'Palm Springs' and 'The Old Guard' - Movies Right for These Times
2020-07-18
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1COVID-19 has forced moviemakers away from traditional releases at theaters across the United States and in other countries.
2But two American media companies have captured the "summer blockbuster" tradition with new films.
3Netflix released The Old Guard, an action/superhero film from critically acclaimed director Gina Prince-Bythewood.
4And Hulu targeted the romantic-comedy market with the release of Palm Springs from director Max Barbakow.
5Both Hulu and Netflix report that large numbers of people have visited the media sites to watch the films since their release a week ago.
6The Old Guard stars Academy Award winner Charlize Theron and newcomer KiKi Layne as members of a team of "immortals" -- people who cannot die.
7The immortals have fought in many wars over the centuries to protect humanity.
8They have somehow kept their special power known only to themselves.
9But now their secret is out and under threat.
10Gina Prince-Bythewood is best known for her film Love & Basketball, which she wrote as well as directed.
11The Old Guard, however, is based on a comic book, a short story of few words with pictures on every page.
12Its writer, Greg Rucka, reworked the story for the film version.
13The superheroes of The Old Guard do not wear special clothing, fly through the air or possess x-ray eyesight.
14And unlike traditional heroes, they are not always sure their special power serves them well.
15In fact, Theron's character questions if immortality is a curse or a blessing.
16The Old Guard's superheroes are more real, more like normal human beings.
17They get tired.
18They feel hopeless.
19They fight on.
20In the age of COVID-19, that might be their appeal to critics and other movie watchers.
21Palm Springs seems to hit a similar note on the current health reality in our world today.
22Actors Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg play guests at a wedding party in Palm Springs, a beautiful California town popular with travelers.
23But its appeal shrinks quickly for Milioti and Samberg's characters, who are stuck in a "time loop" experience together.
24They wake up on the same day over and over.
25The two characters in this dark comedy fall in love during their never-ending day of no responsibilities in the perfect vacation town.
26But the trap of the day-in, day-out repetitive nature of their experience is deeply trying and tiring.
27And that is something many people can relate to right now, trapped in their homes for months to avoid the new coronavirus.
28I'm Caty Weaver.
1COVID-19 has forced moviemakers away from traditional releases at theaters across the United States and in other countries. But two American media companies have captured the "summer blockbuster" tradition with new films. 2Netflix released The Old Guard, an action/superhero film from critically acclaimed director Gina Prince-Bythewood. And Hulu targeted the romantic-comedy market with the release of Palm Springs from director Max Barbakow. 3Both Hulu and Netflix report that large numbers of people have visited the media sites to watch the films since their release a week ago. 4The Old Guard stars Academy Award winner Charlize Theron and newcomer KiKi Layne as members of a team of "immortals" -- people who cannot die. The immortals have fought in many wars over the centuries to protect humanity. They have somehow kept their special power known only to themselves. But now their secret is out and under threat. 5Gina Prince-Bythewood is best known for her film Love & Basketball, which she wrote as well as directed. The Old Guard, however, is based on a comic book, a short story of few words with pictures on every page. Its writer, Greg Rucka, reworked the story for the film version. 6The superheroes of The Old Guard do not wear special clothing, fly through the air or possess x-ray eyesight. And unlike traditional heroes, they are not always sure their special power serves them well. In fact, Theron's character questions if immortality is a curse or a blessing. 7The Old Guard's superheroes are more real, more like normal human beings. They get tired. They feel hopeless. They fight on. In the age of COVID-19, that might be their appeal to critics and other movie watchers. 8Palm Springs seems to hit a similar note on the current health reality in our world today. 9Actors Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg play guests at a wedding party in Palm Springs, a beautiful California town popular with travelers. 10But its appeal shrinks quickly for Milioti and Samberg's characters, who are stuck in a "time loop" experience together. They wake up on the same day over and over. 11The two characters in this dark comedy fall in love during their never-ending day of no responsibilities in the perfect vacation town. But the trap of the day-in, day-out repetitive nature of their experience is deeply trying and tiring. 12And that is something many people can relate to right now, trapped in their homes for months to avoid the new coronavirus. 13I'm Caty Weaver. 14Caty Weaver wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 15________________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17blockbuster - n. something that is very large, expensive, or successful 18romantic-comedy - n. a funny love story 19character - n. a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show 20curse - n. a cause of trouble or bad luck 21blessing - n. something that helps you or brings happiness 22We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.