Bravo! Now that you’ve made it through another workweek, you only have one more task to complete. The only thing left to do is to relax and find something new to watch on the top streaming services in the world after you’ve seen Superman in your neighborhood theater.
A wide variety of recent films, television series, and documentaries are also worth seeing. You won’t want to miss this weekend’s events, which include a Dexter sequel show and Bosch’s most recent spin-off. – Senior entertainment correspondent Tom Power
Ballard (Prime Video)
Are you prepared to return to the shadowy side of Los Angeles? Ballard is another offshoot of Bosch, one of the top Prime Video series, which is an extension of Amazon’s criminal drama universe. The first spinoff was Bosch: Legacy.
This time, the main character is a homicide detective named Renée Ballard. She is as gritty as Harry Bosch, but she follows police protocol more closely, even if it means being shunned if she files a complaint against the department.
Relegated to a new position as the head of a cold case division that receives little funding, Ballard unearths fresh evidence in long-forgotten crimes that reveals an even larger scheme than she had anticipated. In all ten episodes, which are currently available for viewing on Prime Video, Maggie Q plays the primary investigator once more and is captivating. — Senior Entertainment Editor Amelia Schwanke
Brick (Netflix)
Imagine discovering all the entrances to your house blocked by an enigmatic magnetic brick wall, trapping you within. From where did it originate? What does it signify? And most all, how do you escape?
One of the new Netflix films for July Brick’s interesting premise is evocative of escape-the-room storylines that you may recall from movies like Saw, The Platform, and the terrifying Cube. It has been criticized by critics for being quite slapdash, yet having all the elements you would expect: suspense, survival, and a character development that triumphs over adversity.
The German thriller on Netflix isn’t one of the best Netflix films, but it does solve a fascinating riddle that could entice you.
Foundation season 3 (Apple TV+)
There are a ton of amazing science fiction shows available on Apple TV+. You’re missing out if you haven’t watched Foundation yet, which is among its best genre offerings. This is especially true if you’re a huge lover of epic space operas.
With the recent release of season three, Foundation solidifies its position as one of the top Apple TV+ series available. See why by reading my review of Foundation season 3.
You have two seasons of the show to catch up on if you haven’t already, and the first episode of this season is currently available on Apple’s streaming service. New chapters will be released every Friday. I promise you’ll enjoy what’s available here, regardless of your preference for Star Wars, Star Trek, Dune, or any of the many other major sci-fi franchises.
Too Much (Netflix)
Discover more about Lena Dunham’s new Netflix series by reading my Too Much review. Megan Stalter is a delightful leading woman of this project, which even goes so far as to feature her releasing her own ‘London Bridge’ music video with Fergie. She’s easily keeping more contemporary than ever both behind and in front of the camera, as evidenced by her cheeky presence in episode 1.
However, it is important to clarify that this is not Girls 2.0. Too Much still has a fair amount of daily drama and mayhem, but Jessica’s (Stalter) quest of self-transformation is enhanced by her move across the pond. In one of the greatest Netflix series I’ve seen in a long time, we simply live in Jessica’s world, complete with an endless string of celebrity cameos that are all somehow better than the last.
Opus (Max)
In a rural community, what do you get when you combine Ayo Edebiri from The Bear with acting mainstay John Malkovich? Opus is a completely insane experience for all those engaged. All right, reviews have been divided, but comparing it to a pop-culture retread of Midsommar would be lazy.
It should come as no surprise, given the absurdly insane conclusion of one of the greatest HBO Max films, that Malkovich is a perfect fit for our secretive pop star, since his musical talents and mentality leave us confused. The stakes are always rising because of Ariel, Edebiri’s ingénue writer, who is the most perplexed of all. It’s also worth noticing who’s in the background; in this A24 movie, which is currently available on HBO Max, Lil Nas X and Lenny Kravitz have uncredited roles as super fans.
Dexter: Resurrection (Paramount+)
Although I didn’t understand the excitement surrounding Dexter when it originally came out, I can see why it has grown so well-liked that it has its own franchise.
With the debut of Dexter: Resurrection on Paramount+, its durability won’t be questioned anytime soon either. The first follow-up to the original series, Dexter: New Blood, brings us back to Michael C. Hall’s antihero, who, spoilers alert, survived a near-fatal shooting in New Blood. Now that he is completely recovered, he is pursuing his son Harrison, who fired the shot.
Don’t be shocked if this TV series receives the same level of positive reviews as Dexter Morgan’s first two, which are among the greatest Paramount+ programs available.
One Night in Idaho: The College Murders (Prime Video)
Prime Video may not be your first choice for binge-worthy true crime shows, but One Night in Idaho: The College Murders is a must-watch.
Bryan Christopher Kohberger, the culprit in the November 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in an off-campus house, was given four consecutive life sentences earlier this month.
Instead of being sensationalist, this video offers a compassionate look at the four students and how their friends and family have handled—and still do—their loss.
