August 02, 2024

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 8/2

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you want the best film you have not seen

mountain queen: the summits of lhakpa sherpa

Vincent Georgie: Inspiring, engaging, touching and uplifting. A surefire recommendation. Don’t miss this new release.

Synopsis: The first Nepali woman to summit and descend Mount Everest, now a single mum working at a Connecticut Whole Foods, heads back to Everest to make a better life for her two daughters.

Available on Netflix.

if you want a fun indie comedy

clockwatchers

Vincent Georgie: Featuring a mid-90s video store cast of Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow and Parker Posey, among others. If you miss your Jumbo Video free popcorn, this one will take you back to the types of films you would discover on those shelves.

Synopsis: While she tries to determine her career goals, Iris (Toni Collette) becomes a temporary worker for Global Credit. There, all the regular employees ignore her, so she becomes friendly with three other temps: socializing actress Paula (Lisa Kudrow), conceited Jane (Alanna Ubach) and rebellious Margaret (Parker Posey). Though Margaret pines for a permanent job with the company, a rash of office thefts makes people suspicious of her, and Iris wonders whether or not to stand behind her new friend.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube and Plex.

if you want to be thrilled

split

Vincent Georgie: Filmmaking trickster M. Night Shyamalan has had a variable (to say the least) career. This weekend, he is hoping to thrill audiences with his new film Trap. If you want a surefire thriller from his filmography, look no further than the wildly entertaining thriller Split, anchored by a really-earning-his-paycheck starring role by James McAvoy. Some people thought the film was trash; I thought McAvoy deserved an Oscar nomination. Decide for yourself.

Synopsis: Though Kevin (James McAvoy) has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley), there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all of the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the willful, observant Casey, Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him — as well as everyone around him — as the walls between his compartments shatter.

Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and Crave.

DOUBLE FEATURE

all hail, better midler

Vincent Georgie: Earlier this week, our audience showed up in droves to see The Fabulous Four at the Capitol Theatre and to enjoy, among other actresses, the appealing Bette Midler. Not only is she an extraordinary singer and dramatic actress, but she is one of our best physical comediennes and has a way with sassy, witty dialogue. Look no further than two comedies from the 80s that definitely know how to tap into that Midler Magic.

down and out in Beverly hills

Unlucky and homeless, Dave (Nick Nolte) decides to call it quits, and so sneaks into a stranger’s backyard and tries to drown himself in the pool. However, Jerry’s plans are stopped by the pool’s owner, white-collar businessman Dave (Richard Dreyfuss), who pulls the tramp out of the water and into his home. But Dave’s hospitality and his status-obsessed wife, Barbara (Bette Midler), don’t impress Jerry, who ignores them and instead pursues the family’s maid, Carmen (Elizabeth Peña).

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

big business

Two sets of twins born in the small town of Jupiter Hollow are mixed up by a confused nurse. The parents — one set poor local farmers, the other wealthy socialites just passing through — are none the wiser and take the twins home. Now, some 40 years later, the wealthy pair (Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin) are involved in a business deal to buy and close down a factory in Jupiter Hollow. Hearing the news, the other set of twins travels to New York City to try and stop the sale.