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 – Rebel Ridge
It’s not a stretch to call Netflix smash Rebel Ridge one of my top three films of 2024 so far.
Partly a rousing drama about inequity and police corruption, part Walking Tall-style David and Goliath actioner, this film has it all.
It follows former Marine Terry, who is stopped by police while on his way to bail out his wayward cousin. They seize the cash he has on-hand as potential evidence of drug activity – Despite the fact Terry can account for where it came from.
He is not charged but is threatened to keep quiet, but Terry won’t go down that easy. What ensues is a stand-off with local police and a corrupt chief who will stop at nothing to keep his lifestyle in tact.
Aaron Pierre previously stunned in shows Genius and The Underground Railroad, and was a revelation in the TIFF favourite film Brother. He gives another intense performance here.
Don Johnson does his best work in a decade in Rebel Ridge, and character turns from AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman and personal favourite Emory Cohen give some gravitas.
I truly adore this movie and anyone looking for adult fare should seek it out immediately.
On Amazon Prime Video – Civil War
This is one of the most harrowing pictures of 2024. While I loved it, I’m not sure I could watch it again any time soon.
The story is told through the eyes of journalists in a future American where a civil war is descending upon the White House. They get in a car to reach DC and capture the incident.
Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, and Stephen McKinley Henderson are all fantastic, as is Jesse Plemons in a cameo.
Writer-director Alex Garland makes his best film since his debut Ex Machina, even if it will make some viewers uncomfortable.
On Crave – The Penguin
It looks like the failure of DC’s superhero films means we’ll never get a sequel to Matt Reeves’ incredible “The Batman”, but I’m counting my lucky stars this villain origin story is out.
Colin Farrell’s interpretation of The Penguin in the film was something entirely different and fresh, so I am completely transfixed by this new series about the criminal enterprises of Oz Cobb
Farrell brings a screen presence unmatched as a member of the notorious Falcone crime family attempted to seize control following the patriarch’s death.
He’s joined by How I Met Your Mother alum Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, and Theo Rossi.
I absolutely can’t wait to see where this one is going and it’s a great, dark Sopranos-style show.
On Disney+ -- Inside Out 2
Puberty is complicated, and it’s tackled head-on with wit, charm and a lot of laughs in this Pixar sequel.
When Riley goes to hockey camp, she becomes stuck between sticking with her group of friends and making new ones. Her emotions (depicted as little beings inside her brain) are replaced by anxiety, embarrassment, and other, more complicated emotions.
As her old emotions try to regain a hold on Riley’s system and help her navigate, she must make some tough decisions on the outside world on her own.
The voice cast is wonderful, and this is one of the best representations of navigating our emotions and responses I’ve ever seen.
I loved the original, and this one definitely lives up to the hype.
On Paramount+ -- Stop-Loss
I’m always a bit wary of ultra-patriot war films like this, but the MTV-produced Stop-Loss is a worthy testament to the damage the Iraq war did to young soldiers.
It follows veteran Brandon King, a man ready to settle down back at home following a completed tour in Iraq. He and best friend Steve are getting out and ready to embark on a new journey.
But when King is “stop-lossed”, he’s ordered to return to the field by the Army due to a lack of available troops. Feeling cheated, King goes on the run to try to get out of another tour.
It’s a film about just how far your love of your country might go, and the way service affects veterans.
Director Kimberly Peirce is best-known for Boys Don’t Cry, but this one is a well-done drama. Her cast comprised of Ryan Phillipe, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Abbie Cornish, Ciaran Hinds, Rob Brown, and Timothy Olyphant also make up a heck of an ensemble.
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]
