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

Wide Release

Alita: Battle Angel

Loren: I can’t tell if they shrunk the eyes back down a bit or I just got used to seeing it that way from when they started promoting this flick. Either way in a post-Avatar world I don’t have all that much faith in Cameron, though he got the action right in that one. Shit I don’t know, maybe on this?

The Lady™: This has elements of everything I love: dystopian future, Blade Runner/Fifth Element-esq cityscapes, ‘more special than she even knows’ heroine, hidden pasts, bio-mechanical upgrades. I’m genuinely surprised I’m not chomping at the bit for this one. But unless it gets spectacular reviews, I’m saving it for streaming.

Rick: The eyes have been adjusted so the irises are more proportional to the rest of the eye design. It gives the illusion they’re ever so slightly smaller, but they’re the same size as in the original trailer. I like anime, but the eye size does not translate into real life. Plus, there’s no story element that requires her eyes to be oversized. I get that they were trying to keep with the original art style, but they could have utilized another common anime technique and given her unusually colored eyes, or reshaped the iris inside a normal eye to define the look. I like everything else going on here, but the eye design kills it for me. It’s too distracting.

---

Happy Death Day 2U

Loren: I actually enjoyed the silliness of the first one and the sequel looks like a lot of fun. I like how it amps up the concept. Probably not in the theater but I’m in.

The Lady™: I never got around to watching the first one.

Rick: You can read my rant about the first movie here. I’m definitely out for the sequel.

---

 

Fighting With My Family

Loren: It’s really interesting to me that we’re getting a biopic about Paige who is only 26 but her career as an in ring performer was tragically cut short. (Concussions and a bad neck.) The casting is all pretty good here, I’m sure Saraya loves that Lena Headey is playing her. If you’re are interested in the real life story the family made a doc about themselves a while back that’s online. As far as the movie goes it looks good enough and DTRJ’s addition will certainly help it along.

The Lady™: Being Loren’s girlfriend means I accidentally got into wrestling. And I like Paige. You know I’m going to see this whether I like it or not.

Rick: I’ve been meaning to ask Loren and/or Shmim Shmavis about this story. Given Loren’s endorsement, I’ll give this a shot via one of those fancy streaming services I keep feeding my money to. Continue reading →

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

Wide Release

Annihilation

Loren: I’m seeing this tomorrow with friend of the podcast Brad, who absolutely loves the book. It looks so weird and refreshing, I’m really looking forward to it.

RDT: I also am seeing this Friday with friend of the podcast, ummm, myself. I liked, but didn’t love, the book. Looking forward to the movie.

Rick: 

Jen: I am very interested in this. I like the creepy sci-fi aspect. I love the kick-ass cast. Yeah, I’m giving this one a go for sure.

---

Every Day

Loren: There’s only one way for this to end right? The Body Swapper finds their true form and they can be together? Or maybe we all learn a valuable lesson in not wondering how movies like this play out.

RDT: I’m intrigued by the premise, but also think Loren is 100% spot on. So, maybe streaming…?

Rick: What Loren said.

Jen: I can’t top Loren’s comment here.

---

Game Night

Loren: Dammit. I laughed a couple times during that trailer. I mean, I’m not running out to see it in the theaters, but I’ll catch it streaming.

RDT: I have a movie gift card burning a hole in my pocket. This got enough chuckles out of me to catch it “for free” soon, if I have the time (I’m very busy…).

Rick: I expected to roll my eyes at this, but I came away with some actual laughs. I’ll catch this once it’s on ye ol’ streaming device.

Jen: This looks like a fun watch. Kudos to this trailer for getting this bunch of cynics interested. I’ll check it out!

---

Limited Release

7 Guardians of the Tomb

Loren: Kelsey Grammer is Lara Croft in Arachnophobia. Also, good idea to use the Guardians of the Galaxy font for your title card, just to get those few people that weren’t paying attention to the actual trailer to think that this is another one of those.

RDT: James Gunn actually called them out for the font. (I have nothing else to contribute…)

Rick: This looks Geostorm-level terrible. I kinda want to see it.

Jen:    

---

Are We Not Cats

Loren: 

RDT: You are correct. We are not cats.

Rick: I don’t even know what to make of this. Is it some weird-ass take on Cat People? Is it just being weird for weird sake? I kinda need to find out.

