Screening: See Suicide Squad Early And Free

We have partnered with Warner Bros for an early screening of the best super hero movie in a long time, The Suicide Squad.  The film is coming to theaters and HBO Max on August 6, 2021, but you can check it out early and free!  Details and entry form are below.  Please keep in mind that this is also coming to HBO Max on August 6, so if you are concerned at all about being in a theater you have an option to watch it at home on Friday!

The Suicide Squad

Cast:
Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Alice Braga, Pete Davidson, Joaquín Cosio, Juan Diego Botto, Storm Reid, Nathan Fillion, Steve Agee, Sean Gunn, Mayling Ng, Flula Borg, Jennifer Holland and Tinashe Kajese, with Sylvester Stallone, and Viola Davis

Director:
James Gunn

Synopsis:
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-anddestroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them.

Rating:
R (and it is a HARD R)

 Screening Info:

The Suicide Squad

Tuesday, August 3
7:00pm

Regal Majestic

900 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD

Screening Link!

What to Watch This Weekend: Stillwater, Ride the Eagle, The Exchange, Jungle Cruise, Boy Behind The Door, Murder Bury Win, Quiet Place, No Sudden Move

For A Masterful and Tragic Drama: Stillwater (Theaters)
Stillwater is a masterclass in storytelling, with stellar performances, a story filled with beauty and tragedy, and an amazingly complex journey that asks the viewer to experience it.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Heartwarming Coming of Age (And Puppy): Ride the Eagle (Theaters and Digital)

Ride the Eagle is a cute, heartfelt indie that takes Jake Johnson's natural charisma, adds a little ridiculousness and a puppy, and leaves you with an entertaining, heartwarming experience.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Biting Comedy About Friendship and Acceptance: The Exchange (Digital)

The Exchange's wonderful setting and cast, ridiculous situations, and biting humor will touch both your funny bone and your heart.  Très magnifique!  For more information, check out the review! 

For A Fun Adventure And Wild Ride: Jungle Cruise (Theaters and Disney+)

Jungle Cruise uses great chemistry between the leads, enjoyable characters, and an action-comedic take on the beloved ride that makes it easy to sit back and enjoy the adventure.  For more information, check out the review!

For The Horror Fans: The Boy Behind The Door (Shudder)

The Boy Behind The Door shows a tension-filled night with great performances by these young stars and a brutal, sinister story that will keep you on edge.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Killer Board Game Night: Murder Bury Win (Amazon)
Roll the dice on Murder Bury Win, a darkly comedic indie film that has the humor and charm to be as entertaining as any board game night.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Tense, Quiet Evening: A Quiet Place Part II (Redbox and Paramount+)

A Quiet Place Part II continues the Abbott's story with the same amazing sound effects and trademark muffled horror that made the first movie such an auditory treat.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Crime Drama: No Sudden Move (HBO Max)

A Soderbergh crime thriller that you can watch at home?  Also one that has Don Cheadle,  Benicio Del Toro, and David Harbour? Sign me up!

Stillwater Movie Review: A Bittersweet Family Drama About Character And Choices

Release date: July 30, 2021
Running time: 140 minutes
Director: Tom McCarthy
Writers: Tom McCarthy, Marcus Hinchey, Thomas Bidegain, Noe Debre
Cast: Matt Damon, Abigail Breslin, Camille Cottin, Lilou Siauvaud

A dramatic thriller directed by Academy Award® winner Tom McCarthy and starring Matt Damon, Stillwater follows an American oil-rig roughneck from Oklahoma who travels to Marseille to visit his estranged daughter, in prison for a murder she claims she did not commit.

