The Weekend Binge: The Revolution Will Be Televised with 'Dear Ms', 'Sinners', 'Heads of State', 'The Luckiest Man in America' + a Presidential Wine 🍾
Pop the cork and press your remote...
It’s the time of year again — America’s Birthday!
How are you celebrating? Firing up the BBQ? Hitting the beach? Lighting up a sparkler or two? Contacting your Congress person, asking WTF are they doing? All patriotic, IMO. But the one thing we all will be doing is catching these blockbuster weekend streams!
There are so many juicy nuggets heading to your favorite streaming platform this holiday weekend. Straight from the theaters we have the horror-action movie Sinners starring Michael B. Jordan, The Luckiest Man in America about the Press Your Luck game show scandal, and political action thriller Heads of State starring Idris Elba and John Cena.
July 4th Streams
Macy 4th of July Fireworks (Peacock)
Hamilton (Hulu/Disney+)
Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War (History Channel/Hulu)
Independence Day (Hulu/Disney+)
Forrest Gump (Paramount+)
Jaws (Peacock)
The Luckiest Man in America (AMC+)
Heads of State (Prime Video)
The Gilded Age: New Episode (HBO Max)
Dear Ms: A Revolution in Print
A lot of this documentary will ring familiar if you’ve seen Mrs. America, an FX/Hulu limited series where actress Rose Byrne portrays Gloria Steinem. I found this to be a really interesting stream, especially for writers and women. This single film, told in three parts, dove deeper into Ms., the women’s magazine that was at the forefront during the women’s liberation movement. After Steinem co-founded New York Magazine, she took her flare jeans and lightly tinted aviators to start this trailblazing work of journalism. The first two parts told the story of the magazine’s early days, how it inspired women to be more than just housewives, and the pushback it received from men. The third part was about Erotica & Pornography, which, although great points were made, could’ve been edited down as a lot of the information was repetitive. I liked how each part was filmed by a different female director. The doc also showed both sides of how the magazine portrayed women positively, but also how it was problematic towards Black women and sex workers.
Sinners
Sinners is a different sort of horror film. It takes vampires, places them in 1930s Mississippi, and adds thought-provoking social and political themes that drives the message of Black identity, cultural trauma, and the resistance against systemic oppression. It shows how destructive white supremacy is and how the history of violence has impacted Black communities. This is one of the most highly rated/highest-grossing films of the year. Ryan Coogler has created a powerful piece of horror cinema.
And Just Like That: Season 3, Episode 6 Recap
Go back to the country, Aidan — and stay there! OMG! This episode was infuriating. I just can’t with this nonsense anymore. I see what the writers are doing, they are purposefully making Aidan horribly unlikeable (especially with that ridiculously short, tight suit that gave the ick), so Carrie can let go, but just let go, Carrie! Hook up with the British writer, eat all his mutton. And in the words of Willy Wonka to Aidan, “Good Day, Sir. Good Day.”
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Here’s Everything New Streaming This Weekend
The Old Guard 2
Charlize Theron is back in the sequel to this popular Netflix original film. Andy (Theron) leads immortal warriors against a powerful enemy threatening their group. They grapple with the resurfacing of a long-lost immortal, complicating their mission to safeguard humanity. Costars Henry Golding and Uma Thurman. Streaming Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.
Pair with 🍷: The Hilt, Old Guard Chardonnay - Santa Rita Hills, California
Also New On Netflix - All The Sharks, Mr. Robot: Seasons 1-4, The Sandman: Season 2, Volume 1, Countdown: Taylor vs. Serrano, Tour de France: Unchained - Season 2, Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers, Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel, Mom: Seasons 1-8, Portlandia: Seasons 1-8, Yellowjackets: Season 2, The Summer Hikaru Died, Detective Conan
Netflix’s Top 5 Weekend Streams (TV/Films)
Squid Game / The Old Guard 2
The Waterfront / K Pop: Demon Hunters
The Sandman / Grown Ups 2
Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers / Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel
Ginny & Georgia / Trainwreck: Poop Cruise
Riff Raff
In this dark comedy starring Billy Murray, Jennifer Coolidge and Ed Harris, a former criminal’s ordinary life is turned upside down when his old family shows up for a long-awaited reunion. Co-stars Gabrielle Union, Lewis Pullman, and Pete Davidson. Streaming Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes.
