Weekend movie nights with popcorn: Parajanov, Joker, Demi Moore, and a few more options for your cinematic company this weekend.
“The Color of Pomegranate” (Armenia, directed by Sergei Parajanov)
Where to watch: theaters
The release of the restored version of the film is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Sergei Parajanov's birth. The director, who introduced the Hutsul culture to the world with the film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors,” explores his ethnic heritage in “The Color of Pomegranate”: the film narrates the life of the Armenian poet Sayat-Nova from childhood to death.
“The Color of Pomegranate” is an outstanding example of poetic cinema. Back in 1970, Parajanov initiated a new aesthetic — instead of traditional dramaturgy and narrative, the director constructed the plot through a series of vivid visual images. In the Soviet Union, Parajanov's innovation was not appreciated: the film was re-edited and released in a very limited capacity. Now, we finally have the opportunity to see the original director's version of the film, with restoration carried out by the Martin Scorsese Foundation in collaboration with Cineteca di Bologna.
“Lift Force” (Ukraine, directed by Alexander Stratiyenko)
Where to watch: theaters
This spectacular documentary focuses on the work of the Ukrainian Armed Forces aviation. “Lift Force” was filmed over the course of a year, with each season allowing for the capture of something unique. The film includes footage of both training flights and real combat operations. Filming locations include Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, as well as the frontline areas of Sloviansk and Kostiantynivka.
All the heroes are aircraft technicians, engineers, air controllers, and combat pilots currently defending Ukraine. For the first time, the stories of brave helicopter pilots are shared, detailing critical moments from the early days of the war. The heroes flew to Snake Island and occupied Mariupol, and they repeatedly ventured into enemy territory. The film was created by director Alexander Stratiyenko, aviator Timur Fatkullin, and the Ukrainian aviation team Aerotim.
“Franchise” (Season 1)
Where to watch: Megogo
On the set of the new superhero film, chaos reigns. Actors and directors struggle to communicate, and tension and irritation fill the air. The Hollywood team, once confident in their success, now questions whether they are creating true art or merely crafting a swan song for cinema.
“Franchise” is a witty satire on Hollywood realities, where filmmaking increasingly focuses on profit rather than artistic value. The series is produced by Sam Mendes (“American Beauty,” “007: Skyfall,” “1917”) and Armando Iannucci (“The Death of Stalin”).
“Joker: Madness for Two” (USA, directed by Todd Phillips)
Where to watch: theaters
In 2019, the film “Joker” won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival and received 11 Oscar nominations, a unique achievement for a comic book adaptation. However, the main character in Todd Phillips' film shares little in common with its graphic prototype. “Joker” harshly commented on social inequality and conveyed global societal tensions, resonating more with Scorsese's “Taxi Driver” than with DC or Marvel films.
From the reviews of the sequel, which has already premiered, it seems that it would have been better to stop with the first part. Neither the buzzworthy beginning nor the stellar performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga saved “Joker: Madness for Two” from failure. Critics particularly highlight the poor choice of genre: the combination of a musical and courtroom drama reportedly doesn't work, and the characters lack sufficient development. Whether this is true or not will be revealed through viewing.
“Abbott Elementary” (Season 4)
Where to watch: Sweet TV
This comedic series in the mockumentary genre depicts the lives of teachers in a typical public school in Philadelphia. Insufficient funding, bureaucracy, and daily challenges — it turns out that American teachers face these issues too, yet they strive to provide quality education for their students.
The main character is second-grade teacher Janine Teagues, who works at Abbott Elementary. She is young and enthusiastic, but her progressive ideas often lack support from colleagues or administration. In the new season, the series will continue to balance comedy and social satire, showcasing the realities of teachers' lives in the best traditions of “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.”
“Disclaimer” (Season 1)
Where to watch: Apple TV
Katherine Ravenscroft is a well-known television journalist and documentarian specializing in exposing the truths about influential people. She receives a novel from an anonymous sender, in which the main character resembles her. The book describes a tragic episode from the past, which the journalist has never shared even with her loved ones. This revelation threatens Katherine's career, reputation, and personal life.
“Disclaimer” is a television adaptation of the bestselling novel by Renee Knight, featuring the incomparable Cate Blanchett in the lead role. Katherine's husband is portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen, who still feels out of place in serious dramatic roles following “Borat” and “The Dictator.” The psychological thriller is directed by Oscar-winning Alfonso Cuaron (“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “The Last of Us,” “Gravity,” “Roma”).
“Substance” (USA / UK / France, directed by Carole Farge)
Where to watch: theaters
This film is not for the mainstream audience, but it is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing movies of the year, having won the “Golden Palm” for Best Screenplay at Cannes. “Substance” is a feminist body horror that raises questions about the male gaze on women's appearances and vividly demonstrates the consequences of unrealistic expectations for women's bodies, toxic advice from beauty experts, and fitness influencers.
Once a Hollywood star, Elizabeth Sparks (Demi Moore) has seen her glory days fade, although she still hosts a popular fitness show on television. However, when her program is set to be rebooted with a new star, Elizabeth decides to take “Substance” — a unique drug promising to turn her into the “best version of herself.” Thus, a young and sexy Sue (Margaret Qualley) is born. The existence of two women with the same consciousness leads to devastating consequences.
“Heartstopper” (Season 3)
Where to watch: Netflix
Nick Nelson is a high school student and plays for the school rugby team. Charlie, a boy who has come out and temporarily become an outcast, also attends the school. When the two find themselves at the same desk, they quickly become friends. Charlie falls in love with Nick but believes he has zero chance.
This romantic teen series is based on the bestselling novel by Alice Oseman. In the third season, the characters' relationship evolves to a new level: love becomes more mature, and friendship strengthens. There will be a significant focus on mental health issues.
“The Platform 2” (Spain, directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia)
Where to watch: Netflix
This is a rather nominal recommendation, primarily a nod to the first part of the film, which became a true hit on Netflix in 2020. The film introduced an intriguing concept of a mysterious building with 24 floors, between which a platform with food and drinks travels. There should be enough food for everyone, but the upper floors, from which the “buffet” begins its movement, abuse their privileged position, leading to leftovers reaching the lower levels. The idea is not new, and the metaphor of class inequality is rather thick, yet thanks to its original format, “The Platform” won the favor of viewers.
High ratings evidently did not allow the creators to rest, and they decided to make a sequel, but nothing new aside from the characters can be found in the second “Platform.” The same story about the gluttonous human nature, the same bloody scenes of inhabitants of the building turning on each other. Against the backdrop of the closure of quality projects like “KAOS” and “Mindhunter,” such content choices by Netflix appear very, very strange.