In an era where streaming services dominate the entertainment landscape, Tubi stands out by offering a diverse and expansive library of films at no cost to its users. With its eclectic mix of genres and eras, Tubi presents a unique opportunity for movie enthusiasts to explore hidden gems and revisit classics. Clearly curated by true cinephiles, their catalogue promises not just entertainment, but a broadened cinematic horizon. Whether you’re a fan of indie flicks, blockbuster hits, or cult classics, Tubi’s extensive library ensures that there’s always something new and exciting to watch. Join us as we delve into the adventure of watching a movie a week on Tubi, where hopefully you find your new favorite movie or at least an interesting gem worth recommending.
Dead Leaves (2004)
Known for its high-octane, frenetic style, Dead Leaves follows two amnesiac antiheroes, Retro and Pandy (one a smoking hot punk chick, the other a weirdo with a TV for a head), who wake up naked on Earth with no memory of their past. After a spree of chaos and crime, they are captured and sent to the infamous Dead Leaves prison on the moon. The story is characterized by its unconventional narrative, blending dark humor, intense action sequences, and a highly stylized visual approach. The animation is notable for its vibrant colors, sharp angles, and rapid pace that mirrors the chaotic energy of the protagonists. Despite its relatively short runtime, Dead Leaves leaves a lasting impression due to its unrestrained creativity and bold storytelling. The film stands out as a significant piece of anime that pushes the boundaries of the medium’s potential. Even if you avoid anime like the plague, this one might win you over. It’s just too crazy to ignore.
Candy Land (2022)
Candy Land takes viewers into the grim and gritty world of truck stop sex workers, colloquially known as “lot lizards.” The plot centers around a young woman named Remy who, after being cast out from a religious cult, finds herself thrust into this harsh and unforgiving environment. As the story unfolds, the truck stop becomes a battleground for control, morality, and humanity. Candy Land is marked by its gritty realism, intense atmosphere, and strong performances, particularly by its lead actress. It’s a horror film that harkens back to a specific time in cinema, where art met exploitation. When genre films were Trojan horses filled with social messages but never felt like soapboxes. If you go in expecting a maniac chasing around hookers at a truck stop, you’ll be sorely disappointed. This is less of that and more of a dark exploration of human resilience and the complexities of life on the fringes of society. Its stark portrayal of its characters’ lives offers a sobering perspective on issues often left in the shadows, making it a significant addition to the genre.
Lowlifes (2024)
Nothing sounds less appealing to movie watchers than the words “Tubi original.” They might be kicking everyone else’s ass as a streamer, but their original content is subpar at best. I don’t think they’ve produced a single note-worthy film yet. Save for one. Lowlifes came out of nowhere and surprised everyone who saw it. This isn’t much since again, everyone avoids their original films but the ones brave enough to roll the dice were rewarded with one of the best horror films of the year. The plot synopsis on IMDb says “the survival instincts of a road-tripping family are put to the test when they have no other choice but to stay the night at a remote homestead” and honestly, that’s all you need to know going in. The film has more twists than a Chubby Checker concert, so going in blind is key to your enjoyment. Good job Tubi, you finally did it.
American Yakuza (1993)
Ever heard of American Yakuza? Yeah, I hadn’t either. But, see, this is what Tubi is all about. There are thousands of movies that I never saw (and in many cases, never heard of) that are not the worst thing ever. And since I’ve largely tired of modern movies for modern audiences, Tubi keeps me supplied with plenty of older shit to watch.
American Yakuza is about a recently paroled ex-con (Viggo Mortensen) who gets a job as a forklift driver at a warehouse and stumbles his way into working for the Yakuza. There are some great action sequences and sort of a twist in the first act, and overall it’s a well-acted, decently-paced 90s thriller. The budget leaves this feeling like it’s a made-for-tv movie, and the score is atrocious, but if you can get past that, Mortensen and Roy Ishibashi (as a yakuza boss) turn in darn good performances that raise this material from sort of B-grade schlock to a pretty good film about loyalty and duty and shit.
—William Dhalgren
Navy Seals (1990)
I was a bit surprised when I logged this on my Letterboxd account to find most of the reviews there skewed negative. I don’t know why I was surprised, because some of the worst takes on film can be found on that site. But setting that aside, I just figured most people would see it for the perfectly serviceable and satisfying action movie that it is. And that is what Navy Seals is. In fact, I would argue that it’s better than serviceable.
Navy Seals sports a great cast of characters including Michel Biehn, Charlie Sheen, Dennis Haysbert, Bill Paxton, Rick Rossovich, and Joanne Whalley. The plot is pretty straightforward. Some baddies have come into possession of several crates of American-made Stinger missiles (shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles that can really mess some shit up), and Michael Biehn’s SEALs have to get them back and deal with the bad guys. Joanne Whalley does a great job of playing a journalist whose allegiances are divided between her journalistic integrity and her concern for innocent civilians. Throw in a bit of a love story between her and Michael Biehn’s SEAL team leader Lt. James Curran, the drama of a sad death of a fellow SEAL, and some really great action sequences, and you have all the makings of a damn solid 90s action drama.
If you like some solid masculine action, you will like Navy Seals.
—William Dhalgren
These are our Tubi Movies of the Week. Have you seen any of them? Did you watch them on Tubi? Sound off in the comments!
