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We’re in mid-August and the tide of big summer movies has slowed. However, this week treated us to a trio of new streaming films. I have my take on all three below! As always, if you want to keep up with what I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

Heart of Stone (Netflix)
Starring: Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan, Sophie Okonedo, Alia Bhatt, and Matthias Schweighofer
Synopsis: At this point, after years of seeing her in Fast & Furious and as Wonder Woman, among others, we know Gadot is an action star. And yet, it sometimes feels like the entire point of Heart of Stone is to show that she can be an action-star leading lady. In the film, she plays Rachel Stone, an operative who is in the thick of things. In fact, much of the film, which runs about two hours, is a series of big action set pieces. The plot is fairly ordinary, as is the heel turn. The action sequences are fine. Netflix was clearly hoping to make a big splash in the summer, but this movie is just OK. In fact, it’s often a little boring and predictable despite the genre.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and some language.
Verdict: Two stars out of five

Love in Taipei (Paramount+)
Starring: Ashley Liao, Ross Butler, Nico Hiraga, and Cindy Cheung
Synopsis: The latest original film from Paramount+ is a romance that sees American students sent to Taipei for a summer of cultural immersion. One of those is Ever (Liao), who is studying to be a doctor but really years to follow her passion for dance. There she meets other children of wealthy families who are similarly torn between duty and passion. She also finds herself drawn to Rick (Butler) and Xavier (Hiraga) who bring out different parts of her. Along with some guidance from her artist aunt (Cheung), can Ever find a way to follow her passion and make peace with her parents. This is a film that follows a simple and familiar formula. In films like this, it isn’t about the surprise of the narrative but rather how well the characters connect to you. I enjoyed Liao a lot and I thought the rest of the cast did a nice job as well. It’s a sweet and fun film that doesn’t wear out its welcome at just about 100 minutes. It’s worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for an easy-to-find date night option.
Rating: TV-14
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

Red, White & Royal Blue (Prime Video)
Starring: Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, Uma Thurman, and Rachel Hilson
Synopsis: The latest from Prime Video is based on the novel from Casey McQuiston. It follows the son of the President (Perez) and an English Prince (Galitzine) cross paths at a Royal Wedding. Things don’t go according to plan, and the resulting incident lands them both in hot water. The President (Thurman) sends her son back to England to make peace. While at first things are icy, it soon turns out Alex and Prince Henry have more in common than it first appeared. This is a political drama, a tale of culture clash and a romance all rolled into one. The leads—Perez and Galitzine—do a nice job in the roles and there’s an interesting blend of drama and story here. It works for the most part, following a plot that goes about where you’d expect. It’s a solid addition to the Prime Video library and will likely please fans of the book as well.
Rating: Rated R for some sexual content, partial nudity and language.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

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