What to Watch This Weekend: Shoplifters of the World, Truffle Hunters, Nobody, The Arbors, Blood Moon, News of the World, Soul, Boogie

For A Rebellious Music-Filled Night: Shopkeepers of the World (Theaters and Digital)
Shoplifters of the World is a musical journey through the Smith's discography, fueled by this rebellious soundtrack and the dreams, disappointments, and angst of youth.  For more information, check out the review!

For An Action-Filled John Wick-like: Nobody (Theaters)

Nobody is a middle class, family man John Wick, with high energy and varied action, a mysterious story, and an epic, final fightsravaganza.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Sumptuous and Fulfilling Documentary: The Truffle Hunters (Theaters)

The Truffle Hunters chronicles this unique business and its wonderful participants with sumptuous shots that let you fully savor the joy and traditions of this lifestyle.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Psychological, Dramatic Creature Feature: The Arbors (Digital)

The Arbors uses its wonderfully unsettling atmosphere, camera work, and unconventional story to deliver a more dramatic, psychological take on the creature feature.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Slow Burn Horror Film: Into the Dark: Blood Moon (Hulu)

Into the Dark: Blood Moon's measured, interesting, and mysterious story and great characters will leave a full moon-sized impression on you.  For more information, check out the review!

For Some Additional March Madness: Boogie (Theaters and Digital)
Boogie scores some easy points with its realistic setting and wonderful characters and uses sports to explore issues of race, dreams, and realities.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Simpler Time: News of the World (Redbox)
News of the World shows the power of information and connection in a unique western setting, delivering a wonderful performance by Zengel and two hours of signature Tom Hanks!  For more information, check out the review!

For One Some Amazing Animation And Music: Soul (Redbox)

Soul will reinvigorate your heart and soul, with its stunning animation, wonderfully diverse characters and focus on black culture, and humorous and heartfelt story.  For more information, check out the review!

Into the Dark: Blood Moon Review: A Slow Burning and Mysterious Family Story

Release date: March 26, 2021
Running time: 85 minutes
Starring: Megalyn Echikunwoke, Yonas Kibreab, Joshua Dov, Marco Rodriguez 

Into the Dark is a Hulu collaboration with Blumhouse to make a monthly movie-length horror feature from Jason Blum’s independent TV studio. Each feature-length installment is inspired by a holiday and features Blumhouse’s signature genre/thriller spin on the story.  Into the Dark's Season Two finale, Blood Moon, is inspired by the full moon.  When Esme (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and her ten-year-old son, Luna (Yonas Kibreab), move to a small desert town looking for a fresh start they attract all the wrong kinds of attention. As the locals begin to probe, Esme must battle to protect her son and a terrifying secret before the next full moon threatens their very existence.

Blood Moon has a slow, mysterious start that will keep you wondering what is happening to this nomadic family.  There are hints of the explanation behind Esme's need to keep moving and Luna's strange behavior, but you don't really get a great sense of the full predicament until later in the episode.  And that is thanks to Echikunwoke's great portrayal of a guarded, independent mother trying to make the best of her current situation.  Her caution is understandable given her background, and it is interesting to see the town's reaction to a persona that they are not used to.  Yonas Kibreab also does a great job as a conflicted boy, who has his own burdens to bear but also wants to just be a kid.  And he has to handle a few personality shifts in this, and does so naturally.  I was very impressed by this young actor's performance and looking forward to see what he does next.

As I mentioned, the storytelling has a slower pace but I appreciated that about it.  There were occasional flashbacks to earlier times for the family to fill in the backstory.  And although you do eventually get a full picture, the film retains its air of mystery throughout most of it, only giving glimpses into this family's past.  The whole setup is relatively simple, but that doesn't mean it is not an interesting film to follow.  I also really liked the use of practical effects and the avoidance of big CG spectacles.  This film could have gone either way, but I'm thankful for the simpler, suspenseful approach.  If there are any negatives to Blood Moon, it is that the story kind of devolves at the end with a too convenient wrap up.  And there is a reveal that just did not carry the same gravity as what I had come to expect.  But overall, this is a great way to spend an evening with a slow building story and some mysterious lead performances.  Just make sure to check the moon phase before you do so there are no surprises! 

Into the Dark: Blood Moon's measured, interesting, and mysterious story and great characters will leave a full moon-sized impression on you.

Watch it.

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Into the Dark: Blood Moon premieres on March 26, 2021 exclusively on Hulu. 

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Interview: Yonas Kibreab from Into the Dark: Blood Moon, Werewolf Horror Film also starring Megalyn Echikunwoke

Yonas Kibreab, who plays Luna in the season 2 finale of Into the Dark: Blood Moon discusses how he started in acting and what it was like filming during quarantine. We also discuss the cast and how he likes his steaks! So give it a watch and make sure to check out Into the Dark: Blood Moon, streaming exclusively on Hulu on March 26, 2021! Starring: Megalyn Echikunwoke, Yonas Kibreab, Joshua Dov, Marco Rodriguez Synopsis: Into the Dark is a Hulu collaboration with Blumhouse to make a monthly movie-length horror feature from Jason Blum’s independent TV studio. Each feature-length installment is inspired by a holiday and features Blumhouse’s signature genre/thriller spin on the story. Into the Dark's Season Two finale, Blood Moon, is inspired by the full moon. When Esme (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and her ten-year-old son, Luna (Yonas Kibreab), move to a small desert town looking for a fresh start they attract all the wrong kinds of attention. As the locals begin to probe, Esme must battle to protect her son and a terrifying secret before the next full moon threatens their very existence.

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