5 Max (HBO) premieres that will surprise you

Cable channel HBO has become famous for making history on the small screen. Not just to enable a new type of bolder, more complex, transgressive television production. And for opening up space for new perspectives on original series, documentaries and films. Throughout the 1980s and beyond, the company was able to create new experiences through stories with longer screen times. At the same time, they were not limited by the limitations of public television offerings.

The result was an exponential increase in competition among cable companies, as well as a renewed vision of what television could be. From history-making series like The Sopranos, The Wire and Sex and the City to original films like Ryan Murphy’s The Normal Heart. The truth is that HBO is responsible for offering the best options and placement to a golden age of arguments that otherwise would not have seen the light of day.

Of course, the channel couldn’t stay away from the recent wave of subscription services. This led the brand to find an offering that reflected its tradition of success and quality. HBO Max, which has evolved into a more comprehensive service called Max, opens the door to viewing all types of content. From film productions that almost immediately end up in the cinema catalog, to originals that mark a current milestone in cinema. The company has found a way to translate the success of cable television into an online version. As proof, we leave you with five premieres that you can see right now and that are part of cinema history. Proof of Max’s ambitious proposal and its scale.

Wonka

Paul King has taken the story of Roald Dahl’s whimsical chocolatier and turned it into a charming Christmas fantasy. So successful that it managed to become one of the highest-grossing – and best-reviewed – films of the very near 2023 year. Especially when he managed to overcome the public’s resistance to musicals and include notes of the author’s surrealism and sometimes extravagance. humor. . The result was a film so charming that it became an instant Christmas classic. which can be enjoyed as part of Willy Wonka’s iconic journey through the world of cinema.

The plot, which is a prequel to Mel Stewart’s 1971 film, returns to the main character in his younger years. Played by Timothée Chalamet. The plot tells of his first steps in London and how he had to face a clan of evil competitors.

But first of all, Wonka It celebrates friendship, bonds of love and especially good intentions. With a funny script and performances that create a fairy-tale feel, this is the perfect movie for the whole family to watch. And now it can be found in the HBO Max catalog (max coming soon)

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

What we do know is that the past few months have shown that the superhero genre may have reached the limit of profitability and popularity. This is likely due to the closure of the DC Extended Universe or the erosion of the Marvel formula. Whatever happens, it shows in the disappointment of the audience and the indifference of the critics. Something that got hurt Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomsequel to the successful original film released in 2018.

The feature film, which is the culmination of the irregular and chaotic DC Universe in cinema, is a combination camp good intentions, charismatic cast. In this case, Arthur Curry/Aquaman must face the possibility of the destruction of Atlantis while trying to be a father and husband. A humorous version of the hero, making the film a real rarity.

Featuring a colorful and exaggerated aesthetic that depicts the seabed as a hallucinatory civilization, James Wan’s film is a light-hearted pleasure. This is despite the script’s lack of ambition and failure to tell a story that couldn’t be simpler. However, the last – for now – The Adventure of the King of Atlantis is worth watching. What you can do right now on HBO Max.

Barbie

The beloved doll of several generations has come a long way in pop culture. From rarity to a controversial symbol of the feminine to a collector’s obsession. The truth is that Ruth Handler’s creation has always been at the center of debate, controversy and accusations. So his arrival at the cinema was not only surprising,but it led to decades of debate about its importance.

Greta Gerwig, who is also co-writing the script with Noah Baumbach, took the above and mixed it into a peculiar premise that ends up being philosophical. When Barbie (Margot Robbie) finds her perfect life in Barbieland falls apart, you must begin an adventure while trying to understand the real world. In the company of Ken (Ryan Gosling), both will struggle to explore the complex and painful depths of human existence. AND So while they fight the evil Mattel and its executive team.

This may seem like a crazy premise until the argument Barbie delves into masculinity, misogyny and isolation. The influence of a popular toy is also analyzed, in addition to critiquing its aesthetic appearance. And this is thanks to twisted humor in the midst of a world overflowing with pink. With its emotional ending and great line to end the adventure, the film makes a few things clear. Being a woman is difficult and challenging. What the doll will learn in the most direct and emotional way.

Elvis

Director Baz Luhrmann, known for his musicals, delved into the ideal character in this film to show his point of view on the series. Elvis Presley, the man who changed pop culture and became a mass phenomenon, It is made in the hands of the director, a wounded figure.

On the one hand, he is an artist gifted with extraordinary talent, capable of seducing the public in a way that no one has been able to do before. But, on the other hand, it is a hostage to interests and manipulation. which led to depression and then death.

Actor Austin Butler manages to bring this portrait to life in one of those performances that can enhance a career and become unforgettable. IN Elvis, the brightness of a star is superimposed on the pain of a young man who has gone through a history full of pitfalls and suffering. But much more, and thanks to Luhrmann, It’s a heartfelt tribute to the singer who has since become a benchmark and everything in between.

Batman

The latest version of Gotham’s Caped Crusader is a combination of a character seeking redemption and a brutal anti-hero. Between these two things, director Matt Reeves managed to create a tense and gothic environment. which showed Bruce Wayne’s (Robert Pattinson) youth from a darker perspective.

Especially when his quest for revenge brings him into contact with Gotham, a place of organized crime, and a mysterious woman (Zoe Kravitz). Little by little, this merciless portrait of violence became a target of action, becoming more than just a cartoon adaptation. This takes him to dark and sinister places, worthy of a figure as dark as that of the symbolic hero.

With an expanding universe that includes spin off Penguin premiere soon, Batman It’s a tribute to the character in his dense duality.The perfect movie for those looking to reclaim the superhero genre, and now you can enjoy it in Max.