What to watch in theaters and at home this weekend Jan. 26-28, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — I'm at that point in my Sundance Film Festival 2024 experience where I can pull my head from the sand and start to consider a life less hectic. November through January is insane for film journalists. Not that we deserve any pity. It’s only movies after all.

This week sees the expansion of “The Zone of Interest,” an Oscar nominee in the International Feature Film category. It’s one of my favorite films from the last decade. It’s one of the best World War II holocaust films I’ve ever seen. It’s also an A24 film, which makes it essential for arthouse junkies. The PG-13 rating, a rarity for a film dealing with genocide, makes it more accessible. That said, if you do share it with younger teens, a post-film conversation is highly encouraged.

Elsewhere in theater land is the black and white release of “Godzilla Minus One,” a throwback and tribute to the original films. “Killers of the Flower Moon” is also back in theaters. If you are going to see Martin Scorsese’s film, the first time should be on the largest screen you can find.

There are lots of streaming options as well. I’m particularly interested in Apple TV+’s World War II series “Masters of the Air.”

Here’s a dozen or so options for your weekend.

p.s. Taylor Swift’s boyfriend has a game against the Ravens this weekend. What’s the over/under on the number of Swift references squeezed in by the commentators? Put me down for 13.

The Zone of Interest (Theaters)

Studio Synopsis: The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.

Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color (Theaters)

Studio Synopsis:In postwar Japan, a new terror rises; Godzilla. Survive and fight in black and white. Experience Godzilla Minus One in the new limited release, Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color. In theatres nationwide for one week only.

Killers of the Flower Moon (Theaters/Apple TV+)

Studio Synopsis:At the turn of the 20th century, oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation, who became some of the richest people in the world overnight. The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder.

Expats (Prime)

Studio Synopsis:Set against the complex tapestry of Hong Kong residents, EXPATS depicts a multifaceted group of women after a single encounter sets off a chain of life-altering events that leaves everyone navigating the intricate balance between blame and accountability.

Griselda (Netflix)

Studio Synopsis: Starring and executive produced by Sofia Vergara, GRISELDA is inspired by the life of the savvy and ambitious Griselda Blanco, who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. In 1970s-80s Miami, Blanco’s lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm helped her expertly navigate between business and family, leading her to become widely known as “the Godmother."

Masters of the Air (Apple TV+)

Studio Synopsis: Based on Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name, and scripted by John Orloff, “Masters of the Air” follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group (the “Bloody Hundredth”) as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air. Portraying the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich, is at the heart of “Masters of the Air.” Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all.

Masters of the Universe: Revolution (Netflix)

Studio Synopsis:It’s technology versus magic when He-Man and the heroic warriors face the forces of Skeletor and something more in MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: REVOLUTION – the new epic chapter in the battle for Castle Grayskull! The newly mechanized Skeletor, armed with the might of Motherboard, attacks the heart of Eternia while Prince Adam grapples with a new responsibility and what that means for him as He-Man! Adam is forced to choose between the scepter or the sword, and a life as either the King or the Champion! Meanwhile, the new Sorceress Teela searches for the secret of Snake Magic in the mists of Darksmoke to rebuild a magic realm and help He-Man hold off the greatest threat Eternia has ever faced: the return of the despot Hordak, the ruthless leader of the Horde Empire!

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (Paramount+)

Studio Synopsis:In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan's past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

A Real Bug’s Life (Disney+)

Studio Synopsis: Inspired by the World of Disney and Pixar's “A Bug's Life,” the new Disney+ Original series from National Geographic, “A Real Bug’s Life,” is an incredible adventure into nine different micro bug worlds around the globe, where the forces of nature play out on a miniature scale and where tiny creatures rely on amazing powers and extraordinary alliances to make it through each day. The stakes are high even if the critters are extraordinarily small. With new developments in filming technology and narrated by fun and witty guide Awkwafina, follow the incredible stories of the tiny heroes living in worlds beyond the imagination — from a jumping spider looking for a home on the streets of New York to a Costa Rican orchid bee’s first day on the job making perfume! Full of mind-blowing new behaviors and larger-than-life characters, this family-friendly series shows that “A Real Bug’s Life” can be every bit as fantastical as any animated film.

Rick and Morty: Season Seven (Max)

Studio Synopsis: Season seven of Adult Swim’s animated hit series follows a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his inherently timid grandson on insanely dangerous adventures across the universe.

Sexy Beast (Paramount+)

Studio Synopsis: the prequel series explores the origins of Gal (James McArdle) and Don’s (Emun Elliott) complicated relationship as they find themselves descending into the seductive madness of the London criminal world during the vibrant and volatile 1990s, while Gal’s budding relationship with Deedee (Sarah Greene) threatens everything in their world.

Superhot: The Spicy World of Pepper People (Hulu)

Studio Synopsis: Superhot spicy peppers are on fire lately – but while most experiment with heat, others live their lives in pursuit of fire. “Superhot” is a wild ride into the Spicy World of Pepper People – the self-proclaimed chili heads who have taken the chili pill and want to find out how deep the rabbit hole goes.