August Movies Part 2: Strays; Blue Beetle; Red, White & Royal Blue

August is winding down with a bit of a whimper in the movie department. However, there have still been some decent movies to watch in the theater or on streaming, so here are three suggestions for your upcoming weekend.

Strays: Directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Dan Perrault, this is the story of Reggie, a naive little dog who thinks his owner, Doug (Will Forte), is just playing a game with him where he throws a ball a long way, says Fetch, and then drives off, only to be flummoxed when Reggie returns hours later with the ball. Doug, of course, is a terrible man who should be carted off to a police station immediately for animal cruelty, but Reggie just keeps trying to play with his human. Until finally, Doug drives him all the way to the big city, abandons him there, and Reggie is forced to confront the fact that maybe his owner doesn't want him.

What follows is a grand adventure where Reggie teams up with a bunch of dogs who all agree to help him find Doug and avenge himself. There are a bunch of shenanigans along the way (almost all of which you will be able to see in the trailer for this film) but it is all very silly, sweet, and heartwarming, and extremely R-rated. The voice cast of this film is what truly sells it - you've got Will Ferrell playing Reggie, and the supporting dogs are voiced by Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, and Randall Park, who all have very distinct personalities and do a wonderful job. This is the ideal summer comedy - raunchy, dumb, but entertaining and with a surprisingly sweet message about the importance of chosen family. And with a tight 93-minute runtime, you won't ever get bored.

Blue Beetle: The DC Cinematic Universe is under new management, and they have kicked things off with this assured film directed by Angel Manuel Soto and written by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer. Here, we get the story of Jaime Reyes (Cobra Kai's wonderful Xolo Mariduena), a young college graduate who returns home to Palmera City, only to find that his family might be getting evicted and money is tight. Desperate to help out, he seeks out an opportunity at Kord Industries, a giant corporation that is very into manufacturing weapons and glorying in the excesses of capitalism. Unfortunately, he gets caught up in some unexpected drama between Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine), the granddaughter of the man who founded Kord Industries, and her aunt, Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon). Victoria is the villain of the piece, a woman who is hell bent on using the Scarab, an ancient artefact that has the potential to be a gamechanger in weapons technology. But when Jaime gets a hold of the Scarab instead, it fuses with him, turning him into the Blue Beetle.

Many shenanigans ensue. Initially, it's all very funny as Jaime is being controlled by this strange weapon that has chosen him to be its host and is capable of all manner of wizardry. But then things get serious as his family is threatened, and he needs to learn to fight back to protect them. There's nothing in this film that is particularly revelatory from a superhero origin standpoint. But what IS fresh and exciting is that this is a Mexican superhero with a very involved family. The supporting cast of Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damian Alcazar, Belissa Escobedo, and George Lopez, who play Jaime's grandmother, mother, father, sister, and uncle, is fantastic, and helps to elevate this film from being a paint-by-the-numbers superhero movie. They bring humor and heart, and while the action sequences wore on me after a while, I never got tired of scenes with Jaime and his family. This is a fun film that doesn't take itself too seriously, and while it's a bit bloated, it has enough charm to be a worthy addition to your summer movie list.

Red, White & Royal Blue: I had already devoured the novel by Casey McQuiston last year, so was very excited to hear that this film adaptation was coming to Amazon Prime. Directed by Matthew Lopez, from a script he adapted with Ted Malawer, this is a breezy enemies-to-lovers queer romantic comedy about what happens when the American President's son, Alex (Taylow Zakhar Perez), discovers that maybe he has a thing for Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), second-in-line to the British throne. Yup, this plot takes the US-UK "special relationship" to a whole other level.

Listen, I can't possibly convince you either way on this movie. If, like me, you are already a huge fan of romance novels and/or queer love stories, you will be entertained to see this tale on the big screen. Of course I think the book is better, but this adaptation is a creditable effort to bring this story to life, and it's just nice to see two hot men get it on and have silly romantic drama that is all going to come to a  gloriously satisfying resolution at the end (spoiler alert!). If you are a snob who looks down on the romance genre in literature and movies, you won't be bothered to give this movie a try. If you're a homophobe, who has no interest in watching a gay love story, why are you even reading my blog, move on! So yeah, log on to Amazon Prime and prepare for two hours of silly, splendid, swoony good times (and also Uma Thurman doing a hilarious Texan accent). After which, I hope you will pick up the book and then come to me for a reading list of other romances you absolutely have to read next.