Jen: So I couldn’t resist doing some digging on this movie and it gave me all sorts of “nope” vibes. Nope.

---

Continue reading →

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

Wide Release

Black Panther

Loren:

RDT: 

Rick:

Jen: 

---

Early Man

Loren: So, I love Wallace and Gromit but this looks a little off. I won’t see it in the theater but I’ll probably check it out eventually.

RDT: Interesting counter-programming to Black Panther. I doubt I’ll see it in theaters, but maybe streaming?

Rick: I enjoy everything Aardman has done. I’ll definitely check this out, but likely from my couch.

Jen: My dislike of animation does not extend to claymation. I’ll give it a watch.

---

Limited Release

Double Lover

Loren: Eh, I guess that “Erotic Thrillers” are not really my bag.

RDT: I’ll wait for the American remake starring…Rooney Mara.

Rick: You had me at Francois Ozon.

Jen: Not Natalie Portman? This actually looks like a sexy, weird, fun ride. I would check this out.

---

First We Take Brooklyn

Loren: Eesh. First off, no. Secondly, that’s a terrible trailer. It simultaneously gives everything away and says nothing. That last needle drop is way too overpowering. You can’t make out what anyone is saying for the last 20 seconds of the trailer because you wanted the “coming straight outta Brooklyn” sound bite. Just awful.

RDT: No thanks. You can keep Brooklyn.

Rick: Negatory.

Jen: Ugh, nope.

---

Golden Exits

Loren: *Big Groan*

RDT: Why are all indie movies starting to look the same? Or have they always looked the same? Also, all these people look like assholes. Whatever.

Rick: Guess I’m the outlier on this one. I’ll keep it on my radar.

Jen: Nope.

---

Continue reading →

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

Wide Release

The 15:17 to Paris

Loren: This reminds me of that Navy Seals action movie they put out a few years ago Act of Valor, that starred real life servicemen. This at least has the benefit of the people that were actually involved. I don’t think I’ll see this in the theater but might once it hits streaming.

RDT: Pretty much what Jen said.

Rick: I read about this when it happened and, while it’s interesting and definitely heroic, there’s not enough nuance to this story that necessitates a feature.

Jen: I can’t say a bad thing about this movie since it stars real life heroes who did an amazing thing. It looks fine and it’s an interesting idea to use the real guys portraying themselves. All that being said, I won’t be seeing this.

---

Fifty Shades Freed

Loren: “Don’t Miss The Climax” is a gross tagline.

RDT: Can I just go to Pornhub instead?

Rick: 

Jen: So this is still happening? Fascinating. I want these movies to be 100x better or 10x worse. Pick a lane, Christian Grey.

---

Peter Rabbit

Loren: At first I was thinking why did they shoot actual scenery for the CGI animals to exist in? Then I saw the real life element and my question was answered. Oh, am I going to see this? No. No I am not.

RDT: I remember loving the book as a kid. I’ve heard nothing but bad things about this though. Hard pass. (Maybe “hard” pass is more appropriate for Fifty Shades Freed?)

Rick: I didn’t think it was possible, but this looks as irritating as both Trolls and The Emoji Movie. The hardest of passes.

Jen: So Domhnall Gleeson is in everything now? Cool. Cool-cool-cool.

---

Limited Release

Becks

Loren: I like that Lena Hall actually seemed to be singing. That’s kinda the only positive I can think of.

RDT: One time, I got to drive Mena Suvari to the American Pie 2 set. She was nice. She climbed in my backseat and read an Entertainment Weekly.

Rick: Ehhhh…maybe?

Jen: This is a big Indie-meh for me. Can Indie-meh be a thing? It accurately describes my feeling to 90% of Indie movies.

---

Black Hollow Cage

Loren: Neat. If I remember to watch this I think I’m gonna dig it.

RDT: I’m out for pretty much the same reasons Rick is in, except the Ex Machina part.

Rick: Atmospherically, it reminds me a bit of Ex Machina. Also, it looks wonderfully sinister. Count me in.

Jen: I immediately thought Ex Machina but Rick beat me to the punch. I’m so curious about what’s going on here I think I’ll have to check it out.

