Are you looking for new releases in Film or Television to watch this weekend of September 24th!? Well, That Hashtag Show has you covered in our weekly series! So, make sure to come back each week as we compile all of our recommendations for you to check out on your days off. Unfortunately, this weekend our two new big film releases have been critically panned. But, luckily we have some options in the TV department that will certainly satisfy your taste for sci-fi, horror and comedy. So, let’s get into it!

NEW RELEASE: FILMS

DEAR EVAN HANSEN (IN THEATERS)

The only wide theatrical release this weekend, Dear Evan Hansen is the adaptation of the Tony Award-Winning smash-hit musical. It stars Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Ben Platt, Kaitlyn Dever and Amandla Stenberg. The music is from the duo who were behind The Greatest Showman and La La Land. And to top it all off, it comes from director Stephen Chbosky who gave us two incredible coming-of-age films with The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Wonder. What could go wrong? Well, apparently… a whole lot. Critics agree that the casting of 28-year-old Ben Platt (who won a Tony for his performance in the original show) as a high schooler with prosthetic make-up… was a dire mistake. Even so, That Hashtag Show’s own Chelsea Schwartz believes in the message of the film as she said in her review, “ it is an important step in normalizing the mental health conversation. It also brings an incredible sense of belonging to viewers dealing with their own mental health.” [See Our Full Review Here!]

THE STARLING (NETFLIX)

Melissa McCarthy has had a string of duds recently with Thunder Force, The Kitchen and Superintelligence… Although her Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers was a huge hit. Even so, she doesn’t do much to up her game in Netflix’s new film The Starling. This tear-jerker about a couple at odds with each other over the loss of their child, had much promise. It co-stars Chris O’Dowd, Daveed Diggs, Kevin Kline, Timothy Olyphant and Loretta Devine. It also comes from Theodore Melfi, the director of St. Vincent (which she starred in) as well as the Oscar-Nominated Hidden Figures. So… once again, this should have been a home-run. Unfortunately, this movie is just a little too on-the-nose, especially with the metaphor that revolves around the title. But, if your in need to shed a tear or two… you could do worse than The Starling.

NEW RELEASE: TV

FOUNDATION (APPLE TV+)

Isaac Asimov’s 7-book series Foundation is one of the pinnacles of sci-fi storytelling and has inspired hundreds of films, books and TV since the first installment came out in 1942. It has been a long road to get this series put on the small screen, but finally David S. Goyer (who helped write The Dark Knight trilogy) and Josh Friedman have finally been able to pull it off. This series that spans centuries and many planets, follows an expansive ensemble cast as they fight to save the universe. And while some critics are shunning it for being too confusing or not sticking to the source material… As I said in my review, “Although a bit rocky at its start, this grand-scale, visually stunning and ambitious sci-fi epic is a must-see for any fans of the genre.” [See Our Full Review Here!]

MIDNIGHT MASS (NETFLIX)

Mike Flanagan is one of the best horror directors working today. No ifs, ands or buts about it. With films like Oculus and Doctor Sleep, as well as his Netflix offerings The Haunting of Hill House, Bly Manor and Gerald’s Game. This man is on a roll and he knows how to get under your skin. He is back to Netflix with a new limited-series called Midnight Mass. The show follows a small isolated island community as a new mysterious priest arrives; who brings life-changing miracles and shocking horrors to their town. This new series will certainly not be fore everyone… it’s light on scares for most of its run-time and it is the definition of a slow-burn. But, as I said in my review, ” Mike Flanagan does not completely hit it out of the park here… But, the absolutely incredible cast and bombastic finale; make this a solid binge for the Halloween season.” [See Our Full Review Here!]

SEX EDUCATION: SEASON 3 (NETFLIX)

This quirky, raunchy, yet heartfelt coming-of-age comedy is back after a long absence. Though this series is certainly not for anyone who can’t take some R-Rated Humor; especially when it involves teens. The rest of audiences out there will fall in love with this brilliant show, if they haven’t already. Sex Education follows the son of a sex therapist, who decides to start his own sex clinic at his high school to start conversation with his peers, and make a little cash on the side as well. It stars Asa Butterfield and Gillian Anderson. That Hashtag Show’s own Carmen Michaels says, “Season 3 of the hit Netflix Original Series, Sex Education has hit our airwaves and it continues to give the drama, the knowledge, and the heart.” [See Our Full Review Here!]

Which new release films or television shows are you most excited to watch this weekend of September 24th!? Have we missed anything here that you are looking forward to? Make sure to let us know in the comments.

For more on Movie and TV news, make sure to check back to That Hashtag Show.