What to Watch This Weekend: I Met a Girl, The Devil All The Time, Sword of God, Trolls World Tour, Queen & Slim, Burnt Orange Heresy, #Alive, Fighting With My Family

For The Hopeless Romantic -  I Met A Girl (Digital)

I Met A Girl has a moving performance by its charismatic lead, a wonderful bright style, and plenty of highs and lows in this story about love and mental illness.  For more information, check out our review!

For The Religious Fan of Great Actors - The Devil All The Time (Netflix)

The Devil All The Time has amazing performances, deep characters, and tempts you with its exploration of faith, religion, and choice.  For more information, check out our review!

For Devout Horror Fan - Sword of God

Sword of God is a devoutly atmospheric masterpiece, with an amazing setting, wonderful, immersive effects and costumes, and an otherworldly aesthetic that will have you praying for more.  For more information, check out our review!

For The Horror Survival Fan - #Alive (Netflix)

This Korean zombie drama offers a refreshing take on the zombie isolation horror.  As a lot of people are isolating for other reasons, this film is a sign of life in the genre.

 

For The Wrestling Fan - Fighting With My Family (Amazon)

Fighting With My Family gives you a heartwarming story, filled with thoroughly enjoyable characters and action, that takes some creative liberties but still tells a solid tale.  For more information, check out our review!

For The Kids - Trolls World Tour (Hulu)

Trolls World Tour keeps the same style and characters that made the first movie a surprise hit, and adds a bunch of new and interesting music trolls and locations to the band, while also providing an avenue to talk to your kids about diversity and tolerance.  For more information, check out our review!

For The Dramatic Art Student - The Burnt Orange Heresy (Redbox)

The Burnt Orange Heresy paints an interesting picture, with fantastic performances and some very good writing, but the overall experience is hurt by a story that goes off the rails.  For more information, check out our review!

For A Realistic Take On The Black Experience - Queen & Slim (HBO)

Queen & Slim gives a window into racial injustice in America, told through stellar performances, strong writing, and a commitment to realism that preaches a powerful message.  For more information, check out our review!

What to Watch This Weekend: June 5, 2020

This past week, the world has come together in unity to protest racial inequality behind the movement of #Blacklivematters.  We have seen people go to the streets and protest for the notion that black lives do in fact matter and that systemic racism is a very real problem in our society.  Due to their efforts, the country and the world are focused on an issue that is often ignored in our current society.  This has happened despite an unprecedented pandemic and economic slowdown.  In order to help raise awareness of systemic racism and the very real problems that our black brothers and sisters experience on a day-to-day basis, here is a selection of recommended movies that highlight this inequality.  For those that experience these injustices on a day-to-day basis, these films are a powerful reminder of everything that the current protests are fighting against.  And for those that have not grown up experiencing these racial biases, seeing these injustices--if only for a brief moment--is important to try and understand the perspective of our friends and neighbors, and in some way try to empathize with the anger and frustration that has led to these recent protests.

Queen & Slim (Redbox, Digital Rental / Purchase)
Queen & Slim takes a very real--and unfortunately increasingly common in America today--situation and builds an eye opening, empowering Bonnie and Clyde-esque movie around it.  It gives a window into racial injustice in America, told through stellar performances, strong writing, and a commitment to realism that preaches a powerful message.

Just Mercy (Redbox, Free Digital Rental, or Purchase)
Just Mercy is an inspiring, timely, and sadly appropriate movie for our times.  It has Oscar-worthy acting, amazing cinematography, and tells an important story about injustice and the disparity in the criminal justice system that that doesn't leave a heart untouched or an eye dry at its conclusion.

The Banker (Apple TV+)
The Banker tells an important, timely story about inequalities in the 1950s and 1960s that made it nearly impossible for African Americans to become landowners.  This story has great charisma between its stars and manages to entertain while educating about complex issues.

Blindspotting (HBOMAX)
Blindspotting blends buddy comedy with powerful social commentary to tell another story of race in our country.  It highlights that inequal justice in our country can be based on skin color, and how that system can target one individual and affect their lives.

Fruitvale Station (Tubi)
Fruitvale Station tells the story of Oscar Grant, a young black man who was shot by a police officer at a Bart station on New Years Day in 2009.  This shooting shook the nation, and seeing Oscar's day and his plans to change his life make his death all the more tragic.

The 13th (Netflix)
This thought-provoking documentary has scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.  It is a wonderfully crafted documentary that balances insights from talking heads with painful archival footage.

If Beale Street Could Talk (Hulu)
If Beale Street Could Talk is another painful look at the justice system and the inequal administration of that justice.  The popular play turned movie has powerful performances and artistic cinematography that only heighten the sense of injustice portrayed in this wonderful film.

Do The Right Thing (Digital Rental / Purchase)
Spike Lee's classic movie about racial tension was controversial when it came out and is sadly still relevant today.  Although it has aged, the nerves it touches are still exposed and painful.

Selma (Free Digital Rental)
The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. Selma draws inspiration and dramatic power from the life and death of King, but doesn't ignore how far we remain from the ideals his work embodied.

Deal: June 4, 2020 Movie Deals

Get some classic Spider-Man movies in 4K for $5, or some recent Spider-Man and other hit movies including Queen & Slim or Harriet in 4K for $8. All movies are Movies Anywhere so they will port to your linked accounts.

