A few weeks ago, for the Oscars, we had a good time chatting with some of you in the subscribers’ chat. We want to have chats going every now and then for big releases (i.e., Project Hail Mary), streaming drops (i.e., Peaky Blinders: Immortal Man), or if a group of us are weekly watching shows that drop an episode a week (i.e., The Pitt, DTF, and The Beef Season 2 later this month). So here’s a link to the subscribers’ chat to get familiar with this feature:
And either there, or somewhere else, like comment here, if you are currently watching a show weekly and/or anticipating the release of a movie! Or maybe we should even do a group rewatach of a classic. We don’t know, the sky is the limit though.
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: The Drama
Watchlist Worthy: Youngest A24 Director yet
This week’s movie - The Drama
Letterboxd Description:
A happily engaged couple is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.
Best Watched With
Someone who can handle and enjoy dark humor, and that friend who laughs real loud when they get extremely uncomfortable.
End Credit Thoughts
Um. So. uhhhhh. Where do we start with this one…
We love a rom-com. We love a rom-com set in a city. Sure, we might prefer NYC rom-coms, but Boston has some classic hitters. Beantown is home of Fever Pitch (2005), Never Stop Wonderland (1998), and, just because we love it enough to mention this movie whenever we can—even if it’s got some other genres going like drama and coming-of-age—your not so classic-rom com Good Will Hunting (1997). Now we can add The Drama (2026) into the mix. Because there is romance. And there is comedy. But it is heavily seasoned with dark AF humor and, not to be on the nose, drama.
If you are someone who cannot handle dark humor, or watch movies with a major plot point that is a real life problem in the United States regarding violence and guns, this is very not for you. We hope this is not too much of a spoiler but if this movie has been on your radar, there is a good chance you spend a lot of time online and some things have already been revealed for you. If not, and you have never seen the trailer, then this remark gives you an idea of what you’re walking into and I don’t think you could guess what exactly this even means considering this movie is about the days leading up to a wedding.
The stars of this movie are the performances, the directing, and the editing. Let’s begin with the behemoth of talent that is Robert Patterson. Truly a generational actor we do not deserve. The amount of high grade, quality work he has put into his performances the last decade will make us consider putting Twilight into the United States of America archives. He is quirky, hilarious, emotionally off the rails, and honest as hell in this movie.
Him and Zendaya have chemistry and whatever the word is when two people are polar opposites and there’s a huge division that causes so much anxiety and stress but it is also synergetic. It doesn’t make sense, but it works so damn well. We forgot they are Zendaya and Robert Patterson, believed they are the characters, and the weirdest thing of all is that Patterson got to use his real accent for once. Shout out Alana Haim and Mamoudou Athie for being excellent supporting actors that match the leads step for step.
The story is told in a non-linear fashion and benefits from it. The movie might take place over a span of days, but the editing allows us to experience years in a way that isn’t forced but appropriately gives us context. The quick cuts in the edit either adds to the humor or contributes to the drama. It feels intentional and we benefit from it, rather than feeling like the movie is doing too much.
The story explores character and goodness. Do we place value and judgement based on things we did or thought about doing? Is premeditation without action worse than no thought with spontaneous action? Are we the sum of the worse thing we ever did, or not do but considered, or is it possible to love the present person despite past selves?
We applaud those who will go into this movie blind. We overheard some folks who did. They weren’t upset, just shellshocked. The story escalates quickly into dark territory with heavy tones and themes. Could you commit the rest of your life to someone who just admitted to the worst thing they did a half of their lifetime ago? The theater adds to the experience in that people who absolutely hootin and hollerin out loud to the absurd and outlandishness of the movie. It leans heavily into the dark humor, and if you can ride those waves, you can have as much fun as those in row H in our screening.
This movie could be enjoyed just as much streaming as far as the movie goes, but for the brave and the bold, a full theater watch is warranted. This is the kind of indie filmmaking we like to support to keep cinema alive.
Want to know more about our individual ratings of movies?
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Backrooms by Kane Parsons
Letterboxd Description:
Everything must go.
A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom.
COME ON! A 20 year-old YouTuber named Kane Parsons is directing what looks like a BANGER. The film, based on Parsons’ web series inspired by the “Backrooms” creepypasta 4chan thread (we don’t know what half of this means), releases widely at the end of May.
Looks EERIE AS HELL and has a promising cast. Chiwetel Ejiofor? Renate Reinsve? Come on — hop in and enjoy the ride with us! We don’t know what the hell its about but we are seated.
Also Directed by Kane Parsons:
The Backrooms (Found Footage) (2022)
Tune in next week for | You, Me & Tuscany
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