Can you like, mashup a mashup?

Apr 13, 2022

"Look what your brother did to the door!!!"

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.

Social media is often maligned for various reasons - too many of which to discuss here. But the positive aspects are, in my opinion, too often left undiscussed. One of those is the ability to hear from those creating the media we so often consume.

The recent movie, Everything Everywhere All at Once, was directed by two guys named Daniel. One of them, Daniel Kawn, is on Twitter, and I follow him. Recently he's been posting a lot about his movie (duh). But one of his recent tweet threads was in response to another artist he likes who praised EEAO (it was Kogonada, the director of After Yang). After he squealed a bit, he explains how while this other artist was a minimalist, the Daniels are known for their excess, something Kwan says he often feels almost guilty about. Built if you've seen EEAO, you know the excess works. He goes on to discuss how he and his directing partner became comfortable with their style; ultimately by focusing on the underlying story and realizing that other art has succeeded even though it had similar maximilism tendencies. It's a nice insight into how someone who created something so unique approached - and at times struggled with - it. It also very much humanizes him.

Some people may prefer to let the work stand alone, and not have it be "disturbed" by comments from the artist, but for those who are keen on learning more about the creation and the creators, it's really cool to be able to have that kind of access. Way back in the day you'd had to go to some special screening (many times still the case) or watch a prepped TV interview / featurette. But the communication online, Twitter in particular, often feels far more honest and forthright.

Again, not everyone making someone is explaining their process, but for the ones who are and the ones whose work you enjoy, it can be fun to keep your digital 👂s open.

Extra Credit Movies:

Choose or Die: a schlocky lookin' horror movie where a couple a kids (always!) discover an old video game where you have to.... well, you can guess. It's basically a variation on The Ring. No reviews, but don't think it'll be lighting up the RT score charts. Streaming on Netflix on Friday.

FANTASTIC BEASTS:
THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE

We are two decades into the filmed versions of the Harry Potter world and yet it's been a decade since the last actual Harry Potter movie. At this point, Warner Bros. is basically the drunk dude at 3am trying to ignite the last vestiges of a party long since extinguished. I mean hey, can't blame them for trying. That shit was lit for a while there.

But instead of  running around trying to pour shots of tequila into the agape lips of passed out revelers, the studio just keeps dropping hundreds of millions of dollars on prequels that have seem to become exceedingly desperate in their attempts to appeal to Potter fans. Going so far as to lace the (sub) title of their latest with the name of one of the Potter world's most beloved characters.

Look, I really shouldn't speak too much here, as I am what the people around me who are big HP fans (some of them with actual lightning bolt tattoos) would call, "a muggle." Now, if that word just sounds like I mistyped the name of a rare Amazonian beetle, this ain't your flick. But if on the flip-side you've already opened a reply adorned with nasty language and the phrase Avada Kedavra as retribution for even joking about something so sacred as this franchise, well then, this is your movie.

Only thing I can say objectively is that the reviews are better than the last one, but not as good as the first - and not great overall. Critics say it's overstuffed and doesn't quite have the *ahem* magic as the original series. Almost as if it's an orphan of a story, searching for it's purpose in life.

Vibe: lots of CG magic, if not the kind of the mind

Out   Friday
Watch   Theaters
The Trailer | 2 hrs 22 mins | PG-13 | 🍅: 58%

DUAL

"There is no greater enemy than thine own self."

This quote is from... no one. I just made it up. But it sure sounds like it should be from someone notable. (mostly just because of the use of the word "thine") But go ahead, slap a big ol' grey beard on me and call me Plaristocatres. I can handle it.

What I can't handle is if there was a legit physical copy of myself that is better than me in most ways. That'd be torture. And it just so happens it's the plot of the stoically-performed and dark-humored Dual - starring Karen Gillan, who is playing very much against her ABC sitcom #Selfie type, and supported by Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul.

Now, mining the funny from a story about a woman with a 0% chance to live (Gillan), who then clones herself in order to give solace to her loved ones, only to recover, but is then be forced to murder or be murdered by the clone she paid for(!) seems... difficult. But director Riley Stearns seems to do well when he's taking the absurd and messed up to it's farthest reaches; he also directed the well-regarded The Art of Self-Defense.

While reviews note the movie is particularly "cold," it probably helps the movie stay in comedic territory vs drifting into what would, in reality, probably be quite melodramatic. They also say the starkness of the characters and world helps solidify the questions about life and living Stearns is posing.

So if you can handle some (intentionally) emotionally stunted performances, in order to question some of our deepest emotional thoughts, you should be in for an enjoyable(?) time.

Note: starts streaming May 20th

Vibe: dryer than your mouth after a hike up the sand dunes of Death Valley

Out Friday
Watch (Limited) Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 34 mins | R | 🍅: 79%

FATHER STU

Mark Wahlberg has said he wants to make more movies like Father Stu, movies that "help people." In the same interview he also said he may leave Hollywood "sooner, rather than later, probably."

Based on some of these reviews, it seems that if he follows through with the former, the latter may indeed come true - whether he wants it to or not.

👀

I kid, I kid (mostly). But critics are not the biggest fans here, even when they're giving a muted thumbs up. Some are just fine with Wahlberg as a charming, but hard-charging boxer-turned-actor-turned-priest, while others feel he's a bit out of his depth. But what most seem to agree upon is the movie is a bit too disjointed in it's construction to ultimately be overly affecting - especially on the issue of faith. They also note that while the pace is fast enough to keep your attention, it also leaves too many gaps open to form a sound story (sounds like something else...).

But luckily for those who want to be "helped" by Wahlberg, it's not that complicated of a movie. It is indeed based on the story of a real life guy who could never find his way, ultimately became Catholic to get a girl and then became a beloved priest after he "found God" post motorcycle accident.

Basically, it's like a more mainstream - and way less preachy - version of one of those uber-conservative God's Not Dead movies.

Vibe: slickly made, if not inspiringly

Out TODAY
Watch Theaters
The Trailer | 2 hrs 4 mins | R | 🍅: 42%

(called out from top, left to right)

This week's trailers are for a bunch of movies that look like mashups of other movies.

First one is Senior Year, which looks like Billy Madison laced with a bit of While You Were Sleeping.

Then there is Paws of Fury: The Story of Hank which basically looks like Kung Fu Panda mashed up with the terrible "comedy" Balls of Fury.

And finally we have 365 Days: This Day, which looks like an unholy union between Fifty Shades of Grey and a pile of 💩. You think I'm exaggerating? Just check out the 0% Rotten Tomatoes score for the (widely viewed) first movie.

What's In Theaters +

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