Hulu - Streaming Recs

THE KING’S MAN
The prequel/origin story to the Kingsman franchise is an entertaining romp fueled by a suberb cast, snappy action sequences, and rather restrained (which is nice) humor (compared to the over-the-top absurdity of the previous two films).
Filled with a few twists, plenty of ribald antics, a bit of ballet, and some wonderful callbacks, it's engaging from start to finish. One of its major triumphs is that it deftly manages to take itself seriously and take the piss in equal measure, resulting in a well balanced blast of historical fiction.

Woof, no way dude, that movie sucks!

BORGMAN

Dutch director/screenwriter Alex van Warmerdam has spent much of his cinematic career deconstructing societal mores and class distinction, largely with a wry, absurdist sense of humor.
With this effort he darkens things up considerably, delivering a very strange neo-thriller.
He severely tweaks the "mysterious stranger" trope, incorporating drugs, surgery, death, violent dreams, sex, gardening, and a pack of dogs, amongst other nefarious plot developments.
At on point there is a parable told about the “White Child," though it's true meaning is rather obscure.
The whole film is bizarre, brooding, and weird, but is always engaging and entertaining in a twisted, surreal manner.

The Bear.
Thought this was mentioned up-thread, but couldn't find it, so ....

Normally not a fan of the east coast family dust up shows, but WOW! This is special.

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Originally Posted by PB

The Bear.
Thought this was mentioned up-thread, but couldn't find it, so ....

Normally not a fan of the east coast family dust up shows, but WOW! This is special.

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Yep

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Originally Posted by buttahflake

Pistol is a fun romp, really enjoyed the kid that plays Malcom. It’s based on Steve Jones and his memoir of the Sex Pistols.

https://youtu.be/9KhxwG0eCiE

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I was pleasantly surprised with Pistol. Been a fan since 1981, freshman year in HS when a friend gave me a cassette of Never Mind the Bullocks because he didn’t like it. Changed my life. I thought they did a good job of showing was an asshole Malcom was. I knew Chrissie Hyndes was part of the scene but didn’t realize how close she was.

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Originally Posted by PB

The Bear.
Thought this was mentioned up-thread, but couldn't find it, so ....

Normally not a fan of the east coast family dust up shows, but WOW! This is special.

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Almost through The Bear and it’s really good. Sorta seems like the Italian Gallaghers at times but still good.

OVER THE GARDEN WALL
This is an engaging modern fairy tale riffing on Nilsson’s The Point, the Brothers Grimm, and Michigan J. Frog, amongst other influences (Spirited Away and The Wizard of Oz, too).
And while I couldn’t find any info to support or contrary to this theory of mine, I like to think that the title is inspired by Genesis’s “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe).” :biggrin:

RIYL
Adventure Time; The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack

LA LA LAND
Sure, it’s not as instantly classic as either Singin’ in the Rain or The Band Wagon, there’s an excruciatingly bad “break up” dinner scene in Act IV, and the musical numbers aren’t immediately catchy, but in spite of these quibbles it’s virtually impossible not to like this film.
There’s chemistry between leads Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, the production design is teeming with vibrant color schemes, the pacing is great, the callbacks are neatly placed, and the bittersweet ending is, well, bittersweet and perfectly so.
Kinda kicking myself for not having seen it on the Big screen.

Plus it won the Oscar

Plus Emma Stone is super hot.

THE ASSISTANT
This richly textured little drama is the antithesis of Working Girl.
Quietly following a day in the life of the titular assistant, this film is a scathing, slow-burn indictment of the systemic bullying and harassment that simmers underneath the glamorous exterior of the entertainment world; it also seems all the more prescient given the recent step-down of notorious Broadway producer Scott Rudin.
It’s deliberate pacing might put some folks off, but I found that it created this oppressive and futile atmosphere which only heightened the understated drama and created this simmering thriller aspect where you never knew what was going to happen next.
Heck, you could call it all a detached office noir .

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Originally Posted by mcski

Plus it won the Oscar

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It was actually nominated for 14 and won 6, but who's counting?
:biggrin:

BENEDETTA
Dutch auteur Paul Verhoeven's latest effort carries all of his hallmarks, specifically generous bouts of sex and violence (it did not receive an MPAA rating, btw) tempered with lavish production design. It definitly hearkens back to his early days; think Business Is Business, Katie Tippel, Turkish Delight.
Chronicling the life and times of controversial 17th century nun Benedetta Carlini, the film developes a delicate balance between being lurid and provocative.
While the third act devolves somewhat into soap operatic melodrama, there's still enough visual opulence and strong thespian turns to keep you enthralled.

