The first family movie of the summer, IF, opens this weekend in theaters everywhere. Directed by John Krasinski, If stars Cailey Fleming as Bea, a young girl who discovers she can see everyone’s imaginary friend (IF). The movie should top the weekend box office, followed by Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Strangers: Chapter 1.
The theater is not the only place to watch movies this weekend, however. FAST services offer thousands of movies for free in the comfort of your home. Sign up for a FAST service, watch a few ads, and start streaming a movie. This weekend, consider watching these three great movies, including a sequel to an Oscar-winning horror film, a landmark independent movie, and a thrilling adventure on bikes.
Hannibal (2001)
The Silence of the Lambs is a groundbreaking achievement that deserves our praise. That happens when you win the “Big Five” at the Academy Awards. Yet, Dr. Hannibal Lecter’s story did not end over dinner with an old friend. The saga of the murderous cannibal continued a decade later in 2001’s Hannibal. After escaping custody in The Silence of the Lambs, Dr. Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) lives peacefully in Italy under a new identity. Back in the U.S., Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore) is still working as an agent for the FBI, but a recent botched drug raid has her in hot water.
Mason Verger (Gary Oldman), a disfigured, wealthy pedophile and Lecter’s only surviving victim, plans to use Clarice as bait to bring Lecter out of hiding so he can exact his revenge. The plan works, as Lecter makes contact with Clarice, setting off another cat-and-mouse game between the doctor and his favorite FBI agent. While not as thrilling as its predecessor, Hannibal still provides several chilling moments thanks to Hopkins, who remains spectacular in the role that won him an Oscar.
Stream Hannibal for free on Tubi.
Premium Rush (2012)
When it comes to a film about bike messengers navigating the streets of New York City, you couldn’t think of a better title than Premium Rush. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Wilee, a law school graduate who trades in his briefcase for a brakeless bike and a job as a courier on the busy streets of Manhattan. Wiley’s next job is to deliver an important ticket downtown for Nima (Jamie Chung), a Chinese foreign student who paid $50,000 to a smuggler to bring her mother and son into the U.S.
Robert Monday, a dirty cop, decides to intercept the ticket from Wiley and use the money to pay off his massive gambling debt. However, Wiley refuses to hand over the ticket to Monday. It now becomes a race for his life, as Wiley must deliver the ticket on time while simultaneously avoiding Monday. Who knew a chase movie could be so thrilling and effective by swapping bikes for cars?
Stream Premium Rush for free on Pluto TV.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Three students — Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, and Joshua Leonard — travel to the forests of Burkittsville, Maryland, to make a documentary about the Blair Witch, a local myth. Equipped with a few handheld cameras, the trio hikes into the woods to prove the Blair Witch’s existence. Unfortunately, they get lost in the woods and experience several sinister situations before disappearing.
The Blair Witch Project is a great horror movie, but the circumstances surrounding the film elevate it to legendary status. The movie ignited the “found footage” genre and inspired many films in the coming years, including Paranormal Activity and Cloverfield. While the surprise ending may be less effective on repeat viewing, the first time watching The Blair Witch Project will blow your mind.
Stream The Blair Witch Project for free on Amazon Freevee.
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