"TBD Jackie Chan"
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.
Just before I was going to send this week's email, I saw that Minari will be available for Premium VOD rental ($20) this Friday.
It can be stupidly hard to track the streaming release dates for certain movies (hence this email?), but this one is especially annoying, because the movie is so darn good (if you're unfamiliar, it's a story set in the 80's about a Korean couple trying to make a better life for their family in America). I was able to catch a screening last week and I really enjoyed it. I'll do a proper feature next week, but wanted you to know in case you've been waiting.
Two last things: the new live-action / animation hybrid Tom & Jerry movie is coming to theaters and HBO Max this weekend as well. I can't say it looks good, buuuuuut who knows? I actually went back and watched a bit of the original cartoons, and I'm guessing that'll be more entertaining than this new entry.
The other thing? Trailers. I named the playlist I create each edition "Trailers Worth Watching." And more than most, I'd say that's a bit of a stretch this week. But as we all know, tastes differ!
HELLO DARKNESS, MY OLD FRIEND
(from top, left to right)
The United States vs Billie Holiday: A sum of its parts. That's a phrase to remember when describing The United States vs Billie Holiday, as it applies both to the movie and its subject. As you can see from the RT score below, this biopic from Lee Daniels (Precious, Empire) is not getting universal acclaim, and yet one of its parts is, Andra Day's portrayal of Billie Holiday. It's Day's first acting role ever (she's a singer, you know her from this), but by all accounts, she embodies the late artist with skill and sincerity you'd think she's an Oscar nominated pro - which (segue alert!) she just might be come March 15th. There are other aspects of the movie that are well liked, e.g. the costumes, the supporting cast, but reviewers cited how the movie feels disjointed and a bit "everything at once."
But Holiday's story is so clearly worth telling that one may be able to forgive. In part, because her sum was made up of intensely tragic parts. From being sexually assaulted at 10, spending time as a teenage prostitute, facing a heroin addiction and, oh right, the United States government targeting her for her performances of the song "Strange Fruit," which highlights the lynchings of black Americans. But these things are a part of her life, not all of it. Daniels has talked about his goal of showing Holiday not only as a civil rights icon, not only as a tragic figure, but to celebrate her totality.
As the title indicates, the central tenant of the movie is Holiday's "battle" with the US government. Although, I'd say that's a bit of a misnomer as it seemed to be more of a one-sided war. The FBI and FBN (Federal Bureau of Narcotics) were upset at the impact "Strange Fruit" was having and they used Holiday's heroin addiction as a means to try and silence her. The racist head of the FBN, Henry J. Anngslinger, went so far as to hire a black agent, Jimmy Fletcher (Moonlight's Trevante Rhodes) to infiltrate her inner circle. The two had an affair, such that Fletcher became a sort of double agent, aiming to protect Holiday. It's unclear how intense the romance was, but expect Daniels to play it up for effect (again, something he's mentioned in interviews).
I'm giving a lot of context and even justification, but ultimately, I think you'll just have to decide if you're ok watching a flawed movie about an even more flawed government targeting one of its flawed citizens (aren't they / we all?).
Watch On: Hulu
Trailer | R | 1 hr 46 mins
Rotten Tomatoes: 57%
Supernova: I don't think there's any way around it. Watching this movie will probably make you sad. Hell, writing about the damn movie makes me sad. I'm not sure how a movie about a loving couple dealing with aggressive early on-set dementia doesn't bring forth that emotion? But sadness doesn't equate to harmfulness. I mention that because I think so often people don't watch a movie because they don't want to "feel sad." Which, I get it, there are limitless things to be crying emoji about (see: this), but I think Supernova offers a different kind of sadness, maybe even a helpful one.
As mentioned, the movie follows a couple, Sam (Colin Firth) and Tusker (Stanley Tucci), as they embark on a "last road trip." Tusker, an author and astronomy enthusiast, is the one with dementia and Sam, a former pianist, is his devoted partner. They'll meet some others along the way, but the story is centered on their relationship and how they both deal with the inevitable. And in that inevitability is where the helpful sadness may appear. Because what's coming for Sam and Tusker, is coming for everyone. And even as we watch a story about others facing loss and mortality, we're also watching ourselves.
Both actors are getting incredibly effusive praise, and the movie overall is well liked by critics for being heartfelt without crashing into melodrama or mushiness. So go on, embrace the sadness.
Watch On: VOD
Trailer | R | 1 hr 33 mins
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% (Certified Fressshh)
The Vigil: last week, I highlighted Saint Maud, another religious based horror movie. But like most in that category, its petrifying foundations are built on Christianity. The Vigil is here to finally let Judaism in on the... fun? That is, if you consider being stuck in a room with a dead body overnight as well as being terrified by a nasty spirit that inhabits and feasts on the sorrow of its host, "fun."
But I'm getting ahead of myself. First I should tell you about Yakov, a former Hasidic who left his community due in part to traumatic events in his life. He's struggling to adjust and is in need of money. Cue his former rabbi, who offers him a job as a shomer, a person who watches over the recently deceased as to ward off evil (does he still get paid if the spirits don't get warded? tbd). The night starts out not great when the dead man's wife tells Yakov to peace because it's "not safe." But she has dementia so maybe it's just that?! Riiiiight. 😬
Beyond the unfamiliar context, you should expect familiar, but well done, horror things and stuff - creepy old tapes, flickering lights, corners that are somehow darker than the darkest black hole and scares that remind you that you probably should've peed before the movie began. 💦😐
Watch On: VOD
Trailer | PG-13 | 1 hr 30 mins
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% (Certified Fressshh)
Highlights
Mortal Kombat - a redo of one of the only decent video game to film adaptations. And that's only in part because the original leaned into the B-Movieness of it all (and the song!). This one looks similarly cheesy, but let's hope it keeps a sense of self-awareness.
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