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
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Loren: Man, Ser Jorah can’t seem to get away from zombies and dragons. I think I’m ok here.
RDT: Ahh, the final chapter. Our national nightmare is finally over. (Until the inevitable reboot…)
Rick: People who know me/frequent readers of this column know I have fairly wide-ranging tastes. I can say, without shame, that I’ve seen the previous six Resident Evils in the theater. I even paid extra to see the fourth movie in its native 3D. They’ve gotten increasingly ridiculous as the series has gone on and I can’t wait to see what weird lunacy they inject into the last chapter.
Jen: Seven? There are seven of these? You’d think based on sheer dumb luck I’d have seen one of them. Congrats on Milla Jovovich to still kicking ass at 41.
A Dog’s Purpose
Loren: NOPE.
RDT: What Rick said below. Based on that trailer, I have no desire to see a dog die and get reincarnated over and over again.
Rick: Even before the whole kerfuffle about animal abuse surfaced, there was zero chance of me seeing this movie.
Jen: What Ryan said about about having no desire to see a dog die over and over, and what Loren said about nope.
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
Monster Trucks
Loren: I don’t even think kids are going to like this and kids like everything.
RDT: I have no words.
Rick: I can’t wait for this to top the list of Razzie winners next year. I mean, it should at least win the award for Most Literal Title of the Year. That’s a thing, right? Also, who’s up for a double feature of this and Mac & Me?
Jen: YAAAASSSSSSS!!!!!! MacGyver and an Octopus in a truck can take on the world! Also, the budget on this was $125 million. What do you think the odds are they make that back?
The Bye Bye Man
Loren: Hahahahahahahaha.
RDT: Don’t see it. Don’t watch it.
Rick: So, it’s some shitty hybrid of Candyman, Sinister, and The Ring? *rolls eyes*. Also, it’s fitting that the poster art is just as derivative as the movie it’s promoting:
Remember that Keanu Reeves masterpiece, The Watcher? No? Anyone? Okay. Just me, then.
Jen: At :47 into this trailer is the worst onscreen kiss I’ve seen in a long time. This looks like the type of horror movie they release in January to fill a random weekend when nothing else is happening… oh wait…
Welcome to the Weekend Watch: End of the Year Edition. There’s not much new out there, but there’s definitely stuff worth seeing, whether it’s out this week or the last few weeks.
Movies
Live By Night (Opened 12/25, expands 1/13)
Loren: I love the time period and actiony fare set within, but early reviews are not favorable (34% on Rotten Tomatoes) and though I enjoy Murder Batman as a director he’s not my favorite actor. I’m pretty sure I’m waiting on this one.
RDT: I saw it a couple weeks ago. It felt…not finished. There’s a lot going on (and a lot of the “a lot going on” is really good), but it lacks focus. I think it was originally supposed to come out March of next year, but they jumped the gun and pushed it for awards qualifications. I think had they had another month or two to work on the edit, we would’ve gotten a much stronger film.
Rick: Like Loren, I think Ben Affleck is a talented director and a middling actor. I like the aesthetic and the story, but I’m not in a super rush to see this. If I catch it in theaters it’ll be on the cheap.
Jen: Man, Affleck sure can wear a suit. The costumes and production design look fantastic. The rest of it looks like… a gangster movie. I’ve seen a gangster movie before so not sure if I need to rush out and see another one.
Hidden Figures (Opened 12/25)
Loren: I kinda hate that I knew nothing about this story before this trailer (and the episode of Timeless from a few weeks ago) but I am really interested in it now. I know a few people that have already seen it and I’ve heard nothing but praise. The only thing I will say is that this trailer is not my favorite. It’s a little all over the place tonally and does that thing where it tells you the whole story.
RDT: I agree with Loren. Hopefully, this movie gets these women the notice they’ve long deserved. As for seeing it, I definitely will, maybe not in theaters though.
Rick: Yeah, the trailer isn’t strong, but I watched this recently and the film is definitely praiseworthy. There are a couple of moments that feel like they stretch the truth a bit, but not enough to detract from the story. It is shameful that these hyper-intelligent women are just now getting the credit for the landmark work they accomplished, but at least now they can help inspire new generations to achieve.
Jen: I think, and hope, that this trailer strongly undersells this movie. I will absolutely see it, but the trailer is a little too cheesy for the story they’re telling. Costner’s “I need someone who can look beyond the numbers” is a an eye-roller for sure.
20th Century Women (Opened 12/28)
Loren: Sometimes I wonder, “Is Billy Crudup from the 70’s?” (The answer is yes.)
RDT: Ok, I enjoyed the hell out of that trailer. Shockingly, it did what a trailer is supposed to do, made me want to see the movie, not tell the whole story of the movie. Great cast, too. In.
