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 Magnificent Seven
Loren: As I said in my trailer breakdown, I’ve never been the biggest fan of Westerns. Red Dead Redemption might be my favorite, even though it’s a video game that uses cliches and tropes, but this looks like a lot of fun. I’m kinda in for this.
RDT: I kinda want to see the originals first. Yes, I know, I’m awful for never having seen either one, especially since I went to film school. That being said, taking this trailer at face value, it looks like a lot of fun.
Rick: Here we have the rare remake of a remake. Does that matter? Not necessarily. Whether they do something compellingly different with the story/character arcs will be the real litmus test for me. Regardless, director Antoine Fuqua is talented and has a good track record. The cast is pretty stellar and a lot more diverse than the 1960 iteration. I’ll give it a shot.
Jen: I’m not a big Western person myself, but the trailer sure does look fun. Popcorn movies don’t have to just be big-budget overblown scifi, explode-y films. They can be big-budget overblown Western explode-y films as well.
Storks
Loren: Cute. Will I see it? Probably not, but it still looks pretty cute.
RDT: What Loren said.
Rick: When I saw the posters for this start to turn up in theaters I was immediately skeptical. The trailer, however, turned me around. It’s a clever idea and looks to be a fun little adventure. I probably won’t see it in theaters, but it makes the list.
Jen: Does this mean I’ll have to tell my kid that babies come from storks? That actually raises a lot more questions that I’m not sure I’m ready to answer yet. I’m a skeptical “we’ll see” on this one.
Queen of Katwe
Loren: A great cast could save this one but it still feels a little to schmaltzy for my personal tastes.
RDT: I love a good chess movie. Seriously. I don’t think I’ll run right out to catch this, but it will go on the list.
Rick: This has all the markings of the typical feel-good, sports-related Disney live actioner (e.g. Million Dollar Arm, The Mighty Ducks, Cool Runnings). What gives this a leg up for me is the fairly unique subject matter and the casting. Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) is great and David Oyelowo (Selma, A Most Violent Year) is one of the best in the business. I’m looking forward to this one.
Jen: This looks great, if only they could have put literally ANY other song over the trailer. Using such a drippy pop song just made me uninterested. Luckily the cast and unique story/setting pulled me back in.
The Dressmaker
Loren: Cute. Will I see it? Probably not, but it still looks pretty cute.
RDT: Again, what Loren said.
Rick: The last thing I saw Kate Winslet in was 2013’s Labor Day (yes, I realize she was in Steve Jobs, but I’ve yet to subject myself to that one), so I’m excited to see her do something that looks to be at least somewhat lighthearted. Count me in.
Jen: Liam Hemsworth’s abs look great. Kate Winslet’s dresses look great. But, meh? I’m having less-than-strong feelings about it.
GOAT
Loren: It’s an interesting take. It starts out like Old School or Neighbors and ends like Full Metal Jacket. I don’t know if it’s going to be good, but it’s nice to see the subject tackled.
RDT: I like my frat movies more Animal House and less, well, this.
Rick: So, Hollywood. You’re trying to make Nick Jonas a thing, eh? Casting aside, I’m mildly curious about this, but I think I would rather watch a well-researched news piece on this subject. The movie seems like bros yelling at bros for two hours.
Jen: Well that seems unpleasant. The optimist in me thinks this could shine a light on dangerous hazing in the Greek system, but the pessimist in me thinks it might just give Frats some new ideas.
The Lovers and the Despot
Loren: Fascinating. Sign me up.
RDT: Yeah, what Loren, Rick and Jen said. This looks…wow, just wow.
Rick: Woah. Yes, please.
Jen: Now, that’s a story waiting to be told. I’m completely intrigued.
My Blind Brother
Loren: Meh, I don’t think I can watch a full movie starring Nick Kroll. It doesn’t help that this doesn’t look all that funny.
RDT: I liked Nick Kroll on the league, but not so much in anything else. But I like Adam Scott in pretty much everything. I am torn. Eh, I’ll probably catch it streaming.
Rick: Not the biggest Nick Kroll fan, but I do like Adam Scott…I don’t know. Maybe? Probably not? Indecisive noises?
Jen: This is the longest stretch I’ve ever tolerated Nick Kroll, 2:34. So that’s a good thing. I do love Adam Scott and Jenny Slate, but not sure I’d see this unless it was a hungover Sunday morning.
TV/Netflix/Blu-Ray
Easy (Netflix original)
Loren: I like the cast though I was thrown off by having one of the Sonic commercial guys in the opening scene. I don’t know that this will have what it takes but I might give it a whirl if I’m bored one of these days. A ringing endorsement if I’ve ever heard one!
RDT: First, Rick is right. Drinking Buddies is not a good movie. Good cast. But not good movie. I do like Marc Maron though, well, as much as anyone can actually like Marc Maron. And there are a lot of famous people in this. It’s an anthology. So, maybe I’ll just wait to see which episodes people say are good.
Rick: Wait. Was Drinking Buddies secretly good/recognizable enough that it might actually make people more interested in this? The only reason I’ve heard of that movie is because Netflix badgered me with it in my “You Might Like” section. I don’t think Netflix knows me very well. Wacky relationship comedies are not really my thing, Netflix. Your algorithm needs work.
Jen: I think I’m the target audience for this? If it’s truly an anthology and NOT some sort of “they’re all cousins” twist ending then I’m happy to check it out. The cast is large enough to be both overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time – whelming.
So that’s your upcoming weekend in review. Let us know what you saw, liked and/or hated.
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From Hollywood,
–Loren, Rick, and Jen