Pearl (and X)

I watched the movie "X" this summer. What's it about? It's set in 1979. A group of young folks head off to a rented farmhouse to make a pornographic film. Somebody comes along and chops them up. It's your typical slasher film and it's well done for what it is. It's great Midnight Madness stuff; gory, bloody "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" with a touch of "Evil Dead" and a splash of "Lake Placid." "X" is a fun horror movie but I didn't think it was blog worthy. I gave it a B+. It's made the hounorable mention list for 2022. 

So when I heard that "Pearl" was a prequel to "X" and it was released in the same year, I was more than curious. I was expecting more of the same. And I got that, sort of. What I was surprised about was the film's audacity. Director Ti West has birthed a cinephile monster infused with film DNA. In other words, this is a movie made by someone who knows movies and loves film as much as I do. It's also a bloody, gory Midnight Madness movie but as arty and well crafted as any Tarantino picture (the open title freeze frame credit was gold).. "Pearl" has the taboo sexuality of "The Wicker Man" and a "Wizard of Oz" 1940s almost goofy innocence - the colour of the picture is old school vivid, like a Doris Day picture. What's "Pearl" all about? It's about young Pearl, who dreams of being a dancing star and leaving the misery of the family farm; her cruel and overbearing German mother and her wheelchair bound incapacitated father. Pearl is played by Mia Goth (she is also the star of "X" but as a different character). Let me tell you, Mia Goth has given us an Oscar worthy performance. The speech she delivers near the end of the film was a remarkable for not only it's rich emotive qualities but also for it's long duration. I said to myself, "Wow, this kid is something else." Catch "Pearl" in a theatre near you and then go catch "X" on streaming services. It's a bloody good time.     

Barbarian

There is always one horror movie which stands out as the clear winner of the year (and this year is far from over and Halloween is just around the corner). I'm guessing "Barbarian" will be my favourite horror film of 2022. What's it all about? Well, without giving away any more than what's in the trailer, I will sum it up like this: An Airbnb mix-up, in the burned-out ghetto of the Detroit suburbs, leads two strangers into the creepiest, scariest, don't-go-down-there basement adventures of all time. This film has serious mommy issues. It stars some horror movie favourites; Bill Skarsgård (he was Pennywise in the latest movie adaption of "It") and Justin Long (one of the stars of "Jeepers Creepers" (I loved "Jeepers Creepers" - if you are looking for a Halloween movie, check out 1 & 2, they are both great)). Justin Long plays  AJ, a narcissistic actor who is accused of sexual misconduct. Watching AJ calculate extra square footage is one of the best things you will see all year. "Barbarian" also stars relative newcomer, Georgina Campbell as Tess. Tess is put through horror movie hell - she takes it like a champ. The movie is not only scary as hell, it's also funny as hell, and well put together - it's smart and leaves the audience to put the pieces together. Get your Halloween funk on and catch this one in a very dark theatre near you.  

The Bear

If you have every worked in a restaurant, then Hulu's show "The Bear" will ring true - Ding, order up. It stars Jeremy Allen White as Carmen (you might know him as Lip on "Shameless"). Carmen has come back to Chicago after the death of his brother by suicide to run the family restaurant - a sandwich shop with colourful characters both outside and in. Carmen isn't just anyone, he is one of the world's best chefs and he wants to turn the failing business into something great - maybe as a way of repairing his relationship with his dead brother. The show is packed with flavourful characters who all feel 3D and real. The best of which is  Ebon Moss-Bachrach as cousin Richie. Ebon's performance is a Golden Globe worthy one of a best supporting actor - I can't say enough about how good he is. And Jeremy Allen White, well he seems to be channeling Dustin Hoffman - I mean this in the best possible way. Each episode clocks in under 30 minutes and each one is a piece of tapis that will leave you satisfied but craving more. Episode seven "Review" was like riding a rollercoaster - intense, manic, and I felt breathless after it was over. I loved this show. Catch it streaming in Canada on Disney+.    

