I hope everyone has been enjoying the summer. Restrictions have started to lift a bit more here in our area of Windsor-Essex County, which has allowed for enjoyment outside the walls of the home.
Although I haven’t been able to blog as frequently about all the inspiring, strange, and sometimes perplexing flicks that we’ve watched. I’ve tried to compile a bunch of films and a few documentaries with a few special mentions that will probably throw you for a loop.
Of course, these are not hot new releases, everything is from Tubi and Roku, which we access through our Smart Tv's. You can also access on your chosen movie subscription service as well.
Also, if you are looking for some snacks, try out these Dare planted-based gummies. They are SO good and ideal for movie watching nights. :)
5 Movies You May Want to Check Out...
Dead End Drive-In I have to say the cover here reminded me of a more mature Robert Pattinson from Twilight (without the sparkles) and a bit of Brandon Lee from the cult classic, The Crow. Also, this eerily looks like a guy I met online who refused to visit me during the daylight hours, but I digress.
Dead-End Drive-In screams Mad Max at the start, but then trails off into survival of the strangest. When two teenagers go to a drive-in, they are faced with not only sudden car troubles, but the reality that they won’t be driving-out any time soon. The main character is named “Crabs” so there’s that.
The charm of this 80's post-apocalyptic and exploitation flick though is the fact that it’s a low budget Aussie film that has wildly eccentric characters and non-stop action. It has some incredible stunts and leaves plenty to talk about after the credits roll.
Speaking of Australian films, next is Starstruck. Musical dreams are quickly teetering in this quirky Australian musical. Set in 1982, you have big hair, bold clothes and a lot of synth! The songs and the choreographed dance sequences are a little odd, but lyrically, something about them just catches on quick and you’ll be singing “I want to live in a house, with my own litter box” soon enough. The acting is at times, a little over-the-top but there is a sweet story underneath it all and that reaffirming message to shoot for the stars and to follow your dreams, no matter what or who may try to stand in your way. I have watched this twice already!
Rewind This! A detailed and fascinating cultural and historical look into the world of Betamax and its rival; Video Home Systems, or to many people simply VHS. This documentary was really well-done, showing its impact on the film industry, exploring the artistic nostalgia of many genres of vhs tapes, conversations with hard-core collectors, what a physical-free media might look like and an exploration of some titles that you may want to find for sheer pleasure or pain. This doc probably will make you wish that you didn’t convert your obscure vhs films to dvd or will have you hunting down some of these gems (Devil Ant sounds like a real hoot) during your next yard sale excursion.
My Man Godfrey We’re going back to 1936, and what a wonderful movie! The over-exaggeration of the socialite world is shown in the most chaotic scene as the most wealthy battle over a silly scavenger hunt game that shows society’s obsession with more more more! The acting was superb and there is something so classic about how we just fall more in love with “a forgotten man” Godfrey, played by William Powell, as he teaches a lesson to one socialite family that they’ll never forget and neither will we.
The Trip to Spain is the third movie from director, Michael Winterbottom, and has just enough British flair from Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, so if you enjoy British comedy like I do, you should brew a cup of English Breakfast tea and have a watch on the telly. (I said this in my best English accent – although you cannot hear it clearly, but imagine I am).
The Trip and Trip to Italy are the first two, and I would suggest watching those first because the duo are now on their third adventure together, sampling the culinary delights and sights in Spain! The scenery is breath-taking of course, and these movies wouldn’t be right without numerous hilarious impersonations that they tag-team back and forth, playfully trying to out-do each other which makes dinner conversation rather interesting for the guests around them. This one does have a strong deja-vu feel far more often, so that could make or break you finishing off this one. If you don’t try and impersonate Michael Caine though to a friend at some point, I think you’re missing out.
*Note, there is a 4th and final movie, which I have yet to watch “The Trip to Greece.”
42 was based on the story of baseball legend, Jackie Robinson. He was the first African-American major league baseball player, and although the colour of someone’s skin should never have to do anything with a person’s talents or ability to play a sport, back in the 1940’s, segregation was the name of the game, and in full swing. Although we still have a long way to go in our society in 2021, I hope one day we will never have to set our eyes on a White’s Only” sign on a bathroom door.
This movie was heart-breaking yet gushingly hopeful and courageous. You WILL need kleenex. A true home run for Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford.
Wiener Dog Shipped into the arms of one person after the next, this cute as a button dachshund touches the lives of many different characters who are struggling in their every day lives. Inevitably, we are hoping for that story-book ending of finding a forever home, but this movie is a dark satire, and so let me caps the word DARK.
I don’t even know what to say, but I thought with the cast this would be a really profound film and I suppose in some scenes it feels like there is a deeper message, especially Danny DeVito’s saddening monologue, but I think I am reaching for any sanity here. There are also scenes where they are so long and drawn out that you think you’re watching a Tarantino movie! Alas all the issues with this film, morbid curiousity will probably have you watch till the bitter end.
💜Have you watched any of these? If so, leave me a comment or send me an email using my form! I'd love to hear your thoughts.
