A Belfast Christmas movie and Bradley Cooper’s new project – what to watch this week

Monday, December 18

Asteroid City, Prime Video

Director Wes Anderson’s latest project, Asteroid City takes place in a fictional American desert town circa 1955. The itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention (organised to bring students and parents together from across the country for fellowship and scholarly competition) is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events. And it features quite the ensemble cast with everyone from Scarlett Johansson to Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie and Maya Hake making an appearance.

Tuesday, December 19

Trevor Noah: Where Was I, Netflix

Returning to Netflix for his fourth original comedy special, Trevor Noah shares his hilarious experiences from his recent travels around the world, ranging from foreign national anthems to varying cultural norms.

Wednesday, December 20

Maestro, Netflix

From Director Bradley Cooper comes Maestro, a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between cultural icon Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art, Maestro, at its core, is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love. Cooper and Carey Mulligan star.

Thursday, December 21

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, in cinemas nationwide

Jason Momoa returns in the sequel to the highest-grossing DC film of all time: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take him down once and for all. This time, Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family – and the world – from irreversible destruction.

Friday, December 22

BTS Monuments: Beyond the Stars, Disney+

Featuring never-before-seen interviews, performances and behind-the-scenes moments with RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star takes audiences on an in-depth journey across the band’s 10-year career, highlighting their highs and lows for the first time in a captivating docuseries format.

Saturday, December 23

American Underdog, Netflix

American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from stocking shelves at a local grocery store to being a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centres on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player – but just when his dreams seemed all but out of reach, he finds the strength to show the world the champion he is.

Sunday, December 24

The Heist Before Christmas, Sky Max

Twelve-year-old Mikey Collins is a Belfast kid who’s dirt-poor and hates Christmas. One cold December evening while playing in the woods with his little brother Sean, he finds two guys dressed like Santa lying unconscious in the woods. One Santa (James Nesbitt) has just robbed a bank and is on the run with a bulging sack full of cash. The other Santa (Timothy Spall) claims to have fallen out of his sleigh. Mikey has no time for this second guy – he’s well past believing any of the Jingle Bells, spirit-of-the-season rubbish, even if Sean insists on treating the old man like a superstar. Instead, Mikey’s determined to get his hands on the bank-robber Santa’s cash, convinced that this is the answer to giving his family the Christmas they deserve. But as Mikey risks everything for the loot, he comes to realise that maybe the spirit of Christmas is alive after all… 

Feature image Jason McDonald/Netflix © 2023.