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The Flash Season 9 Episode 12 (CW/CW App): It’s odd that the last batch of episodes of The Flash is so disinterested in what’s going on with Barry and Iris and are instead focused on every other side character in the show. In all likelihood, the final episode will handle this arc and there is the school of thought that lets the side characters breathe and culminate their stories before finishing out the leads but it just feels weird to have this many episodes just not focus on the protagonist in the final arc. That said, it is great to see Cecile get her due as a hero, something that’s been needed since her metahuman abilities manifested in season four.
Love to Love You, Donna Summer (HBOMax): In yet another competently made documentary about a star’s life, Love to Love You, Donna Summer interestingly blends home videos, concert footage, and other assorted B-roll footage into a uniquely intimate look at the life of one of the biggest pop stars of her era.
Air (Amazon Prime): After its financial success at the box office back in February, Air finally hits streaming. It is the story of Nike’s pursuit and inevitable contract with Michael Jordan to create the Air Jordan line. For a full review, click here.
This Week In Theaters:
The Little Mermaid: Disney’s latest live-action remake of their animated films hits theaters this week with the arrival of The Little Mermaid in theaters. The plot follows the same story as the original movie and stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
You Hurt My Feelings: A24 acquired You Hurt My Feelings out of Sundance and it starts A24’s three consecutive weeks of new releases theatrically. This film follows an author (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who’s marriage is upended when she hears her husband give honest feedback to her newest novel.
Last Week At The Box Office:
Fast X: $67.0 Million
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: $32.4 Million
The Super Mario Bros. Movie: $9.6 Million
Book Club: The Next Chapter: $3.0 Million
Evil Dead Rise: $2.4 Million
Programming Notes:
The biggest note for this week is that the HBOMax app will no longer work effective May 23rd, 2023. At this point, HBOMax as a service will no longer exist and will be replaced by Max. The key difference is that Max will be a merged version of what was previously known as HBOMax and Discovery+ so both services will be bundled together and included in one app. This will put programs like House Hunters from HGTV, Beat Bobby Flay from Food Network, and shows like Rick and Morty from Adult Swim, and The Last of Us from HBO side-by-side on the same service.
It is also worth noting that Disney+ and Hulu will be taking similar steps that HBOMax previously took and effective this week a large quantity of original streaming series and movies will be removed from the platforms. While a full list is available from Variety, of note it does include titles like The Princess, Y: The Last Man, Willow, Stargirl, and Cheaper by the Dozen. It is worth saying that the quality of the shows and movies affected is not the issue, it is the fact that these shows and movies will not be available after this week for anyone to view. This is an attempt to “cut costs” by Disney (the same as what Warner Brothers did last year in a similar situation) by avoiding paying royalties to writers, directors, actors, and other talent involved who would receive money on the back end after release.
