Expanding the Universe: October 2021 (Part One)

It’s spooky season, and schoolwork is beginning to ramp up! That doesn’t stop my watching habits, though -- not while there’s entertainment to be had! Featuring horror and otherwise, here is what I watched in October 2021.

LEGO Star Wars: Terrifying Tales (2021)

Viewed on: October 2

It seems Disney+ has begun a LEGO Star Wars holiday special tradition, following up 2020’s Life Day special. In a similar vein, Terrifying Tales follows an anthology format anchored by a framing device that pays off at the end. Being non-canon to the overall Star Wars universe gives this forty-five minute special license to basically do whatever the hell it wants with the characters at its disposal, and it definitely goes for it. To those who wanted a General Grievous vs. Darth Maul mashup fight, your prayers have been answered. People who wondered what might have happened if Luke joined the Empire from an early age will also be satisfied by one of the stories presented here. Terrifying Tales is fun, exactly as it should be -- and it caters to all ages, not just the children it was very much made for. Keep ’em coming, Disney... we’ll keep watching. [Grade: A]

On My Block Season Four (2021)

Viewed from: October 4-6

The fourth and final season of On My Block was a long time coming, and I’m glad I got into this show when I did. Our primary group of friends (aka the Core Four) keep finding themselves in dangerous trouble, even two years after Season 3 concluded. Ruby, Jamal, Cesar and Monse are living very different lives since we’ve last seen them, and it’s the perfect way to differentiate this from previous seasons. The characters we love are older and more experienced, and so removed from the events of the first three seasons that revisiting them uncovers a whole host of unresolved conflicts and character storylines that are ridiculously entertaining to watch unfold. The interactions between the main characters are so engaging and wholesome, off-kilter humor and all, and Season 4 continues that tradition in stride. It might be a “where are they now?”-style epilogue stretched into a whole season, but it makes full use fo the time jump, giving us some great new opportunities for characterization and emotional moments that top anything we’ve seen so far in the series. Some of it boils down to unnecessary forced conflict, and Jamal continues his tradition of being a selfish jerk (in his quirky way), but the themes of friendship are so carefully imbued with bracing humor and thrilling, grounded action that there’s no way you can’t love this show. Season 4 is a strong conclusion to an already successful series, and I can’t think of a better sendoff. [Grade: A+]

What If...? Season One (2021)

Viewed from: August 11-October 6

Jeffrey Wright stars as the Watcher, the MCU’s observer of the multiverse and cosmic Nick Fury, in the first animated outing from Marvel Studios. Each episode is a brand-new story, a hypothetical spin on the outcome of a Marvel film, and while it takes a little bit of time for the series to find its footing, it gradually settles into a rhythm where the stakes are low but the excitement level is consistently high. The nine episodes of Season One are as action-packed and exciting as you want them to be, and it is a great feeling to have some familiar voices from the Marvel movies we know back as certain characters. Plus, it may technically be an anthology series (and a canon one at that), but by the end of the season, most of the storylines are tied together in a satisfying conclusion that honors the source material while also carving out a new path for these multiversal characters to tread. Not to mention the finale is the last screen appearance by Chadwick Boseman, who is gone but certainly not forgotten. [Grade: A]

The Premise Season One (2021)

Viewed from: September 16-October 7

BJ Novak’s sex-obsessed anthology series from Hulu is a valiant swing from the established comedy writer...but unfortunately, it manages to miss most of the targets it aims for. Each episode has a different story with a different cast, and most involve storylines that are trying their best to be philosophical, but often find themselves bogged down with the amount of ideas explored per episode (yet, somehow, each episode feels constrained and limited in scope). Most episodes tackle serious issues in an admittedly interesting way, though they are very soon muddled with the veiled, pseudo-intellectual immaturity that the show can’t seem to escape -- who knows, though, maybe that’s the brand Novak was going for (the finale, entitled “Butt Plug,” comes to mind). Some highlights: the performances are usually very reliable and strong, including one by the late Ed Asner; some episodes use tension in a unique manner; and it’s quite well-written (props to BJ Novak), but it isn’t enough to make this very brief season of frivolous television worth watching. [Grade: B-]

No Time to Die (2021)

Viewed on: October 8

Rewatched on: October 24

Read my full review here and some other thoughts here.

