July 28, 2023

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 7/28

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you miss better call saul

nobody

Vincent Georgie: This is an enjoyable and engaging new action film, but the whole point of catching this one rests upon the opportunity to see the endlessly talented (and criminally underrated) Bob Odenkirk. He’s the whole show, just the way we like it…

Synopsis: Hutch Mansell fails to defend himself or his family when two thieves break into his suburban home one night. The aftermath of the incident soon strikes a match to his long-simmering rage. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must now save his wife and son from a dangerous adversary — and ensure that he will never be underestimated again.

Available on Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

if you want a quality drama

the end of the affair

Vincent Georgie: Irish director Neil Jordan made a lush, elegant and mature film adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel. Starring Ralph Fiennes and an Oscar-nominated Julianne Moore, this film is perfect for those who cannot wait for the Summer superhero films to get out of theatres.

Synopsis: In the years following World War II, writer Maurice Bendrix has an unexpected run-in with Henry Miles and his wife, Sarah, with whom he once shared a passionate affair. Henry, who never knew, confides in Maurice that he suspects Sarah of adultery, leading to the hiring of a detective to follow her. As Sarah never explained why she called off their affair, Maurice follows the investigation closely, his feelings for her reawakened.

Available on iTunes, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

if you want to see a modern classic

my own private Idaho

Vincent Georgie: Six years prior to Good Will Hunting, filmmaker Gus Van Sant assembled a never-better Keanu Reeves and an Oscar-worthy River Phoenix in a dark, sordid tale of hurt people looking for love in all the wrong places. It’s a haunting and emotionally alive film.

Synopsis: In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV,” Mike Waters is a gay hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor is the rebellious son of a mayor. Together, the two travel from Portland, Oregon to Idaho and finally to the coast of Italy in a quest to find Mike’s estranged mother. Along the way they turn tricks for money and drugs, eventually attracting the attention of a wealthy benefactor and sexual deviant.

Available on iTunes, Crave, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

DOUBLE FEATURE

wonderful family films

I’ve received a few messages from parents and grandparents who are running out of films to show their kids and grandkids this Summer. Here are two quality films from the early 80s that are funny, touching and remind us how incredible the Jim Henson world is.

the muppets take manhattan

When Kermit the Frog and his friends start a stage act, they decide to take the show from their college town to Broadway. However, once the Muppets wind up in New York City, they have difficulty finding financial support for the production, instead running into cheats like Murray Plotsky. Unable to stage the show, the group splits up, and they all take different jobs around the country. Just as Kermit thinks he has finally found a backer, an accident gives him amnesia.

Available on iTunes, YouTube and Amazon Prime.

follow that bird

Big Bird loves spending his days on Sesame Street with all of his different friends. However, social worker Miss Finch feels that Big Bird should live in an environment with only birds like himself. When she sends him to live with a family of dodos in Illinois, Big Bird cannot help but think of his friends back home. Deciding Sesame Street is the place for him, Big Bird begins an adventurous journey back to where he truly belongs.