Weekend Watchlist, 10/23: Face It

Happy Friday, PV Guide readers! I hope you have a great weekend ahead of you.

Make sure to vote on which movie I’ll review for premium subscribers later this month.

Here are this week’s picks.

Kubi

Where to watch: Netflix

The great actor, filmmaker, and comedian Takeshi Kitano released a queer samurai movie in 2023 called Kubi. It’s about one of the most famous political assassinations in Japanese history and premiered at Cannes three years ago to generally strong reviews. It’s been one of those “but when is it going to get a US release” movies for years ever since. This week, it quietly dropped on Netflix, so that’s what I’m going to be watching!

Shaolin Soccer

Where to watch: Kanopy, Hoopla, Pluto TV

I’ve got to be honest with you – I love Stephen Chow’s movies, but even I can’t get excited about Kung Fu Soccer, his spiritual successor to Shaolin Soccer that is out in US theaters this week. People I know who have seen it have talked about it like it’s an abomination, with ample use of AI and none of Chow’s signature charm or human touch. So watch one of his great movies instead – you can go with one of his well-established international hits like Shaolin Soccer or Kung Fu Hustle, one of his early Hong Kong classics like Fist of Fury 1991, Fight Back to School, or Love on Delivery, or one of his later hits like The Mermaid.

Batman: The Animated Series’ Feat of Clay

Season 1, episodes 20-21

Where to watch: HBO/Prime Video

Batman: The Animated Series is a defining work of modern animation, of superhero storytelling, and of cartoons of my childhood. The two-episode Clayface arc is among the best examples of the show firing on all cylinders – gorgeous, haunted, and entertaining – and with a new Clayface movie out this week, there’s no better time to revisit it.