Need a distraction? This weekend, Cheddar recommends "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing," "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Abbott Elementary," and "Free Guy."
Downfall: The Case Against Boeing - Netflix
Picked by Digital Editor Mike Nam
On October 29, 2018, Lion Air Flight 610 out of Indonesia crashed shortly after takeoff killing everyone on board. A few months later, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 also ended in a fatal crash. The link between the two tragic incidents: both involved the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 passenger jet. The Netflix documentary goes deep into the crash investigations, the family stories, the history of Boeing, the culture at the time of the manufacturing of these jets, and the fatal flaw in its design that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent people.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) - Netflix
Picked by Reporter Alex Vuocolo
In the horror genre at least, the legacy sequel or "requel" is ascendant. Last year, we got Candyman and Halloween Kills (a sequel to requel) and in the first two months of 2022, we got Scream and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Out of all of those, my favorite is Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and not because it cleverly subverts its source material or provides a satisfying and nostalgic conclusion to a decades-old franchise. It's my favorite, at least in part, because it contains an actual Texas chainsaw massacre. In the nearly 50 years since the original came out, its sequels have rarely delivered the same shock factor. This one gets pretty close, and I have to admire its gnarly commitment. Don't expect a masterpiece, but this is modern exploitation cinema at its finest: mean-spirited and not for the faint of heart.
Warning: Graphic Content
Abbott Elementary - ABC/Hulu
Picked by Producer Lawrence Banton
With chaos engulfing the world, if you're looking for some reprieve and a lighthearted viewing experience, you should definitely check out ABC's Abbott Elementary. The docu-style sitcom focuses on a Philadelphia school hampered by a lack of funding and a staff that often bumps heads with the school's principal — played by Janelle James — who is truly a horrible leader. Quinta Brunson, a Philly native and comedian who rose to fame on social media, stars as second grade teacher Janine Teagues, and if you recall any of her He Got Money videos, the comedy certainly translates to the small screen. The hilarious Tyler James Williams, the former star of Everybody Hates Chris, and the legendary Sheryl Lee-Ralph also join the cast.
Free Guy - HBO Max and Disney+
Picked by Digital Editor Mike Nam
If you need something else a bit lighthearted to stream, Ryan Reynold's silly action-comedy about a video game non-player character who gains consciousness in his over-the-top, Grand Theft Auto-inspired game world, isn't a bad choice. Recently added to both HBO Max and Disney+, the story follows Reynold's character named Guy, whose AI is the product of some nefarious IP theft by the CEO of a generic game developer called Soonami, played with hammy goodness by Taika Waititi. Guy falls for a real-life player named Millie Ruskin (Jodie Comer) and proceeds to upend his entire virtual world as he gains more and more sentience. Keep in mind it's PG-13 for the ridiculous violence and language.
Looking for more to watch? Check out our recommendations from last week and the week before.
