This week’s top new streaming movies include some of the most popular films today, the newest originals from leading streaming networks, as well as other less hyped-up films that many noticed came out in cinemas. There’s a variety of films spanning many genres up in Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Peacock, and Paramount+, many of which are just off their cinematic run. Some recently featured titles are also getting some recognition in the award season buzz.

This week still showcases some Christmas cheer to those impatient viewers who just cannot wait for the festive season. There are several Netflix productions such as Emilia Pérez that are starting to generate some anticipation due to the awards season. This is however the best week of the year for several people as it’s the release week for some of the most smashing blockbusters of the year: Transformers One, Twisters, and Deadpool & Wolverine.

#10 The Last Breath (2024)

Ever since Jaws showed us how interesting a shark movie can be, there has not really been a ‘good’ shark-related film after it which is universally appreciated and leaves a gap or potential like we saw in Under Paris’s recent effort. The Last Breath is an entertaining movie that makes viewers think thrice before entering the water but includes an interesting twist in how it tells its shark attack story. The Last Breath follows a group of college friends on a scuba diving trip in the Caribbean. All goes well until the group decides to investigate a WWII wrecked ship and unbeknownst to them, they are trapped and being stalked by sharks.

It is interesting to note that in The Last Breath, the ocean becomes as much a villain as the sharks in this narrative. The main characters have to make the horrible decision of either drowning in the sunken maze of the ship or getting eaten by the sharks in the confrontation. However, it does make for a suspenseful underwater thriller though still not able to match the Jaws.

#9 Hot Frosty (2024)

When it comes to the Christmas period, Netflix’s catalogue has several good and cozy options that I feel will find their way to people as the familiar annual collection of Christmas rom-coms has already begun in the year 2024. But no other film will probably ever beating the outrageous concept of Hot Frosty. One of the stars Lacey Chabert portrays a widow called Cathy who is not so much of a fan of Christmas and her problems are consistently solved by turning a magic snowman into a hot nice guy. 

The movie goes headfirst in this merry premise with Dustin Milligan portraying Jack Snowman providing both humor and charm in the role. Some other comedic actors who feature in the film are also very notable; for example, Craig Robinson plays the sheriff who is trying to get to the root of Jack’s mysterious activities. This creates a wonderful and amusing approach to the festivities.

#8 Return Of The King: The Fall And Rise Of Elvis Presley (2024)

There are many amazing music documentaries in the world today, but there is something special about Elvis Presley that has lasted for several decades and therefore any film of him is worth watching. Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley is an account of an interesting and unique phase in Elvis’ career which transformed him into one of the biggest icons of world music. 

The music-focused documentary looks at the era when Elvis’ music stopped resonating with the masses and he was slowly becoming well known as a family entertainer. But Elvis made an unforgettable comeback with an equally memorable television show which earned him the title ‘The King’. The interviews are interspersed with great footage of other legendary artists speaking about their love for Elvis, including Bruce Springsteen, and fans like Conan O’Brien.

#7 Close To You (2024)

After six years of absence from the big screen, Elliott Page comes back with a film called Close to You. Additionally, he made this film after transitioning into the character that he is today. Page returns home to celebrate his father’s birthday in Close to You. During the celebration, he encounters both his relatives and friends and learns how they feel about his decision to become a trans person.

The style of the film is intimate and very loose as if the viewer simply happens to be around the characters as they engage in highly spontaneous and unscripted chats. The page clearly portrays the private side of the ordeal in the film, answering many questions, criticisms or supportive comments which inevitably come in circumstances such as these.

#6 An Almost Christmas Story (2024)

For those still not prepared to settle down with the hour-and-a-half-long Christmas special can check out the shorter festive Christmas film which comes in the shape of An Almost Christmas Story. The animated movie depicts a young owl called Moon who is accidentally caught up in a tree chosen as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree for the year. While finding his way around the big city, Moon meets and starts talking to a girl named Luna. 

Although it is only a short film available on Disney+, there are some big names in the cast of An Almost Christmas Story. An and Two have co-written and directed the short film, David Lowery (The Green Knight) directed the film which was written in part by Alfonso Cuarón. It also features an incredible voice cast that includes Natasha Lyonne, John C. Reilly and Jim Gaffigan. It serves as a nice warm family Christmas collectible for viewers of all ages.

#5 Thelma (2024)

Thelma might be the most underappreciated film of the year; however, with it now streaming at home, new audiences should enjoy this delightful surprise. Oscar nominee June Squibb portrays Thelma, a widow who is swindled out of some money because of her goodness. Determined to show that she can function independently, she sets out to reclaim what was lost.