Stillwater is a masterclass in storytelling and in leaving things unsaid.  And this is epitomized by Matt Damon's performance as Bill, a no filter, quiet, but set in his ways American who is in Marseille to be near his daughter.  Damon is simply amazing as Bill; he takes on the mannerisms, the demeaner, and the attitude of a rough, Oklahoma oil man.  But what is so great about this film is that it doesn't tell you much about what is happening, letting you (and forcing you) to just experience the story.  It doesn't tell you why Damon is traveling from Oklahoma to France at the start, nor does it explain much about the overall situation after you find out why he is there.  The film prefers to feed little tidbits of information throughout the story and let the viewer slowly gain a clear picture.  

But that is not to say that there are not hints of what is happening or what will occur, and that is thanks to the stellar performances by Damon, Breslin, Cottin, and Siauvaud.  They all bring a different character to the film and they all interact in wonderful and interesting ways.  I especially liked seeing the interactions between Damon and Cottin because of how different they were, and between Damon and Siauvaud because of how sweet that whole experience was.  The film is just a wonderful exercise in character development and noticing subtle shifts in personalities and demeaners.  Plenty is said without needing to be said, and the film has many character changes throughout.

But what makes this movie so special is just how beautiful and tragic it can be.  Allison (Breslin) is in prison for a murder she claims she did not commit, but seeing what she is up against to try and get her conviction overturned is daunting.  And the film has so many moments of beauty and tragedy that you just have to watch to see.  Going into it too much would just spoil these wonderful parts so it will just have to be something you see for yourself, but needless to say, Stillwater shows where cultures can meld and then rip apart.  It shows the beauty of love and the tragedy of what that love can do.  And it is an amazing, complex film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Stillwater is a masterclass in storytelling, with stellar performances, a story filled with beauty and tragedy, and an amazingly complex journey that asks the viewer to experience it.

Watch it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

Stillwater is in theaters on July 30, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

This site contains affiliate links. //Commerce or this site may be compensated when you click through links on our site.  

Ride The Eagle Review: A Wilderness Coming of Age With Jake Johnson And A Puppy

Release date: July 30, 2021
Running time: 90 minutes
Directed By: Trent O’Donnell
Written By: Trent O’Donnell and Jake Johnson
Starring: Jake Johnson (“New Girl,” Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse), who also stars alongside Susan Sarandon (Thelma & Louise, Dead Man Walking), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash, Juno) and D'Arcy Carden

When Leif’s (Jake Johnson) estranged mother Honey (Susan Sarandon) dies she leaves him a ‘conditional inheritance’. Before he can move into her picturesque Yosemite cabin, he has to complete her elaborate, and sometimes dubious, to-do list. Leif and Nora, his canine BFF, step into Honey’s wild world as she tries to make amends from beyond the grave in this hilarious and heartfelt comedy.

Any movie that has both Jake Johnson and a puppy in it is fine in my book.  And that is only partly facetious.  Johnson is a very relatable, lazy stuck in a rut everyman that is a lot of fun to watch on screen.  Seeing him take on this new life and try to work through Honey’s strange requests will bring a smile to you.  And because for most of the movie it is him and the puppy, it is good that he is so likeable on screen.  The movie is mostly a Johnson solo act with rare interactions with a few others.  The strangest interactions are with his deceased mother Honey (Sarandon) who gives him a series of challenges to accomplish in order to secure his inheritance.  It is kind of like a P.S., I Love You situation, but with less extreme challenges.  They mostly have a feeling of trying to help him move on in his life and become a wilderness man, and they definitely challenge him.  He also reconnects with an old girlfriend (Carden) and interacts with a neighbor (Simmons), who both add some layers to his character. 

Aside from Johnson working through his own issues, there is a very fun dynamic between him and his mother, Honey.  Although they communicate through post-mortem videos, Johnson does comment on her challenges and respond to her questions.  It is a strange, but funny interaction and I love the dynamic between the two.  And seeing Johnson try to reconnect with his old girlfriend adds another wonderful layer to this.  I really liked seeing their interactions and how slow Johnson's character took it.  it also felt like a more mature relationship despite the strange circumstances; it felt like a  very modern take on relationships and not something that would come out of Hollywood.

