Gunpowder Milkshake 🥤 // The Old Guard ♾ // The Guest 🚪
Happy Thursday! In honor of Black Widow, today’s recommendation is for three comic book-style action movies with a quirky twist.
In movie news: Bo Burnham’s terrific pandemic filmed comedy special will have a one-night engagement in theaters on July 22nd. Laugh, cry, and celebrate that you made it through 2020.
Hey you, you’re worthy of love. Have a great weekend!
Gunpowder Milkshake 🥤
An assassin (Karen Gillan) seeks the help of her mother (Lena Heady) and her team of “librarians” (Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Carla Gugino) after a job goes awry. Now with a gang of hitmen on her tail and an eight-year-old in tow, she has to… shake it up to get out of this situation. Here’s the trailer.
Why you should watch it: Unlike John Wick or Atomic Blonde before it, Gunpowder Milkshake isn’t based on a graphic novel. That doesn’t stop director Navot Papushado from directing it like one. Every frame of action feels like a comic book panel come to life. However, like Wick and Blonde, it isn’t all serious. Gunpowder Milkshake toes the line between action and action-comedy and often crosses it to great effect — a fight scene involving someone who lost use of their arms is particularly absurd.
And while it may take you a few scenes to get your bearings, you’ll eventually fall into the rhythm of the offbeat world, which feels like a weird western set in a city. Come for the action, but stay for your favorite actresses tearing up every single scene. I mean, Michelle Yeoh stare can reduce you to tears and Angela Bassett basically invented talking. Needless to say, I’m drinking the milkshake and would like another. 114 mins.
The Old Guard ♾
A group of centuries-old immortal warriors led by Andy (Charlize Theron) finds themselves under attack by a pharmaceutical company looking to study them for science. To survive, they must find their newest member Nile (Kiki Layne) and eliminate the threat. Here’s the trailer.
Why you should watch it: The Old Guard feels familiar. It follows the typical Hollywood action blockbuster formula, has the archetypes we’ve come to expect and a premise that we’ve seen before. Prince-Bythewood finds moments to give The Old Guard a completely singular flair that feels as invigorating as it is groundbreaking. Each character, some centuries years old and aware of the labors and joys of their immortality and some newly struggling with it, is finely carved out to have a past that informs their present motivations. They’re the definitions of lived-in.
In particular, it’s Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and Joe’s (Marwan Kenzari) story that feels most meaningful. Despite the uniqueness as a gay couple in a major action blockbuster, Prince-Bythewood treats them with normalcy, which adds to their impact. Their centuries-long love story has importance in their part of the narrative. Their love adds to the story’s stakes. It’s through their adversity that we also find their moral drive. 125 mins. [Full review]
The Guest 🚪
After soldier David (Stevens) appears on the Peterson family’s doorstep claiming to be a friend of their son Caleb who died in combat, weird incidents begin to happen around town. Caleb’s sister Anna (Monroe) suspects it has to do with David’s presence. Little does she know that he is more than a pleasant house guest. Here's the trailer.
Why you should watch it: The Guest is that rare amalgamation of genres and tones that actually work harmoniously to create something entirely different. Finding the precise intersection of suspense, mystery, action, horror, and even comedy, Wingard is able to create a retro-like atmosphere that is intense but devilishly entertaining to watch—Steve Moore’s synth-infused 80s-inspired score is egregiously underrated.
Paced to perfection and plotted just the same, it moves and holds your interests even when it makes its big shifts in tone. Largely that’s to the credit of Stevens’ performance that balances a movie star charm with terrifying stoicism—Southern charm has never been so horrifying. 100 mins.
📽 P.S. You can see every movie I’ve ever recommended right here.
🍅 I’m also a Tomatometer-approved critic on Rotten Tomatoes! You can find new movie reviews here and here.