The 4th of July is a time for fireworks and barbecue, but if you’re subscribed to Hulu, it’s also the time to watch some high-quality films. The streamer has an extensive library of films, which is why Watch With Us has selected three underrated Hulu movies for you to watch this weekend.
If you’re craving some drama with your hot dogs, then stream “Catch and Release” with Jennifer Garner. Thrill-seekers should check out “Asphalt City” with Sean Penn, while action fans will enjoy watching a former James Bond as a hitman in “Fast Charlie.”
“Catch and Release” (2007)
Gray’s (Jennifer Garner) fiancé, Grady, just died, and she’s understandably upset that she can’t marry the love of her life. Her sadness soon gives way to confusion and anger when she discovers during the reading of his will that he’s been giving another woman, Maureen (Juliette Lewis), $3,000 a month. Has Grady been cheating on her throughout their relationship? What other big secrets was Grady keeping from her? And how much did his best friend, Fritz (Timothy Olyphant), know about Maureen?
“Catch and Release” sounds very melodramatic, but it’s actually pretty low-key and grounded for a movie that deals with death, infidelity, and grief. The movie mixes elements of tragedy and romance well, with the occasional welcome comedic interlude supplied by Kevin Smith, who plays Gray’s friend and housemate. Best known for cheery rom-coms like “13 Going on 30,” Garner is superb as a woman forced to work through all the stages of grief in a very short time. Her journey from mourning girlfriend to a single woman open to new possibilities is always involving and never less than entertaining. “Catch and Release” is streaming on Hulu.
“Fast Charlie” (2023)
Charlie Swift (Pierce Brosnan) is very good at his job. For more than 20 years, he’s been a professional hitman and fixer who makes all of his clients happy. But when a rival hitman kills his friends and targets him, he’s determined to get his revenge. That involves teaming up with Marcie Kramer (Morena Baccarin), the widow of a mobster whom Charlie killed not too long ago. Can she forgive and forget long enough to help Charlie?
It’s been more than two decades since Brosnan last played his signature role, James Bond, but he’s lost none of his sense of humor and style. He elevates “Fast Charlie” and gives the titular character a cool intelligence that makes the movie more entertaining than it would be if he hadn’t played the role. Director Phillip Noyce knows his way around an action scene, having directed the excellent ‘90s action classics “Patriot Games” and “The Saint,” and he gives this movie a slick polish that works well with the simple but effective story. “Fast Charlie” is streaming on Hulu.
“Asphalt City” (2023)
Ollie (Tye Sheridan) just started working as a paramedic in New York City, and he quickly befriends veteran coworker Gene (Sean Penn) while working brutal hours. But as Ollie learns more about Gene and experiences some pretty traumatic cases like a battered wife who refuses treatment and a heroin addict who gives birth to a stillborn baby, he’s not so sure he can handle being a first responder in the Big Apple. Can Ollie maintain some semblance of sanity — and a promising relationship with Clara (Raquel Nave) — or will he have to give up the career he always dreamed of having?
“Asphalt City” is a tense “day in the life” movie that showcases the dangerous side of living and working in NYC. The movie works best when it follows its two lead characters around as they respond to numerous emergency calls, all of which take a toll on both men. Penn’s always been a terrific actor, and he’s terrific as someone who has seen too much and is trying to live with the weight of all that memory. The movie is sometimes tough to watch, but it’s one of the few films to show life as it is in a big city that’s typically romanticized by such shows as “And Just Like That.” “Asphalt City” is streaming on Hulu.
This 4th of July weekend is packed with a few high-profile movies that are appealing enough to lure you away from those fireworks. At the top of the list is Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s excellent horror movie about two brothers fighting vampires in Depression-era America. Netflix already premiered its long-awaited sequel, The Old Guard 2, which is a must-watch for action movie fans. In terms of action movies, Hulu came out swinging in June with films like the incredible sci-fi action flick Edge of Tomorrow and the 2004 revenge thriller Man on Fire. Most of Hulu’s films from the previous month are still available for streaming. Enjoy your movie marathon this weekend! The ongoing battle between conservationists and developers over the fate of a pristine forest in the heart of the Amazon rainforest has reached a fever pitch. The forest, known as the Monte Verde Reserve, is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, many of which are endangered or at risk of extinction.
Conservationists have been fighting for years to protect the Monte Verde Reserve from being destroyed by developers who see the land as a prime opportunity for economic growth and expansion. However, the stakes have never been higher as the developers have recently unveiled plans to build a massive resort and golf course on the land, which would require clear-cutting large swathes of forest.
The proposed development has sparked outrage among conservationists, who argue that the destruction of the Monte Verde Reserve would have devastating consequences for the local ecosystem and the indigenous communities that rely on the forest for their livelihoods. They have launched a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the forest and are calling on the government to intervene and designate the Monte Verde Reserve as a protected area.
In response, the developers have defended their plans, claiming that the resort and golf course would bring much-needed jobs and economic opportunities to the region. They argue that the project would also attract tourists and boost the local economy, helping to alleviate poverty and improve living standards for residents in the area.
The battle over the Monte Verde Reserve has become a symbol of the larger struggle between conservation and development in the Amazon rainforest. As one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically important regions in the world, the Amazon is facing increasing threats from deforestation, mining, and agriculture. Conservationists warn that if deforestation continues at its current rate, the Amazon could reach a tipping point where it is unable to recover, leading to irreversible damage to the ecosystem and the loss of countless plant and animal species.
As the debate over the Monte Verde Reserve rages on, both sides are digging in their heels and preparing for a protracted battle. Conservationists are ramping up their efforts to protect the forest, while developers are pushing forward with their plans to build the resort and golf course. The outcome of this conflict will have far-reaching implications not only for the Monte Verde Reserve but for the future of the Amazon rainforest as a whole.
