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Thursday, November 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Oscar-laden Oppenheimer to be a streaming hit

Cillian Murphy in the title role of Oppenheimer, left, and Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon.

From Bonaparte to Oppenheimer, Swayze to Swift, there’s plenty hitting the streaming airwaves this week, writes Streaming columnist NICK OVERALL

If you haven’t yet seen the second most talked about movie of last year (second only, of course, to Barbie), Christopher Nolan’s epic biopic about the man who built the atomic bomb is now on Netflix.

Nick Overall.

The much anticipated Oppenheimer has arrived on the platform after sweeping the Oscars with seven wins, including a well deserved gong for best picture.

Cillian Murphy also took out best actor for his performance as the titular, deeply disturbed scientist whose genius changed the world forever.

Worth the hype? Absolutely.

Subscribers to Binge can also now stream the film.

SPEAKING of epics, now streaming on Apple TV Plus is Napoleon.

For many, Ridley Scott’s historical account of the rapacious French emperor fell flat in its dialogue, but boy does the British director still know how to take breath away with battle scenes.

A clash set amongst a wintry Russian tundra makes for one of the most visually arresting moments in recent memory and is just one in a series of epic recreations of 18th and 19th century clashes.

Just how authentic these are has caused quite the controversy – notably Napoleon unleashing hell on the Egyptian Pyramids with cannons – but for those happy to chuck historical accuracy out the window here and there, it’s undeniably a spectacle.

Star of Joker and Gladiator Joaquin Phoenix is the man who wears the iconic hat and, with a better script to work with, it feels like he too might have snagged an Oscar nomination.

Something tells me one day we’ll see a better film that truly captures the scale of such a giant of history, but those with any interest in this figurehead of the French Revolution are sure to have some boxes ticked here.

OVER on Amazon Prime Video a 1989 cult favourite has got the reboot treatment.

That would be Roadhouse. Thirty-five years ago it was the dirty dancer himself Patrick Swayze who starred in this kitsch but kinetic action flick.

Now it’s Jake Gyllenhaal who’s the leading man, playing the role of a revered bouncer handed the task of cleaning up one of Missouri’s worst dive bars. It’s not long until he gets on the wrong side of the crime boss who controls the town. Cue the showdown.

The new flick also sets the stage by making the main character a former UFC fighter, cashing in on the popularity of the combat sport that’s complete with an appearance from one of its more recognisable stars Conor McGregor.

A guilty pleasure full of gut punches, “Road House” is a certified weekend time waster, but a fun one at that. Those interested in watching the original can also catch it on Amazon Prime Video as well.

AND on the back of her sold-out tour across Australia where she managed to flog half a million tickets, the Taylor Swift mania continues with a new version of the concert on Disney Plus.

This filmed version of the mega star’s tour hit cinemas last year and served as something of a consolation prize for the millions of fans left heartbroken after they couldn’t get tickets. 

Dancing in their seats, a slew of cringe-inducing social media videos ensued.

Now though, The Eras Tour has arrived on Disney Plus and promises fans a few additional songs not seen in the cinema release. Swifites, of course, have wasted no time absolutely devouring it.

It’s become the most watched concert film ever with 4.6 million viewers in just the first three days alone. That’s a total of 16.2 million total viewing hours.

That’s a huge pay day for Disney, which reportedly forked out $US75 million in a bidding war to secure the streaming rights. The other platforms may have a bit of a hard time shaking that one off.

Nick Overall

Nick Overall

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