In May 2022, Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and the highly awaited sequel of Top Gun are arguably the two most anticipated films in theaters. There’s a true-crime drama series following Clark Olofsson, who gave rise to the phrase “The Stockholm syndrome”, Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen’s Darth Vader reprise their respective roles in a Disney Plus series, and more!
Find a list of highly-rated movies, anticipated film releases and some really entertaining TV shows released in May 2022. Honorable mention to the 28th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Benedict Wong to which spoilers and breakdowns can be found across the internet. Happy watching!
Top Gun Maverick
Tom Cruise has described ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ as “a love letter to aviation.” Originally it was scheduled to be released in July 2019, however it was postponed due to the pandemic. It is the sequel to the 1986 film ‘Top Gun’. It chronicles the life of Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, who is now a veteran pilot dealing with the effects of the events depicted in the first film. Mitchell is summoned to train a group of fighter pilots for a special mission, which includes Lieutenant Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s late and close friend, Nick ‘Goose’ Bradshaw.
The film is directed by Joseph Kosinski, and Tom Cruise also serves as producer. Val Kilmer returns for its sequel to portray Admiral Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky. Jennifer Connelly (‘A Beautiful Mind’), Miles Teller (‘Whiplash’), Glen Powell (‘Hidden Figures’), Lewis Pullman (‘Outer Range’), Jon Hamm (‘Mad Men’), and Ed Harris (‘Westworld’) are also of the cast list. Actors Monica Barbaro, Charles Parnell, Jay Ellis, Greg Tarzan Davis, Manny Jacinto, and comedian Bashir Salahuddin are also members of the cast in the film.
Lady Gaga worked on the film’s score with Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, Lorne Balfe, and Harold Faltermeyer, who also worked on the 1986 Top Gun soundtrack.
Firestarter (Peacock)
‘Firestarter’ follows the story of Charlene ‘Charlie’ McGee, who has the capacity to create and manipulate fire with her mind. She is first unable to control her power, but with the help of her father, she eventually learns to harness it. Her firepower grows stronger as she ages, making it difficult for her to manage. Her family tries everything they can to protect her from an agency that wants to capture Charlie and use her abilities.
Filmmaker Keith Thomas, who also directed the horror film ‘The Vigil’ (2019), directed ‘Firestarter’. The cast includes Zac Efron (‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile ‘), Ryan Kiera Armstrong (‘The Tomorrow War’), Sydney Lemmon (‘Fear the Walking Dead’), John Beasley (‘Sinister 2‘), Michael Greyeyes (‘Blood Quantum’), Gloria Reuben (‘Lincoln’) and veteran actor Kurtwood Smith (‘That 70’s Show’).
It is adapted from the novel ‘Firestarter’ by Stephen King and is a remake of the 1984 film of the same name starring Drew Barrymore.
Stream ‘Firestarter’ on Peacock: HERE
Watch ‘Firestarter 1984’ on Amazon Prime: HERE
The Takedown (Netflix)
‘Loin du périph’ or ‘The Takedown’ sees the return of Ousmane and François, two French police officers with extremely different techniques in policing, backgrounds, and careers. Alice joins the two of them to spearhead an inquiry into a drug deal that unravels a conspiracy across France.
As seen in the trailer, the film is packed with action sequences, high-speed car chases, and comedic bits too. It is a sequel to ‘On the Other Side of the Tracks’ (De l’autre côté du périph) released in the year 2012.
The action-comedy is directed by French film director and producer Louis Leterrier. His previous works include ‘The Transporter’ (2005),’ The Incredible Hulk’ (2008), and ‘Clash of the Titans’ (2010). ‘Lupin’ star Omar Sy is cast alongside Laurent Lafitte (‘Schools Out’) in the leading roles. French musician and guitarist Izïa ‘Izia’ Higelin is also set to appear in the film.
Louis Leterrier and Omar Sy have also worked together in ‘Lupin’ (2021) and ‘Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra’ (2002).
