Remember when the start of summer meant reruns on TV and blockbuster movies in theaters? If you’re under 25, you probably don’t remember. But that’s life in the streaming era: There’s always a huge lineup of new movies and shows being introduced every week. result‘s Stream On newsletter. (You can subscribe here!)
This month is new Star Wars There’s stories made for the small screen, high-profile releases from Emmy contenders (for at least the next year), and fantastic independent films hitting streaming platforms. There’s also fantastic documentaries covering the worlds of stand-up, music streaming, and theater, a fresh take on the superhero genre, and what great things come from the brilliant mind of Julio Torres. Check out the best of June, including this month’s pick selections, below. (All other entries are listed alphabetically.)
This month’s picks: Am I okay? (movie)
Are you okay? (Max)
director: Tig Notaro, Stephanie Allyn
cast: Dakota Johnson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jermaine Fowler, Kiersey Clemons, Molly Gordon, Tig Notaro, Sean Hayes
Streaming: Max
A small, fun and entertaining film about friendship. Dakota Johnson and Sonoya Mizuno star as best friends, whose bond is tested by major life changes, such as Johnson’s Lucy, who, at 32, realizes that her sexuality may not be as simple as she thought. Directors Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allin give every scene a very delicate touch and, above all, know how to bring out the best in Johnson (without the right director, an actor can’t do it). For more information, read our own Mary Siroki’s review of the film, which premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
Acolyte (tv set)
Acolyte (Disney+)
Created by: Cape Leslie
cast: Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, Carrie-Anne Moss
Streaming: Disney+
I feel like I’m in the minority when it comes to liking the latest Star Wars It’s not the kind of show I’m into, but it has solid performances, a fresh perspective on the franchise (no Skywalkers, no Empire, just Jedi with complicated secrets) and Carrie-Anne Moss is doing some real Jedi Whoit really captivated me.
bear Season 3 (TV)
The Bear (FX)
Created by: Christopher Stoller
cast: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colon Zayas, Abbie Elliott, Matty Matheson
Streaming: Hulu
To be honest, no episode in Season 3 can hold a candle to Season 2’s “Forks,” but that would be hard to achieve for any TV show (after all, “Forks” is a masterpiece.) As Clint Worthington details in his review, there’s a lot to appreciate about the return of FX’s awards giant, not to mention the soundtrack being wild and eclectic.
My suggestion is to take your time and enjoy this season – don’t rush it, there are no epic plot twists, spoilers or cameos (in fact, the biggest cameos come relatively early in the season) and the slow pace will pay off.
clip (tv set)
Clips (FX)
Created by: Gina Welch
cast: Laurence Fishburne, Ed O’Neill, Jacki Weaver, Cleopatra Coleman, Kelly AuCoin, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Rich Sommer, Corbin Bernsen, Clifton Davis, Harriet Sansom Harris
Streaming: Hulu
The latest FX limited series from executive producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson (in collaboration with Ryan Murphy). American Crime Story This series focuses on one particular moment: the spring of 2014, when the Los Angeles Clippers (yes, Los Angeles) two The basketball team (we are truly blessed) is finally on its way to winning an actual NBA championship, and that success is fueled by new coach Doc Rivers (Laurence Fishburne) and no This is especially true after the team’s bizarre, racist owner, Donald Sterling (Ed O’Neill), is blamed for the leak of a shocking audio recording of Sterling making racist comments to his mistress, V. Stiviano (Cleopatra Coleman).
The scandal itself is fascinating, but so are the portrayals of the characters struggling with its effects, Ed O’Neill’s performance is incredible (and I don’t just say that because his interviews are great), and LeVar Burton not only plays himself, but his scenes with Doc are arguably the best the show has done.
Fancy Dance (movie)
Fancy Dance (Apple TV+)
director: Erica Tremblay
cast: Lily Gladstone, Isabel DeRoy-Olson, Ryan Begay, Krystle Lightning, Audrey Wasilewski, Shea Whigham
Streaming: Apple TV+
Lily Gladstone gives a fantastic performance in this unexpectedly dark character drama about a woman and her daughter trying to find her missing sister. It’s a unique character-driven story rooted in the characters’ Indigenous identities, detailed from start to finish and a gripping 90-minute runtime. And did we mention Gladstone’s performance is fantastic? (She is fantastic)
Phantasmus (tv set)
Phantasmus (HBO)
Created by: Julio Torres
cast: Julio Torres, Martine Gutierrez, Tomas Matos, Joe Rumrill
Streaming: Max
This wild HBO comedy series stars Julio Torres as a fearless inventor and indescribably talented artist who is baffled by the world around him yet brimming with brilliant ideas to improve it (a common theme in his work). It’s quirky, sweet, hilarious, and full of surprises. Phantasmus is the epitome of comedy. At the very least, don’t miss Steve Buscemi’s cameo in episode one; you won’t be disappointed. It’s also currently streaming on Max. Problemistais Torres’ feature directorial debut and is equally as entertaining – at the very least, anyone who’s ever had to contend with the dreaded Filemaker Pro will experience a deep cathartic experience by the end of the film, and stay for the credits to hear that great Bank of America joke.