Although the movie may precisely be described as a revenge flick, it’s really about a woman who cherishes her life and aims to do all it takes to prove that she is not a liability. Squibb is wonderful in the lead role, and she manages to be funny, charming, and sweet all at the same time. Another great performance is given by the late Richard Roundtree as Thelma’s friend who is coerced into participating in the mission.

#4 Emilia Pérez (2024)

Every year, Netflix tries its level best to market one of its original films as an award-winning film during the award season. The film which seems to catch attention this time, and chances to sweep many nominations with it is the hyped musical titled Emilia Pérez. The main cast of the film Zoe Saldaña plays an unappreciated attorney bored of being at a dead-end and is approached by a powerful and dangerous drug kingpin named Emilia. The drug lord wants assistance in staging her death so that she can escape and fulfil her dreams.

The Emilia Pérez movie received a lot of positive reactions after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where it also took home the Jury Prize award and Best Actress award which was awarded to the four main actors of the film; Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Mixing music with crimes has never been done before and Emilia Pérez will undoubtedly not only be one of the most talked-about films of the Fall season but will also grab a lot of attention.

#3 Transformers One (2024)

Transformers has had its fair share of highs and lows over the decades as a franchise, but one thing that stood out about Transformers One was the fact that it catered to older fans and was animated. It is a prequel depicting the events behind Optimus Prime and Megatron in their prime friendship, on a planet named Cybertron, yet again, something goes haywire and the friends get all angry at each other and split up because they have got a ‘calling’. 

Transformers movie fans have waited a long time for the action to be set in Cybertron and for the Transformers characters rather than the humans taking centre stage. Transformers One feels like accomplishing both and, oddly enough, seems like a good tale about two close friends growing apart. The voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry and Scarlett Johansson.

#2 Twisters (2024)

Fresh in the theatres across America, once a blockbuster this summer season is ‘Twisters.’ This movie comes after a long gap of 1996 and this movie was stuck because of the constant change of directors. This movie has a new generation of cast which features Daisy Edgar Jones, and Glen Powell amongst others which definitely excites the audience. 

The film is interesting as it nicely ties in with the previous one but brings new levels of destruction as well. Nevertheless, the cast earns the highest praise – actors Edgar-Jones and Powell are among the brightest rising stars of Hollywood including Meryl Streep. They easily make Twisters exceed the expectations of the audience when it comes to storm disasters, which is the whole point of the franchise.

#1 Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

After an explosive performance at the box office which followed up with great audience reception, Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most desirable streaming releases this year. This is the third movie in the Deadpool trilogy, but the first that puts the Merc with the Mouth voiced by Ryan Reynolds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As expected, Deadpool did not come to Disney of his own accord, as the film is a multiverse tale with the perfect narrator, Deadpool, and his co-star Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine pursuing their dual motivations to not get wiped out. 

It is amazing to watch Reynolds and Jackman bring their characters to life in such blood-filled and laughter-packed light. There are a lot of great action sequences where Deadpool and Wolverine exchange some truly funny lines. Along with Reynolds and Jackman, the movie features plenty of Wolverine and Deadpool & Wolverine cameos which are always guaranteed to be the best moments in the MCU.

The Malayalam movie Sookshmadarshini, featuring Basil Joseph and Nazriya Nazim, was greeted with strong first-day praises on Thursday. The movie is directed by Jithin M.C and is made by Sameer Thahir, Shyju Khalid and A.V Anoop from the Happy Hours Entertainments and AVA Production companies.

To much excitement, the much-awaited mystery thriller movie Sookshmadarshini which features Basil Joseph and Nazriya Fahadh is now on the big screens! Sookshmadarshini is also the Morrocan movie which marked the return of Nazriya to the Mollywood industry after a gap of four years and was directed by MC Jithin.

We at Holaquiz are also excited about the movie and have got some hot take on it. Let’s check it out!

Basil Joseph’s engaging undertone combined with a gripping storyline was liked by many netizens and was a pleasant sight with the serious character he yet played.

In the mystery comedy movie, Sookshmadarshini, the focus is on the finesse with which he can portray a nuanced, grey-shaded character and in fact, this anchors not just his character but the motion picture as a whole.

Sookshma, during her interview with the journalist, is described by her friend as someone who always likes to ask questions. It is not in an intrusive manner but she has this knack of being in the right place at the right time, such that she can unlock the most complicated of problems or even dry the trickiest of issues.

They live with their husband Antony (Deepak Parambol), and their 5-year-old daughter Kani (Hezzah Mehak) in a marginally urban area, this housewife Priya cannot find work so she is looking for work. Mrs and Mr Priya and Antony are very delightful people and have good relations with their neighbours, among them: Sulu (Akhila Bhargavan), Asma (Pooja Mohanraj) and Stephy (Merin Philip), who are her closest friends.