RIYL
The Last Temptation of Christ
Black Narcissus (1947)

Charlotte Rampling looks like a delightful old hag-nun.

FRESH
This psychological horror thriller may not reinvent the wheel, but it tweaks familiar tropes just enough to live up to its name.
While the set-up is a tad bit rushed and a little twee, once things get cooking it moves at a nice pace and features a gleefully demented turn from Sebastian Stan.
While relatively low on the gore scale, the way things are filmed imply a lot, triggering your imagination to see more ew and goo than there really is and to illicit some serious cringe.
Deliciously depraved.
Bonus points for the Last House on the Left (1972) homage.

RIYL
Hard Candy; Raw

SPRING
This is a nice, surprising little indie horror outing filmed in Italy and of a sub-genre I'm calling "strange romance.”
Here’s the short version: Cali kid falls into a rut so he takes off to Italy and meets a hot chick. Things get weird from there.
Teeming with cool effects, nice pacing, and a slow-burn creepy vibe which rolls underneath it all.

Wait ...... we've reviewed Spring before, or at least talked about it, haven't we??
Definitely worth watching.

Bob's Burgers Movie is up. It was good, but I need another watch cause there were a lot of household distractions. The show is also on Hulu. Highly recommended. One of my favorite shows on TV.

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Originally Posted by PB

Wait ...... we've reviewed Spring before, or at least talked about it, haven't we??
Definitely worth watching.

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Yeah, I posted about it on the Horror Films thread a few years back. May have mentioned it on the Amazon thread, as well (it seems to keep bouncing around streaming services).
It just popped up in my “recommended for you” section on Hulu.
Also, the other films by the writing/directing duo of Justin Benson/Aaron Moorhead have gotten some mentions around here (The Endless and
Synchronic).
Personally, I didn’t much care for either of those.
Spring is their best film, IMHO.

I would agree; The Endless was mildly intriguing but Synchronic ....... no. Just no.

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Originally Posted by PB

I would agree; The Endless was mildly intriguing but Synchronic ....... no. Just no.

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:cool:

I have yet to see their first film, Resolution, which ties into both The Endless and Synchronic…

THE ART OF SELF DEFENSE
This dark and often surreal comedy walks the line between deadpan brilliance and over-the-top outlandishness. On the surface, this is an absurdist jaunt into the life of a glorious sad sack who finds redemption in karate. The film is teeming with foreshadowing and, in a way, is pretty predictable, but it moves at such a wonderfully succinct pace that you kind of forget about the breadcrumbs that have been dropped until BAM! they smack you in the face and you say “Damn, I should have seen that coming!”
On top of it all there’s plenty of good old ultra-violence sprinkled throughout, which offsets the droll satire nicely and helps create an atmosphere where you never really know what’s going to happen next.
If you like your comedies swinging from the gallows, but in an irreverent and left-of-center manner then this is an entertaining and engaging effort.

RIYL
The Lobster; Safety Not Guaranteed; After Hours; Withnail & I; Repo Man

SUPER DARK TIMES
This is a warped coming-of-age psychological drama; it’s like a very twisted take on Stand By Me.

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Originally Posted by PB

The Bear.
Thought this was mentioned up-thread, but couldn't find it, so ....

Normally not a fan of the east coast family dust up shows, but WOW! This is special.

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Originally Posted by Mike Pow

Yep

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So. Fucking. Good.

There was a time in my life not that long ago where my wife and I were lucky enough to eat our way around the globe through as many Michelin-starred, Bib-Gourmonded, and everything up and coming just below that restaurants as we could. Our friends were these chefs, owners, maitre’ds and everyone in between. They were more interesting and fun than our normal friends. They ran harder than anyone we knew and made fucking art that we all got to enjoy.

Sure, we had our stints in the industry before professional life took over but their world was something else. And it was fascinating.

This show captures so much of that world and takes me back to those years.


From a personal perspective I love that it’s in Chicago. I love the soundtrack and I love Jeremy Allen White as the lead.

