Home Video | Films in search of niches
As if we needed more reminders of just how sketchy this past summer's movie lineup really was, this week offers two titles, both box-office disappointments, in search of niche audiences on the small screen. A seasonal documentary courtesy of PBS makes the Pilgrims sound a lot more interesting than they did in school, while the rest of this column consists of, to be brutally honest, filler.
New movies
"Ricki and the Flash." That Meryl Streep, is there anything she can't do? She can't save a movie all by herself, which is a shame because "Ricki and the Flash" is kind of, sort of worth saving. Streep, who has proven before that she can sing, plays a rocker of another era realizing too late that the rock lifestyle came at a large cost as she seeks redemption with her ex-husband (Kevin Kline) and daughter (real-life daughter Mamie Gummer). If you're a fan of Streep or if this storyline catches your interest, catching the movie is probably worth the effort, but director Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Diablo Cody will let you down. Rated PG-13 for thematic material, brief drug content, sexuality and language. 101 min.
First Run Features, which specializes in documentary films, particularly titles that never make it much beyond the festival circuit, sends me screeners of everything it releases, and I'd be lying if I said I watched it all. But anticipating a slow week, I did take the time to watch two of its titles."The Last Season," about matsutake mushroom hunters in Oregon, doesn't have much to offer anyone except perhaps Vietnam veterans or those who think hunting for mushrooms is easy money (it's not). But "The New Rijksmuseum," an exhaustive look at the recent renovations of an art museum in Amsterdam, is fascinating stuff. This ambitious doc shows how any subject can reveal multiple layers of meaning to the person determined enough to peel them back and take a look.
"Ted 2." The first film was a hit, but this sequel, once again featuring Mark Wahlberg and a talking teddy bear and covering much the same comedic ground, was a solid bomb, both critically and especially commercially. The movie is at least semi-inventive in taking the talking points used in the fight for LGBT rights and transmuting them into equality for toys. But nothing here really works, and we are reminded that the humor of Seth MacFarlane, who directed and co-wrote this flick, can wear thin remarkably fast. Remember when he hosted the Oscars? Amanda Seyfried also stars. Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, and some drug use. 115 min.
Television
"American Experience: The Pilgrims." Political commentators of a certain persuasion have contributed to the ongoing national debate about Syrian refugees by noting that America's very first inhabitants — unless you count, of course, native Americans — were refugees. Just in time for Thanksgiving, PBS brings to DVD this not at all familiar examination of the Pilgrims who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the early 1600s in search of a land where they could worship and live as they pleased. Although the Mayflower, turkey and all the rest of Pilgrim lore are now inextricably linked to this week's holiday, there's much about the Pilgrims' migration that has been forgotten. 120 min.
"Inside Amy Schumer: Season 3." This comedienne's Comedy Central sketch/stand-up show remains remarkably consistent three seasons in, which may or may not recommend it to you. The rising star talks ceaselessly about herself, but then that's probably the best source for her humor. And the content is ribald, to put it mildly. Schumer has a near-obsession with relationships, particularly sex in relationships, not to mention sexual politics, and a cornucopia of other gender issues. As a comedian, this is her raison d'etre. But she knows her stuff, and her crushing of taboos is welcome. Guest stars such as Paul Giamatti and Parker Posey pop up here and there. 440 min.
Top 10
Here are this week's most popular film rentals as compiled by Rotten Tomatoes: "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Jurassic World," "Inside Out," "Tomorrowland," "Terminator Genisys," "Pitch Perfect 2," "Pixels," "Spy," "Trainwreck" and "San Andreas."
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Twitter: @ToddHillMNJ