EDGE's Guide to 'Quaranstreaming' this Week
As we move into another week of self-isolation and self-quarantine, some folks are running out of things to watch. But with so many streamers out there, there's actually no shortage of movies and TV shows to watch.
EDGE is breaking down the best movies and shows to check out over the weekend on a number of streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Now/GO, Apple TV+, the Criterion Channel and Kanopy.
Netflix
Movie: "Tootsie"
TV: "100 Humans"
Need a break from the dread of the news? The classic 1982 comedy "Tootsie" is the perfect remedy to cure your coronavirus blues. The lighthearted 10-time Oscar-nominated film, directed by Sydney Pollack, surprisingly holds up in 2020. The film stars Dustin Hoffman as an unsuccessful actor who gets into drag in order to land a role on a soap opera but it's Jessica Lange who steals the show, winning her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. But if you're looking for something more current — and a TV show — Netflix's new series "100 Humans" is a fascinating look at, well what makes us human. The series gathers 100 different people from all walks of life and carries out a number of experiments that explore sexuality, gender, race, age, happiness and much more.
Hulu
Movie: "Shoplifters"
TV: "Devs"
Over on Hulu, you can check out the 2018 Japanese film "Shoplifters," which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival that year. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, the drama follows a family living in poverty on the outskirts of Tokyo, stealing things to get by. One day they come across a young girl on her own and bring her into their family. Things spiral out from there but "Shoplifters" is a devastatingly beautiful story abound the bonds of our familial relationships. If you're looking to jump into a new TV show, check out "Devs," the first offering from FX on Hulu — a new "hub" of TV shows produced by FX that will air on the streaming service. "Devs" is filmmaker Alex Garland's first TV show (he directs and writes all eight episodes) about a mysterious company's programming division and a possible murder on its grounds. "Devs" serves as a gripping new series that can enthrall and fully engage you. Check out EDGE's take on the show by clicking here.
Amazon Prime Video
Movie: "The Birdcage"
TV: "The Marvelous Mrs. Masiel"
Need some more feel-good movies? Mike Nichols' queer classic "The Birdcage" ought to do the trick. The classic 1996 gay comedy stars Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as a flamboyant couple living in South Beach, Fla. The men have to face their son's fianc�'s new family, religious and anti-gay conservatives played by Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest. And if you're looking for more feel-good comedies, Amazon's "The Marvelous Mrs. Masiel" has three seasons available — the perfect thing to binge-watch this week.
Disney+
Movie: "The Sound of Music"
TV: "The Simpsons"
Want to flashback during your self-isolation? Disney+ offers several classics, including "The Sound of Music" and "The Simpsons." Jump to 1965 with this Julie Andrews musical classic (good for all ages!) or stream until your heart's content with the long-running animated comedy — Disney+ offers every episode through Season 30.
HBO Go/Now
Movie: "Mrs. Doubtfire"
TV: "Insecure"
If you've enjoyed both "Tootsie" and "The Birdcage" then head over to HBO Go or HBO Now and immediately (re)watch "Mrs. Doubtfire." The 1993 comedy finds Robin Williams playing a newly divorced dad getting into drag (thanks to his brother, Harvey Fierstein), to become Mrs. Doubtfire — a British nanny who infiltrates his own family in order to get close to his kids. On the other side of the comedy spectrum is HBO's comedy series "Insecure." Co-created and starring Issa Rae, the comedy follows a young black woman navigating her love life and career in modern Los Angeles. It consists of three eight-episode seasons (all around 30 minutes each), which can be binged in about a week. It's a good time to do so as Season 4 debuts next month.
The Criterion Channel
Movie: "Orlando"
Second Movie: "In the Mood for Love"
The Criterion Channel, which offers mostly movies, is streaming Sally Porter's "Orlando" starring Tilda Swinton and Billy Zane. It's a 90s period piece that seems to have gotten lost over the last few decades but the queer drama is a beautiful adaptation of Virginia Woolf's 1928 classic "Orlando: A Biography." Here, Swinton plays the titular 17th-century nobleman, who is instructed by Queen Elizabeth I to never grow old, resulting in a gender-bending and stunning film. The CC also has "In The Mood For Love," directed by Wong Kar-wai, which is regarded as one of the best films of the 2000s. This simple story about romantic longing is beautifully told with two powerhouse performances from Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung. Set in 1962 Hong Kong, "In the Mood for Love" is a lean 98 minutes that features some absolutely stunning set-pieces and is the vibe check many of us are looking for during these isolated times.
Kanopy
Movie: "Asako I & II"
Second Movie: "Florence Foster Jenkins"
"Asako I & II," which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival last year, might be the best film of 2019 that no one saw. Now available on Kanopy, the drama, directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, is a peculiar story about a young girl Asako (x) who strikes an intense romance with a young boy Baku (x) in their small town. He suddenly vanishes, however, until two years later, when Asako is working in Tokyo and spots him in the city. Except, it's not him. It's a man named Ryohei (x), who knows nothing about Baku. The film is odd and beautiful as the mystery unfolds in unexacting ways. Kanopy is also streaming the delightful "Florence Foster Jenkins," based on the real-life story of the titular socialite and wannabe opera singer. Starring Meryl Strep, Hugh Grant and Rebecca Ferguson, the comedy is a great way to unwind and allow the talents of the cast whisk you away.