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Originally Posted by dookeyXXX

SPRING
This is a nice, surprising little indie horror outing filmed in Italy and of a sub-genre I'm calling "strange romance.”
Here’s the short version: Cali kid falls into a rut so he takes off to Italy and meets a hot chick. Things get weird from there.
Teeming with cool effects, nice pacing, and a slow-burn creepy vibe which rolls underneath it all.

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Loved it

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Originally Posted by dookeyXXX

Yeah, I posted about it on the Horror Films thread a few years back. May have mentioned it on the Amazon thread, as well (it seems to keep bouncing around streaming services).
It just popped up in my “recommended for you” section on Hulu.
Also, the other films by the writing/directing duo of Justin Benson/Aaron Moorhead have gotten some mentions around here (The Endless and
Synchronic).
Personally, I didn’t much care for either of those.
Spring is their best film, IMHO.

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Huh. Will have to check that out! Personally I REALLY liked the Endless. I thought it was pretty fantastic for the super low budget it had. One of those rare films that's really stuck with me as I pondered on it for days after watching. Unlike all the disposable and completely forgettable ultra-high budget MCU and Disney stuff being churned out these days.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using TGR Forums mobile app

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Originally Posted by MontuckyFried

Huh. Will have to check that out! Personally I REALLY liked the Endless. I thought it was pretty fantastic for the super low budget it had. One of those rare films that's really stuck with me as I pondered on it for days after watching. Unlike all the disposable and completely forgettable ultra-high budget MCU and Disney stuff being churned out these days.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using TGR Forums mobile app

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I seem to be in the minority in regards to The Endless.
I know a lot of folks who really liked it…

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Originally Posted by dookeyXXX

I seem to be in the minority in regards to The Endless.
I know a lot of folks who really liked it…

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That's ok. Not everything has to be for everyone. Otherwise you end up with nothing than all the big budget garbage we keep seeing barfed up every other week that IS made for the masses. I appreciate your range of taste. At least you gave it a shot.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using TGR Forums mobile app

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MontuckyFried

That's ok. Not everything has to be for everyone. Otherwise you end up with nothing than all the big budget garbage we keep seeing barfed up every other week that IS made for the masses. I appreciate your range of taste. At least you gave it a shot.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using TGR Forums mobile app

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:D

NON-FICTION
<it is listed as “expiring”, so I think it leaves the service at the end of July>

Olivier Assayas’s French language film is kind of in the vein of The Big Chill, but with less drugs and instead of being a reunion of folks, it follows an interconnected group as they tackle the evolving role of writers and the changing landscape of writing (print vs blogs, books vs Kindle and audio). There’s some sex and relationship high jinks tossed in for good measure.
In short, it’s a well-acted ensemble piece with an intellectual undertone buffered by some nice comedic elements.

If you are a writer, have been a writer, or are a voracious reader, then this film is totally in your wheelhouse.

20,000 DAYS ON EARTH
Great, surreal docu about NicK Cave.
Really gets inside his head and provides intense insight into his songwriting and overall aura.

http://nickcave.com/films/20000-days-on-earth/

PRINCE AVALANCHE
David Gordon Green's fantastic little indie film, IMHO, is one of those rare instances where the remake is actually better than the original (it is based upon an Icelandic film, A Annan Veg aka Either Way).
Starring Paul Rudd, Emile Hersch, and the eccentric Lance LeGault, the film reminded me of the early works of Jim Jarmusch, Hal Hartley, and Tom DiCillo (and perhaps a wee bit of vintage Kevin Smith and Richard Linklater, as well).
The whole affair is quirky, well acted, and disarmingly hilarious.
Oh yeah, it features a killer score by Explosions in the Sky, too.

MARTHA MACY MAY MARLENE
Long before she was the Scarlet Witch, Elizabeth Olsen did some creepy and cool indie film work.
This is an unnerving, slow-burn psychological thriller.

RIYL
Sound of My Voice; Faults; The Invitatiom

THE FP
Looking for something ridiculously stoopid ( as in stoopid fresh)?
Look no further than this 2012 gem that mixes Mad Max apocalyptical sheen with Dance Dance Revolution mayhem.
This is a campy, low-budget winner.

