3 Hidden Gem HBO and Max Movies to Stream This Weekend (May 30-June 1)
The end of May typically signals several things: the conclusion of school, the start of vacation season, and a plethora of new films hitting theaters.
While you might consider splurging on the latest Mission: Impossible installment, wouldn’t it be preferable to enjoy a great film from the comfort of your home at a fraction of the price?
If your answer is “yes” and you subscribe to HBO Max, then this article is for you.
The streaming service boasts hundreds of underrated films just waiting for you to explore, and Watch With Us has narrowed it down to three picks perfect for your weekend binge-watching.
‘Maggie’ (2015)
Before Pedro Pascal portrayed Joel guiding Bella Ramsey‘s Ellie through a zombie apocalypse in the acclaimed HBO series The Last of Us, Arnold Schwarzenegger took on a similar role in the 2015 film Maggie. He plays Wade Vogel, the father of Maggie (Abigail Breslin), who has contracted a virus that will soon turn her into a zombie. Rather than send her to authorities who will surely execute her, he brings her home, hoping to contain her illness and save her. However, as her transformation becomes inevitable, both Wade and Maggie are faced with tough decisions. Will Wade really take his daughter’s life for the greater good? And when the time comes, will Maggie allow him to do so?
When considering a zombie flick starring the hero from The Terminator and Commando, one might expect a relentless action movie overflowing with gore. While Maggie does contain some blood, it’s largely a poignant drama centered on a father’s grief over a dying child. Schwarzenegger delivers arguably his finest performance in this film, whose conclusion is both poetic and heart-wrenching. Surprisingly, Maggie generates more tears than blood.
‘Cedar Rapids’ (2011)
Tim Lippe (Ed Helms) is a gullible insurance agent dispatched by his boss, Bill (Stephen Root), to an important conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He and his colleagues need to win a coveted award to save their company, potentially leading him to employ unethical tactics. Tim finds this challenging as he forms bonds with fellow agents Dean (John C. Reilly), Joan (Anne Heche), and Ron (Isiah Whitlock Jr.), realizing that winning could jeopardize their jobs. Tim is torn between doing the right thing and keeping his employment.
Released during a period dominated by The Hangover films and comedies from Judd Apatow, Cedar Rapids surprisingly underperformed at the box office in 2011. This is unfortunate, as the film delivers genuine laughs without resorting to cheap humor. Helms’ endearing, bumbling performance makes you root for him, while the supporting cast, including Sigourney Weaver as Tim’s former teacher and lover, shines. Fans of Office Space and Waiting will appreciate Cedar Rapids, as all three films utilize mundane office environments to create hilariously awkward situations.
Cedar Rapids is streaming on Max.
‘All the Way’ (2016)
The year 1964 was a turning point in American history, with Lyndon B. Johnson (Bryan Cranston) at the helm as President of the United States. Johnson led a nation grappling with the aftermath of John F. Kennedy’s assassination the previous year. The Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, rallying support from figures like Martin Luther King Jr. (Anthony Mackie) while facing opposition from stalwarts like Strom Thurmond (Randy Olgesby), risking a fracture in the Democratic party leading up to the next presidential election. With a plethora of domestic and international crises unfolding, can Johnson unite his party and the nation while also securing re-election?
Based on Robert Schenkkan’s acclaimed 2012 play, All the Way delves into one of the most significant periods in American politics. The film presents a wealth of historical context, primarily spotlighting the Civil Rights Act, yet it remains accessible. Cranston brilliantly captures the essence of LBJ, portraying not just a caricature but the intense pressure he faced throughout his presidency. All the Way illustrates that while contemporary politics may seem chaotic, they pale in comparison to what Johnson maneuvered through in 1964.
