What to Watch This Weekend: July 31, 2020

The Poignant Family Drama: Ice Cream in the Cupboard (Digital)

Ice Cream in the Cupboard ultimately depicts a beautiful relationship, even if you have to view it through a painful lense.  It is touching, beautiful, and brutal and should not be missed.  For more information, check out our review!

The Quarantine Zoom Horror Movie: Host (Shudder)
Host dials in the scares with a clever use of technology, references to the current predicament, and enough jump scares to keep you from dropping out of this zoom meeting.  For more information, check out our review!

The Modern Political Thriller: The Hater (Netflix)

The Hater explores a timely issue with an amazing performance by Musialowski, stellar sound design, and a dark, engaging story.  Make sure to Like this one!  For more information, check out our review!

The Scary Weekend Getaway: The Beach House (Shudder)

It may not be a perfect time to do a beach trip, but The Beach House is a great way to spend your afternoon with its strong performances and many explanations for this impending threat.  For more information, check out our review!

The Emotional And Violent Family Affair: The Shadow of Violence (Digital)

Shadow of Violence is an emotional tour de force, with great characters, a powerful, impactful soundtrack, and a story that hits you early and hard.  For more information, check out our review!

The Atmospheric Horror Movie: Amulet (Digital)

Amulet tells a strange tale through its amazing sense of dread, unsettling sound effects, and simmering, complex story.  It won't be for everyone but there is plenty here for those looking for an atmospheric horror experience to appreciate.  For more information, check out our review!

The Documentary That Goes On A Rampage: Tread (Netflix)

Tread tells the story of Marvin Heemeyer, a master welder who quietly fortifies a bulldozer and systematically destroys numerous businesses and homes in the small mountain town of Granby, Colorado.  The man basically built himself a tank and went on a rampage.

The Edward Norton Crime Thriller: Motherless Brooklyn (HBO)

Motherless Brooklyn is an experience, with a fantastic setting that captures the lights, sounds, and soul of 1950’s New York and fills it with a cast of interesting characters to meet along the way.  For more information, check out our review!

Scoob! (Redbox)
Scoob! tries to play on the nostalgia for the franchise and if it would have stuck to this, it might have been an entertaining reboot of the Scooby Doo franchise.  For more information, check out our story!

Deal: 50% off Golden Globe Nominated Movies on FandangoNOW

FandangoNOW has a good deal on some recent movies!  If you enter code GLOBES2020 here, you can get 50% off on select Golden Globe nominee films.  You can redeem the code and use it on multiple qualifying movies through Sunday, 12/15.  You have less than a week to participate, but there are some really good options!  

A full list of qualifying movies is available here, but here is a list of some good deals that are also MoviesAnywhere compatable (meaning that they will port over to your linked accounts):

• Motherless Brooklyn 4K $10
• Missing Link 4K $6
• Parasite 4K $7.50
• Booksmart 4K $6
• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 4K $10
• Where'd You Go Bernadette 4K $7.50
• Joker 4K $10
• Ford v Ferrari 4K $10
• Jojo Rabbit 4K $10
• Frozen 2 4K $12.50
• Harriet 4K $7.50
• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood 4K $7.50

Notable non-MoviesAnywhere Deals (these will ONLY play in FandangoNOW):

• The Farewell 4K $7.50
• Knives Out 4K $10

Thanks to Slickdeals for the original post of this deal. 

What to Watch This Weekend: November 1, 2019

In Theaters: Motherless Brooklyn

Motherless Brooklyn is an experience, with a fantastic setting that captures the lights, sounds, and soul of 1950’s New York and fills it with a cast of interesting characters to meet along the way.  For more information, check out our review!

In Theaters: Saand Ki Aankh
Saand Ki Ankh is an inspirational movie about women finding their passion regardless of their age.  It has a great cast and an amazing story, and teaches lessons that are on target!  For more information, check out our review!

At Redbox: The Lion King

The Lion King didn't feel like it needed to be made, but for fans of the original or those that have never seen it, it provides a faithful remake with some modern twists.  The CG is amazing to behold and the story is still as good as ever. 