Digital Movie Deals (Movies Anywhere)

• Downton Abbey (4K) - $7.99
• FandangoNOW
• iTunes
• Harriet (4K) - $7.99
• FandangoNOW
• iTunes
• Queen and Slim (4K) - $7.99
• FandangoNOW
• iTunes
• Spider-Man Movies and Bundles [microsoft.com]
• Spider-Man (4K) - $4.99 [microsoft.com]
• Spider-Man 2 (4K) - $4.99 [microsoft.com]
• Spider-Man 3 (4K) - $4.99 [microsoft.com]
• Amazing Spider-Man (4K) - $4.99 [microsoft.com]
• Spider-Man: Homecoming (4K) - $7.99 [microsoft.com]
• Spider-Man: Far From Home (4K) - $8.99 [microsoft.com]
• Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse (4K) - $8.99 [microsoft.com]
• Venom (4K) - $7.99 [microsoft.com]
• Venom + Spider-Man: Homecoming (4K) - $12.99 [microsoft.com]
• Spider-Man: Homecoming + Spider-Man: Far From Home (4K) - $14.99 [microsoft.com]

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What to Watch This Weekend: March 6, 2020

In Theaters: Onward

Onward will cast a charm spell on you with its wonderful cast, beautiful animation, and story that has all the heart and magic we have come to expect from Pixar.  For more information, check out our review!

In Theaters: The Way Back

The Way Back is a slam dunk, with a passionate and authentic performance by Ben Affleck that scores with drama and an inspiring message.  For more information, check out our review!

At Redbox: Queen & Slim

Queen & Slim gives a window into racial injustice in America, told through stellar performances, strong writing, and a commitment to realism that preaches a powerful message.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Disney+): Black Panther

Black Panther is finally on Disney+, so make sure to watch it to to prepare yourself for the sequel (coming in 2022).  The film is essential watching for the MCU but also has a fantastic blend of super hero themes with African inspired visuals.  It is truly a celebration of all things super!

Streaming (HBO): Alita: Battle Angel

Alita: Battle Angel is a special effects force; the animation and sound are awe-inspiring, and the effort that the filmmakers went to to realize this world is great to see.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): Good Time
Robert Pattinson's earlier serious movie that showcased his acting talent and and shed some of the Twilight typecasting is on Netflix.  This film has universal critical and audience acclaim and much of that is due to Pattinson's performance.  Check it out to get a sense of the actor who is set to play Batman in the next movies!

What to Watch This Weekend: December 6, 2019

In Theaters: Queen & Slim

Queen & Slim gives a window into racial injustice in America, told through stellar performances, strong writing, and a commitment to realism that preaches a powerful message.   For more information, check out our review!

In Theaters: Commando 3

Commando 3 is an exciting action movie with a charismatic lead, a superb cast, intense action sequences, and a strong message.  For more information, check out our review!

At Redbox: Ready or Not

Ready or Not tells a twisted tale with plenty of dark humor.  The setting is fantastic, the imagery feels authentic, and the performances give this deadly game a unique charm that will make you want to play again.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (HBO): Shazam!

Shazam! is a fun comic book movie that has a light-hearted tone, a fun story, and great special effects.  It was great in theaters and should not be missed on streaming. 

Streaming (Netflix): Marriage Story

Marriage Story has stellar reviews and is coming to streaming this weekend.  It is a beautiful and at times painful look at a couple's divorce, highlighting some of the aspects that are not talked about but can be the most painful to experience.  

Review: Queen & Slim

Release date: November 27, 2019
Running time: 132 minutes
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine 

Queen & Slim takes a very real--and unfortunately increasingly common in America today--situation and builds an eye opening, empowering Bonnie and Clyde-esque movie around it.  Good-natured young man Slim (Kaluuya) and attorney Queen (Turner-Smith) have an awkward first date and are about to call it a night when they are pulled over.  After a series of very human responses to some ridiculous questions from the officer, the cop then puts them in a situation that forces them to go on the run.  Their resulting journey is the main thrust of this movie and tells a tale of injustice and public perception that is all too common today.  

It is important that movies like Queen & Slim are made.  Personally, I am not afraid that I will get pulled over when I am driving simply because of how I look and I also am not concerned that people are judging me based on the color of my skin.  Movies like Queen & Slim not only give those who have no experiences with the types of injustices portrayed in the movie a window into what that can look like, but it also tells a story that focuses on black culture in America.  What Queen & Slim does so amazingly is that the story is 100% believable.  The situations portrayed in the film, both the initial one and the resulting escape from the law are not stylized in the way that Hollywood normally would.  There are no larger than life scenes or profound realizations, the movie simply gives those viewers a look into the complications that young black individuals face on a daily basis.  And it does so in a way that highlights the injustices and focuses on how that affects regular people.

Queen & Slim is well-written, with a very believable story line.  Director Melina Matsoukas crafted two very different main characters that feel like complete people, with all the complications and emotions that that brings.  Kaluuya and Turner-Smith complement each other perfectly throughout, and they go all in for their characters.  Some of the best moments are not even lines, just facial reactions that Kaluuya does perfectly.  All the good and bad decisions that occur in this film feel real and it allows the audience a greater view into this complicated situation.  

Queen & Slim gives a window into racial injustice in America, told through stellar performances, strong writing, and a commitment to realism that preaches a powerful message. 

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