August is an awkward month for TV and movie fans. Blockbuster season is winding down, but the big TV premieres are still another month away. Thank goodness for streaming sites, where seasons are just an old-fashioned construct. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and HBO are each serving up new releases that range from provocative original series to movies fresh off the theater circuit this week.
Must-sees for the upcoming week include an award-winning classic, the new season of a gritty sports documentary, and two new takes on Agatha Christie. Settle in, because your favorite streaming sites are delivering the goods even during the dog days of August!
Netflix
Aug. 5
Aug. 9
Perdida — Netflix Original Film
The Originals: Season 5
Aug. 10
72 Dangerous Animals: Asia — Netflix Original
Afflicted– Netflix Original
All About the Washingtons — Netflix Original
Demetri Martin: The Overthinker — Netflix Original
Insatiable — Netflix Original
La casa de las flores — Netflix Original
Million Pound Menu — Netflix Original
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society — Netflix Original Film
The Package — Netflix Original Film
The Ponysitters Club — Netflix Original
Voltron: Legendary Defender: Season 7 — Netflix Original
Zion — Netflix Original
Aug. 11
Our Picks:
The CW passed on this edgy satire about a teen who loses weight, enters a beauty pageant, and seeks revenge on all of the kids that bullied her. However, Netflix saw potential in this pitch-black comedy. Now it’s time to see if their commitment to the Debby Ryan-series pays off. The trailer sparked backlash on the internet for perceived fat-shaming, but only time will tell if this series has some substance to go along with its flashy concept.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, this period drama follows an intrepid reporter as she chronicles the story of a group of people who formed a book club while their island was under Nazi occupation during World War II. Warm, romantic, and full of terrific British actors, this movie is perfect for a cozy evening in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ARPdolqa8U
Rev Run stars in this traditional sitcom about a rapper-turned-stay-at-home-dad. Do you love Fuller House and Raven’s Home? Then this throwback comedy might be for you.
Hulu
Aug. 7
Dating My Mother
Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much
Wraith
Aug. 8
Bachelor in Paradise: Season 5 Premiere
Castaways: Series Premiere
Blood Ties
Aug. 9
America Divided: 202
Baskin
Desolation
Terminal
Aug. 10
Rosa Diamante: Complete Series
Tim & Eric Bedtime Stories: Complete Season 2
Borg Vs McEnroe
Aug. 11
Our Picks:
Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much
Math teacher Ted Slauson’s obsession with memorizing the prices of prizes on The Price Is Right led to a contestant placing a perfect bid in the Showcase Showdown. This is his fascinating true story.
The thrilling true story of one of the most famous tennis matches in history, Borg vs. McEnroe is an edge-of-your-seat kind of sports movies. While it was little seen in theaters, it deserves way more adoration now that it has landed on Hulu.
Amazon
Aug. 6
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams
Aug. 7
Having Our Baby
It Takes Guts
Aug. 8
Aug. 9
Aug. 10
Agatha Christie: Season 1 — Prime Original
Bleed for This
Our Picks:
Agatha Christie: Season 1
Ordeal by Innocence looks like a thrilling take on one of Christie’s best mysteries. The British import stars Bill Nighy, Poldark‘s Eleanor Tomlinson, and Matthew Goode.
Blake Lively and Jason Clarke star in this psychological tale of a woman whose sight is restored. What should be a happy occasion for the married couple quickly turns into something much more unsettling.
HBO
Aug. 8
Hard Knocks: Season 13
Aug. 11
Our Pick:
Kenneth Branagh is a superb Hercule Poiret in this big budget version of the Agatha Christie classic. The movie doesn’t reinvent the mystery genre, but it’s perfect for anyone who loves a good twist.
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