Hey everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful summer and enjoying or surviving this hot weather. I have a few new releases to update you on and fortunately it's another good group of hidden gems you should check out!
CHICKEN FOR LINDA
First up we have a wonderful animated film from France called Chicken for Linda. This film is co-directed by Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach, the latter who directed The Girl Without Hands a few years ago, which I also really enjoyed. This film has a much lighter tone but it still can be quite touching and sweet.
I love the sketchy animation style and the way it captures Linda's joyful nature and spirit. The bright colors are also very eye-catching and make you want to smile as you watch them move and flow across the screen.
The story is simple for Chicken for Linda. Linda's Mother wants to apologize to her daughter for a miscommunication they have had so she agrees to make her favorite dish chicken and peppers. This was also the favorite dish of Linda's departed father so it carries a lot of meaning for both mother and daughter. Unfortunately all the stores are closed making the quest to get all the ingredients challenging.
If you have the Criterion Channel Chicken for Linda is available to stream there but you can also rent it on all over the place. It's a vibrant, beautiful, joyful look at family and childhood.
Smile Worthy
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BIG CITY GREENS THE MOVIE: SPACECATION-
Since I cover a lot of Disney films in my content I try to watch whatever they release in the year. This is why I noticed a DCOM was being released for the series Big City Greens. I'd heard of this series but never watched it but I asked a few friends if the movie is standalone and they said it was, so I decided to give Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation a shot. In the end I'm so glad I did because this is a charming little movie and it encouraged me to watch the show as I enjoyed the characters and family dynamic at play.
The plot of this film will feel very similar to The Michells vs the Machines, a movie I love. Both films are about a family going on a road trip and the conflict between a teen child and the over-protective father. In this case the Greens family ends up going to space and dealing with an array of shenanigans along the way. It's obviously ridiculous for this family to go into space especially without the father realizing that's what they are doing but the script keeps moving well I didn't mind the leaps of logic. It's more about the relationship between father and child and how we'd all be better off if we listened to each other.
I really enjoyed the animation in this film and there are even a couple songs. The voice cast is full of pros like Wendi McLendon-Covey and Cheri Oteri and the writing is quick witted and heartfelt. Like I said, it made me want to watch the show I enjoyed the film so much. I'd definitely recommend Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation.
Smile Worthy
NATIONAL ANTHEM
My only live action film of this update is definitely also the most mature of this batch. It's called National Anthem and it's from first time director Luke Gilford. This film won't be for everyone as it it's a slow burn without a ton of plot but the characters were engaging enough to draw me in as well as the beautiful cinematography and filmmaking on display.
Charlie Plummer is one of the finest young actors we have working today and he is great here playing Dylan a young man who when looking for gig work stumbles upon a commune of sorts for queer rodeo competitors and friends. While there he meets and falls for Sky (played by Eve Lindley) who is a trans performer. This is definitely a very sexy movie and in a lot of ways it gave me what I thought Challengers was going to give me earlier this year. There is even a threesome scene that is very steamy to say the least.
Still if you can handle the content you have a beautiful character piece with wonderful performances from Plummer and Lindley and a feeling of spending time with unique and special people that are living life as authentically as possible. It's a beautiful experience I recommend.
Smile Worthy
WELCOME HOME, FRANKLIN
My last film is my favorite of the group and in fairness it's actually just a featurette at 40 minutes. It's new to Apple Plus called Welcome Home, Franklin and it is part of the Snoopy Presents series. All of these Apple Peanuts featurettes have been lovely and this is no exception. Franklin has long been a beloved Peanuts member and now he is finally getting his day in the sun. It's a joy to watch for the whole family.
Franklin's family has moved to town and he has to start making friends again (his father is in the army) and he meets our troop of Linus, Lucy, Pigpen and of course Charlie Brown. The kids decide to enter a soapbox derby in town and Charlie and Franklin become a pair and begin working on the car together. In the meanwhile he starts introducing his new friends to jazz music and other culture he has learned over the years. It all builds up to the big race and I'm sure you will agree it is completely charming.
I love the Peanuts and they have very few misses and this is certainly a big win. I love the animation, story, characters, everything. If you have Apple Plus please give it a watch
Smile Worthy
So there you have it. Have you seen any of these 4 films? I would love to hear your thoughts.
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