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'Heartstopper!' Awesome new music! What have I been watching? Find out!
Well, hello there! Fancy meeting you here.
I've got a sweet roundup of film/TV reviews and recommendations just for you. Keep reading to find out what I've been feeding my eyes and pumping into my ears.
Three seasons and a movie: The Heartstopper saga is coming to an end in print and on screen. Creator/graphic novelist Alice Oseman had said last year that the comics would end with Volume 6. With that in mind, Netflix announced this week that instead of the much anticipated season four, the show will wrap up with a movie. Oseman has the script ready and production is due to start this summer. Joining Oseman as exec producers for this last hurrah are the show's leading men Kit Connor and Joe Locke. While I'm sad that this is the end of the line as I adore the books and its TV adaptation, I also realize it's time to say goodbye to these wonderful characters. I can't wait to see how it all ends. (And I know I'll be watching the movie more than once as my friends Gaia and Larray are just as invested in Nick and Charlie's story as I am.)
Alrighty then! I know you're chomping at the bit to devour my latest bite-sized hot takes like hungry, hungry hippos. Let's goooo!!
FILM
Ready to do something different with his life, Mickey Barnes does the unthinkable: He signs on to join an exploratory mission of the ice planet Niflheim as an Expendable. What’s an Expendable? It’s just as it sounds with a kicky catch. Every time Mickey dies, he’s cloned so that he can continue to do the job. And like with Slayers, there can be only one… until there’s not. Bong Joon Ho directs his own adaptation of the Edward Ashton novel Mickey7, continuing his fascination with the haves and the have nots, as well as the underdogs. The result is a smart, satirical space opera that’s a rollicking good time with one hell of a cast led by a fantastic Robert Pattinson. What do you mean you didn’t see it?! What are you waiting for? Go! Now!
Steven Soderbergh’s latest is so completely up my alley, I swear David Koepp wrote it just for me. Sexy, married spies George Woodhouse and Kathryn St. Jean (obviously played by Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett because duh) are totally devoted to each other. But when Kathryn is suspected of being a double agent, their marriage is put to the test as George ferrets out the truth. Slinky, tense, witty, gorgeous and sharp as daggers, this espionage tale is John Le Carré crossed with Soderbergh’s own Haywire (of which I’m a fan despite its now-problematic leading lady). The fabulous supporting cast includes Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, and James Bond Pierce Brosnan. License to kill, indeed.
How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
Finding ways to score a big inheritance when an elderly person dies has been a popular trope in film almost from the jump. In Pat Boonnitipat’s darkly comedic charmer, slacker M believes its only a matter of time before he starts making big money as a gamer. His mom isn’t as optimistic. Since he still lives at home, M figures out the best way to kickstart his income in the interim: Volunteer to care for his ailing grandmother. With Amah’s death comes the promise of a multimillion dollar inheritance; however, the older woman still has plenty of spark left — to her grandson’s initial dismay. Putthipong Assaratanakul and Usha Seamkhum rattle and hum as M and Amah, their simultaneously sweet and spiky scenes perfectly reflect their characters’ relationship. I implore you to seek this film out more than any other on this list. It’s one of my favorite films of the past decade.
Quick Takes
The Friend in question is a depressed 150-pound Great Dane bequeathed to solitary writer Naomi Watts in this lovely, empathetic dramedy from co-writers and co-directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel (I’m a big fan of these two), and based on Sigrid Nunez’s novel. … War is hell. The taut, tense Warfare from co-writers and co-directors Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland — based on the memories of the Navy SEAL platoon members who participated in this real-life mission — reminds us why the declaration is horrifyingly accurate. … It’s just One of Them Days for Keke Palmer and SZA in this fun and funny flick about two women who go through it over the course of one day to great comedic effect. A surprise hit earlier this year in cinemas, this deserves to be seen by everyone. … Andrea Arnold’s coming-of-age film Bird is another cracking gem from the auteur. Twelve-year-old Bailey seeks an escape from her difficult life. Then, she meets Franz Rogowski’s fragile, titular character, whose friendship brings unexpected results. Gritty, heartfelt, with a healthy dose of magical realism (a plus in my book). … Who’s behind the Wicked Little Letters being sent to townsfolk in Littlehampton? A gleefully scandalous mystery, based on a true story, abounds in Jonny Sweet’s sensational and hilarious screenplay. Director Thea Shaddock rounds up a dream cast — Jessie Buckley, Olivia Colman, Timothy Spall, Anjana Vasan, Lolly Adefope, Eileen Atkins — who are clearly having so much fun it should be a crime. … Quiz Lady Awkwafina reluctantly agrees to become a contestant on her favorite game show when estranged big sister Sandra Oh convinces her it’s the best way to pay off their MIA mom’s gambling debts in this cute, agreeable comedy that sees the actresses winningly playing against type. Let’s be real: There was no way I was passing up the chance to see Awkwafina and Oh as siblings.
