Streaming Roulette (Oct 11th-16th): Tuneful agents, teenage ladies, and werewolves (by night)

by Nathaniel R

In the Streaming Roulette series we spotlight a few new-ish watches and freeze them randomly on the scroll bar. Whatever scene that comes up is the image we use.  Usually we mix it up in terms of services but this week Amazon Prime is hogging our conversation. Your streaming assignments for the week, should you choose to accept them... 

- Does he look like the Archangel Michael?
- No. No dead saint could be as beautiful as he.

CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY (2022) on Amazon Prime

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On Alexander Skarsgard, devilishly handsome character actor

by Matt St Clair

One factor as to what kind of roles an actor receives, or whether they’re cast as lead or supporting players, is their looks. Consequently, that’s why you often see the likes of Tom Cruise headlining an action movie rather than someone like, say, John Malkovich. The practice of traditional glamour leading to positioning for movie stardom has essentially been around since the birth of cinema.

Then again, sex appeal can also trap actors into a narrow box. This happens to beautiful stars ike Alexander Skarsgård. He said in a recent Sunday Times interview while promoting The Northman, that his sex symbol label has led to him not getting the kind of serious acting opportunities he’s craved...

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What did you see this week?

What did you see this weekend? I binged Heartstoppers on Netflix (having loved the webcomic it was based on), watched a few Coachella performances (Orville Peck, Maggie Rogers, and Finneas) but the highlight was definitely trekking to the theater to see The Northman with friends. Make sure to listen in to conversations from your fellow moviegoers if you see it. You'll hear lots of variations of "that was insane". The sweat lodge / Dafoe scene early in the film and the big Kidman monologue scene late in the film really get people talking if our Friday night eavesdropping was any general indication. Perhaps we should do a spoiler-heavy review (for those who've seen it only -- you should not read reviews before you see this one).

Weekend Box Office April 22nd-24th 🔺 = new or expanding / ✅ = recommended
THE NORTHMAN	EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE...

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2022's hottest DILFs (Dads I'd Like to Film)

by Cláudio Alves

We've all heard about the gore, the historical accuracy, and Nicole Kidman's latest feat of monstrous mothering. However, one element of Robert Eggers's The Northman has been curiously – criminally? – left out of the promotional material and effusive word-of-mouth. The picture's leading man may make Prince Amleth into a mountain of muscle, but there's more eye candy to enjoy beyond the Skarsgård beefcake. In a scene of ritual sacrifice and funeral tradition, Claes Bang gets to showcase his assets, and they are glorious. Indeed, though the movie skews dark and gloomy, cinematographer Jarin Blaschke highlights the actor's bare back with golden flames, resulting in one of The Northman's most indelible shots.

Forgive the silliness and crass words, but in a time of sexless cinema, it's worth celebrating what little sensuality still graces the screen. Moreover, Bang's surprisingly soulful King Fjölnir is a reminder that we might be living through another great year for hot movie dads...

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I'll Link To That

• AV Club as if the Gilded Age didn't have enough Broadway stars already, Robert Sean Leonard and Laura Benanti are joining the cast for Season 2
• IndieWire It's Batman vs Spider-Man on PVOD charts (but the iTunes chart is fairly interesting for its older titles like Easter hits like Ten Commandments and Passion of the Christ)
• Cartoon Brew Across the Spider-Verse has been pushed back until summer 2023 so yes...
• TFE... we've already had to update the Oscar charts for Best Animated Feature
• AV Club Andy Serkis is going to direct an animated Animal Farm

More after the jump including honors for Lily Tomlin, Liza Minnelli's feelings about her Oscar apperance, Danny Elfman at Coachella, The Northman and more...

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