June 28, 2024

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 6/28

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you WANT something lighthearted

a family affair

Vincent Georgie: The brand new film won’t change your life, but the appealing combo of Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron provides a most enjoyable romantic night at the movies. A perfectly serviceable entertainment with some pizza and a few glasses of wine.

Synopsis: A surprising romance kicks off comic consequences for a young woman, her mother and her movie star boss as they face the complications of love, sex and identity.

Available on Netflix.

if you want to see a damn cool true story

blackberry

Vincent Georgie: As we celebrate Canada Day this weekend, let’s enjoy the recent winner of no less than 14 Canadian Screen Awards (a new record). Original, witty, ridiculous and completely entertaining, filmmaker Matt Johnson has made an instant classic. Look for actor Glenn Howerton playing Jim Balsillie, as the film’s secret weapon. This film was nominated for the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film.

Synopsis: As we celebrate Canada Day this weekend, let’s enjoy the recent winner of no less than 14 Canadian Screen Awards (a new record). Original, witty, ridiculous and completely entertaining, filmmaker Matt Johnson has made an instant classic. Look for actor Glenn Howerton playing Jim Balsillie, as the film’s secret weapon. This film was nominated for the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube and CBC Gem.

if you want a wonderful film for the kids

the great mouse detective

Vincent Georgie: One of the somewhat forgotten Disney films from the mid-80s, this is a wonderful and exciting detective story. Essentially a Sherlock Holmes story with mice instead of humans, enjoy the legendary Vincent Price voicing the memorable villain Ratigan.

Synopsis: Basil embarks on the greatest case of his career when London’s master toymaker is kidnapped. He ends up pitting his wits against his old adversary, Professor Ratigan, who wants to become the `supreme ruler of all mousedom’.

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

DOUBLE FEATURE

all hail, Catherine o’hara

Vincent Georgie: Let’s celebrate one of the funniest actresses in the industry, a Canadian to boot. While her work in the first film is more well-known, don’t miss out on how funny she is as the star of the second film.

beetlejuice

After Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die in a car accident, they find themselves stuck haunting their country residence, unable to leave the house. When the unbearable Deetzes (Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones) and teen daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder) buy the home, the Maitlands attempt to scare them away without success. Their efforts attract Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), a rambunctious spirit whose “help” quickly becomes dangerous for the Maitlands and innocent Lydia.

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

for your consideration

The possibility of Oscar gold holds the cast and crew of an independent film in its grip after the performance of its virtually unknown, veteran star (Catherine O’Hara) generates awards buzz. Though the movie in question, “Home for Purim,” is impossibly awful, the rumors of future nominations snowball and attract the attention of a distributor who wants to make a few “minor” changes.