By John Saeger
The ongoing series from The Philadelphia Globe peaks ahead at topical classics and the next week of television and new movies.
Ava (Netflix)
One of several box office disappointments that tried to resurrect moviegoing in 2020, Ava is available on Netflix starting December 7. A film with a premise like a Bourne movie, this international action movie about a trained assassin gone rogue stars Jessica Chastain.
The film has a low 19% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but has the potential to be an entertaining action flick. At just 97 minutes long, Ava may be just entertaining enough for the investment of your time.
Half Brothers (December 4)
A few chuckles and some goat (not GOAT) humor define this movie about unknowingly estranged family. The half-brothers with polar opposite personalities (Luis Gerardo Mendez, Connor Del Rio), find that they share a father who sends them on a scavenger hunt to explain their family story. The solid film is available in some theaters, but you’ll find more bang for your buck by streaming this one later.
Read The Philadelphia Globe’s full review HERE.
The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
Despite appearances, Netflix’s show about chess is much more interesting than it sounds on the surface. Anna Taylor-Joy (Emma, The Witch) is terrific as a young woman who learns to play chess from her orphanage’s janitor. Her character struggles with substance abuse issues that hinder her prowess as a budding grandmaster. Fans of Searching For Bobby Fischer will find a few similarities in the solid series about the board game.
Monday Night Football (December 7)
The NFL has mishandled its scheduling as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. While the uneven competition is bad for the product on the field, it has resulted in a more omnipresent national television lineup.
If Saturday Night Football on Wednesday afternoon wasn’t enough for fans this year, a twinbill of games is available this Monday. Washington Football Team and the Pittsburgh Steelers are slated to play on FOX at 5:00 PM. The Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers are scheduled for the nightcap at 8:15 PM.
Oldie, But Goodie
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
The story of Half Brothers reminded me of this buddy travel classic. While the new flick’s comedy isn’t in the same league as the Steve Martin-John Candy movie, there is some common ground. Thanksgiving has already passed and traveling for the holidays is discouraged, but there is always time for this one.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is available for streaming on Google Play, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.
About the Author: John Saeger is a music and film writer from Philadelphia. He is also the co-host of the Philly sports podcast The Boo Birds. Prior to The Globe, he wrote the pop-culture blog Long After Dark, a site dedicated to the arts in the City of Brotherly Love and beyond. Email/ Twitter
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