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!

Shadow of Violence Review: An Emotional Family Affair With Some Violence

Release date: July 31, 2020
Running time: 101minutes
Starring: Barry Keoghan, Niamh Algar, Cosmo Jarvis 

Douglas 'Arm' Armstrong (Jarvis) has become the feared enforcer for the drug-dealing Devers family.  He also tries to be a good father for his son, but is constantly drawn into violence due to his friendship with Dympna (Keoghan).  Torn between these two families, Arm's loyalties are tested when he is asked to kill for the first time.  

The Shadow of Violence is a serious, emotional acting trip.  Jarvis is convincing as Arm, who has to balance his violent job with his internal struggles and emotional turmoil.  He really portrays this character genuinely, showing a reservation for violence despite having an inate talent for it.  And some of the choices he is forced to make really show on his face.  Seriously, his conflicted character is really great to see and the depth he shows is wonderful after he is introduced as a meathead.  I also loved to see Barry Keoghan in this movie.  He has a penchant for taking on some messed up characters and Dympna is no different: a violent member of the Devers family who relies on Arm but wants to be viewed as a tough guy in his own right.  And Niamh Algar as the mother of Arm's child is emotional as well, doing a great job of portraying a struggling mother who loves her child and wants to leave this entire situation.

Shadow of Violence has some brutal scenes, but what struck me the most is the music in the film.  It has some amazing music that does a great job of emphasizing what is happening on screen.  There is strong club music during tense scenes; throbbing pounding music that helps to elevate the tension.  And there are more emotional tracks when needed.  And, most impressively, the music cuts out during some truly serious scenes, a fact that really showcases the emotional depth of this film.  And although the sound was a highlight, the violence in Shadow of Violence is brutal when it is in there.  Although there isn't a lot of it--the film is more focused on the characters and their predicament--it is definitely painful to watch when it is on.  And the threat of violence is just as effective as the violence in this film.  When someone seems like they're going to hurt someone, you tense up just as much as when they do.  And the story of Shadow of Violence--of a conflicted person who is dealing with his past choices, current circumstances, and future--is an emotional journey that you can't help but be affected by.

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. 

Watch it.