We’re about to hit the doldrums when it comes to wide releases in the next few weeks. This weekend’s only big movies are the whitest of white people flicks (No Escape – a xenophobic thriller starring the unelected emissary of whitefolk, Owen Wilson, and We Are Your Friends – the Caucasian retaliation to Straight Outta Compton. Our own Ryan Covey described it best: “It looks like an Entourage movie made by people who watch Entourage.”), so we here at CHUD want to take this opportunity to highlight some films you can watch right in your own bedroom, curled up under the covers while eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Pistachio Pistachio ice cream. …That’s how everyone else watches movies, right? For all the moaning and groaning about unoriginal content, there’s plenty available out there in the VOD and digital landscape. Here’s a few recent releases we can recommend checking out:
Queen of Earth
Elisabeth Moss is an actress to keep your eyes on, and don’t mean that in a “she’s an up-and-comer” way. You just shouldn’t take your eyes off of her. While Mad Men certainly got her the acclaim and attention she deserves, she’s been equally captivating in her film roles, particularly the excellent The One I Love (which is one of the best The Twilight Zone-esque movies in recent memory). Now she’s headlining Queen of Earth, a darkly comic thriller about two estranged friends who take a retreat to a lake house. With most movies of this ilk, the less you know going in the better. Queen of Earth is available on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.
Turbo Kid
Born out of The ABCs of Death anthology, Turbo Kid is a post-apocalyptic genre celebration that feels like that movie you and your friends could have made if you had the time, location, and Michael Ironside at your disposal. Full of DIY charm and a sense of silly sincerity, Turbo Kid is a great after dinner mint to the four course grandiosity of that other post-apocalyptic movie we got this year. You know, the one with Tucker from the Insidious movies in it? Why can’t I remember the name of it? Turbo Kid is available on iTunes.
When Animals Dream
The number of truly great werewolf movies is sadly low in comparison to many other sub-genres in horror. If that trailer is any indication, When Animals Dream looks like it’s doing its best to add to that exclusive list. It almost feels like this could do for werewolves what Let the Right One In did for vampires, and that’s definitely a good sign. And it’s got that other Mikkelsen who isn’t eating people on NBC (not for much longer though. *sniff* *sob*). Just those shots of lead actress Sonia Suhl’s cuticles getting increasingly nasty gives me the heebie-jeebies. Hopefully, this will help people who are stuck rewatching An American Werewolf in London, The Wolf Man, Dog Soldiers, and The Howling. When Animals Dream is available on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.
White God
Did you watch that trailer? If not, do that. White Dog looks like Homeward Bound for adults. Our fellow Chewer Travis Newton said it’s a genre-changing whirlwind, and from what I’ve seen, it certainly looks like no other movie out there. That title has to be a play on Samuel Fuller’s classic White Dog, doesn’t it? If so, then this movie is in some fantastic canine company. White God is available on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.
Cub
You know us Chewers love a good slasher, but one that features cub scouts in danger? Sign me up! Cub is available on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.
Cop Car
With director Jon Watts nabbing the job of directing the MCU’s first solo Spider-Man outing, his most recent outing, Cop Car, should be getting over-analyzed to death. But, the real draw is the villainous turn by American treasure Kevin Bacon. That guy was in Tremors. He should always be on our radar for that fact alone. Plus, the story of two kids taking a corrupt and volatile police officer’s vehicle for a spin sounds like a nice little thrill ride. Cop Car is available on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.
Anything else out that’s worth skipping the movie theaters for this weekend? Let us know in the comments and forums.