August Movies Part 1: Shortcomings, Dreamin' Wild, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

I have kicked off August with a series of dude-heavy movies. If you're interested in the travails of a grumpy Asian hipster, the true-life fairytale of a washed-up musician who discovered he may not be so washed-up, or the adventures of a bunch of teenage...mutant...ninja...turtles, keep reading.

Shortcomings: Written by Adrian Tomine (based on his graphic novel of the same name), this is Randall Park's directorial debut and presents the tale of Ben (Justin H. Min) an Asian-American man in LA who manages a movie theater, has very pretentious opinions on film, and has been living with Miko (Ally Maki), his filmmaker girlfriend for several years. When Miko gets an internship in New York, they agree to "take a break" which he interprets as license to try and date some white women. His best friend, Alice (the amazing Sherry Cola who is bringing a very similar chaotic queer energy like she did in Joy Ride), meanwhile also decamps to New York after a bad break-up. So finally, Ben flies over to New York to see her and figure out what Miko has been up to. 

This is a meandering, cringey tale about a rather terrible man who treats women poorly and has a lot of hang-ups about Asian identity. He is mad at the success of a Hollywood movie with an all-Asian cast (a fun little satire of Crazy Rich Asians) but Miko loves it, claiming that the success of this film will allow smaller, indie tales of other Asians to be told. Which is all very meta and fun, as that is emphatically the reason why we are now getting this movie. But at the end of the day, I did not particularly enjoy spending an hour and a half with a broody dude who made all the women around him mad. I get enough of that in real life, thank you very much. It's a perfectly well-directed film and Randall Park is clearly perfectly capable of making great movies, but this is not a story I was clamoring for.

Dreamin' Wild: Written and directed by Bill Pohlad, from an article by Steven Kurutz, this is the true story of Donnie and Joe Emerson, two brothers in Washington who made a record called Dreamin' Wild when they were teenagers in 1979. The record went nowhere, and the film opens with them in their 40s, Donnie still running a music studio and playing music with his wife and a band at local gigs, while Joe helps their father out on the family farm. However, when a music producer named Matt (Chris Messina) shows up at the farm with an old copy of Dreamin' Wild that has resurfaced in some record store and has become a cult favorite in music circles, their lives are forever changed.

This is a beautiful story about thwarted ambition, supportive families, and finally seeing your dreams come true. Casey Affleck plays older Donnie, while there are constant flashbacks to Noah Jupe as the young Donnie putting together this record, and both actors are wonderful at conveying the urgency and passion he felt for his music. Walton Goggins is great as the older Joe, a man who was not as talented as his brother, but still loved making music with him and quietly struggled, even though he continues to put a brave face on things, and Beau Bridges is stellar as their incredibly supportive father. I remember first hearing "Baby" from this record on the soundtrack of a film in 2012 and instantly loving it. Now all these years later, we have the origin story of the track and the amazing men who put it together, and their amazing family who supported them for all these decades until they were re-discovered and received their rightful due. While the film could do with some judicious editing, it's still emotionally resonant, thanks to some great performances, and that perennially evocative soundtrack.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem: Turtle power! What do you want me to tell you about this movie? I mean, you're either in or you're out. I do not have a deep connection to the TMNT franchise, having briefly watched the cartoons as a kid, but this film is definitely a fun one to watch if you love animation and you love New York (which of course, I do). The animation style is vivid and fun, and feels like a new style, similar to how the animated Spider-Man films have felt so fresh and visually arresting. And of course, there are lots of references to New York and the joys of getting a bacon, egg, and cheese. 

