Something of a bookend to Walter Hill’s pulp classic “Johnny Handsome” starring Mickey Rourke, “The Assignment” is an outrageously entertaining thriller which boasts a humdinger of a plot.
Following a double-cross, brutal hitman Frank Kitchen (Michelle Rodriguez) wakes up to discover he’s been turned into a woman by a surgeon (Sigourney Weaver) out to avenge the murder of her brother. Now, it’s Frank’s turn to exact revenge on the not-so-good doctor. In between the bullet ballets, Hill explores a rich complex of gender, sexuality and class.
Sure, the movie pushes the limits of credibility but it works thanks to the seedy B-movie atmosphere, Rodriguez’ fearless performance and Hill’s gutsy direction. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu.
Also New To VOD and Streaming
Aftermath: Arnold Schwarzenegger has never delivered a more pensive performance than he does in this based-on-a-true-story saga about a man so haunted by the loss of his wife and daughter in a plane crash that he sets out to find the air traffic controller (Scoot McNairy) responsible for the disaster. With surprising deftness, the movie toggles between Schwarzenegger and McNairy, both of whom are devastated in their own ways. Despite a too-abrupt ending, this study of grief proves arresting thanks to the tense atmosphere and the brooding, heartfelt turns by Schwarzenegger and McNairy. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu.
The Last Word: Crack the shell of this glib comedy and you’ll find a surprisingly crafty character study of a complicated woman. Shirley MacLaine stars as Harriet Lauler, a retired businesswoman and control freak who hires an obit writer (Allentown native Amanda Seyfried) to pen her obituary while she’s still alive. Too many of the situations are far-fetched but, to the film’s credit, it keeps veering away from cliches, preferring to provoke instead of soothe. MacLaine is the chief virtue; always keeping Harriet tart and interesting. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu.
Orange Is The New Black: Season Five: When last we saw the ladies of Litchfield, a riot was underway thanks to the death of inmate Poussey (Samira Wiley). This season, it’s all about the ongoing uprising, with all 13 episodes taking place in real time over the course of three very tense days. Among those caught up in the unrest are Piper (Taylor Schilling) and Alex (Laura Prepon) as well as Daya (Dascha Polanco) who was featured in the cliffhanger moment from season four, pointing a gun at CO Humphrey as her fellow inmates urged her to pull the trigger. On Netflix
Long Strange Trip: Running four hours, this definitive documentary about the Grateful Dead tracks the California band from its early days as the Warlocks through the psychedelic ’60s and into Jerry Garcia’s heartbreaking final years. Band mates Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Phil Lesh offer up candid interviews and there’s lots of previously unseen archival footage and concert sequences. One of the most fascinating segments showcases the obsessions of Dead Heads who take fandom to unparalleled heights. “Long Strange Trip” is a journey worth taking. On Amazon.
Alena: Despair is at the heart of this teen-bullying drama from Sweden. Based on a graphic novel, the plot pivots on a lonely high-schooler named Alena (Amalia Holm) who is pulled out of her public school and placed in a posh private establishment where she runs afoul of mean girl Filippa (Molly Nutley.) But what Filippa doesn’t know is that Alena is shadowed by a mysterious friend who is determined to keep her pal safe from harm. Expect gorgeous visuals and a fair amount of suspense but “Alena” derails rather quickly as the bodies – and the cliches – start piling up. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu.
Shimmer Lake: Fast-rising scripter Oren Uziel (the upcoming “God Particle,” “22 Jump Street”) makes his directorial debut with this inventive thriller which unfolds in reverse, day by day through the week. Benjamin Walker stars as a local sheriff struggling to unlock the mystery of three small-town criminals and a bank heist gone wrong. Stephanie Sigman, Wyatt Russell, and Rainn Wilson co-star in the movie which aims for a “Fargo”-esque blending of comedy, suspense and violence. On Netflix.
Teen TitlesDumb – The Story of Big Brother Magazine: Fresh from its premiere at the Tribeca Film Fest comes this documentary about of the rise and fall of the cult magazine Big Brother, a skateboarding journal whose ribald humor as well as its coverage of nudity and stunts helped pave the way for “Jackass” and a generation of skaters. Expect plenty of original footage as well as interviews with the magazine’s stars, including Johnny Knoxville and Spike Jonze. At Tribeca, the film was hailed as “a stylish celebration of the lowbrow legacy of.. ’90’s counterculture.” On Hulu.
For The Kids
Kuu Kuu Harajuku – Music, Baby!: Co-created by Gwen Stefani, this Nickelodeon series spotlights a super cool band made of five super cool gals. Even though the girls are talented, their concerts always seem to get derailed by crazy circumstances, including the arrival of space aliens, adorable (and ravenous) monster pets and very hungry babies. Even with all their problems, the band mates always work together to save the day, ensuring a Kuu Kuu ride for all. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu.
Americano: Get ready for an animated adventure which the Dove Foundation calls “charming and colorful.” Rico Rodriguez from “Modern Family” voices young parrot Cuco who heads to Hollywood to learn the stunt business after his family bird circus is taken over by a bully bird (Cheech Marin.) Kate Del Castillo, Gabriel Inglesias, Edward James Olmos and Lisa Kudrow round out the cast. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu.
