All in Date Night or Nahhh...
Sorry folks - the truth is Hellraiser is a lot of fun but just not with bae. Initially looking at the previews and build-up to what this is all about, I had every intention of giving this the ultimate co-sign but there are a few variables - and they’re pretty massive - for why this is a must-see but with friends at best.
Not trying to date myself here but watching the original Hocus Pocus as a kid? Classic. From the acting to the witty characters to just the overall charm of a slightly spooky Halloween movie targeting kids but what parents could enjoy too. We’re talking about Bette Midler after all, right?
Can we keep it a buck? Aqua Teen Hunger Force truly birthed adult swim. Hands down. As much as I love shows like ‘Children’s Hospital’ and ‘Delocated’ plus the iconic ‘Robot Chicken’ there’s no doubting how much Aqua Teen Hunger Force paved the way and set a precedent for the type of unfiltered, raw and unique content you could come to expect on the service which airs somehow on Cartoon Network but has no connection to kids - at all. The new Aqua Teen Hunger Force: The Baffler Meal complete collection reminded me why it’s the most original piece of content I have ever experienced.
Let’s keep it 100 - streaming platforms are really keeping the Date Night or Nahhh… options brewing. While I’ll always push for an intimate movie outing with bae, there’s of course nothing wrong and in some cases a blessing to have a solid go-to for viewing in the steamy comfort of home. Hence, actress Sanaa Lathan’s new On The Come Up movie gives you the best of both worlds - hitting theaters nationwide and available for Paramount+ streaming right now-now.
Who said Date Night or Nahhh… only dealt with movies, TV shows and Broadway performances? It turns out ESPN Films’ upcoming Yankees-Dodgers: An Uncivil War documentary could be just what the Aaron Judge brought in for you and your sports-loving bae.
Simply. Blown. Away. Yes, I could have easily made it one sentence but just as things aren’t as they appear in A Strange Loop - the same is true here with the writing style found not just in Date Night or Nahhh… but across Attack The Culture. If you’re short on time, then rest assured - A Strange Loop is Date Night-approved and a must-see. If you have the time, let’s dig a little deeper following a mind-blowing performance I witnessed this week with the brilliant cast.
The verdict is officially out - Barbarian is the best horror movie I have seen in all of 2022. While I have made similar statements and cannot believe I found something even more breathtaking than what I experienced when seeing A24’s X for the first time earlier this year, Zach Cregger’s absolutely must-see film is the best production I have witnessed in the genre this entire year and quite possibly in years.
There are times when you have a certain feeling about a movie and then those expectations are completely exceeded. This is exactly the case with George Miller’s Three Thousand Years Of Longing movie which is hands down one of the best Date Night-approved movies I have co-signed in what feels like a while.
Prime video continues to push itself to the top of the premium streaming ranks and with Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone’s Samaritan movie slated to premiere this Friday, August 26 on the service, why not give you and a lucky companion the chance to see it on the big screen in the best city in the world?
No disrespect to Idris Elba but if I have to choose between a CGI-filled lion in the new Beast film or going the artistic route with director/filmmaker Aik Karapetian’s bizarrely genius new Squeal movie making you think twice before ordering pork thanks to an adorable piglet - I am oinking my way to select theaters in the New York area - notably Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - to get my mind blown with unique, bizarre and pure genius writing.
Even if you’re not the ‘biggest’ Star Wars fan in the world, there’s something about experiencing great movies on the big screen you can’t miss. So for Rogue One to get the green light to hit the big screen - which is an understatement within itself, the IMAX screen later this month? Date Night approved without even thinking.
For the record, I am personally super excited for the world to get to witness filmmaker Scott Mann’s Fall movie. A few months ago I posted up the its trailer and pretty much made a public plea to get an advance copy to review - forget just the screener, having the pleasure to talk to Scott about his new flick made dreams really turn into reality. So I am proud to say Date Night-approved for Fall but there are a few key items to remember if you’re going to take bae out to see this thrill ride on the big screen.
It’s not Sausage Party and that’s OK. Apple TV+’s Luck comes through to take over the animated space previously reserved by the you-know-who camp in a just-under-two-hours thrill ride putting together a great cast, a few musical moments and plenty of laughter to enjoy with bae - especially if emotions romantically heat up and the urge to finish it with the kids over the weekend becomes the go-to option.
And for the record, I was not on a ‘date night’ when I went to a private New York City screening to see Bullet Train last night - but from the opening sequence to the final moments - and then post-initial credits moment - you’re going to be glued to the screen and I knew this had to be celebrated as an absolute Date Night-approved masterpiece.
Great movies always have a tendency to arrive around the holidays, so expect greatness when DEVOTION hits theaters nationwide this November.
Hell yes! It’s rare I get ‘pumped’ over seeing a trailer on one of the streaming services - sure, I’ve put out some co-signs here and there but a flick which really has me watch the teaser through to the end before typing up a blurb about it? Make way for the legendary Sylvester Stallone and his Samaritan movie slated to drop on Prime Video.
If you recall how much I geeked out over the movie X earlier in the year, then you can imagine how much anticipation I have to see A24’s upcoming Pearl flick, you know, the sequel to the mind-blowing horror flick.
Spoiler alert? October is low-key the best time of year for Date Night goals. You’re typically dealing with a bunch of scary movies and horror flicks are always going to have the edge over the super gushy romantic flicks we tend to see in the winter months - notably February - so seeing Halloween Ends? Whoa.
It’s tough when a horror movie trailer has you screaming out loud. But if you’re a slasher film fanatic, then you already know this is pure joy - almost like those dogs sniffing out those truffles in Italy and France. So Prey for the Devil hype is looking extra insane and like one of the top must-see movies during Halloween weekend.
Simply said? It’s must-see. Date Night approved? Almost certainly just looking at the trailer alone? Heck yes. Actress Aubrey Plaza’s portrayal of Emily - a woman trying to get her head above water - is gripping and what I thought would be a few seconds of watching the trailer had me stuck to the final moments.
