Weekend Watch: December 8, 2023
Frankenstein revamped + new John Lennon doc + the power of friendship, second chances, and a well-baked pie...
TGIF, TueNighters! The weekend's here and you know what that means, right? Time to sit back, take a breath, and catch up with what’s on our watch list — LET’S GO!
Here are this week’s picks:
Poor Things (Theaters): From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone (adapted from the 1992 Alasdair Gray novel of the same title) comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
Critics Consensus via Rotten Tomatoes: Wildly imaginative and exhilaratingly over the top, Poor Things is a bizarre, brilliant tour de force for director Yorgos Lanthimos and star Emma Stone.
John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial (Netflix): For the first time, key figures from John Lennon’s life and death — including friends, doctors, and investigators — share personal memories and reveal what happened on the night of his killing. Kiefer Sutherland narrates the new three-part documentary series.
USA Today writes: the doc “is sure to elicit a range of emotions from true bafflement from younger fans accustomed to today's inaccessible body-guarded stars to genuine PTSD for Boomers who still can't believe Mark David Chapman simply walked up to the music icon in front of his New York apartment and ended his life on Dec. 8, 1980.” [source]
Eileen (Theaters): Based on the novel of the same name by Ottessa Moshfegh, the film follows the story of a peculiar young woman, Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) — aloof and unfazed by the gloomy nature of her job at the local youth prison. However, everything changes the day the new counselor, Dr. Rebecca St. John (Anne Hathaway), arrives. She is instantly captivated by Rebecca's glamorous, enigmatic presence. As the two women grow closer, Eileen is inspired to explore new facets of her own personality and desires. But her metamorphosis takes a twisted turn when Rebecca reveals a dark secret — throwing Eileen onto a much more sinister path.
Critics Consensus via Rotten Tomatoes: Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie prove a well-matched duo in Eileen, which honors its source material with a twisty tale of obsession.
Raging Grace (Theaters): Joy (Max Eigenmann) is an undocumented Filipino immigrant struggling to do the best she can to support her daughter, Grace (Jaeden Boadilla). Soon she secures the perfect job: taking care of an extremely wealthy but terminal old man. The new position pays well and guarantees a roof over their heads, but very soon, Joy and Grace start to realize everything is not as it seems. Something is festering beneath the surface, threatening all they have worked for.
Fun fact: Raging Grace is the first British Filipino film produced in the UK and had its world premiere at SXSW in 2023, where it picked up the two highest honors — Best Film in Competition and Best Debut.
Waitress: The Musical (Theaters): The Tony-nominated Broadway phenomenon comes to the big screen. Featuring composer-lyricist Sara Bareilles as Jenna Hunterson, a waitress and expert pie maker stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a baking contest in a nearby county offers her a chance at escape, Jenna fights to reclaim a long-forgotten part of herself. Through the support of her fellow waitresses and an unexpected romance, Jenna begins to find the courage to take a long-abandoned dream off the shelf. Waitress celebrates the power of friendship, dreams, the family we choose, and the beauty of a well-baked pie.
The film will be in theaters for five days only: It wraps up on Monday, December 11th. For ticket info, check out the official movie site.
Disclaimer: While we *think* these shows and movies might be worth checking out, there are no guarantees they'll all be your jam. It's always best to trust your own instincts.
FIrst WIves Club on Netfliz is amusing and entertaining for an evening home alone