February 21, 2025

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 2/21

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you want to be excited

the count of monte cristo

Vincent Georgie: This is an expensive, high-quality adaptation of the classic novel. A starry cast from France and some of the very best production values of any film you will see anytime soon. An enormous box office hit in France, the film received raves from our WIFF audience last Fall.

Synopsis: Edmond Dantes becomes the target of a sinister plot and is arrested on his wedding day for a crime he did not commit. After 14 years in the island prison of Château d’If, he manages a daring escape. Now rich beyond his dreams, he assumes the identity of the Count of Monte-Cristo and exacts his revenge on the three men who betrayed him.

Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.

if you want to be surprised

the last showgirl

Vincent Georgie: I don’t think many people have given much thought to the potential of Pamela Anderson’s acting gifts, but we are fortunate that writer-director Gia Coppola did. Anderson gives an undeniably full-hearted performance here and quietly demands that you rethink your views of her. This is clearly a personal film for her, and it shows. Jamie Lee Curtis and Kiernan Shipka are good in supporting performances. Nicely established visual universe by filmmaker Coppola to boot.

Synopsis: A seasoned showgirl must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.

Available on Apple TV.

if you want to be engrossed

the china syndrome

Vincent Georgie: An environmentally-focused, political potboiler with an all-star cast? Nominated for 4 Oscars in 1979, re-discover a terrific oldie but a goodie. Starring Jack Lemmon, Jane Fonda, and Michael Douglas.

Synopsis: A news reporter (Jane Fonda) and her cameraman (Michael Douglas) are unintentional witnesses to a SCRAM incident, an emergency core shutdown procedure at a nuclear power plant in California. The crew prevents a catastrophe, but the plant supervisor (Jack Lemmon) begins to suspect the plant is in violation of safety standards and tries desperately to bring it to the attention of the public, fearing that another SCRAM incident will produce an atomic disaster.

Available on Apple TV, Disney+, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

DOUBLE FEATURE

psychological thrillers

Vincent Georgie: A good friend suggested this double feature and, as with so many films recommended weekly, great ideas come from our fans. Both of these films are a jolt of energy and smarts to the genre, with an undeniable dash of horror in their finales. A very entertaining night ahead of you.

smile

After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.

Available on Apple TV, Crave, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

smile 2

About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins to experience increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and pressures of fame, she must face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.