Welcome to this week’s installment of That Hashtag Show’s What To Watch, a viewing guide for new releases from this week and the upcoming weekend. I will attempt to hit all of the major new releases across theatres, television, and streaming. But of course, if I’ve missed something, please let me know in the comments. Also, be sure to let us know what you are watching this weekend in the comments or on social media.
WATCH TO WATCH: THEATRE RELEASES
This week we have two major films making their way to theatres. Premiering this week is the animated film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and the oceanic action film Meg 2: The Trench.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back. This film is one that TMNT fans have been looking forward to for quite some time. The film features an impressive voice cast, including Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and John Cena. If you are on the fence about checking this one out and want to hear our thoughts, you can check the THS review here.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem sets a new bar for Turtles movies. It captures the essence of what long-time fans love about the characters but gives them plenty of new wrinkles for younger and first-time fans seeing the film. The animation style is vibrant and pops off the screen. It’s like a trippy surrealist painting at times, but it all blends together for the best Ninja Turtles movie so-far.
Hunter Bolding, That Hashtag Show
Release Date: August 2, 2023
What’s it about?: After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts. Their new friend April O’Neil helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.
Who’s in it?: The film stars Nicolas Cantu (Leonardo), Sharon Brown Jr. (Mikey), Micah Abbey (Donnie), Brady Noon (Raph), and Jackie Chan (Splinter). Mutant Mayhem also features Ayo Edebiri (April), Ice Cube (Superfly), Seth Rogen (Bebop), John Cena (Rocksteady), Paul Rudd (Mondo Gecko), Rose Byrne (Leatherhead), Post Malone (Ray Fillet), Hannibal Buress (Genghis Frog), Natasia Demetriou (Wing Nut), Maya Rudolph (Cynthia Utrom), and Giancarlo Esposito (Baxter Stockman).
Director: Jeff Rowe
MEG 2: THE TRENCH
Jason Statham returns in the sequel to the 2018 film, The Meg. The Meg was loosely based on the 1997 novel, Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror by Steve Alten. Similarly, Meg 2, takes its inspiration from the sequel novel by Alten, The Trench. Based on the trailer for the new film, it appears Statham will be contending with more than just a megalodon. Meg 2 looks to feature plenty of ocean action that fans of the first film loved.
Release Date: August 4, 2023
What’s it about?: Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) leads a research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage spirals into chaos when a malevolent mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival. Pitted against colossal, prehistoric sharks and relentless environmental plunderers, they must outrun, outsmart and outswim their merciless predators.
Who’s in it?: Jason Statham, Wu Jing, Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Sienna Guillory.
Director: Ben Wheatley
WATCH TO WATCH: TV & STREAMING RELEASES
For those looking to stay home and see what’s new on streaming, there are a few excellent options this week. Two hit films from this summer are making their way to streaming. The Super Mario Bros. Movie will arrive on Peacock and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be available on Disney+. Over on Netflix, Part 2 of the new season of The Lincoln Lawyer is available.
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE
It’s-a me, Mario! The hit animated film starring Chris Pratt as Mario makes its way to Peacock on August 3. The film also features a standout performance from Jack Black as Bowser. Our review when the movie was released praised the voice cast of the film.
Charlie Day and Chris Pratt are great together as Mario and Luigi. They do enough that’s similar and familiar to the original voices but add their own wrinkle. You get all the classic scared Luigi lines here, and more than enough to make you want a full-fledged Luigi’s Mansion movie. Pratt adds his trademarked “everyman” feel to Mario, and it works so damn well.
Finally, Fred Armisen and Seth Rogen both shine as Cranky Kong and Donkey Kong. Each of these performances is so great, that it’s incredibly easy to see Universal and Nintendo ordering spinoffs for Luigi, Peach, and the Kongs. Seth Rogen even does his trademark laugh, which is gut-busting coming out of Donkey Kong.
Hunter Bolding, That Hashtag Show
Where’s it streaming?: Peacock on August 3
What’s it about? With help from Princess Peach, Mario gets ready to square off against the all-powerful Bowser to stop his plans from conquering the world.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3
This is looking like a Chris Pratt-heavy weekend. The third installment of the popular Guardians of the Galaxy films arrives on Disney+ on Aug 2. The lovable misfits that make up the Guardians return for likely the final time, in arguably their most emotional adventure. Our review here at That Hashtag Show praised the heart of the film and the emotional weight it carried.
This is a film heavy with emotional beats that might be too much for some viewers, but it’s backed up with so much charm, love, and care for these characters. James Gunn doesn’t miss and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ends up as a triumphant entry in the series.
Hunter Bolding, That Hashtag Show
Where’s it streaming?: Disney+ on August 2
What’s it about? Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill must rally his team to defend the universe and protect one of their own. If the mission is not completely successful, it could possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
THE LINCOLN LAWYER
A little less than a month after Part 1 dropped on July 6, the remaining 5 episodes of Season 2 of The Lincoln Lawyer arrive on Netflix this week. Part 1 ended on a cliffhanger, so fans have had to wait patiently for several weeks to see where things pick up. The first season of the series was released in 2022. So for anyone who hasn’t checked out the series yet, you can stream both seasons in full this weekend.
Where’s it streaming?: Netflix on August 3
What’s it about? Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), an iconoclastic idealist, runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln, as he takes on cases big and small across the expansive city of Los Angeles. Based on the series of bestselling novels by renowned author Michael Connelly, the second season is based on the fourth book in The Lincoln Lawyer series, The Fifth Witness.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
What do you think about this week’s lineup for What to Watch? Are any of these on your list of films or shows to watch? Also, is there anything we missed that you will be watching? That Hashtag Show wants to hear from you!
You can tell us your thoughts by leaving a comment on our That Hashtag Show Facebook page. You can also let me know what you think by following me on social media at TheIndianaSlone. Also, stay up to date on all your Entertainment and Pop Culture news by following us at ThatHashtagShow.com.
