The Weekend Binge: 'Wicked' Mania, 'Interior Chinatown' Series Is Here, 'The Piano Lesson' From Stage to Stream, Ronan Farrow's 'Surveilled' + A Pairing of A Complex Red Wine & 90s Teen Cult Movie
It's the weekend, let's binge!
Listen, there’s nothing more important this weekend than finishing up your turkey day shopping (if you’re a vegan, then you're just present for the cocktails and some sides) AND going to see Wicked! If you weren’t already excited to see this movie, the adorable and creative marketing worldwide should feed your curiosity.
But of course, we are a little sloth-like when sitting in front of the TV with a nice glass of wine, ready to see what’s streaming next. There’s a lot to desire this weekend, especially if you are into adaptations. Both Interior Chinatown and The Piano Lesson have been adapted for the small stream. Netflix and Max have shocking, eye-opening documentaries — Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy and Surveilled.
Finally, it’s time to see if the new Cruel Intentions series on Amazon Prime lives up to the original movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Michelle Geller. Surely no one could come close to that epic soundtrack featuring The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony“. My expectations are low, but not as the Gossip-Girl-remake-on-Max low (I couldn’t even finish that series). Keep scrolling for my wine pick of the weekend.
My Weekend Watchlist
Cruel Intentions (Prime Video)
The Piano Lesson (Netflix)
Surveilled (Max)
Bread & Roses (Apple TV+)
Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked (Peacock)
Here’s Everything New Streaming This Weekend
The Piano Lesson
Based on August Wilson’s stage play, this dramatic movie stars Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington reprising their role as Doaker and Boy Willie from the 2023 Broadway production. The story follows the lives of the Charles family as they deal with themes of family legacy and enslavement in deciding what to do with an heirloom….the family piano. Streaming Time: 2 hours, 5 minutes. Forecast:
Also on Netflix - Man on the Inside, 900 Days Without Anabel, The Empress: Season 2, The Helicopter Heist, Joy, Pokemon: Horizons - Season 4, Spellbound, Tex Mex Motors: Season 2, Transmitzvah, When the Phone Rings, Ray is Dr. Phil Comedy Special, Zombieverse: Season 2 - New Blood, Adoration, Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy, GTMAX, The Merry Gentlemen, Our Oceans, Rhythm + Flow: Season 2, Maybe Baby 2, Tokyo Override, Arcane: Season 2 - Act Three
Netflix’s Top 5 Weekend Streams (TV/Movies)
Man on the Inside / The Merry Gentlemen
Cobra Kai / Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy
A.P. Bio / Hot Frosty
Our Oceans / Rob Peace
Arcane / The Lost Children
Interior Chinatown
Based on the award-winning and critically acclaimed novel by Charles Yu, this crime drama is the story of an Asian-American actor struggling against clichéd roles and stereotypes, both at work and in his personal life. Comedian Jimmy O. Yang, The Daily Show’s Ronny Chieng, and Nashville’s Chloe Bennett star. Streaming Time: 10 episodes. Forecast:
Also on Hulu - Alien Romulus, Jim Gaffigan: The Skinny, Firebrand, The Good Half, Caketoppers: Season 1, Cookie/Cupcake/Cake: Season 1, The Honorable Shyne: Documentary Premiere, Drugstore June, Missing, The Son, The 58th Annual CMA Awards (ABC), American Pickers: Best of: Season 7, Boarding School Murders: Season 1, Celebrity Renovations: Season 1, Christmas at the Chalet, Christmas Wars: Season 2, Donnie Loves Jenny: Season 1, Downtown Shabby: Season 1, History’s Greatest Escapes with Morgan Freeman: Season 1, Lost Gold of World War II: Season 2, Roanoke: A Mystery Carved in Stone - Season 1, Secret Restoration: Complete Season 1, Ultimate Holiday Feast: Season 1, A Cowboy Christmas Romance, Merry Magic Christmas, Mom’s Christmas Boyfriend, Bia and Victor: Season 1
Hulu’s Top 5 Weekend Streams
Alien Romulus
The 58th Annual CMA Awards
The Floor
9-1-1
Grey’s Anatomy
Cruel Intentions: Series Premiere
A remake of the 1999 cult teen movie and inspired by Dangerous Liaisons, this series begins after a hazing incident at their elite college. Step-siblings Caroline and Lucien set about to preserve their power and reputation by seducing the daughter of the Vice President of the United States. Stars Sarah Catherine Hook (The White Lotus) as Caroline and Zac Burgess (Boy Swallows Universe) as Lucien. Streaming Time: 8 episodes. Forecast:
Also on Prime Video - Jeff Dunham’s Scrooged Up Holiday Event, Abigail, Wish List Games, Dinner Club: Season 3
Dear Santa
Jack Black stars in this dark comedy from the Farrelly Brothers (Dumb and Dumber) about a young boy who mails his Christmas wish list to Santa with one crucial spelling error, which conjures a devil to arrive, wreaking havoc on the holidays. Premieres Monday. Streaming Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes.
