By John Corrado

New releases for the week of September 30th, 2022.

Theatrical Releases:

Bros (Wide Release): Following its world premiere at TIFF three weeks ago, Bros is now playing in theatres, and I don’t have enough good things to say about this incredibly entertaining and also quite sweet romantic comedy starring Billy Eichner, who co-wrote the perceptive and very funny script. It’s produced by Judd Apatow and directed by Nicholas Stoller, both veterans of the genre. As I wrote in my #TIFF22 review, this is “the big, R-rated gay rom-com we deserve,” and I stand by that. I adored this one for obvious reasons, and hope other audiences take to it as well. (TIFF 2022 Review)

The Good House (Limited Release): This is a movie that actually premiered at last year’s TIFF, and is finally getting a theatrical release now. Sigourney Weaver stars as an alcoholic real estate agent in a small New England town who falls back in love with an old flame (Kevin Kline). It’s mostly enjoyable as a throwback romantic dramedy, save for a jarring tonal shift in the last act. (TIFF 2021 Review)

More Releases: Smile (Wide), God’s Creatures (Limited), Ponniyin Selvan: I (TIFF Bell Lightbox)

Streaming Releases:

The Greatest Beer Run Ever (Apple TV+): Despite receiving mixed reviews from a lot of critics, I actually enjoyed this one when I saw it at TIFF a couple of weeks ago. Based on a pretty wild true story, Peter Farrelly’s followup up to his Oscar-winning Green Book stars a very good Zac Efron as a man who brought beers to his buddies in Vietnam, and it functions as an enjoyable mix of buddy comedy with Efron’s character learning some deeper lessons about the war. A fine streaming choice. (TIFF 2022 Review)

Hocus Pocus 2 (Disney+): Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker have a ball reprising their roles as the witchy Sanderson Sisters in this direct-to-streaming legacy sequel to Disney’s 1993 Halloween classic, and it’s a surprisingly enjoyable affair that offers a good mix of callbacks for fans while also playing to a new audience. I had fun with it, and it’s a good choice for families this Spooky Season. (Disney+ Review)

Dead for a Dollar (VOD Release): Walter Hill’s stab at making an old Western is a fairly decent genre exercise, nothing more and nothing less. It’s a little dry in places, but with some good dialogue exchanges and fine performances from a cast led by Christoph Waltz, Willem Dafoe and Rachel Brosnahan. It’s fine enough for what it is, especially at home. (VOD Review)

More Releases: Carmen (VOD), Blonde (Netflix)