Weekend Watch – 8/5/16

Welcome to the Weekend Watch. Where we try to point you towards the best ways to spend your viewing time (or, at least, steer you clear of the garbage).

Movies

Suicide Squad

Loren: The early reviews are in and they are not good. We’re going to see this Friday night and will be covering it in detail on this week’s podcast, but it looks like this isn’t going to be the one to save the DCEU.

RDT: So, Wonder Woman looks pretty good, right?

Rick: Nope.

Jen: They’re really trying to make Harley Quinn happen, huh? I will give this a fair shake, from the trailer alone it looks like it could be fun, but so far the buzz isn’t too promising…


Nine Lives

Loren: Look, I like cats. Between The Lady™ and I we have 3. Yes, I know that’s a lot. However, that does not change the fact that this movie looks awful. Who has blackmail pictures over Christopher Walken, Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Garner, and Cheryl Hines? (I assume Robbie Amell would have done this movie for free.)

RDT: Loren, it’s only “a lot of cats” if they’re all just yours. Three cats between two people is fine. Three cats for one? Well, really, who am I to judge? I mean, we all get lonely sometimes. My apartment complex doesn’t allow pets (which apparently hasn’t stopped about ½ of my neighbors), so I don’t have a cat. I do have a life size body pillow shaped like…Anyway, yeah, that movie looks like shit.

Rick: Hey, actors have boat payments to make. Sometimes you have to do a talking cat movie to make them.

Jen: I’m allergic to cats. This trailer made me break out in hives. However, That ‘catscan’ joke, while predictable and necessary, did make me chuckle.


Little Men (Limited)  

Loren: I know I’m not typically the one that gets into these coming of age stories but there was something about this one that struck a chord. I think I like the idea of parents being people too. I probably won’t see this in the theater but it’ll go on the list.

RDT: This looks really good. It’ll go on the streaming list when it is available. (I have a lot on that list. Maybe I should actually start making it a list…?)

Rick: It’s been well-documented on this site that I’m a mark for coming of age stories. This looks like one of the stronger entries in the genre. I’ll give it a go.

Jen: Boys coming of age in New York? I’ve never seen that story on screen! This one does seem to differentiate itself with the adult storyline and how their lives impact their children’s. I might check it out when it’s streaming.


Five Nights In Maine (Limited)

Loren: Wow, that looks sad, and depressing, and sweet, and even a little sinister at the end there. I’m not sure what it is. Intriguing to say the least.

RDT: This looks tough. The cast is pretty great, but I feel like I’ll need to be in a very specific mood to give it a watch.

Rick: You ever get that rush of emotion when you see a great piece of art? I just had that. *adds to top of ‘to see’ list*

Jen: The cast is stellar, but sitting through two hours of grief, even with amazing performances, might be a bit much for me.


Front Cover

Loren: This is a tough one. I don’t think this movie is for me, but not because of the subject matter. It just doesn’t look all that good. Hmm, I guess it wasn’t that tough.

RDT: This looks like a super niche movie. And I’m glad it got made for those that want to see it. I’m just not sure I’m one of those people.

Rick: It looks rather sweet and it’ll resonate with the right audience. Not sure I’ll get around to seeing it, but I’m glad we’re getting more diversity in movies like this.

Jen: Well that looks cute. If gay Chinese romantic comedies were a thing in the 90s this would have been a huge hit. As it stands it appears both progressive and old-fashioned at the same time.


Let’s Be Evil (Limited)  

Loren: What a weird trailer. I was fine with it stealing the score from Stranger Things, but using Kids in America at the end was a very strange choice. Anyway, I liked the first person-ness and the way the FX looked, but this probably won’t be very good. I still want Google Glass though. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

RDT: **Scrolls down. Reads what Jen wrote.** Yeah. That!

Rick: Despite that ridiculous use of Kids in America that Loren cited, I’m still interested. Not entirely sure it’ll be any good, though. IFC Midnight’s releases tend to be a mixed bag, but the Ender’s Game-esque child training aspect feels unique for the horror genre.

Jen: I think I’m too old to understand this movie. So it’s like a video-game meets Children of the Corn? I’m out.


Bazodee (Limited)

Loren: This looks very clichéd and standard but with a very bright color palate. Needless to say I’ll probably skip it. (Though after reading Jen’s entry, read that now, ordering Indian and drinking rum sounds lovely.)

RDT: This looks gorgeous. Like, pretty. But yeah, probably not for me.

Rick: The cast looks like it has some charm, but it the rest seems entirely too predictable. Pass.

Jen: Something about the Bollywood meets Caribbean party vibe piqued my interest. This feels like a movie I would have watched at a slumber party in high school. Maybe I’ll order some Indian food, fix myself a rum punch and watch this streaming.


Sun Choke (Limited)

Loren: What the actual fuck girl from Freaks and Geeks? I’m not big on psychological torture movies. Pass.

RDT: No thank you.

Rick: Well, that’s certainly not fucking around, is it? Sign me up.

Jen: There’s a real Mommie Dearest thing happening here. I feel like I’ll see this playing in the background of a gay club in about two years. For now, I don’t need the nightmares.


TV/Netflix/Blu-Ray

The Little Prince  

Loren: This is finally coming out after what feels like years and it looks gorgeous. Couple that with an amazing voice cast and the fact that I loved the book when I was younger makes this a no brainer for me.

RDT: It made me sad when this was pulled so last minute. I’m glad Netflix picked it up. It’s definitely going in the queue, and will likely be watched this weekend.

Rick: I’m excited for this, but I’m at odds with the animation style. I like that they portray the worlds using different techniques. It’s a great storytelling mechanic. However, while the “Little Prince” sections have that wonderful handmade look, to me, the rest feels really over-exaggerated; like a step or two beyond the Pixar style. I find it offputting. I’m still planning on seeing this, but it might be tough to push past the look of the 3D material.

Jen: This looks great. I love the framing device and the different types of animation. This could be up there with the best of Pixar. I can’t wait.

 

So that’s your upcoming weekend in review. Let us know what you saw, liked and/or hated.

As always, you can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hollywoodpicturenews, or @HWPicNews on Twitter. And send in your questions/comments to questions@hollywoodpicturenews.com.

From Hollywood,

–Loren, RDT, Rick, and Jen

 

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