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This summer was different than most for production studios following the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes last year, meaning studios released fewer movies than in the past. While movies such as “Furiosa” and “The Fall Guy” didn’t live up to their box-office expectations, others like “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” over-performed, with both grossing over $1 billion worldwide.

In a largely underwhelming summer, some entertaining movies slipped through the cracks. As you soak up the last bits of summer, four underseen movies – all under two hours – are now available to stream. Here’s a list of movies to check out with your friends in your dorm lounge or new apartment living room.

“Thelma”
Struggling to adapt to the advance of technology in everyday life, a 93-year-old woman is scammed out of $10,000. She goes on a journey to get her money back and discovers that age is just a number. Starring June Squibb, the late Richard Roundtree and Fred Hechinger, “Thelma” tells a profound story about the power of family and confidence. Thelma’s grandson Danny (Hechinger) and an old friend, Ben (Roundtree), help her discover a new part of her life. The conversations with Ben and Danny show Thelma (Squibb) there is no shame in getting old and admitting you need help in your everyday life. At its core, “Thelma” is a charming coming-of-age movie about a 93-year-old struggling to accept her age. Every character is given an emotional arc, and director Josh Margolin tells a relatable, moving story. “Thelma” is available to rent on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

“The Bikeriders”
Based on a 1968 book by photographer Danny Lyon, “The Bikeriders” tells the story of a Midwestern motorcycle club that grows from a local group into a national brand.
Starring Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Jodie Comer, the movie follows the Chicago Vandals, a fictionalized version of the Chicago Outlaws, who Lyon documented in real life. At the center of the story is the relationship between Benny (Butler), a young member of the Vandals who rises through the ranks, and his wife, Kathy (Comer). The couple realizes they are in over their heads and are forced to decide between their future together and the future of the Vandals. Butler and Comer give outstanding performances, making each decision feel real and emotionally charged. Supporting performances from Hardy, Boyd Holbrook, Norman Reedus, Michael Shannon and others bring the eccentricity of the Vandals to life and add depth to Jeff Nichols’ script. “The Bikeriders” is available to stream on Peacock.

“The Instigators”
Searching for a new lease on life, an ex-con (Casey Affleck) and a retired veteran (Matt Damon) are hired for a simple job to rob the mayor of Boston. However, the two realize they aren’t cut out for the criminal lifestyle when the mission goes wrong. “The Instigators” follows two robbers on the run. Rory (Damon) is a single father desperate for money, and Cobby (Affleck) is a cynic who doesn’t believe in much. After the failed robbery, they seek the help of Rory’s therapist (Hong Chau). Damon and Affleck are lifelong friends, and it’s entertaining to watch them butt heads in a comedy setting. The central heist has no real stakes and is essentially just a way to set up comedic circumstances for Damon and Affleck to encounter. Overseeing the movie is veteran action director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. and Mrs Smith), who balances the more action-heavy scenes with moments of comedic relief. In addition to Damon and Affleck’s fun performances, Chau, Ron Perlman, Paul Walter Hauser and several other actors give great supporting performances. Some parts of the plot stray from reality, but the comedic tone is consistent, keeping the movie engaging. “The Instigators” is available to stream on AppleTV+.

“Snack Shack”
Desperate for money, two teenagers jump at the chance to operate the snack stand at a local pool. As business improves, their behavior becomes more erratic, and troubles emerge. Starring Connor Sherry and Gabriel LaBelle, “Snack Shack” is a traditional teenage stoner comedy in the model of “Superbad.” The charm and honesty of the storytelling make the film engaging and reminiscent of “Dazed and Confused” and “American Graffiti.” Sherry plays A.J., a cringing, self-loathing rich kid who wants to distance himself from his parents. LaBelle plays Moose, an easy-going party animal who lives his life with wild adolescent enthusiasm. After breaking through with the wide-eyed, sweet Sammy Fabelman role in 2022’s “The Fabelmans,” it’s fun to see LaBelle playing such an audacious character. The movie is set in 1991 but still feels modern and relatable to teenage audiences from any generation. Director Adam Rehmeier hits all the cliche teen-comedy moments, such as an out-of-their-league love interest, explicit use of drugs and alcohol and the anxiety of growing up and moving forward in life. “Snack Shack” is available to stream on Sling TV.

Though this summer’s movie season has not been as active as usual, there have been massive hits in “Twisters” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” that garnered widespread attention. Other outstanding films like these deserve your attention, too, and are a great use of two hours as summer’s end credits roll.

Published on August 21, 2024 at 9:55 pm