Ted Lasso Season Two (2021)

Viewed from: July 23-October 8

Ted Lasso is no longer a half-hour comedy. Instead, the Apple TV+ original is venturing into the hour-long dramady category, completing this transition seamlessly without any lost charm. Ted Lasso and its titular feel-good football coach are still giving us emotional thrills, from the highest highs to the lowest lows. Season 2 does delve into the more serious sides of all of our characters, most importantly the subject of mental health and anxiety, and how athletes deal with it in various ways. It may be a coincidence that this season was released shortly after the same topic arose during this year’s Olympics, but that only makes it so that Ted Lasso is still a (more upbeat) reflection of the world and culture around us, or at least a reflection of how it should be. Pair that was an absolutely incredible ending, and you can consider me satiated until the arrival of Season 3. [Grade: A+]

Liquid Sky (1982)

Viewed on: October 8

Perhaps the most psychedelic films I have ever seen, Liquid Sky is very much a product of its time, the very picture of the drug-fueled underground 80s club culture. Anne Carlisle plays two roles: Margaret, a woman who abandoned her promising future in favor of the aforementioned party-focused life, and Jimmy, a fellow cocaine-addicted model and Margaret’s rival. Carlisle is so remarkable in both of these roles that it was genuinely difficult to tell she played Jimmy at first. You may also be surprised to learn that Liquid Sky is a science-fiction film of sorts; amorphous aliens land on a rooftop above Margaret and her drug-dealer girlfriend Adrian’s apartment, and begin to feed off of endorphins from Margaret’s sexual encounters. Liquid Sky is certainly one of the most bizarre films I’ve ever seen, and is heavily stylized to the point of self-parody. The actors play it up, knowing exactly what kind of movie they’re in, and that makes it a highly entertaining viewing experience, coupled with the decadent perversion presented by the film that makes you constantly question if you should even be watching it in the first place. [Grade: A-]

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Viewed on: October 8 and 10

Having watched 2001 for the first time, I can now confidently say I can see what all the fuss is about. Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece showcases cutting-edge visual effects, revolutionary science fiction ideas, and brilliant uses of classical music, to name a few iconic elements. Its slow burn storytelling focuses less on character and instead builds tension in unexpected ways, influencing sci-fi and fantasy for decades to come. And, while 2001 is light on story, its scope more than makes up for it, imagining a future that, admittedly, is dreaming too big too soon...but it’s better than dreaming too small. [Grade: A]

When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

Viewed on: October 11

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more well-structured romantic comedy that truly understands the rules of the genre, while also being original and expressive with its execution. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are perfect together, and the film is best when they embrace the kookiness and lovable madness that is the long game of love. I’m glad I finally watched this absolute classic. [Grade: A+]

Halloween Kills (2021)

Viewed on: October 14

Rewatched on: October 18

Read my full review here and some other thoughts here.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012)

Viewed on: October 15

If there was a solid way to end a mediocre, lightweight film franchise, this is it. Featuring some of the series’ best moments and characters, Breaking Dawn Part 2 is not a great movie, but it does conclude the Twilight saga in an unapologetically satisfying and interesting way. It certainly doesn’t make me want to see more, but I’m glad I watched them, if only for the experience. At least they went out on a high note. [Grade: B-]

Just Beyond Season One (2021)

Viewed from: October 13-17

This family-friendly anthology horror series from Disney+ kind of came out of nowhere, but it was definitely a fun watch. Throughout each of its eight episodes, we get the intentionally unshakable feeling that something is not right, relatively tame jump scares, and some basic Disney Channel-esque, kid-friendly horror. The episodes are pretty short, but they’re fun, based on a series of comic stories from Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine. The intro sequence, in fact, is very reminiscent of the Goosebumps series, though that one took far more risks than Just Beyond does. It’s low-budget and campy, but it’s exactly what I expected; and it has a message, a through-line theme of not being ashamed of who you are, and taking control of the freedom to express yourself. If this is a success, it looks like harmless horror fun is here to stay on Disney+, and I’m on board with it. [Grade: A-]

