" I admire its purity. A survivor.
Unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality."
PINNED: this newsletter started as a way to highlight movies coming to theaters (see: the name). Then, "the bullshit" happened. And I started featuring movies in theaters, VOD or streaming (see: the +). Point is, if there's a movie worth checking out, you'll probably find it here.
Do you know who Scott Stuber is? No, not the lead singer of Creed, that's Scott Stapp. Mr. Stuber is the head of original films at Netflix, and formerly a producer. Variety did a profile on him, as journalistic publications are wont to do. Read the profile if you want, it's pretty standard stuff and talks about how the movie industry is in a "revolution." (I'm not using quotes to diss that assertion, it's a quote from Stuber). But that's not why I'm bringing it up.
I'm bringing it up for a tiny bit at the very end. Let me do some quick copy and paste here. *hushed outward monologue* Command c with a lil command v aaaand, voila...
"When it first got into the moviemaking game, Netflix played up the data it had on its customers’ viewing habits as a competitive advantage, one that could allow the company to pick projects in genres or with actors that its subscribers loved. Stuber says he looks at the information that Netflix maintains before making greenlighting decisions, but he relies on more than algorithms."
Wait for it...
"'It’s all gut,' Stuber says. 'The data stuff is hugely overstated. At the end of the day, you have to ask: Do you believe in it? Do you have passion for it? Do you think it’s going to work?'"
"It's all gut."
Ok, now I know this may not be interesting to some folks, but considering the number of articles talking about Netflix and "the data" recently passed 3 bajillion, I find this fascinating.
Not that it's shocking. Not at all. But in three words, Stuber basically crushed the outward narrative that Netflix is somehow picking projects more smartly based off a magical algorithm. This is particularly interesting to me since I've talked to multiple companies who said they could predict a movie's success before it's even been greenlight. Which is bullshit. Even if there are still companies saying they can do just that it. Because if Netflix, with arguably the biggest trove of data on consumption habits of movies and TV, and their incredibly talented data team, is still essentially, like, winging it?? Well it certainly makes me more skeptical of someone claiming they can predict box office based on a script.
Now, to be fair, this isn't to say Netflix doesn't use data. Not at all. It's just way more in the mid / post-game analysis where it comes in handy. In other words, their recommendations. For example, in the Variety article, Stuber mentions his team won't be making a sequel to 6 Underground, since "we didn't feel like we got there there on that one creatively" and "there just wasn't that deep love for those characters or that world." Although he does, in somewhat of a contradiction, say it was a "nice hit." Point is, he had to base his assessment on something. Ie data. (internal numbers, social media response or both).
But sounds like he didn't use much data to decide to make the movie in the first place - beyond something like Michael Bay slo-mo & explosions + Ryan Reynolds funny guy stuff = 👀. Which, admittedly, does seem like a sound equation. If a bit simple.
I guess my takeaway is, however narratives sometimes get crafted - and repeated ad nauseum - it makes sense to question them and understand what's actually the case. And the case here seems to be: Netflix is a huge company, with a lot of smart, skilled people, all working to solve problems. And yet some "problems" (is it a problem really?) are beyond the bounds of data.
For now?
(from top, left to right)
THE SUICIDE SQUAD: You might be thinking to yourself, haven't I seen or heard of this movie already? Didn't it come out a few years ago? Uh, no, but kind of. And since I don't know if you're coming in with all of the baggage or you're more like Owen Wilson boarding an international flight, let's do a quick recap, shall we?
Suicide Squad is a DC Universe movie directed by David Ayers (Training Day) that was released in 2016 and featured Jared Leto as a tatted up, grill sportin' Joker. It made a lot of money, but was much maligned by critics and fans. Ayers says the studio chopped his movie into, well, not his movie.