And overall, the story is an enjoyable one.  There is funny writing and plenty of comedic touches that will have you smiling and rooting for Johnson.  The challenges don't get too far out there, but they are plenty fun to watch and Johnson's reactions to them all are enjoyable. There is also a thriller type aspect to the film that feels bolted on, but does add a layer of depth to the story and helps flesh out some more about Honey's life.  And overall, this is a comfort food type movie.  It is a cute, heartfelt indie that is just a joy to watch.

Ride the Eagle is a cute, heartfelt indie that takes Jake Johnson's natural charisma, adds a little ridiculousness and a puppy, and leaves you with an entertaining, heartwarming experience. 

Watch it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

Ride The Eagle is available in theaters, digitally, and on demand on July 30, 2021.  

For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.

This site contains affiliate links. //Commerce or this site may be compensated when you click through links on our site.  

The Exchange Review: A Hilarious And Biting Movie About Friendship And Stereotypes

Release date: July 30, 2021
Running time: 95 minutes
Written By: Tim Long
Directed By: Dan Mazer
Starring: Ed Oxenbould, Avan Jogia, Justin Hartley, Jennifer Irwin, Paul Braunstein, Jayli Wolf, David Huband

In The Exchange, a socially awkward but highly enterprising teenager decides to acquire a "mail order best friend"; a sophisticated exchange student from France. Instead, he ends up importing his personal nightmare, a cologne-soaked, chain-smoking, sex-obsessed youth who quickly becomes the hero of his new community. 

The Exchange has an amazingly biting sense of humor and although it is set in the 80s, it has plenty of relevance in today's world.  The crux of this film is the great cast and the wonderful setting that it takes place in.  Set in a small Canadian town, the film makes full use of the small town charm and interesting characters to tell this tale.  But the best part of this movie is the camaraderie (and friction) between the two newly made brothers.  Both Oxenbould as Tim and Jogia as Stéphane are a lot of fun to see on screen.  And despite the fact that Tim has moments that are infuriating in how socially awkward he is, in the end I did like his character.  And many people from small towns can probably relate to his frustration and dislike of some aspects of his childhood. 

But the creme de la creme is Jogia as Stéphane, who is so insanely over the top that you can't help but laugh.  I love his lack of understanding about some strange aspects of American life and his insights that delivered through the lense of a foreign eye.  And wow is he funny.  The small town itself has some wonderfully humorous situations, some limited to a small town and some that are universal.  But overall this is a thoroughly funny movie.  

But what also makes the Exchange so special is that it touches on relevant topics of acceptance and friendship.  I loved the film's focus on stereotypes and how it subtly chips away at those.  Each character has some vision of how the other person should have been and none of them match that.  And the movie isn't afraid to approach racism head on, but despite the overall humorous nature of the film.  And the journey of this film does feel incredibly personal through all of the ridiculous humor and raunchy situations.  It makes for a wildly entertaining ride that will touch both your funny bone and your heart.  But if anything makes you laugh, the end credits scene is just pure hilarious brilliance. 

The Exchange's wonderful setting and cast, ridiculous situations, and biting humor will touch both your funny bone and your heart.  Très magnifique!

Watch it

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

The Exchange is available digitally and on demand on July 30, 2021.  

For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.

This site contains affiliate links. //Commerce or this site may be compensated when you click through links on our site.  

Holy Beasts Review: A Beautiful B Movie Experience

Release date: July 23, 2021 (Streaming Premiere)
Running time: 90 minutes
Written & Directed by: Israel Cárdenas & Laura Amelia Guzmán
Cast: Geraldine Chaplin, Udo Kier, Jackie Ludueña Koslovitch, Jaime Pina, Luis Ospina, Pau Bertolini, Fifi Poulakidas, Jeradin Ascencio

