Weapons & Freakier Friday (what to expect)
Double Feature Scorecard & New Pod D
Alright, look. We are going to come right out and say it. We want you to get your backside out to the theater this weekend. We’ve got a double feature and between the two, there’s something fun for everyone.
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: Weapons and Freakier Friday
New Pod Drop: A 1975 Classic and Greta Gerwig’s Directorial Debut
This week’s movie - Weapons
Letterboxd Description:
Last night at 2:17 AM, every child from Mrs. Gandy’s class woke up, got out of bed, went downstairs, opened the front door, walked into the dark …and they never came back.
When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.
Best Watched With
Anyone who tells you “family is important” and definitely not a parent of a third grader.
End credit thoughts
We came into this movie with minimal expectations and maximum hype, but nothing could have prepared us for this cinematic journey. Weapons is an original horror movie that has top-notch production, a gripping mystery, and "Why-am-I-subjecting-myself-to-this?" gore. For those of you with a strong stomach and a penchant for horror, you're in for a treat.
Before we see the opening shot of the film, the chilling voice over sets the tone for the whole movie. The wide angle camera follows the characters to an extent that we feel like a stalker. The editing is a critical part of the story and helps unravel the mystery one sequence at a time. The music is minimal, and there are a lot of quiet moments but the combination of the two create a real sense of anxiety and dread.
Every actor on the screen does a great job, but Julia Garner as the quirky, young teacher and Josh Brolin as the gruff construction worker dad are perfect. They are giving dramatic performances in a horror movie and it works as well as peanut butter and jelly. A special shoutout to child actor Cary Christopher who plays Alex and holds the screen as well as the adults in the movie.
It seems like there are only so many ways you can try to scare people with a movie, but writer/director Zach Cregger gives us an original, terrifying, and fun horror story. We are given a dumbfounding mystery that slowly unfolds through creative storytelling that kept us entertained the whole time. There is intentional comic relief that we appreciated, but there are also scenes that are so ridiculous, our entire theater couldn't help but laugh out loud.
In a way, it feels like Long Legs walked (pun intended) so Weapons could run (pun also intended). It has the vibes and aura that Oz Perkins created with Long Legs, but nails the creative risks1 and story where Long Legs fell apart. The gore is gnarly, the jump scares had Josh needing an AFib, but the experience has got to be felt with as many friends and strangers as possible. Go see this one on the big screen.
This week’s other movie - Freakier Friday
Letterboxd Description:
Here we go again.
Years after Tess and Anna endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover lightning might indeed strike twice.
Best Watched With
Mothers, daughters, siblings, and that family member who couldn’t walk a mile in your shoes.
End credit thoughts
Freaky Friday (2003) became an instant classic the moment it came out.
The movie had all the early 2000’s pop culture references, the current Hollywood heartthrobs, Jamie LeeCurtis, and a relatable mother-daughter relationship that ends in with a rock show and love story some people dream of. A sequel that comes out twenty years later gives every reason to lose your mind out of excitement or… to keep more than an arm’s distance away out of fear of ruining your fondness of the beloved 03’ classic. Freakier Friday shoots for the stars, but does it fly too close to the sun or reach unknown heights?
Even without the trailer we all know what this story is about. Same concept, same world, but over a decade later and four people are involved in the mind-body switch up instead of two. There’s definitely similar schticks from Freaky Friday but, thankfully, with fresh iterations. When we’re taken down familiar roads, the movie turns left instead of right, giving us new scenery on a familiar trip.
Freakier Friday updates the pop culture references, music, and context to modern times to entertain the (poor) souls who missed out on 2003, while still serving the first fans of this walk-in-another’s-shoes and see the world from another’s perspective parable. This movie connects with every generation; from the millennials to Gen X; from Boomers to whatever that was before; from Gen Z to whatever letter comes after the last in the alphabet. It’s a narrow needle to thread, but this cast and crew have steady hands.
Curtis and Lohan have experience swapping bodies and living in each other’s worlds before so it’s not unexpected they can deliver. Julia Butters (Harper Coleman) and Sophia Hammons (Lily Reyes) are first timers in this bizarre-mystical life lesson scheme. If you have reservations, that’s understandable but the doubt will melt away with each passing minute. The spotlight still shines brightest on Curtis. How could it not? In Freaky Friday she acts like a millennial and a Baby Boomer, and in Freakier Friday she has to act like a Gen Z as well. But no surprise, the Oscar award winner does so flawlessly.
Considering we all grew up during the prime time to enjoy Freaky Friday, we expected to love this movie. However, this movie is more than a fan service cash grab. The whole theater was laughing, clapping, and even sniffling and drying tears. There is something for everyone to enjoy, yet another, instant classic. If you’re going to watch a 22 year later sequel on the big screen, this is one of them.
Watch this in theaters. And stay for the credits.
Follow us on Letterboxd for our individual movie ratings:
@justjoshperez
@ericharrison
@kellyharrison
@newmexicodrew
Lady Bird & One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: Show Swap #59
🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube
Josh, Eric, and Kelly dive into their latest film and TV show swap, sharing reactions and insights. Eric and Kelly discuss their experience with the critically acclaimed film 'Lady Bird', while Josh gives his take on the classic 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'.
The conversation is peppered with personal anecdotes and humorous tangents about allergies, an intense family dinner, and the challenges of communication within families. The episode wraps up with brief thoughts on Ted Lasso and Gossip Girl, setting the stage for a deeper discussion in future episodes.
17:50 Lady Bird
38:10 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Tune in next week for | Americana or Nobody 2
Follow us on:
Instagram: @_sweetandcondensed_
TikTok: @SweetAndCondensed
Youtube: @SweetAndCondensed
there is one creative risk that we could not get behind. It’s very minor, but it was confusing and stuck out like a sore thumb. If you watch the movie, we think you’ll know what we are talking about.