So many movies over this holiday weekend! Overall, they were very pleasing, which is quite the feat especially given that some titles I had never heard of until about ten minutes before I decided to watch them. Below is a quick synopsis and my fast take on each of them. Enjoy!
1BR – I love a good cult movie like the rest of us, but this was a bit too Lifetime-esque for me to really be sold on it. Full of no-name actors, this film definitely had its cheesy moments, and also some surprisingly gruesome ones? Our leading lady was a little too oblivious and that was a bit irritating, but ending seems to be setting itself up for a possible sequel. Can’t say I wouldn’t watch it.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things – Adapted from the book of the same name by the man who brought you Being John Malkovich, this was a little more odd than the book itself, with some creative additions, but none that hindered the overall story. I was actually quite glad to have gotten more screen time with Toni Collette and David Thewlis! The dialogue is long and twisty, and the snow is all-consuming, and it was lovely! Certainly not for everyone. Just look at the other films directed by Charlie Kaufman, and you can decide for yourself if this would be your cup of tea.
Stage Mother – I saw this randomly advertised and was fairly well convinced with the trailer, so I decided to rent this film starring Oscar nominee, Jacki Weaver. I wouldn’t call this her typical film, but I quite liked it! After this Texas-bred church-going mother loses her son to a drug overdose, she learns she’s inherited his gay bar. In an effort to connect with her deceased son, she takes the bar’s drag performers and son-in-law under her wings and opens herself up to a new way of life.
Bill & Ted Face the Music – Sadly, no drive-in showings this weekend, so I bit the bullet and did the $20 rental option. Funny like the original installments, but definitely not worth what I paid. The daughters sort of re-hash the original’s story line, while Bill and Ted only really have interactions with their future selves. The ultimate pay-off should have come in the form of the song that unites the whole world, but it was ultimately unsatisfying.
Detroit Evolution – Don’t even begin to ask how I stumbled upon this Youtube fan film, but I did, and it was surprisingly good! Based on the video game, Detroit: Become Human, this film follows that realm, specifically android rk900, aka Nines, and his time on the DPD. It also explores the budding romance between him and his partner, Gavin, as they try to hunt down an android serial murdering other androids for parts. I’m dead serious when I say I sort of loved this.
Murderous Intent – Baby Eddie Redmayne and baby Tom Sturridge? What else do you need?! Set at an all boys college in England, there is some mind melding between an intelligent trouble maker and the odd new kid. This might be an older movie, but the suspense was there along with some pretty interesting lore to set up the story. If mystery movies are your thing then by all means give this a watch!