To celebrate Geraldine Chaplin’s birthday (July 31), Film Movement Plus unspools the North American Premiere of one of her latest films, a campy, tongue-in-cheek fictional film-within-a-film in honor of flamboyant and eccentric B-movie filmmaker, writer and theatrical producer Jean-Louis Jorge, an active member of the trendy ’70s underground scene who was murdered by three teenagers in 2000 at the age of 53. Chaplin plays aging punk diva, Vera, who arrives in Santo Domingo to direct the musical La Palace, one of Jorge’s unfilmed screenplays about vampires and starlets, to be filmed on his home island. Welcoming her are two old friends, a producer and cinematographer (Jaime Pina and Udo Kier), both members of the artistic troupe they all started out in. But while the Caribbean production is sumptuous and the musical numbers are grand, mysterious forces threaten the shoot and death begins to creep up on the haunted production. 

Holy Beasts has beautiful cinematography, with some stunning scenery and shots.  I especially liked the Caribbean setting, with its lush backgrounds and plentiful water.  And the cinematography uses this location to great effect, with some beautiful overhead shots of the landscape and plenty of scenes that use the water to great effect.  I especially enjoyed the scenes with the pools, where people would be partly submerged in the water, allowing reflections of the sun and optical illusions of the half submerged actors.  And the next thing that is apparent is that the production really loved Jean-Louis Jorge's work.  You can see the reverence seep into the entire film, with plenty of respect for his catalogue and a heartfelt attempt to honor him. 

The story is slow but full of reverence.  If you are expecting something that is upbeat, then this is not for you.  It consists of a lot of reflection on Jean-Louis's life.  The actors will regularly comment on how much they miss the director or wish they could work with him again.  It is a touching tribute, and one that Jean-Louis would have been proud of.  

However, the film tries to recreate some of the B-movie aspects that Jean-Louis was known for, but the film itself is too nicely done.  It never treads into that B-movie category and feels like a movie trying to do that.  And although the movie very slowly introduces some B-movie aspects, they are not utilized much until the end.  And the end takes a while to get to as the story does tend to drag.  It's not terrible, but it was a noticeably slow endeavor.  However, when all is said and done you have an interesting tribute to an influential filmmaker, with some absolutely beautiful colors and cinematography.  

Holy Beasts is a stunning and beautiful tribute to an eccentric and flamboyant filmmaker, one that utilizes his B-movie style with a reverence and love that is touching to see.  

Rent it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

Holy Beasts is available on July 23, 2021 via Film Movement Plus. 

Resort To Love Review: An Entertaining Black Romantic Comedy Retreat

Release date: July 29, 2021
Running time: 101 minutes
Directed By: Steven Tsuchida
Produced By: Alicia Keys, Maggie Malina, Jeremy Kipp Walker
Starring: Christina Milian, Jay Pharoah, Sinqua Walls, Christiani Pitts, Karen Obilom, with Jeryl Prescott Gallien, and Tymberlee Hill, Alexander Hodge, TJ Power, Sylvaine Strike, Kayne Lee Harrison

A romantic comedy about aspiring pop star Erica (Christina Milian) who ends up as the entertainment at her ex-fiancé’s wedding after reluctantly taking a gig at a luxurious Mauritius island resort while in the wake of a music career meltdown. She tries to keep their past relationship a secret from his bride-to-be Beverly (Christiani Pitts), but Erica rediscovers her feelings for her ex, Jason (Jay Pharoah), despite his brother Caleb's (Sinqua Walls) attempts to keep them from falling back in love. In this warm and funny romantic story that explores the bonds of love and family, the question soon becomes will Erica sing at Beverly's wedding - or her own?

Resort to Love is a by the books romantic comedy that doesn't do anything new, but is still a funny resort vacation.  But as you would expect from a movie about a singer, the film has some pretty good musical numbers.  Erica and a few of the other characters sing their own takes on some famous songs, and it was fun to hear these new renditions of some classic music.  And as you would expect with a movie produced by Alicia Keys, her music makes some prominent appearances (not that I complained at all, they were fitting references).  And I liked the characters and their determination for love.  The all black cast of successful, driven individuals was enjoyable, and I especially liked Sinqua Walls as the too good to be true brother.  

