Streaming Releases: Artemis Fowl Limps onto Disney+, Da 5 Bloods Lights Up on Netflix

June 12, 2020

Da 5 Bloods

This week, we have two of the biggest original movies debuting on a streaming service all year. Artemis Fowl is the bigger of the two releases in terms of production budget and was originally going to be a tentpole release last summer. To put it politely, that didn’t work out. Da 5 Bloods is the much better of the two releases and it should find a receptive audience on Netflix.

Movies:

Artemis Fowl
Disney+
Disney’s goal with Artemis Fowl was to start a major theatrical franchise, but something went wrong, as its reviews are just awful. The studio clearly wasn’t happy with the end result, as it was pushed back a year before being dumped on Disney+. Granted, the pandemic had something to do with that, but if the studio thought they would earn back their $125 million production budget, then they could have simply pushed back the film’s release date until next year. The one silver lining is that it provides some new content for their new streaming customers.

Da 5 Bloods
Netflix
The latest film from Spike Lee is considered one of the best of his career. Four Vietnam vets return to the country in order to find their squad leader's remains, but that’s just a cover story to get to a stash of buried gold. The amazing cast combined with the excellent reviews should result in high viewership numbers, and it’s clear the pick of the week.

TV Shows:

Alexa & Katie: Season Three, Part B
Netflix
A TV show about two middle-schoolers, one of whom is undergoing cancer treatments. The show’s reviews started out amazing, so hopefully it ends on an equally strong note. The final half of the final season begins on Saturday.

Crossing Swords
Hulu
An adult animated series about a medieval peasant who gets his dream job as a squire, only to realize his new life isn’t living up to his expectations. The show has a great pedigree and a fantastic voice cast, but the reviews are terrible. Even if you are a fan of Robot Chicken, your time is better spent watching something else.

F is for Family: Season Four
Netflix
This show was created by Bill Burr and his also stars as Frank Murphy, a middle-aged father of three who is disillusioned with his life. The show’s reviews are good and it has developed a large enough fanbase to last four seasons, which is impressive.

Into The Dark: Good Boy
Hulu
This is a horror anthology series that has new episodes each month, which is the exactly opposite of most streaming services, as they rely on the binge-watching approach. The reviews are good, but not great. If you like the genre, it is worth checking out, but don’t expect every episode to be a hit.

Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts: Season Two
Netflix
An animated series focusing on a girl, Kipo, trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where mutants have taken over and forced humans to live underground. The first season’s reviews were outstanding, so hopefully season two can live up to that.

Lenox Hill
Netflix
A medical drama set in a New York City. The show’s reviews are award-worthy and I think people have a deeper appreciation for medical professionals right now, so I think this show will be a hit.

Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Netflix
It’s Pokémon. The show has been on the air for more than two decades. Some of the first generation of kids who watched the show have kids old enough to watch the current season. At this point, there’s not much else that needs to be said.

Filed under: Home Market Releases, Streaming Releases, Artemis Fowl, Da 5 Bloods, Crossing Swords, Lenox Hill, , Into The Dark, F is for Family, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Alexa & Katie, Spike Lee, Bill Burr, Karen Fukuhara