Couch Theater – August 22, 2024

#MiddleburyCT #Movies

“Abigail” (R) – Mexican actress Melissa Barrera (“Scream VI”) is an established “scream queen,” even with her being fired from the “Scream” franchise due to her pro-Palestinian views on the Israel-Hamas war. So, Barrera clearly was the perfect candidate to lead this horror comedy, which also co-stars Dan Stevens (“Beauty and the Beast”), Kathryn Newton (“Lisa Frankenstein”), and the late Angus Cloud (“Euphoria”). In the film, six criminals are tasked with kidnapping a 12-year-old girl named Abigail in exchange for a $50 million ransom from her father. To a bunch of seasoned criminals, their mission seems easy enough, but when they suddenly start dropping like flies in the most brutal ways, they’re forced to ask the question: “Who did we really kidnap?” The film received mostly positive reviews from critics, who deemed it one of the best horror movies of the year. Out now. (Peacock)

Martin Lawrence, left, and Will Smith star in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” (MovieStillsDB photo)

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” (R) – The fourth installment of the “Bad Boys” franchise is out now to rent on streaming, following its $398 million gross at the box office, and it seems that Will Smith gets to put an ugly chapter of his career behind him, thanks to the success of the film! Of course, Smith couldn’t stage his comeback as Detective Mike Lowrey without Martin Lawrence, who reprises his role as his partner Detective Marcus Burnett. Alexander Ludwig (“The Hunger Games”), Paola Nunez (“Resident Evil”), and Vanessa Hudgens (“Downtown Owl”) round out the rest of the cast, whose characters’ quips are the strongest elements in a film severely lacking in story and sense. Don’t think too hard with this one; just enjoy the ride. (Amazon Prime Video)

“Bad Monkey” (TV-MA) – Based on the novel of the same name by Carl Hiaasen, this drama series stars the smart-mouthed Vince Vaughn (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) as former police detective Andrew Yancy. Due to his “reckless, inappropriate and glib” nature, Andrew was moved from detective work to restaurant inspections, but he still desires more out of his work life. So, when his police detective buddy, Rogelio, offers him a chance to drive a deceased man’s arm to Miami, Andrew gladly obliges. But upon delivering the arm to the deceased man’s widow, Andrew has a hunch that the widow isn’t exactly grieving as much as she portrays. As every good detective knows, you have to follow the trail while it’s hot. The first two episodes are out now, with subsequent episodes releasing every Wednesday. (Apple TV+)

“Immaculate” (R) – Sydney Sweeney (“Anyone but You”) leads this terrifying horror film available now on streaming. Sweeney plays Sister Cecilia, a young novice who survived a drowning after being pronounced dead. Believing that God saved her to serve a future purpose, she decides to take up an invitation to join a convent in Italy that tends to dying nuns. While she’s there, Cecilia takes her final vows to become a nun but is shocked to find out shortly afterward that she is pregnant as a result of an immaculate conception. As those in the convent start treating her like the new Virgin Mary, abnormal occurrences begin to take place. Could this blessing really be a curse in disguise? (Hulu)

© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

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