bring on the face huggers
This Week's Reviews: 'Alien: Romulus,' 'Blink Twice,' 'Bad Monkey' And 'Emily In Paris'
The talk of the town right now online are people's thoughts on "Alien: Romulus." Otherwise, this week has some very interesting and exciting new releases that are all praised... except for "Emily in Paris" which seems like a cruel joke that Netflix continues to perpetuate.
Let us know what you thought of Alien and anything else you're watching throughout the week!
'Alien: Romulus' (out everywhere now)
"Alien: Romulus" is a satisfactory effort, but it's not nearly as horrific or inventive as I hoped it would be.
Joseph Robinson, Fish Jelly Films
"Romulus" proves to be a return to form that's been absent for far too long in the franchise.
One of the scariest movies I've seen this year, despite being a "just decent" Alien entry.
"Alien" movies are like pizza, and aside from a few head-scratching choices that will no doubt inspire reams of think pieces, "Alien: Romulus," with its thrilling tactility and appealingly plucky cast, is a very enjoyable pie.
Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service
I'm starting to feel like the Weyland-Yutani Corporation does not have our best interests at heart.
The parts that are an ALIEN splater movie are a real blast. The parts that are an ALIEN legacy sequel are mostly fucking stupid.
Uncanny CGI recreation of the dead is arguably scarier than any xenomorph.
Consensus: come for the scares and the thrills, don't come for the fan service or obvious pandering.
'Blink Twice' (out everywhere on August 23)
A tense, disturbing, darkly funny, and twist-filled nail-biter.
Zoe Kravitz stages stunning visuals but comes up empty everywhere else.
Christian Toto, Hollywood in Toto
Many know Kravitz for her acting, but her vision for this movie is truly something special, mixed with stellar performances from her all-star cast.
A seriously effective, incisive thriller which establishes Zoe Kravitz as a bold directorial talent, and shows you a side of Channing Tatum that you've never seen before.
Sophie Butcher, Empire Magazine
Consensus: this seems like a kick ass week to go out to the theater and see some good thrillers! Sign up for a fun ride.
'Bad Monkey' (streaming now on Apple TV+)
"Bad Monkey" isn't a great series, but it's fun. It gets better as it goes along. And even those who already read the book will be surprised in spots.
"Bad Monkey" has a bit of a shaggy feel to it, with potential to fly off in a lot of different directions and a lot of characters to keep track of. But if anyone can keep a show like this on point, it's Lawrence and his crew.
Joel Keller, Decider
Punchlines come faster than bullets, and "Bad Monkey" doesn't ever attempt to lower its comedic ambitions for the sake of verisimilitude.
The narrative is elaborately plotted but not labyrinthine. The relationships all feel fresh and the characters are unconventional, even if Yancy is an amalgamation of every Vince Vaughn role ever.
John Anderson, Wall Street Journal
Consensus: what an embarrassment of riches. Yet another thing to watch that seems great.
'Pachinko' (streaming on Apple TV+ on August 23)
If this season is any indication, it's the sort of show that will only grow richer with each new season.
"Pachinko" is an experience that is painful, joyous, melancholy, and moving, a masterful tapestry with the power to endure over lifetimes.
Chase Hutchinson, Collider
"Pachinko" Season 2 is fantastic - it is so haunting and moving that you can't help but be overcome by emotions in every episode.
The second season of "Pachinko" is a considerable step down from the first, but there are still frequent glimmers of what made the previous season such a quietly moving gem.
Consensus: this is one of the best shows that nobody is watching, and it's infuriating to see it just go by without the cultural praise it deserves.
'Emily in Paris' (streaming on Netflix now)
She still can't speak any French. Nor, I expect, will she ever learn any, because this is a woman who could be told about Duolingo and think you were talking about Dua Lipa.
France does a decent job of hosting the Olympics and what does an ungrateful world give it in return? Another series of "Emily in Paris."
Viewers, on the other hand, are more likely to find Emily deeply annoying and wonder why anyone this dim and shallow would be given a marketing campaign to run, when she doesn't look like she could run a bath without scalding her hands...
After almost four seasons, I've discovered the cheat code for enjoying "Emily in Paris," it's recognizing while Emily is a hero in her own mind, she's the villain in this story. That revelation est joyeux.
Consensus: this is a joke, right? This show has to be a bit, like, there's no way something so intentionally bad can keep an audience and receive such horrible reviews from both critics and viewers. Is this an elaborate prank gone on too long?
[Image: YouTube]
