I’m two episodes in, and I’m not entirely sure what’s going on yet with this nutty show, but I sure do like it.

From the creative minds of Misha Green and Jordan Peele comes this twisty, screwy and scary series that mixes 1950s racism in America with Lovecraftian horror. Atticus (Jonathan Majors), a Black veteran returning from war, goes on a search for his missing father with his uncle (Courtney B. Vance) and childhood friend (Jurnee Smollett, my new favorite actress).

Their search leads them to Lovecraft Country, a southern region rife with racism (like H.P. Lovecraft himself) and, as you find out in the end of episode one, crazy beasts right out of a Lovecraft story. It’s an insane mix; one moment people are dancing to the blues in a crowded southern street, and the next they are fighting crazed vampiric monsters in a secluded cabin.

Again, I’m only two episodes in (the series releases one show a week on HBO Max) so this could all go downhill from here, but I don’t think so. The show has that “message with the madness” vibe that Peele provided with Get Out. It looks terrific, from its period settings to its excellent monster effects.

And it is very well acted, with Majors, Smollett and Vance providing excellent leads, and some other stars who I won’t spoil.

HBO and HBO Max specifically are proving to be a sweet streaming venture. I’ll take this moment here to also endorse An American Pickle, starring two Seth Rogens. Very much worth your time, and HBO Max is proving to be worth the money.

New precautions require all customers and staff to wear masks. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided by the theatre. There will also be social distancing required through the facilities, staggered showtimes to reduce the number of customers in the lobby, sanitizer stations, air filtration systems and reserved seating in all theatres.


For more information, visit harkins.com

Military history examined in both documentary and narrative style, an eccentric performance from Sally Hawkins, and some psychedelic animation highlight five new films streaming this week at The Loft Cinema.

As we move closer to theaters opening back up, The Loft continues to offer you the opportunity to view the films that would normally grace their big screens in the comfort of your home. To stream this week's new films, along with the many films currently on the roster, click here for Loft Streaming Selects.

And the week's new streaming films are...

Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story

I’m a major Ren and Stimpy Show fan. Love the first two seasons to death. Not crazy about what happened after its creator, John Kricfalusi, left the series; he didn’t make it past the second season. The quality dropped off in a big way.

Also, I’m not at all happy that it turns out John K. was a pedophile—a story that came out two years ago. (John K. seduced a teenaged Tucson girl, Robyn Byrd, who would later move in with him after she graduated high school at age 17 and go to work at his animation studio; you can read the details in this Buzzfeed report.)

This new documentary, Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story, which includes John K.’s participation, wouldn’t delve into his issues with underage girls, right? That would be crazy. Surely John K. would avoid any film that paints him as the sicko that he apparently is. Right?

For a large part of the 104-minute running time, it seems as if the subject won’t be breached. Directors Ron Cicero and Kimo Easterwood interview John K. and his colleagues about his rise and fall in the animation world. He was a genius, but he had a crazy attention-to-detail obsession that got him in trouble—along with a nasty temper.

But then, lo and behold, the movie goes there—not only speaking to some of the women who were victimized by John K. as girls, but talking with the man himself about what happened—and not in a whitewashed sort of way. They go right at him; he answers; his answers are not good. It’s really quite remarkable.

So, the movie is two things: It’s a really cool look at the institution that is Ren and Stimpy—which is being rebooted by Comedy Central without John K.’s involvement—and it’s a surprisingly daring character profile of John K. and everything he did to mess up the show, his life and the lives of others. He’s a mess, but this movie isn’t.

Available for rent and download on Apple TV and Amazon

The Watershed Management Group is hosting their first Monsoon Film Festival on Thursday, Sept. 24, and is currently seeking film submissions from the public. The virtual Monsoon Film Festival is planned to share audience stories and perspectives from the Santa Cruz Watershed and beyond.

Videos can be submitted to one of five categories:
 - By or For Children: For all videos made by children or created for a young audience
 - College: For films made by any college student
 - We Are One Watershed: For films emphasizing WMG's values of diversity and equity
 - Science: For shorts that emphasize the different scientific disciplines that relate to water, such as biology, ecology, etc.
 - Steward In Place: For films that show what you can do on your own to make positive change for the environment

The Loft is bringing on the documentaries good and strong this week, with four of their five new streaming films being of the documentary strain. There's also a Shakespeare adaptation in there for good Measure (pun intended).

To stream via The Loft, you can visit their website by clicking here. 


