Weekend Watch – 2/17/17

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

The Great Wall

Loren: At first you’re like, oh ok a semi-historical, slightly white washed story about a battle at The Great Wall of Chi…. WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING!?!?!? WHY ARE THERE BABY DRAGONS!?!?! SAVE ME MATT DAMON!!!!!

RDT: Curiosity will get me to see this eventually, but, unless reviews are phenomenal (and they aren’t so far), it won’t be in theaters.

Rick: Hello, US Audiences! Welcome to the weird Chinese genre of Wuxia fantasy films! To make this over the top, dragon-filled, Chinese-centric story more palatable (and potentially profitable) to a larger audience, we’ve added a little Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe! In all seriousness, though: Wuxia movies have been around basically since the dawn of Chinese cinema and have only gotten more fantastical as the genre has matured. The films that are more fantasy driven are definitely niche, and their budgets often times have a hard time supporting their ambitions. Whitewashed or not, from a business standpoint, this is a logical way to try and expose this type of film to a broader audience. And, honestly, this looks to be more an ensemble piece than something like The Last Samurai, so bonus points for that. I don’t know that I’ll catch this in theaters, but I may give it a curiosity spin on home video.

Jen: The gents seem to have a lot to say about this movie. Which makes me feel better since all I was going to say was: uh, nope.


Fist Fight

Loren: 

RDT: IFC boo comedy bang bang thumbs down cbbtv

Rick: reaction no nope no way tracy morgan

Jen:  filmeditor mean girls lindsay lohan mean girls movie cady heron


A Cure for Wellness

Loren: What. Just. Happened? It’s like Shutter Island meets Cosmopolis meets the first episode of Legion meets Dane Dehaan. But like, a good version of all that.

RDT: Curiosity will get me to see this eventually, but, unless reviews are phenomenal (and they aren’t so far), it won’t be in theaters.

Rick: Gore Verbinski is no stranger to horror movies, having crafted a top notch hit right out of the gate with his remake of The Ring. I’m looking forward to finding out exactly what the hell is going on in this movie.

Jen: This looks like about 100 movies I have seen before. But I liked all of those 100 movies. So I’ll give this a go.


Everybody Loves Somebody (Limited)

Loren: This is not my kind of movie. It looks ok I guess, just not for me.

RDT: Looks cute. I look forward to the American remake starring….Dakota Johnson…and….James Marsden….sure.

Rick: I was hoping that this trailer would eventually set up a gentlemanly duel between the two suitors. I think I’ve been watching too much Taboo

Jen: Aw, adorable. I’m not an adorable rom-com type of gal, but if I was, this would be something I watched on a rainy Sunday, drinking wine and eating take-out on my couch.


Lovesong (Limited)

Loren: This looks pretty solid. I enjoy Jena Malone but the other lead, whom I’m too lazy to look up, looks like she steals the show.

RDT: Riley Keough, Loren. Her name is literally in the trailer. Anyway, seeing Jena Malone as a redhead makes me think she might have actually been a pretty good Barbara Gordon in The Legal Proceeding, or really any DCEU flick. Anywho, yeah, this looks pretty good, I guess. I’ll give it a watch at some point, I’m sure.

Rick: I don’t love this trailer (the poppy song that dominates kills it for me), but I’m interested in the journey. Putting it on the list.

Jen: The leads look great, I would give this a watch.


In Dubious Battle (Limited)

Loren: That’s a hell of a cast for a James Franco directed adaptation of a John Steinbeck novel. I’m curious.

RDT: I have yet to see a James Franco-directed movie. Will this be the first? **shrugs** Dunno.

Rick: I feel like James Franco keeps showing up in movies like Why Him? so he can try his hand at things like this. Franco is no slouch in the director’s chair. He’s been doing it on and off for about seven years and, even if his films don’t pull in tons of acclaim, he manages to wring strong performances from his cast. As evidenced here, he also doesn’t have a problem gathering top-tier talent. I’ll give this a go.

Jen: James Franco seems to have a strong knack for literature adaptations, so this could be good. It’s not at the top of my list, but I could see myself checking it out down the road if the reviews are good.


XX (Limited)

Loren: That looks terrifying. I love it. I probably won’t see this in the theater but I’ll definitely check it out down the road. Maybe at Rick’s house. I’m just assuming he’s going to pick this one up.

RDT: Not for me, unless I end up watching it from Rick’s kitchen.

Rick: I love that the horror anthology film has had a resurgence in popularity in the last few years. It’s a great way for any fan to uncover and digest a lot of new talent in one go. While they can be a mixed bag, you’re more than likely going to come away with at least one entry sticking in your mind after the lights come up. Having four talented women taking on writing and directing duties gives me hope that this will give the genre the creative boost it most sorely needs.

Jen: So this has nothing to do with Vin Diesel, right? This looks creepy and kind of awesome. Not jump scare/slasher-style, but the true psychological horror that stays with you. Nice.


You’re Killing Me, Susana (Limited)

Loren: Meh.

RDT: Susana can kill me, if she wants. Zing! (Sorry, I’ll leave now….the movie does look kinda cute though….)

Rick: *noises of uncertainty*

Jen: In light of the current political climate some of this hits uncomfortably close to home.


American Fable (Limited)

Loren: Whoa, what a fascinating mix of horror and fantasy and in a completely new setting of the modern American farm. Just fascinating.

RDT: I stopped watching that trailer a minute in. I don’t want to know anything else. I just want to see it.

Rick: Looks like a good week for scary movies, though I can’t help but see a lot of the Faun from Pan’s Labyrinth in the creature design. That aside, this looks properly creepy. Sign me up.

Jen: Please be as good as the trailer, please!

 

Streaming/TV

Chef’s Table: Season 3 (Netflix)

Loren: I’ve never watched this show but it looks good. I’ll add it to the queue.

RDT: I need to catch up on this. It’s going on the list!

Rick: I’ve heard nothing but raves about this series, but food/cooking shows aren’t my thing.

Jen: Many people have recommended this to me as I’m a big fan of “food” TV. I still haven’t seen a single episode but it’s on the list to check out at some point.


Crashing (HBO)

Loren: This looks… cute? I guess. Not as good as other HBO fare but decent. I may check it out.

RDT: I’m a little sick of the trope where the guy walks in on his wife cheating. I hate Pete Holmes’ laugh, but like him enough otherwise. I’ll give it a shot.

Rick: Ehh. I’m good.

Jen: I’m not a huge Pete Holmes fan, but the premise lends itself to lots of funny people in cameos, even beyond those featured in the trailer. I’m willing to give it a go, but might not see it through.


Big Little Lies (HBO)

Loren: I think I’m the only person that’s not super stoked for this. I’m just kinda meh. Oh well, enjoy it everyone!

RDT: Ooohh, I forgot this was premiering this weekend (thanks, Rick!). Definitely in.

Rick: Yes, please.

Jen: Reese Witherspoon, on my Tee Vee? This cast is too amazing to NOT check it out. In.


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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