While Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” might be the biggest new player in the streaming world, some pretty huge names — Tom Hanks, Charlize Theron and Andy Samberg, anyone? — are vying for your attention this weekend. Here’s a look.
“Palm Springs”: All the rage at last year’s Sundance — where it sold for a record $17.5 million — director Max Barbakow’s outrageously funny rom-com takes the strip-mined plot device of a character stuck in an endless time loop — and overhauls it to comic perfection.
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s” Andy Samberg is hilarious and endearing as Nyle, the headcase boyfriend of a philandering maid of honor. They’re attending a lavish wedding in Palm Springs when the time loop takes effect. If it sounds like a “Groundhog Day” ripoff, “Palm Springs” goes rogue, stomping on the rom-com’s archahic conventions and making the premise look bold and original. That shines through with Nyle’s surprise romantic interest, the bride-to-be’s disheveled sister (Cristin Milioti).
Milioti brings soul, charm and pain to the part of the family outsider who clings to self sabotage and self-hate. Within seconds, Milioti can make us laugh and then reveal how her bitterness and sarcasm is covering up unfinished emotional business.
Her Sarah is an ideal match for the board-shorts-addicted Nyle, a cute doofus with issues of his own. Samberg aces the part. He’s one of the most underrated comedians going. He’s an amiable and adorable presence, and a good actor and comedian.
Other delights in the cast include Peter Gallagher as the father of the groom, Tyler Hoechlin as the suave groom, June Squibb as a feisty wedding guest, Meredith Hagner as Nyle’s vapid girlfriend and J.K. Simmons as a wedding guest with an arrow or two that doesn’t come from Cupid.
They make this quirky walk down and up the aisle a ton of fun and first-time director Barbakow choreographs the time warp device with flair and finesse. Few films make me want to watch them again on the spot. “Palm Springs” did. Details: 4 stars; debuts July 10 on Hulu.
“The Old Guard”: Charlize Theron is one of our best, most versatile actresses and one of the best action stars in the business. The Oscar winner certainly has everlasting appeal in this bloody Netflix adaptation of a graphic novel series by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez. She’s explosive as the leader of a group of immortal avengers scrubbing the world of nefarious creeps. But time is running out for some vigilantes, which becomes more evident once a resourceful kid (Kiki Layne) joins their ranks. It’s a lively, entertaining start to a potential franchise, and it’s helmed with energy and style from “Love & Basketball” director Gina Prince-Bythewood. And how refreshing it is to see such a diverse heroic team on screen. Details: 3 stars; available July 10 on Netflix.
“Greyhound”: As both screenwriter and lead actor, Concord native Tom Hanks brings his moral soundness and grounding to a rather routine World War II naval chase thriller. And while director Aaron Schneider kicks it old school here, and succeeds in giving Nazi submarines a shark-like presence, “Greyhound” never displays the emotional grip that it should. Besides Hanks’ Captain Ernest Krause, every other character is forgettable. Hanks is an exceptional actor but falls short as screenwriter here. Details: 2 stars; debuts July 10 on Apple TV+
“Relic”: Just as “Palm Springs” refreshed the time warp plot, this literate chiller pumps new blood into the haunted house genre. When an elderly woman battling dementia (Robyn Nevin, in an awards-worthy performance) wanders off, a reluctant daughter (Emily Mortimer) and a more caring granddaughter (Bella Heathcote) travel to her house. But when Grandma returns, something’s not quite right about her. Same for the house. Natalie Erika James’s first feature makes you shudder at things that go bump in the night as well as things that have gone unsaid, as three generations of women confront the past. It’s bathed in a Gothic atmosphere that lingers with you for hours afterwards. Details: 3½ stars, available July 10 on IFC and other platforms.
“The Beach House”: Another welcome new voice to the horror scene is Jeffrey A. Brown. He wrote and directed this low-budget and unsettling Lovecraftian thriller, premiering on Shudder. Two collegiate lovebirds (Liana Liberato and Noah Le Gros) kick back at a ritzy family beach house, but soon realize the house is occupied by another couple that has … issues. With a bow to John Carpenter’s “The Fog” and other horror classics, Brown spins an eerie and trippy tale. The four-person cast is impressive. Details: 3 stars; streaming July 9 on Shudder.
“First Cow”: Kelly Reichardt is a naturalist of a filmmaker, relying on slowly developing conversations and milking the sounds and sites from the natural world. In this Western, two men form an unlikely bond. One’s white (John Magaro), the other’s Asian (Orion Lee), and they’re hustling to raise money and move from Oregon to California. How does the cow figure in? I have no intention of spoiling that surprise. Just put your trust in Reichardt, one of our best contemporary filmmakers, as she takes poetic care with an intimate story that speaks volumes about history and where we are today. Details: 4 stars, available to rent July 10 on several platforms.
“Mucho Mucho Amor — The Legend of Walter Mercado”: Even the greatest author couldn’t’ dream up a more fascinating and colorful character than the real-life Mercado, a flashy TV astrologer who bucked the norms and was beloved by millions. So why did he suddenly vanish from the spotlight? Filmmakers Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch answer that question by tracking him down. Lavishly entertaining and filled with wonderful interviews this is a definite add to that Netflix queue. Details: 3 stars; available July 9.
“Silent Witness”: Get ready to fire up those grey cells lovers of Agatha Christie. This Italian neo-noir wasn’t written by the mystery queen, but it reaches her level. It not only fooled me, it flat-out floored me as it follows a successful married businessman (Riccardo Scamarcio) whose mistress winds up dead. It’s a convincing showcase for the talents of director Stefano Mordini. It’s so friggin’ good. Details: 3½ stars; screening as part of the Smith Rafael Film Center Virtual Cinema series; rafaelfilm.cafilm.org.
“Mighty Oak”: There aren’t enough good films for older teens, but here’s one unafraid to tackle tough themes. Matt R. Allen’s risk-taking screenplay finds a still-grieving band promoter (Janel Parrish) connecting with a 10-year-old guitar protege (Tommy Ragen) who reminds her a bit of her brother who was killed in a car accident. The likable kid has issues of his own. Sean McNamara’s film is honest, hopeful and occasional touching despite some clunky moments. Details: 3 stars; available on various streaming platforms.
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July 09, 2020 at 06:55AM
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