What to Watch This Weekend: May 15, 2020

Redbox: Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey is a triumphant breakout for Harley Quinn, a wild celebration of this character filled with bold style, entertaining action, a wonderful cast, and plenty of craziness.  For more information, check out our review!

Redbox: Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island is a creative and different remake of the 70s TV series, one that takes the general idea and puts its own dark twist on it.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: All About Who You Know
All About Who You Know offers a fresh perspective, with complicated characters and enjoyable writing in this unconventional anti Hollywood rom-com.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: Castle In The Ground
Castle in the Ground is a painful, deliberate descent into addiction that is fueled by a stellar cast, complex characters, and a powerful story.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: The Trouble With Wolves
The Trouble With Wolves is a thorough and balanced look at one of the most heated conservation issues in America, with in-depth interviews, compelling information, and beautiful nature footage.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): Trial By Media

Trial By Media provides viewers with a program that is equally entertaining and informative, providing a true crime documentary that highlights the social, cultural, and historical relevance of these cases.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): Angel Has Fallen

Angel Has Fallen is a fun action movie that suffers from summer movie ridiculousness.  If you can get past the story and just enjoy the action, then hop onto Marine One to see how far this angel has fallen.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (HBO): Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey delivers the fan service that those hoping for a movie want, with plenty of period appropriate pieces and keeping the core of what made the series such an enjoyable phenomenon. 

Streaming (Amazon): The Hustle

The Hustle is a genuinely funny remake / update of a classic film, with a promising start but an ending that will leave you feeling slightly conned.  For more information, check out our review!

Review: Castle in the Ground

Release date: May 15, 2020
Running time: 105 minutes
Starring: Imogen Poots, Alex Wolff, Neve Campbell, Tom Cullen

Castle in the Ground follows Henry (Wolff), who is taking care of his sick mother (Campbell).  Henry is delaying his own life to care for his mom, something that weighs on both of them.  However, after a tragic incident, Henry is drawn to his charismatic but troubled neighbor (Poots) who draws him into a wold of addiction and violence.  

Castle in the Ground has a fantastic, all-star cast who do an amazing job embodying these complicated characters.  Given the cast, you knew that they would completely transform for this movie, but it is really something to see.  I had especially high hopes for Wolff after seeing his phenomenal performance in Hereditary and he did not disappoint.  As Henry is drawn further into the world of addiction, his character changes both physically and mentally, all of which are conveyed perfectly by Wolff.  Poots is likewise fantastic as a charismatic but troubled junkie.  She does a great job of being disarmingly nice but also brutally callous when her addiction is driving her.  It was also great to see Neve Campbell back on the big screen as Henry's mother.  We don't see her much, but the scenes that we do get with her are wonderful.  

The cast come together to tell a powerful, depressing story that delves into the world of addiction.  This movie is not for the faint of heart as it is not a feel good movie.  It tries to depict how fast someone can get drawn into this world after a tragedy and does it with a well constructed narrative and stellar characters.  The one criticism I have is that Henry's descent seems to not have sufficient motivation built into it.  Some of that is explained later, but at the time it seems like a strangely steep cliff falls off.  However, I also have no exposure to this world, so maybe the edge really is just that slippery.  In any event, the power of the performances and impact of the story are enough to keep you engaged in this movie all the way to the end.

Castle in the Ground is a painful, deliberate descent into addiction that is fueled by a stellar cast, complex characters, and a powerful story.

Watch it.