fellow cop Ed Hocken Jr (Paul Walter Hauser) and Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson). Akiva Schaffer—one-third of the ex-SNL writing team The Lonely Island—replaces David Zucker as director and co-writer.
Reviews are fantastic. David Ehrlich of IndieWire says it “constantly uses the real world to set up its jokes, but seldom relies on it to deliver their punchlines — and tends to land some incredible haymakers whenever it does.” Empire Magazine concurs: “The result is a film that has a better chance of producing a belly laugh than any in recent memory: one that deserves, as Drebin would say, ‘20 years for man’s laughter’”. Our take: Compared to his drama and action exploits, Liam Neeson’s deadpan comedic chops were often untapped potential—as seen in ‘Life’s Too Short’. Thankfully, he has now been given 85 minutes’ worth of material to mine. Watch it in cinemas now!
Beyond the Bar: This is a legal K-drama which focuses on the budding relationship between a rookie lawyer with a strong sense of justice and her cold and demanding mentor. They both work at the top law firm and so the stakes are high. The series is led by Lee Jin Wook (previously on ‘Squid Game’ season 3) and Chaeyeon (from 2024 Kdrama Family by ‘Choice’).
There are no reviews for the show. Our take: We love legal dramas and this one promises to be a fun, breezy watch! The show dropped on Netflix yesterday.
My Oxford Year: This romantic drama follows Anna, a young American who finally lands her dream spot at Oxford on a prestigious scholarship. While balancing her studies, she crosses paths with Jamie, a witty local who unexpectedly becomes her professor—and something more. As their connection deepens, Anna discovers Jamie is hiding something big. With her future plans on the line and her time in Oxford running out, Anna must choose between the life she planned and the one unfolding in front of her. Starring Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest.
Reviews are so-so, as expected. Variety writes: “While its story holds much to be desired, the film’s technical craftsmanship earns higher marks.” New York Times is of the view: “Their relationship plays out mostly to set up the film’s second half, but even when things get juicier, Mylchreest and Carson can’t seem to find much chemistry through the flat writing and direction.” Our take: Although it seems like a run-of-the-mill romance, the Oxford setting and emotional twist give this one just enough depth to give it a watch. Streaming now on Netflix.
Also in theatres…
Dhadak 2: This is a love story set in a law college between Neelesh, a Dalit student, and Viddhi, an upper-caste girl. What begins with mutual attraction soon spirals into conflict as her family reacts with hostility, humiliating Neelesh and pushing him away. But Viddhi refuses to back down. The film explores caste, class, and the violence that erupts when love crosses social boundaries. Starring Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri, and Aditya Thakare in his debut role.
The reviews are mid. Indian Express writes that the leads are a bit lacking but it also notes: “Even though the film is never as searing as it could have been, it is miles ahead of the original ‘Dhadak’.” According to The Hindu: “[O]verall, it remains a film that highlights multiple issues but doesn’t construct a compelling narrative around them.” Our take: This one has the potential to take a look at caste, privilege, and power without flinching. The movie was released in the theatres yesterday.
Here’s a new chapter…
Twisted Metal Season 2: From the writers of ‘Deadpool’, this is a post-apocalyptic action comedy series starring Anthony Mackie who plays John Doe—a talkative milkman with amnesia—who has to deliver a package across the desolate wastelands of America—with Sweet Tooth and his gang members chasing after him. The series also features Stephanie Beatriz who plays Quiet—his partner in crime. The new season focuses on John Doe’s new (unfulfilling) life in New San Francisco. The new episodes have dropped on Sony LIV.
Fresh off the big screen…
Black Bag: Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett star in this espionage thriller about a British spy named George Woodhouse (Fassbender) who is forced to choose loyalties between his marriage and his country, after his wife Kathryn (Blanchett) is accused of treason. Also, keep an eye out for a small but significant turn by Pierce Brosnan! The prolific Steven Soderbergh directs this one—it is his tenth film in eight years—and the screenplay is penned by David Koepp of ‘Jurassic Park’ fame. You can stream it on JioHotstar.
