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
THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES
Set 64 years before the first Hunger Games film. Songbirds and Snakes follow the events that eventually lead a young Coriolanus Snow on the path to becoming the tyrannical leader of Panem. Our THS review praised the cast and found the film to be fantastic.
All that said, I still found The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes to be absolutely fantastic. This film is epic storytelling at its finest with an impeccable cast. Go see it! You will not be disappointed.
Sarah Carey, That Hashtag Show
Release Date: November 17, 2023
What’s it about?: Years before he becomes the tyrannical president of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow remains the last hope for his fading lineage. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow becomes alarmed when he’s assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird from District 12. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and political savvy, they race against time to ultimately reveal who’s a songbird and who’s a snake.
Who’s in it? Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Viola Davis.
TROLLS BAND TOGETHER
The latest entry in the Trolls franchise from Dreamworks hits theaters this weekend. Band Together jumps forward 10 years since the first film and features Branch and Poppy going on an adventure to save Branch’s brothers. The ensemble cast features the return of Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick. Joining the Trolls franchise are several newcomers, including Eric Andre, Kid Cudi, Daveed Diggs, and RuPaul. Sarah Carey in our THS review praised the heart and humor of the film, calling it a beautiful animated film.
If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly film to watch, Trolls Band Together is a great choice. The film is full of humor, heart, and catchy songs. The voice cast is excellent, with Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick reprising their roles as Branch and Poppy. The animation is beautiful and vibrant, and the songs are sure to stay in your head long after the credits roll.
Sarah Carey, That Hasthtag Show
Release Date: November 17, 2023
What’s it about?: Poppy discovers that Branch and his four brothers were once part of her favorite boy band. When one of his siblings, Floyd, gets kidnapped by a pair of nefarious villains, Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop culture obscurity.
Who’s in it? Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Eric André, Kid Cudi, Daveed Diggs, Troye Sivan, Camila Cabello, Amy Schumer, Andrew Rannells, RuPaul
THANKSGIVING
If some gore and horror for Thanksgiving is your style, this new slasher film from director Eli Roth might be what you are after. Thanksgiving features a mysterious serial killer, known only as “John Carver”, who arrives in Plymouth, Mass, and begins killing its residents.
Release Date: November 17, 2023
What’s it about?: An axe-wielding maniac terrorizes residents of Plymouth, Mass., after a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy. Picking off victims one by one, the seemingly random revenge killings soon become part of a larger, sinister plan.
Who’s in it? Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, Milo Manheim, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Nell Verlaque, Rick Hoffman, and Gina Gershon.
WATCH TO WATCH: TV & STREAMING RELEASES
BLUE BEETLE
The most recent film in the DC Universe, Blue Beetle is an origin story for Jaime Reyes. The film stars Xolo Maridueña as Reyes, along with Susan Sarandon, Raoul Max Trujillo, Harvey Guillen, George Lopez, and Elpidia Carrillo. The film, despite having positive reviews, unfortunately failed to perform at the Box Office. So now is a great time to check out the film for the first time, or again, now that it’s headed to Max.
Blue Beetle is among the best movies that DC has made. Gritty realism and brooding heroes go out the window for Latino culture, levity, and one of the most relatable protagonists that’s been in a DC movie.
Blue Beetle is a triumph.
Hunter Bolding, That Hashtag Show
Where’s it streaming?: Max on October 17
What’s it about? Jaime Reyes suddenly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology called the Scarab. When the Scarab chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he’s bestowed with an incredible suit of armor that’s capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero Blue Beetle.
QUANTUM COWBOYS
Quantum Cowboys is a multiverse trek taking viewers through 12 different universes. Each universe is animated in its own unique style. Everything from hand-drawn animation to oil paintings and digital collages is used in the film. Some live-action is also mixed in, but the various animation styles are the main focus. To get a better feel for the styling of the movie, check out the official trailer below.
Where’s it streaming?: Fandor on November 14
What’s it about? A psychedelic peyote-fueled fever dream of a film, traversing multiple formats as a pair of drifters (Kiowa Gordon and John Way) are on a quest to find a legendary musician (Howe Gelb) when they team up with an Indigenous woman (Lily Gladstone) intent on reclaiming her land. It’s the springboard for a deep dive into a multiverse in which a dozen different mediums are employed to distinguish between the disparate realities navigated by an ensemble of rogues.
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.