And although the film doesn't buck many trends, I did like that the Erica's "competition" was another driven character.  She had some great ambitions and was just an all around good person.  They didn't try to make her seem unbearable or too clingy; she was completely different from Erica but not in a bad way.  And despite the film being fairly predictable, there were a few fun surprises in the movie.  As the film starts to open up, you do get a lot of cute and funny parts.  There is a warmth to this film (probably due to the resort location) that is infectious, and a humor that will make you smile.  Sure Resort to Love is a relatively predictable romantic comedy, but it is an enjoyable one at least.  And after a year when many people couldn't make it to any sort of resort, this tropical vacation is an enjoyable excursion to take.

Resort to Love's all black cast, driven characters, and enjoyable humor make this a vacation that will leave a smile on your face. 

Rent it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

Resort to Love is available on Netflix on July 29, 2021.

Jungle Cruise Review: A Fun Trip With The Rock and Emily Blunt

Release date: July 30, 2021
Running time: 127 minutes
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, Paul Giamatti
Directed By: Jaume Collet-Serra

Based on Disneyland's theme park ride where a small riverboat takes a group of travelers through a jungle filled with dangerous animals and reptiles but with a supernatural element.

Welp, Disney did it again.  They took a property that had no right to become a movie and made it into a high action, enjoyable adventure.  And it should be no surprise with this cast, which provided most of the entertainment in this wild ride.  Emily Blunt can do no wrong in my eyes; she is funny, strong willed, determined, and just fantastic to watch.  And next to her is another actor that can pretty much do no wrong (Fast and Furious beef aside), and he brings his characteristic muscles, charm, and comedy to this river cruise.  The two of them are fun to see on screen and I really loved the chemistry they had.  And Disney also did what they did in Cruella, have another prominent gay character.  But in this film, he is a main character and he actually says that he was disowned by his family because of who he loved.  It is another step for the house of mouse, and although I didn't love that they made him a foppish caricature for the most part, I do like that he was prominently featured and that his sexuality did come up as a conversation topic.

And aside from the great characters, the story of Jungle Cruise is a wild ride.  It takes some of what you love about the ride and throws it into the film.  There are many references to the iconic Disney ride and anyone who has been on it will be laughing out loud.  In fact, the film is very funny and will definitely bring a smile to your face.  There is so much spectacularly cringe-worthy humor on top of just general funny chemistry between the characters.  And when it is not being funny, it has some pretty intense action.  Just remember that this film, despite being Disney, is PG-13.  The movie has more violence and death than you would expect from your typical Disney adventure, and this is because this is geared towards a PG-13 market.  I definitely like this split that Disney has been doing, with some more adult focused films for their PG-13 crowd.

Now, Jungle Cruise bolted on a story to a ride that didn't really have one, and that leads to an exciting adventure, but one that makes little sense.  The story has all sorts of strange elements that don't quite fit together.  Additionally, the movie has a strong Pirates of the Caribbean feel to it.  That can be good, like in the humor, the focus on the underlying ride, and the great action.  But it also has some drawbacks, like the antagonists and the overall adventure being overly complicated.  But don't worry too much; just like the Jungle Cruise ride, sit back and enjoy it.

Jungle Cruise uses great chemistry between the leads, enjoyable characters, and an action-comedic take on the beloved ride that makes it easy to sit back and enjoy the adventure.

Watch it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

Jungle Cruise is in theaters and on Disney+ premiere access on July 30, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

This site contains affiliate links. //Commerce or this site may be compensated when you click through links on our site.  

The Suicide Squad Review: A High Energy, Violent Explosion of Comic Book Craziness

Release date: August 6, 2021
Running time: 125 minutes
Directed By: James Gunn
Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Alice Braga, Pete Davidson, Joaquín Cosio, Juan Diego Botto, Storm Reid, Nathan Fillion, Steve Agee, Sean Gunn, Mayling Ng, Flula Borg, Jennifer Holland and Tinashe Kajese, with Sylvester Stallone, and Viola Davis

Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-anddestroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them.

