We don't have to do anything if I'm not your type. There's vampires at my door
I'm recommending an excellent spy series, two stellar films, and the latest Turner Classic Movies podcast. C'mon in. Don't be shy!
Hey, everybody! It's been a busy week but that doesn't mean I've been slacking when it comes to watching/listening/reading. I have some choice recs to share below for your pleasure — and one flick to warn you about.
Before you do, enjoy this rainbow! I took the photo as I was leaving the office this week. It's rained a bit, and has been rather grey and damp the past few days. Yes, I do have a day job. The secret's out! I see you shrugging your shoulders. Fair.
FILM
Dev Patel steps behind the lens for his directorial debut, which he also co-wrote and stars. Not content to simply ape the John Wick franchise, Patel’s actioner has more on its mind than gunplay, well choreographed fight scenes, and a nice suit. The multihyphenate plays a young man looking to extract his pound of flesh from those in authority responsible for the brutal death of his mother when he was a child, as well as for targeting the underprivileged and the powerless. While Wick’s influence is obvious, the film touches on classism, bigotry, religion, and economic disparity. Patel is off to a roaring start as a director and I can’t wait to see what he does next — in front of and behind the camera.
A follow-up to the stunning Saint Maud, writer-director Rose Glass' queer neo noir is this generation’s Bound. Gym manager Lou (an outstanding Kristen Stewart) meets bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brian in a star-making performance), who’s passing through town on her way to a big competition. The pair quickly fall in love only to get wrapped up in Lou’s family baggage. Seedy, steamy, unpredictable. You can see Blood Simple is an influence — yet Glass makes sure to set her film apart with a decidedly distinctive voice. Stewart and O’Brian are only the tip when it comes to the ridiculously stacked cast: Anna Baryshnikov, Dave Franco, Jena Malone, and Ed Harris all slay. One of my favorite films of 2024.
By the end of 2021’s Dune, it wasn’t hard to work out that this was merely the jumping off point. Denis Villeneuve takes us back to Arrakis and nothing will ever be the same. The director and cinematographer Greig Fraser immerse us in this gorgeous desert world while we follow Paul Atreides’ journey with the Fremen as Baron Harkonnen continues laying out his plan for world domination. Politics, religion, power grabs, betrayal, zealotry. Nothing is off the table when there is so much at stake. Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Timothée Chalamet, and Austin Butler are the standouts among a staggeringly talented cast. Bring on Dune: Messiah.
Everything you’ve heard regarding how good this film is? All true. Writer-director Andrew Haigh has done it again. His latest is a spectacular feat: an emotionally resonant tale of forgiveness and love that doesn’t just stay with you but haunts. Adam (a bravura turn from Andrew Scott) has never gotten over the death of his parents; an event that has forced him to wall off his heart. When neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal, beautifully vulnerable and raw) knocks on his door, the chance encounter inexplicably leads Adam to his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell, both knockouts) and even his childhood home. This unexplainable experience opens up old wounds, which could help Adam heal. I’m honestly obsessed with this film. (Case in point: My title quote is from this.)
ALSO: The central conceit of Imaginary — a friend seemingly sprung from a child’s imagination is actually pure evil — is a good one. Too bad Blumhouse and director/co-writer Jeff Wadlow failed to do anything extraordinary with it. Here’s hoping someone else will do it right soon. ... Ecto-1 is back in action! Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire keeps the low key charm of Afterlife while moving the action back to NYC. This is a fun sequel where once again the stakes are secondary to the nostalgia factor and easy chemistry of its cast. ... If you love a good nunsploitation flick then look no further than Immaculate. Sydney Sweeney plays a young nun who’s the latest addition to an Italian convent only to wind up knocked up seemingly by God. What follows is a pure, perverse joy featuring a fearless performance by Sweeney.
