The Monkey (what to expect)
Scorecard, A Night at the Oscars, an Oakland anthology
This week’s movie is selling a special, limited edition popcorn bucket at AMC theaters. They sure aren’t cheap. Definitely an investment. We did see a Dune: Part Two bucket is going for $800 on eBay. So, if anyone is looking to get into flipping AMC popcorn buckets, this might be the time to get in. Or stay out. We don’t actually know. Odd’s on both. But if we see you posting a picture with The Monkey AMC bucket, we know what kind of tax bracket you are in.
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: The Monkey
Temp These Takes: Who’s the crew sitting with at the Academy Awards?
Watchlist Worthy: Underdogs. Teen Punks. Nazis. Henchman. NBA All-Star. Death.
This week’s movie - The Monkey
Letterboxd Description:
Everybody dies. And that’s fucked up.
When twin brothers Hal and Bill discover their father’s old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths start occurring all around them.
Best Watched With
Your friends who love Final Destination and Toy Story and have a fear of creepy toys.
End credit thoughts
Oz Perkins delivers an absolute hell of a time with The Monkey, balancing all-out gore, pitch-perfect comedic timing, and some surprisingly emotional moments. While, yes, Theo James CRUSHED his role, let’s not forget Colin O'Brien, who held his own and brought unexpected emotion to Stephen King's chaos.
This is the kind of horror movie that does well in a packed theater—the yelps, screams, and laughter made the experience a true freaking blast. The comedic beats landed, thanks to James (X2) and, dare we say, a full watch? Those funeral scenes caused us to laugh, cry, and also make us question our emotional stability.
With a mix of gut-punch gore and dark humor, The Monkey proves that cursed objects never go out of style. Super sad that the damn popcorn buckets were $1 million. If you’re into horror that is disgusting and leaves you grinning as the credits roll, don’t wait—catch this one in theaters with your friends and family.
Watch the trailer here
You can sit at any table at the Oscars. Who is at your table?
Eric
I’m 100% sitting at the table with A Real Pain’s cast and crew. Culkin and Eisenberg have been in 2 of some of the best pieces of media/art of all time (Succession / Social Network, respectively). And they seem, from their media tour recently, like the most chaotically fun duo in Hollywood.
Kelly
T swift, Tree Paine, Justin Baldoni, Blake and Ryan—for the lore and for the drama please and thank you.
Sarah
If I’m at the Oscars, I want to sit with Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Zendaya, and Tom Holland. These folks are my Hollywood royalty. I would also want to be either at a table or near a table with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, just to catch the next amazing viral moment between the two of them #grabsfinger
Josh
Jennifer Lawrence is the first on my list. She is so unserious, especially at award shows, and I love it. Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, and Greta Gerwig. Based on the internet, all are a great time. And these people have chemistry with at least one other person, so no one will feel left out. Also, I'm trying to get the Little Women (2019) gang to back me in setting Timmy up with Saoirse once and for all.
New Mexico Drew
There are plenty of people I'd want to sit next two so I could fan boy (Pedro Pascal, Coleman Domingo etc.), but I think the two people I would have the most fun with are Willem Dafoe and Woody Harrelson. I don't care who else is sitting with us, I don't care where you put our table in the room. Willem, Woody and me are having a great time.
What’s your take? Hit Reply or leave a comment below and let us know!
Freaky Tales (2024) Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
Some dude is trying to leave an old life, and they won’t let him. He doesn’t seem too happy about it. In fact, he looks pissed off and determined to do whatever it takes not to do that one last job. An NBA All-Star is going to slash some people up with an ancient artifact in self-defense?? Hip-hop rap battles and teen punks fucking up Nazi skinheads?! HELL. YES.
What’s going on? Not exactly sure. Does it matter? Absolutely not. Did the Scorecard for Love Hurts a couple of weeks ago say, “We loved seeing the credits read Marshawn 'Beastmode' Lynch and seeing him go Beastmode on the screen. Put him in more movies,” and the Cinema Gods listened and answer? It sure as heck did, and Amen.
I’ve watched the trailer twice, and I’m obsessed with the vibe. I need that song crushed up on a mirror and sent up my nose like it’s the 1980s.
Stoked for this one.
-Jp :)
Letterboxd Description:
In 1987, Oakland was hella freaky.
In 1987 Oakland, a mysterious force guides The Town’s underdogs in four interconnected tales: teen punks defend their turf against Nazi skinheads, a rap duo battles for hip-hop immortality, a weary henchman gets a shot at redemption, and an NBA All-Star settles the score.
Also Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck:
Mississippi Grind (2015)
Miss America (2020)
Masters of the Air (2024)
Tune in next week for | Last Breath
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