Movies to Stream this Weekend 🍿
Happy Friday! Today’s newsletter features an underrated action movie blockbuster from director Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball), whose next film The Woman King is slated for release this year. I also give recommendations for one of my favorite horror movies of 2021 and a hidden gem indie rom-com. Plus, my favorite movie in theaters right now. Have an incredible weekend.
❤️ Karl (@karl_delo)
TODAY’S MAIN FEATURE
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. [Full review]
A movie to be scared to…
Malignant
What starts out as a classic James Wan (Insidious, The Conjuring) ghost story turns into a Giallo-inspired crime mystery body horror as Madison (Annabelle Wallis) begins to have nightmares of grisly murders, but before long realizes are actually happening. Filled with inventive scenes of action, campy moments of horror, and a villain that is destined for the history books, Malignant is a constantly surprising and devilishly entertaining romp of frights. Here’s the trailer.
A movie to fall in (and out of) love to…
Mark, Mary + Some Other People
A year after a drug store meet cute we could only dream of, Mark (Ben Rosenfield) and Mary (Hayley) are living in blissful wedded domesticity. That is until Mary asks Mark if they could open up their relationship. Though initially hesitant, Mark agrees leading to a series of hilariously cringy but relatable events as the couple tries to navigate what an “open relationship” really means. In the end, it’s a reflection of the millennial desire to have it all in love and loss. Here’s the trailer.
A movie to watch in theaters…
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Here’s an excerpt from my review for the excellent Everything Everywhere All At Once, now playing in theaters nationwide:
When I say a movie like Everything Everywhere All At Once has never existed, I mean that a movie like it has truly never existed. Though it spans countless genres, experiments with several mediums, and references dozens of films from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Ratatouille to Kill Bill to In the Mood For Love it feels so singular and assured. Director duo Daniels crafted a romp through the multiverse that is an assault on the mind as much as it is an assault on the senses. Absurd, hilarious, heartfelt, thrilling. It is one of the best movies of the year. Read more…
📽 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.