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 Crave – Armageddon Time
A disquieting story of expectations and the weight with which we carry them on our shoulders, I feel Armageddon Time was unfairly dismissed by audiences last year.
Bereft of huge, overarching conflicts and a mood-setting score, audiences are left to fend for themselves when it comes to what should be taken from director James Gray’s autobiographical effort. I – for one – was a huge fan of how the movie was presented.
It follows young Paul, who lives with his Jewish-American parents Esther and Irving in 1980 Queens. His stern father is disapproving of Paul’s wish to become an artist, but he finds solace with his supportive maternal grandfather Aaron.
As he witnesses racism and comes to grips with harsher realities he’ll face as an adult, Paul continues to cling to his childhood as long as he can, seeing growing up as a one-way ticket to losing grip on his dreams.
Young Banke Repeta, Anne Hathaway, Succession alum Jeremy Strong, and Jaylin Webb star, with Strong standing out. But it’s Anthony Hopkins – onscreen for mere minutes – who makes the most of his role.
This is a bittersweet film that tackles a lot of difficult topics, and in other hands this may not have had the same success.
Gray might be better known for more commercial efforts like Ad Astra and We Own The Night, but it’s the more subtle moments in his films that always seem to leave an impact. Armageddon Time has plenty of those.
On Netflix – The Kids Are All Right
Oddly enough, this Oscar darling from 2010 seems to have been forgotten over time, even though it represents one of the best efforts of that decade.
It follows the lives and difficulties felt by two children who were conceived via artificial insemination. They live with their mothers, but things are complicated when their biological father comes into the picture and wants a relationship with them.
Director Lisa Cholodenko was co-nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar here for a film that represents her best work. She has worked in television ever since, which to me is bittersweet. We deserve more features from this artist.
Films like this find their strength in performance, and every single character is enriched by the actor portraying them. Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, pre-Marvel Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, and Josh Hutcherson are all fantastic.
This is a complicated comedy-drama that finds the perfect blend between two genres, and will have you laughing and crying interchangeably.
On Amazon Prime Video – A Thousand And One
Readers, I can confidently tell you that I haven’t been gobsmacked by a movie like this in a long, long time.
A.V. Rockwell’s debut feature is a stunning, raw and evocative film that tugged at me and left me in a mess following my viewing.
In broad strokes, the film follows recently-released convict Inez who feels she has no choice but to kidnap her estranged son Terry following his hospitalization after abuse from a foster parent. She is determined not to let him grow up in a broken social services system, and tries to better herself and make a safe, stable life for them both.
The 2023 winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, this is a drama that never feels forced or manufactured, and the central performance from Teyana Taylor is Oscar-worthy.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started, and went in with little knowledge of the plot – That’s exactly how I want you to see it. Do not read more reviews. Do not spoil this for yourself further. Just trust me and see this monumental film now.
On Paramount+ -- The Infernal Machine
Every once in a while, I’ll recommend a film that’s objectively a bit of a mess, but that I feel needs to be seen for a reason.
There’s a certain amount of cliché in thriller The Infernal Machine, but it’s worth the time investment to see Guy Pearce’s best performance in years.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it looked to me like Pearce would be an A-lister. Roles in L.A. Confidential, Memento, Ravenous and The Count Of Monte Cristo showcased just how good he was at his craft.
In the years that followed he’s been relegated to supporting roles, indies (some are great but not well-known) and low-budget straight-to-video fare. Save for Iron Man 3 and a smaller role in Emmy darling Mare Of Easttown, his career hasn’t had the trajectory expected.
Well, I can confidently say his turn in this one is the best we’ve seen him since 2006’s The Proposition.
He stars as brooding, drunken former author Bruce Cogburn, haunted by the mistakes of his past and hiding out in a small, remote town to escape his sorrows.
But when a fan seeks out the controversial writer and begins sending unending letters, Cogburn is forced to face the realities and consequences of his actions and seek redemption if he hopes to find peace.
There are large, identical plot strokes of 2004’s Secret Window here that can’t be ignored, but Pearce alone manages to make this worthwhile. With a strong supporting turn from Jeremy Davies, we can ignore the less-than-stellar work from Alice Eve here as an officer trying to help Cogburn.
Alex Pettyfer – who also executive produced – is good-not-great here, but does show more range than he has in years.
It’s not a home-run, but there’s enough electricity in Pearce’s performance to keep you invested.
On Disney+ -- He Got Game
While I’m not entirely on-board with all of director Spike Lee’s artistic and visual choices, his films almost universally pack some dramatic heft.
Jake Shuttlesworth is given a temporary release from prison to convince his basketball phenom son to go play at a specific college. If Jake succeeds, his lengthy sentence will be reduced and he will be reunited with his family sooner.
But his son Jesus is not ready to forgive the father for his heinous sins – even if Jake is showing some signs of change and growth.
With mounting pressure from all sides, Jesus is faced with a life-altering decision of where to go to college. He has so many options, but feels like his girlfriend, his father, his family, his coach and so many others all have ulterior motives for trying to influence his decision.
Jesus had to take care of his younger sister on his own with his father in prison, and his resentment is only outmatched by his desire to do what’s best for his sister alone.
Real-life future NBA star Ray Allen was chosen as a young man to portray the basketball hopeful Jesus, and he does an admirable job here. But it’s Denzel Washington who absolutely owns the screen in one of his most underrated roles.
The film also co-stars Milla Jovovich, Rosario Dawson, and Hill Harper at early points in their careers, and they all shine. It’s a great little time capsule film worth checking out.
Authors Note: I should also say that 1998’s He Got Game is a film of its time, and some things deemed acceptable from that time period are not now – That said, it’s a truly powerful film overall I enjoyed immensely.
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]
