Weekend Watch – 10/5/18

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

A Star Is Born

Loren: 4th time’s a charm? I don’t know, I watched the trailers for the ‘76 and ‘54 versions, and they’re all different but have that same theme. I do think it’s kinda neat that Bradley Cooper was like, “shit, I better get some singing lessons if I’m going to be singing with Lady Gaga”. I doubt I’ll see this in the theater, but maybe sometime down the road.

RDT: I’m into this, way more than I thought I’d be. I’ll keep an eye out for a screening I can tag along to or a screener I can borrow.

Rick: This is something I know I’ll see eventually, but it’ll likely be via a screener.

Jen: Yes, please – I cannot wait for this one.


Venom

Loren: I still think this movie looks REALLY bad. I’ll probably end up seeing it so we can talk about it on the podcast but I kinda don’t want to. I still have a fundamental problem with a Venom movie without Spider-Man. Also, I don’t know what accent Tom Hardy is doing but it isn’t right.

RDT: I’ve heard it’s unintentionally hilarious. So, I might catch it Saturday morning. (How are Rick and Jen seeing this for free?)

Rick: I have seen this movie. It is, quite frankly, a near-complete mess. It starts out as a promising sci-fi horror film but quickly devolves into a muddled piece of work that has no clear identity. Without question a mountain of rewrites and reshoots were employed to try and craft the story into something that would appeal to 1) a teenage audience and 2) people who liked Deadpool. Seriously. The Venom symbiote talks with the same quippy cadence as Ryan Reynolds. I think Tom Hardy knew this was becoming a turkey and gives a ‘fuck it’-style performance that is as baffling as it is, at times, genuinely funny. There are too many plot holes/contrivances to mention. The most base of character motivations pilot what little there is of a plot. The action sequences are gobs of quick cuts, loud music, and messy, 1997-era CGI. The mid-credits tag is painful and was surely the result of a favor called in by the director. The best thing about this whole experience was getting to see an extended scene from the upcoming animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Which, by the by, Sony plops at the end of the credits without context, or bothering to tell you it’s from an actual movie, or when you can see it. Why would you put that in there and not tell people what they’re watching? It’s clearly there to get people excited for that movie. I mean…I just…

View post on imgur.com

Sony just needs to stop making genre movies. They clearly have no idea what the hell they’re doing. Though, people in this screening applauded at the end of this trash boat’s voyage, so what the hell do I know?

Jen: (what Rick said)


The Hate U Give

Loren: It’s got to say something that we have had a string of movies about this subject matter. Write what you see and all that. This has a good cast and looks well made. I hope it can stand out from the crowd.

RDT: Yet again, an unfortunate story worth telling. And a film that looks like it’s worth watching.

Rick: It bothers me that we live in a time where stories like these are the norm rather than the exception. At least people’s voices are getting louder and more widespread. Hopefully they can help usher in some much needed change.

Jen: This looks like a powerful story with a strong cast. I usually seek out films for the escapism, this is definitely not that kind of movie, but they seem the have mixed a strong, important message, with an amazing looking cast in a solid-looking package. I hope this gets the notice it deserves, I know I’ll be checking it out.


Limited Release

Chasing the Blues

Loren: Was that like five movies in one? Were any of them good? The world may never know.

RDT: Let’s make ALL THE MOVIES!!!

Rick: There is a fun story about a couple of collectors messing with each other to get ahold of a legendary record. This movie, however, decides it needs to jam at least three other dramatic storylines in there for no good reason. Hard pass.

Jen: Guys, you’re all burying the lede here: A new film starring Jon Lovitz! Lovitz! When you’re billing your film that way it’s, well, it’s not a great sign.


Viking Destiny

Loren: Was that a TV Pilot that didn’t go so they turned it into a feature? Because that’s what it looks like.

RDT: 

Rick: *snore*

Jen: 


The Great Buster: A Celebration

Loren: Sorry I’m being so negative, but haven’t we already done multiple docs about Buster Keaton? What makes this one any different? I agree that he was an absolute comedic genius and hell of a daredevil, but we already knew that. Ok let’s be positive… hmmm… I do like the gamut of interviewees they got, that’s something. From Mel Brooks to Richard Lewis to Johnny Knoxville, there’s that.

RDT: I’m with Rick on this one. How about a deep diver into the lesser known stars of that era? I would name some….but they’re lesser known.

Rick: I’m with Loren on this one. Retrospectives about Buster Keaton have been done to death. However, there’s always a chance something like this (with more recent talent) could help introduce his catalogue to a younger audience. That’s something I can get behind.

