daily stream: a cozy mystery full of comedy, suspense, and feminism
2018’s A Simple Favor is new on Prime in the US, on Lionsgate+ in the UK.
Blake Lively
movies by or about women opening US/Can Jan 29–31
Reed Morano directs The Rhythm Section, starring Blake Lively; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]
movies by or about women opening UK/Ire Jan 31
Melina Matsoukas directs and Jodie Turner-Smith costars in Queen & Slim; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]
The Rhythm Section movie review: out of tune
Poor Blake Lively does her de-glammed best in this poor Xerox of much better Turn The Urchin Into A Spy thrillers. But there isn’t a single human interaction in this hamfisted movie that rings true.
movies by or about women opening UK/Ire from Wed Sep 19
Anna Kendrick investigates the disappearance of her friend Blake Lively in A Simple Favour; Lea Carpenter cowrites action thriller Mile 22; more…
movies by or about women opening US/Can from Fri Sep 14
Angie Wang directs crime drama MDMA; Amma Asante directs historical romance Where Hands Touch; Amy Scott directs documentary Hal; more…
A Simple Favour movie review: suburban mom stumbles into mystery!
Witty, tense, and thrilling, but also cheerful, escapist, and fun, this is a perfect cinematic cozy mystery, kept on an even keel by the irresistibly charming Anna Kendrick. Merrily absurd pure entertainment.
47 Meters Down movie review: jumping the shark
Originally slated for a VOD release, and it feels like it: the few moments of simple tension quickly dissipate in the murky and not very shark-infested depths.
Mechanic: Resurrection movie review: the Jessica Alba-centered fanfic that makes this work
It’s supposed to be intense, but it’s just silly. Unless it’s secretly about one woman ridding the world of notorious arms dealers through sly manipulation.
The Shallows movie review: she’s gonna need a bigger surfboard
Pure popcorn thrills. Whips up visceral suspense and maintains it till you’re breathless as it cements the arrival of “woman versus nature” as a subgenre.
