As the nation relaxes into another weekend of lockdown and the weather forecasts show rain and gloomy skies, many of us will be reaching for the remote.
But what new films are set to hit screens over the next few days?
If you’re looking for something to tune into, then leading streaming platforms Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and NowTV have got you covered and will each be releasing a collection of new flicks to their platforms, with everything from romance, drama and horror, to dark surrealist comedy, parody and even some brand new originals to take your pick from.
Here’s everything new you can check out this weekend.
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Netflix
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The Princess Switch: Switched Again
Starring – Vanessa Hudgens
Brand new to the streaming service this today, The Princess Switch: Switched Again is the much-anticipated sequel to the 2018 Christmas romantic comedy film The Princess Switch, which followed the well-known concept of two people running into one another who look identical and switching places.
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In this latest instalment though, when Margaret’s Christmas coronation complicates her love life, her double Stacy steps in to save the day, but will a third look-alike ruin their plan?
Holmes & Watson
Starring – Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly
This 2018 mystery comedy film is a parody of the famed detective duo – with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as the title characters – which sees them they set out to find the culprit behind a threat at Buckingham Palace, and features performances from Rebecca Hall, Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan, and Ralph Fiennes in supporting roles.
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A film branded “so bad, it’s good” by some critics, you may as well give it a watch just once.
Life of the Party
Starring – Melissa McCarthy
Another comedy film to first hit the big screen back in 2018 – starring Melissa McCarthy, and written and directed by her husband Ben Falcone – Life of the Party sees a middle-aged mother return to college in order to complete her degree and ends up bonding with her daughter’s friends after her husband abruptly asks for a divorce.
Another Netflix original, Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square is a Christmas musical film directed and choreographed by acclaimed choreographer Debbie Allen, which follows follows a wealthy and pretentious woman named Regina Fuller, who after the death of her father, returns to her hometown before Christmas to evict the residents and sell the land to a mall developer.
Catch it on Netflix this Sunday 22nd November.
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Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime Video
Seven Stages To Achieve Eternal Bliss
Starring – Kate Micucci, Sam Huntington & Taika Waititi
Often going by an abridged version of the full title Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss By Passing Through the Gateway Chosen By the Holy Storsh, this dark comedy film sees a small-town young couple learn their new apartment is being used for a deranged cult’s ritualistic suicides.
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With Academy Award-winning writer, director and actor Taika Waititi playing the cult leader, you know you’re in for a wild ride.
Body Cam
Starring – Mary J. Blige and Nat Wolff
In this 2020 police procedural horror film, Mary J. Blige stars as a cop with the Louisiana Police Department who, when a routine traffic stop results in the unexplained, grisly death of her colleague, realises footage of the incident will play for her eyes only.
Officers are haunted by a spirit after the death of a black youth and the subsequent cover-up.
Uncle Frank
Starring – Paul Bettany & Sophia Lillis.
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Set in 1973, Uncle Frank is a roadtrip movie about a gay man who confronts his past.
When Frank Bledsoe and his 18-year-old niece Beth take a road trip from Manhattan to Creekville, South Carolina for the family patriarch’s funeral, they’re unexpectedly joined by Frank’s lover Walid.
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NowTV
(with a Sky Cinema pass)
Sky Group / NOW TV
The Photograph
Starring – Issa Rae & LaKeith Stanfield
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This 2020 romantic drama film, famed photographer Christina Eames unexpectedly dies and leaves her estranged daughter Mae Morton hurt and full of questions, but when a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box is found, Mae finds herself on a journey delving into her mother’s early life and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with a rising-star journalist, Michael Block.
One that’s worth the watch.
Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island
Starring – Maggie Q, Michael Pena, Lucy Hale & Michael Rooker
In this 2020 supernatural horror film, five people take a trip to the eponymous magical island – adapted from the popular 1970s TV show – only to discover that their dream fantasies brought to life begin to turn into horrific living nightmares that they must try to survive.
Reckon you can hack it?
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Pep Guardiola apologises for ’embarrassing’ camera operator confrontation
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has apologised after confronting a cameraman following the Premier League fixture against Newcastle United this past weekend.
