The week’s major movie releases reunite old adversaries and two Boston buddies.
Jamie Lee Curtis tangles with her arch nemesis Michael Myers (no relation to this writer) in “Halloween Kills,” while the Oscar-winning screenwriting duo of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are featured, along with Nicole Holofcener, in “The Last Duel,” directed by Ridley Scott and co-starring Damon and Affleck.
Here’s a rundown on what to watch this week, including a trio of outstanding documentaries served up on streaming services.
“The Last Duel”: Telling a story about a crime from various perspectives is nothing new. Akira Kurosawa’s “Rashomon” remains the textbook example for adopting that approach and doing it right. But screenwriters Holofcener, Affleck and Damon deserve their due, too, nimbly handling a tricky narrative structure in this absorbing, infuriating he said/she said/she story about an alleged rape in 14th-century France. Veteran director Ridley Scott (“Alien,” “Gladiator”) proves equally adroit at dealing with the challenging material, reimagining what happened according to each of three key players.
Scott narrows in on small but telling details — such as the flutter of an eyelid — as well as larger implications to unspool clashing interpretations of a couple’s sex life. What remains consistent throughout is the disturbing fact that men consider women little more than servants to whet their every appetite. Be prepared for tough scenes, including two explicit but never gratuitous reenactments of the alleged rape. Although “Last Duel” could have dropped at least 10 minutes from its 2½ hour running time, the outstanding ensemble cast anchored by Jodie Comer keeps us engaged. The story is framed in three chapters, each culminating in the sexual assault of Marguerite (Comer), wife of tax-burdened Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), by the handsome, arrogant rake Jacques Le Gris (an exceptional Adam Driver), Jean’s former friend. “Gladiator” devotees will be pleased by Scott’s occasional outbursts of blood-drenched sword and arrow play. But “Duel,” based on real events, is more concerned with the battles fought in homes and puppet courts. “Duel” draws its richest blood not from the climatic duel itself (staged well) but in its depiction of Marguerite’s violation and the reactions to it, a smirk from King Charles VI (Alex Lawther) and a sneer from the orgy-loving, high-powered chum of Jacques’ — Count Pierre of Alençon (Affleck, in blonde-hair mode). Details: 3 stars out of 4; in theaters Oct. 15.
“Convergence: Courage in Crisis”: With COVID-19 remaining a lethal global presence, do we really need to revisit the early months of a pandemic that remains so so fresh in our minds? Yes, when documentary-maker Orlando von Einsiedel (“Virunga,” “The White Helmets”) is at the helm. What makes this poignant, surprisingly inspiring documentary so extraordinary is its intimate telling of nine stories about people of color, ranging from a committed volunteer helping ambulances locate the sick in a Brazilian slum to an overworked Miami doctor helping the unhoused population. It’s one of the best documentaries of 2021. Details: 4 stars; available on Netflix.
“Jacinta”: Whereas Ron Howard’s “Hillbilly Elegy” reduced poor rural America to a Hollywood cliché, this terrific Hulu documentary on drug addiction is rooted in the real deal. It’s an unflinching portrait of a Maine mother caught in an endless cycle of lies, thefts and drug abuse. Filmmaker Jessica Earnshaw gained unprecedented access from 26-year-old Jacinta, the camera is always there to depict her stop-and-go attempts to stay clean after her release from the Maine Correctional Center. The deck is stacked against her, thanks to “friends” who are enablers and a mother with a rap sheet who’s doing time in the same lock-up. The scenes between Jacinta and her daughter, Caylynn, are destined to break you. My only complaint is the documentary sprints too fast near the end. Details: 3½ stars; available on Hulu.
“The Velvet Underground”: Todd Haynes (“Far From Heaven,” “Dark Waters”) puts his innovative stamp on the rock-band documentary, a genre often given to less-than-illuminating gushing. Haynes certainly respect one of rock’s most influential groups, but that doesn’t stop him from looking at the disharmony amongst its edgy members (Lou Reed comes across as a temperamental genius) while acknowledging their artistic successes. Told in impressionistic, avant-garde flourishes that reflect the adventurous creative landscape in 1960s New York, “Underground” is as much a statement of the times as the personalities of those involved. Details: 4 stars; opens Oct. 15 in select theaters and on AppleTV+; also screens Oct. 17 at the Mill Valley Film Festival with Haynes in an onstage conversation, www.mvff.com.
“Muppets Haunted Mansion”: If the family-friendly “Addams Family 2” didn’t exactly leave you snapping your fingers, turn to Disney+ for this Halloween-themed offering. Featuring original ditties — the best being one performed by Darren Criss amongst tombstones, “Rest in Peace” — and numerous cameos (including the late Edward Asner) — this spirited 93-minute treat finds the up-for-anything Great Gonzo teaming up with the smarmy King Prawn to spend a terror-filled night in The Haunted Mansion, one of Disney’s theme rides. Will Arnett, Yvette Nicole Brown and Taraji P. Henson seems to be having a grand time and make it all irresistible, as do the Muppets. Details: 3 stars; available on Disney+.
“Blush ”: Shorter than “Haunted Mansion,” but certain to make you cry buckets is AppleTV+’s 14-minute short — a husband’s remembrance of his wife and mother of his children. This Skydance Animation Film is a special, wordless portrait of love and loss set on a desolate planet that gets enriched by the presence of a spritely being who has the ability to transform land and the life of another astronaut. It’s absolutely lovely. Details: 3½ stars; available on AppleTV+.
“Mass”: In this four-person chamber piece, still-stunned parents (Reed Birney and Ann Dowd) of a dead high school shooter meet in a church room with the parents (Jason Issacs and Martha Plimpton) of a son killed in the attack. The aim is to not only gain insight about how this happened but to share in the grieving and healing process. Actor Fran Kranz’ writing and directing debut makes for an uncomfortable, often tortuous film. The acting is noteworthy with Isaacs and Plimpton giving their all as anguished parents who don’t always want to be in that room. But even though the intentions of “Mass” — born out of the 2018 Parkland, Florida, shootings — are well-meaning, the scenario comes across as stagy and disingenuous and seems to be shouting out at us at every turn. Details: 2 stars, opens Oct. 15 in select theaters.
“Bergman Island”: You needn’t be a disciple of iconic Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman to swoon over this adventurous, continually surprising ode to the fickle art of creativity. But it would help. Vicky Krieps and Tim Roth are a delight as a filmmaking couple seeking creative mojo on the island of Faro, the setting for many of Bergman’s most remarkable works. Director Mia Hansen-Love’s spry tribute comes with numerous layers to peel back along with the parallel story. All of it is playfully told and with a master’s touch. Details: 3½ stars; in theaters Oct. 15; available to stream Oct. 22.
“The Rescue”: Leave it to the Oscar-winning husband/wife directing duo of Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”) to get us squirming in our seats. Their latest documentary is chew-your-nails intense as it plunges us into Thailand’s Tham Luang Nang Non cave to catalogue the daring 2018 retrieval of 12 teens and their soccer coach. As harrowing as it is moving, “The Rescue” recounts a perilous mission that turned cave divers into heroes. You’ll want to stand up and cheer by the end. Details: 3½ stars; in theaters Oct. 15.
Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.