What to Watch This Weekend: July 31, 2020

The Poignant Family Drama: Ice Cream in the Cupboard (Digital)

Ice Cream in the Cupboard ultimately depicts a beautiful relationship, even if you have to view it through a painful lense.  It is touching, beautiful, and brutal and should not be missed.  For more information, check out our review!

The Quarantine Zoom Horror Movie: Host (Shudder)
Host dials in the scares with a clever use of technology, references to the current predicament, and enough jump scares to keep you from dropping out of this zoom meeting.  For more information, check out our review!

The Modern Political Thriller: The Hater (Netflix)

The Hater explores a timely issue with an amazing performance by Musialowski, stellar sound design, and a dark, engaging story.  Make sure to Like this one!  For more information, check out our review!

The Scary Weekend Getaway: The Beach House (Shudder)

It may not be a perfect time to do a beach trip, but The Beach House is a great way to spend your afternoon with its strong performances and many explanations for this impending threat.  For more information, check out our review!

The Emotional And Violent Family Affair: The Shadow of Violence (Digital)

Shadow of Violence is an emotional tour de force, with great characters, a powerful, impactful soundtrack, and a story that hits you early and hard.  For more information, check out our review!

The Atmospheric Horror Movie: Amulet (Digital)

Amulet tells a strange tale through its amazing sense of dread, unsettling sound effects, and simmering, complex story.  It won't be for everyone but there is plenty here for those looking for an atmospheric horror experience to appreciate.  For more information, check out our review!

The Documentary That Goes On A Rampage: Tread (Netflix)

Tread tells the story of Marvin Heemeyer, a master welder who quietly fortifies a bulldozer and systematically destroys numerous businesses and homes in the small mountain town of Granby, Colorado.  The man basically built himself a tank and went on a rampage.

The Edward Norton Crime Thriller: Motherless Brooklyn (HBO)

Motherless Brooklyn is an experience, with a fantastic setting that captures the lights, sounds, and soul of 1950’s New York and fills it with a cast of interesting characters to meet along the way.  For more information, check out our review!

Scoob! (Redbox)
Scoob! tries to play on the nostalgia for the franchise and if it would have stuck to this, it might have been an entertaining reboot of the Scooby Doo franchise.  For more information, check out our story!

Deal: Scoob! in 4K for $10

Right now it's hot outside, possibly storming, and your kids are probably running up the walls.  Well, why not give them an hour and a half reprieve with Scoob! in 4K.  Right now you can get it for $10 from various retailers in 4K.  And because it is Movies Anywhere, it will port to your linked accounts.  Our review liked the nostalgia aspects of it but thought it tried to go too hard on it.  But hey, my kids loved it so what do I know. 

Scoob! in 4K

• FandangoNOW
• iTunes
• Microsoft
• Vudu

Scoob! in HD

• Amazon

Scoob! Review: A Nostalgia-Fueled Movie That Tries To Capture The Original Magic

Release date: May 15, 2020
Running time: 93 minutes
Starring: Will Forte, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Isaacs

Scoob! is a modern reboot of the classic Hanna Barbera cartoon.  It looks into the origins of Scooby and Shaggy's friendship, and also of the entire mystery solving crew.  In Scoob! Scooby and the gang face their most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this dogpocalypse, the gang discovers that Scooby has an epic destiny greater than anyone imagined.

Scoob! is definitely playing on nostalgia.  It has some pretty great moments at times, like when it redoes the original introduction of the animated series within the movie.  Part of this was reanimated in the modern, computer generated fashion and part of it used the original animated assets. It was a nice blend of the styles and really set the stage and pulled at the nostalgia heartstrings.  Throughout the film, there are additional nostalgia inspired references that will make Scooby fans smile.  And the film also starts with the mystery machine doing what they do best, solve mysteries.  The story, however, quickly takes a turn when the gang meet a real life superhero and his super dog, who enlists their help to solve the ultimate mystery.

However, this is where the film goes off the rials.  It seems like Hanna Barbera is trying to bolt on its other properties to the Scoob! reboot, in an attempt to build those up into their own movies later.  While I appreciate the attempt, it feels deliberate and out of place.  The characters that are added do not fit into the Scoob! universe at all, and definitely stand out from the rest of the mystery crew.  And the knots that the story has to go through and to incorporate these strange characters also feels off.  The story doesn't feel lik eyour classic Scooby Doo story, it feels like another adventure featuring these characters.  And the humor, which I remember liking greatly as a kid, just seems hit or miss.  Some of the jokes are forced, and some are shoe horned in due to the cameo'd characters making them.  In the end, Scoob! feels like it tries to do too much; rather than stick with a classic Scooby Doo story, it pins the entire hopes of Hanna Barbera on it. 

Scoob! tries to play on the nostalgia for the franchise and if it would have stuck to this, it might have been an entertaining reboot of the Scooby Doo franchise. 

Rent it.

For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.

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What to Watch This Weekend: June 26, 2020

Political Comedy: Irresistible (Home Rental)

Irresistible will make you laugh, cringe, and think a lot about our political system, in this hilarious dark comedy that sheds a satirical light on our political process.  For more information, check out our review!

Irreverent Relationship Comedy: aTypical Wednesday (Digital)
aTypical Wednesday is an irreverent, original, and fresh comedy that takes J. Lee on a journey of self discovery that will have you rooting for and learning from him while laughing out loud.  For more information, check out our review!

Hilarious Musical Comedy: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Netflix)

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is a classic return to form of the Will Ferrell buddy comedy, with great exaggerated characters, laugh out loud moments, and plenty of heart and talent underneath the ridiculous exterior.  For more information, check out our review!

For The Kids: Scoob! (HBO Max)
Scoob! is an entertaining animated reboot of the original television series.  It makes small updates but keeps much of what made the original show an enjoyable watch.  And it is now free to stream on HBO Max!

