The Covid-19 PHZ-Sicks Movie Watch (4/4/20)
With the Covid-19 virus spreading across America, sometimes its really hard to take your mind off what’s going on. Sometimes we need a way to escape and for me, outside of writing, movies are the way I escape.
As long as the virus is here, I will be doing a weekly blog of first watch movies I’ve seen as well as giving you my opinion on it. If you want to follow it in real time, follow the hashtag #covid19moviewatch on Twitter or follow my Twitter account.
Deidra & Laney Rob A Train
Watch on Netflix
Plot: After their mother ends up in jail, two sisters turn to train robbery in order to support their family.
Directed by Sydney Freeland
Starring Ashleigh Murray, Rachel Crow, & Danielle Nicolet
Rating: 7/10
During times like this, we need a movie that is light and fun. The chemistry between the cast in this comedy is joyful and I could watch another movie with them.
Jallikattu
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
Plot: A portrait of a remote village where a buffalo escapes and causes a frenzy of ecstatic violence.
Directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery
Starring Antony Varghese, Chemban Vinod Jose, & Sabumon P A
Rating: 5/10
This played at this past year’s Fantastic Fest and I didn’t get a chance to see it on the big screen. This is going to be a love it or hate it movie for some but I will say this, the last 30 minutes of this movie is bonkers so if you want to see any part of it, that part is worth it.
Dolls
Watch on Amazon Prime & Pluto TV
Plot: A group of people stop by a mansion during a storm and discover two magical toy makers and their haunted collection of dolls.
Directed by Stuart Gordon
Starring Ian Patrick Williams, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon, & Carrie Lorraine
Rating: 6/10
This is a children’s fairy tale with a good amount of gore. The film has humorous moments that either are intentional or not but show a ton of charm within the film. If you’re looking for a “horror”, this isn’t it but if you’re looking for a morality play with a fun kid action, this is it.
Suture
Watch on Amazon Prime Video & Tubi
Plot: After his brother tries to kill him, a man survives only to find himself in another man's body.
Directed by Scott McGehee & David Siegel
Starring Dennis Haysbert, Mel Harris, & Sab Shimono
Rating: 5/10
I’m not sure how I heard about this movie, but I know seeing Dennis Haysbert as the star of his own movie super intrigued me. This movie is the epitome of a 90s indie film and ask you to suspend your disbelief a lot. So much that my mind just couldn’t really get with it.
The Signal
Watch on Netflix
Plot: On a road trip, Nic and two friends are drawn to an isolated area by a computer genius. When everything suddenly goes dark, Nic regains consciousness - only to find himself in a waking nightmare.
Directed by William Eubank
Starring Brenton Thwaites, Olivia Cooke, & Laurence Fishburne
Rating: 7/10
This low budget indie sci-fi film is an idea that makes you wish they did more with it once it gets moving but also enjoy what you got so far. This is another William Eubank film (see: Underwater) that makes you want to explore the universe more.
3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets
Watch on HBO Go
Plot: Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving November 2012, four boys in a red SUV pull into a gas station after spending time at the mall buying sneakers and talking to girls. With music blaring, one boy exits the car and enters the store, a quick stop for a soda and a pack of gum. A man and a woman pull up next to the boys in the station, making a stop for a bottle of wine. The woman enters the store and an argument breaks out when the driver of the second car asks the boys to turn the music down. 3 1/2 minutes and ten bullets later, one of the boys is dead. 3 1/2 MINUTES dissects the aftermath of this fatal encounter.
Directed by Marc Silver
Rating: 9/10
This documentary on the tragic killing of Jordan Davis is touching. If you heard my song, Riot In My Memory, you will know my feeling on this topic. This takes us through the trial which at times depending on what sign you’re on is frustrating, but through all the emotions you go through with this documentary, it’s a must watch.
Coco
Watch on Disney+
Plot: Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer.
Directed by Lee Unkrich & Adrian Molina
Starring Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, & Benjamin Bratt
Rating: 9/10
So, I didn’t get the chance to see this in theaters and now I’m kicking myself that I didn’t. I really loved this movie especially when a certain song returns in the middle of the movie. It was all the feels.
The King of Comedy
Plot: Rupert Pupkin is a passionate yet unsuccessful comic who craves nothing more than to be in the spotlight and to achieve this, he stalks and kidnaps his idol to take the spotlight for himself.
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, & Sandra Bernhard
Rating: 9/10
I get the comparisons between The King of Comedy and Joker but tonally, they are two different movies. The combination of Robert De Niro and Martin Scorses is great as usual. Jerry Lewis played his role greatly and Sandra Bernhard steals the show. The unreliable narrator is done masterfully in this film and each decision that Rupert Pupkin makes will have you on the edge of your seat with hands in front of your eyes.
Thank you for following me on this journey. Look forward to seeing you next Friday on my next set of films.