There is so much honesty in this film, but not healthy honesty. This film perfect encapsulates the feelings and neuroses that come with ending a relationship. How it makes you feel, how you think about other people. Not only does it show what someone is feeling it helps to imbue those feelings into the audience. This is one of those films that is truly about an experience than just a plot. There is a lot of really funny moments in here, although it is not very jokey nor laugh out loud. The cast is also great.
Quarantine Watch #316: Boys State (2020)
Watching this felt like watching mice in a lab experiment. It is so interesting to see what these kids do in relation to politics. You can see a lot of things here. There are moments that scare you in seeing how these kids act and then there moments that give you hope. The Boys State program itself seems a little confusing, since nothing actually happens and it is all about elections and voting. Their platforms don’t mean anything for the most part. They can say whatever they want, which I guess mirrors real life nowadays. The other thing that is scary is the two-party system. Many people in their speeches attack the other side for just being the other side even though no one has platforms yet. It seems counter intuitive to how the world should be run. After the gubernatorial candidates are chosen it is frightening how dark things can turn — whether its the faction trying to impeach René and using racist imagery, to the way people attack Steven during the race. It becomes a legit real election.These kids are so fascinating. René is amazing, you can see he will have a good career in public speaking, if nothing else. Ben is cool, but scary. Robert scares the ever-loving shit out of me if he gets his shit together and goes into actual Congress because all he cares about is winning. He seems to have learned the lesson during the race for the nomination, but man is it still scary. Steven is my favorite, but seems too idealistic at times — people like him don’t actually exist in Congress these days. He also reminds me of a buddy of mine so there was a little bias in my viewing on him. It seems amazing to me that the filmmakers were able to find these specific people as it really shows the landscape of our country in this little bubble of a summer camp. The film also reminded me a lot of SPELLBOUND.
Quarantine Watch #315: Top Hat (1935)
This is the first Astaire/Rogers i’ve seen. They do really work well together. Astaire is such a unique looking fellow, but his quickness, energy, and charm excels so much that there is no wonder he was a model of style in the 1930s. Additionally you can see why Dale falls for him. I actually liked the gazebo dance much more than, “Cheek to Cheek” even though “Cheek to Cheek” is one of my favorite songs not only in this film but in general. I think a lot of that has to do with the wardrobe since I loved her boyish overall look over the ostrich feather dress. Looking at the plot though 2020 eyes is a little off — Jerry goes way too far and basically stalks Dale. Additionally Dale just gets married because “Horace” lied to her and doesn’t seem to even care about Alberto’s feelings. Still this is such a cheery film, it is the perfect thing to lift anyone’s spirits. I absolutely loved it, especially all of the screwball comedy parts of the plot.
Quarantine Watch #313/314: Before Sunrise (1995)/Before Sunset (2004)
I had been very depressed over the week and when I turned on the TV my favorite part of BEFORE SUNRISE was on (the moment where they meet the street poet). I ended up watching the whole thing and immediately following it on the same channel BEFORE SUNSET came on so I ended up watching the entirety of that as well.
I just love both of these movies and they made me smile at a point. I know people tend to love SUNSET more than SUNRISE, but SUNRISE is my favorite. Maybe it has something to do with the romanticism of getting off the train and falling in love as opposed to the meeting again in SUNSET. That doesn’t mean I don’t love SUNSET. I was crying during the Waltz song Celine sings and the final moment of the film always slays me. These are perfect films and the two of them are probably the best romance in cinema.
Watching both of these are exactly what I needed right now.
Quarantine Watch #311: Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story (2020)
I had wanted to see the short documentary ME FACING LIFE: CYNTOIA’S STROY, but then I heard this was coming out so I decided to wait to see this one. I don’t know what took me so long to finally check it out — maybe the darkness of the world right now had me avoid films of real life injustice. It really is crime what happened to Cyntoia Brown in how they judged her a prostitute before being a child. It makes you think about all the imprisoned people who are now looked at in a different light in 2020 eyes and why they are losing their lives behind bars instead of contributing to society.