RIYL
Turbo Kid; Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone; Warriors of the Wasteland

I DECLARE WAR
This is a cool coming of age story which takes Capture The Flag to gloriously intense levels.

RIYL
Lord of the Flies; Stand By Me; Super Dark Times; Son of Rambow

Watched Prey last night. Viewed it with the Comanche audio track. Very cool they offered that option, which I learned is the Director's "definitive" version. Even though a bunch of that is a dub, it was well done and I found preferable to an English track with Comanche interspersed in there which I always found cheesy in period movies when for example you'd have a some guy in historical times speaking English with a heavy [insert language here] accent or how every ancient Roman has a British accent for some reason. Haha.

Anyway, really fun watch overall. Worst part was the hokey CGI for the animals. I mean, I understand it's tough to film a grizzly bear tearing the crap out of someone IRL, but at least put the budget there to make it convincing. That said, even with the subpar animal cgi, seeing a neolithic looking Predator getting into hand to paw combat with a giant griz was actually pretty badass.

IMDB community gives it a 7.something out of 10. I'd agree with that assessment. Would've been better at the theater for sure, and could have benefited from a few other tweeks, but overall a really fun one. Even the wife gave it 2 thumbs up and she refuses to watch the rest of the Predator movies with me, so that's saying something. She likes period movies. I like sci-fi. Win win!

https://youtu.be/wZ7LytagKlc




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You beat me to it!
:cool:
Just read yesterday that they were offering a version in Comanche.
Planning to watch it this w/e, so didn’t read your review too thoroughly, but your mention of weak CGI jibes with how I felt after watching the trailer.
That and the fact that the whole Predator franchise is pretty weak with the exception of the original Arnie vehicle (the last Predator film was horrendous crap).
I am not expecting much and am sure I will give the film some “exotic bias” as I’ve never seen a movie delivered entirely in a numic language before…

Q: You know what rhymes with Prey?

A: MEH

This was yet another pointless entry in a pointless franchise.
While I applaud that they made a Comanche version, I was rather surprised that it wasn’t subtitled (unless you turned on Closed Captioning, which is annoying).

As MF stated, the FX are shoddy.
Unlike him, I found this Predator incarnation to be horrible, sporting gangly rubber hands, a badly sculpted rubber body suit, and what looked like taped up sneakers for feet; the Predator from 1987 is more convincing.
I am assuming that the reason they filmed in Alberta over CO (where the story takes place) was also to save $$$. So why didn’t they just tweak the story to be about a First Nations tribe from that area, such as Blackfoot or Cree?

As for the story? It’s your standard coming-of-age warrior tale which most of us have seen 100 times before.

The cast is great and the scenery is cool, but sadly neither of those elements are able to rise above the cheap CGI and routine story.

I think the powers that be were wise not to release this in the theaters.
IMHO, it’s yet another desperate attempt by a streamer to create a franchise. Yet instead of spending the time coming up with a compelling story, they just opted for run-of-the-mill mediocrity aimed at the lowest common denominator audience [for the record, this comment is in no way intended as a diss towards you or the missus Montucky :cool:]

Even the whole Comanche angle smacked of novelty and cultural appropriation (it was written and directed and largely produced by white dudes).

Also, why is it when a film franchise is struggling and should just be put to rest, filmmakers either send the story into the past (and always “the Wild West”) or into outer space?
[refer to Back to the Future 3, Leprechaun in Space, Tremors 4, Hellraiser: Bloodline…]

Of course, as always, YMMV.
And of course, perhaps I just need to lighten up…
:D

I would agree hat, in general, the Predator franchise is pretty weak, however I actually enjoyed the 2018 version (The Predator). Thomas Jane and Keagan-Michael Key were hilarious, and ....... Olivia Munn!
The addition of some quality humor was critical, but I think it wouldn't be nearly as effective if its became a regular feature of the franchise.

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Originally Posted by PB

I would agree hat, in general, the Predator franchise is pretty weak, however I actually enjoyed the 2018 version (The Predator). Thomas Jane and Keagan-Michael Key were hilarious, and ....... Olivia Munn!
The addition of some quality humor was critical, but I think it wouldn't be nearly as effective if its became a regular feature of the franchise.

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:biggrin:

I was completely on the opposite side of the spectrum from you in regards to the 2018 flick…

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...-thread/page25