For The Older Kids: My Spy (Amazon Prime)
My Spy pits Bautista against his greatest challenge--a 9 year old girl--leading to some hilarious scenarios and heartwarming situations.  However, parents should be warned that this film has a little too much violence and language for young kids.  For more information, check out our review!

Anime: A Whisker Away (Netflix)
A Whisker Away is a beautifully animated Japanese film with strong characters, an interesting story, and plenty of raw emotion.  For more information, check out our review!

Anime: Okko's Inn (Netflix)
Okko's Inn is a beautiful, charming anime with bright, colorful animation, an interesting ensemble of characters, and good life lessons.  For more information, check out our review!

Serious Suspenseful Horror: The Lodge (Hulu)
The Lodge is a suspenseful masterpiece, whose visuals, sounds, and story will keep you on edge from start to finish.  For more information, check out our review!

Dark Comedy: Ready or Not (HBO)
Ready or Not tells a twisted tale with plenty of dark humor.  The setting is fantastic, the imagery feels authentic, and the performances give this deadly game a unique charm that will make you want to play again.  For more information, check out our review!

News: Scoob! Heads to HBO Max Next Week - June 26

Scoob!, which was originally set to release in theaters on May 15 before heading direct to home rental / purchase, is set to start streaming on HBO Max next week!  It will be available starting June 26 to those subscribers of HBO's new offering. 

“HBO Max is the perfect home for these ‘meddling kids’ and their dog,’” said Kevin Reilly, chief content officer, HBO Max, president TNT, TBS, and TruTV. Scoob! tells the backstory of how these beloved friends met and formed Mystery Inc.  It’s a perfect addition to our kids and family offering and will sit alongside beloved original Scooby-Doo episodes.”

Scoob! had an interesting, and in my opinion more realistic, release offering where it was $20 to rent for 48 hours, but $25 to purchase outright.  So basically, you pay what you would at the theater or pay $5 more and own it.  This seems to bridge the gap between the new wave of theatrical at home releases and the standard digital purchase model, which usually has new movies retail for $20 or less.  Those that held off can check out this animated mystery soon!

Deal: Buy Scoob! In 4K For $19.99

Scoob! is coming to at home rental this Friday, with a model of $20 for a 48-hour rental or $25 to own it outright.  I think this model is a much more reasonable proposition than the $20 rentals of other home movie premiere titles.  However, right now on FandangoNOW, you can use a 20% off code (HOME) to bring the own option down to $19.99.  So basically you are paying the rental price but own the movie in the future.  Scoob! is also Movies Anywhere, so even though you buy it on FandangoNOW, it will port to your linked Amazon, iTunes, VUDU, Microsoft, and Google Play accounts.  Plus, buying Scoob! will give you 50% off on a bunch of family movies.

Link to Scoob!

Remember, don't forget to use the 20% code HOME to get this deal!

News: Scoob! To Host Premiere Event on Twitter To Celebrate Launch of Movie

On Friday, May 15 everyone is invited to the Twitter #ScoobMovieNight premiere event, hosted by the big dog himself, to celebrate the release of the brand new, fully animated, full-length action adventure feature “SCOOB!” on Premium Video on Demand or Premium Digital Ownership.

Starting at 7p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, this Twitter event preshow for all audiences features fun Scoob moments with stars from the movie, including Will Forte, Gina Rodriguez, Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried, Kiersey Clemons, Ken Jeong, Tracy Morgan, Frank Welker, Iain Armitage, Arianna Greenblatt, Mckenna Grace and Pierce Gagnon, and director Tony Cervone.  Lennon Stella will exclusively premiere an acoustic version of lead single “Summer Feelings” Feat. Charlie Puth, while Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown and Ava Max will be on hand to showcase their newly released single “On Me,” both from “SCOOB! The Album.” 

Following the preshow, fans across the U.S. and Canada who then want to watch the movie can rent or buy “SCOOB!” and share Tweets about their favorite moments using #ScoobMovieNight. “SCOOB!” will be available for a 48-hour rental via Premium Video On Demand for $19.99, or premium digital ownership for $24.99, beginning on Friday, May 15.  You can preorder your copy now from these retailers: iTunes, Microsoft, FandangoNOW, Vudu, Amazon, or Google Play.

Enjoy the movie even more with a fun family activity pack at https://www.scoob.movie/homepremiere.php.

News: Regal Entertainment Joins AMC in Refusing To Play Universal Movies After Trolls World Tour Statement

Cineworld, the owner of Regal Entertainment, the second largest theater chain in the United States, has joined AMC's previous statement, refusing to play Universal Pictures films in the wake of NBC Universal CEO Jeff Shell's statement alluding to future releases being both theatrical and day and date home rental.  Cineworld said that "Universal's move is completely inappropriate and has nothign to do with good faith business practice, partnership, and transparency."

Amid theatrical closures and a global pandemic, Trolls World Tour released direct to video rental with a $19.99 fee for a 48-hour rental.  Earlier this week, NBC Universal announced that Trolls World Tour earned $95 million in three weeks of premium video on demand (PVOD).  Cineworld made clear that its ban is not for all Universal movies, simply those that do not respect the 90 day window between theatrical and digital releases.  "Today we make it clear again that we will not be showing movies that fail to respect the windows as it does not make any economic sense for us," Cineworld said.

As we said earlier today, it will already be difficult to convince consumers to come back to the theaters when they do open.  Having new entertainment options exclusively in cinema is one way to entice moviegoers back to the physical theaters.  It is not surprising that both AMC and Cineworld would be protecting their business model.  We will just have to see what happens between them, and with other studios that are experimenting with direct to home rental models, such as Disney's Artemis Fowl and Warner Bros. Scoob!