MUST-WATCH: A real life love of video games racing into cinemas

Archie Madekwe as Jann Mardenborough in Gran Turismo, courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

By James Mackin

Posted August 28, 2023 4:56 pm.

One of the strangest video game adaptations has entered the MUST-WATCH this week! But will it take the top spot, or could it go to the newest Star Wars show? Perhaps another vacation with friends you don’t want to travel with will take the top spot? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!

Vacation Friends 2

Where to watch: Disney+

First up this week, it’s time for a vacation!

Vacation Friends 2 sees the whole gang back returning for a new drug and booze-fueled trip. Marcus (played by Lil Rey Howery from Get Out) and Emily (played by Yvonne Orji from Insecure) take another trip with Ron (played by John Cena from Peacemaker) and Kyla (played by Meredith Hagner from Search Party). They’re hoping things won’t get too crazy, especially because Marcus is hoping to get some work done as well. But that all changes when Kyla’s father (played by Steve Buscemi from Boardwalk Empire) arrives as well, recently freed from jail. This film also stars Ronny Chieng (from Ronny Chieng: International Student), Carlos Santos (from Gentefied) and Jaime Hector (from the Wire).

You can watch this film on Disney+ now!

Gran Turismo

Where to watch: Cinemas

Now, it’s time for a video game adaptation that’s also a biopic!

Gran Turismo is about the game series, but it’s also about one of its biggest fans. Jann Mardenborough (played by Archie Madekwe from Midsommar) is a British teen who loves playing Gran Turismo more than anything. He hears about a competition in which the best players of the game can get a chance to become actual racing car drivers. He qualifies and throws himself into the sport, learning that it’s much more intense in real life. This film also stars Orlando Bloom (from the Lord of the Rings), David Harbour (from Stranger Things), and Djimon Hounsou (from Blood Diamond).

You can watch this film in cinemas now!

Ahsoka

Where to watch: Disney+

Next up, it’s time for another Star Wars show!

Ahsoka is a show that acts as a sequel to the animated shows the Clone Wars and Rebels, as well as the Mandalorian. It’s about Ahsoka Tano (played by Rosario Dawson from Daredevil), who was the apprentice of Anakin Skywalker before he turned to the dark side. In this show, she’s searching for the missing protagonist of Rebels, a young Jedi called Ezra Bridger. Searching all over the galaxy and encountering some dark Jedi who have forsaken the light side, she’s got her work cut out for her. This show also stars Natasha Liu Bordizzo (from the Society), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (from Fargo), and it’s also the final performance of Ray Stevenson (from Rome).

You can watch this show on Disney+ now!

You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah

Where to watch: Netflix

Now, it’s time to throw a Bat Mitzvah!

You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah stars Sunny Sandler (from Grown Ups) and Samantha Lorraine (from the Walking Dead: World Beyond) as two childhood friends getting excited for their joint bat mitzvahs. But everything goes wrong when a cute boy gets involved, as one has a crush on him but the other starts dating him. The two go to war, and it’ll take everything to see if they can make up before they become women. This film also stars Adam Sandler (from Punch-Drunk Love), Idina Menzel (from Uncut Gems), and Luis Guzmán (from Traffic).

You can watch this film on Netflix now!

Beautiful Disaster

Where to watch: Prime Video

Next up, it’s time for some fisticuffs and romance!

Virginia Gardner and Dylan Sprouse in Beautiful Disaster, courtesy of Amazon Studios.

Beautiful Disaster stars Virginia Gardner (from Fall) as a young college student called Abby. One night, she’s invited to witness an underground fight ring and encounters a gorgeous fighter called Travis (played by Dylan Sprouse from the Suite Life of Zack and Cody). She doesn’t want to get involved with someone involved in something so brutal, but the two can’t deny their immense attraction to each other. This film also stars Autumn Reeser (from the O.C.), Michael Cudlitz (from Band of Brothers), and Brian Austin Green (from Beverly Hills, 90210).

You can watch this film on Prime Video now!