The Suicide Squad, see image above, is a DC Universe superhero (supervillain?) movie directed by James Gunn, the director of the two Guardians of the Galaxy movies (as well as the forthcoming third one - barely), that does not feature Jared Leto or The Joker in any capacity, and is being released in theaters and on HBO Max this Thursday.
Soooo this is a sequel then, or a reboot? Let's go with se-boot. Cuz it does feature some of the same actors in some of the same roles (most notably Margot Robbie and Viola Davis), but you'll meet more new friends than old (including Idris Elba and Gunn good luck charm Michael Rooker). And while the first movie is reportedly tangentiality referenced, the studio apparently gave Gunn total creative freedom. My advice, don't think about it too much.
With that, let's get to the important part; is The Suicide Squad better than Suicide Squad? Yes. A lot better, say reviews.
Critics talk about how much more fun and bright, both in tone and palette, this one is than the previous film - and really any recent superhero movie. They also talk about Gunn's unique ability to be bonkers weird, make salient cultural critiques and have his characters lay down dick and poop jokes while at the same time create connections with the audience that'll make you sad when they die.
Cuz they're going to die.
One of the talking points about the movie is that most superhero stories don't have high enough stakes since you know most everyone will live in the end. Not here. Gunn said he was allowed to take whatever characters he wanted and add them to the team, in order to kill them off. Which is in part how we came to see Polka-Dot Man, Ratcatcher 2 and a humanoid shark voiced by Sylvester Stallone in a movie with a budget that's probably multiples larger than all of our net worths combined (no shade).
As for the plot, it's probably the simplest thing here. Some uber-baddies are given the chance to have years removed from their prison sentences if they do the government's naughty stuff. Viola Davis recruits and ultimately oversees the team and can kill each member with one little *boop!* But as noted, the mission is dangerous, will probably result in loss of life and limb(s), so her *boop!* machine likely won't be necessary.
With all that in mind, expect the movie itself to be super violent, profane and yet it still might make ya cry.
Oh! And there's a giant starfish.
Enjoy!
Vibe: take the oddest people you knew from high school, give them random super powers, send 'em off to save the world
Out Thursday Night
Watch Theaters & HBO Max
The Trailer | 2 hrs 12 mins | R | 🍅: 96%
VIVO: Lin Manuel-Miranda is a busy guy. He already had In The Heights come out this summer, he wrote songs for and voices the titular character of Vivo, he composed songs for another animated movie coming out this year, Disney's Encanto, and his directorial debut will be out in the fall (Tick, Tick... Boom!). I mean, you get it though. He made Hamilton and his songs for Moana were, I'll admit as a quite clearly adult male person, awesome. But when we get so busy, sometimes things fall through the cracks, or our performance takes a hit...
But per reviews, Vivo is still solidly sitting on top of the metaphorical table, cracks avoided. Now, critics don't say this Cuban to Miami adventure is quite at the level of the aforementioned Disney modern-classic, but that it'll do a solid enough job entertaining. As mentioned, Manuel-Miranda voices Vivo, who looks like a monkey, but is actually a kinkajou, which has been nicknamed the "honey bear," but is most closely related to a raccoon. .....?? Keep up. Vivo uses his adorableness and innate musicality as he busks w/ his partner Andrés. They're a fine team, but Andrés had another partner, long before Vivo - her name was Marta 😍. Well Marta reaches out to Andrés, hoping he can see her last concert, cuz golly gee, the two were in love, but never told each other. ....!! Life, man. Life. But due to *ahem* circumstances, Andrés is unable to attend and Vivo is duty bound to deliver a song Andrés wrote as a love letter. But there's a lot of water between Cuba and Miami, so what's a kinkajou to do? Meet up with an endearing, somewhat frustrating precocious child of course.
Friction, chaos, laughter, inevitable coming together will surely ensue, and of course, a happy ending.
So get the kids, get the popcorn, and then buy some ear plugs. Not because you'll hate the songs, but because once they get stuck in your kids' heads, they're sure to get stuck in yours.
