Grindstone Entertainment Group
The Weekend Watch is an open thread where you can share what you’ve recently watched, offer suggestions on movies and TV shows we should check out (or warnings about stuff to avoid), and discover queue-filling goodies from other FSR readers.
The comments section awaits. I’ll get the ball rolling with the movies/TV my eyeballs took in this weekend.
I’ve had the Criterion Blu of Seijun Suzuki’s Tokyo Drifter on my shelf for over a year now, and I finally decided to open and watch it this weekend. The film follows a Yakuza tough guy left to the wind after his particular clan disbands. Rather than becoming a ronin-like tale though of a warrior without a master this particular enforcer is just looking to drift away into retirement. His fellow Yakuza have other plans though. The story is just engaging enough, but what makes the film a delight are the stylistic choices in regard to the visuals and music score. I fully expect to check out the other unwatched Criterion on my shelf, Suzuki’s Branded to Kill, by next weekend.
Knights of Badassdom follows a group of LARPers who unwittingly summon a sexy succubus and features Ryan Kwanten, Summer Glau, Peter Dinklage, Steve Zahn and others. Apparently the studio stepped in and wrestled away control from director Joe Lynch, but while many have been quick to recuse Lynch from blame for the film’s deficiencies I really can’t do the same. The script isn’t nearly as funny as it should be, it relies too heavily on unimpressive digital effects and the film is clunky throughout. The cast is fantastic and manage some big laughs, but they just don’t come frequently enough. Still, Dinklage forever.
I love coming across films I’ve heard absolutely nothing about only to discover that they’re pretty fantastic, and I found that this weekend in Möbius. Writer/director Eric Rochant’s film is a contemporary thriller for adults, something rarely produced these days, and it combines a dense suspense flick with a compelling love affair. The personal dramas actually excel beyond the thriller elements thanks in large part to Jean Dujardin and Cecile de France’s performances. Their first love scene is a wonderfully intimate part of an affecting love story.
I also re-watched Greg McLean’s Australian thriller Wolf Creek in preparation for seeing the sequel this coming week. I recalled it being a competent albeit bleak little flick, and that opinion hasn’t changed much. The film does earn points though for the amount of time it’s willing to give to character and story setup… the violent shenanigans don’t start until the 50 minute mark. It’s a dark, brutal and hopeless affair complete with a seemingly unbeatable killer who, if I’m being honest, I’m hoping eats it in definitive fashion in part two.
TV-wise, was I the only person disappointed by this week’s Hannibal?
Finally, I re-watched a few episodes of Orphan Black this weekend as I look forward to season two beginning on the 19th. My second viewing has confirmed for me that it’s a good show strengthened by a brilliant lead performance from Tatiana Maslany. I’m not the biggest fan of the first season’s finale, but the season overall is entertaining TV.
What did you watch this weekend?