Also on Paramount+ - I Am Ready Warden, The French Montana Story, Jersey Shore Family Vacation: Season 7
Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked (NBC)
A behind-the-scenes look at the highly-anticipated two-part film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, featuring interviews with the cast and crew — Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum. Streaming Time: 42 minutes. Forecast:
Also on Peacock - Making Manson, Night Court: Season 3 Premiere, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Season 14 Premiere, Based on a True Story: Season 2, Press Start: Season 1, On The Rise JuJu Watkins, Wicked: On Set with John Chu
Peacock’s Top 5 Weekend Streams (TV/Movies)
Law & Order: SVU / The Grinch
Based on a True Story / Twisters
The Day of the Jackal / Despicable Me 4
Chicago P.D. / The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Chicago Fire / Home
Blitz
Saoirse Ronan stars in this historical war drama about a group of Londoners during the German bombing campaign of the British capital during World War II. Directed by Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave). Streaming Time: 2 hours. Forecast:
Also on Apple TV+ - Bread & Roses
Surveilled with Ronan Farrow
Investigative journalist Ronan Farrow (Mia’s son and conspiratorially Frank Sinatra’s too) leads this documentary that uncovers the insidious ways in which our daily lives are being surveilled by the state. In a gripping chase, Ronan Farrow travels across the world following breadcrumbs and finally exposing a dark world. Streaming Time: 1 hour. Forecast:
Also on Max - The Sex Lives of College Girls: Season 3, Watchmen: Chapter 1, Night is Not Eternal, Human vs. Hamster (Magnolia), Mystery at Blind Fog Ranch: Season 4 (Discovery), Mysteries of the Abandoned: Season 11 (Discovery)
Max’s Top 5 Weekend Streams (TV/Movies)
Dune: Prophecy / Elf
The Penguin / The Polar Express
The Sex Lives of College Girls / National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Harry Potter Wizards of Baking / Watchmen: Chapter 1
1000-lb Sisters / The Hangover
Rita (Shudder)
This Shudder original film follows Rita, a 13-year-old girl who runs away from her abusive father to the big city. She finally finds peace until she’s placed in a safe house run by the State. Rita and her cellmates plot an escape that ends in a shocking act of violence. Streaming Time: 1 hour, 47 minutes. Forecast:
Outlander: Season 7
Finally! We’ve waited long enough for this second part of this seventh season. The two-episode premiere continues the saga of a combat nurse who unexpectedly travels through time to the 1700s. Streaming Time: 8 episodes. New episodes every Friday. Forecast:
Also on STARZ - A Thousand and One
Out of My Mind
Melody Brooks is navigating sixth grade with cerebral palsy. With the help of some assistive technology and her devoted friends, Melody shows that what she wants to say is more important than how she says it. Streaming Time: 1 hour, 42 minutes. Forecast:
Disney+’s Top 5 Weekend Streams
Deadpool vs. Wolverine
Moana
Alien Romulus
Madagascar
Santa Clause 2
Blink Twice
Channing Tatum stars in this psychological thriller about a tech billionaire who meets a cocktail waitress at his fundraising gala. When he invites her to join him on his private island, strange things start to happen. Co-stars Christian Slater, Geena Davis, and Kyle MacLachlan. Written and Directed by Zoe Kravitz. Streaming Time: 1 hour, 42 minutes. Forecast:
Kid Streams
Wonderoos: Season 2 (Netflix)
Sip & Stream: Cruel Intentions x 2020 Hendry Wines “Block 28” Zinfandel, Napa Valley.
Cruel Intentions was such a vibe back in 1999. It featured some of the hottest young stars of the decade, starring in a modern twist of Dangerous Liaisons. Sarah Michelle Geller and Ryan Phillippe starred as Kathryn and Sebastian, two step-siblings, vicious in their own right, who plot to unvirgin the new headmaster’s daughter before the start of the new term. Streaming Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes. Streaming free on Freevee (Prime Video).
Interesting Facts About Cruel Intentions
Katie Holmes was originally considered for Annette (Reese Witherspoon’s character)
Originally titled Cruel Inventions, but test audiences thought it sounded like a sci-fi film.
Sarah Michelle Geller is an avid collector of antique books and has an early edition of Pierre Cholderlos de Laclos’ “Les Liasions Dangereuses”.
The costume designer outfitted Selma Blair’s character with a red hoodie to invoke images of Little Red Riding Hood. She also clothed Reese Witherspoon in soft, light colors to contrast Ryan Phillippe’s wardrobe of dark colors.
Actress Swoosie Kurtz appears in both Cruel Intentions and Dangerous Liaisons
Six Years Ago Reese Witherspoon Appeared on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live and Andy Cohen asked her about ‘Cruel Intentions’.
And now time for wine….
2020 Hendry Wines “Block 28” Zinfandel, Napa Valley.
Cruel Intentions needs a big and bold Zinfandel, and this one out of Napa Valley is just the sip. This bottle captured a 93-point rating from Wine Enthusiast. It’s big on structure and heavy on texture, which means if you’re a carnivore, this wine will go great with steak. However, vegetarians too will find solace in pairing this wine with a rich, chocolate dessert aprés dinner or just because. The wine is aged in French barrels, giving it a rich taste of dark plums, mulled black cherries, and accents of cedar, chocolate, and mint. Available online and big box wine shops. $42.
Happy Streaming!