Sure-Fire Streaming: Terminator, Bloodshot, Hotel Transylvania, and more
By Jordan Parker
https://parkerandpictures.wordpress.com/
The best in TV and film from your living room.
Terminator: Dark Fate – Available On Netflix
The latest iteration of the popular – though sometimes bloated – Terminator franchise has definitely injected some new interest in an old film property.
If only for Linda Hamilton kicking butt again, there’s a nostalgic, morbid curiosity to the event in the sixth terminator film.
It follows an augmented human and Sarah Connor as they try to stop a liquid Terminator from a young girl. As the title suggests, the fate of the universe is in the hands of this small, important child.
With Hamilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes and Gabriel Luna, the cast is fantastic. However much the incredible David S. Goyer – of The Dark Knight’s screenplay fame – may be, this isn’t his best work.
But it’s the direction and special effects wielded by helmer Tim Miller, known for Deadpool, that make this one worth the popcorn, blockbuster thrill ride.
Bad Boys For Life – Available On Netflix
The stakes are higher and the entertainment is top-notch in this long-awaited, compulsively entertaining sequel.
Michael Bay isn’t in the director’s chair in this one, but Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah manage to stay true to what makes the franchise great.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back to make us chuckle, and they both bring unexpected emotional resonance to their roles.
As they go against a mother-and-son pair of criminals, it become clear early on that this won’t just be a cookie cutter affair.
With young names like Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, and Charles Melton, it’s a great mix of new and old, and one can’t forget the stressed-out Captain Howard – played by Joe Pantoliano – making a fantastic return.
This one is a whole lot of stuff blowing up, but with more substance than it should rightly have.
The Tender Bar – Available On Prime Video
This adorable, entertaining coming-of-age story may not have a load of twists and turns, but it truly is one of the best feel-good flicks of the year.
It follows a young man growing up on Long Island with big dreams. Despite humble beginnings and a hapless drunk of a father, he tries to make his lofty goals come true with the help of his mother, grandpa and influential uncle.
A film about what it is to truly be a man, what you can become with hard work and not giving up on your dreams, it’s diverting, if not incredible.
Tye Sheridan, young Daniel Ranieri, Lily Rabe, and the wonderful Christopher Lloyd are all fantastic here. But let’s be clear, the film belongs to Ben Affleck as the wise uncle and surrogate father to young JR.
Affleck deserves an Oscar nomination, and he gives a breezy, fantastic turn under director George Clooney. The film is truly worth seeing for Affleck’s turn alone.
Bloodshot – Available On Netflix
For those of you looking to see Vin Diesel in a film that’s not totally centred around cars, Bloodshot is for you.
A passion project of his for years, it follows the Valiant Comics character. Diesel stars as a soldier – killed in action – who comes back through superpowers. However, those who resurrected him then want to use his powers as a weapon.
Diesel is actually pretty good here, and he’s joined by Elza Gonzalez and a terrible, villainous Guy Pearce.
It’s action-packed, interesting and will be a fun little ride for all the action fans looking for superhero movies with some edge to them.
A victim of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was little-seen due to its March 2020 release date, but if you need a rollicking flick to amp you up, this will do the trick.
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania - Available On Prime Video
This adorable little franchise has been the brainchild of Adam Sandler for years.
Unfortunately, Sandler is not returning to voice Dracula, but YouTuber Brian Hull, an impressionist, steps in. I’m not so sure how I feel about that, but given my love for these flicks, I’ll reserve judgment.
Now, the fourth iteration in the franchise leaves the monsters at a serious disadvantage when a new tool accidentally turns them human.
The film, acquired by Amazon Prime Video, sees the group travel to the jungle to try to reverse their fortunes.
The voice cast, including Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Jim Gaffigan and Kathryn Hann is impressive, even if it’s clear Kevin James and Sandler won’t be back.
If you have kids or love children’s movies, though, it can’t hurt to give this one a try.