Looking for your next binge-worthy series or film to add to your streaming queue? Check back with Village Life every Friday 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 – Blood For Dust
This is one of the most underrated crime dramas I’ve seen in months, and I’m hoping it catches on with Game Of Thrones faithful who miss Kit Harrington onscreen.
Harrington (who was Jon Snow in the HBO jaggernaut show) co-stars here as Ricky, who convinces desperate former co-worker Cliff to pull off a robbery to help his son, who has cancer.
Cliff travels the country as a salesmen, and is so far in debt he can’t bear telling his wife he doesn’t have the money to help their son. So when volatile Ricky – a man he had shady dealings with that had tragic consequences – appears back in his life, he’s cautious.
But Ricky presents an opportunity for Cliff to pull himself from debt and provide, and that may just be enough to make him forge a life in the criminal underworld.
The movie lives and dies on the performances from Scoot McNairy and Harrington, who are explosive together. Josh Lucas – a former heartthrob – plays against type as a drug kingpin, and 90s stars Ethan Suplee and Stephen Dorff are also fantastic.
Unfortunately, the female roles are lacking and Nora Zehetner and Amber Rose Mason aren’t given much to work with. This is a serviceable – but cliche – ride, but director Rod Blackhurst does make a gritty, interesting film nonetheless.
On Amazon Prime Video – Arthur The King
Okay, this one had me hooked from the jump. It was an inspirational sports movie paired with a dog drama.
But I don’t think I expected to like it as much as I did. Director Simon Cellan Jones – who last year did the god-awful The Family Plan with this film’s star – redeems himself here for sure.
It’s also the most depth Mark Wahlberg has showed in a while as an adventure racer named Michael trying to achieve greatness.
He and his crew meet abused, battered dog Arthur during a competitive race, and the pup joins them on their journey – one that has Michael’s reputation on the line after his hubris turned his last race into a mockery.
Wahlberg, Canadian Simu Liu, and Juliet Rylance all give winning performances. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and it has a beautiful beating heart for sure.
On Crave – Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
I have to ask that if you saw the original Ghostbusters or even Afterlife, you temper your expectations.
A classic gem this absolutely is not. But it does happen to be a really fun comedy blockbuster, and a perfect film to help you turn off your brain for a bit.
Director Jason Reitman might not be the titan his father Ivan was (he helmed the original Ghostbusters), but his two franchise re-invigorations are enjoyable.
This sequel to Reitman’s recent film (written by but not directed by Reitman) follows the Ghostbusters – both new and old – as they fight to save the world from an impending ice age and an evil force.
The performances help things for sure, with Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, McKenna Grace, and originals Dan Akyroyd, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson all come together again.
I won’t say I loved it – But this one definitely did keep me chuckling and give me a few hours of enjoyment. Sometimes that’s all you really need.
On Apple+ -- The Instigators
This movie made me laugh the entire way through, and the tepid critical reception baffles me.
It’s imperfect and a bit messy, but The Instigators is a throwback to action films with uncomplicated storylines and not a single comic book character.
What you do get is two A-listers having a blast as amateur bank robbers who have to flee the city when a job goes horribly awry.
They’re chased by a police officer and the mob, both of whom want a hugely important necklace that was taken in the shuffle.
Director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and the recent Road House remake) makes a hilarious film with plenty of talent involved.
Casey Affleck stars and co-writes, and he’s joined by Matt Damon, Oscar nominee Hong Chau, Oscar nominee Michael Stuhlbarg, Alfred Molina, Ron Perlman, Toby Jones, and Jack Harlow.
Everyone here is having a blast, and I guarantee you will too.
On Paramount+ -- Red Eye
Director Wes Craven was a master of horror – known for favourites like Scream, Nightmare On Elm Street, and The Hills Have Eyes.
It may not reach those heights, but Red Eye is a hugely underrated gem for the late, great auteur.
Red Eye follows Lisa, who is kidnapped on a flight by Jackson. He forces her to help him with an assassination attempt by threatening her father’s life. But things get interesting when Lisa begins to fight back.
Rachel McAdams and recent Oscar winner Cillian Murphy are great here in adversarial roles, and they really make this one shine. Save for Brian Cox, the movie mostly belongs to those two.
It’s only 85 minutes long, which really lends an immediacy to the proceedings, and it moves at break-neck speed.
There aren’t many thrillers as efficient and endlessly enjoyable as this one. Strap in and get ready for Red Eye.
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]