The Suicide Squad is pure, unadulterated insanity from start to finish.  And what a fun crazy ride it is.  The film knows what it does right and that is just follow the vision of James Gunn. The suicide squad has an all star cast but what is so great about the movie is not the individuals involved, but their collective effort.  The movie is at its best when this rag tag group of characters interact and clash in strange ways, and as you learn more about each of these villains turned heroes, you appreciate them all the more.  The group starts off as a thrown together misfit band, and by the end they are still a dysfunctional - functional lovable team.

And the Suicide Squad is just funny.  It is so so funny.  The movie has ridiculousness, humor, sarcasm, everything that you would expect from this collection of characters.  The comedy hits you right from the start, from some super heroes with useless or ridiculous powers to some less than reverent deaths that occur.  The movie knows what will keep the audience entertained and does that for the whole two hours.  There is so much just latent humor in this cast and film, from characters doing ridiculous things, to coming out dressed in strange outfits, to having the perfect reaction to strange events.  And I also liked that DC gave Gunn the freedom to pull from some of this back catalog and showcase some very unconventional, some might say useless, super heroes.  DC definitely put their trust in Gunn and it paid off big time here. 

And it wouldn't be a summer blockbuster without some intense action, and The Suicide Squad has that in droves as well.  The explosions are as big as any Michael Bay movie, the violence is as over the top as any Tarantino movie (and also there is a prominent foot scene), and the humor is trademark Gunn.  The film is just a wildly violent, colorful, explosion of insanity from start to finish.  

The Suicide Squad is a wildly violent, colorful, and entertaining explosion of insanity from start to finish, with a phenomenal cast that collectively make it the best DC movie ever.

Watch it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

The Suicide Squad is available in theaters and on HBO Max on August 6, 2021.  It will leave HBO Max after September 6, 2021.  For tickets to see it in theaters, click here. 

This site contains affiliate links. //Commerce or this site may be compensated when you click through links on our site.  

The Green Knight Review: A Cinematic, Slow Journey

Release date: July 30, 2021
Running time: 125 minutes
Adapted and Directed By: David Lowery
Starring: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Barry Keoghan

An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur's reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger. From visionary filmmaker David Lowery comes a fresh and bold spin on a classic tale from the knights of the round table.

The Green Knight is a beautiful piece of cinema.  The film has this amazing setting that recreates a medieval village with the drab colors and rough life that you would expect.  The film feels like it transports you to this time, with some amazing sets and some equally amazing camera shots and low light shots. Make sure you have a great setup when you watch this as the low light scenes are something to behold.  I saw it in theaters and even then, a regular projector was probably too bright.  And accompanying this amazing camera work is some fantastic music.  It is like in a dream or a fantasy, with a great mixture of lute and other string instruments accompanying this journey.  The music feels otherworldly but using time period appropriate instruments.  The music is something special and I really want a soundtrack of this film.

And the Green Knight is full of characters.  Dev Patel's Gawain is a contradiction, one who has noble blood and both hopes to embrace his destiny but is also constantly running away from it.  He is the focus of this film and Dev Patel plays him well.  And on top of Gawain, the movie is full of interesting participants in Gawain's quest, including Barry Keoghan as a scavenger who played a perfectly unsettling stranger as only he can.  And rounding out the cast, Joel Edgerton and Alicia Vikander as nobles that he meets along the way add a lot of flavor to the film.  And the story of The Green Knight is long and involved, with plenty of encounters to test this young man as he fulfills his destiny.