Along with other local ladies, they are even members of a very active WhatsApp group where they share news about themselves and local news. Nevertheless, the quiet and calm conditions in their neighbourhood begin to heat up as soon as Manuel (Basil Joseph) and his mother Gracy (Manohari Joy) come back from years of living away from their previous residence next door.

Given that his mother is characterized as an aged and ill woman who is not very talkative, we mostly see Manuel looking after her. Although he seems to be very relaxed and sociable to everyone else, Priya begins to probe him as she senses he is being somewhat deceptive about his home.

Her suspicions grow when she understands that Gracy is not as sick as Manuel depicts. Out of curiosity, Priya decides to look into Manuel’s movements and his activities to understand what he is up to, only to end up discovering many shocking things about him and the things he has been trying to hide in his house.

There is something uniquely sweet about the movies that do not seek to exceed expectations, and rather, are careful in putting forth their concepts; Sookshmadarshini can be said to live by this rule structurally.

It makes no attempts to please the audience by sensationalising its decor or adding things for effect. With a constant gaze, a delicate understanding of its environment and precise movement, MC’s outing guides its audience onto an enthralling experience. Managing the slants, angles and undulations of the story’s plot, the MC and crew make “perfectly OK” in a kleptomaniac-centered comedy, but not without their shortcomings.

Right from the beginning, the movie Sookshmadarshini keeps comedy and mystery at a perfect equilibrium, thus making sure one doesn’t dwarf the other, thus making an interesting combination that keeps the viewers enthralled. Even in the amusing tussles between Manuel and his scheming cousin Dr. John (Sidharth Bharathan) or Roy (Kottayam Ramesh) the latter’s father, the plot remains under wraps.

MC makes sure that the comic relief never dampens the thrill nor does the drama take away the laughter, creating a beautiful symmetry. The director also does not overdo things and gets everything just right which makes for an enjoyable experience for the viewers.

In the end after the true context of the crime and revealed the reason behind the act is brought to the fore. The movie takes a serious stance with regard to its subject matter and manages to handle it with the seriousness it warrants but still is in line with the theme of the movie.

Read more such entertaining news on Holaquiz!

On 21 Nov, the world’s best broadcasters took charge of the Dolby Theatre located in Los Angeles at the start of the MAMA Awards or Mnet American Music Awards. On 22-23 Nov, it will continue its journey to Japan where it will take over the Kyocera Dome. This year, the esteemed event spans three days across two nations, the US and Japan.

The Los Angeles MAMA Awards Week began in earnest on Thursday, November 21. MAMA Awards Day 1 in LA saw K-pop groups RIIZE, TWS, and ILLIT, plus J.Y. Park of JYP Entertainment, gain victory, and whoever saw them last will proclaim that the day was theirs.

In Los Angeles, actor Park Bo-Gum was the A-list host of the flagship audience cuddles. After winning K-pop groups, they also received broadcast cos promotion. KATSEYE and P Young Jin, who YOUNG POSSE did not take the stage Show in AA style but Could. All three also performed.

Follow along with Holaquiz as we list out the winners of the MAMA Awards!

Best New Male Artist at the MAMA Awards

82MAJOR

ALL(H)OURS

AMPERS&ONE

NCT WISH

NOWADAYS

Winner: TWS

[#2024MAMA] BEST NEW MALE ARTIST #tws #투어스 @TWS_PLEDIS

You made it! Presenting the Honorable winner!🏆

BIG BLUR : What is Real?
2024 MAMA AWARDS#MAMAAWARDS#2024MAMAAWARDS pic.twitter.com/cNfx5UNPMY

— MAMA AWARDS (@MnetMAMA) November 22, 2024

Best New Female Group Artist at the MAMA Awards

BABYMONSTER

MEOVV

QWER

UNIS

YOUNG POSSE

Winner: ILLIT

[#2024MAMA] BEST NEW FEMALE GROUP #illit #아일릿 @ILLIT_official

You made it! Presenting the Honorable winner!🏆

BIG BLUR : What is Real?
2024 MAMA AWARDS#MAMAAWARDS#2024MAMAAWARDS pic.twitter.com/xWIpHvHKzi

— MAMA AWARDS (@MnetMAMA) November 22, 2024

Best Dance Performance Male Group at the MAMA Awards

ENHYPEN

NCT DREAM

SEVENTEEN

Stray Kids

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

ZEROBASEONE

Winner: TWS

[#2024MAMA] BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE MALE GROUP #tws #투어스 @TWS_PLEDIS #plot_twist #첫만남은계획대로되지않아

