Joey’s Home Movies For the Week of July 26th – ‘Shiva Baby’ and a Return to ‘A Quiet Place’

Welcome back to my Home Movies! Today, we have two excellent options to consider in Shiva Baby and A Quiet Place Part II. Plus, this week even has another under the radar film in The God Committee. It’s been a while, but finally there’s quality AND quantity! Read on for more…

Joey’s Top Pick

Shiva Baby

One of 2021’s biggest indie surprises, Shiva Baby is an uncomfortable delight. filmmaker Emma Seligman (interviewed here) has crafted something instantly memorable. With more than a little in common with Uncut Gems, it’s the sort of flick that stays with you long after the end credits roll. In our NewFest Film Festival review here, we had this to say:

For many people, your early twenties are at once a hopeful and anxiety-ridden stage of your life. Particularly if you are a college student or graduate, there can be either a sense of endless possibilities or disillusionment when your big plans don’t come to fruition. That latter state of mind is primarily what Danielle (Rachel Sennott) experiences, as the distressed protagonist in Emma Seligman’s devilishly funny comedy Shiva Baby.

Recommended Viewing

A Quiet Place Part II

This sequel is far better than it has any right to me. John Krasinski found a way to continue the franchise in an organic enough way to make it never seem like an overt cash grab. The end result is a horror movie that has you on the edge of your seat. Here is a bit from our review of A Quiet Place Part II:

A Quiet Place exceeded all expectations when it opened in 2018. John Krasinski‘s third directorial outing was a smash hit, beyond anything anyone involved could have dreamed of. Not only did it receive critical acclaim, kill at the box office, and generate Oscar buzz for Emily Blunt, it even scored an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Editing. Of course, a sequel was then inevitable. But, could it live up to what’s come before? Well, a year after it was supposed to open, A Quiet Place Part II is here to definitively answer that question in the affirmative. The second installment is just as good as the first one, proving to be an incredibly effective and tense experience.

Also Available This Week

American Gods: Season 3 (TV)

Every Breath You Take

The God Committee (interview with Julia Stiles here)

Midnight in the Switchgrass

A Quiet Place / A Quiet Place: Part II (Two Movie Collection)

No Criterion Collection releases this week, folks. Sorry. Stay tuned for more next week!