What to watch in theaters and at home Memorial Day weekend, 2022
It's a great weekend to kick back and watch a film or two with family, friends, or a crowd of complete strangers. This week's big releases are "Top Gun: Maverick" (it actually exists, I've watched it). "Stranger Things 4" and "Obi-Wan Kenobi." But don't sleep on "The Bob's Burgers Movie," its a perfectly suitable family option. Disney hasn't sent out "Obi-Wan Kenobi" screeners. They will, however, be showing the first two episodes at Star Wars Celebration. Expect social media to be flooded with spoilers. I'll be watching it as soon as I can. I really should have gone to Star Wars Celebration. Fortunately I'll be at Disneyland next week to preview the new Lion King show and nighttime entertainment. Something to look forward to.
Memorial Day Weekend Theatrical Recommendations
Family with young children: The Bob's Burgers Movie, The Bad Guys, Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Family with older children:Top Gun: Maverick, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, The Lost City, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Adults:Downton Abby: A New Era, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Adventurous Adults looking for something different: The Northman, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Men
New This Week
Top Gun: Maverick
Official Synopsis:After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of TOPGUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.”
Genre: Action, Drama
Review: It's as thrilling as the original film and manages to mix in some character development and emotional impact. It's a great summer blockbuster. Bravo! [Full Review]
Where to watch: IMAX Theaters preferably
Stranger Things 4 : Vol 1
Official Synopsis:Darkness returns to Hawkins just in time for spring break, triggering fresh terror, disturbing memories — and the threat of war.
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Drama
Review:I was fortunate enough to binge the seven episodes last week. It's everything I've enjoyed in the series on a bigger scope. I have a sense of where things are going, but we aren't there just yet. [Full Review]
Where to watch: Netflix.
The Bob's Burgers Movie
Official Synopsis:This animated, big-screen, musical comedy-mystery-adventure is based on the longrunning Emmy-winning series. The story begins when a ruptured water main creates an enormous sinkhole right in front of Bob's Burgers, blocking the entrance indefinitely and ruining the Belchers’ plans for a successful summer. While Bob and Linda struggle to keep the business afloat, the kids try to solve a mystery that could save their family's restaurant. As the dangers mount, these underdogs help each other find hope and fight to get back behind the counter, where they belong.
Genre: Comedy, Family, Animated
Review: I knew nothing about the Bob 's Burgers franchisebeyond the recognizableanimation style and the bunny ears. I certainly wasn't expecting musical numbers (there should have been a few more). I enjoyed the film. The oddness and familiarity of the characters, the theme park netherworld, and the social commentary running around in the subtext. I hope the film doesn't get lost in the shadow of Top Gun. It deserves a better fate than that.
Where to watch:Theaters
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Official Synopsis: The story begins 10 years after the dramatic events of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat—the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama
Where to watch: Disney+
Extra Credit
Depeche Mode 101
Official Synopsis:Depeche Mode prepares for the 101st and final concert of its massive world tour at the Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California, while a group of fans who won a contest travel to the concert through the United States on a bus.
Genre: Concert, Documentary
Review: With the passing of Andy Fletcher, the glue that kept Depeche Mode together, it seems appropriate to point out that their seminal concert film "101" was released in 4K last December in a variety of formats. Depeche Mode were my first concert and I've had the pleasure of seeing them numerous times over the years. Thanks Fletch, keep on dancing.
Where to watch: iTunes or your retailer of choice
Goodfellas
Official Synopsis: The true story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighborhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family. Based on the true-life bestseller, Wiseguy.
Genre: Crime, Drama
Review: We also lost Ray Liotta today. "Goodfellas" is a classic. If you're looking for something a little more family friendly, you could give "Field of Dreams" another watch.
Where to watch: HBO Max,iTunes or your retailer of choice