TV
One of the best YA series out there, this multigenerational comedy focuses on high schooler Devi Vishwakumar as she navigates life and relationships along with her friends and family. Smart, hilarious, and heartfelt, this series from Mindy Kaling ensures that the supporting characters are fully developed, too. While most of the episodes are told from Devi's point of view — via narration by John McEnroe — there are eps that switch to the POVs of Devi's main love interests throughout the series. Not to be outdone, the show explores the lives of her BFFs as well as her mom, cousin, and grandmother. Having recently finished the fourth and final season, I gotta say Kaling has outdone herself. (All episodes are now available on Netflix.)
Based on Ben Macintyre's nonfiction book — set in 1963 England — this is the story of Kim Philby's (Guy Pearce) betrayal of both MI6 and the CIA by spilling their secrets to the Russians, who he had been working for the entire time. The lynchpin of the tale is MI6 agent Nicholas Elliott (Damien Lewis), who uses his status as Philby's best friend since childhood to get at the truth. Lily Thomas (Anna Maxwell Martin), who also works for MI6, is assigned to the case; she and Elliott form an uneasy alliance that blooms into respect. Showrunner Alexander Cary brilliantly adapts Macintyre's text, ably assisted by the outstanding trio of Pearce, Lewis, and Martin — all of whom bring a decisive cunning to their characters that's mixed with weariness from playing the long game. (All episodes are now available on MGM+.)
When most people think of Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Seth Meyers creating a comedy series, a witty mockumentary based on some of the most influential documentaries of all time doesn't automatically spring to mind. However, that's exactly what they did and I couldn't be more grateful that they have crafted this excellent gateway to the world of documentary film. (I'll be the first to admit I don't watch enough docs despite my interest.) Over the years, the current season of the series was always my favorite; it's no different now that I've caught up with season four, which originally aired on IFC in 2022. A number of big names have appeared on the show and the most recent run featured Alexander Skarsgård, Cate Blanchett, and Jamie Demetriou. Helen Mirren appears as herself throughout, the host of the long-running titular show within the show. (All episodes are now available on AMC+ and Netflix.)
ALSO: Season three of Only Murders in the Building is a more satisfying affair than the uneven season two. The show returns to form and with two big guest stars on the call sheet. Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep bring a much needed energy boost to the mystery comedy with the core trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez in fine form. (All episodes now available on Hulu. New season due later in 2024.) … Jensen Ackles pops up in season three of The Boys, giving Karl Urban's Billy Butcher a much needed sense of purpose after being mired in a misguided doomed romance in season two. This season is also stronger overall as the story moves forward in a big way. (All episodes are now on Prime Video. New season due June 2024.) … I've been getting back into Agatha Christie of late. My latest watch is the BBC's three-part 2015 adaptation of And Then There Were None. A rather disparate group is invited to spend the weekend at an estate on a remote island only to be picked off one by one. A strong cast led by Aidan Turner, Toby Stephens, Sam Neill, and Charles Dance have a lot of fun bringing Sarah Phelps' sparkling script to life. (Now available on Acorn TV.)
BOOKS
Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price
Just when you thought I was finished writing about Jane Austen, I'm here to recommend one more remix. This fun, twisty mystery has a decidedly modern feel to it despite being set in Regency England. In this iteration, Austen's heroine Elizabeth Bennet works in her father's law firm with eyes on becoming a barrister. While investigating a murder, Lizzie believes the wrong man has been charged and forms an unlikely alliance with Fitzwilliam Darcy, heir to a rival law firm, to track down the real killer. If you love the TV series Miss Scarlet and the Duke, then this is a must read.
PODCASTS
Talking Pictures: A Movie Memories Podcast
Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz hosts this interview series focusing on our love for the movies, produced by TCM and the streaming service Max. Mankiewicz is a delightful and insightful presence as he draws out fascinating stories and anecdotes from his guests. This will come as no surprise to those who know him as TCM's primetime host and/or The Plot Thickens podcast, also produced by TCM. For its inaugural season, Mankiewicz talks with Nancy Meyers, Cord Jefferson, Emerald Fennell, and Bill Hader, among others. It’s an entertaining listen for even casual film fans. Cannot wait for season two!
What are you loving right now? Drop me a line or two to share what's got your attention.
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