What to Watch This Weekend: June 26, 2020

Political Comedy: Irresistible (Home Rental)

Irresistible will make you laugh, cringe, and think a lot about our political system, in this hilarious dark comedy that sheds a satirical light on our political process.  For more information, check out our review!

Irreverent Relationship Comedy: aTypical Wednesday (Digital)
aTypical Wednesday is an irreverent, original, and fresh comedy that takes J. Lee on a journey of self discovery that will have you rooting for and learning from him while laughing out loud.  For more information, check out our review!

Hilarious Musical Comedy: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Netflix)

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is a classic return to form of the Will Ferrell buddy comedy, with great exaggerated characters, laugh out loud moments, and plenty of heart and talent underneath the ridiculous exterior.  For more information, check out our review!

For The Kids: Scoob! (HBO Max)
Scoob! is an entertaining animated reboot of the original television series.  It makes small updates but keeps much of what made the original show an enjoyable watch.  And it is now free to stream on HBO Max!

For The Older Kids: My Spy (Amazon Prime)
My Spy pits Bautista against his greatest challenge--a 9 year old girl--leading to some hilarious scenarios and heartwarming situations.  However, parents should be warned that this film has a little too much violence and language for young kids.  For more information, check out our review!

Anime: A Whisker Away (Netflix)
A Whisker Away is a beautifully animated Japanese film with strong characters, an interesting story, and plenty of raw emotion.  For more information, check out our review!

Anime: Okko's Inn (Netflix)
Okko's Inn is a beautiful, charming anime with bright, colorful animation, an interesting ensemble of characters, and good life lessons.  For more information, check out our review!

Serious Suspenseful Horror: The Lodge (Hulu)
The Lodge is a suspenseful masterpiece, whose visuals, sounds, and story will keep you on edge from start to finish.  For more information, check out our review!

Dark Comedy: Ready or Not (HBO)
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!

What to Watch This Weekend: May 29, 2020

Home Rental: The High Note
The High Note is a phenomenal feel good musical drama with fantastic characters, a story with plenty of surprises, and a soulful, wonderful soundtrack that will stay in your head long after the credits roll.  For more information, check out our review!

Redbox: The Invisible Man

The Invisible Man is a new take on the classic film, with great, minimalist effects, wonderful tension, and an amazing performance by Elisabeth Moss.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: Raising Buchanan

Raising Buchanan's dry sense of humor, wonderful cast, and quirky premise will steal your heart as you enjoy this presidential crime caper.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: I Will Make You Mine
I Will Make You Mine is a beautiful blend of art and music with a bold style, great characters, and an authentic realism to its music that must be heard to believe!  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): Space Force
Space Force has Steve Carell returning to his comedic roots, along with a fantastic cast and plenty of humor in this high flying, hilarious series.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): Betaal

Betaal is a Hindi zombie series with the production values you expect from Blumhouse, featuring good horror effects, a palatable sense of suspense, and a fantastic cast!  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): Uncut Gems

Adam Sandler's fantastic return to serious roles is a diamond in the rough!  Uncut Gems is complex, with enough facets to allow its fantastic characters to sparkle brightly.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Amazon): After We Leave

After We Leave is a fresh first effort from writer / director Aleem Hossain, with a minimalist style, fresh perspective, and amazing score that elevates this film.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (HBO): Happy Death Day 2U
The sequel to the surprisingly good horror / comedy original, Happy Death Day 2U follows the events of the first movie with another killer loop that gets even more ridiculous than the first.  Tree is forced to make some very difficult choices as she tries to stay alive long enough to solve yet another groundhog day death trap.

Streaming (HBO): 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!

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.  

What to Watch This Weekend: August 30, 2019

In Theaters: Ready or Not
Out review said that “Ready or Not tells a twisted tale with plenty of dark humor.”  The movie actually came out last week, but it is still my favorite of the recent releases and definitely worth a watch.  

In Theaters (Bonus): The Matrix
The Matrix is coming back to theaters for limited time starring this weekend. Go catch this classic on the big screen and relive this revolutionary film.

At Redbox: Rocketman
Our review said that “Rocketman is a spectacle with fantastic music and a phenomenal performance by Taron Egerton.” If you missed it in theaters, make sure to grab it from Redbox!

Streaming (Showtime): Peppermint
Jennifer Garner makes her action debut as a mom out for revenge.  The movie has a very Man on Fire vibe and seeing Garner in a different role is fun to watch.

Streaming (Amazon): Juliet, Naked
This heartwarming romantic comedy stars Rose Bryne and Ethan Hawks as an unlikely when Bryne develops a transatlantic relationship with Hawks, a once famous but now washed-up musician.

Review: Ready or Not

Release date: August 21, 2019
Running time: 95 minutes
Starring:  Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O'Brien 

Ready or not, here it comes. Ready or Not is a new thriller with dark comedy elements that depicts a deadly game of hide and seek. When new bride Grace learns of her in-law’s family tradition of playing a game on any family member's wedding night, she thinks it’s a silly ritual but plays along to appease them. However, after the game begins, she quickly learns that there is more than her new parents approval on the line.

The first thing you notice about Ready or Not is the imagery.  The film is set in a classic estate with all the creepy touches that you would expect: secret passages, hidden elevators, and medieval weapons abound.  Additionally, because the family acquired its money from early century board games, the film does a fantastic job of evoking that feel.  The board games and images are beautifully illustrated and feel like they were plucked from the 1920s, as does a special song that plays during the movie. The film really nails this setting and it helps to transport you into this twisted house and its deadly game.  This transformation is further assisted by some stellar performances, most notably from Samara Weaving and Adam Brody.  Weaving is captivating as the new bride thrust into a strange situation and Brody is refreshing to watch.  And finally, the film is compact and doesn't overstay its welcome.

For a film that was marketed more on the horror side, there is a lot of dark humor throughout.  There are several jokes with multiple meanings, and some pretty gruesome imagery used for laughs.  This might be off putting to some, but I really enjoyed it and thought it gave the film a unique charm.  Think Clue but more gruesome.  Additionally, some of the characters become slightly ridiculous towards the end of the film, and one person’s transitions seems out of character.  But if you can get past these minor issues and your humor strays on the darker side, then you will love this movie.

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.  

Watch it

Screening: READY OR NOT

READY OR NOT

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtYTwUxhAoI

Release Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Starring: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien, with Henry Czerny and Andie MacDowell

Directed by: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett

Written by: Guy Busick & R. Christopher Murphy 

Produced By: Tripp Vinson, James Vanderbilt, William Sherak, Bradley J. Fischer

READY OR NOT follows a young bride (Samara Weaving) as she joins her new husband’s (Mark O’Brien) rich, eccentric family (Adam Brody, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell) in a time-honored tradition that turns into a lethal game with everyone fighting for their survival. 

Screening Details:

Monday, August 19th  

AMC Mazza Gallerie

7:00pm

How to Enter:

If you would like to enter for an admit-two pass, please:

1. Like and Follow Watch or Pass on Facebook and Twitter.

2. Grab passes from the screening link: http://www.foxsearchlightscreenings.com/bsmmW64241

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

Be sure to Like and Follow Watch or Pass so you don't miss out on future screenings and share with your friends!