July 12, 2024

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 7/12

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you JUST DISCOVERED JUNE SQUIBB

nebraska

Vincent Georgie: Earlier this week, our audience let out some big laughs watching Thelma at the Capitol. And the bulk of those laughs are full credit to 94 year-old sensation June Squibb. She’s having a real career highlight moment, similar to when she received an Oscar nomination back in 2013 for her hilarious performance in Nebraska.

Synopsis: Cantankerous old buzzard Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) can barely walk down the street of his home in Billings, Mont., without stopping for a drink. So when Woody receives receives a sweepstakes notice in the mail and insists on making a 750-mile trip to Lincoln, Neb., to collect his prize, it falls to baffled son David (Will Forte) to accompany him. During a stop in their Nebraska hometown, word gets out about Woody’s fortune, first making him a hero, then later, the target of predatory people.

Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

if you THINK REVENGE IS BEST SERVED COLD

oldboy

Vincent Georgie: South Korean cinema has a certain agility with violence, vengeance and stories of palpable danger. Park Chan-wook’s masterful film is a memorably satisfying and polished affair. An absolutely excellent film.

Synopsis: Dae-Su is an obnoxious drunk bailed from the police station yet again by a friend. However, he’s abducted from the street and wakes up in a cell, where he remains for the next 15 years, drugged unconscious when human contact is unavoidable, otherwise with only the television as company. And then, suddenly released, he is invited to track down his jailor with a denouement that is simply stunning.

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

if you LOVE THE 90S

empire records

Vincent Georgie: Come for the soundtrack, stay for the antics of Liv Tyler, Ethan Embry and Renée Zellweger.

Synopsis: Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) runs Empire Records, an independent Delaware store that employs a tight-knit group of music-savvy youths. Hearing that the shop may be sold to a big chain, slacker employee Lucas (Rory Cochrane) bets a chunk of the store’s money, hoping to get a big return. When this plan fails, Empire Records falls into serious trouble, and the various other clerks, including lovely Corey (Liv Tyler) and gloomy Deb (Robin Tunney), must deal with the problem, among many other issues.

Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and Plex.

DOUBLE FEATURE

all hail, SUMMER MOVIES

Vincent Georgie: Toronto Star film critic Peter Howell (a jury member at WIFF 2023) recently asked a who’s who of film industry types what their fave Summer films were. Here are two golden, hilarious options.

caddyshack

Danny Noonan (Michael O’Keefe), a teen down on his luck, works as a caddy at the snob-infested Bushwood Country Club to raise money for his college education. In an attempt to gain votes for a college scholarship reserved for caddies, Noonan volunteers to caddy for a prominent and influential club member (Ted Knight). Meanwhile, Danny struggles to prepare for the high-pressure Caddy Day golf tournament while absorbing New Age advice from wealthy golf guru Ty Webb (Chevy Chase).

Available on Apple TV, Crave and Amazon Prime.

major league

The new owner of the Cleveland Indians, former showgirl Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton), has a sweetheart deal to move the team to Miami. But to break the lease with the city of Cleveland, ticket sales have to plummet. So Phelps hires the most incompetent players available, including near-blind pitcher Rick Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) and injury-prone catcher Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger). But her villainous tactics accidentally foster a can-do team spirit, turning the Indians into potential winners.