The Blues boss was left visibly frustrated as Man City were beaten 2-1 away at St James’ Park by Eddie Howe’s side following a flurry of three finishes in the space of just six minutes.
However, this wasn’t the only action pitchside during the game, as not only have some supporters argued they should have had a penalty as Phil Foden was brought down in the box, Pep was also seen engaging in a loaded exchange with opposition captain Bruno Guimarães, as well as a camera operator.
Guardiola has since apologised for the incident, confessing he was left “embarrassed” by his own conduct and admitting that even “after 1,000 games, I’m not a perfect person – I make huge mistakes.”
As you can see, the Catalan coach approached the member of the broadcasting team following a fairly widespread spat both during the second Newcastle goal and following the full-time whistle.
Despite journalists recognising a natural amount of frustration and passion amidst the narrow loss and speculation over decisions, he went so far as to say he wasn’t “ashamed” of his actions at the time and doesn’t like or condone this kind of behaviour.
He was also seen smacking his seat in the dugout after conceding as well as after missed chances by his own players.
Pep assured that he apologised to the cameraman within seconds, remarking, “I am who I am” and reminding football fans that he is a human capable of acting on instinct just like anyone else.
He also clarified that the bulk of his issues on the day were to do with the officiating, taking umbrage with the referee’s decision-making in multiple instances.
You can see the clip down below:
"I feel embarrassed and ashamed when I see it"
Pep Guardiola apologises for his behaviour towards a camera operator after the defeat at Newcastle. pic.twitter.com/wVYfJDbnLm
As for his conversation with Guimarães, he wouldn’t disclose any details of their conversation, but did insist to one reporter that they share a good relationship, confessing that he is “an emotional guy” and can often appear particularly animated as he is known for gesticulating.
It seems that the 54-year-old was just annoyed over the potential penalty, but match-winner Harvey Barnes’ brace in particular, too.
Not only were there questions of a foul on new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma – whose shot-stopping was otherwise excellent for the majority of the match – but Guimarães was supposedly offside in the build-up to the strike.
Regardless, Pep went on to add that the confrontation with the cameraman, Donnarumma’s booking for dissent, and general disappointment have been “immediately forgotten”, and all eyes are now focused on City’s big European meeting with Bayern Leverkusen.
You can see the highlights from Newcastle vs Man City down below.
Kids can now send their Christmas lists to the North Pole as Royal Mail’s Santa Mail returns for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Children all across the UK can now send their Christmas wish lists directly to the big man himself in the North Pole.
That’s because Royal Mail’s hugely-popular Santa Mail scheme has returned for 2025.
With just over a month to go until Christmas Day is officially here, Royal Mail is once again helping to make festive wishes come true by lending a helping hand to one of its most special customers, Santa, just like it has done for more than 60 years.
The postal service will be sending children’s letters and Christmas wish lists directly to the ‘North Pole’ this year.
Santa’s team of helpers at Royal Mail are gearing up to deliver the hundreds of thousands of letters sent to him by children from all across the UK.
With the very busy Christmas period ahead – one of the busiest times of the year for the postal industry, by far – Royal Mail is encouraging children to get their letters written and sent as soon as they can – with the cut-off date being no later than Wednesday 10 December.
To send your letters to the ‘North Pole’, you need to pop them in a stamped envelope and send them to this special address:
Santa / Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ.
Don’t forget to include your name and full address on your letter, so that Santa knows where to send his replies back to.
Kids can now send their Christmas lists to the North Pole as Royal Mail’s Santa Mail returns for 2025 / Credit: Phil Hearing | Marina Abrosimova (via Unsplash)
“Royal Mail continues to play a cherished role in the nation’s Christmas traditions,” commented Lisa Luveniyali, Royal Mail’s Chief Elf, who oversees the safe delivery of children’s letters to Santa at his magical grotto in Reindeerland.
“For over 60 years, we’ve proudly helped Santa manage the thousands of heartfelt letters sent by children across the UK.
“Our dedicated team of festive elves especially love seeing the wonderful wishes children share, and helping Santa send his replies.
Emily Sergeant -
20th November 2020 