Watch ‘The Take Down’ on Netflix: HERE
Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers (Disney+)
Chip and Dale, beloved animation characters in this relaunch, reside on a planet co-populated by humans and other animated characters. After starring in their successful television series, they fall out and split up. Thirty years later, when a former cast member on their show inexplicably vanishes, Chip and Dale must mend their shattered friendship and set on a mission to save their friend.
Comedy writer and actor Akiva Schaffer directed the movie. The ensemble voice cast features the likes of John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, Will Arnett, Eric Bana, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, KiKi Layne, Chris Parnell, and J. K. Simmons.
The animated/live-action film boasts numerous easter eggs, callbacks, Disney Characters and features the voices of a returning Jeff Bennett as Lumière from 1991’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’, Rachel Bloom, who voices Flounder from 1989’s ‘The Little Mermaid’, Charles Fleischer reprising his role as Roger Rabbit and several others.
Watch ‘Chip and Date’ on Disney+: HERE
Operation Mincemeat (Netflix)
Set in 1943, one of the pivotal moments of WWII included two unlikely secret operatives and the body of a dead man. British intelligence obtains a dead body from a morgue and disguises him as a fictitious soldier. In order to trick Hitler, they hide bogus documents in his clothing, implying that the Allies will strike Greece and Sardinia island rather than Sicily, Italy. Using deception, imagination, and seduction, this group of spies devised a scheme to save thousands of lives.
Operation Mincemeat is directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker John Madden. Actor Colin Firth portrays intelligence officer Ewen Montagu while actor and singer-songwriter Johnny Flynn portrays naval officer and writer Ian Fleming best known for his James Bond Spy Novels. It is based on ‘Operation Mincemeat: The True Spy Story that Changed the Course of World War II’ by historian and writer Ben Macintyre.
Matthew Macfadyen (‘Succession’), Kelly Macdonald (‘No Country for Old Men,’), Jason Isaacs (‘The OA’), Penelope Wilton (‘After Life’), and Mark Gatiss (‘Game of Thrones‘) round the cast list.
This was actor Paul Ritter’s final performance on screen before his passing. Penelope Wilton and director John Madden have also worked together in ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ (2013) and its sequel ‘The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel‘ (2015).
Watch ‘Operation Mincemeat’ on Netflix: HERE
Downton Abbey: A New Era
The story is set in the late 1920s, with the Crawley family and their employees preparing for a big mystery reveal. Courtesy of a mysterious man in her past, Violet Crawley has acquired a villa in the south of France. Some of her family members plan to spend a short vacation there to explore secrets from her past. In the meantime at Downtown Abbey, Violet’s granddaughter Lady Mary decides to let a film crew shoot a film on their estate.
‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ is directed by Simon Curtis and is written by Julian Fellowes, the mastermind behind the first film and the awarding-winning TV series. Return and reprising their roles for the period drama are actors Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Joanne Froggatt, Rob James-Collier, Elizabeth McGovern, and veteran Maggie Smith.
Senior Year (Netflix)
In her latest film, Rebel Wilson’s character Stephanie Conway goes back to high school to finish her senior year. She was the captain of the cheerleading squad and one of the most popular girls in high school. A tragic fall put her in a coma for twenty years, and when she awoke, she realized the world around her and her life had altered drastically. Along with finishing her schooling, and coping with the changes, she hopes to win a prize that has eluded her from becoming a prom queen.
Alex Hardcastle directs the film, which is his first full-length studio feature. Rebel Wilson is also a co-producer of the movie.
Stream ‘Senior Year’ on Netflix: HERE
Clark (Netflix)
Starring Bill Skarsgård (‘It’) as Clark Olofsson, the Netflix series ‘Clark’ is a true-crime drama. It is based on the controversial life of notorious Swedish bank robber Clark Olofsson who spent most of his life in jail for repeat offenses. He gave rise to the phrase “The Stockholm syndrome” and enraptured the hearts of many women in particular through the media. Clark has spent his life in between committing various crimes. This included prison sentences, escaping prison, and being on the run.