The Last Duel (2021)

Viewed on: October 17

Matt Damon has had quite a career...and so has Adam Driver, especially in recent years. So when you see both of them playing squires in medieval France, with Damon being constantly upstaged by Driver, a new arrival on the scene, you can’t help but draw comparisons to their real-life careers. Of course, I highly doubt that Damon and Driver have a real-life rivalry akin to their fictional counterparts, but you never know. The Last Duel tells the story of the last royally-sanctioned duel to the death in medieval France, and it features stunning lead performances from Damon, Driver and Jodie Comer, who is the central figure in the reasons for the duel. Directed by Ridley Scott (still going strong!) from a script by Damon, Ben Affleck (who also stars) and Nicole Holofcener, The Last Duel features a unique storytelling device and boasts strong production design, fight scenes (however brief) and a prevalent message that was as relevant 600 years ago as it is today, as unfortunate as it is. It’s one of Scott’s best recent films, truly one for the history books. [Grade: A+]

TO BE CONTINUED!

Expanding the Universe: September 2021

You might think that with college beginning, I won’t have as much time for my typical viewing habits. To that I say, nonsense! I very easily struck a balance in being responsible with my work and doing my duties as a lover of pop culture -- and what a jam-packed month for those duties! What follows is what I watched in September 2021.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Viewed on: September 3

Rewatched on: September 19

Read my full review here.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Viewed on: September 4

It can be hard to imagine a more culturally iconic movie with more quotable lines than The Princess Bride. Based on indelible source material, the incredibly sweet, exciting, and absolutely hilarious film features Cary Elwes and Robin Wright as Wesley and Buttercup, a dynamic duo if there ever was one. Anchored by its heart and ability to balance timeless comedy and true drama (with some truly amazing performances to boot), a classic like The Princess Bride only comes along so many times...it would be inconceivable not to appreciate it! [Grade: A]

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Viewed on: September 4

Like Ted Lasso, Jerry Maguire is a sports story that isn’t really about sports. Tom Cruise is the eponymous disgraced athletic manager who attempts to gain relevance again by representing football player Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.). Jerry Maguire is a bit too long, but that isn’t unheard of for a sports film -- not to mention Cameron Crowe is in the writer/director behind it all. There’s sports, there’s romance, there’s comedy, but most of all, there’s heart. It may not be my favorite kind of genre-blending movie, but Jerry Maguire had me at hello. [Grade: A-]

Fight Club (1999)

Viewed on: September 6

The first rule of fight club is, and say it with me...you don’t talk about fight club. This is an unfortunate development, as I had hoped to review it in this post, but I suppose this will have to do. But...if we’re not allowed to talk about fight club, how did all those people find out about the fight club? Some mixed messages there (completely coincidentally, just like this movie)...hmmm... [Grade: A]

Sing Street (2016)

Viewed on: September 7

Being a teenager in Ireland during the Troubles can’t have been easy. Derry Girls offers a satirical take on the idea, and Sing Street approaches it from a more adolescent point of view. Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) starts a band to impress a girl, and that’s just about all there is too it. Sing Street is an undeniably good time, giving us characters we can easily empathize with and some stunning realized sequences, elevated by some really solid performances. Throw an excellent soundtrack into the mix, and you have a charming musical with heart to spare. That last bit seems to be a theme so far this month, doesn’t it? [Grade: A]

Their Finest (2016)

Viewed on: September 8

Broaching philosophical and ethical questions about the nature of honor during World War II is not the only thing Their Finest does well. The film examines a fictional story of Catrin Cole (Gemma Arterton), who helps craft the perfect propaganda film to boost the reputation of the Allies after Dunkirk. One thing I did not expect Their Finest to be is bitterly funny (mostly due to the out-of-work actor Ambrose Hilliard, playing impeccably by Bill Nighy), but it brings a particular attitude to the aspect of the war that most have forgotten about. I had never heard of this movie before watching it, and I believe more should see it. [Grade: A-]

Malignant (2021)

Viewed on: September 10

Read my full review here.

