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 – Gifted
This drama represents one of the most underrated films of the 2010s as well as a performance from its lead that proves he’s more than just a Marvel star.
Chris Evans sheds his Captain America suit for a role as Frank, a brilliant man who never quite lived up to his potential. He fixes boats and lives in his trailer with his young, precocious niece Mary.
However, Mary is certifiably a genius – just like her deceased mother – and Frank has spent his time trying to give her as normal a life as possible. Frank’s mother Evelyn soon comes back, and sues Frank for custody of the girl, claiming she deserves to have resources to exercise her talents and intelligence.
Caught between his sister’s dying wish to give Mary a regular upbringing and his mother's wish to allow Mary to grow and expand her mind, Frank must try to reconcile what’s right.
Evans is joined by young McKenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Octavia Spencer, and Jenny Slate in a film that made me cry more than once. It’s a triumph of a film and a must-see.
On Amazon Prime Video – Challengers
I found Challengers to be, well, one of the most challenging films of the year. It’s also an audacious time at the movies.
It follows the life of Tashi, a tennis pro whose entire career washes away following an injury that changes the trajectory of her life. She now coaches her husband and pushes the mild-mannered man to be a champion.
However, they face their biggest hurdle yet when Tashi’s ex-boyfriend (and her husband’s ex-best-friend) goes up against the two in tournament play.
The three become enveloped in another love triangle that threatens to derail their careers and lives all over again.
Director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) is no stranger to a sexy drama, but he moves things up a notch here.
The performances from Zendaya, Mike Faist, and John O’Connor are uniformly fantastic, and it’s one of the steamiest films in recent memory.
With a bumping soundtrack, fantastic cinematography, and committed stars, it’s a film I couldn’t stop thinking about.
On Crave – The Teachers’ Lounge
It’s no secret I much prefer foreign films than those made domestically.
I find the style with which stories are told is so unique, and The Teachers’ Lounge knocked me off my feet.
Director Illker Catak creates a mystery-drama about a very grounded issue – how an accusation can shape one’s reputation for good.
Teacher Carla Nowak becomes fed up with a string of thefts at her school, and begins to investigate herself when one of her students is wrongly accused.
However, when she points the finger at a new suspect, the methods school management use to extract the truth don’t sit well with her. Actions have consequences, and the fallout from the issue could change everyone for good.
A nominee for Best Foreign-Language Film at the 2023 Oscars, this is a deceptively simple concept done incredibly well. The German “The Teachers’ Lounge” is hugely effective.
On Disney+ -- Child Star
There has been a large uptick in documentaries on Disney+ lately, with many of them boasting some difficult subject matter.
Child Star follows the lives of multiple actors – and how being stars from a young age shaped them and caused them untold issues.
Directed by pop icon Demi Lovato and Nicola Marsh, this Hulu original looks at how growing up famous has difficult consequences and mental health issues for many.
Featured are Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, Alyson Stoner, Kenan Thompson, JoJo Siwa, Raven-Symone, and Lovato herself.
It’s a powerful work that gives a lot of access to these peoples’ lives, and it spotlights many harsh truths about Hollywood.
On Apple+ -- Wolfs
While critics continue to sit and talk about how this film didn’t meet their sky-high expectations, you can just enjoy it for what it is.
Wolfs is pure, adult entertainment at its finest, and seeing its two leads reunite with easy, uncomplicated chemistry makes this one worthwhile from the jump.
Real-life best friends and A-listers Brad Pitt and George Clooney reunite for the fifth time in Wolfs, a film that benefits handily from the fact the two are absolute dynamite together.
They star as fixers who are called to the same job. Begrudgingly forced to work together, the two need to protect a District Attorney and make a very big problem go away.
Following an accident that leaves a naked, dead younger man in her hotel room, the men begin to dispose of the body, but the night begins to spiral a little bit more out of control by the minute, leaving them to lean on each other to get through.
Clooney, Pitt, Austin Abrams, and Amy Ryan star in a movie that won’t be winning any Oscars, but that hardly seems like that was the point to begin with.
It is a hugely entertaining vehicle for its two male leads, and they make it a thrilling endeavour.
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]
