On Crave – Beast
Giving huge 'Ghost In The Darkness' vibes, this adventure thriller is one of the most enjoyable, suitably-scary monster flicks I've seen in a while.
Beast follows a father and his teenage daughters on vacation, trying to become immersed in their culture in Africa. But the Savanna also plays host to a blood-thirsty lion that traps them in the desert as prey.
As Nate and daughters Norah and Meredith fight to survive, they must come face-to-face with a terrifying evil.
Baltasar Kormakur is no stranger to directing actioners – with Mark Wahlberg vehicles '2 Guns' and 'Contraband', as well as against-the-elements drama 'Everest' among his repertoire – but this is definitely one of his best.
Idris Elba is convincing and keeps things interesting, and young performers Leah Jeffries and Iyana Halley have what it takes to become stars. 'District 9' alum Sharlto Copley also appears as family friend and tour guide Martin.
This is an adventure that enthralled me on the big-screen, and it's going to keep you on the edge of your seat.
On Netflix – They Cloned Tyrone
There hasn't been a racial commentary as biting or evocative as this one since Jordan Peele's debut 'Get Out'.
The film follows an escort, a pimp and a drug dealer who become trapped in a time loop and government conspiracy by happenstance. They soon realize their world is not what it seems, and must fight to regain their independence.
Director Juel Taylor – whose hits and misses include writing Space Jam II and also penning Creed II – creates a film with something to say, and it manages to do so with a great sense of humour.
Starring John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, the trio make this a must-watch for your summer. Co-starring Kiefer Sutherland in a scary-good turn, it's a pitch-perfect cast.
Part mystery-noir, part conspiracy-thriller, this one also includes plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. It's a genre blend that matches everything perfectly.
I suggest you seek it out immediately, and don't take it too seriously.
On Paramount+ -- Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts
It's been at least a decade since I've truly enjoyed a Transformers movie, but I'm happy to say this prequel has put the franchise back in my good graces.
It's amazing what a little care for an action movie's story and some thought in the casting process can do for the overall enjoyment of a movie.
Director Steven Caple Jr. -- who oddly enough directed 'Creed II' – obviously has a love for the source material, and puts a 90s flair into the film. It's a nostalgia-filled ride that I couldn't get enough of.
Starring 'Hamilton' and 'In The Heights' star Anthony Ramos, he provides the gravitas the franchise needs. He's endlessly charming and so much fun.
Joining him are 'Judas and the Black Messiah' star Dominique Fishback and a voice cast including the absolutely scene-stealing Pete Davidson, Ron Perlman, Peter Cullen, 'Game Of Thrones' alum Peter Dinklage, Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, and more.
It's just good, clean family fun, and I'm so glad to see someone else pull this franchise from previous director Michael Bay and do it properly.
On Amazon Prime Video – Supernova
I'm going to make every effort I can in this column to highlight films that were underappreciated during the pandemic.
Supernova is a drama that deserves so much love and unadulterated praise, and yet many people haven't even heard of it.
This romance film is about Sam and Tusker, a beautiful gay couple who together are dealing with a horrible outcome. They travel across England together in an RV visiting all those they love.
Tusker – diagnosed with dementia – is looking to spend time with all the people and places that mean something to him before he loses the ability to remember it all.
Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci have remarkable chemistry, and they carry the film to the finish line together.
Writer-director Harry MacQueen – while unpolished – does let his actors create sparks onscreen in a film that is guaranteed to make you bawl.
On Apple+ -- The Beanie Bubble
I'm a huge fan of movies based on true stories – And a bigger fan of movies based on absolutely strange, bewildering ones.
The Beanie Bubble won't take box-office crowns or gain Oscars, but it has a game cast and a premise fun enough to keep you entertained.
It follows Ty Warner, who – with the help of three women in his life – starts the Beanie Baby craze that shocked a nation.
Directors Kristin Gore and Damian Kulash put more heart into this movie than I ever could have expected, and the laughs are aplenty.
Zach Galifianakis, Elizabeth Banks, Geraldine Viswanathan and Sarah Snook all star, and it's a wonderful little indie I was delighted by,
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]
