5 Things to Watch
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s newest film is definitely worth watching, plus four other movies to stream on Netflix.
In theaters: Guardians of the Galaxy
OK, tell me if you’ve heard this one before: Chris Pratt, an alien, a profesional wrestler, a raccoon, and a tree all walk into a bar…That is literally one of the scenes in Guardians of the Galaxy! There are, of course, many other scenes in Guardians of the Galaxy, and most of them are delightful, but I don’t really need to work through them for you. You can probably guess how it goes: a ragtag band of unlikely heroes heads off in search of a MacGuffin (the Infinity Stone) that could destroy the entire galaxy if it fell into the wrong hands.
Guardians, directed and written by hilarious genius James Gunn (Slither!), succeeds where a lot of today’s massive comic book blockbusters fail. There’s only one villain (mostly). The writing’s smart, funny, and alive. The casting is brilliant. It feels just like a well written comic book, and is proof that with the right script and director you don’t need a fancy or crazy plot to make a thoroughly enjoyable movie.
Marvel has unlocked the secret of these ensemble superhero movies,1 and I will officially watch any and all future superhero teamups. Who’s next on the docket? Maybe the X-Club? ★★★★★★
- Why you should see this movie: Why would you skip a film starring a wrestler, a raccoon, and a tree?
- Why you shouldn’t: Because you’re a boring old fuddy-duddy who hates fun and funtimes.
- Bechdel Test: Technically, yes. The two sisters, Gamora and Nebula, talk about recovering the Infinity Stone, but it’s kind of in the context of pleasing Thanos.
New releases
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Now streaming
Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928)
I know, I know, we’ve really been stuck on silent films the last couple of weeks. I can’t help it, I’m addicted to Buster Keaton! Steamboat Bill Jr. is Keaton at his hilarious best, and the final act is totally the basis for every Looney Tunes cartoon you’ve ever seen. He even invents the ol’ “standing still while a house falls on top of you, but you’re OK because the window, like, was lined up perfectly” gag. You know what I’m talking about, it’s the oldest and best joke in the book! ★★★★★
The Longest Day (1962)
This movie, and the book from which it was made, is something I think about continually. It’s a fascinating retelling of D-Day featuring a great mix of major moments and personal anecdotes. Starring a million people like John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Sean Connery, you’ll have plenty of “Whoa! It’s that guy!” moments. ★★★★★
The Birdcage (1996)
I never wear shoes, because they make me fall down. Agador Spartacus
Hank Azaria at his best is definitely worth one evening of your weekend. Plus Nathan Lane! AH! SO GOOD! ★★★★★★
Lunarcy (2012)
by Susan Howson
This documentary lovingly pokes just a little fun (but also wraps in a figurative blanket of warmth) at several individuals who have devoted their lives to the moon. No, they don’t work for NASA and no, they aren’t wolves. They run the gamut from believing they own the moon (and selling property there accordingly), to raising funds to be the first person to live on the moon, to just painting really cool pictures of it. You will laugh and feel some embarrassment transfer, but you will also admire their devotion. ★★★★★★
- Here’s the secret: hire a great writer and let them do his or her job. ↩
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Ross Catrow
Founder and publisher of RVANews.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
PSA To anyone watching Guardians, though, it’s unfriendly to women. My wife and I cringed more than once at some really ill-placed dialogue. Fun superhero movie, but jarring. Not sure that I’d have anything good to say about the director or his “genius”.
Hey Kalliz, I didn’t find Guardians any unfriendlier to women than it was to men (or raccoons, for that matter). I actually really dug the strong female who could kick ass as hard as anyone else. So maybe I was out to the restroom for a scene in particular? (I’m a female, fwiw).
I wouldn’t want to give too much away for people who haven’t seen it yet, but the kiss ass female lead didn’t have much going for her apart from being a fighter. The tree had more depth if we’re being honest. A lot of unnecessary focus on Saldana’s and Gillan’s bodies, specifically their backsides. Could also have done without the slurs being thrown around – “whore”, etc. The only out for a slave woman was suicide, and she didn’t even kill her captor? Plus, the male lead carries that Jim Kirk vibe, and although you’d think he turns out okay because there’s no kiss at the end, it’s still no Raleigh/Mako. Couldn’t agree more that the casting was phenomenal, though.
Birdcage is underrated at 4.5 out of 5, it’s at least a 6 out of 5. Gene Hackman as a pretentious republican congressman in drag ftw.
Kalliz, thanks for that. I think I’ve gotten so used to all the tropes of action features and graphic novels that this movie seemed “evolved”. They certainly could have to had Chris Pratt remove his shirt more often to even it out a bit ;)