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 – Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
A full 40 years after the original Beverly Hills Cop left audiences in stitches, a long-gestating sequel arrives.
It may not have the same freshness as the original Eddie Murphy comedy, but the veteran comedian brings his signature charm back for his portrayal of brash, fast-talking cop Axel Foley.
He returns to Beverly Hills when his lawyer daughter takes a job defending an alleged cop killer, and has her life threatened. With his friend Billy Rosewood also missing, Foley begins to uncover a large conspiracy.
Murphy is fabulous, and it’s really nice to see John Ashton and Judge Reinhold back. With great performances from newcomers Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Kevin Bacon, it’s a fun ride.
One sour note is a rather poor performance from Taylour Paige as Foley’s daughter. She previously stunned in indie drama A Thousand And One, so it’s surprising to see her struggle here.
Overall, Axel F is a worthwhile entry in the franchise, even if it doesn’t bring anything particularly fresh to the table.
On Amazon Prime Video – In The Land of Saints and Sinners
If there’s one actor whose body of work has varied greatly in quality over the last 15 years, it’s Liam Neeson.
He’s had hits with Taken, The Grey and Silence, but has floundered with cliche B-movie action fare like The Ice Road. I’m happy to report that In The Land Of Saints and Sinners is an absolutely refreshing entry for the aging action star.
It follows hitman Finbar, who lives a quiet life in a small Irish village. He decides to slide into retirement, but is pulled back in for one last job when an IRA bomber hiding from police arrives in the area.
Boasting an intense script and a great performance from Neeson, it’s a great time. Kerry Condon is also cold and exacting, Ciarin Hinds is fantastic as usual, and Jack Gleason returns to acting here in fine form.
Neeson is pitch-perfect here, and fans of his will no-doubt have a great time.
On Crave – Monster
This was one of the best movies of the year, and I didn’t even know it existed.
Winner of Best Screenplay and the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival, Monster is an evocative drama that tugged at me and didn’t let go.
When young Minato begins behaving strangely, his widowed mother Saori finds out a teacher at his school may be responsible for the shift.
There are so many more layers of complexity to it, but the more I say, the more shocking it will be.
The performances are uniformly fantastic, and this Japanese film is one of the best foreign-language works of the last few years.
On Disney+ – Dead Poets Society
This was a formative film in my youth and one I’ve remembered fondly for 20 years.
I revisited it this week, and it holds up. Robin Williams is fantastic in his Oscar-nominated performance as John Keating, an unorthodox teacher at a snooty New England boarding school.
Keating, a former student, returns in 1959 with teaching methods that encourage free thought and individuality. He captures the hearts and minds of his students, but ruffles the feathers of administration.
Nominated for Best Picture and Best Director, Peter Weir helmed this heartfelt drama that hits all the right notes. Tom Schulman’s script won an Oscar, and the young cast is also incredible.
Williams is joined by pre-fame Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles and Robert Sean Leonard, all of whom have gone on to illustrious careers in film and television.
It’s one of the best coming-of-age stories of all time, and a triumph of cinema.
On Paramount+ -- One Life
This one really caught me by surprise. The true story of Nicholas “Nicky” Winton is incredible, and made for a beautiful, evocative film.
It follows the present and past – through flashbacks – of Winton, who was a London stockbroker appalled at the horrible conditions Czechoslovakians were facing during imminent German invasion pre-World War II.
He rescued over 600 children from the Nazi-occupied area, and never expected credit for his efforts.
Anthony Hopkins is fantastic in an understated turn here, and Helena Bonham Carter plays his mother. He’s joined by Lena Olin and Johnny Flynn, who impresses as a young Winton.
It’s a tear-jerker for sure, and one that is undoubtedly worth your time.
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]
