Flick of the Month: Last Night in Soho
Baby Driver’s Edgar Wright returns with an equally colorful and unique film from his musical mind: Last Night in Soho, released in October, stunned audiences with plot twists and engaging cinematography. Though it took a minute for my final thoughts on the film to settle, it is deservedly this month’s Flick of the Month. Another job well done, Mr. Wright!
Slight trigger warnings relating to sexual assault, violence and grief should be mentioned first and foremost. The film is rated “R” and falls within the drama, horror and mystery genres. Wright’s style tends to include a dark twist, but keeping these ratings in mind, he still manages to create a thrill of a tale.
If you’ve seen any other Wright movie, you might notice that he incorporates music and dancing in his films. This one has an incredible soundtrack that keeps you enveloped in the story, hopelessly engaged. The use of bright color and neon, additionally, is another Wright giveaway.
Bringing one of my personal favorites, Anya Taylor-Joy, as a star in his latest endeavor was a huge draw for me – that, in combination with listening to an interview of Wright on my favorite podcast, made seeing this film in theaters a total priority. That’s not to mention how pleased I was by Baby Driver and its unique form of storytelling.
Though Taylor-Joy performed spectacularly as a singer and dancer in the swingin’ ’60s, the true joy was Thomasin McKenzie as the protagonist Eloise, or Ellie. McKenzie’s performance was truly beautiful and displayed facets of her character with the deepest understanding of Ellie. She played this old-soul fashion student with such depth and rawness and was one of the central highlights of the film for me. Matt Smith, Terence Stamp, Diana Rigg and more add further credit to the notable cast list.
Those in the mood for a dark and mysterious thrill with a quirky edge should indulge in Last Night in Soho. I went in blind and came out shocked, curious and empowered. Though some holes in the plot make it a little rough around the edges, it is overall a captivating watch.
Show of the Month: Pen15
If you’re a Hulu regular like me, you’ve probably seen that a second part to Pen15’s second season was recently released. I was not expecting this – as few people would expect a Part 2 to a season posted over a year ago – and was pleasantly surprised as a huge Pen15 fan. Though sometimes tough to watch, cringy and obnoxious, it is brimming with relatability, nostalgia, and the beauty of growing up. Season 2: Part 2 was absolutely no different.
Adult women Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle portray seventh-grade girls, reliving what most of us went through when we were in seventh grade. They show us the best-friend-forever-ship, the poor fashion choices, the crushes, the family issues, and the heartbreak. While kooky and hilariously awkward, the two-season show also gives us beautiful moments of reflection and melancholy. It makes us remember our parents’ divorces, our first crushes, thousands of moments of public embarrassment, and the power of a good, strong friendship. All in all, Pen15 is an uncomfortably familiar blast from the past.
This television series is worth a watch if you’re looking for something lighthearted, goofy, nostalgic and heartwarming. Both seasons are available on Hulu, but don’t get too heavily invested as there are (very sadly) no plans for a third.
Pop onto Hulu and give a few episodes of Pen15 a try. Enjoy Anna and Maya replaying our teenage years before our eyes and think of all the ways that things have changed. This show was selected as this month’s feature to honor a truly touching conclusion to a fantastic series.