Hitman (movie)
Hitman (Netflix)
director: Richard Linklater
cast: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, Sanjay Rao, Glaren Bryant Banks, Molly Bernard, Evan Holtzman
Streaming: Netflix
Though originally based on a true story, director Richard Linklater and star Glen Powell’s collaboration (who co-wrote the screenplay) takes a turn for the worse towards the end. It’s a clever mix of genres – comedy, drama, crime documentary and thriller – with some scenes that really make the most of the thriller element. Meanwhile, Powell’s character, who goes undercover as a fake assassin and finds himself in a whole new light through his many identities, is often hilarious. Adria Arjona is also really good in this film, and here’s hoping she finally gets a role that’s more interesting than “the woman who might have feelings for Dr. Michael Morbius” and takes her career to a whole new level.
How music became free (tv set)
How Music Became Free (Paramount+)
director: Alex Stapleton
Streaming: Paramount+
I was recently describing this two-part documentary to a friend, and when she mentioned that it was narrated by Method Man, she decided to check it out. The rapper’s irreverent narration is just one of the reasons to watch this fascinating look back at the digital pioneers (who were criminals in the eyes of the federal government) responsible for the rise of online music distribution in the late ’90s and early 2000s. At the very least, it’s interesting to hear just how paranoid Eminem became about digital security in the late ’90s and early 2000s. The Eminem Show It was leaked directly from Eminem (who was both a producer and interviewee) in 2002.
Masterpiece: Comedy Revolution (movie)
Masterpiece: Comedy Revolution (Netflix)
director: Paige Hurwitz
Special Features: Tig Notaro, Rosie O’Donnell, Eddie Izzard, Lily Tomlin, Sandra Bernhardt, Patti Harrison, Joel Kim Booster, Billy Eichner, Lea DeLaria, Wanda Sykes, Marcia Warfield, Margaret Cho, Mae Martin, Fortune Feimster, Trixie Mattel, Mario Cantone, Scott Thompson, Hannah Gadsby, and many more
Streaming: Netflix
This documentary is the most Pride-Month-worthy thing I’ve seen this year (bonus point), and it’s an incisive analysis of the history of queer stand-up comedy. Director Paige Hurwitz brings together a remarkable group of commentators, including some unheralded pioneers in the field, to analyze how bad it was and how it’s gotten better.
Red Queen (tv set)
Red Queen (Prime Video)
director: Cordo Serra
cast: Vicky Luengo, Hovik Koikerian, Alex Brendemuhl, Nacho Fresneda
Streaming: Prime Video
I really like the protagonist of this Spanish thriller. She’s described as “the smartest woman in the world” and carries the burden of that status with her. Although she appears in very depressing form (I imagine different ways to die by suicide), the show itself is vibrant thanks to Antonia’s new partner and the fascinating mystery at its heart.
Slave play. Not a movie. A play. (movie)
Slave Play. Not a movie. A play. (HBO)
director: Jeremy O. Harris
Streaming: Max
I love theater, but I don’t have many opportunities to see it, so I’m always fascinated by attempts to bring that experience to the screen. do not have That’s not what a documentary about the creation and development of a much-talked-about play should do. Instead, it’s more of a portrait of the development process, which is probably the best way to understand Harris’s intentions as a creator. For anyone who’s seen basically all the commentary about the original Broadway production of the play and didn’t really understand what was going on, this is Several Insight.
Supercell (tv set)
Supercell (Netflix)
Created by: Rapman
cast: Tosin Cole, Adelayo Adedayo, Yasmin Monet Prince, Eddie Marsan, Nadine Mills, Eric Kofi Abrefa, Calvin Demba, Josh Tedek, Lacia Ojo, Giacomo Mancini, Michael Salami, Travis Jay
Streaming: Netflix
With Marvel slowing down on its superhero content, now is the perfect time for a new voice in the space, with a new Netflix series Supercell is a perfect example of this. Masterfully directed by the artist Rapman, the series offers a glimpse into a bleak future as four complicated Londoners unexpectedly gain superpowers. While some of the elements may be familiar, the way the remixes are done here is solid, Doctor Who Look, fans, it’s Ryan!
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