This is the origin story of the four turtles, so if you were hazy on the details (I certainly was), this will be a useful primer as to how they were contaminated by some ooze and became mutants who now live in the sewer with Slither, their adoptive rat father (voiced brilliantly by Jackie Chan). There's a villain named Superfly (voiced equally brilliantly by Ice Cube) who has a diabolical plot, and they need to stop him with their ninja skills and the help of a high-school girl named April O'Neill (voiced by the great Ayo Edebiri). There are many fun action sequences, all set to a bopping hip-hop soundtrack and score by the Oscar-winning duo of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, so be prepared for some propulsive thrills. For 100 minutes, this film is perfectly entertaining and beautiful to look at. It is also very funny and you won't be bored for a second. But again. Depending on your tolerance for mutant ninja turtles, your mileage may vary.

Summer Binges: Stath Lets Flats, Survival of the Thickest, Hijack

I've been watching some very random TV this month and now it's your turn to dive in. There's a very silly British comedy, a very exciting British thriller, or a charming American comedy with heart. You can't go wrong.

Stath Lets Flats: I mean, just the title is fun to say. The show stars Jamie Demetriou (who also wrote and created the entire endeavor) as Stath, a Greek-Cypriot man in London who works for his father's letting agency (for Americans - he's a real estate broker who helps renters find apartments), and is painfully terrible at his job. Every episode, you will watch him try and convince some hapless Londoners to rent a flat, and every time it's an abject disaster. His other colleagues include his sweet but incredibly dumb sister, Sophie (Natasia Demetriou - Jamie's real-life sister!), Al (the very sweet Al Roberts) who is best friends with Stath and definitely has a bit of a thing for Sophie, Carole (Katy Wix), who is a go-getter and the only one at the agency who actually seems to be earning any commissions, and Dean (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) who hates this job but doesn't have anything else he can do.

This show ran for three seasons on Channel 4 and I am very late to the party since it wrapped up in 2021. But it’s never too late to discover a British comedy gem. There are only eighteen episodes, as each season was six episodes long in typical British fashion, but each character has such a wonderful arc and their relationships with each other evolve and grow in surprising and often hilarious ways. And while Stath never quite stops being an incompetent moron, you’ll be hard-pressed not to be very fond of him by the end. You still won’t want to let a flat from him though.

Survival of the Thickest: Michelle Buteau is a great stand-up comedian, but here she gets to show off her acting chops and be the star of a wonderful, heartfelt little gem of a show that is based on her memoir. Buteau plays Mavis, an assistant stylist in New York who is great at her job and is on the verge of a big break. Everything seems to be going her way. Until, of course, she walks in on her long-term boyfriend having sex with someone else and her life immediately implodes. 

What follows is a classic journey of self-discovery where a Black woman in her late thirties has to reinvent herself, move out to live in a cramped apartment with a strange white woman in Brooklyn (oh the horror), and pursue her dreams without letting men mess her around. It’s also a great show about body positivity and celebrating curvy women and making them feel good, and also celebrating trans folk and drag performers and revealing in their artistry. This is a show that aims to put marginalized voices front and center and not take any shit from anyone. It’s very sweet and hopeful, and to be clear, it is also chock-full of jokes and funny as hell. It’s a quick and easy binge, and perfect for a lazy summer afternoon, so what are you waiting for?

Hijack: Nothing about this show is quick and easy but my God it was the highlight of my week every Wednesday when I had a new episode to watch. Honestly, I don’t know if I would even want to binge this show because it is such a high-octane thriller, but if that’s the kind of thing you’re into, inject this show directly into your veins.

Idris Elba plays Sam Nelson, a corporate negotiator who ordinarily helps businesses come up with deals during mergers and acquisitions. However, when he gets on a flight from Dubai to London, he ends up having to use his negotiating skills for far more exciting work when the plane is hijacked. Over the course of seven episodes, you are going to be treated to a brilliantly twisty plot from writer George Kay, who created this show with Jim Field Smith. The production values are insane, the cast is fantastic, and every episode ends with a crazy cliffhanger that keeps your heart thumping. The final episode was emotional and cathartic and I was so glad they brought this show in for a smooth landing (yes, pun very much intended). Hijack will keep you guessing and keep you on your toes, but it also gets you emotionally invested in the various characters on board this flight. It a beautiful piece of storytelling and an absolutely epic binge for a day when you do not want to leave your couch.

