Sure-Fire Streaming: Dog Pound, The Adam Project, and more
By Jordan Parker
The best in TV and film from your living room.
Dog Pound – Available On Netflix
Though it's one of the more disturbing films I've seen in the last few years, Dog Pound is a difficult examination of the prison system.
When Butch, Davis and Angel are sent to a juvenile detention centre for various crimes, they all have to do their best to avoid the ire of other inmates and staff. But the correctional facility may just get the best of them.
Co-writer and director Kim Chapiron creates a visceral, truly difficult portrait of life inside, and it's a bleak affair.
The young men all endure untold violence and agony, and deal in different ways, some with tragic results.
Young stars Adam Butcher, Shane Kippel and Matthew Morales are incredible, especially Kippel with a heartbreaking performance as Butch.
If you can stomach it, Dog Pound is an essential piece of cinema.
The Adam Project – Available On Netflix
Ryan Reynolds is one of the most likeable stars in Hollywood, and after a rough few years, I'm glad he rebounded and got his due.
This wonderful sci-fi nostalgia trip follows fighter pilot Adam Reed, and his traverse through time as he crash-lands in 2022. He meets his 12-year-old self and the two must work together to save the future.
Reynolds re-teams with Free Guy director for this breezy flick, and though it doesn’t break any new ground, it’s a lot of fun.
Our star is joined by younger alter-ego Walker Scobell, who breaks out here. Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner also have a cute little 13 Going On 30 reunion.
It’s a great ensemble and a whole lot of fun for all involved. It’s an interesting little trip.
The Lighthouse – Available On Prime Video
This Nova Scotia-shot black-and-white film is one of the most incredible films to come out in the last few years.
It follows two lighthouse keepers who begin to go insane in the isolation of an island in England in the 1890s.
The Witch director Robert Eggers creates a visually compelling, intense feature with wonderful visuals. It’s a difficult, transfixing watch, though.
Willem Dafoe gives a career-best turn, and Robert Pattinson continues to prove he’s more than Twilight showed us. Their chemistry together is electric.
It’s whacky, weird and entirely grotesque in all the best ways. The Lighthouse is a gothic film that will take your breath away.
American Assassin – Available On Netflix
This actioner follows Mitch, a young man struggling after the tragic loss of his girlfriend. She was killed in a terrorist attack.
He channels his anger when former U.S. Navy S.E.A.L. Stan begins to train him to get his revenge.
Director Michael Cuesta is an Emmy-winning director best known for television, but he does create an actioner that ratchets up tension.
With young, charismatic star Dylan O’Brien heating up the screen, Taylor Kitsch in a villainous role, and two great turns from veterans Sanaa Lathan and Michael Keaton, this is a fantastic ensemble.
It keeps things interesting and brisk, and it’s a worthwhile genre film.
C'Mon C'Mon - Available On Prime Video
Following his Oscar win for playing The Joker, Joaquin Phoenix went entirely in the other direction with this understated role.
Writer-director Mike Mills – best known for Beginners – creates an astounding little film about finding your heart with your family.
When his sister goes away, radio journalist Johnny is tasked with caring for her son. He takes his nephew Jesse on a cross-country trip to show him L.A.
Phoenix is astounding, but it’s incredible to see young Woody Norman out-act the megastar. The two are fantastic together.
It’s an understated, beautiful little drama that I couldn’t take my eyes off. I absolutely adored it.