Pair with 🍷: Ed Edmundo Pinot Noir, 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina
Also New On Hulu - The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Season 2 Reunion, The American Soldier: Season 1, Aaron Hernandez and the Untold Murders of Bristol, America: The Story of the US, America: Promised Land, Barack Obama: Season 1, Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War, Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution, Codes and Conspiracies: Seasons 1 & 2, Community: Complete Series, Days That Shaped America: Season 1, The First 48 Presents Critical Minutes: Season 3, The Proof is Out There: Season 4, The Secret History of Air Force One, The Secret History of the Civil War, 761st Tank Battalion: The Original Black Panthers, Who Is Luigi Mangione?, Cold Case Files: The Grim Sleeper, The Idaho College Murders, The Lake Erie Murders: Seasons 1 & 2, The Perfect Murder: Seasons 1 & 2, Untitled Maxine Project, Cults and Extreme Belief, Killer Cases: Complete Season 6
Hulu’s Top 5 Weekend Streams
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
The Bear
Nine Perfect Strangers
Wrath of Man
General Hospital
Heads of State
When the UK Prime Minister (Idris Elba) and the US President (John Cena) become the targets of a foreign adversary, they’re forced to rely on one another to thwart a global conspiracy. Co-stars Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, Carla Gugino, and Jack Quaid. Streaming Time: 1 hour, 56 minutes.
Pair with 🍷: The Federalist Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon - Lodi, California
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
It’s basically a tradition at this point. Even if your local town has a cool AF firework show, nothing beats the Macy’s 4th of July show in NYC. This year, the fireworks are back over the East River. The show begins at 5pm. Be there with your hot dog and potato salad.
Pair with 🍷: Mumm Prestige Cuvée - Napa Valley, California
Also New On Peacock - The Idaho Student Murders, Curry Inc. The Business of Stephen Curry, The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys - Season 2, The Real Murders of Atlanta: Season 2
Peacock’s Top 5 Weekend Streams (TV/Movies)
The Idaho Student Murders / The Woman in the Yard
Love Island USA / Despicable Me 3
Law & Order SVU / Trolls: Band Together
Nelly & Ashanti / Jurassic World
Poker Face / Legally Blonde
Sinners
Trying to leave thier troubled lives behind, twin brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. Co-stars Saul Williams, Miles Caton, and Hailee Steinfeld. Streaming Time: 2 hours, 17 minutes.
Pair with 🍷: Vampire Merlot - Paso Robles, California
Also New On HBO Max - Dear Ms: A Revolution in Print, On Becoming Guinea Fowl, Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, The Deep Three: Season 3, My Big Fat Fabulous Life: Season 13 (TLC)
HBO Max’s Top 5 Weekend Streams (TV/Movies)
And Just Like That / Minecraft
The Gilded Age / My Mom, Jayne
Chespirito / Batman Ninja vs Yakuza League
Minecraft Block Party / Duster
The Great Wall / 1000-lb Roomies
The Luckiest Man in America (Sundance)
Big Bucks. No whammies. Michael Larson, an unemployed ice cream truck driver, captivated audiences when he won over $100,000 on the popular Press Your Luck game show in 1984. The producers of the game show never vetted the contestant and it turns out he cracked the code of the PYL board and was able to win the biggest game show payout of its time. Was it fraud or just luck? Stars Paul David Hauser, David Straithairn, and Walter Goggins. Streaming Time: 1 hour, 31 minutes.
Pair with 🍷: Alternate Reality Game, Red Blend - Mendoza, Argentina
Also New On AMC+ - Ash
Trap City
A rapper caught in the drug trade becomes an overnight sensation with a viral hit song. Facing prison, he must choose between his rising fame and testifying against a dangerous criminal. Stars Brandon T. Jackson and Clifton Powell. Streaming Time: 1 hour, 33 minutes.
Pair with 🍷: Ojo de Buitre Tinto Rioja - Rioja, Spain
QI (V): Season 23 Premiere
A comedy panel game in which being Quite Interestng is more important than being right. Four comedians share anecdotes and trivia, and maybe answer some questions as well.
Pair with 🍷: Educated Guess Cabernet - North Coast, California
Dora and Diego: Rainforest Rescues (Paramount+)
Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (Paramount+)
DORA: Season 3 (Paramount+)
Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs - North Coast, California
Obviously we’re toasting America’s independence with some bubbly, and what’s more American than Schramsberg, the most widely served champagne at White House dinners. This wine is a blend of 82% Pinot Noir and 18% Chardonnay with grapes from Sonoma, Napa, Marin, and Mendocino. On the nose you’ll get aromas of bright citrus, pineapple, raspberries, and cherries. On the palate you’ll get notes of crisp yellow apples, white peaches and pink grapefruit. It’s perfect for a summer, holiday weekend to cool off and refresh — yes and it even goes well with hot dogs. 🍾 Retails for under $40.