Still, respect must be paid to the Grant-aholics. Given the mounds of goodwill (and awards buzz) he’s earned for his latest work, I, too, might be tempted to take a peek at his latest prestige turn, so the following review will be as light as possible on spoilers. (Apologies for any vague descriptors, but given how little happens in “The Undoing,” just about every specified plot point doubles as a spoiled twist....
Here’s the official synopsis: As Haynes told IndieWire during a Cannes Film Festival interview, the movie employs the style of avant-garde film because that’s exactly the movement that was informing The Velvet Underground’s music at the time. “This band was formed by the avant-garde cinema and culture of New York at this time,” Haynes said. “It was happening in every conceivable way around this band, whether it was [John] Cale living with Jack Smith on Ludlow Street or the band being asked to make music for one of Jonas [Menkas]’ multimedia film series at the cinematheque....
But the goal for all involved with “Them,” including creator Little Marvin and executive producer Lena Waithe, should be to avoid the fate of “Lovecraft,” which drew initial critical acclaim thanks to a bravura pilot but then got lost in the morass of its own mythology. By the time that series wrapped up its first season, it was more of a slog than an event. “Them” is slated as an anthology series, meaning this season, unofficially known as “Covenant,” should offer more closure....
“I don’t do no Black pain,” the “Black-ish” actress said. “If it’s Black pain I don’t go for it because there’s so many films and projects about that.” While pain and trauma are assuredly part of the Black experience, there’s only so much a viewer can take of “THEM” before it becomes numbing — and despite the noble intentions of the creators, sensationalistic. Episode after episode of this unfortunate Black family suffering terrors both real and supernatural began to wear the viewer down, especially when the white aggressors receive little comeuppance for their deeds from those being oppressed....
Writer/director Taika Waititi helms the follow-up to 2017’s “Thor: Ragnarok.” Chris Hemsworth returns as the titular superhero in his first appearance since “Avengers: Endgame.” Tessa Thompson is also back as Valkyrie, as well as Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Waititi as Korg, and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, reprising her MCU character for the first time since 2013’s “Thor: The Dark World.” Thor and Jane’s awkward reunion is teased in the trailer, narrated by Waititi as Korg, explaining that Thor has gone from “dad bod to god bod....
With a career spanning more than three decades, Fraser has received recognition for his work by both critics and fellow actors, from starring in indie films to heading up “The Mummy” franchise. Notably, Fraser has dual Canadian-American citizenship. Also receiving a TIFF Tribute Award this year will be the cast of “My Policeman,” including Harry Styles and Emma Corrin. “Brendan Fraser gives a performance of staggering depth, power, and nuance in ‘The Whale,’” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO, in a press statement....
And yes, there is dancing — oh, is there ever. While describing the AMC+ series’ plot may prove as futile as launching a standalone streaming service for a network whose biggest hits are available elsewhere, I, too, will give it a go. “Ultra City Smiths” is set in Ultra City, a Manhattan stand-in filled with sports arenas like Addison Square Garden, newspapers like “The Ultra City Times” spelled out in a familiar Old English font, and prison ferries shipping in from Rucker’s Island....
