If you’re a fan of men of action, then this week’s streaming releases are for you. Led by Sylvester Stallone’s new comic book adaption Samaritan, we get burly men tackling everything from dark superhero tales to post-apocalyptic action. If dudes punching things doesn’t appeal to you, don’t worry though as they also flex their proverbial acting muscles for some comedy, drama, and even romance.
MOVIES
Samaritan
Amazon Prime Video – 26 August 2022
Sylvester Stallone is finally going from action hero to superhero. Yes, there was that brief cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, but this is the real deal. Well, kinda. Billed as a “dark superhero tale”, Samaritan sees Sly as the erstwhile world’s greatest superhero, who hung up his spandex and boots 25 years ago and now just peacefully lives a life of anonimity… that is until a young boy discovers his secret and convinces him to start cleaning up the streets again. Besides for that premise, this one is on my radar as it’s the latest feature film from Julius Avery, the director behind the criminally under-seen WWII sci-fi/horror extravaganza Overlord.
Me Time
Netflix – 26 August 2022
No need to try and sell Me Time too much here, as the new Netflix comedy starring Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg has the feel of all the other projects the two actors have done with the streamer in the past. This one sees Hart as a timid stay-at-home dad who finally gets some time away from his family and decides to spend it with his former best friend (Wahlberg), only for the weekend to get wilder than he could have imagined. I don’t expect too much from this, but if you’ve enjoyed these previous collaborations, then I’m sure you’ll have some fun here as well.
I Came By
Netflix – 31 August 2022
George MacKay really caught my eye in the WWI epic 1917, so I’m intrigued to see more of the young actor. And here’s another chance to do just that in this taut British crime thriller in which MacKay stars as a young graffiti artist who chooses to tag the wrong house as he inadvertently stumbles across the dangerous secret of its prestigious ex-judge homeowner. Hugh Bonneville and Kelly Macdonald co-star.
Love in the Villa
Netflix – 1 September 2022
To quote the great bard, “In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…”. Except, there are no star-crossed teenage lovers here. Instead Love in the Villa sees Kat Graham as a Romeo and Juliet-obsessed young woman, fresh from a breakup, who has her perfectly planned dream Italian holiday fall apart when she finds that the villa she’s staying at has been accidentally double-booked with a handsome – but initially very annoying – young man played by Tom Hopper. Cue the hijinks with them trying to get rid of each other… only for the romantic sparks to fly.
SERIES
Ludik S1
Netflix – 26 August 2022
After breaking out in Hollywood years ago, Arnold Vosloo has been making a return to local screens lately. Following Silverton Siege, his second recent effort is Ludik, a new crime drama series in which he plays a successful businessman and patriarch who secretly smuggles diamonds. When that illicit trade lands him in the crosshairs of some dangerous people, it puts his family in peril. This one also stars local favourites Rob van Vuuren, Inge Beckman, Zane Meas, Diaan Lawrenson, and more.
See S3
AppleTV+ – 26 August 2022
I’ve been meaning to see… er… See since the post-apocalyptic drama series, about a far-future world in which humanity has lost the sense of sight, first launched years ago. A lot of that has to do with Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista as two warrior brothers going to war with each other. And now the third and final season of the show is here, so I guess need to get around to it soon.
We Own This City S1
Showmax – 1 September 2022
The Wire is widely considered to not only be one of best TV series of all time, but also one of the most accurate portrayals of the three-way battle between criminals, law enforcement, and the judiciary in American cities. And now The Wire creator David Simon and frequent writing collaborator George Pelecanos are back with a new crime, drama once again set in the streets of Baltimore. This one is based on actual true events and follows Jon Bernthal’s convicted corrupt police officer, Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, and through multiple timeline flashbacks, details the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force and the corruption surrounding it.