July 17, 2026

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 7/17

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

IF YOU ARE GEARING UP FOR THE ODYSSEY

300

Vincent Georgie: While certainly not as high-minded as Christopher Nolan’s impending Greek blockbuster, 2006 did bring us Zach Snyder’s visually inventive and exciting Greek action extravaganza. A worthy appetizer.

Synopsis: In 480 B.C. a state of war exists between Persia, led by King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), and Greece. At the Battle of Thermopylae, Leonidas (Gerard Butler), king of the Greek city state of Sparta, leads his badly outnumbered warriors against the massive Persian army. Though certain death awaits the Spartans, their sacrifice inspires all of Greece to unite against their common enemy.

Available on Apple TV, Crave, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.

IF YOU WANT SOME SMART LAUGHS

DAVE

Vincent Georgie: Frequent collaborators Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver are very appealing here in Canadian Ivan Reitman’s lighthearted political comedy of mistaken identity. The film received an Oscar nomination for its funny, enjoyable screenplay.

Synopsis: Shifty White House chief of staff Bob Alexander hatches a scheme to use a double for the president at a public photo opportunity. Small business owner Dave Kovic fits the bill, but after the president suffers a debilitating stroke, opportunist Alexander arranges for Dave to step in full time without even informing the First Lady. It doesn’t take long before the press, the nation and the president’s wife realize something is different.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

IF YOU WANT A HISTORICAL DRAMA

RAGTIME

Vincent Georgie: Czech filmmaker Milos Forman brings us a sweeping, expansive adaptation of the famed novel. Thanks to its high-quality production values and strong cast, the film’s timeliness resonates all the more. Nominated for 8 Oscars.

Synopsis: A kaleidoscope of tales from E.L. Doctorow’s eponymous novel evokes life in pre-World War I New York City. A white family finds a black baby in their yard and takes on the mother as a maid. A black pianist, Coalhouse Walker Jr., returns for his woman and child after finding success in a Harlem jazz band. Firefighters, dismayed to see a black man own a Model-T Ford, deface it, and Walker demands retribution. The white family becomes involved in Evelyn Nesbit’s trial.

Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube.

DOUBLE FEATURE

SMART & DISTURBING CULTURAL PHENOMENONS

Vincent Georgie: Many of you likely made a double feature out of these two films earlier this Summer. The 2026 box office has been on-fire, most notably with these two low-budget, high-profile hits that pushed the boundaries of psychological horror. See them again, together and/or for the first time. Be a part of this pop cultural moment.

OBSESSION

After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic gets exactly what he asked for. However, he soon discovers that some desires come at a dark and sinister price.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

BACKROOMS

A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom, leading to an endless network of interconnected rooms where time bends and the only thing scarier than getting lost is the sense that something is lying in wait.