Rick: I can’t recommend this highly enough. It takes an unusual path to relate the experiences of three generations of women; both through their own lenses and through that of the young men in their lives. It’s rife with humor, love, and a touch of sadness. Well worth your time.
Jen: Annette Bening looks off-the-charts awesome in this. I loved Beginners and this is sort of a companion piece to that story so I think I will be checking it out when it pops up streaming.
Welcome to the Weekend Watch: Holiday Edition. There’s a lot out there this time of year. So hopefully we can point you towards the best ways to spend your viewing time (or, at least, steer you clear of the garbage) this holiday season.
Movies
Passengers (Opened 12/21)
Loren: Yay scifi stuff! Boo precociousness! I don’t know, the first time I saw the trailer this looked pretty cool but every other time it’s been more of a, I don’t know, slog to get through. That can’t be good right?
RDT: Despite the reviews and early “buzz,” or lack thereof, I like these two actors. So, given how cheap tickets are where I am right now, and the amount of downtime I have, I’m pretty sure I’m going to see this.
Rick: I enjoy that there’s more notable sci-fi coming out, but early reviews of this have not been favorable. Must have been a lot of studio meddling because this script was one of the most highly regarded entries on the Black List. I may catch this at a matinee or on Netflix down the line.
Jen: A week ago I was a mark for this film. It only took one review to ruin it for me and, while I still may see it eventually on some streaming outlet, I’m not spending my money on this one.
Sing (Opened 12/21)
Loren: Illumination does not make very good animated movies. I’m sorry.
RDT: I’ve been told I’m taking my niece to see this or Moana. Fingers crossed she picks Moana.
Rick: I’m sure this is fun, but it’s just not for me.
Jen: I think my 6 year-old niece is going to love it. I’ll be seeing something else.
Assassin’s Creed (Opened 12/21)
Loren: I want this to be good to break the curse but, *sigh*, it’s tracking at 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. Oh well. Maybe the next video game movie will get it.
RDT: Sadly, it looks like this will not be the video game movie to “reverse the curse.”
Rick: I mean, the stunts will be good, right?
Jen: What’s the over/under on those blind trust fall things? I’m thinking it will be a high number.
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
La La Land (Limited)
Loren: Look, this city is a nightmarish hellhole but this makes even that look beautiful. And the fact that it harkens back to old movie musicals with a modern update has me pretty sold. This is a solid yes from me.
RDT: If you listen to the podcast, and I don’t know why you wouldn’t, you know I already saw this (in one of the craziest screenings I’ve ever been to). The movie is phenomenal, definitely one of the best of the year.
Rick: I’ve been anxious to see this for months. I plan on seeing it the first chance I get.
Jen: Shut up and take my money!
Office Christmas Party
Loren: Like, I kinda want to see this but I will in no way pay actual money to do so.
RDT: I enjoy most of the people in this cast. Yet I have no desire to see this at all.
Rick: Why does every comedy feel like it’s just filled with people yelling anymore? Do they not think we’ll get the joke otherwise? It’s a shame, really. I like most of these people. They’re talented comedians, but I’m more than okay not seeing this.
Jen: I do love 90% of this cast. Also, Olivia Munn is in this. It’s no Elf or Christmas Vacation, but I might eventually seek it out on a quiet December night when I want to remember my partying days.
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
Jackie
Loren: This isn’t for me. I want to like Natalie Portman but I haven’t really since she was a kid. Unless I hear that this ends up being a “must see”, I think I’ll pass.
RDT: I’m hearing the quality of her performance outweighs the quality of the film overall. Unless I get access to a screening/screener (yay for industry connections!), I doubt I’ll rush out to see it. But I’ll give it a view eventually.
Rick: I know I’ll wind up seeing this, and I have a feeling it’ll be worth it. However, I’m anticipating an on-again, off-again accent from Natalie Portman. It (hopefully) won’t be enough to distract from the rest of her performance.
Jen: This is right up my alley, a mid-century, female-led historical drama. I have no strong feelings on Natalie Portman (which surprises me) but I can’t imagine I won’t be seeing this.
Incarnate
Loren: Look I’m a wrestling fan, but this is co-produced through WWE studios. That should tell you about the quality of this flick. Pass-a-jawea.
RDT: If you read this column with regularity then you know I’m not gonna see this movie (unless Rick deems it Whitsett Theater worthy at some point in the future).
Rick: Exorcism movies are REALLY hard to do well. They all, on some level, wind up being clones of The Exorcist. There are very few in the genre that are worth your time. This flick does have a clever conceit, but it’s still borrowing bits of Insidious. I may catch this at a second run theater just out of curiosity or on Netflix down the line.
Jen: This feels like Hackers meets The Exorcist. I’m sure there is an audience for that. I’m not part of it though.
