In life there are plenty of reasons to escape, and TV and film may be the greatest and easiest escape of all. After watching countless TV series and films, this year delivers on entertainment from streaming original series’ to what’s out on BluRay to what’s showing on the big screen. The picks below (#TheATOD5)Â range from family drama, saving the world with witty banter, and laundering money for the cartel. One thing is for sure: you will be entertained.
[title maintitle=”In Theatres” subtitle=”The Big Screen Still delivers”]
CRAZY RICH ASIANS
Once in a while a film comes along that puts everything into perspective.
Crazy Rich Asians may not seem like it would be that film but it confronts familial confinements, cultural traditions modernized, independence, societal rules, and the spirit of liberation. With a talented cast including legendary actors like actress Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Moonlight Express, Memoirs of a Geisha), starring alongside Constance Wu (Fresh Off the Boat), Henry Golding (TV Host, first time actor with that James-Bond-turned-super-star quality), and the hysterical Awkwafina (Ocean’s Eight ), Ken Jeong (aka Mr. Chow from The Hangover), and Nico Santos (Superstore), this film is ripe with laughter, uncomfortable moments, tear-jerkers, wacky wardrobe, and quick wit. Taking us on a journey we rarely see in American cinema, Crazy Rich Asians delivers a compelling story of two worlds (wealth versus middle-class, Chinese tradition versus Westernized ideals, cultural and family clashes, pride and humility), colliding as the impending marriage causes a huge rift in a very prestigious Chinese family. Exploring misconceptions and encouraging tradition yet honoring modernity, the film goes deeper than one would expect.
[separator type=”thin”] [title maintitle=”DVD/BluRay” subtitle=”Download, purchase, enjoy”]I Feel Pretty
Even if you’re not an Amy Schumer fan, I Feel Pretty is legitimately one of the most hysterical, uplifting, worth-watching flicks on BluRay there is.
In fact, this is a film that sends a message of positivity and while some people missed it, I personally think Schumer nailed it. The synopsis is this:Â In I FEEL PRETTY, a woman who struggles with feelings of deep insecurity and low self-esteem, that hold her back everyday, wakes from a brutal fall in an exercise class believing she is suddenly a supermodel. With this newfound confidence she is empowered to live her life fearlessly and flawlessly, but what will happen when she realizes her appearance never changed?
The reason this film shouldn’t get lost in the RottenTomatoes sea of ratings is because it dares you to face your shi*. You can’t sit back with the negative self-talk and just soak it in. This movie makes you take a closer look at the Instagram perfect gals and guys whose lives are anything from ideal, and actually ask the question: Does any of this social media and societal ideals of perfection “bs” matter? The answer is no. No it doesn’t. This fake world of highlight reels isn’t anyone’s reality. Those women and men still cry when they get heartbroken or feel crappy when they have days where they feel bad about themselves. Starring Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Tom Hopper, and Rory Scovel everyone gives a quirky performance (including Emily Ratajkowski, Aidy Bryant, Busy Philipps, and the uncomprobable Lauren Hutton). It’s the kind of movie that makes us feel normal. (Cue applause!)
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers Infinity War is the epitome of badassness, rivalry, heartache, and a world in desperate need of saving.
SYNOPSIS: As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment – the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.
Avengers: Infinity War starring—well, everyone—is by far one of my favorites of the Marvel series. For one, the characters we’ve come to know and love and secretly want to be like, are all in the same film! Second, the story, the humor, the social commentary, well, it couldn’t be more apropos. In a fight to save not one planet but all planets and beings, the Avengers are tasked with coming together for one epic battle. The story unfolds in the most exciting and thrilling way from Starlord (Chris Pratt) to IronMan (Robert Downey Jr.) and Thor ( Chris Hemsworth) palling up with the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel) all in an effort to take down Thanos (Josh Brolin) once and for all. Brace yourselves because there are some heartbreaking deaths but when the battle ensues and we enter multiple worlds, the way it ends will leave you clawing the seats shouting, “WHYYYYYYY”. Marvel really knows how to make us forget about superhero fatigue (yes, it’s a thing). Oh and the gag reel? It’s everything!
(Also starring: Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, , Zoe Saldana, Tom Hiddleston, and Anthony Mackie)
[separator type=”thin”] [title maintitle=”Now Streaming” subtitle=”Digital Content Is Quality Content”]OZARK – Season 2 | Netflix
Justin Bateman might be my favorite smart ass in entertainment aside from Ryan Reynolds.
His snarky comments, brilliant but scathing comebacks, comedic timing, and emotional vulnerability are what make him so damn endearing to watch. While I could watch his character on Dodgeball (Pepper Brooks) a million times, it’s his disturbing, dark portrayal of Marty Byrde on Netflix’s Ozark that did me in.
Acting alongside the brilliant and highly underrated Laura Linney (Wendy Byrde), Bateman plays a man whose life is turned upside down when he unknowingly finds himself in the clutches of the Mexican cartel. Father of two, Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) and Jonah (Skylar Gaertner), they uproot themselves and find themselves laundering money in Ozark. With a plethora of people who reek of reckless, (Ruth) Julia Garner, Del (Esai Morales), or the Snells (Peter Mullan and Lisa Emery), every episode takes you down a path fraught with anxiety, danger, dark comedy, and the burning question, what the hell are they gonna do?! Season 1 was wickedly good but Season 2 is now streaming and it is a force.
Sierra Burgess Is A Loser
High School sucks. Not as much as junior high but it’s definitely a close second.
High School sucks. Not as much as junior high but it’s definitely a close second.Let’s be real, high school is about mean girls, finding your place, trying to fit in or stand out, hormone overload, first crushes, kisses, and so on. Netflix’s original movie, Sierra Burgess Is A Loser is the kind of movie you’re happy someone wrote and actually produced (thank you Netflix).
The story synopsis goes a little something like this:Â A case of mistaken identity results in unexpected romance when the most popular girl in high school and the biggest loser must come together to win over their crushes.
Sierra (Shannon Purser – Stranger Things) is the kind of girl you want to be. She’s confident, stands up for herself, has her own style, is funny, sweet, and incredibly smart – and she’s beautiful but not according to mean girl standards. Veronica (Kristine Froseth) is the high school ideal of a cheerleader/beauty queen who isn’t quite as awful as she seems. Dan (RJ Cyler – Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and I’m Dying Up Here) is the snarky but brutally honest best friend we all want to have in our life. Realizing Sierra needs Veronica’s help after she starts talking to a boy named Jayme (Noah Centineo – The Fosters) pretending to be Veronica (you’ll see how it unfolds), Veronica needs Sierra’s help learning how to be “college smart” to win back her ex and from there, the story takes off. It’s a touching and honest portrayal at being a teenager and breaking misconceptions, and it is also all about being a damn good friend. From falling in love with someone versus falling for someone’s appearance, being true to yourself, forgetting what everyone might think—the message of this movie is one every teenage girl and boy should be forced to remember.
[separator type=”thin”]In honor of so many good things to watch, I’ve also put together a little movie night shopping list of things that make staying in-or-out a little more playful …
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