Last year was a great year for film, as it felt like the industry came back into full force after the massive pandemic-induced decline in 2020, and several of the films that were initially planned to come out that year were finally released.
However, even outside of major blockbuster successes like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Dune,” and successful Academy-hopeful dramas such as “Licorice Pizza” and “The Power of the Dog,” there were a lot of other great releases from this year that are worth checking out.
“The Beta Test” (Thriller/Comedy/Horror)
When an engaged Hollywood agent receives a mysterious letter for an anonymous sexual encounter, he soon become enthralled in a cycle of lying, infidelity, paranoia and digital data.
Jim Cummings is a director that has always done a great job creating a tone that is equal parts hilarious and sinister in his films, and “The Beta Test,” which he stars in and co-directed and co-wrote alongside PJ McCabe, is no different.
The film overall strikes a great balance between having an interesting message on how upper class mentality, the internet and adultery have all influenced and changed each other over the past five to 10 years, as well as a great comedic screenplay with a high number of quotable lines and laugh-out-loud moments.
“The Beta Test” is available for $12.99 on YouTube, Google Play Movies, Vudu and Amazon Prime Video.
“Ron’s Gone Wrong” (Animation/Family/Science-Fiction)
In a world where walking, talking, digitally connected robots have become children’s best friends, an 11-year-old boy finds that his robot buddy isn’t like the others and grows to appreciate his new friend.
While its plot may be reminiscent of Disney’s “Big Hero 6,” “Ron’s Gone Wrong” definitely takes its place and stands on its own from that film and, in some ways, even surpasses it on both a comedic and emotional level.
It was also extremely refreshing that this film didn’t go with the simple “technology is bad” message that one would expect, and instead takes this concept with much more nuance and respect towards the audience.
“Ron’s Gone Wrong” is available on Disney+ and HBO Max. The film can also be found on Hulu and YouTube TV with premium subscriptions.
“Summertime” (Drama/Music/Comedy)
Over the course of a hot summer day in LA, the lives of 25 young LA citizens intersect while they express their struggles through poetry.
“Summertime” definitely surprised me with just how much its story worked. Even though I’m not exactly the biggest fan of poetry and don’t have a connection to the L.A. lifestyle that this film revolves around, I still enjoyed this film.
The energy is definitely infectious, and while some specific segments and poems are not nearly as effective as others, some of these moments work extremely well, especially once the characters all come together in the final act.
“Summertime” can be watched on Sling TV and Philo with premium subscriptions and is also available for $3.99 on YouTube, Google Play Movies and Vudu.
“Finch” (Adventure/Drama/Science-Fiction)
On a post-apocalyptic Earth, a robot built to protect the life of his dying creator’s beloved dog learns about life, love, friendship and what it truly means to be human.
I think that, if this were a different year, and this sort of high-budget adventure film got the chance to release in theaters like it deserved instead of being dropped onto Apple TV+, this would be a movie that everyone would be talking about.
It has all of the aspects of a big blockbuster film: an interesting concept, a cute animal and Tom Hanks as the lead. If you somehow are one of the people that both have Apple TV+ and haven’t checked this out, it’s definitely worth your time.
“Mass” (Drama)
Two couples meet for a painful and raw conversation in the aftermath of a violent tragedy.
“Mass” is the type of film that is entirely reliant on the performances of its four lead characters in order to succeed, as the majority of the film simply takes place in a single room in the form of an extended conversation. Thankfully, everyone on screen brings their A-game, and when you combine that effort with a screenplay that does justice and gives respect to the rough and heartbreaking topic at hand, you get a film like this that goes for your core and leaves you breathless.
“Mass” is available on both Vudu and Amazon Prime Video starting at $5.99 and on YouTube and Google Play Movies starting at $6.99.