Vibe: bright, musical, endearingly modern
Out Friday
Watch Netflix
The Trailer | 1 hr 38 mins | PG | 🍅: 88%
VAL: as in Kilmer. Although, tbh, you're not likely to know a ton of other people by that name. "Val Kilmer." It just sounds like a Hollywood name, doesn't it? But in this doc, not only about the Top Gun actor, but much of it coming from his personal video diaries, you'll see a guy who always wanted to be an actor, but maybe not a Hollywood one. Kilmer, as you may know, has dealt with cancer in the recent past and is not the Iceman you remember. But in a somewhat, if a tragic, allegorical instance, this movie looks to act as his voice with regards to his life and career, when he has essentially lost his.
If you're intrigued by what may seem like the charmed life of a famous celebrity actor, only to see that the reality is far different than made out in a People magazine feature, this is probably worth your time. But if you think any person that brings up their issues with wearing a rubber suit, when donning it them millions, is a "whiner," this is likely not going to be your favorite movie - but you should probably watch because of that disdain. Because even if he has a Hollywood sounding name, he's still just a guy, with hopes, dreams and tragedies.
Stars, they're just like us.
Vibe: self-aware introspection, reflective and appreciative
Out Friday
Watch Theaters Only
The Trailer | 1 hr 49 mins | R | 🍅: 93%
GUNDA: I've wanted to feature this movie since I first saw the trailer last year. It had a brief run in limited theaters, but finally came to VOD a few weeks back. What could have me so excited for nine months?
How about a black and white pseudo silent movie that highlights a sow and her piglets, a one legged chicken and cadre of cows as they saunter, roll and frolic around a farm in a sort of visual essay on our connection to animals, or lack thereof. Wow. I can just feel your anticipation emanating through the series of tubes that is the internet.
Look, I'm not trying to turn you into a vegan (I'm not one), or even to get you to stop eating meat (I do). I just think this looks like a movie where, if given your full attention, it's likely to transport you. Now, it's entirely possible your desire for bacon may decrease after watching. Which, you may decry as a reason to avoid. But in fairness, that's like avoiding learning the earth isn't the center of the universe. Maybe a bit unnerving at the change to your world view, but ultimately, wouldn't you rather know?
And for those you who loudly proclaimed, "no!" Well, I think your certainty may just allow you to enjoy the movie and eat that BLT tonight.
Then again, who knows. Cuz watching baby pigs try and catch rain droplets is one hell of a heart burster. ❤️🩹
Vibe: turn the phone on silent, get as comfortable as possible, maybe smoke a joint, and melt into your chair
Out Now
Watch VOD
The Trailer | 1 hr 33 mins | G | 🍅: 97%
(called out from top, left to right)
Is that an awkward family photo? No! It's the trailer for the House of Gucci, one of the two advertisements for a movie directed by Ridley Scott to come out in as many weeks. Stars Adam Driver and Lady Gaga in the based on a true story fashion drama.
The Spider-man-less Venom gets a sequel, subtitled Let There Be Carnage because it adds Venom nemesis Carnage (played by Woody Harrelson). Makes sense. The first movie drew in that money, but wasn't very well received, by critics at least. I dunno. I never saw it. This one looks to get into the monster mashing a bit faster, and seems to let itself just be goofy, which should help.
And here's another doc about another insanely talented risk taking climber. Free Solo's Alex Honnold shows up to tell you just how bonkers the dude is. Smart.
Parallel Mothers is the next movie directed by Pedro Almodóvar, the celebrated Spanish director. Follows two mothers, of fairly different ages, and the connection they form. Stars Penélope Cruz as one of the mothers.
There's also a duo of (well reviewed) quarantine movies in the playlist, one from Mark Duplass and Natalie Morales (she also directed) plus one w/ James McAcvoy and Sharon Horgan (from Catastrophe), where they break the fourth wall constantly. Click below to check 'em all out.
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