SALT LAKE CITY, UT (See It or Skip It) – This week on See It or Skip It, Tomatometer-Approved Critic Patrick Beatty is joined by Utah Film Critics Kent Dunn and Rebecca Frost to break down what is actually worth your time this weekend.

In theaters, the panel takes a look at You, Me, and Tuscany and a new take on Hamlet. For those staying in, the lineup includes Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, Thrash, an FLDS documentary, and more.

Whether you are heading to the theater or staying home, this week’s episode has your watchlist covered.

The episode is screening at the Utah Film Center

Sit back, recline, and lock in your weekend watchlist.

In Theaters

You, Me & Tuscany (PG-13)

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Hamlet (R)

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Utah Film Critic Reviews New Releases, They Will Kill You, Daredevil Born Again, Netflix and Hulu Picks

What’s Streaming?

Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair

It has been over 26 years since Malcolm In The Middle had its broadcast debut. I was 8 years old, lying on the carpet of our family living room, as the iconic theme song by They Might Be Giants made my whole family sing along in anticipation for another episode of what we didn’t realize then would become one of the top family sitcoms of all time.

We return to the family that started it all, but this time, Malcolm is doing well now. Has a girlfriend, a daughter, Leah, and has figured out a way to rise above the mess that is his siblings and parents by one simple trick. Avoiding them at all costs. But when Lois and Hal’s 40th wedding anniversary has Malcolm re-integrate with his past, old habits and new dynamics form, forcing him to come to terms with whether his approach to peace wasn’t peaceful at all.

It’s very difficult to return to any show decades after it went off the air. We’ve seen it be somewhat successful with Arrested Development, which ironically would air right after Malcolm in the Middle on my local station, and we’ve also seen big misses like Friends: The Reunion.

I’m happy to report that Life’s Still Unfair finds its bearings immediately, like the show never skipped a beat. It has all the same heart, humor, and wacky situations that made you love the original, minus a few sticking points that feel like a correction rather than what was originally planned.

Lois and Hal have a new kid, Kelly (Vaughan Murrae), seemingly replacing the role of Dewy and perhaps Jamie. Both brothers were severely underutilized and felt like afterthoughts to the bigger story surrounding Malcolm, his daughter, and his parents. Reese and Francis also have bigger roles but still more supporting, but you can only do so much with just 4 episodes and this many characters. I do wish we got more with Dewy, particularly, but the story and heart bursting from this wonderful reunion more than make up for it.

Keeley Karsten, who plays Leah, does a great job of tying herself to the family and being every bit like her dad, Malcolm. Typically, I don’t really enjoy bringing in new characters if there’s not a good reason, but not only was this a surprising and welcome addition, but one that could continue if everyone were on board to make more.

You can expect loads of returning characters and heartfelt tributes to those who have passed. The ending has me bawling my eyes out and laughing at the same time. If you were a fan of the show, especially growing up with it yourself, this is going to be a breeze to watch and enjoy.

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Outcome (R)

Jonah Hill returns to the director’s chair in a story that shows Keanu Reeves, “Reef”, as something the world has never seen, unlikeable. When a mysterious tape threatens to tank his career, Reef will have to look inwards and come to terms with people whom he may have made enemies of, or at least burned bridges with, to save his career.

This is a big swing and miss from Jonah Hill, whose previous work I quite enjoyed, like Mid90’s and Stutz. It’s clear the story is meant to show the more relatable side of Hollywood stars and what they have to grapple with on a day-to-day basis, but it feels hollow. I think Keanu was miscast here, and it’s tough to really see him as a problematic celebrity because of how opposite he is from that. Jonah Hill gives a good performance as his lawyer and has a couple of interesting lines about showbiz and the sacrifices that come from it.

Overall, Outcome is trying to have its cake and eat it too, and isn’t nearly as interesting as it’s trying to be.

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Trust Me: The False Prophet

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Thrash (R)

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Did you see any of the shows reviewed this weekend? Leave a comment if so, and make sure to follow us on all our social media platforms and listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.