July 05, 2024

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 7/5

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you WANT a quality comedy

the apartment

Vincent Georgie: The saying “they don’t make them like they used to” definitely applies to this funny, dramatic and masterfully realized film by Billy Wilder. Winner of the Best Picture Oscar, starring the perfect Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.

Synopsis: Insurance worker C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) lends his Upper West Side apartment to company bosses to use for extramarital affairs. When his manager Mr. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) begins using Baxter’s apartment in exchange for promoting him, Baxter is disappointed to learn that Sheldrake’s mistress is Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine), the elevator girl at work whom Baxter is interested in himself. Soon Baxter must decide between the girl he loves and the advancement of his career.

Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube and The Criterion Channel.

if you believe truth is stranger than fiction

the man with 1000 kids

Vincent Georgie: The film is not memorable for its production values, but it certainly is for its central stunning conceit. Entertaining, attention-grabbing and rather enjoyable. WIFF 2011 Closing Night Film Starbuck was based on this true story.

Synopsis: The team uncovers the story behind Jonathan Meijer, a Dutch sperm donor, who was accused of fathering over five hundred children and defrauding vulnerable families in the Netherlands and around the world.

Available on Netflix.

if you want something sensuous

like water for chocolate

Vincent Georgie: Romantic, emotional and a wonderful example of the beauty of European cinema. A mid-90s art house hit.

Synopsis: The youngest daughter in her family, the beautiful Tita (Lumi Cavazos) is forbidden to marry her true love, Pedro (Marco Leonardi). Since tradition dictates that Tita must care for her mother, Pedro weds her older sister, Rosaura (Yareli Arizmendi), though he still loves Tita. The situation creates much tension in the family, and Tita’s powerful emotions begin to surface in fantastical ways through her cooking. As the years pass, unusual circumstances test the enduring love of Pedro and Tita.

Available on Apple TV.

DOUBLE FEATURE

all hail, alex foley

Vincent Georgie: Eddie Murphy incarnated the infamous rule-breaking detective in 1984. Upon its release, the film was the biggest hit in the world, was nominated for an Oscar and spawned 3 sequels, including this enjoyable 2024 revival.

beverly hills cop

After his childhood buddy is murdered while visiting Detroit, rebellious cop Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) follows the leads to Beverly Hills, Calif., under the auspices of a vacation. He checks in with old friend Jenny Summers (Lisa Eilbacher) and starts to believe her boss, art dealer Victor Maitland (Steven Berkoff), might somehow be involved in the murder. However, Lt. Bogomil (Ronny Cox) of the Beverly Hills Police Department does not trust Foley, and hinders his search for evidence.

Available on Apple TV, Netflix and Amazon Prime.

beverly hills cop: axel f

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.