Late Laughs for the week of September 13 - 19, 2020
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
It was the first night of the virtual Democratic National Convention ... because nothing fires up Americans quite like long speeches over Zoom.
Each night of the convention has a theme. For example, tonight's theme is "We the people," tomorrow is "Leadership matters" and the next day is "Please don't switch to Netflix."
New Releases for the week of September 13 - 19
Tommaso
Tommaso (Dafoe) is an American actor and filmmaker struggling to reconcile his life with his new-found sobriety. With a long list of demons trailing behind him, Tommaso attempts to make good on this shaky new beginning in Italy, accompanied by his much younger wife, Nikki (Chiriac), and their daughter, Dee Dee (Ferrara). Though it's idyllic at first, Tommaso's devoted, working-father façade begins to crumble due to both the pull of his addictions and Nikki's infidelity. With nothing left to hide behind, Tommaso must salvage what is left of his life before his past swallows him up completely.
Director: Abel Ferrara. Stars: Willem Dafoe, Cristina Chiriac, Alessandra Scarci, Anna Ferrara, Stella Mastrantonio, Lorenzo Piazzoni. 2019. 115 mins. Drama.
Becky
When 13-year-old Becky Hooper's (Wilson) father, Jeff (McHale), and his girlfriend, Kayla (Brugel), announce their engagement in the middle of their lake house vacation, Becky storms off into the woods, where she finds a strange key in a tin box. In her absence, a group of convicted neo-Nazis led by the brutal Dominick (James) make their way into the lake house, holding Jeff, Kayla and Kayla's son, Ty (Rockcliffe), hostage until they find a key they claim to have left on the property. Communicating via walkie-talkie, Becky and the criminals attempt to reach an agreement, until the gang murders Jeff and begins a bloody war against the teenager. With only her dog and violent, twisted mind to rely on, Becky goes after the neo-Nazis to avenge her father and save herself.
Directors: Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion. Stars: Lulu Wilson, Kevin James, Joel McHale, Amanda Brugel, Ryan McDonald, Robert Maillet, Isaiah Rockcliffe. 2020. 93 mins. Action.
No Safe Spaces
Focused on the importance of free speech, this documentary outlines the various events and controversies that culminated in censoring the ideas and beliefs of one or more individuals. The film centers its main arguments on the United States, in particular, in the context of language in universities and their designated safe spaces. With Adam Carolla and Dennis Prager interviewing both students and staff about the issue, it becomes clear that the debate surrounding free speech may never be resolved, but it is one that will never be anything but relevant.
Director: Justin Folk. Stars: Adam Carolla, Dennis Prager, Van Jones, Tim Allen, Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson. 2019. 100 mins. Documentary.
Deadpool, on FX
Ryan Reynolds stars as Wade Wilson, a mercenary who loses his lover, and his looks, when he is experimented on in this hilarious and highly-rated superhero film. The experiments cure his cancer but also give him the ability to heal from any injury.
Island isolation: Jude Law stars in HBO's eerie drama 'The Third Day'
Jude Law stars in "The Third Day"
The disturbing and captivating new series "The Third Day" premieres Monday, Sept. 14, on HBO. The thriller was originally scheduled to premiere May 11 of this year, but the project was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, which made production almost impossible and delayed the show's release.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, on AMC
Martin Freeman stars as J.R.R. Tolkien's brave-yet-tiny adventurer, Bilbo Baggins in the first film of this epic trilogy. Bilbo is asked by Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to join a band of unruly dwarves on a perilous and unexpected mission.
Q: Are "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" and "The Tailor of Panama" related, story-wise? I know they're by the same author.
John le Carré's plots are twisting and subtle, but if there's a connection between these two of his books, it would have to be extra subtle -- nothing seems to link the two besides the word in the title.
In "The Tailor of Panama," the central character is, in fact, a tailor (also a confidence trickster and sort-of spy).
Last Man Standing, on Fox
When Vanessa (Amanda Fuller) learns a shocking secret, she worries that Ed (Hector Elizondo) and Bonnie's (Susan Sullivan) wedding day will be ruined in a rebroadcast of this popular sitcom. Tim Allen, Nancy Travis and Christoph Sanders also star.
Getting real: HBO's 'Coastal Elites' redefines normal with on-screen quarantine
Dan Levy stars in "Coastal Elites"
As the coronavirus began to turn most of our lives upside down, producers and writers were pushing on to keep the biz alive with pandemic-themed creations, including the comedy film "Coastal Elites," which premieres Saturday, Sept. 12, on HBO.
Ellen's Game of Games, on NBC
This wonderfully wacky game show is hosted by comedian and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres. Contestants participate in outrageous, awkward and unique games that are as much fun to play as they are to watch, as they often result in hilarious fumbles.
Q: Why do those in charge of the TV services insist on adding so much swearing these days? I turned off "Perry Mason" after the first f-word. I realize they can broadcast swearing, but why do they think it's necessary?
Premium cable and streaming services can use as much profanity as they like because they are beholden only to their subscribers. Broadcast TV doesn't use it because there are rules and because they have advertisers who, traditionally, have disapproved of bad language. That's why fantastically foul-mouthed shows such as "Veep" and "The Sopranos" were found on HBO, which has neither advertisers nor an FCC to worry about. (And why shows that air on ad-supported cable fall somewhere in the middle.)