You made it! Presenting the Honorable winner!🏆

BIG BLUR : What is Real?
2024 MAMA AWARDS#MAMAAWARDS#2024MAMAAWARDS pic.twitter.com/oq3pwuvyeQ

— MAMA AWARDS (@MnetMAMA) November 22, 2024

Favourite Global Performance Male at the MAMA Awards

Winner: RIIZE

[#2024MAMA] FAVORITE GLOBAL PERFORMER MALE #riize #라이즈 @RIIZE_official

You made it! Presenting the Honorable winner!🏆

BIG BLUR : What is Real?
2024 MAMA AWARDS#MAMAAWARDS#2024MAMAAWARDS pic.twitter.com/NjLV5Hws4K

— MAMA AWARDS (@MnetMAMA) November 22, 2024

Best Male Group

ENHYPEN

NCT DREAM

SEVENTEEN

Stray Kids

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

ZEROBASEONE

Winner: TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Best Female Group

(G)I-DLE

aespa

IVE

LE SSERAFIM

NewJeans

TWICE

Winner: aespa

Best Male Artist

BAEKHYUN

Jimin

Jung Kook

Lim Young Woong

TAEMIN

Winner: Jimin

Best Female Artist

IU

JENNIE

NAYEON (TWICE)

TAEYEON

YUQI ((G)I-DLE)

Winner: JENNIE

Best Dance Performance Male Solo

Jimin– Who

Jung Kook – Standing Next to You

KEY – Pleasure Shop

TAEMIN – Guilty

TAEYONG – TAP

Winner: Jimin– Who

Best Dance Performance Female Solo

HWASA – NA

JENNIE – You & Me

NAYEON (TWICE) – ABCD

SUNMI – Balloon in Love

YUQI ((G)I-DLE) – FREAK

Winner: JENNIE – You & Me

Best Vocal Performance Solo

BIBI – Bam Yang Gang

IU – Love Wins All

LEE MU JIN – Episode

Lim Young Woong – Warmth

TAEYEON – To. X

Winner: IU – Love Wins All

Best Vocal Performance Group

(G)I-DLE – Fate

AKMU – Hero

DAVICHI – A very personal story

PLAVE – WAY 4 LUV

Red Velvet – Cosmic

Winner: Red Velvet – Cosmic

Best Rap & Hip-Hop Performance

DEAN – DIE 4 YOU

Lee Young Ji – Small girl (Feat. D.O.)

Leellamarz -Boys Like Girls (Feat. Gist, Jayci yucca)

RM – LOST!

ZICO – SPOT! (Feat. JENNIE)

Winner: ZICO – SPOT! (Feat. JENNIE)

Best Band Performance

DAY6 – Welcome to the Show

HYUKOH, Sunset Rollercoaster – Young Man

LUCY – The knight who can’t die and the silk cradle

N.Flying – Into You

QWER – T.B.H

Winner: DAY6 – Welcome to the Show

Best Collaboration

GroovyRoom – Yes or No (Feat. HUH YUNJIN of LE SSERAFIM, Crush)

Jay Park – Taxi Blurr (feat. NATTY of KISS OF LIFE)

Lee Young Ji – Small girl (Feat. D.O.)

Sung Si Kyung, Naul – Even for a moment

ZICO – SPOT! (Feat. JENNIE)

Winner: ZICO – SPOT! (Feat. JENNIE)

Best Music Video

aespa – Armageddon

IU – Love wins all

IVE – HEYA

K.Will – No Sad Song For My Broken Heart (Prod. Yoonsang)

SEVENTEEN – MAESTRO

Winner: aespa – Armageddon

That’s all for the full list of winners at the MAMA Awards 2024 on Holaquiz!

Bruno Mars Stuns Fans With Korean Speech At 2024 MAMA Awards

In more interesting news, Singer Bruno Mars gave a speech in Korean at the MAMA Awards. During the 2024 MAMA Awards, the much-acclaimed singer and BLACKPINK member Rose set the performance stage on fire and entertained K-pop and global fans when they needed it the most. 

The excellence of the night was further enhanced when the duo received the award for Global Sensation which was an icing on the cake since the collaboration was a superhit. Rose winning the award expressed gratitude towards the audience and said, “I wrote a song based on my favourite drinking game, and I had no idea that it would be loved this much. Thank you so much for all your love.” 

“So thank you very much kamsahamnida, said Mr. Mars in Korean and the audience cheered. In addition to all the fun, Mr. Mars ended his address by saying “This has been Rose and Bruno!” which is a typical Korean style. This was a perfect move as it stunned the fans and at the same time, it showed his attempts to reach the audience.