Represent


Hillary Bachelder's documentary follows three women who run for separate political offices. They, quite predictably and unfortunately, have to deal with a lot of obstacles and negativity.


Martin Margiela: In His Own Words


A profile of the reclusive, revolutionary fashion designer that has the distinction of direct participation from the classically elusive Margiela.


The Wild


Director and fisherman Mark Titus, with the help of some mighty beautiful cinematography, documents the people of Bristol Bay and their struggle to keep a copper mine far from their salmon runs.

Jazz On a Summer's Day


A concert film of the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, containing one of the more incredible lineups ever put to film, including Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Thelonious Monk and Mahalia Jackson. Not too shabby.

Measure For Measure


A modern take on Shakespeare's classic starring Hugo Weaving and directed by Paul Ireland. 

I’ve been bitching about the Go-Go’s not being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for years. They, along with Pete Townshend solo, Smashing Pumpkins and Tommy James and the Shondells should’ve been first-ballot inductees, but nope, Bon Jovi is in there instead.

Now that I’ve ranted, let me tell you about The Go-Go’s, a super fine documentary from director Alison Ellwood that covers the band from their punk rock days up until the present. Yes, the group only had four albums, but when you are talking about trailblazers, you have to put the Go-Go's at the forefront of rock and roll history.

The first all-girl band that played their own instruments to have a number one album (the classic Beauty and the Beat) started from the L.A. punk rock scene, and they were one sloppy band. Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey started in the original group, with bassist Kathy Valentine and drummer Gina Schock starting soon thereafter. After witnessing a totally shitty Sex Pistols show, the girls decided that they should tighten up their act, and the pristine pop sounds of “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “We Got the Beat” soon arrived.

Ellwood, with full participation from the band, culls together great archival audio and video, along with fun interviews, to tell their stories. Caffey’s drug addiction, Schock’s health scare, and Wiedlin pulling a Pete Townshend and temporarily leaving the band did a lot to stall their momentum, but they have reformed many times over the years. They had a Broadway show before the pandemic, and current plans for more touring and music, so they have not called it quits.

And, as this film proves over and over again, it’s time the band gets their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if that institution wants to be regarded as anything close to relevant. They were the first, they were one of the best, and their music is timeless. Long live the Go-Go's!

Currently Streaming on Showtime Anytime

This week at the Loft Cinema, four new streaming options to go with the many fine films currently available on their site.

During the pandemic, you can assist The Loft by not only streaming films, but donating while their physical doors remain closed. Click Here for more details on how you can help.

For a full listing of the current streaming selections, Click Here.

New this week at The Loft:

A Thousand Cuts


Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is kind of a nut, and this documentary details his supposed war on drugs and his definite war on the press.

The umpteenth incarnation of the Muppets proves to be a good one, with Kermit and pals assimilating into the world of Zoom and cooking competition shows.

The premise is simple: Kermit now presides over a different kind of show, one in which he remains the emcee, and Scooter continues as a stage manager of sorts. But this time Kermit is hosting things on a Zoom-like meeting, while Scooter labors away trying to upload show elements on time and to the satisfaction of Miss Piggy, Gonzo, etc.

The Loft's streaming series continues this week with a wide range of cinematic treats for you to enjoy at home. No doubt, this week's offerings are some of the most eclectic, interesting, and entertaining looking films of the series so far.

Here are the six new films now available for streaming...visit their website for details on how to order:



Lake Michigan Monster


This one looks nuts. Absolutely nuts. Made with a an oddly retro look, it looks like a hallucinatory cousin to the recent The Lighthouse, a movie that already made you feel like you were on acid when you were watching it.

The Cuban


Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr., having a nice recent comeback (sweet appearance in The Watchmen) stars as an aging musician with dementia.


The Fight


A new documentary from the makers of Weiner and RBG chronicling the court fights involving your dopey President's many attacks on your civil rights. For more info on The Loft's screening for this film, see Jeff Gardner's write-up here.


Rebuilding Paradise


A couple of years ago, I drove through the wonderful Paradise, California on a quick trip to the west coast. Beautiful place. A week later, it had all burned to the ground. Director Ron Howard's documentary tells the story of the community's recovery efforts.


Days of the Whale


Two graffiti artists create a tagged art collective in Medellin in this drama from director Catalina Arroyave Restrepo.


Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind


Holy cow, somebody has finally made a documentary about Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot! I've been on a Lightfoot kick recently (I often command Alexa to provide me with his tunes when I'm in dire need of settling down). Artists (Including members of Rush!) reflect on the now 80-year old's contributions to musical history.