Epoch Watchlist: What to Watch This Week

Epoch Watchlist: What to Watch This Week
"Free Guy," starring Ryan Reynolds.
Ian Kane
Updated:

Free Guy (2021)

Guy (Ryan Reynolds) is a non-player character in a video game but doesn’t realize it. He meets the avatar of a human player (Jodie Comer) who’s on a secret mission within the game world, which causes a glitch in his programming.

While the film begins with the “we live in a simulation” trope we’ve seen before, as things progress, it develops its own unique voice. Underneath all of the over-the-top action and laughs is a sobering, thought-provoking film.

Full of engaging characters and an intriguing premise, this could be the film of the summer.

Action | Comedy| Sci-fi Release Date: Aug. 13, 2021 Director: Shawn Levy Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi Runtime: 1 hour, 55 minutes Rated: PG-13 Where to Watch: In theaters

Nobody (2021)

When an unassuming everyman, Hutch (Bob Odenkirk), comes across a couple of thugs who are harassing a woman, he beats them up. But he soon realizes that one of his victims is related to a notorious Russian mobster who wants revenge. As the story progresses, we learn that there may be more to Hutch than meets the eye.

This is a gritty underdog tale that wears its dark sense of humor proudly. You won’t find any hidden social agendas here, just “man with a mysterious past” butt-kickin’ action. The strong violence shown might turn some off, but for others, it may be countered by the film’s message of helping those in need.

Action | Crime | Drama Release Date: March 26, 2021 Director: Derek Kolstad Starring: Bob Odinkirk, Aleksey Serebryakov, Connie Nielsen Runtime: 1 hour, 32 minutes Rated: R Where to Watch: Microsoft Store, FandangoNOW, FlixFling, Apple iTunes, Vudu, AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, YouTube, DIRECTV, Redbox, Google Play Movies, Spectrum On Demand, and Alamo on Demand

I Can Only Imagine (2018)

Although some faith-based Christian films have a reputation for being a little too schmaltzy, this film definitely isn’t one of them. It’s about a young musician named Bart (J. Michael Finley), who grew up with an abusive father (Dennis Quaid) who projected his own failings onto him.

Bart leaves with his bandmates in search of fame and fortune. But after a tragic event happens back home, Bart has the opportunity to reconcile with his father. Will he be able to forgive his old man for all of the trauma caused in the past?

This is a truly magnificent film about the power of love and forgiveness, without being preachy or corny. Overall, a highly uplifting film.

Biography | Drama | Family Release Date: March 16, 2018 Director: The Erwin Brothers Starring: J. Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll, Dennis Quaid Runtime: 1 hour, 50 minutes Rated: PG Where to Watch: Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Apple iTunes, Redbox, DIRECTV, Vudu, AMC on Demand, Spectrum On Demand, Amazon Video, YouTube, and Freeform

CLASSICS

The Dawn Patrol (1938)

A World War I film that was groundbreaking in many ways. It featured many aspects that were popularized for years to come, such as incredibly tense aerial dogfights, a gentlemanly sense of honor between enemies, military men who knew they were probably doomed but flew out anyway, and alcohol-tinged bouts of brotherhood in the face of impending death.

Drama | War | Action Release Date: 1938 Director: Edmund Goulding Starring: Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, David Niven Runtime: 1 hour, 43 minutes Rated: PG Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Vudu, Microsoft Store, and Google Play Movies

Mrs. Miniver (1942)

This excellent film focuses on the Minivers, an English middle-class family. It compares their lives leading up to World War II and during the first months of the war itself. It also shows their struggles. This riveting drama was remarkable in that it showed what lengths the British people went in order to contribute to the war.

War | Romance | Drama Release Date: 1942 Director: William Wyler Starring: Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Teresa Wright Runtime: 2 hours, 14 minutes Rated: Not rated Where to Watch: Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Spectrum On Demand, Redbox, Apple iTunes, Vudu, Microsoft Store, YouTube, DIRECTV, and IndieFlix

Stagecoach (1939)

In one of acclaimed director John Ford’s greatest films, starring John Wayne, a group of strangers travel on a stagecoach through dangerous lands inhabited by Native Americans on the warpath. They have to learn to work together, or they might not make it. An ultimately unifying film about working together despite one’s differences.

Adventure | Drama | Western Release Date: 1939 Director: John Ford Starring: John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes Rated: Not rated Where to Watch: Vudu, Amazon Video, Apple iTunes, HBO Max
Ian Kane
Ian Kane
Author
Ian Kane is an U.S. Army veteran, author, filmmaker, and actor. He is dedicated to the development and production of innovative, thought-provoking, character-driven films and books of the highest quality.
Related Topics