TV
Canada’s favorite bassist/slacker is back! In animated form! An alternate take on graphic novelist Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim, this fresh, witty, clever limited series gives fans (myself included) more time with the characters we love without rehashing the same story beats as before. The series reunites O’Malley with director Edgar Wright and the entire cast of the (live-action) film adaptation Scott Pilgrim vs. the World including Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Jason Schwartzman, Aubrey Plaza, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, and Chris Evans. Is this better than the film? Maybe. Regardless, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World remains an unmitigated delight and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is the perfect companion piece. All episodes now available on Netflix.
Want more? If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and read O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series on which both the film and show are based. You won't regret it.
Quick Takes
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy relocate to Metropolis for some truly inspired season five shenanigans of the best damn show in the DC Universe. This animated gem is as riotous, horny, debauched, and loveable as ever. Now, where is the season six announcement already?! All episodes now available on Max. … Natasha Lyonne and Rian Johnson’s throwback mystery series Poker Face is quite simply fantastic. Charlie Cale (the always amazing Lyonne) hits the road following an unfortunate series of events, rolling from town to town solving crimes and calling bullshit. Just one more thing. The guest star roster in season one is impressive: Adrian Brody, Judith Light, regular Johnson collaborator Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Barkin, and Benjamin Bratt to name just a few. Season two debuts May 8 on Peacock; season one now available on the streamer. … Despite having Roland Emmerich onboard as an executive producer — he also directed half of its 10 episodes — the most exciting thing about the ancient Rome-set Those About To Die is its title. How dare this show waste Rupert Penry-Jones’ time and talent in this boring, ineffectual slog? (Him in that blue tunic though…) At least Gladiator II was funny. All episodes available on Peacock. … A small Japanese town is plagued by spirals that slowly drive the populace mad with horrific side effects in this terrific four-part animé adaptation of Junji Ito's Uzumaki. Want more? I highly recommend Ito's terrifying manga, which will stick with you long after you read the last page. All episodes now available on Max.
MUSIC
HAIM is back, baby! After a long hiatus (five years!) that saw the sisters branch out in separate artistic endeavors, sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana have been dropping singles like breadcrumbs the past couple months. Breadcrumbs that have led us to the band's announcement this week that their fourth studio album drops June 20! I adore this band and have been aching for new music from them. To say I'm psyched is an total understatement. Hit play below on a trio of music videos featuring tracks from HAIM's upcoming LP, I quit. Their latest, “Down to be wrong,” features Logan Lerman.
And while we’re on the subject of long-awaited returns, Amy Macdonald also announced this week her next album will be out July 11! (Dude. Was The Human Demands seriously five years ago???) Her new LP poses the question: Is This What You’ve Been Waiting For? To which the answer is unequivocally YES!! I’ve been a huge fan of Macdonald’s since her 2007 debut, This Is the Life. No surprise, I’m loving what I’m hearing so far. Take a listen to the title track.
That's all for now! Putting Baby Queen in heavy rotation (along with HAIM and Amy, of course) while I wait for the Heartstopper finale to drop on Netflix.
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I’m so friggen relieved to know Heartstopper is getting an ending at all, knowing how Netflix tends to get all cancel-happy 🫠 I’ve got One of Them Days in my queue to watch this week, it looks like a good time.
HAIM hive commence!