Emily the Criminal

I love heist pictures. I don't remember the last one I saw that I enjoyed as much as I did with "Emily the Criminal." If pressed, "Drive" would be the last one which might compare. What's it all about? It's about Emily (Aubrey Plaza - who is fabulous) who is saddled with almost unmanageable student debt, who works at a food catering business delivering eats to office parties and the like. She can't seem to get ahead because she has a DUI and an assault charge sticking to her like a sign saying "Do not hire this woman." Her co-worker offers her a number to call for $200 for an hours work to thank her for covering his shift. She calls. Turns out it's to buy a TV with a stolen credit card. She does it, gets the money, then they offer her more. More money, higher stakes. Emily and one of her new criminal bosses, Youcef (Theo Rossi) form a relationship as Emily embraces the life of credit card fraud. All good things must come to an end - and the end is great. I loved "Emily the Criminal" and was glued to it. Catch this one in rep cinemas before it gets away. 

Thirteen Lives

So if you haven't watched the National Geographic documentary, The Rescue, then this is your chance to watch the remarkable dramatization by director Ron Howard, starring Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell. I loved "The Rescue" and I'm not sure there was a need to make a dramatization, however they did, and well, it's one of the best films of the year. What's it all about? This is the true story of a young soccer team and their coach (13 of them) who became trapped in a lengthy Thailand cave when the monsoon rains came early and floated the cave - this is the tale of how they were rescued. It's truly a fascinating and almost unbelieve tale of survival. Viggo Mortensen is as good as I have ever seen him and Colin Farrell, the same - lots of walking around in wetsuits and looking pensive but they do it oh-so-well. If you are claustrophobic, this one gets real tight and you might find it hard to breathe. Catch it on Amazon Prime. 

Prey

"Prey," is a "Predator" prequel, set 300 years ago on the land of the Comanche Nation (another franchise film from the original 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger one where muscly, glistening, dudes descended into the jungle and battled an alien hunter from outer space -yes ridiculous but fun!). There have been five other "Predator" sequels/reboots if you count the two "Alien Vs. Predator" spin offs. "Prey" marks the sixth sequel. It is by far the best and, dare I say it, might even be better than the original. What's it all about? Amber Midthunder play Naru, a young Comanche woman who wants to be a hunter like her brother and his friends, a role that in 1711 seems to be predominately male run. She has learned the way of medicine, so she is brought along for for help. She secretly practices throwing her tomahawk - and she is an ace with it. But against one of the most deadly hunters in the galaxy? Really? Surprisingly "Prey" find ingenious ways to keep this battle fresh and somewhat believable. The entire film looks great - the French colonialists are a treat. Did I mention Amber Midthunder is fantastic! I have seen quite a few films of late where Indigenous  women have taken the lead (which is great) but "Prey" is by far my favourite. Catch it streaming on Disney +. 

The White Lotus

HBO has a sassy, whip-smart, dark comedy series entitled, "The White Lotus." It's about eight VIPs checking into the swanky Hawaiian hotel and spa, The White Lotus. There is a newlywed couple, Shane and Rachel Patton - he is young, rich, and his mommy booked them the pineapple honeymoon suite. The hotel manger, Armond (Murray Bartlett) double booked the room. Shane won't let it go and it becomes the unravelling of the manager. I hope Murray Bartlett gets a Golden Globe for this. Then there is a family of four plus the daughter brought along a friend. The family are rich, white, rude, selfish, and narcissistic. Steve Zahn plays the father and he has to come to terms with his own father's past. The daughter is a spoiled little bitch (the black friend, not so much). The son spends all his time on his tablet, gaming. The last guest is Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge - Stifler's mom from "American Pie") plays a sad, rich, drunk flake, trying to dispose of her abusive mother's ashes. Tanya, without even being aware of her own actions, strings along the woman running the spa with promises of "going into business together" because the spa lady is just so wonderful. All the characters are well drawn, like razor sharp - because they feel so real, it makes the show oh so compelling. And the music! The Hawaiian whistling theme of the show is force driving everything forward. Check in immediately to "The White Lotus." on CRAVE/HBO.