Lend me your ears! Er, eyes. 👀

Feb 10, 2021

"Hey, you wanna s'more?
Some more what?
No, no, do you want a s'more?
I haven't had anything yet,
so how can I have some more of nothing?
You're killin' me, Smalls!"

PINNED: this newsletter is supposed to be a friendly recapping of the movies in, and coming to, theaters. But things be real weird right now. So until that changes in earnest, I'll either be suggesting old favorites to revisit, pointing out recent flicks you may have missed or calling out notable new VOD / streaming options.

Heads up there isn't a trailers section this week because well, there aren't any (worth noting). Except a second trailer (although really more a long TV spot) for the Frances McDormand starring Nomadland - which is launching in theaters and Hulu next Friday. You might, like me, find the Hulu part interesting once I tell you the movie has a legit shot at being this year's Best Picture Oscar winner. And we'd both probably find that intriguing because neither of us would've thought twelve months ago our first chance to check out a complex Best Picture nominee that details the lives of those on the edges of society would be on a streaming platform where the film could be featured next to... The Bachelor?! I'm not making any judgements here (yes I am), just that it's an interesting potential juxtaposition.

Oh! While I didn't feature it below, you can also peep Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar this weekend. It's that goofy looking (said with love ❤️) Kristen Wiig movie. No idea if it's any good (no reviews yet), but definitely looks like a movie where if you're interested, you say fuck it, toss on the ol' tracksuit and visor and watch away, no matter how much critics hate it (I'm guessing they're gonna hate it - but maybe not!). Cuz more than most genres, comedy either hits for someone, or it doesn't.

Correction: Last week I messed up and said Netflix bought CODA, it was Apple who made Sundance's largest purchase ever. Duh.

WHO WANTS A CHANGE?

(from top, left to right)

Two of Us: I wouldn't say there's been what you'd call an influx of movies portraying lesbian couples / stories in recent years, but definitely a lot more than there used to be (see: The Happiest Season, Carol, The Half of It, Disobedience & more). Which really is quite warming to see. But something that's been lacking are stories that portray older lesbian couples (although, to be fair, the age issue is not one relegated to same-sex couple stories - just more acute due to the relative output). But these tales carry their own struggles and unique qualities.

Two of Us is a French film that follows two women, roughly in their 70's - Nina and Madeleine - who are, by most people's perception, friendly straight neighbors (including Madeleine's children); but in reality, the duo has been carrying on a twenty year love affair. But just as they're about to (finally) come out to the world and live the life they've been pining for (in a move to Rome no less), Madeleine suffers a stroke, robbing her of her ability to speak. Nina, who was already frustrated by Madeleine's delay in imparting the news to her kids, has to navigate that issue as well as seeing her love incapacitated, the couple unable to express their connection with words.

People might wonder why it could be so hard to show affection openly in today's world, but as the actress who plays Nina mentioned in a recent interview, it's both that there are plenty parts of the world still unaccepting, but also that while people can be open and comfortable with others being gay, it can take a whole different tact when it's their own family members, especially when their image of that person is solidly solidified.

Watch On: VOD
Trailer | R | 1 hr 35 mins
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% (Certified Fressshh)

Judas and the Black Messiah: Learning history is usually associated with stuffy professors, loquacious nap inducing books and maybe most importantly, a lack of direct connection to the modern world. I preface because while Judas and the Black Messiah is indeed based on a historical account, it seems like the kind of history that's living and breathing, standing side by side with the events of today. Even without last summer's protests and the continuing racial activism, Judas likely would've still been welcomed and appreciated. But with all that? Jeez, it almost seems necessary. Because sure, many people know of and about the Black Panthers and their part in the fight for racial equality, but specifics? Yeah... less so (add me to that "people" group). For example, do "we" know how the FBI infiltrated the Black Panther Party of Illinois, by way of an oft-arrested man trying to avoid jail time (LaKeith Standfield), in order to "neutralize" (use the dark side of your imagination) its rising charismatic leader, Fred Hampton, played by Daniel Kaluuya? Less so.

But you will if you watch Judas. Plus, you'll see Stanfield and Kaluuya at their peak acting performance, portraying men that history didn't forget, because history can't forget, but plenty of people may have. But by watching, you'll bring the men, their ideas, as well as their complexities, right back to the present.

Watch On: HBO Max (also in theaters)
Trailer | R | 2 hrs 6 mins
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% (Certified Fressshh)

Another Round: If you watch the trailer for Another Round (go ahead, I'll wait!), you could be forgiven for thinking this is a movie that'll culminate with some tsk tsk wag of the finger against drinking alcohol. Yeah, no. While this Danish (subtitle warning!) flick led by Mads Mikkelson (Casino Royale) does highlight why getting hammered at school as a teacher may have its, um, perils, the movie is ultimately a lot less about imbibing and more about longing and investigation. Longing for the possibility and vibrance felt in youth, and investigating how it went wrong. It, being life.

The squad of teachers at the center of the movie start out as various forms of "typical" middle aged men. They're somewhere around 40-50 years old, their lives suffering from the banal, until one of them brings up the idea of a Norwegian philosopher - that humans should be at 0.05% blood alcohol, as it it is our most optimal state. For reference, that's (very roughly) about two drinks every hour for males and one for females. The quad's "research" details both the successful transformation of previously drab aspects of their life as well as the end of relationships / careers. But was it the booze or were these situations already beyond repair?

Go in with an open mind, it's a movie full of situations fit for a post-watch discussion, just don't go in with the mind you'll be able to go drink for drink with the four friends. 🤮

Watch On: VOD
Trailer | N/R | 1 hr 55 mins
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% (Certified Fressshh)

What's In Theaters +

Discussion about this post