From Maxton Hall to Summer Camp, Should You Add These To Your Watchlist?
From a German high school drama to a middle aged summer camp reunion, should you add these to your watchlist?
Ferrari
Bankruptcy threatens the company Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) and his wife (Penelope Cruz) had built over the past decade in Ferrari. In order to regain control over his business and build his empire, Enzo wagers everything on the 1957 Mille Miglia, a thousand mile race across Italy.
Based on a true story, this film details the inner politics of the car industry and how companies leverage their brands in racing in order to boost sales. It also shares the cautions of racing as tragedy rips through these teams and their loved ones. It’s a cautious tale of greed, power, and the pursuit of ones dreams all while introducing a new generation to the story behind the Ferrari.
Ferrari is streaming on Hulu.
He Went That Way
Celebrity animal trainer Jim (Zachary Quinto) is traveling in the company of his pet chimpanzee. On a quick stop, he voluntarily picks up a hitchhiker (Jacob Elordi) whom he discovers is a cunning serial killer.
As hard as it may seem to believe, this film is based on a true story. Though some details have been dramatized for on screen effect, the core story is true. While Elordi plays the charming young criminal, his performance didn’t impress me like in his past roles. Zachary Quinto is endearing, but the script felt slow and repetitive. It’s an interesting watch for the story, but many of the moments in the car are unnecessary or boring.
He Went That Way is streaming on Hulu.
Maxton Hall
Set in the halls of elite high school Maxton Hall, Ruby Bell (Harriet Herbig-Matten) witnesses a secret that could destroy the school’s most popular and wealthy student. In attempt to cover up this secret, millionaire heir James Beaufort (Damian Hardung) bargains with her.
Maxton Hall is an adaptation of the book Save Me by Mona Kasten and was originally filmed in German. The teen drama has garnered lots of buzz online leading to a prompt order of season two by the streamer. The actors have excellent chemistry that turns these characters from enemies to lovers in an organic but tension filled way.
Maxton Hall is streaming on Prime Video.
Summer Camp
Childhood best friends Nora (Diane Keaton), Ginny (Kathy Bates), and Mary (Alfre Woodard) met one summer at their sleep-away camp. Years later, the trio come together for a camp reunion, but find themselves reflecting on the past and their present.
While Summer Camp poses an endearing concept about growing older and reflecting on one’s past, it lacks heart. Each of the women is plagued by a singular problem that flattens their liveliness and makes them feel entirely one dimensional. They fall into dramatic tropes that don’t feel relatable or inspiring in the end. It’s an easy light summer watch, but lacks any substantial commentary on growing older as a woman.
Summer Camp is in theaters now.
The Boys in the Boat
In the height of the Great Depression, a group of boys try out for the University of Washington rowing team in order to make money. The motivated men get pushed into the spotlight as they compete for gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Based on true events chronicled in Daniel James Brown’s 2013 novel of the same name, The Boys in the Boat is the truest form of an underdog story. Callum Turner leads the crew to victory in a way that will have you rooting for them until the end, while Joel Edgerton fuels the story with encouragement and motivation. Directed by George Clooney, this film is a true delight.
The Boys in the Boat is streaming on Prime Video.