Quarantine Watch #310: My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? (2009)
This really is the type of film you’d expect from Werner Herzog directing a film produced by David Lynch. The best part of the entire piece is the out of this world amazing cast Herzog has assembled. Michael Shannon and Willem Dafore are both spectacular here. The rest of the amazing cast includes Michael Peña, Chloë Sevigny, Udo Kier, Grace Zabriskie, Loretta Devine, Irma P. Hall, and Brad Dourif. The film is not what you expect, and it is frustrating at times, but there are still moments that really grab your attention. I don’t know what the film is trying to say. Is it about what happens if we always trust the inner voice/gut even when that voice tells us to do unreasonable or destructive things? Is it a meditation of madness similar to other Herzog films? Is it about how you can’t explain away crazy? I can’t say and I don’t know which direction I’m supposed to be pulled in.
Pandemic TV Recommendations
As we progress through nearly nine months of a worldwide pandemic, people have been venturing more and more out into the world, whether it be to see a friend or sit outside a restaurant instead of take-out.
Despite this, the majority of people are relegated to staying inside during this tumultuous time in the world. On top of a pandemic spreading throughout the world, the news seems to be one piece of bummer after another. The world is so divided and chaotic, it is enough to make you want to tune everything out.
A lot of people want to make film and television that addresses or comments on the state of the world from Coronavirus to police brutality to the upcoming US Presidential election to climate change to the #MeToo Movement and more. While these works are very important, it doesn’t necessarily help the psychology of people, especially for the ones looking to find solace where they can. In that way we need works like HAROLD AND MAUDE, that embrace life and elevate the happiness in people, not only works like DO THE RIGHT THING that comments directly on everything going on.
I get requests from a lot of people about what TV shows they should watch, so I thought, considering the state of the world, I’d make my top 10 recommendations for people looking to feel better and get away from the news cycle from time to time. If there are any shows people should be watching right now, in my opinion, these are them:
10. Chef’s Table (Netflix)
This is so much more than just a show that showcases one chef around the world each episode. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or anxious I use CHEF’S TABLE as a way to relax. It may be the calmest show of all time from the way the interviews are structured, to the moments of silence, to the amazing cinematography and the editing, which make the entire experience feel like a waltz of images, music, and food. Aside from it being relaxing it offers interesting and creative ways to approach cooking that can be translated to so many different practices. A new spin-off series CHEF’S TABLE: BBQ has just premiered as well so there is even more to watch when you’re looking to just take yourself away from the world and simultaneously explore the more delicious sides of it.
9. Feel Good (Netflix)
This channel 4 British series has been distributed by Netflix and premiered earlier in the year before everything got crazy. This autobiographical comedy/drama comes from Canadian stand-up Mae Martin and deals with a lot of things in her life including romance, relationships with parents, and addiction. Despite the serious topics the series becomes uplifting most due to the chemistry between the two lead actresses Mae Martin and Charlotte Ritchie. The characters allow themselves to be both vulnerable and funny at just the appropriate times which allows the series to shine. Lisa Kudrow also really kills it as Mae’s mother as well (in a similar way to her other recent roles on UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT and THE GOOD PLACE).
8. Crossing Swords (hulu)
Everyone needs something super crass and dark to laugh at. While I prefer Netflix’s DISENCHANTMENT for adult animated medieval comedy as a series, CROSSING SWORDS is the perfect, stupid, silly, and funny series to fall into. It is exactly what you would expect from the ROBOT CHICKEN team. The great thing here is while everything is stop-motion it all is relative to these painted wooden toy-like figures which is something I haven’t really seen before. The cast makes the show, with Nicholas Hoult playing a more timid character than usual and Luke Evans going full asshole. My favorites include Adam Pally as the dumb best friend role of Broth, Tony Hale as Hoult’s clown/criminal brother (it’s always fun watching him voice work with blue material as in HARLEY QUINN), Maya Erskine as the spoiled princess, and Jameela Jamil as the maid. One thing is for sure — you will have fun with it, especially if you are into more violent, dark, sexual, and off center humor.
7. PEN15 (hulu)
The premise of the show should be enough to make anyone check it out: Two 13 year old female best friends navigate the awkwardness of middle school, however the two main characters are played by their 30 year-old creators, Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, while the rest of the cast is played by actual 13-year-olds. It delivers on the premise — big time as it is probably the most honest portrayal of what middle school was like in the early aughts. You will cringe. You will freak out. You will laugh. Mostly it will bring you back to that simpler time, even if it was some of the most awkward experiences of your life. The second season premieres next week and catching up for it would be a lot of fun for someone who has not seen it.