Black Mirror: Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too (2019)

Viewed on: September 10

Being the first Black Mirror episode I watched after a long break, I expected a dismal and depressing episode with an incredibly bleak ending (something anthology series seem to rely on). Instead, I was treated to a weirdly upbeat episode where Miley Cyrus plays pop superstar Ashley O. Angourie Rice and Madison Davenport co-star as teenagers who have to rescue Ashley when her parasitic aunt (Susan Pourfar) forcefully puts her into a coma. The episode definitely gets stronger with a better sense of story direction in its second half, but the performances really make the viewing experience what it is. If this were the last Black Mirror episode I watched, you would have no problems from me. Unfortunately, it was not yet September 23... [Grade: A-]

Twilight (2008)

Viewed on: September 11

Before watching Twilight, I genuinely thought the term “sparkly vampires” was an exaggeration, but no, it turns out it was a very literal description of the effect of the sun on Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and his vampiric family. Kristen Stewart stars as Bella, the new girl in town, who finds herself falling for Edward, not caring about his true identity. Twilight was not nearly as bad as I was expecting, but it still presents itself as essentially a zero-sum movie. Despite the establishment of characters, nothing much happens. The conflict is jammed-in and secondary to everything else. Did I have to watch this series? Absolutely not, but I had to see what all the fuss was about. Let’s just get on with it. [Grade: C]

First Cow (2019)

Viewed on: September 12

The acting is undeniably fantastic and the character development is strong, but First Cow drags on endlessly. I suppose I should expect this from an A24 film, and hey, maybe The Green Knight was the exception. [Grade: B]

Lucifer Season Six (2021)

Viewed from: September 10-13

Read my full review here.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

Viewed on: September 13

While it maintains a visual edge over its predecessor, New Moon is in no ways a better film. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart still need acting coaches, but at least the fight sequences are marginally better and Michael Sheen makes a scene-stealing appearance. If the rest of the series continues in this vein, it might leave me dead in the water. Please help me with my vampire puns. [Grade: C]

Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

Viewed on: September 14

The innovation that has come in the last century is absolutely remarkable, and experimental documentaries like Man with a Movie Camera serve to further impress us as snapshots of what was possible way back when. Progressive documentarian Dziga Vertov (real name: David Kaufman) is behind the camera along with his brother Mikhail, and over a period of three years, they filmed pieces in three major Soviet cities. You will be genuinely amazed at some of their methods, and they still hold up to this very day. It just goes to show what a man with a movie camera can really do. [Grade: A]

I Love Sarah Jane (2009)

Viewed on: September 15

A small, contained story set during an evidently larger conflict, this short film debuted at Sundance, and I can only imagine the reaction it got. Every other piece of dialogue is a curse word, but it manages to incorporate a surprising amount of themes into its brief runtime -- including, but not limited to: boyhood, toxic masculinity, devastating loss, and fitting in. Future Disney star and del Toro darling Mia Wasikowska plays the titular Sarah Jane, whom young Jimbo (Brad Ashby) is smitten with. Zombies roam the world and they are surrounded by idiots, but Sarah Jane is the only thing that matters to him. Fantastic production design and makeup aside, I Love Sarah Jane is far too brief, but it certainly has its well-paced moments. [Grade: B+]

The Company of Wolves (1984)

Viewed on: September 17

Like Man with a Movie Camera and Sarah Jane, I watched The Company of Wolves in an academic context, but I still very much enjoyed it. The best way to describe it is as existential fairy tale horror, a tamely R-rated film crowded with metaphors about desire, willful repression and everything in between. We, as the audience, keep descending through layers of dreamlike narrative until the climax brings us a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood that is...odd, to say the least. Still, like Sarah Jane, the makeup is exceptional and the performances are solid. This is 1980s fairy tale if ever I saw one. [Grade: A-]

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)

