Summer movie season is in full swing and the latest installment in The Fast and the Furious Franchise is probably one of the most anticipated movies of 2021. However, for reasons I won’t get into, those movies aren’t my thing. Here are the films that caught my attention this week:
Werewolves Within
Video game adaptations don’t always turn out well but think of this more as a mix of Knives Out and The Thing, only with werewolves. Director Josh Ruben and writer Mishna Wolff seem to have captured the lightheartedness of the game and punched up the horror elements for a really fun R-rate horror-comedy. I’ve been excited about this one for a while and I’m glad to see Sam Richardson get a crack at the lead here. Look for it at a theater near you.
Starring: Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, and George Basil
Good on Paper
Dating is a gamble and you never know what you might get. Just when you think you’ve found the person of your dreams, it turns out you really don’t know anything about them. That’s the basic premise for Netflix’s latest comedy. Iliza Shlesinger is a great stand-up comedian and she brought that experience to the script here in what looks to be a very funny movie.
Starring: Iliza Shlesinger, Britney Young, and Christopher Nicholas Smith
False Positive
Pregnancy is difficult and frightening enough without having to worry about being at the center of some kind of nefarious conspiracy. This Hulu original puts those fears to the test in this movie from Ilana Glazer (who also stars in the lead) and John Lee. There appears to be a tug of war between psychological and supernatural horror that’s meant to keep you guessing and it can very effective if done well. Creativity is always appreciated and I love the cast, so I’m going to have faith that this one is better than some of the early ratings I’ve seen.
Starring: Ilana Glazer, Justin Theroux, Pierce Brosnan, and Gretchen Mol
Lansky
A Harvey Keitel gangster movie based on a true story, I’m definitely in! Heading to theaters and video-on-demand, this film tells the story of Meyer Lansky, a retired gangster who recounts the exploits of his younger days as the head of a national crime syndicate. Sam Worthington also stars as with the quickly ascending John Magaro. It doesn’t seem to have a big footprint right now, but I don’t see how this one could be bad.
What Else Is New:
F9: The Fast Saga (Theaters)
If Fast and the Furious is your jam, then this is going to be your go-to for this weekend. By all accounts, those who enjoy the franchise have spoken highly of the newest installment so have confidence in that. This is one of those zero-interest movies that I may get around to it at some point, but don’t let me stop you from enjoying it. This is the fourth film in the franchise by Justin Lin who co-wrote the screenplay with Daniel Casey, so you know what to expect.
Starring: Vin Diesel, Charlize Theron, John Cena, and Michelle Rodriguez
The Ice Road (Netflix)
Liam Neeson has a very particular set of skills and he’s taking them to the ice roads of Canada as a big-rig driver in this Netflix action-thriller. Why truck drivers are leading the rescue mission for a collapsed (and remote) diamond mine is beyond me, but this movie looks exactly as advertised. Writer/Director Jonathan Hensleigh has made written a bunch of movies I like, so I have confidence in the entertainment value of what is only his second feature film as a director.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Laurence Fishburne, and Marcus Thomas
Rebel Hearts (Theaters and Discovery+)
A documentary examining the Sisters of Immaculate Heart in Los Angeles and how they challenged the patriarchy of the Catholic Church 50 years ago and how they are still active today. This is an interesting title to test the waters for Discovery+, even though it also got a theatrical release. It’s been a great year for documentaries so far and this is another one for the watchlist.
Directed by Pedro Kos, Written by Erin Barnett, Pedro Kos, and Shawnee Isaac Smith
I Carry You With Me (Theaters)
A perfect fit for pride month, this Mexican-American co-production gets a limited release on June 25th after coming out of the Tribeca Film Festival a week earlier. Beautifully shot, this intimate portrait of love across time and nations has the potential to empower a lot of voices. Based on a true story, this is documentary filmmaker Heidi Ewing’s first feature and it has all the hallmarks of that passion. Co-written by Alan Page, keep an eye out for this one after it’s limited theatrical run.
Starring: Armando Espitia and Christian Vazquez
Truman & Tennessee: An Intimate Conversation (Theaters)
This documentary of two of America’s most prolific writers, Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, is the rare dual-portrait. The film delves into their personal lives, their friendship, and their professional rivalry using a variety of existing source material. Directed by Lisa Immordino Vreeland, the film examines how these artists handled their sexuality at the time and explores their differences amid many similarities.
No matter what kind of movies you gravitate towards, there are a number of good options this week. If you like what I’m doing, please consider showing your support by liking and subscribing to the e-mail list. Thanks and have fun at the movies!