I still really feel like I’ve been slacking so far this year with films, but I’m trying. Here’s what made it in this weekend.
Heart Eyes – It seems there is an influx of atypical Valentine’s Day movies in theaters this year, and frankly, that’s what I’m here for. In this film, directed by Josh Ruben and produced by Christopher Landon, slasher horror mixes with silly rom-com tropes for the perfect experience with an audience. For the past several years, the “Heart Eyes Killer” has been mowing down couples in various towns, but this year he’s set his sights on Seattle. There, we meet heard working Ally, who doesn’t believe in love any more despite her almost instant connection with the new contract worker at her job, Jay. He seems pretty perfect and when they are seen locking lips completely out of context, well, they set themselves up to be the next kill. There’s plenty of comedy, romance, and blood in this film and it was really, really fun to watch with an audience. I didn’t have a big crowd in my theater, but it was still a really good time.
You’re Cordially Invited – Reese Witherspoon and Will Farrell teaming up for a rom-com? Sign me up! Though I don’t feel these two have any onscreen chemistry, at least in a romantic sense, I did like the silly that Farrell let Witherspoon bring to the table. They’re more concerned with curating the perfect wedding for the most important people in their lives. Fate brings everyone together when their ceremonies and festivities are booked on the same weekend. The chaos is nothing new, and almost no performances here are worth investing your time into. I had maybe two good laughs, but the rest of this was a bit of a slog to get through. The romance at the end between Witherspoon and Farrell seems either like an afterthought or a deliberate choice, I can’t decide which. Please don’t waste your time.
The Childe – In order to cleanse my palate of that nonsense, I pulled up my new comfort movie and was not disappointed by its perfection. As I say every time I watch this, it has everything – laughs, action, blood, drama. I don’t know that cathartic is the word I’m looking for with this film, but I always feel so complete after watching it. And if writing about this movie for the tenth time doesn’t finally convince you to watch it, I don’t know what will!
Companion – It took me way too long to see this critically acclaimed film. It’s part sci-fi, part rom-com, part horror with a clever script and neat way to parallel the horrors women face. Only in this film they did it with a robot who just wants to be free. There are lots of fun twists and turns throughout this film that kept me on my toes! And Jack Quaid is perfect as a good guy who isn’t as good as he thinks he is. He’s got the face and attitude of a golden retriever, but it sits just on the knifes edge of being insanely sinister. That’s what made him so great in Scream VI and what makes him so good here. This was a fun and original film that is definitely worth checking out!