What to Watch This Weekend: Without Remorse, Tu Me Manques, Golden Arm, Limbo, Mitchell vs. Machines, Nomadland, Guns Akimbo, Marijuana Conspiracy

For Michael B. Jordan Action: Without Remorse (Amazon)
Without Remorse is a good action movie made great by Michael B. Jordan, some exciting effects and sound, and a story with plenty of intrigue.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Powerful Love Drama: Tu Me Manques (Digital)

Tu Me Manques is a beautiful, bittersweet, and poignant look into love, the need to be yourself, and the homosexual stigma in Latino culture.  For more information, check out the review!

For An Over-the-Top Sports Comedy: Golden Arm (Theaters and Digital)

Golden Arm flexes its movie biceps with its over the top characters, fun cameos, and strong female protagonists, making for a golden opportunity for a good time!  For more information, check out the review! 

For A Subdued and Entertaining Refugee Drama: Limbo (Hulu)

Limbo uses its stylish, subdued cinematography and stoic performances to tell a poignant and utterly entertaining tale that both entertains, humanizes, and provides biting commentary about the refugee experience.  For more information, check out our review!

For A Hilarious Family Trip: The Mitchells vs. The Machines (Netflix)

The Mitchells vs. The Machines is a modern animated film, with a great use of memes and internet culture, laugh out loud moments, and a story that has #allthefeels.   For more information, check out the review!

For Those Longing To Go Outside: Nomadland (Redbox and Hulu)
Nomadland highlights a different, beautiful lifestyle with a very human performance by McDormand, amazing cinematography, and a wonderful sense of community.  For more information, check out the review!

For The Gamer In Your Life: Guns Akimbo (Amazon)

Guns Akimbo is a thoroughly enjoyable video game-style movie with a ridiculously entertaining premise and plenty of video game effects and references to make sure you don’t say game over.  For more information, check out our review!

For Those Looking For A Drama Based on A True Story: The Marijuana Conspiracy (Digital)
Critically panned but with good reviews, Kin is not a great movie, but it is an enjoyable science fiction film with some fresh new talent.  For more information, check out the review!

Screening: Limbo Tonight (4/29) at 7:30 PM ET

We would like to invite you to a 

VIRTUAL SCREENING 

of Focus Features' Upcoming Release 

LIMBO 

Tonight, Thursday, April 29th at 7:30PM EST 

LIMBO is a wry and poignant observation of the refugee experience, set on a fictional remote Scottish island, where a group of new arrivals await the results of their asylum claims. It centers on Omar (El-Masry), a young Syrian musician who is burdened by his grandfather’s oud, which he has carried all the way from his homeland. 

Director: Ben Sharrock 

Producers: Irune Gurtubai and Angus Lamont 

Cast: Amir El-Masry, Vikash Bhai, Ola Orebiyi, Kwabena Ansah, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Kais Nashif. 

  

Running Time: 104 minutes 

Genre:  Drama/Comedy 

RSVP HERE: http://focusfeaturesscreenings.com/FLASHTIXDC 

Interview: Ben Sharrock, writer and director of Limbo, An Indie Serious Comedy About Friendship and Refugees

Ben Sharrock, writer and director of Limbo, discusses his inspiration for the film, how he found his cast, and why the film was shot in a 4:3 aspect ration. We also discuss what releasing his second film has been like and his plans for a third film! So give it a watch and make sure to check out Limbo in theaters on April 30, 2021! Director: Ben Sharrock Cast: Amir El-Masry, Vikash Bhai, Ola Orebiyi, Kwabena Ansah, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Kais Nashif Synopsis: Limbo is a wry and poignant observation of the refugee experience, set on a fictional remote Scottish island, where a group of new arrivals await the results of their asylum claims. It centers on Omar (El-Masry), a young Syrian musician who is burdened by his grandfather’s oud, a Syrian musical instrument, which he has carried all the way from his homeland.