6. Central Park (Apple TV+)
Every component of this show should make everyone want to watch it. Created by Loren Bouchard, Nora Smith, and Josh Gad. The amazing cast. Great songs with some contributors including Sara Bareilles, Amiee Mann, Meghan Trainor, Darren Criss, Rafael Casal, Alan Menken, and Fiona Apple. Plot lines include tracking a graffiti artist, park chess, kites, roller skating, and a Home Alone 2: Lost in New York tour. The whole thing is Bob’s Burgers meets Parks and Recreation meets Hamilton and that is just an amazing combination of comedies. If nothing else, the songs are so poppy and the ethos of the series lifts you up in the way musicals tend to do.
5. Money Heist (Netflix)
With only one season (part) left, there is no better time to get into the series. This Spanish show has a way of being big, but is also able to zero in on the characters. Even the smaller characters get their time to shine and you end up loving all of them in their own ways (except Arturo!). It is a heist show that, even though we follow the thieves, we are still on the edge of our seat figuring out how they will succeed. There is an option to watch it dubbed in English if subtitles are not your thing, but that would be a huge disservice to the actors and the world of the series. It will grab you, suck you in, and take you along on this wild, exciting, smart and romantic ride. Bella ciao!
4. The Owl House (Disney Channel)
Kid shows, specifically animated shows, seem like something inaccessible to everyone — especially adults. However this modern age of animated childrens’ programming is fantastic. The shows are exciting, smart, and surprising even though they are made primarily for the 8 - 14 age range. Everyone can find their inner child and enjoy these shows especially the great examples from the recent past such as GRAVITY FALLS, STAR VS. THE FORCES OR EVIL, and SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESS OF POWER. This show follows Luz, a girl who ends up in another world where magic is real and as she attempts to become a witch despite being a human. Luz is an infectious character, not only within the world, but to the audience. She is optimistic, silly, and so much fun. The series is also so well constructed and keeps its twists and turns, but overall it makes you feel warm inside while also excited about the magic and fighting in a way Harry Potter resonated with people.
3. Cobra Kai (Netflix)
Ever since he recurred on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER I always knew that William “Billy” Zabka would pop out in a major way. He is not only really good, but also knows who he is and plays the comedy of that in the best ways. This KARATE KID sequel series is the perfect thing to dive into right now. Nostalgia has been a thing that television series and movies have been trying to exploit more and more these days. COBRA KAI never feels exploitative, but at the same time plays to same heart strings shows such as STRANGER THINGS have been playing with. The series pays homage for the films while also allowing the show to grow into its own thing. The whole series is also very layered dealing with themes such as classism, mercy and humanity, reconciling one’s past, and family, specifically the father/son and teacher/student relationships. Another thing the series does so well is that you are on everyone’s side (mostly). You understand where both Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso are coming from and in a way both are right and wrong at the same time. The fight scenes are also really well choreographed and a lot of fun.
2. Love on the Spectrum (Netflix)
We have become accustomed to reality dating series treating the people on the show with distain. Most shows involve people who will react the most and in a way we are mean to the people on the show even though we want them to find love. This show is the exact opposite of all of that. It follows a group of young Australian people, each on a different level of the Autism spectrum. Everything is funny, but we are never laughing at the people profiled. It is easily one of the most positive shows on television right now. Even when they fail there is never an iota of defeat in their spirits. Their power is how they look at the world with such hope and optimism knowing they will find the person they will fall in love with.
1. Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt reprise their roles for a series of ads for premier soccer airing on NBC years ago. The genius of TED LASSO as a series that the main character isn’t mean (like David Brent in THE OFFICE) or out of touch with reality (like Michael Scott in the THE OFFICE [US Version]). He is a genuinely good guy who, instead of bringing anger and intolerance like previous portrayals of Texans, brings a “good-ole-boy'“ nature along with his humanity. This show has more in common with FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS than it does with any comedy. The show is all heart and it is a series everyone should be watching because it is about being genuinely good people. This doesn’t mean that it is not funny — there are so many funny characters and moments. The ensemble around Sudeikis is great especially Juno Temple and Nick Mohammed. If everyone watched TED LASSO I think we’d all feel a little more positive about the world and humanity in general.
Quarantine Watch #304: Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020)
It was really fun getting to see all of these characters again after not seeing them in their own world (they are on MILO MURPHY’S LAW now) for so long. The cast was great, however a lot of the gags and the songs seemed very forced and tried to just embody what the show was instead of trying to service the story the best way. Despite that I still teared up at the end, so it still gets to you. There are also a lot of really funny parts.
