Feeling the winter doldrums? Here are a few things to consume indoors: a continuing crime drama now set in Chicago, a story of a friendship amid the worst of human tragedies, a teen dramedy — with zombies, and the 2014 return of the King of the Monsters to American cinema.
Power Book IV: Force, Series Premiere - Starz
Picked by Producer Lawrence Banton
The fourth spinoff of the Starz hit series Power is finally arriving this weekend. Power Book IV: Force will follow Tommy Egan, played by actor Joseph Sikora, to Chicago after he hightails it out of New York City. Based on the series trailer, you can expect the same ruthless, quick-tempered Tommy to work his way up the ranks in The Chi as he looks to become the city's top boss. I can't wait to see how the show's writers are able to tell a new story while also connecting intricate details from Power Books I, II, and III. The series will premiere Sunday.
My Best Friend Anne Frank - Netflix
Picked by Sr. News Editor Dina Ross
My Best Friend Anne Frank has been heavily promoted on Netflix, and I think it'll be worth checking out this weekend. It's getting mixed reviews with a common criticism that the film is a sanitized re-telling of the Holocaust-era story. The acting has been well-regarded, though. The film focuses on the real-life friendship between Frank and Hannah Goslar, who are reunited in a Nazi concentration camp. My stream-watching usually tends toward comedy, but this is a drama that I think is worth watching now.
All of Us Are Dead - Netflix
Picked by Digital Editor Mike Nam
South Korea has been having an extended moment in terms of its pop-culture exports. Parasite won the best picture Oscar, BTS has dominated music charts globally, and Squid Game became a Netflix sensation — so much so that the streaming service has doubled down on production work in the country. Of course, another global phenomenon for some time now has been "zombie horror," and South Korea is no stranger to the genre. The latest offering from the nation that brought you Train to Busan is All of Us Are Dead, based on a popular webtoon. I'm not going to tell you it's the best entry into zombie fiction. It's overlong, melodramatic at times, and sometimes pretty predictable. But it's also a teen drama/comedy, where the characters are fun to watch (for the most part — there are a lot of them) and the nature of the cliffhanger endings to each episode makes it a binge-worthy weekend watch.
Godzilla (2014) - HBO Max
Picked by Reporter Alex Vuocolo
Here's a throwback for you: 2014's Godzilla. The giant-monster franchise that it spawned has become increasingly ridiculous, but many forget how visionary that first entry was. Directed by Gareth Edwards, whose background is in visual effects, the movie uses CGI and aerial and landscape photography in a way that creates a jaw-dropping sense of scale. At times it feels more like a comic book or a video game, in how it pulls off such bold images using a mix of special effects and Spielberg-level camera work.
Looking for more to watch? Check out our recommendations from last week and the week before.