Bollywood Blast: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

I had a rotten few days and desperately needed a pick-me-up so I took a half day from work (thanks boss!) and headed to the theater to watch Karan Johar's latest Bollywood confection. And my God, it was exactly what the doctor ordered. I found myself laughing, tearing up, and smiling so hard that my dimples could rival Alia Bhatt's (a girl can dream). 

Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani opens up with a Bollywood number that was cast with every hot young actor who showed up to do the latest season of Koffee with Karan. And while the women are hot, you gotta love Johar for ensuring he objectifies his male lead just as much as the women. For the next two and a half hours, be prepared to gaze on the magnificent form of Ranveer Singh in varying states of undress. But of course, we also have the gorgeous Alia Bhatt swanning around in the most delectable Manish Malhotra chiffon saris that evoke all the romance of old Bollywood. And ultimately, that is what this movie is all about. It's a loving ode to the classics, with a very contemporary twist.

Ranveer and Alia play the titular Rocky and Rani, who cross paths because their grandparents might have mysteriously known each other. Dharmendra plays Rocky's grandfather, who is suffering from memory loss but keeps muttering the name, Jamini. Turns out that's the name of Rani's grandmother, played by none other than Shabana Azmi. Rocky and Rani orchestrate a meet-up and...let's just say you might cry a little. And also whoop with delight.

Of course, in the process, Rocky and Rani start up a romance. Rani is an erudite host of a TV news show and has cultured Bengali parents (played by the glorious Tota Roy Chowdhury, whose character has an incredible arc in the course of this film, and the equally glorious Churni Ganguly). Rocky is a jovial Punjabi boy who is the heir to his family's laddoo empire that was founded by his grandmother, played by Jaya Bachchan. Let's just say that Bachchan goes full-on Disney villain in this role - Maleficent couldn't hold a candle to her. She rules her family with an iron fist, upholding patriarchal values in that gloriously sickening way that only an Indian mother-in-law can, and her coddled son is an abject asshole who treats his wife and daughter poorly and barely tolerates Rocky's shenanigans. But these families are both about to be shaken up when Rocky and Rani decide that they need to spend time living with each other's family to see how they would adjust to married life. 

Yeah, it's a Bollywood movie, it's not meant to make much sense, OK? But this is a typically contrived plot that then proceeds to deliver in spades. Get prepared for a complete takedown of toxic masculinity (you will find yourself cheering at a Kathak dance), and general Indian male haplessness. Rocky has a lot to learn when he lives with Rani's family, including how to make his own coffee, but they also have a lot to learn from him, including how to give good hugs. Meanwhile Rani spends her time inciting a revolution against the patriarchy. I know I can't spend the rest of this year constantly comparing movies to Barbie, but this really might be Bollywood's answer to the Barbie movie and I am here for it.

This movie has everything. Insane production design, beautiful costumes, an absolutely stellar cast (honestly the supporting cast almost eclipse the leads). The script by Ishita Moitra, Shashank Khaitan, and Sumit Roy is perfectly bonkers, and brilliant, and so full of heart. The soundtrack is very Pritam, i.e. it just remixes a bunch of classics, but even that is done in a clever way that really dug down into my psyche as someone who grew up with this music. The "What Jhumka?" song is a great example of something that would confuse any non-Indian person, but every Indian person in the theater was 100% singing along with the wordless tune in the chorus. And the random interludes of Mere Bhole Bhalam every time Namit Das popped up on screen made me giggle. I loved the Bengali versus Punjabi stereotypes, Ranveer's wild, colorful outfits, and the world's most perfectly deployed Emraan Hashmi joke. Again, is this movie really going to translate if you don't already have a robust history with Bollywood? I don't know. There are a lot of inside jokes and references to classic and modern cinema. But for someone like me, who has always found such solace in the movies, this ridiculous film was the perfect distillation of my Bollywood education to date. By the end, it turned into Shloka Aur Bollywood Kii Prem Kahaani.