Kareem's Weekend Boost
What to Watch, Read, or Listen to This Weekend (Nov. 5-7)
I’ve got some exciting goodies for you this weekend. Music to get you in the holiday mood, a hidden gem of a movie that is pure fun, a Netflix heist movie that is funny and exciting, and a short story collection from one of America’s finest writers. Enjoy!
I’ve been doing these Weekend Boosts for a couple months now and would love to hear your reactions to my suggestions.
LISTEN (music)
Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
We’re heading into Christmas and nothing stirs up the holiday mood better than traditional songs of the season. If you venture out into the malls for your shopping, you’ll undoubtedly hear all the usual classics from Nat King Cole, Brenda Lee, Andy Williams, et al. But give yourself this holiday gift and you’ll soon be whipping up some spiced cider and throwing on your ugly Christmas sweater. This album was originally released in 1960 with 12 tracks of holiday classics. The 2002 CD release added 6 more songs, 3 of which are alternate takes. For a special treat, get the Verve vinyl version that was just released. Ella’s smooth, lush renditions are like a swift sleigh ride through fresh snow.
Get album here.
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WATCH (movie)
Werewolves Within directed by Josh Ruben and written by Mishna Wolff
You’re probably looking at the title and wondering whether Kareem has recently bumped his head—hard. Nope. “But, Kareem,” you may ask, “what about the big-budget and prestige movies that recently opened?” Here’s what about I think them:
Dune is an amazing spectacle that delights the eye with every frame. It is visually one of the most imaginative sci-fi movies ever. But it’s also dingy in that you’re often squinting to see the images clearly, as if you’re watching through a dirty screen. Worse, the characterization is flat, the dialogue predictable and humorless. It’s entertaining because of the battles and giant worms, but the people are forgettable stereotypes who brood and glare a lot.
Last Night in Soho is another visual dazzler that’s part mystery, part ghost story. Writer-director Edgar Wright (Shawn of the Dead) is a favorite of mine but this is all style and no substance. As with Dune, characterization is sketchy, an afterthought. The real star is the recreation of the swinging Sixties in London and the camera trickery. Also as with Dune, you’ll walk away impressed, but empty of human connection.
The French Dispatch is Wes Anderson’s latest and like his other films (Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel), it is visually stunning, with each scene framed like a museum painting. There are four stories told and each is delightfully charming and imaginative. His films are singular visions unlike anyone else’s. And yet, for all its wit and charm and lovely images, the characters never penetrate to the heart. We never really care enough to give the movie much thought after we leave.
Werewolves Within is a low-budget film that is funny, quirky, and thoroughly enjoyable. It’s a mystery with a little bit of horror thrown in. An African American Forest Ranger shows up in a small town filled with eccentric residents, finds romance, dead bodies, and lots of twists and turns. His eternal optimism about people is put to the ultimate test as bodies pile up. When the movie was over, I missed the characters, which is more than I can say for the three movies I discussed above.
Rent movie here.