Epoch Watchlist: Recommended Viewing for Aug. 14–20

This week, we feature a suspenseful new film about two world leaders deciding the fate of humanity and a comedy fantasy on finding good in the worst of situations.

New Release

‘The Brink of War’

U.S. President Ronald Reagan (Jeff Daniels) and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev (Jared Harris) meet in Iceland to negotiate while thousands of nuclear weapons hang over the Cold War. An extraordinary proposal soon puts Reagan in a position where a few decisions at a conference table could change the course of history.

Daniels and Harris capture the essence of the world leaders. Watching them probe, bargain, and refuse to blink stays engaging even when most of the movie consists of two men trying to verbally outmaneuver each other.

History | Thriller | War Release Date: Aug. 14, 2026 Director: Michael Russell Gunn Starring: Jeff Daniels, Jared Harris, J.K. Simmons Running Time: 1 hour, 57 minutes MPAA Rating: PG Where to Watch: Theaters Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Family Pick

‘Luck’

Sam Greenfield (Eva Noblezada) has spent her life stumbling from one mishap to the next. A lucky penny and Bob (Simon Pegg), the talking black cat who lost it, draw her into the realm that sends good fortune to Earth, but can Sam bring some home for someone she loves?

Rabbits in hazmat suits, a fussy Scottish cat, and runaway bad-luck dust give younger kids plenty to laugh at. The plot spends a little too long explaining its machinery, but there’s a good lesson waiting at the end about finding the silver lining during rotten days.

Comedy | Family | Fantasy Release Date: Aug. 5, 2022 Directors: Javier Abad, Peggy Holmes Starring: Eva Noblezada, Simon Pegg, Jane Fonda Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes MPAA Rating: G Where to Watch: Apple TV, Apple TV Amazon Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Waiting for Fate to Circle Back

‘Serendipity’

Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) falls for Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) after a shopping mix-up turns into dessert and ice skating in New York. Their evening ends with an unusual bargain that lets fate judge their future, and, years later, both start searching for each other.

Beckinsale and Cusack drive this engaging cosmic journey fueled by lots of absurd coincidences and quirky side characters. This fluffy, feel-good tale suggests that unusual detours may lead the right people back to each other.

Comedy | Romance Release Date: Oct. 5, 2001 Director: Peter Chelsom Starring: John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Piven Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes MPAA Rating: PG-13 Where to Watch: Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Deception Across the Atlantic

‘Yellow Canary’

Branded a traitor, Sally Maitland (Anna Neagle) travels to Canada, as British agent Jimmy Garrick (Richard Greene) and Polish aristocrat Jan Orlock (Albert Lieven) pursue her for different reasons.

Neagle shines brightly in this unpredictable World War II double-agent thriller, backed by flawless direction from Herbert Wilcox and a stellar supporting cast that keeps the suspense high.

Drama | Thriller Release Date: April 13, 1944 Director: Herbert Wilcox Starring: Anna Neagle, Richard Greene, Nova Pilbeam Running Time: 1 hour, 24 minutes Not Rated Where to Watch: YouTube Rated: 4 stars out of 5

What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to [email protected].