Q Wave’s Watchlist: December 2023
"There's nothing to watch" is not a phrase that should exist in a world drowning in content. Join us every month to get curated content - from the latest and greatest to revisiting oldies - we'll help you avoid the dreaded “Netflix Block” and find something to watch!
Rebel Moon Part 1: A Child of Fire (Netflix)
Netflix joins forces once more with director Zack Snyder, hot on the heels of his blockbuster Army of the Dead success. Exiting a lengthy tenure at Warner Bros and DC, Snyder finds a fresh creative canvas within Netflix’s realm, brimming with a spectrum of captivating new ventures. His upcoming project, Rebel Moon, steers Snyder into an intriguing sci-fi subgenre, unfolding in a serene colony at the edge of a distant galaxy.
Within a universe under the grip of Motherworld’s corrupt regime, the moon of Veldt stands controlled by the Imperium forces led by the authoritative Regent Balisarius. Kora, a former Imperium insider seeking redemption for her entanglement in the oppressive governance, is tasked to rally warriors from across the galaxy. Their quest: to confront the looming return of Motherworld’s encroaching forces upon the planet.
A longtime fan, Snyder initially envisioned Rebel Moon as a more mature Star Wars movie. However, this notion faced a setback after Disney acquired LucasFilm in 2012. Snyder explored the concept across different mediums, pitching it as a Warner Bros. Pictures film and a video game before it evolved into an original TV series and eventually found its place as a Netflix film.
The first of two films shot back to back, Rebel Moon Part 1: A Child of Fire debuts on Netflix on December 22nd. The sequel, Rebel Moon Part 2: The Scargiver, will be released on April 19th.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Rogue One, Dune
Runtime: 134 minutes
Genre: Science fiction
Family Switch (Netflix)
Netflix’s upcoming film Family Switch promises a hilarious twist on the classic body swap comedy. Instead of just one swap, buckle up for a chaotic ride as the entire Walker family, portrayed by Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, Emma Myers, and Brady Noon, find themselves entangled in a cosmic mix-up.
Meet the Walkers: Mom Jess, Dad Bill, teenage daughter CC, young son Wyatt, and toddler Miles. Just before Christmas, a cosmic event at Griffith Park Planetarium leads to a mind-bending switcheroo: Jess inhabits CC’s body while Bill swaps with Wyatt. As CC and Wyatt grapple with adult responsibilities and challenges, Jess and Bill navigate the tumultuous world of teenage rites of passage.
Ed Helms charms as Bill, while Jennifer Garner, a veteran of the body-swapping realm from her role in 13 Going on 30, takes on the role of Jess. Directed by the talented McG, known for his work on Netflix hits like Rim of the World and The Babysitter, and penned by Adam Sztykiel and Victoria Strouse, the screenplay draws from the bestselling children’s book Bedtime For Mommy.
Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughter and heart as this family juggles soccer tryouts, college interviews, job promotions, and music dreams amidst the uproarious body-switching mayhem. Sztykiel’s diverse storytelling, ranging from Alvin and the Chipmunks to Black Adam, coupled with Strouse’s success with Finding Dory, promises a captivating and entertaining adventure for all ages.
Family Switch is currently available on Netflix.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Freaky Friday, 17 Again
Runtime: 101 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Candy Cane Lane (Amazon Prime)
The festive season sparkles with a new holiday treat: Eddie Murphy enters the merry fray with Candy Cane Lane! In his first-ever Yuletide film, Murphy leads a comedic adventure that lights up the neighbourhood.
Meet Chris (Eddie Murphy), a determined contender in the yearly Christmas home decoration showdown. But when he unwittingly strikes a deal with Pepper, a mischievous elf, to up his winning odds, chaos unwraps faster than a present on Christmas morning. Pepper’s magic brings to life the 12 Days of Christmas, turning the town upside down. With his wife Carol and their trio of kids, Chris races against time to undo Pepper’s spell, facing off against mischievous magical figures to rescue the holiday spirit for all.
With wonder and whimsy at its core, this tale holds tight to the holiday film traditions. Sure, the concept of the 12 days coming to life isn’t entirely novel, but witnessing one of comedy’s most extraordinary talents embrace it guarantees a sleigh full of laughter and heartwarming moments.
Candy Cane Lane premieres on Prime Video on December 1st.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Jingle All the Way, Spirited
Runtime: 117 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney Plus)
In 2005, Rick Riordan unveiled a spellbinding world drawn from Greek mythology with the Percy Jackson & the Olympians book series. Centred on Percy Jackson, a twelve-year-old who uncovers his hidden identity as a demigod, the son of Poseidon, these tales became a sensation. Riordan’s subsequent books charted Percy’s growth as he embraced his lineage, embarking on an unpredictable journey to save the world. The book series concluded, but its film adaptations, while ambitious, received mixed reactions.
Now, this beloved saga gets a fresh start as a TV series! The debut season will delve into the thrilling adventure of the first book, “The Lightning Thief.” Accused of stealing Zeus’s thunderbolt, Percy faces a whirlwind of events that could alter both mortal and divine realms, propelling him on a race against time to recover the missing artifact.
Though Disney+ hasn’t officially confirmed, all signs point to a second season. Rick Riordan has hinted at scripts being penned for a continuation, teasing the potential for more epic adventures in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians comes to Disney Plus on December 20th.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: The Maze Runner, the Harry Potter films
Runtime: 8 episodes
Genre: Fantasy
The Family Plan (Apple TV+)
Apple brings a thrilling holiday treat for the whole family with The Family Plan, starring Mark Wahlberg as Dan Morgan, a man determined to escape his shadowy past.
Dan’s life seems picture-perfect—a loving husband, a doting father, and a successful car salesman. However, buried beneath this suburban facade lies a hidden history: he was once a top-tier government assassin, dealing with the world’s most dangerous threats.
When his past catches up with him, Dan makes a split-second decision to safeguard his family. Without a moment’s notice, he bundles his unsuspecting wife, rebellious teenage daughter, gaming-obsessed son, and adorable baby into their minivan, embarking on a spontaneous road trip to Las Vegas. His mission is to protect his loved ones while giving them the vacation of a lifetime.
As the journey unfolds, Dan must unleash his dormant skills to thwart his pursuers, all the while concealing his true identity. Adding to the excitement, the movie introduces YouTube sensation Valkyrae and Twitch star iiTzTimmy in their first significant film roles.
Behind the lens, BAFTA winner Simon Cellan Jones, also collaborating with Wahlberg on Arthur the King for next year, crafts this gripping tale of action, family, and a past that won’t stay hidden.
The Family Plan premieres on Apple on December 15th.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Daddy’s Home, Vacation
Runtime: 118 minutes
Genre: Comedy, action