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“The Boogeyman”
I’m a simple man. I’m a sucker for a Stephen King adaptation, no matter how small, and when I heard this short story adaptation from the director of “Host” (one of the best movies released during the pandemic) was getting a theatrical release instead of being dumped to streaming, I got myself to the theater.
Overall, “The Boogeyman” needed more David Dastmalchian (every movie he’s in does), but it’s a solid, effective, spooky time. I’m ready for horror to move on from the “the monster is actually trauma!” trope, but if they insist on using it, this isn’t a bad way to employ that gimmick. This actually reminded me a lot of last year’s “Smile,” if it had a better ending.
I hope nothing but the best for Sophie Thatcher and the long career she has ahead of her.
Also: Best trailer end-credits song since “Barbarian.”
Now available on VOD. Awaiting a streaming/physical media release date.
“North by Northwest”
I saw this for the first time for my Friends at Dusk episode that prepared us for our episode on “Tenet.” I didn’t know Alfred Hitchcock could be this funny. This is practically a James Bond film (indeed, the Broccolis wanted film adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels to look and feel like “North by Northwest”).
The plot, much like “Tenet,” falls apart if you think about it too long, which means you just have to feel your way through it.
No thoughts, just vibes.
Available to rent or buy on demand, or on physical media.
“Peter Pan & Wendy”
David Lowery might be one of the last “one for me, one for them” directors we have left. In addition to movies like “The Green Knight,” “The Old Man and the Gun” and “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints,” the Dallas director has made two Disney remakes: “Peter Pan & Wendy” and “Pete’s Dragon.” They’re the only Disney remakes I think are any good or add anything interesting to the originals.
Here, we focus more on Wendy and what she wants instead of the boy who would never grow up. This would work as an interesting double feature with “The Green Knight.” Both deal with a refusal to grow up and use age-old stories as a jumping-off point to examine what it means to truly live a good life.
And the film itself is gorgeous, full of lush vistas and actual location shooting. It almost looks like a Terrence Malick movie for kids at some points.
It gets bogged down by some of the usual Disney Remake Churn in some parts, but overall it’s better than the other remakes released lately. It’s a shame that this never got a theatrical release.
Available to stream on Disney+. Maybe Disney will eventually release it on physical media at some point.
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” isn’t just the best animated film of the year; it’s one of the best movies of the year, period. The animators upped the ante on everything from “Into the Spider-Verse” and put it into overdrive.
Parts of this movie are in watercolor. Other parts are clipping collages. I spent most of my time watching this movie with my mouth agape, wondering how anyone could have made it. And it inspired me to do better in my own work as well.
The story is excellent, too, dealing with Miles Morales’ growing responsibility as his universe’s Spider-Man. Very excited to see how that cliffhanger ends.
Available on physical media starting Tuesday, Sept. 5 and also available on VOD.
Jake Harris 