Strange Darling (2023): Sometimes, a movie comes along that, in spite of some of narrative shortcomings, just breezes through its runtime in great style. Strange Darling is that movie, a real surprise from director JT Mollner, that tells a serial killer story with a few twists and turns. But beyond the story, we embrace an atypical six chapter structure, set against a bombastic score and a dreamy soundtrack, which click to create a very distinctive vibe. Willa Fitzgerald is also particularly impressive in the lead, making for a mix that’s very hard to stay indifferent to. 8
It’s What’s Inside (2024): A (rare) interesting Netflix movie, It’s What’s Inside is flashy, entertaining and not all that serious. When a group of high school friends reunite for a wedding, one of them brings a device that allows them to swap bodies with each other. The idea is cool and the possibilities seem endless, which made me curious to see how Greg Jardin’s feature debut would pan out. I don’t think it sticks the landing on its third and fourth acts, once things get out of hand, being neither explorative enough to do something wild, nor focused enough to do something incisive, instead wobbling towards an unlikely conclusion that barely makes any sense. Still, it is the kind of movie that will keep you guessing and thinking, even if it falls short in making you care for its (too many) characters, which is not an easy thing to come by. 7
Wolfs (2024): You would hope that a movie starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt could just coast on the duo’s charisma. For the most part, it does, as the two-cleaners-teaming-up story plays a bit like The Hangover. Only without the funny. The movie is unexpectedly dry, as we move through the motions and, at best, get to chuckle here and there. At no point does Wolfs feel fresh and original, making you yearn for better nagging duos, but at least it’s easy enough to sit through. 6
Jerrod Carmichael: Love at the Store (2014): Carmicheal’s first special is a bit hit and miss for me. It’s a big bag of mixed treats that tries to push the envelope of what’s funny, going against the grain in many ways, but frequently in a manner that’s not that sophisticated. From slavery to abuse to equal pay, there’s something ridiculously inappropriate to be said and, yes, on occasion it is sharp and witty. But not consistently. Thankfully, a better second half elevates the show to more than just a mere charisma test. 6
Sabrina (1995): Although I have apparently watched the 1954 original, I have no memory of it. It’s not a movie that was close to my heart and neither is this remake. As a friend well described it, this is a capitalist fairy-tale. Harrison Ford plays a ruthless capitalist who needs to ensure a merger takes place by manipulating the family chauffeur’s daughter, the titular Sabrina, whose transformation after spending some time in Paris has caught the eye of the easily enticeable brother of said ruthless capitalist, played by Greg Kinnear. It’s all as contrived as it sounds and any kind of intellectual prodding makes it fall apart. At over two hours, it’s also longer than the original. While mildly enjoyable, the finale also makes little sense, asking the viewer to do a lot of disbelief suspension and contrive their own feelings into producing any kind of afterglow. 5
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