August 30, 2024

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 8/30

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you want top-notch suspense

rear window

Vincent Georgie: It’s a masterpiece for a reason, folks. Celebrating its 70th year. It’s a masterpiece for a reason, folks. Celebrating its 70th year.

Synopsis: The story of a recuperating news photographer who believes he has witnessed a murder. Confined to a wheelchair after an accident, he spends his time watching the occupants of neighbouring apartments through a telephoto lens and binoculars and becomes convinced that a murder has taken place.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube and Amazon Prime.

if you want a wicked comedy

the war of the roses

Vincent Georgie: The perfect reunion for longtime collaborators Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito (who directed the film, as well), this jet-black comedy has stood the test of time. This thing is firing on all cylinders. A remake is in production right now starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Synopsis: After 17 years of marriage, Barbara (Kathleen Turner) and Oliver Rose (Michael Douglas) want out. The trouble is, neither one wants to part with their opulent home. So begins a long war between husband and wife, reaching farcical heights that leave much of the house — not to mention their lives — in shambles. The couple’s children (Sean Astin, Heather Fairfield) watch in horror while lawyer Gavin D’Amato (Danny DeVito) tries his best to stem the bloodshed.

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

if you want an indie thriller

cat person

Vincent Georgie: This film went largely unnoticed upon release earlier last year. This one’s worth a look, even if it’s just because you miss Nicholas Braun as TV’s favourite bumbling Cousin Greg on ‘Succession’.

Synopsis: A college student who works at a movie theatre goes on an awkward date with an older man who may be a murderer.

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

DOUBLE FEATURE

all hail, pedro Almodovar!

Vincent Georgie: Arguably the world’s most flamboyant and emotionally charged filmmaker, Pedro Almodovar just premiered his English-language debut The Room Next Door with Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton at the Venice Film Festival. His melodramatic exports from Spain, however, are what have made him famous. An adorer of women, striking visuals and psychological complexity—dive into one of his sultriest films and one of his most elegantly dramatic.

tie me up! Tie me down!

Newly released from a mental institution, Ricky (Antonio Banderas) heads straight for a reunion with the love of his life, B-movie actress Marina (Victoria Abril). The trouble is, Marina doesn’t remember him — or the fling they had during her years as a junkie and porn star. Determined to make Marina love him, Ricky barges into her apartment and ties her up. With a captive audience, Ricky is sure it’s only a matter of time before his beloved returns his affections.

Available on Apple TV.

talk to her

Male nurse Benigno (Javier Cámara) becomes infatuated with a complete stranger when he watches dancer Alicia (Leonor Watling) practicing from the anonymity of his apartment. After being injured in a car accident, Alicia is brought to a nearby hospital, where Benigno serendipitously happens to be her caregiver. When wounded bullfighter Lydia (Rosario Flores) is brought into the same ward, her companion, writer Marco (Darío Grandinetti), begins to bond with Benigno.