Viewed on: September 15

I fear I am becoming numb to the mundanities these movies are subjecting me to. While Eclipse mercifully has some action built up and some actual skill behind the camera, there is still the undeniable fact that the leads are just blatantly uninteresting. Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner have proven their acting skills elsewhere (Lautner less so), but they are still just so lifeless in their Twilight roles. My puns are getting better, right? Still, the plot moves slightly forward, and the love triangle between Bella, Edward and Jacob seems to be coming to a welcome end. Unfortunately, there are still two more movies, but this means the story has to start picking up steam, right? Right?! [Grade: C+]

Candyman (2021)

Viewed on: September 20

Read my full review here.

Rocky (1976)

Viewed on: September 20

I could do Sylvester Stallone impressions all day. Maybe not all day, but most of the day. To watch the movie (for the first time) that made him a star with the hindsight we have on his career now is truly astounding. Rocky is a victorious, self-contained power anthem disguised as a movie, and it really is Stallone that tethers it; as the writer and star, he has a personal tie to this movie that will not be ignored. I also did not expect to genuinely laugh at this movie as much as I was expecting to -- it definitely has charm to spare, which again can be contributed to its lead. Seeing Rocky in theaters must have been a true experience, even more so than watching it with retrospective. [Grade: A]

Las Hurdes: Tierra Sin Pan (1933)

Viewed on: September 21

Las Hurdes, also known as Land Without Bread or Unpromised Land, was directed by Luis Buñuel to showcase a village that is poor to such extremes that it is barely comprehendible. I will not spoil its true nature (do more research if you wish), but I believe it is better once looked at in hindsight. Its ethics are certainly debatable, but it remains a very interesting examination of poverty and suffering, no matter its presentation method. [Grade: B]

Star Wars: Visions Season One (2021)

Viewed from: September 22-25

Read my full review here.

Black Mirror: Men Against Fire (2016)

Viewed on: September 23

Subtlety is not the specialty of Black Mirror, and this became apparent when I watched Men Against Fire, the finale of the third season. A by-the-numbers story that follows a futuristic soldier (Malachi Kirby) hunting mutants known as roaches, Men Against Fire makes its message known very early and has no use for delicacy when addressing it. Unfortunately, though, that same message is as timeless as it ever has been, which is by no means a good thing. [Grade: C+]

Psycho (1960)

Viewed on: September 25

I can only imagine what it must have been like to sit in a theater and watch Janet Leigh get brutally stabbed in glorious black-and-white on the big screen sixty-one years ago. Psycho plays its cards close to its chest, all while masterfully setting up (sometimes albeit confusingly) an amazing twist that allows Anthony Perkins to show off his off-kilter, multi-varietal acting talent. Not only is it a convincing horror, Psycho is also a great mystery, capped off by one of the most unnerving and slowly exciting endings of the 20th century. [Grade: A+]

Dear Evan Hansen (2021)

Viewed on: September 26

Read my full review here.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)

Viewed on: September 27

If you were looking for proof that Twilight was an extended metaphor for abstinence and caution, I present to you Breaking Dawn Part 1. In a movie that absolutely did not need to be the commencement of a two-part finale, Bella and Edward get married and have a baby, all in the span of a week. Everything you love to hate about the Twilight series is here, from the bizarre editing choices to the weirdly underperformed drama. The conflict is different but still feels exactly the same, and just like the last installments, I have absolutely no idea where the story can go from here. Also, I feel lied to -- the Netflix cover art for this movie featured Aro, played by the magnificent Michael Sheen, sitting on a throne in a pure white room. Not only does Michael Sheen make a brief ten-second appearance, but the throne was nowhere to be seen. I would be surprised if the last movie offers any sort of penance for the unfortunate mess the series not only started as, but has progressed further into. [Grade: D]

The Power of Ten (1977)

Viewed on: September 28

If you want to ponder our place in the universe and have a small existential crisis, watch The Power of Ten and take a good, long look inside yourself. No, seriously, watch it. [Grade: A+]

Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

Viewed on: September 30

Read my full review here.