Looking for your next binge-worthy series or film to add to your streaming queue? Check back with Village Life every week for Jordan Parker's comprehensive insights on the week's most buzz-worthy programs from top streaming services like Netflix, Crave, Amazon Prime, and beyond.
On Netflix – Blockers
This will forever be the film that proved to me – unequivocally – that John Cena is hilarious.
He was always charismatic, but with his starring role in this teen sex comedy he became a star.
It follows a group of adults whose daughters – all best friends – decide to lose their virginity on prom night. The parents attempt to stop it from happening.
Director Kay Cannon is best known for producing the Pitch Perfect movies and the hit show 30 Rock, and brings us a raucous comedy here.
Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz are hilarious, and young stars Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Miles Robbins are wonderful as the younger talent.
It’s a laugh-out-loud comedy and one that will have your jaw on the floor.
On Amazon Prime Video – The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
This is one of the most underrated movies of this year, and a Guy Ritchie film that people aren’t appreciating as they should.
It follows a group of skilled soldiers who attempt a special operation against the Germans during World War II. But as they go behind enemy lines, things get dangerous for the men.
The cast is wonderful, and Henry Cavill is given the starring role he deserves. Alan Ritchson is hilarious, Elza Gonzalez, and Cary Elwes are clearly having a good time, and Henry Golding, Alex Pettyfer, Til Schweiger, Babs Olusanmokun, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin add to the proceedings.
It’s a witty script and packed with action, violence and a great, big beating heart. It’s a lot of fun at the movies for sure.
On Crave – Fight Club
This is my favourite movie of all-time, and I’ve watched it 100s of times since I was 14.
The cinematography, editing, score, and everything else just blend together seamlessly, and the satire of mainstream corporate culture and materialism still strikes home.
It follows a lonely, unfulfilled and unnamed man – also our narrator – who meets Tyler Durden, a low-class entrepreneur who spends his time making soap and causing low-level chaos.
When the two decide to start a fight club to unleash the frustrations of their monotonous lives, it catches on quickly. But things soon spiral out of control and the relationship between the men is stressed by tensions around the club as well a competition for the affection from a woman named Marla.
Edward Norton and Brad Pitt are incredible, and they’re joined by Meat Loaf, a very young Jared Leto, and Helena Bonham Carter. There are very few perfect movies, but I'd consider this one of them.
On Disney+ – West Side Story
When I heard Steven Spielberg was remaking the classic musical West Side Story, I was overcome with anger.
I should have known better – because one of the best directors in generations did it justice.
The 1957 musical is updated and adapted in style, and it follows a rivalry between gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. When two people on different sides fall in love, tragedy seems about to strike.
Ansel Elgort is serviceable in the lead, but Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose are incredible. David Alvarez, Rita Moreno, Corey Stoll, Mike Faist, and Josh Rivera are all wonderful.
The music is amazing and the writing from Tony Kushner and Arthur Laurents is spot-on. I loved this adaptation, and it did the original justice.
On Paramount+ -- The Town
This is the best heist film since the classic Heat, and Ben Affleck’s best film of all-time.
It follows a Boston bank robber who falls for a teller he and his crew previously kidnapped during a heist. Following letting her go, his identity is unbeknownst to her, and she unwittingly falls in love with him.
In the meantime, the man’s crew readies for one more major job before he quits for good, if the criminal lifestyle doesn’t kill him first.
Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Blake Lively, Chris Cooper, and Pete Postlewaite give revelatory turns, but Jeremy Renner steals the show in an Oscar-nominated turn as Affleck’s character’s unhinged best friend.
I adore this movie and it easily makes my top 10. If you haven’t seen it, you need to immediately.
About The Author:
Jordan Parker is a freelance journalist and runs entertainment firm Parker PR. A huge lover and supporter of the local arts scene, he’s an avid filmgoer and lover of all genres.
A 2SLGBTQIA+ professional, he also works doing Events & Fundraising for the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia and has a passion for giving a platform to queer events and artists.
His writing often skews toward local businesses, productions, events, and covering arts & entertainment. He’s also an avid sports fan and spends every May getting let down by the Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs.
Jordan believes in an open-door policy and welcomes story pitches and questions from readers.
Email: [email protected]