Jen: I’m with Ryan on this one, here are some names of people I would be interested in watching a doc on; Myrna Loy, Clara Bow, Mabel Normand, Theda Bara, Norma Talmadge, Harold Lloyd, John Gilbert, The Gish Sisters, Olive Thomas, Thomas Ince.


The Church

Loren: Well things aren’t getting more positive here. This looks like a college thesis horror movie that one of the students rich dad financed so they could get some “really cool FX work” done for it.

RDT: *yawn*

Rick: *eyeroll*

Jen: 


Studio 54: The Documentary

Loren: Once again, isn’t Studio 54 already the subject of multiple docs? What sets this one apart?

RDT: Too many docs.

Rick: As far as I’m aware this is the first long form doc on the subject. I remember watching a Behind the Music when that was still a thing. I miss that show…I’ll give this a whirl when it hits streaming.

Jen: The story of Studio 54 is so fascinating that I’d be happy to sit through this, even if I know some of this story all ready. Hey remember the Studio 54 movie with Ryan Phillipe, Neve Campbell, and Mike Meyers? Wow that sentence takes me back to the 90s.


Shut Up and Play the Piano

Loren: How have I never heard of Chilly Gonzales before? I don’t know that I need to see a 90+ minute doc about him but I might do some internet sleuthing.

RDT: Too many too many docs.

Rick: Color me curious. Also, can someone go in an remix the audio on that trailer? It’s all over the place.

Jen: This appears to be a doc with an interesting avant garde edge. I like that. Not sure I’ll get around to it, but I like that it exists.


Shine

Loren: Movie how are you going to say this ain’t no Step Up, when you SUPER are and also a little bit of a Latin You Got Served?

RDT: I love the Step Up movies. Oddly enough, I think 2 is the best, and not just because of the pun in the title. So, I’ll just watch that again.

Rick: Loren summed this one up nicely.

Jen: Shine?


Ride

Loren: It’s a week of movies we’ve seen before! Are people going to see this because of Bella Thorne and her cleavage? Yeah probably.

RDT: Guys! He’s an Uber (or whatever fake name they use because Uber wouldn’t clear….) driver! That makes it different. Right?

Rick: Oh. An uninspired mix of Collateral, The Getaway, and Cheap Thrills. I think I’m good.

Jen: No Uber driver is as hot as that guy. I don’t buy it.


Project Gutenberg

Loren: I didn’t see Steve Guttenberg in there once. That title is a lie!

RDT: What would Project Guttenberg be? I think it’d be a Get Him to the Greek/Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas-like romp! A young screenwriter has the perfect take on a Police Academy reboot, but the studio won’t make it unless Guttenberg commits. The thing is, he’s been living off the grid in Vegas since his Veronica Mars (yes, he was in that) days. So, our young screenwriter (Dave Franco) has to get him back to LA to get the movie greenlit.

Rick: Did…did they digitally de-age Chow Yun Fat or has he just aged that fantastically? Regardless, I’m down for this.

Jen: Rick has an excellent point, this looks like it was made 15 years ago. Wow.


Hello Mrs. Money

Loren: What? No thanks. I’m good on whatever version of Mrs. Doubtfire you think you’re doing here.

RDT: Was it a drive by fruiting? (I miss Robin Williams a lot.)

Rick: Well, at least the trailer was only thirty seconds.

Jen: I’m okay, thanks.


Heavy Trip

Loren: Ah the old Finnish Black Metal Road Trip Love Story genre. That old gem.

RDT: I got nothing.

Rick: 

Jen: I, um, I think this looks cute. What’s happening to me guys?


Bill Coors: The Will To Live

Loren: What an odd source for this look into something that is plaguing our society. But hey, if a beer manufacturer wants to do some good in this world, who am I to stop him?

RDT: Damn it. I wanted to make fun of that.

Rick:  

Jen: I did not know this story. This looks like a pretty straightforward, but affecting doc. It won’t crack my list, but it’s nice to see a positive story out there in the world.


Bayou Caviar

Loren: YouTube calls this a “Boxing Movie”. Sure there’s boxing in it but that would be like calling Die Hard a marital drama. This is also Cuba Gooding Jr.’s directorial debut. Take that for what you will.

RDT: I love me a good boxing movie. I’m not sure this is either of those things. Though, I will give it some credit, it does, somewhat, look like a movie.

Rick: I enjoy me some Richard Dreyfus, but that is a horrendous accent he’s sporting. Otherwise, this looks like an okay thriller. Call it a maybe.