Streaming (HBO): Greta
Keep that Halloween spirit going with Greta, a cautionary tale about a caring young lady and a needy, but demented grandmother.  It is a suspenseful take that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout.  

Streaming (Amazon): The Witch
Another Halloween offering to enjoy before we move into Pumpkin Spice and Holiday season, the witch is an atmospheric film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is creepy, mystical, and builds the suspense throughout.

Review: Motherless Brooklyn

Release date: November 1, 2019
Running time: 144 minutes
Starring: Stars: Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Dallas Roberts 

Directed, written, and produced by Edward Norton, “Motherless Brooklyn” (which is loosely based on Jonathan Lethem's 1999 novel) follows Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton), a lonely private detective living with Tourette’s syndrome and OCD.  Essrog’s journeys through New York takes him from the jazz clubs in Harlem to the hard-edged slums of Brooklyn and, finally, into the gilded halls of New York's power brokers looking for clues to solve the murder of his only friend, mentor and boss Frank Minna (Bruce Willis). Lionel is convinced that Frank was on the verge of exposing corruption within the inner city hall leaders before his death. During this journey Lionel is helped and hindered by a variety of characters including Moses Randolph (Alec Baldwin), a pessimistic titan in the world of development who looks to take New York into the next generation of urban planning by any means necessary. Also he meetings a community activist Laura Rose (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) whose life is being affected by Minna’s development.


Motherless Brooklyn wasn't just a movie but an experience.  The filmmakers went all out to establish this world, including an amazing score—with an original song by Thom Yorke—and art that totally captures the essence of New York City in the 1950's. This movie was also brimming with activity, from the very rich soul of the jazz clubs to bright New York City night lights and ambitious residences trying to stop its corrupt politics.  With such a star studded cast, Edward Norton is without a doubt the highlight with his portrayal of a character with Tourette’s syndrome.  And although this condition isn't a laughing matter, he truly give the audience someone they can enjoy rather than being uncomfortable which is a brilliant life lesson. The dialogue in the movie not only provides tons of laughs but also tons of perspective about power and abuse of power in how it effects others.  One speech especially at the end of the movie is a real hard pill to swallow.

If there’s one complaint about this movie, it’s that Lionnel’s journey is a long one. The movie is well over two hours long, which might be too much for some viewers. And much of that time is spent with Lionel; i wish there was a little more screen time for the other interesting characters that we meet.  But that being said, if you are a fan of crime, mystery and drama, this movie will have you putting on your detective hat to looking for clues, putting pieces of the puzzle together, waiting to make the big bust!

Motherless Brooklyn is an experience, with a fantastic setting that captures the lights, sounds, and soul of 1950’s New York and fills it with a cast of interesting characters to meet along the way.

Watch it

Screening: MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN

MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN

In theaters November 1

Rated R for language throughout including some sexual references, brief drug use, and violence

Run time: 2 hours, 24 mins

www.motherlessbrooklynfilm.com

Cast: Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Willem Dafoe, Bobby Cannavale, Leslie Mann, Fisher Stevens, Cherry Jones, Michael K. Williams, Robert Wisdom, Josh Pais, Alec Baldwin

Director: Edward Norton

Drama. Set against the backdrop of 1950s New York, “Motherless Brooklyn” follows Lionel Essrog (Norton), a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette's Syndrome, as he ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna (Willis). Armed only with a few clues and the powerful engine of his obsessive mind, Lionel unravels closely-guarded secrets that hold the fate of the whole city in the balance. In a mystery that carries him from ginsoaked jazz clubs in Harlem to the hard-edged slums of Brooklyn and, finally, into the gilded halls of New York's power brokers, Lionel contends with thugs, corruption and the most dangerous man in the city to honor his friend and save the woman who might be his own salvation.

Screening Details:

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28—7:00pm

AMC Mazza Gallerie

5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC

Screening Link: http://www.wbtickets.com/BjajM03417

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As always, screenings are first-come, first-served so please arrive early to ensure you get a seat.