---

Continue reading →

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

Wide Release

Winchester

Loren: First and foremost, enough with the god damn trailers for trailers. It’s infuriating. Secondly, yes please. I’ve heard the “real” side of this story before but this looks like a fun and creepy twist on that. In.

RDT: This looks pretty good. And I have no doubt I will likely only ever see it from Rick’s kitchen.

Rick: 

Jen: Helen Mirren makes everything better.

---

Limited Release

Braven

Loren: They’re really trying hard to make Karl Droggo an action star, aren’t they. This looks perfectly cromulent (thanks for pointing that out, Rick!).

RDT: Well that sure does look like a movie.

Rick: Braven? Is that even a word? Is that like embiggen? I have doubts about its cromulence.

Jen: So this isn’t the sequel to Brave? Not that I want a sequel to Brave. I’m just saying this title is misleading in a number of ways.

---

Bucky & The Squirrels

Loren: Woof. The only positive thing I can say about this disaster of a mockumentary is at least they added the displaced from time aspect to change it up. Still, this looks fucking awful.

RDT: 

Rick: I’m sorry I put this on the list. I owe you all a beer. (I don’t drink beer. Can I get chocolate milk instead? –RDT)

Jen: Oh Richard Lewis, remember when you were on Anything But Love? Those were the days.

---

Continue reading →

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

Wide Release

Maze Runner: The Death Cure

Loren: I just added the other two movies in this franchise to my list. I’m curious but know that they can’t be good per se. If I enjoy one or both of those I may give this a shot, but I’m not running out to the theater for it.

RDT: I haven’t seen any of these. So, I doubt I’m gonna start with this one.

Rick: This is the movie that nearly killed Dylan O’Brien. For his sake, I hope it does well, but I am not going to see it.

Jen: How do you type out a shrug emoji? Like which keys do you use? I always end up cutting and pasting cause I just can’t figure it out.

---

Limited Release

American Folk

Loren: There might be a sweet movie in there but I’ll never know.

RDT: 35 seconds. That’s how long I lasted into the trailer. So, yeah, hard pass.

Rick: Meeehhhh…?

Jen: It’s the Indie-est Indie Movie that ever movied. No thanks.

---

The Competition

Loren: Gee, I wonder how this movie will turn out for these horrible people. On second thought, no I don’t.

RDT: I met Chris Klein once. He couldn’t remember the name of the Cobra villain with the metal mask (Destro). That’s all I got.

Rick: Remember Thora Birch and Chris Klein? Be prepared to forget them again when no one sees this movie. Also, these people are assholes. What kind of bet is that to make against your friends’ relationships?

Jen: She cheats on him because she’s afraid of commitment, but then HE doesn’t cheat on HER and she realizes she loves him and they both win. Can we go home now?

---

Continue reading →

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

Wide Release

12 Strong

Loren: Though it’s got a great cast, this looks like half a standard war movie and half a Call of Duty game (put a horse in it). Maybe someday but not in the theaters.

RDT: What Rick said, except for the “wanting to see it” part.

Rick: I can’t imagine that this isn’t going to be full of clichés and a wickedly stretched version of the truth, but this cast is excellent. I want to see it just for this ensemble. I doubt I’ll trek to theaters for it, though.

Jen: I have a lot of mixed feelings on this one. The trailer managed to hit me in the feels for the first few seconds but then sort of turned a bit to jingoistic about the war on terror in a way that turned me off. I have nothing but admiration and respect for these men and what they did, and this does look like an amazing cast (Michael Shannon seems to elevate anything he’s in), but I can’t see spending my precious movie-going resources on this.

---

Den of Thieves

Loren: I love a good heist movie. Sadly, this doesn’t look like one. I’ll wait on it.

RDT: I’ll give it a shot streaming.

Rick: I mean, this isn’t a terrible concept, but there’s no way that the movie lives up to its setup. I guarantee I’ve sat through a lot worse, though. Call it a rental.

Jen: Where Michael Shannon elevates everything, Gerard Butler tends to do the opposite. This is a meh for me.

---

Forever My Girl

Loren: Oof. Not much in that trailer made me want to see this movie. And then to top it all off, that little girl is TOO precocious. Pass.

RDT: Jen’s gif is better than anything I could come up with.