Jen: One day I was driving in LA with the windows down rocking out to some old-school Bon Jovi. I pulled up next to a convertible and noticed the guy driving it was watching me – when I looked at him he bopped along and yelled “you go girl” Then he went on to direct this movie. Coincidence? Probably.


A Crooked Somebody

Loren: Besides the fact that the cast is mostly TV people, this feels like it would play better as a limited series. That’s not a slight, just an observation. I kinda dug the trailer. Maybe I’ll remember to catch it someday.

RDT: I was kinda into that.

Rick: I’m not go to the theater to see this, but I like the concept enough that I’ll keep an eye out for it on streaming.

Jen: Wow that is an interesting and original concept. And the cast is strong – I, too, will keep an eye out for this.


TV/Streaming

NETFLIX

Joe Rogan: Strange Times

Loren: I’m not the biggest Joe Rogan fan, I’ll probably skip this and watch one of the numerous other stand-up specials Netflix has to offer.

RDT: What the other dudes said.

Rick: I’m super okay without this in my life.

Jen: I am not the target audience for this.


Elite

Loren: It’s good to see that the rest of the world has entitled rich douche kids that can get away with murder.

RDT: All set. Thanks!

Rick: Feels a bit reminiscent of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, a novel I really enjoy, that will likely never get a quality adaptation. I may give this a whirl out of curiosity.

Jen: This feels like something we’ll see on Freeform in the next season or two – remade in English, starring – RDT, help me out here?


Little Things

Loren: I couldn’t get past the fact that the female lead in this looks like she’s 14, while the dude looks 36. Too off putting. Pass

RDT: Rick, let me know what you find out. That 2 languages thing annoyed the fuck out of me.

Rick: *half-hearted shrug* I’m not going to go out of my way for this one. Also, why do they bounce back and forth between Hindi and English? This kind of thing has been happening in a bunch of Chinese films I’ve seen lately. Most of the dialogue is in Mandarin (or Cantonese), but they briefly lapse into full on English for some reason. It’s really strange. I’ll have to see if the Internets know why.

Jen: Meh.


Private Life

Loren: That looks only slightly New York pretentious but I’m kinda into it. I love the cast. Maybe that’s helping it along. I’m a very solid maybe on this.

RDT: I will tolerate Molly Shannon to watch this movie.

Rick: Yep. I’m into this. Into the queue it goes.

Jen: I haven’t seen a movie that so honestly depicts the fertility struggle so perfectly. And Kathryn Hahn is maybe the best thing that ever happened so, yeah, I’m in for this.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QUix4Hdyps

Big Mouth Season 2

Loren: I like almost everyone involved in this but I’m not ok with it being about the sex drives of actual children. Still out.

RDT: Never saw season 1.

Rick: I was out on the first season. My opinion has not changed.

Jen: I just can’t with the Nick Kroll.


Dancing Queen

Loren: So it’s Drag Race meets Dance Moms? It’s gonna make a billion whatever Netflix uses as currency.

RDT: I’m not the audience for this…. I think….?

Rick: I have a hard time watching reality TV anymore. This might be good, but I’m never going to get around to this.

Jen: Before I watched this trailer I thought Loren was being reductive. I was wrong.


HULU

Into The Dark: The Body

Loren: There are two videos above for this entry because Hulu is trying an ongoing monthly horror anthology for the next year. I love the concept and think having Blumhouse behind it is great. The first of these, set at Halloween, seems like a lot of fun. I’m in for this.

RDT: Pass for this wuss.

Rick: 

Jen: Way to go Hulu. I always feel like Hulu is the Pepsi to Netflix’s Coke, so I’m always happy when they have something that looks good. Good for you guys!


HBO

Flight Of The Conchords: Live In London

Loren: I LOVE their original HBO One Hour from years back. More so than their show which was pretty hit or miss for me. I’m very excited for this.

RDT: I never got into FotC, but maybe I’ll give it a try. Whatevs.

Rick: I’ve been picking my way through the original series lately. I enjoy it, but Loren is right. It’s a little hit or miss. I’ll probably give this a go, though.

Jen: The New Zealand accent is just so delightful. I can’t resist.


AMAZON

The Man In The High Castle Season 3

Loren: I really need to watch this show.

RDT: I’m somewhere between Loren and Rick.

Rick: Season 3? Nope. I’m never catching up on this.

Jen: Maybe someday I will watch this show… that day is not today.


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, Instagram at instagram.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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