This week’s Weekend POURcast has horror and the horror of body-swapping

But first, last weekend: The August box office got a jolt of fresh energy as The Bad Guys 2 came in second with its domestic debut, right behind Fantastic Four: First Steps, which fell disappointingly 66% over IT’S opening weekend, proving animated sequels still have serious pull. Meanwhile, The Naked Gun reboot exceeded expectations, with Liam Neeson earning praise for his deadpan delivery in a role that balanced absurdity and action. In streaming, horror fans flocked to Final Destination: Bloodlines, which spiked in streaming views on HBO Max after its theatrical run, while She Rides Shotgun drew strong word-of-mouth as a gritty indie standout. The weekend marked a strong kickoff for the month, blending laughs, thrills, and nostalgic returns across formats.

This Week’s New Theatrical Releases (Aug 8–10)

Freakier Friday (Family Comedy – Aug 8)

cocktails and movies freakier Friday Weekend pourcastEarly reviews are calling this “a laugh‑out‑loud nostalgic trip,” praising its lively pace and affectionate nod to the original 2003 film. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan return to stellar form, and reviewers say the four‑way body‑swap premise adds fresh comedic chaos.

Weapons (Psychological Horror – Aug 8)

From Barbarian director Zach Cregger, Weapons centers on the unexplained disappearance of 17 schoolchildren. With weekend pourcast cocktails and movies weaponsJulia Garner, Josh Brolin, Benedict Wong, and Alden Ehrenreich, early reviews laud it as a “100% fresh Rotten Tomatoes” horror standout, filled with gripping tension and jaw‑dropping visuals,, and it may just be this year’s horror film that has everyone, once again, “horror is back.” [P.S. it never goes away, idiots]

Other Notable Arrivals

While Freakier Friday and Weapons dominate headlines this weekend, additional limited and niche releases also arrive, including:

  • My Mother’s Wedding (ensemble dramedy)

  • The Occupant (survival thriller)

  • Hostile Takeover (dark comedy/action)

  • Shaman (paranormal horror)

  • What We Hide (family drama)

  • Strange Harvest (cosmic horror detective mystery)

The Weekend POURcast Picks & Themes

1. Nostalgia vs Nightmare

Freakier Friday balances lighthearted, multi-generational comedy with the darker, suspenseful vibes of Weapons. It’s the perfect weekend split between familiarity and fear.

2. Horror in Focus

Weapons stands out as a genre piece loaded with atmosphere and critical buzz—prime material for a dark‑themed cocktail night.

3. Ensemble Drama & Indie Edges

Films like My Mother’s Wedding and Strange Harvest bring emotional contrast and cinematic variety: smaller scales with big stories.

4. Tone Shifts with Punch

Pairing light and intense movies lets you curate a full weekend arc: laughter early on, tension later, and opportunity to dig into more thoughtful indie fare.

Weekend POURcast Viewing Plan

  • Friday Evening: Open with Freakier Friday.

  • Saturday Dayflip: Start with Weapons then cleanse the brain with My Mother’s Wedding.

  • Sunday Genre Marathon: Try The Occupant, transition to Hostile Takeover, and consider looping in Shaman or Strange Harvest for late-night thrills.

New This Week(end) on Streaming

If you just HAVE to stay home and watch a movie instead of mixing with others, here’s what’s new since the last POURcast across major platforms:

Netflix

  • My Oxford Year (Aug 1) – romantic college drama praised for charm and setting

  • Stolen: Heist of the Century (Aug 8) – true-crime documentary

  • Fixed (Aug 13) – raunchy animated comedy

  • Upcoming: Night Always Comes, The Thursday Murder Club, Love Untangled

Hulu

  • Alien: Earth (FX sci-fi horror, Aug 12)

HBO Max

  • Peacemaker Season 2 (Aug 21)

  • Final Destination: Bloodlines

  • Freaky Tales anthology film (Pedro Pascal, Tom Hanks, Normani)

Apple TV+

  • Chief of War (epic Hawaiian historical drama, Aug 1)

  • Invasion Season 3 trailer upcoming, premiere Aug 22

Whether you’re swapping identities with Freakier Friday, descending into darkness with Weapons, or sipping something sophisticated alongside a quiet indie like My Mother’s Wedding, this weekend’s lineup delivers the full cinematic spectrum. From body-swapping laughs to bone-chilling tension—and a streaming slate ready for couchbound movie nights—there’s no excuse not to pair your screen time with a perfect pour. Mix wisely, watch boldly, and we’ll see you next Thursday for another round of cocktails and cinema.