By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X.

Max, the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max, this week (May 26-June 1, 2024) plans to add 53 new TV shows and movies to its subscription Video on Demand service. Here are the two most interesting, in my humble opinion:

Movie Pass, Movie Crash
In 2011, two entrepreneurs launched a mobile app that permitted you to purchase one movie ticket per day for a monthly fee. What seemed to be a reasonable and potentially profitable offering blew up a few years later when a new executive team began serving up plans that included everything from unlimited screenings to free 3D showings. The business soon imploded and Max’s new documentary, Movie Pass, Movie Crash, examines the damage and explains why Movie Pass should be a cautionary tale for every overly ambitious entrepreneur too eager to scale.

Open Water (2003)
I’m going to bet that you’ve never heard of Open Water, but the 2003 film from director Chris Kentis is one of the most terrifying and heartbreaking tales you’ll ever see. The film, which is based loosely on a real life story, follows a young couple who become lost in the open water while on a scuba diving excursion.  The two are soon surrounded by sharks and they must find a way to survive while clinging to the faint hope of a rescue. This is what Roger Ebert said about Open Water: “Rarely, but sometimes, a movie can have an actual physical effect on you. It gets under your defenses and sidesteps the ‘it’s only a movie’ reflex and creates a visceral feeling that might as well be real.” Watch this movie. You won’t forget it. (By the way, real sharks are used in the movie.)

Complete List of New Titles Coming This Week to Max:

Sunday, May 26
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

Monday, May 27
90 Day Fiancé: UK, Season 3
Two Guys Garage, Season 23 (Motor Trend)

Wednesday, May 29
Homicide Hunter: American Detective, Season 4 (ID)
MoviePass, MovieCrash (HBO Original)
Traces of Love (Evidências Do Amor) (Max Original)

Thursday, May 30
Outchef’d, Season 3 (Food Network)

Friday, May 31
Gold Rush: Parker’s Trail, Season 3 (Discovery Channel)

Saturday, June 1
50/50 (2011)
America’s Sweethearts (2001)
American Heist (2014)
Bandits (2015)
Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011)

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of The Dawn Treader (2010)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Demolition (2015)
The Disaster Artist (2017)

Evil Dead (2013)
Fright Night (1985)
Generation Por Que? (2021)
Hope Springs (2012)
House at the End of the Street (2012)

Into the Blue (2005)
Into the Blue 2: The Reef (2009)
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Jessica’s Big Little World, Season 1D (Cartoon Network)
Krampus (2015)

Life After (2017)
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Marmaduke (2010)
Minari (2020)
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)

Open Water (2003)
Open Water 2: Adrift (2006)
Open Water 3: Cage Dive (2017)
The Other Guys (2010)
Overlord (1975)

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015)
Ride Along 2 (2016)
Shadows (2020)
Shining Through (1992)

The Skin I Live In (2011)
Spaceship Earth (2020)
Splice (2009)
Sugar (2008)
The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)

Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home, Season 1
Uncut Gems (2019)
Urban Legend (1998)
User Zero (2020)
Wanted (2008)

Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.