March 29, 2024

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 3/29

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you want something joyful

easter parade

Vincent Georgie: Fred Astaire and Judy Garland lead this lighthearted, beautiful and innocent Easter-themed musical. With songs by Irving Berlin, the film won an Oscar for its musical score. A film from another era, all the more glorious to (re)discover.

Synopsis: In this lavish musical, Broadway star Don Hewes’ (Fred Astaire) dancing partner (Ann Miller) goes solo, and Don declares that he can make a hit performer out of the next dancer he sees. This turns out to be the inexperienced Hannah (Judy Garland), who bristles as Don tries to make her into his old partner. But as he realizes that he is falling in love with Hannah, Don knows that he must let her grow into her own kind of dancer if he wants her to reach her full potential.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube and Amazon Prime.

if you want some easter fun for the kids

hop

Vincent Georgie: Charming, uplifting and perfectly appropriate for Easter celebrations with the kids, this hit kids film is the perfect choice to entertain a variety of visiting relatives and children.

Synopsis: Beneath Easter Island, in a giant factory that manufactures the world’s Easter candy, the popular rabbit is preparing to pass the mantle to his son, E.B. But E.B. has no interest in the job and would rather be a drummer. He runs away to Los Angeles, where an unemployed slacker named Fred O’Hare accidentally runs into him. Feigning injury, E.B. tricks Fred into giving him shelter, but an oversized chick is planning a coup back on Easter Island.

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

if you loved anatomy of a fall

sybil

Vincent Georgie: Filmmaker Justine Triet won the Oscar, the Palme d’Or and a truckload of other prizes this year for her hit Anatomy of a Fall. Let’s take a moment to look at the terrific and undercelebrated film she released in 2019, a smart and every-intriguing psychological drama starring the terrific Virginie Efira. An entertaining and tricky film.

Synopsis: A psychotherapist pursues her passion to be a writer, and her latest patient proves to be a tempting source of inspiration.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube and MUBI. Watch for free on Plex.

DOUBLE FEATURE

FILMMAKER ANDREY ZVYAGINTSEV

It’s a shame when filmmakers are made to pay the price for the political battles of their country. One of the strongest dramatists we have on the world screen is writer-director Zvyagintsev who manages to tell exceptionally intricate personal stories that are merciless allegories for current geo-political issues.

He received Oscar nominations and prizes at Cannes for both of his outstanding recent features. Both were well-regarded at WIFF 2014 and WIFF 2017, respectively.

leviathan

A Russian fisherman (Alexey Serebryakov) fights back when a corrupt mayor tries to seize possession of his ancestral home.

Available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

loveless

An estranged Russian couple going through a brutal divorce both have new partners and want to start over until their 12-year-old son disappears after witnessing one of their fights.