The four buzziest movies coming to theaters this weekend
Five years ago, mid-March saw COVID-19 shut down the world. This year, it’ll see Porky and Daffy try not to blow the Earth up. Also in cinemas, a Steven Soderbergh spy thriller, a tween romance, and a grisly comedy about a guy who feels no pain. Here’s the scoop:
Black Bag
When Steven Soderbergh idly mentioned that it might be interesting if Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? had been conceived as a spy thriller, David Koepp came back with a script, and a snappily clever one it is. Playwright Edward Albee’s icily feuding collegiate couple George and Martha are now chilly, unreadable intelligence agents George (Michael Fassbender) and Kathryn (Cate Blanchett). When it’s suggested that Kathryn may have leaked agency secrets, George decides his investigation should include “fun and games” that will put not the fate of a marriage but the fate of British diplomacy in the balance.
Novocaine
Nathan Caine can feel no pain – it feels as if the next phrase should be “his wife could eat no lean,” but that’s not where this gory comic fable is headed. When bank assistant manager Caine (Jack Quaid) finally finds the girl of his dreams — only to have her taken hostage during a bank robbery, his rare condition, CIPA (Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis) turns out to be an unexpected boon. He’s shot, fried, stabbed, skewered and otherwise mangled in his attempts to rescue her, yet all he’s feeling is heartache. Definitely not for the squeamish (nor for sticklers about narrative coherence).
Young Hearts
“First love lights the fire in your heart” sings Elias’ pop singer dad at a rural concert, and when a handsome kid named Alexander moves in next door, 14-year-old Elias knows just what he means. In what amounts to a sort of Belgian junior-Heartstopper, Alexander (Marius De Saeger) is gay and unselfconscious. Elias (Lou Goossens), not so much. On an impromptu trip to Brussels, Alex calls Elias his boyfriend, albeit in French, and earns a quick kiss. But in the schoolyard, the looks of classmates keep them apart. Sweet, positive, LGBTQ coming-of-age story for kids and parents alike.
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
Fans of Merrie Melodies should get a kick out of this secret alien plot to take over the Earth via mind control — a plan uncovered by pals Daffy Duck and Porky Pig as they work at the bubblegum factory. 1950s sci-fi conventions are mocked, bubbles are popped, and Eric Bauza voices both of the main characters, so he’s playing off of himself more-or-less constantly for 91 minutes. He does get a few moments of vocal relief when Petunia Pig helps save the day.
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Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
Huntsville is growing fast. Here’s how it’s stayed affordable
Home prices are rising in Huntsville, but so far, the city’s avoided the skyrocketing costs in other boom towns.
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
