SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Heading into Friday I found a few silver linings for a week that has been nothing but Mondays. At least temperatures are dropping, we've had a nice amount of rain, tomorrow is a day off, and there are plenty of good options should you or I want to watch a movie this weekend. I'll be catching up on "The Lord of the Rings" tonight, devouring the first episode of "The Great British Baking Show" (it's cake week) and revisiting four episodes from a particular sci-fi series that will debut next week.
Today I've included 10 options for your weekend. My favorite film of the week is probably "Pearl," but it isn't going to appeal to those who aren't fans of off-kilter horror films. So, "The Woman King" gets my endorsement as the film most of you will want to see this weekend. "See How They Run" is also fun if you're looking for a murder mystery with screwball comedy influences.
You could also watch "Sins of Our Mother," the first of what will be many high-profile documentaries about the Lori Vallow case. A large part of the film is told from Colby Ryan's perspective. All things considered, I'm not willing to take Ryan at his word.
Pearl
Studio Synopsis:Filmmaker Ti West returns with another chapter from the twisted world of X, in this astonishing follow-up to the year’s most acclaimed horror film. Trapped on her family’s isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations and repressions all collide, in the stunning, technicolor-inspired origin story of X’s iconic villain.
Starring:Mia Goth, David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, Matthew Sunderland, Emma Jenkins-Purro
Genre: Horror
Rated: R for some strong violence, gore, strong sexual content and graphic nudity
Reaction: "Pearl" is a horror film that incorporates a mix of satire and tribute to Technicolor films. Even thought it is fairly experimental (and a bit bonkers) it checks off all the expected genre boxes and then some. [Full Review]
Where to Watch: Theaters
The Woman King
Studio Synopsis:The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for.Starring:Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega
Genre: Action, Drama
Rated:PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some disturbing material, thematic content, brief language and partial nudity.
Reaction:"The Woman King" is a really good action film kept from being a great action film by its unnecessary Hollywood clichés. [Full Review]
Where to Watch: Theaters
See How They Run
Studio Synopsis: In the West End of 1950s London, plans for a movie version of a smash-hit play come to an abrupt halt after a pivotal member of the crew is murdered. When world-weary Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) and eager rookie Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan) take on the case, the two find themselves thrown into a puzzling whodunit within the glamorously sordid theater underground, investigating the mysterious homicide at their own peril.
Starring:Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, David Oyelowo, Ruth Wilson, Harris Dickinson, Shirley Henderson, Sian Clifford, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Reece Shearsmith, Charlie Cooper
Genre: Comedy, Mystery
Rated:PG-13 for some violence/bloody images and a sexual reference.
Reaction: I don't know if a murder mystery should be perfectly pleasant. This one is. Fortunately it is also a comedy. [Full Review]
Where to Watch: Theaters
Do Revenge
Studio Synopsis:After a clandestine run-in, Drea (Alpha, fallen it girl played by Camila Mendes) and Eleanor (beta, new alt girl played by Maya Hawke) team up to go after each other’s tormentors. "Do Revenge" is a subverted Hitchcock-ian dark comedy featuring the scariest protagonists of all: teenage girls.Starring:Maya Hawke, Camila Mendes, Austin Abrams, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Talia Ryder, Sophie Turner
Genre: Comedy
Rated:TV-MA
Reaction: I love the cast, but I'm not particularly fond of the final act. Some social disasters are just too messy to completely clean up [Full Review]
Where to Watch: Netflix
Sins of Our Mother
Studio Synopsis:Lori Vallow was known to friends and family as a devoted mother of three, a loving wife, and a woman of God. But over the past three years, something went very wrong: Now Lori is in jail, waiting to stand trial for conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her fourth husband, her fifth husband’s wife, and her two youngest children. For the first time, Lori’s surviving son Colby steps forward to provide exclusive insight into his family’s backstory as well as their present-tense narrative as Lori faces justice. At the heart of this three-part series is a single burning question: how did a seemingly normal woman become the most notorious mother in America?
Genre: Documentary
Rated: TV-14
Reaction:Considering the many twists and turns that the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell story has taken us, I'm not so sure that we should automatically accept Coby Ryan's (Vallow's oldest son) version of the events. A compelling watch, but let's wait at least until after the trial before we come to any conclusions. [Full Review]
Where to Watch: Netflix
Clerks III
Studio Synopsis:Following a massive heart attack, Randal enlists his friends and fellow clerks Dante, Elias, Jay, and Silent Bob to make a movie immortalizing his life at the convenience store that started it all.
Starring:Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Trevor Fehrman, Austin Zajur, Jason Mewes, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Smith
Genre: Comedy
Rated:R for pervasive language, crude sexual material, and drug content.
Reaction: "Clerks III" seems to be operating under the idea that if it worked once, it should work again. It's not that easy. Kevin Smith tries to inject the narrative with life lessons but keeps getting in his own way. [Full Review]
Where to Watch: Select Theaters and Special Engagements
Drifting Home
Studio Synopsis:Raised like brother and sister, Kosuke and Natsume have been friends since childhood, but their relationship begins to strain in sixth grade after Kosuke's grandfather Yasutsugu passes away. One day during their summer vacation, Kosuke and his classmates sneak into an apartment complex that is scheduled to be demolished, and rumored to be haunted. Both Kosuke and Natsume grew up there, so the place holds a lot of memories for them. There, Kosuke stumbles into Natsume and is asked if he knows about the mysterious Noppo. But suddenly, they get caught up in a mysterious phenomenon. When they regain consciousness, they see a vast ocean before them. As the apartment complex drifts in a mysterious sea with Kosuke and the others on board, they band together to try and survive. There are tears and fights, and maybe even reconciliation. Will they be able to return to their previous world? A summer farewell journey begins.Genre: Animation, adventure
Rated: PG
Where to Watch: Netflix
Confess, Fletch
Studio Synopsis:In this delightful comedy romp, Jon Hamm stars as the roguishly charming and endlessly troublesome Fletch, who becomes the prime suspect in a murder case while searching for a stolen art collection. The only way to prove his innocence? Find out which of the long list of suspects is the culprit - from the eccentric art dealer and a missing playboy to a crazy neighbor and Fletch’s Italian girlfriend. Crime, in fact, has never been this disorganized.
Starring:Jon Hamm, Roy Wood Jr., Annie Mumolo, Ayden Mayeri, Lorenzo Izzo, Kyle MacLachlan, Marcia Gay Harden, John Slattery
Genre: Comedy
Rated:R for language, some sexual content and drug use.
Where to Watch: Theaters, VOD
Greywood's Plot
Studio Synopsis:A struggling paranormal blogger named Dom is on the verge of ending things forever when a mysterious tape arrives on his doorstep...a rare sighting of a classic cryptid sends Dom and his friend Miles on a road trip to find the fabled creature, but they soon find where their loyalties lie.
Starring: Josh Stifter, Daniel Degnan, Keith Radichel, Kim Fagan, Nathan Strauss, Avery Merrifield, Aaron McKenna
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Rated: Unrated
Where to Watch: VOD
Sago Mini Friends
Studio Synopsis: The series is an adorable nod to gratitude, featuring Harvey the floppy-eared dog and his best friends, Jinja the cat, Jack the rabbit and Robin the bird. Along with a unique cast of residents as colorful as their own whimsical world, the four friends play, explore, imagine and celebrate daily in their joyful town of Sagoville. In each episode, Harvey and all his friends express their true thankfulness for all things, big and small, through optimism, kindness, preschool-friendly humor and unforgettable original songs!
Genre: Animated
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
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