The six-episode limited series has been directed by Jonas Åkerlund. ‘Clark’ also stars Alicia Agneson (‘Vikings’), Sandra Ilar, Agnes Lindström Bolmgren, Vilhelm Blomgren, and Adam Lundgren, among others.
Find ‘Clark’ on Netflix: HERE
The Pentaverate (Netflix)
Created by Mike Myers (‘Shrek’), Netflix’s ‘The Pentaverate’ follows a Canadian journalist who tries to uncover the truth about a secret society of five men who have controlled the world since 1347. After they have been influencing global events for centuries, they face a dangerous threat from within.
The cast of ‘The Pentaverate’ includes Mike Myers, Debi Mazar (‘Beethoven’s 2nd’), Lydia West (‘It’s a Sin’, ‘Suspicion’), Jennifer Saunders (‘Shrek 2’), Richard McCabe (‘Mindhorn’), Keegan-Michael Key (‘Key & Peele’), and Ken Jeong (‘The Masked Singer’.)
Stream ‘The Pentaverate’ on Netflix: HERE
The Sound of Magic (Netflix)
Adapted from the webtoon ‘Annarasumanara’, ‘The Sound of Magic’ is a Korean-language TV series and an emotional music drama. It revolves around Yoon Ah-Yi, who is a poor student at Sewoon High School. Her belief in magic had diminished. Yoon Ah-Yi had a passion for it when she was younger. Due to many misfortunes, she wishes to grow faster to become an adult. Her wishes stem from her wanting to escape the major stressors and debts which overwhelm and burden her.
She then meets Lee Eul. Lee, an adult magician, wants to remain as a so-called ‘child’ and he aims to claim he is a real magician. He asks whoever he meets “Do you believe in magic?” Yoon Ah Yi meets Lee at an eerie abandoned amusement park and reveals her dream to the magician. Her life is then changed forever.
‘The Sound of Magic’ stars Hwang In-youp (‘True Beauty’, ‘18 Again’), Choi Sung-eun (‘Beyond Evil’, ‘Ten Months’), Ji Chang-wook (‘Suspicious Partner’, ‘The K2’), Nam Da-reum (‘The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim’), Ji Hye-Won (‘Justice’), among others.
Watch ‘The Sound of Magic’ on Netflix: HERE
You May Also Like: Stranger Things: Volume 4 on Netflix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQEondeGvKo
Find ‘Stranger Things: Volume 4’ on Netflix: HERE
The Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au06yHMuMGc
Netflix’s ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ has been helmed by Brad Furman (‘The Infiltrator’) and has been number 1 on the Global Netflix chart for two consecutive weeks as the most-watched English-language Television Series. Based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling novels, the series follows an idealistic lawyer Mickey Haller who runs practice out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car. He takes on cases big and small across Los Angeles.
‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ has been created by David E. Kelley (‘Anatomy of a Scandal’, ‘The Undoing’), and has been executive produced by Ted Humphrey, Michael Connelly, and Ross Finema. The ten-episode series stars Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (‘The Magnificient Seven’), Neve Campbell (‘Scream’, ‘House of Cards’), Becki Newton (‘Ugly Betty’, ‘How I Met Your Mother’), Christopher Gorham (‘Covert Affairs’, ‘Insatiable’), Angus Sampson (‘Insidious: Chapter 3’, ‘Our Flag Means Death’), Jazz Raycole (‘My Wife and Kids’), among others.
Find ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ on Netflix: HERE
Night Sky (Amazon Prime Video)
Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Night Sky’ revolves around Irene and Franklin York, who have kept secret a chamber that leads to a deserted planet. However, the arrival of an enigmatic young man upends their quiet existence.
