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 – Good Grief
Dan Levy gained a lot of goodwill with his hit show Schitt’s Creek, and he uses it to write, direct, and star in this dramedy that’s a whole lot better than I expected it to be.
For those who decide to give it a chance, it’ll be a whole lot less cheerfully snarky than the show that made Levy famous, but his charm prevails nonetheless.
When his husband suddenly dies, Marc is left picking up the pieces and trying to find meaning. Part of that process is bringing his two best friends on a trip to Paris, but his intentions aren’t as clear as he’s letting on.
While the pacing and tone are uneven, Levy does manage to bring the drama, tears, and major levity when needed. The trio of himself, Ruth Negga, and Yesterday star Himesh Patel is enchanting, and the film is worth it to watch them alone.
He hasn’t made a queer classic here, but Levy’s film is a worthy testament to friendship, grief, and leaning on those we love most. One thing it will do is make you sob.
Get a comfy blanket, grab a box of Kleenex, and settle in for this one.
On Amazon Prime Video – Strays
Sometimes I just need a nonsense, entirely bonkers, raunchy film to reset myself when I begin to act like a film snob. Strays was just the ticket I needed this summer.
Reggie is a dog whose only purpose is to please his owner Doug. The problem, though, is Reggie doesn’t realize that Doug could care less about him. When he’s abandoned far from home, he learns to live a stray dog’s life.
Mentored by new friend Bug, the two get up to all kinds of hijinks in the outdoors, and Reggie decides he needs to get home to take revenge on his old owner.
The voice cast for the animals includes Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, Randall Park, Sofia Vergara, and more. They all make for a great ensemble, and Will Forte takes on the villainous role of owner Doug, providing some really hilarious scenes.
It is one of the cruder films I’ve seen in a long time, but if you like your comedy R-rated, you’ll get a kick out of this one.
On Crave – The Equalizer 3
The one thing I’ll say for this fitting ending to the Equalizer trilogy is that it’s more slow-paced and deliberate than its predecessors.
The franchise is based on a slam-bang, John Wick-style action sensibility, but director Antoine Fuqua went a different direction here. While it had its detractors, I certainly appreciated the change of pace.
Everyman and former Marine, Robert McCall, has left behind the bloody, revenge-soaked events of the first two films and headed to Europe here, but trouble still manages to find him.
He is forced to protect his quiet oasis in Southern Italy when he realizes the shops owned by his new friends are being terrorized by local criminals.
He takes matters into his own hands once again, to devastating results. Make no mistake here — Oscar winner Denzel Washington is the reason we root for McCall.
The actor commands the screen and manages to get sympathy for our anti-hero. Joined here by Dakota Fanning, David Denman, and a great turn from Eugenio Mastrandrea, it’s an action film with substance.
On Disney+ -- Mary May Martha Marlene
Director Sean Durkin blew me away with his recent The Iron Claw, and for effort, The Nest was also great. So I had to go back and check out his debut feature.
I don’t think I could ever watch this haunting drama again, but it does represent an extraordinary first effort. It follows Martha, who flees an abusive cult after years to go back home.
The only issue is she’s been gone so long she has Stockholm Syndrome, and has difficulty getting back to normal life and routines. Her sister Lucy takes her in, but she and husband Ted don’t know how to help.
It’s a difficult look at a broken woman, and the work she has to do to fix the damage that’s already been done.
This was a star-making turn for Elizabeth Olsen (the other Olsen sister) and she’s in good company. Sarah Paulson and Hugh Dancy are great, and John Hawkes is terrifying as the cult leader.
Early roles from Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, and Brady Corbet showcased the potential that would build their present careers.
It’s a truly heartbreaking film, but Sean Durkin directs with a sure, capable hand.
On Apple+ -- Killers Of The Flower Moon
Director Martin Scorsese rarely makes a bad film, but Killers Of The Flower Moon is very, very good. It’s one of the best of 2023, in fact.
However, be prepared. The three-and-a-half hour flick can sometimes feel like a slog, though it’s worth seeing the full way through.
It follows two men – Ernest and his uncle William – who hatch a scheme to get the oil money belonging to the Indigenous land-owners in 1920s Oklahoma.
The Osage Nation’s people have been paid well for the commodity found on their land, but an epidemic arises as enterprising, greedy white men begin marrying Indigenous women to get claim to their fortunes.
After the marriage, a number of Osage women begin dying off mysteriously, prompting an FBI investigation.
A surefire Oscar contender, the film is crackling and will leave you enraged — hating the characters Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro play more than ever before.
Lily Gladstone deserves an Oscar here, and supporting turns from Jesse Plemons, Brendan Fraser, Tantoo Cardinal, Cara Jade Myers, and John Lithgow are magnificent.
I wish they’d cut a half hour of it, but as it stands, this is an incredible crime movie that will leave you breathless.
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]