Quarantine Watch #303: Oculus: Chapter 3 – The Man with the Plan (2006)
I am a big fan, not only of the film OCULUS, but of Mike Flanagan in general. It is so fun to see his early early work. The history behind this film and why they only filmed chapter 3 is great and worth looking into. It is so amazing how much Flanagan gets across and is able to keep you on edge with so little happening in the room. The tension and atmosphere of the film is a masterclass in low-budget short film making and I felt entranced as if I was looking at the cursed mirror along with the protagonist.
Quarantine Watch #301: Action Point (2018)
I was really in the mood to watch a JACKASS movie, but I’ve seen all 3 of them so many times. Since we don’t have a new one out anytime soon I decided to finally check this out — especially considering CLASS ACTION PARK — the doc about the place that influenced this film just came out. This feels like it was a lot of fun to make. Overall it is just an excuse to pay homage to ACTION PARK and the summer films of the ‘70s and ‘80s while also giving Johnny Knoxville a chance to do JACKASS-like stunts. Still the fun atmosphere as well as Knoxville’s charm helps keep the film good. Eleanor Worthington Cox and Brigette Lundy-Paine were standouts and Dan Bakkedahl is great as always.
Quarantine Watch #297: Simon of the Desert (1965)
This was such an interesting watch and probably my favorite thing I’ve seen of Luis Buñuel’s. Silvia Pinal is AMAZING as the devil who tries to trying to tempt Simon. She embodies all the different people she approaches him so well. Even her tongue feels devilish. The commentary on how people perceive miracles feels so ahead of its time. When he gives the guy a new arm, this should be huge but the crowd acts like entitled people who find out the wifi is out on their flight from Houston to Los Angeles. The ending was really out of nowhere, but I still liked it a lot. The editing and the cinematography are also crazy good.
Quarantine Watch #296: Class Action Park (2020)
Growing up in New Jersey I always heard of action park. Mostly from comedians and in old stories from people. I lived next to Six Flags Great Adventure so I would never had a reason to go. The documentary is well made and really covers all the bases in regards to the history and the details behind Action Park from the rides to the corruption to the deaths that could have easily been avoided. The one thing this really showcases is how easy it was to get away with things and not worry about safety in the 1980s.
Quarantine Watch #295: Memories of Murder (2003)
You can so much influence from other works including STRAY DOG, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, SEVEN, and BLOOD AND BLACK LACE (all Giallo films really) in this. It is also easy to see films that were heavily inspired by it like I SAW THE DEVIL and THE DEPARTED. The real great thing of this film is making a truly paint-by-numbers two-hander cop film where two very different people are teamed up and have their own ways of doing things until they have no choice but to work together. By coming together they are able to be effective. However this is not a paint-by-numbers film. The characters, small town setting, real life influence, and overall atmosphere all warp the story into something special.
Quarantine Watch #294: Vera Drake (2004)
Imelda Staunton is amazing in this. Of course, the way the film is written and directed it is positioned to make her a real superstar. Her chipper attitude is the perfect character trait for her. She should have been won the Academy Award that year. The other star of the film is Mike Leigh’s directing. It feels like a stage play in all of the best ways, specifically the interrogation and trial scenes. The themes are also so strong and the story is the perfect way to subtlety show differences in class by what the rich can do and get away with vs the poor. The entire supporting cast is a fantastic group of British Actors. Ruth Sheen reminded me of Allison Janney and I really dug everything she did. Sally Hawkins is great as always. I also always like Eddie Marsan. I also liked the very quick Chris O’Dowd appearance in one of his earlier roles pre-THE I.T. CROWD.
Quarantine Watch #293: That Thing You Do! (1996)
This film is as upbeat as its music. Tom Everett Scott is amazing in this. At first I thought he was the younger brother of Campbell Scott because they look a lot alike, but after looking it up there was no relation. His style and attitude is great and really resembles old Tom Hanks characters like his roles in BACHELOR PARTY and BIG. It also feels like he wrote the role for himself but aged out of it so he got the most Tom Hanksian actor he could find for the role. The music is great and I didn’t know Hanks was a songwriter. I also like that it is Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne (RIP) who wrote the titular song. The main issue for the film is stakes. I don’t see any of the characters ever changing and they just coast while we enjoy the music, set pieces, and production design. Time is also such a strange thing. The whole film takes place over two months but it feels like a lifetime has happened, which I guess is the point but I didn’t buy into it. That being said — all of the jazz stuff is amazing and brings a big smile to your face every time you watch Guy listen to jazz. It is just pure unbridled joy. Another thing that helps all the film is that all of the main characters are so genuine (Jimmy less so). You can’t help but root for them.
