What to watch this weekend: James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad,' Netflix's 'Vivo,' 'Annette'

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY

August 5, 2021 at 11:23 a.m.·5 min read

The Olympics are finally winding down, so why not watch a new movie this weekend? There are plenty of places to see them with theaters back up and running for the summer season and new films still streaming at home to entertain you and your family.

This weekend, "Guardians of the Galaxy" writer/director James Gunn crosses over into the DC movie universe with supervillains played by Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena; Lin-Manuel Miranda writes the songs and also sings them as an animated honey bear in a Netflix animated comedy; and Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard play a celebrity couple in a very bizarre rock opera.

Here's a guide to movies that'll satisfy every cinematic taste, whether you want to mask up for a trip to the nearest big screen or you're fine hunkering down on the couch:

'The Suicide Squad': Several big things are different about Harley Quinn (including her love life)

Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman, left), Bloodsport (Idris Elba) and Peacemaker (John Cena) go undercover during a dangerous mission in "The Suicide Squad."

If you don't mind seeing your fave characters die: 'The Suicide Squad'

A reimagining of – and a definite improvement on – 2016's original "Squad," Gunn's anything-goes film takes baddies such as the returning Harley Quinn (Robbie) plus alpha-male rookie rivals Bloodsport (Elba) and Peacemaker (Cena) on a mission to a South American island to investigate a monstrous experiment and save the world. Boasting a high body count, lots of action and plenty of dark comedy, it's a gloriously absurd break from the usual comic-book movie fare.

Where to watch: In theaters and on HBO Max

Review: James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad' is a bloody marvel that blows up the superhero genre

Vivo (voiced by Lin-Manuel Miranda) and Gabi (Ynairaly Simo) team up to deliver an important song in the animated musical "Vivo."

If you dig uplifting talking-animal musicals: 'Vivo'

As good as Miranda is playing a rapping Founding Father in "Hamilton," he's also pretty darn great as the title singing critter of this family friendly flick. When his musical partner (voiced by Juan de Marcos González) is unable to deliver an important song to an old friend (Gloria Estefan), Vivo (Miranda) ventures from Cuba to Miami to finish the job with the help of his buddy's lively grandniece (Ynairaly Simo). While the narrative is fairly predictable, Miranda's Latin-flavored tunes are absolutely stellar and for kids, it nicely drives home the theme of proudly being yourself.

Where to watch: Netflix

Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard play a celebrity couple whose first child has an intriguing destiny in the musical "Annette."

If you want to see something really weird: 'Annette'

Those who dig Driver and the songs of Sparks – the great art-pop band that's also an acquired taste for some – will enjoy some parts of Leos Carax's bonkers musical. Everything else will test your patience for the strange, as a bad-boy stand-up comic (Driver) and a rising opera singer (Cotillard) fall in love, have a gifted daughter (played by a way-creepy puppet, mind you) but navigate the implosion of their relationship.

Where to watch: In theaters (and on Amazon Prime Aug. 20)

Review: Even a great Adam Driver and cool Sparks tunes can't save the very weird 'Annette'

If you need an essential documentary: 'Pray Away'

Director Kristine Stolakis explores a variety of significant themes, from sexual identity to religious hypocrisy, in her insightful film about the insidious nature of conversion therapy. The movie focuses on the efforts of Exodus International, formed in the 1970s by evangelicals, to turn members of the LGBTQ community straight and interviews ex-leaders and survivors forever changed by the experience.

Where to watch: Netflix

An audience attending a scary movie in a cinema is killed one by one by a mystery man, and the only person who notices is the projectionist’s daughter (Luciana Grasso) in "The Last Matinee."

If you feel like squirming in your seat: 'The Last Matinee'

The quite freaky Uruguay-Argentinian horror film is set at a Montevideo movie theater circa 1993, where a mysterious hooded figure goes on a stealthy killing spree murdering moviegoers during the last show of the day and the projectionist's daughter (Luciana Grasso) has to figure out a way to end the carnage. It's a slow burn affair at first but gets grotesque fast, and good luck to those squeamish about scenes involving eyeballs.

Where to watch: In theaters (and on video on demand Aug. 24)

"John and the Hole" (Aug. 6, theaters and video on demand): In the dark family fable, a teenage boy who drugs his dad (Michael C. Hall, far left), sister (Taissa Farmiga) and mom (Jennifer Ehle) and sticks them at the bottom of an unfinished bunker while he lives life his own way.

If you enjoy unconventional coming-of-age films: 'John and the Hole'

Parents might keep an eye on their teens for a while after this moody psychological horror tale that doubles as a family fable. Wanting the chance to live life his way, a 13-year-old boy (Charlie Shotwell) drugs his wealthy mom (Jennifer Ehle), dad (Michael C. Hall) and sister (Taissa Farmiga), sticks them at the bottom of an unfinished bunker and imprisons them while learning that being an adult isn't as easy as it looks.

Where to watch: In theaters and on Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon

"Whirlybird" documents the wild and innovative journalism career of Zoey (then known as Bob) Tur and Marika Gerrard in the 1980s and '90s.

If you're a newshound obsessed with the '90s: 'Whirlybird'

The documentary chronicles the wild, innovative journalism career of former married couple Zoey Tur (who came out as trans later in life) and Marika Gerrard – and parents of MSNBC's Katy Tur – who formed a freelance LA news service in the 1980s and many times prioritized getting the story (usually in their helicopter) over their personal life. The really good stuff, though, focuses on their tales covering two of the city's most infamous events, the 1992 Rodney King riots and the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase two years later.