The series stars Sissy Spacek (‘Badlands’, ‘Bloodline’), the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. It includes nominations for four British Academy Film Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award; J.K. Simmons (‘Whiplash’, ‘Spider-Man’), Kiah McKirnan (‘Mare of Easttown’), Chai Hansen (‘Shadowhunters’, ‘The 100’), Julieta Zylberberg, Adam Bartley, and more.
Stream ‘Night Sky’ on Amazon Prime Video: HERE
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Disney+)
The beloved Obi-Wan returns to Star Wars in a highly anticipated Disney+ series set ten years after the dramatic events of ‘Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith’ (2005) where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat. Kenobi faced much pain due to his downfall and the corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker. Anakin had lost his way and turned to the dark side as the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader, who undoubtedly became one of the most iconic villains of all time.
Hayden Christensen, Joel Edgerton (‘The Gift’, ‘Warrior’) and Bonnie Piesse (‘The Vow’) are all set to reprise their roles as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Owen Lars, and Beru Lars, respectively. Both Hayden Christensen, who fully embodied his role as Vader for only a few minutes at the close of ‘Star Wars: Return of the Sith’, as well as Ewan McGregor, who plays the titular role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the series, return to Star Wars seventeen years after his last appearance in the franchise.
The six-episode series has been directed by Deborah Chow (‘The Mandalorian’). Its cast includes Moses Ingram (‘The Queen’s Gambit’, ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’), Kumail Nanjiani (‘TheBig Sick’, ‘Eternals’), Indira Varma, Rupert Friend (‘Homeland’, ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (‘Straight Outta Compton’), Sung Kang (‘Power’) from the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise, Simone Kessell, and Benny Safdie (‘Good Time’, ‘Uncut Gems’), among others.
Watch ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ on Disney+: HERE
Candy (Hulu)
Hulu’s ‘Candy’ is a biographical crime drama that follows Candy Montgomery, who was accused of the ax murder of her neighbor. Montgomery is a 1980’s housewife and mother who did everything right. She had a good husband, two kids, and even the careful planning and execution of transgressions.
However, when the pressure of conformity builds up, her actions scream for a bit of freedom in this series starring Jessica Biel (‘The Sinner’, ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’) as Candy, Melanie Lynskey (‘Yellowjackets’, ‘Heavenly Creatures’), Pablo Schreiber (‘Halo’), Timothy Simons (‘Veep’), Raúl Esparza (‘Dopesick’, ‘Hannibal’), Jessie Mueller, and more.
Find ‘Candy’ on Hulu: HERE
You May Also Like: Conversation with Friends on Hulu
Find ‘Conversations with Friends’ on Hulu: HERE
The Staircase (HBO Max)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TftAFQflBy8
Based on a true story, ‘The Staircase’ tells the story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist. Peterson was accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home. This TV series explores the life of Michael Peterson, his sprawling N.C. family, the suspicious death of Kathleen, and the 16-year judicial battle that followed.
The cast of the HBO Max series includes Colin Firth (‘Pride and Prejudice’, ‘The King’s Speech’), Toni Collette (‘Hereditary’, ‘Pieces of Her’), Sophie Turner (‘X-Men: Dark Phoenix’, ‘Game of Thrones’), Juliette Binoche (‘Chocolat’, ‘The English Patient’), Patrick Schwarzenegger (‘Midnight Sun’), Parker Posey (‘Lost in Space’, ‘Dazed and Confused’), Michael Stuhlbarg (‘Dopesick’, ‘Men in Black 3’), Dane DeHaan (‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’), and Joel McKinnon Miller (Brooklyn Nine-Nine’), among others.
Stream ‘The Staircase’ on HBO Max: HERE
You May Also Like: The Time Traveler’s Wife on HBO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoYXtKF_g1Y
Find ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ on HBO Max: HERE
Honorable Mentions:
The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib
Find ‘The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib’ on Netflix: HERE
Vampire in the Garden
Find ‘Vampire in the Garden’ on Netflix: HERE