Quarantine Watch #292: Clemency (2019)
This film breaks down the mentality of someone responsible for carrying out executions. It also deals with a man dealing with his own mortality and upcoming death while trying to prove his innocence. Both of these are deep and interesting topics to follow. The main problem with the film is that it tries to explore both of these types of story at the same time. The film treats both Bernadette and Anthony as equal characters, but it is clear Bernadette is the main character. This limited her ability to have a good character arc as a lot more time ends up being given to Anthony than necessary. Aldis Hodge is the shining star. Alfie Woodward is great, don’t get me wrong, but she is always great. Hodge stepped it up from his previous roles. While expressing so emotion I think they both had moments where they over did it.
Quarantine Watch #291: My Dad Wrote a Porno (2019)
I had been a fan of the podcast for long time, though admittedly, I have not listened to the whole thing. It was fun getting to see everyone on stage reading erotica and having so much fun. The story is hard to follow, but the group is great at dissecting it that it makes up for it in the end.
Quarantine Watch #289: Mississippi Burning (1988)
Whoa. This was super timely despite being a film from the late ‘80s about an event that happened in the ‘60s. Both Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe rock in this. It is a classic pairing of the young, by the book, idealist and the rough, older guy who has seen it all. Both characters are smart and have great passion for the truth. This is what makes them the perfect pair to take on the Klan and the rest of the community to solve a gruesome murder. A lot of the film is actually really gruesome and after you watch it, that darkness of humanity stays with you because even though people are caught, nothing really changes. Like the FBI agents, we have ideals too and we’ve also seen the progress the world makes so we see it initially as a good thing. Despite that the country is so divided especially in race relations it sometimes feels like no progress has been made. The cinematography and the direction of the script, is also really great. It is hard to not be engaged by the film. Frances McDormand is an additional standout in the cast as the wife of the deputy.
Quarantine Watch #288: James Veitch: Straight to VHS (2020)
I’ve always been a fan of James Veitch from his internet videos and his Ted Talks. So many of these are fantastic. I found myself deeply gut belly laughing at some of his slide presentations. The main problem with the special is that it is very one note. Once you see Veitch do his schtick once or twice, despite everything being very funny, it is hard to see any evolution in his comedy. Another problem is that it makes it very hard to see any emotional through-line that has come into modern stand-up comedy, which makes his comedy very superficial. It’s like watching what Eugene Mirman and Demitri Martin do with their visual charts and signs, but just missing the heart.
Quarantine Watch #287: Yi Yi (2000)
This film has been hailed as one of greatest films of the modern era and from the cinematography alone, I can see why. The cinematography here is OUT OF THIS WORLD and is the all star of the piece. Every single frame is like a work of photographical art. They could be displayed in museums. A lot of the shots reminded me of Edward Hopper paintings. The film is very restrained and holds onto single shots for the course of whole scenes. I particularly loved the panning in a circle shot when A-Di passes out in the bathroom. Other shots that scream out to me includes when Ting Ting goes to the hotel and is hanging in the hallway while Fatty sets up the room and the following shot when NJ is smoking alone in the dark in the sitting room. The film also really knows how to grab you. When the Grandma wakes up I audibly gasped. The moment where NJ tells Sherry that he never loved anyone else is also so heartbreaking and lovely at the same time. I also absolutely loved Kai-Li Peng’s score, especially during the somber moments where the camera just looks at a street or a building in between scenes accompanied by an appropriate piano piece. The story and its structure is a pretty interesting way to explore its themes. It reminded me of films like ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW and BABEL. The beginning of the film meandered a bit (like the Christmas stuff in FANNY AND ALEXANDER), but once we got deep into the three different stories it all fell into place. Yang Yang is the best. He is such a great character and it is easy to immediately fall in love with him and want him to show up his bullies. NJ’s lost romance with Sherry is also so compelling. The Ota character is great in his story, but everything hinges on the NJ/Sherry night in Tokyo. I wasn’t that interested in the Ting Ting storyline, but Kelly Lee is an AMAZING actress and stood out to me as the strongest in the cast.
