Let's talk about a few things today as the week, and the month of July, unfolds.
HBO's Euphoria hits the proper hypnotic notes
I am falling for Zendaya. You may know her as the innocent yet resourceful and wise MJ in the new Spider-Man movies, but she's stretching out big time on the teenage wasteland HBO series, which started last month. Two episodes in and I am hooked. I give every new show two rounds, especially the hour-long ones. If you can't get me in two, I may as well go watch a movie instead. Sam Levinson's drama is co-produced by Canada's favorite R&B voice, Drake, and covers familiar ground in a vivid manner.
The effect of social media and the drive of pornography and misogynistic gore on display in our culture? Check. The anti-authority terrain of teenagers? Check. The drug epidemic, which in turn fuels the bad decision sex train? Check. It's all here and produced into a package that I am hooked on. Zendaya, who plays the drug-addicted Rue, anchors the show like she's been acting for decades. She's only 22 but works the screen like she's 42. There are other talents, but she's the headliner. You'll be shocked by some of the imagery in these at times pulverizing and personal mosaic, but know 99% of it happens these days.
Dave Bautista is someone to watch
You know him from Guardians of the Galaxy, but I need you to focus here. Bautista, the former pro wrestler turned cinematic tough guy, is making strides after his big Marvel breakthrough. He's like Vin Diesel, but not as annoying. He hasn't gotten to play a lot of notes or dig deep, but he's action-friendly and funny. He's a detective who takes Kumail Nanjiani's Uber driver for the night ride of his life in next week's Stuber, but here's some Bautista homework for the willing.
He was great in Denis Villenueve's Blade Runner: 2049. He only had a scene, but owned his interaction with Ryan Gosling's ghost warrior, and was even better in the short film, 2048: Blade Runner. Bautista was the only good part about the lackluster Bond film, Spectre. The train fight with Daniel Craig is legendary. He was solid in the mediocre Jodie Foster futuristic thriller, Hotel Artemis, and shined in the indie, Bushwick. Bautista needs more space to show his range, but he's a true entertainer. Start watching.
Point Blank is the next Netflix film to watch
Frank Grillo. Anthony Mackie. Unlikely allies against corrupt cops. Throw in a car wash fight, car chases across the city, wisecracking, and some good old fashioned fun at the movies. Joe Lynch's film looks like a jazz film in the sense that there is a rhythm present and an assured tone. A trust that this may be the coolest film you watch next week. Adam G. Simon, a gifted prose distributor in the make-believe game, wrote this script and told me it's just the beginning of the Grillo-Mackie cinematic friendship. It's a perfect combination of brain, brawn, and swagger. Grillo has the authenticity every performer wishes they had, and Mackie is the perfect foil during the adventure. Point Blank. July 12 on Netflix. Save some fireworks.
Timothy Olyphant is one of the most versatile actors out there
He plays the noble yet violent lawman, Seth Bullock, on HBO's Deadwood. He's played a porn producer in the hilarious flick, Girl Next Door. There's the wildly unhinged turn on Netflix's Santa Clarita Diet. Don't forget about his stoic yet unsettled Marshall on the FXX series, Justified. The California native has a swagger to burn and doesn't mind changing speeds for the audience. Watching him play an older yet still, morally-ambiguous Bullock on Deadwood: The Movie boxed my heart around for two hours. He's really got it. He did once play a killer in a Scream sequel, but everyone has to learn.
Quicker Passing:
~The Secret Life of Pets 2 isn't worth a watch unless your kids loved the first film. I found it to be grossly repetitive. Bring two beers, adults.
~HBO has a stacked schedule for the rest of the year. Emma Thompson, James McAvoy, and Rita Wilson are all lined up for shows. Still, my favorite network, even if they are sans boxing.
~They have resumed filming Daniel Craig's final Bond film. I hope it's better than the last. Make the bad guy good.
~Can we talk about how Cheez-It's are my weakness in life?
~Russell Crowe is brilliant as Roger Ailes in the new Showtime series, The Loudest Voice.
-Stranger Things, which debuts season 3 this week, is one of those shows I like but don't quite love.
That's all I have for now. Go watch some good movies and television shows. What I've given you here should hold you for a while.
