What to watch this weekend: Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story,' Netflix's 'The Unforgivable'
If you're already tired of Christmas carols, maybe the return of Leonard Bernstein's stellar "West Side Story" tunes on the big screen will fill you with cheer. (Or at least get you in the mood to mambo.)
This weekend, Steven Spielberg revamps the classic Broadway musical with Ansel Elgort and newcomer Rachel Zegler as a 1950s-era Romeo and Juliet, while Aaron Sorkin's latest effort also has a retro flavor with Nicole Kidman as TV comedy giant Lucille Ball. In addition, Sandra Bullock is an outcast ex-con in a Netflix thriller, Riz Ahmed is a dad trying to keep his kids safe in an Amazon Prime sci-fi drama, and former MTV VJ Simon Rex is back and playing an adult-film star in an indie comedy.
Here's a guide to new movies that'll satisfy every cinematic taste:
'There's no one way to be Latina': Rachel Zegler does stardom her way with 'West Side Story'
If you're really into Broadway classics done right: 'West Side Story'
That fantastic "Anything Goes!" opener from "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"? It was apparently just a taste of what Spielberg can do with a musical. With this new take on an American classic, Spielberg and writer Tony Kushner create a cinematic spectacle – and improve aspects of an all-timer – with epic showstoppers, needed character development and a careful eye toward authentic representation in the love story of Tony (Elgort) and Maria (Zegler) set amid a racially charged Manhattan gang war.
Where to watch: In theaters
Review: Steven Spielberg doesn't disappoint with his vibrant, revamped 'West Side Story'
If you like football dramas without the football: 'National Champions'
Tackling the hot-button sports issue of college athletes getting paid, director Ric Roman Waugh's flick features an impressive cast and lots of tension even without any real on-field action. Three days before the national championship, Missouri's star quarterback (Stephan James) and his BFF tight end (Alexander Ludwig) calls for a player's strike unless demands are met for fair compensation, leaving boosters, officials and their embattled coach (J.K. Simmons) scrambling to fix the situation before game time.
Where to watch: In theaters
If you still love Lucy (and also Nicole): 'Being the Ricardos'
Written and directed by Sorkin, the biopic of sorts dives into a hellish week of producing the hit '50s sitcom "I Love Lucy," with Lucille Ball (Kidman) and co-star husband Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) dealing with infidelity rumors, Communist labels and internal squabbles that threaten not only the show but also their marriage. Kidman's a standout, the behind-the-scenes struggles are fascinating, yet flashbacks detailing Ball and Arnaz's relationship just get in the way more often than not.
Where to watch: In theaters (and on Amazon Prime Dec. 21)
Review: Nicole Kidman impresses as TV icon Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin's 'Being the Ricardos'
If you dig the serious Sandra Bullock stuff: 'The Unforgivable'
The thriller casts Bullock as Ruth, released after serving 20 years for murder and figuring out a way back into society after having committed a well-publicized crime that's made her a pariah. More important for her, though, is finding the younger sister she had to leave behind and dealing with a couple of vengeful yahoos. The surprisingly effective drama doles out some decent reveals and a good cast, though Viola Davis unfortunately doesn't get a lot to do as the wife of Ruth's lawyer (Vincent D'Onofrio).
Where to watch: In theaters and on Netflix
If you prefer invasion movies with a twist: 'Encounter'
Riz Ahmed stars as a Marine dad who, worried about parasitic alien organisms infecting the populace, heads out on the road with his two young boys in the interest of safety, and on the way to sanctuary, the kids have to grow up fast and even protect their father. While the movie telegraphs its biggest turn way too early, director Michael Pearce combines striking sci-fi imagery and freaky visuals with a foreboding sense of paranoia and heartfelt family turmoil.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
If you often wonder what happened to Simon Rex: 'Red Rocket'
Director Sean Baker ("The Florida Project") plucks Rex – rapper, model, MTV personality, sometime actor – from C-list celebrity purgatory and lets him loose in the dramedy as a porn star returning to his Texas hometown broke and homeless. Thing is, Rex is actually really good as Mikey Saber, a well-endowed oddball who moves in with his estranged wife (Bree Elrod) and falls for a teenage doughnut-shop employee (a great Suzanna Son) even though he's a whirlwind of bad luck and worse decision-making.
Where to watch: In theaters
If your little kids need a cartoon trip Down Under: 'Back to the Outback'
The animated comedy doesn't break the talking-animal mold but at least features a bunch of cool Australian accents and some fun musical cameos. A group of friendly yet deadly animals – including a poisonous snake (Isla Fisher), spider (Guy Pearce) and scorpion (Angus Imrie) – break out of their Sydney zoo home alongside a prima donna koala (Tom Tim Minchin), high-tail it out of the city and set off toward the Outback, with a self-obsessed Steve Irwin-esque zookeeper (Eric Bana) in hot pursuit.
Where to watch: Netflix
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'West Side Story,' 'Red Rocket': New movies streaming, in theaters
