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The renowned opera singer Maria Callas was affectionately known as “La Callas.” Moving forward, we shall refer to Angelina Jolie simply as “The Jolie.” Sounds pretty cool, right?

This superstar actress has returned to the Oscar race with her portrayal of Callas in the Netflix biopic titled “Maria,” which complements Pablo Larraín’s historical trilogy, following “Jackie” and “Spencer.” This film is now available for streaming, alongside two notable series: Netflix’s mystery comedy “No Good Deed” and Amazon’s dramatized story of a true maple syrup heist, “The Sticky.” If you’re searching for holiday movie marathon ideas – or gearing up for your Academy Awards predictions – I’m also excited to unveil my top 10 film list for 2024!

Let’s dive into the highlights:

Watch Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in the Netflix film ‘Maria’

Many musical biopics often feature outstanding performances that overshadow the overall film quality – think of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Judy.” Likewise, “Maria” presents a stylized depiction of Callas’ final days, which doesn’t entirely resonate, although Jolie’s enthusiasm for embodying this legendary figure is truly felt. (Check out my ★★½ review.) Jolie dedicated seven months to mastering opera singing! That’s dedication, indeed.

In a candid interview, Jolie shared with my colleague Patrick Ryan the challenges of this physically intense role and how her mother motivated her. She reminisced, “She used to keep my films playing on TV just to hear my voice at home.” Isn’t that touching? But she would likely have found “Maria” too sorrowful; I doubt she would have wanted to see my character’s demise.” Patrick also gathered insights from “Maria” screenwriter Steven Knight about the truths and fabrications within the film.

Explore this year’s standout films: from ‘Conclave’ to ‘The Substance’

Even though it seems like just yesterday since “Oppenheimer” was awarded best picture, the Golden Globes have emerged this week with numerous nominations, marking the official start of a new awards season. (By the way, Jolie is in the running for best drama actress!) While there’s no clear frontrunner yet, numerous excellent films are drawing nominations that deserve your attention: titles like “Emilia Pérez” and “Conclave,” which have received Watch Party’s seal of approval, along with eagerly awaited films like “The Brutalist.”

Curious about the finest films of the year? As promised last week, I’ve completed my top 10 film list for 2024, filled with must-watch movies to enjoy at theaters or while streaming from home. “Conclave” (now out on Peacock) and “The Brutalist” make the cut, along with personal favorites like “The Substance,” “Inside Out,” and “The Piano Lesson.” (You can find “Emilia” in my expanded list of top films alongside “Nickel Boys,” “Hit Man,” “Nosferatu,” and more.)

Enjoy Netflix’s ‘No Good Deed’ and Prime Video’s ‘The Sticky’

Are you a fan of “Dead to Me”? Creator Liz Feldman brings a similar dark humor and familiar faces (like Lisa Kudrow, Ray Romano, and Denis Leary) to her new mystery comedy “No Good Deed.” This story involves an eclectic cast, a charming 1920s Spanish-style house for sale in Los Angeles, and a sprinkle of intriguing chaos. In her ★★★½ review, TV critic Kelly Lawler notes that the series “shines as both a mystery and a profound exploration of marriage and the limits of enduring lies and trauma.”

Another exciting new series is “The Sticky,” where Margo Martindale stars as a woman managing a Canadian maple syrup farm. When her farm faces trouble, she devises a plan to pilfer 3,000 tons of syrup. (That’s enough to cover countless pancakes!) Martindale described to my colleague Ralphie Aversa how she has often played the nice characters throughout her career but relished this chance to take on a different role.

With “Million Dollar Baby,” “Justified,” and particularly “The Americans,” the experience can be quite intense: “It’s thrilling to see someone’s throat sliced, watch them bleed out, and express your hatred for them. It was exhilarating.”

Discover More Great Content!

• Timothée Chalamet demonstrates his harmonica skills! Don’t miss the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” as it’s truly remarkable.
• After several delays, “Kraven the Hunter” has finally hit theaters, although it’s rather underwhelming. However, the superhero film landscape isn’t all bad.
• Curious about Joe Pesci? He returns with an incredible, voiceless role in the boxing film “Day of the Fight.”
• Guess who’s back? Dexter Morgan returns in the new prequel series “Dexter: Original Sin,” showcasing the serial killer as a young forensics intern.
• Your children might be asking: Who is Humphrey Bogart? A new documentary delves into the life of this iconic figure. (“The Maltese Falcon”? It’s still a classic.)
• Attention journalism enthusiasts! The period thriller “September 5” reveals how the ABC Sports news team reported on the terrorism incident during the 1972 Munich Olympics.
• In case you missed last week’s “Yellowstone” (the season finale airs this Sunday!), creator Taylor Sheridan emerged as the protagonist of his own narrative.
• Chris Evans appears to be making a return in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with “Avengers: Doomsday,” although perhaps not as Captain America. I’m hoping for him to portray Doombot No. 4 alongside his friend Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.