What to Watch This Weekend

THE POWER OF THE DOG

Watch on Netflix and in Theaters

Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this Western/thriller/character study about male ego and toxic masculinity. The story takes place in 1925 at an expansive Montana ranch and centers on Phil Burbank, a cowboy who responds less than gracefully to his brother bringing home a new wife. Directed and written by Jane Campion, with a score by Jonny Greenwood, this is a captivating feast for the senses that seems destined to be a major awards contender. Just be happy that movies don’t utilize the sense of smell- allegedly, while filming, Benedict Cumberbatch didn’t bathe for days to help him get into character. Toxic, indeed!

SINGLE ALL THE WAY

Watch on Netflix

For far too long, admittedly cheesy Christmas movies have been centered around straight, and most often white, couples. At long last, we’re finally diversifying some of these stories so that we ALL can feel represented in these low-brow, yet addictively sincere, films. This particular film follows Peter (Michael Urie) who convinces his best friend Nick to pretend that they’re a couple while he’s home for the holidays. You already know where this one is headed, but of course, we’ll watch anyway! As if this movie couldn’t get any gayer, it also stars Kathy Najimy and Jennifer Coolidge!

HARLEM

Watch on NBC and on Peacock

Written by Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip), this comedy series follows a group of four best girlfriends living in Harlem. Together, they support each other as they navigate their careers and dating lives in a quest to live out their big-city dreams. Not to be reductive about it, but… essentially think “Sex and the City” but Black. Tbh… we’re ALL the way here for it! These are the dimensional Black female characters that we’ve been waiting for on our screens!

Further Viewing:

ANNIE LIVE! (Watch on NBC and Peacock)

Everyone’s favorite singing orphan is back and this time she’s coming to you LIVE on NBC. By the time you’re reading this, it will have already aired. But if you can look beyond the inevitable hate tweets, and the likely mishaps that always plague events of this scale, you will find an enjoyable musical event for the whole family. Newcomer Celina Smith plays Annie and she’s joined by Harry Connick Jr. as Daddy Warbucks and Taraji P. Henson as the evil Miss Hannigan. We’ve already got “Tomorrow” stuck in our heads!

WOLF (Watch in Theaters)

Written and directed by Nathalie Biancheri, this film is a surreal tale of self-discovery. It tells the story of Jacob, who believed that he’s a wolf trapped in a man’s body. When he’s sent to a behavioral clinic, he becomes infatuated with a female named Wildcat and he must decide between living as his true self or committing to his true love.

THE HOUSEWIFE & THE SHAH SHOCKER (Watch on Hulu)

After the streamer’s hit documentary surrounding Erika Jayne, Hulu is once again treading into the Real Housewives territory with this in-depth look at the drama surrounding Jen Shah this season on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. We can’t promise that it will live up to the actual footage aired of Shah getting arrested this season. But for Bravo fans, this promises to be required extra-curricular homework.

PEN15: Season 2, Part 2 (Watch on Hulu)

Pen15 fans were hit with a hard blow this week when it was announced that this will be the show’s final season. The good news is, fans do now have a new set of episodes available to watch! Middle school can’t last forever.

LISTENING TO KENNY G (Watch on HBO)

Does the mere name of Kenny G conjure nightmares of being trapped inside of an elevator with the sound of smooth jazz saxophone? You’re probably not alone. Regardless there’s no denying the indelible mark that this man has left upon the music industry. This documentary reveals the man behind the music and also opens up a larger conversation about taste in general.

Happy Viewing! Download PopViewers and be sure to let us know what you thought!