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Interview: Vikash Bhai (Farhad) of Limbo, Indie Serious Comedy About Friendship and Humanizing Refugees

Vikash Bhai, who plays Farhad in Limbo, discusses the film, how hard he worked for this role, and what an amazing experience the filming was. We also discuss the longest he has been stuck somewhere, if he's ever owned a chicken, and if he has played the game Limbo. So give it a watch and make sure to check out Limbo in theaters on April 30, 2021! Director: Ben Sharrock Cast: Amir El-Masry, Vikash Bhai, Ola Orebiyi, Kwabena Ansah, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Kais Nashif Synopsis: Limbo is a wry and poignant observation of the refugee experience, set on a fictional remote Scottish island, where a group of new arrivals await the results of their asylum claims. It centers on Omar (El-Masry), a young Syrian musician who is burdened by his grandfather’s oud, a Syrian musical instrument, which he has carried all the way from his homeland.

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Limbo Review: A Subdued and Utterly Entertaining Commentary on the Refugee Experience

Release date: April 30, 2021
Running time: 104 minutes        
Written and Directed By: Ben Sharrock
Starring:  Amir El-Masry, Vikash Bhai, Kwabena Ansah, Ola Orebiyi

Limbo is a wry and poignant observation of the refugee experience, set on a fictional remote Scottish island, where a group of new arrivals await the results of their asylum claims. It centers on Omar (El-Masry), a young Syrian musician who is burdened by his grandfather’s oud, a Syrian musical instrument, which he has carried all the way from his homeland. 

Limbo has overtones of Napoleon Dynamite, with it's dry but so funny comedic style and its muted performances.  The film has a phenomenal cast that can tell so much without saying a lot.  The movie has sharp, funny writing, but the delivery and expressions of the performers are what really sells the humor.  El-Masry as Omar is a joy to watch, despite the fact that he rarely expresses joy.  His performance is stoic, realistic, and so wonderfully dry that you can't help but appreciate it.  And Omar is joined by his roommate, now friend, Farhad (Bhai) who has a similarly stoic performance.  Some of the funniest scenes in the film are his dead serious delivery of some very funny observations.  And the other members of his flat provide additional humor, with some more emotion and argument between these brothers with very different dreams. 

And Limbo has such an amazing style that it is tough to describe.  The film is set against the bleak Scottish countryside, but uses this to full advantage.  The cinematography captures some absolutely beautiful scenes in this fairly monotone landscape.  And shot choice and camera work are absolutely stunning despite capturing fairly drab settings.  The movie has splashes of muted color to really sell this, and little touches to make sure you appreciate the beauty in this strange setting.  And this is accompanied by some equally engrossing sound.  But again, this sound is so well done but is often impressive in its restraint.  The sound transports you there, with a bleak quietness and muted quality when needed, and howling, harsh environmental sounds when appropriate.  The sound draws you in and makes you feel that much more engrossed in this whole story.  And these all contribute to the feeling of the refugees, the harsh, boring isolation of their day to day experience.  

Limbo stands out with its serious performances but unrelenting humor.  The film focuses on the refugee experience, with all the good and bad that comes with it.  Although there are plenty of negatives associated with that, such as racism, poor living conditions, endless bureaucracy, and a lack of basic services, Limbo also highlights some of the good, such as the friendships that can develop or the dreams of those seeking asylum.  It uses this wonderful style to tell this story, one that will have you thinking and laughing at an absurd representation of what are likely realistic absurdities.  And the film is so special because it does this; provides biting, painful observations about our refugee system while still providing smiles and entertainment.  And it also succeeds in humanizing those that are often just a statistic.  It gives you insight into the diversity and dreams of these people, and lets you see them as friends, potential neighbors, and ultimately human beings.

Limbo uses its stylish, subdued cinematography and stoic performances to tell a poignant and utterly entertaining tale that both entertains, humanizes, and provides biting commentary about the refugee experience.

Watch it.

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following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. Limbo is available in theaters on April 30, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

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