But the Green Knight will not be for everyone. First, the film is a slow burn.  For every scene with beautiful cinematography you will have some drawn out sequences that help to build the setting and the characters.  The film is especially slow in the first instances of the journey.  And despite it seemingly having action sequences from the images, this movie is all about drama.  Additionally, and there is no easy way to say this, the film is just weird.  There are some otherworldly sequences, some hallucinogenic sequences, and Gawain encounters some very strange occurrences on top of the odd characters during his journey.  And the movie's ending will be a mixed bag for many; it is brilliant but also leaves something to be desired.

In the end, The Green Knight is a triumph of cinema, with some really amazing sets, characters, and music, but the pace and strangeness of this legend might cause some to not take this journey.

Rent it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

The Green Knight is in theaters on July 30, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

This site contains affiliate links. //Commerce or this site may be compensated when you click through links on our site.  

The Boy Behind The Door Review: A Terrifying Film That Does Everything Right

Release date: July 29, 2021 Running time: 88 minutes Written and Directed By: David Charbonier and Justin Powell Starring: Lonnie Chavis, Ezra Dewey, Kristin Bauer van Straten A night of unimaginable terror awaits twelve-year-old Bobby (Lonnie Chavis) and his best friend, Kevin (Ezra Dewey), when they are abducted on their way home from school. Managing to escape his confines, Bobby navigates the dark halls, praying his presence goes unnoticed as he avoids his captor at every turn. With no means of calling for help and miles of dark country in every direction, Bobby embarks on a rescue mission, determined to get himself and Kevin out alive… or die trying.

The Boy Behind The Door has a high energy start that introduces you to Bobby and Kevin and their harrowing predicament. It will instantly get you invested in these characters and make you root for them. But what you notice next is the fantastic acting across the board. The risk with younger actors, especially in the horror genre, is that their performances will just be a little off or not natural, but both Chavis and Dewey are naturals here. Their terror, confusion, and pain are all translated onto the screen and help the viewer to feel it as well. And the rest of this small cast does a fantastic job as well. There aren't many characters in this film but they're all perfectly cast and executed.

And The Boy Behind The Door keeps the tension and dread very high. Because you spend most of the time with Bobby, you are constantly listening for the next sound or creak of the house. And this tension doesn't let up. Like many classic horror movies, it will keep you on edge the entire time. And this is helped by the fantastic house that it is set in. Dark and deserted, the house that this takes place in is almost another character. It is quiet and unsettling, exactly what you would want in a horror movie. The Boy Behind The Door is a fantastic, sinister film. It knows its strengths and what it can do well and just executes perfectly. The film has an engaging, dread filled story and doesn't try to do too much. I really liked that the film knew its strengths and leaned on them; taking the viewers on a scary, terrible journey.

The Boy Behind The Door shows a tension-filled night with great performances by these young stars and a brutal, sinister story that will keep you on edge.

Watch it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

The Boy Behind The Door is available to stream on Shudder starting July 29, 2021. 

Tailgate Review: A Scary Dutch Car Ride

Release date: July 30, 2021
Running time: 86 minutes
Written & Directed by: Lodewijk Crijns
Cast: Jeroen Spitzenberger, Anniek Pheifer, Willem de Wolf, Roosmarijn Van Der Hoek, Liz Vergeer, Truus Te Selle, Hubert Fermin

Hans, his wife and two young children, hit the highway on a trip to visit family. After getting stuck behind a slow-moving van, he recklessly starts to antagonize the eerily stoic driver, blaring the horn and riding his bumper. Little does he realize that he’s just crossed the wrong motorist – a deranged madman who sets out to teach Hans a lesson he’ll not soon forget. Lured into an alarming game of vehicular cat and mouse, a simple family road trip turns into a deadly obstacle course in this nerve-wracking, pulse-pounding thriller, an Official Selection at the Sitges Film Festival and FrightFest.