Rick: Wait… *looks it up* This isn’t a Nicholas Sparks joint? Huh. I mean, his involvement wouldn’t have gotten me to watch it. I’m just surprised, is all.

Jen: 

---

Continue reading →

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

Wide Release

The Commuter

Loren: I thought the last one was the last one of these he’s doing. Oh well. Carry on.

RDT: Looks fairly generic and harmless. I’m sure I’ll watch it, eventually.

Rick: Does Liam Neeson punch a train? This is (allegedly) his last action movie. I kinda want to see him punch a train. I also love me some Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Count me in.

Jen: You do you, Liam Neeson.

---

Paddington 2

Loren: I didn’t see the first one, but they look cute enough.

RDT: Didn’t see the first one. No interest in #2.

Rick: Oh, Christ, no.

Jen: I could bearly stand this trailer. Huh? Get it?

---

Proud Mary

Loren:

RDT: 

Rick: 

Jen: 

---

Continue reading →

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

Wide Release

Insidious: The Last Key

Loren: Key fingers just don’t seem that scary to me. Good for Lin Shaye to get a franchise later in life though.

RDT: I rarely watch good horror movies. So, why would I waste my time with this?

Rick: Man, they just can’t stop shitting out sequels to this poor man’s version of Poltergeist. Please let this be the last one.

Jen: Wow, so there are four of these now? Does the “Last” in the title indicate they won’t be making more? Somehow I doubt it. I look forward to Insidious 5: The Search for More Money, thanks.

---

Limited Release

Blame

Loren: My only problem here (because this does look compelling) is that it seems to be romanticising the teacher/student relationship thing. That’s kinda not cool.

RDT: I might check it out. Or I might completely forget about it.

Rick: Not really hiding the fact that it’s a modern retelling of The Crucible, is it? Nevertheless, I might take this one in from my living room if it stays on my radar.

Jen: One of my New Year’s resolutions is to see more movies. So far, this week, this is the leading contender. I like Chris Messina and I watched the trailer all the way through without surfing away, so that’s a plus – not a strong plus, but a plus.

---

On Body and Soul

Loren: If nothing else, I’d like to win a Golden Bear at some point. Nevertheless, I probably will never see this movie.

RDT: I’ve been called a Golden Bear before, Loren. Maybe if you’re nice, I’ll let you win me.

Rick: If nothing else it looks beautiful. Unless reviews are strong I may skip this one.

Jen: This is interesting. It pops up on a lot of autism-related boards and such since the female lead has some Asperger-like behaviors, but it doesn’t use that as a selling point, or even a discussion point, which I think is awesome. That alone might be worth me checking this out.

---

Continue reading →

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

Wide Release

All The Money In The World

Loren: A couple things besides the recasting/reshooting of this movie. A) That trailer seemed WAY too long and B) is Mark Wahlberg miscast or the most miscast? Discuss.

RDT: Much like Rick below, curiosity will get me to see this. Maybe not in theaters, but definitely eventually.

Rick: I mostly want to see this to try and catch any glaring mis-matches from the reshoots. Why yes, I do work in post-production. Why do you ask?

Jen: The most miscast.

---

Molly’s Game

Loren: This movie should probably be called Molly’s Cleavage but that’s besides the point. It looks pretty good, I guess. Not run out to the theater good, but see it someday good for sure.

RDT: I’m intrigued. Heard decent things and know very little about the story. Plus, I’m quickly becoming a Jessica Chastain fan….

Rick: I’m not even going to try and make a gambling pun. I’ll leave that to every single movie reviewer who sees this. I’ll just say that I’m definitely seeking this out.

Jen: I think I read this book? Or at least a Vanity Fair article? She does NOT love Tobey Maguire. On that we agree. I’d watch this from my couch for sure.

---

Limited Release

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

Loren: That’s a pretty great final line in the trailer. I don’t know that I’ll see this but I might. How’s that for decisiveness?

RDT: (read Rick’s first…) That guy was also The Thing in Fant4stic. But let’s not ding him for that too much. This looks pretty good. I think I’ll catch it streaming, too.

Rick: Cripes, that guy was Billy Elliot…*looks it up*…seventeen years ago?! I’m so old…My impending infirmity aside, I’ll catch this one, but likely on ye ol’ streaming service.

Jen: Sure, why not.

---

Continue reading →