August 18, 2023

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 8/18

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you WANT A high-energy comedy

joy ride

Vincent Georgie: I’m baffled as to why this film was not a smash hit at this Summer’s box office. The co-writer of the film has been on the writing team for “Family Guy” for ages and it shows. The humour here is smart, shocking and absolutely hilarious. The ensemble cast is well-matched to the material. If you want a raucous night of laughter, this is your best bet.

Synopsis: When Audrey’s business trip to Asia goes sideways, she enlists the help of Lolo, her childhood best friend, Kat, a college friend, and Deadeye, Lolo’s eccentric cousin. Their epic, no-holds-barred experience becomes a journey of bonding, friendship, belonging and wild debauchery that reveals the universal truth of what it means to know and love who you are.

Available on iTunes, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

if you want an intriguing drama

the man who sold his skin

Vincent Georgie: Tattoos as a form of political and social statement? While the concept is far from shocking, the overarching scale of the risk and geopolitical implications featured in this film are a marvel to consider. From the excellent Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, this film received an Oscar nomination in 2021 for Best International Feature.

Synopsis: A Syrian refugee in Lebanon allows his back to become a canvas for a famous tattoo artist. Soon, collectors become interested in this work of art.

Available on iTunes, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

if you appreciate dance

holes

Vincent Georgie: Based upon the very popular Young Adult novel, Holes is considered by many as the gold standard of what an entertaining, exciting and engaging film adaptation looks like for the 9 to 13 crowd.

Synopsis: A boy is wrongfully sent to a brutal camp, where the camp warden and her staff force the children in their care to mysteriously dig holes all day long in the desert. Their rehabilitation is questioned, as they think something sinister is involved.

Available on iTunes, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and YouTube.

DOUBLE FEATURE

What Would you do?

Both of these films put you in the surprising and impossible circumstances that the main characters in each film face. Both films will generate good discussion and even curious exploration about how the viewer would handle the extreme situations of the film.

music box

Attorney Ann Talbot leads the defence of a Hungarian immigrant accused of Nazi war crimes, Mike Laszlo. But this isn’t just another case for her — Laszlo is her father. Ann is sure that he’s innocent, and intends to convince a jury that her client is the victim of a far-reaching Communist conspiracy. But, as she digs deeper into her father’s past, Ann discovers some startling secrets that open up new mysteries.