Tailgate bucks the trend of many horror movies by making a sinister event happen in broad daylight.  It starts with a horrific episode during the day and the rest of the movie takes place during the day.  Unlike most films, there are no dark scenes or tough to focus on attacks.  And the film has a good sense of dread without going overboard.  The movie takes a common setup, road rage and the fear that someone will go too far, and puts a veneer on it.  The villain is sinister but he stays calm and collected the entire time.  And he has a good, nonchalant way of doing this business that makes sure that he doesn't draw attention.  Overall, the setup is very good and the amount of unsettling horror is palatable.  This is made all the more scary by the inclusion of his family in the mix.  Seeing the fear from the kids really works to amplify the tense situations.  And the film has a great use of paranoia as everyone watches for this nondescript white van, and it is often hiding like a needle in a haystack.  

But what hurts this film is that the main dad is just not that sympathetic.  He gets angry and jumps to conclusions far too quickly at the start of the film.  He also does some reckless things that advance the story but don't make him a sympathetic figure.  And the film also has some odd statements that might be chalked up to cultural differences.  Some of the comments just didn't seem like they would fly in an American film.  I wonder fi the subtitles could have been tweaked for those, but then it would also make the film not be accurate with what they are saying.  And the story does not have many twists and turns, it is a pretty linear path from start to finish.  And through this all, the ending of the film is sort of a letdown; the destination in this movie is not as good as the overall drive.

Tailgate raises the road rage terror with a sinister villain and a harrowing situation that will have you looking in your rear view mirror on your next road trip.

Rent it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

Tailgate is available on July 30, 2021 via Virtual Cinema, VOD, and digital platforms.  For showtimes, click here.

Here After Review: Interesting Characters And Premise Hampered By An Outdated Core Idea

Release date: July 23, 2021
Running time: 90 minutes
Written and Directed By: Harry Greenberger
Cast: Christina Ricci, Andy Karl, Nora Arnezeder, Jackie Cruz, and Michael Rispoli 

A struggling actor, Michael, dies right after a bad breakup, awakening to a singles Purgatory where he must find his soul mate in order to cross over to the other side. With limited time to find true love among other recently deceased single New Yorkers, Michael must navigate the new customs of a ghostly dating life…as if dating in New York wasn’t hard enough already. When he meets the woman of his dreams, who happens to be alive, Michael must figure out how to cheat the system to cross over with her.

Here After is a mixed bag.  It has some star power with the inclusion of Christina Ricci but, as is often the case with indie films, she doesn't get enough screen time to make much of an impact.  The main stars of the movie are Andy Karl and Nora Arnezeder, an odd couple of sorts that do have some fun chemistry on screen.  Especially due to the situation in which they meet, there is some ridiculousness and a lot of difficulty as they get to know each other, but it does make for some fun moments.  And despite the film's rocky start, it does get better over time, especially as Michael and Honey Bee's relationship grows.  It's fun to see them learn to deal with Michael's situation and to see how they adapt.  

But the problem with Here After is that it doesn't really seem to have a greater message and the message it has seems to be an antiquated idea.  I did not love the core reason for Michael's purgatory, that he needed to have someone with him to cross over or else his soul would just cease to be.  I didn't understand why someone would need to be accompanied by someone else, and this pairing concept just didn't sit right.  It wasn't even that single people would go somewhere else, they would just cease to exist.  And the film also has a toxic character that just seems like a strange addition.  He escalates quickly and for seemingly no reason or provocation.  When he had a character turn, it didn't really make sense and just seemed like a convenient plot vehicle.  Here After is not a bad movie, just not one that seems to have a lot going for it.  The main actors are likable and put in fine performances, but are not helped by a script that doesn't give them much to work with.  And in the end you have a film that requires people to be paired to be happy.  Social interaction is important, but you can have meaningful relationships that are long term without being a couple.

Here After has an enjoyable cast and funny moments, but the film's core idea feels outdated and the main antagonist seems to escalate too quickly and for no reason.  

Pass on it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

Here After is available digitally and on demand on July 23, 2021.  

For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.

This site contains affiliate links. //Commerce or this site may be compensated when you click through links on our site.