Couch Theater: Elisa & Marcela
By Demi Taveras
"Minions: The Rise of Gru" (PG) -- Steve Carell's grouchy, yet lovable supervillain, Gru, first appeared on the big screen in 2010 during the box-office sensation "Despicable Me." The film quickly evolved into the highest-grossing animated franchise of all time, and "Minions: The Rise of Gru" was no different than its predecessors, garnering close to $1 billion. Starring Carell as Gru and Pierre Coffin as the minions, the latest film in the franchise takes us back to 1976 where an 11-year-old Gru dreams of becoming a supervillain. But with ambitions as high as Gru's, he can't go it alone and will need to find some assistance -- specifically in the form of a yellow banana-loving species of creatures. Out now. (Peacock)
"The World to Come" (R) -- Winner of the 2020 Queer Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival, this drama film taking place in 1856 New York stars Katherine Waterson ("Fantastic Beasts") and Vanessa Kirby ("The Crown") as two respectively married women who feel severe isolation in the farmlands they live in. Both being married to emotionally lacking men, and being devoid of children, the two women start spending their downtime together and find meaningful solace in their shared moments. Eventually, they find that their bond is much deeper than friendship. Waterson and Kirby are an incredible lead duo; their performances as actresses excellently sync up to the profound and poetic dialogue of their characters. Out now. (Hulu)
"Little Richard: I Am Everything" (NR) -- Known as the "Architect of Rock and Roll," Richard Penniman, aka Little Richard, was a pioneer of his genre and lives on as a legend of popular music and culture. This documentary, which features tons of archival footage and interviews with his family and other musicians, dives into his legacy and explores his influence as a Black queer icon. It also touches on how he inspired other artists of his time and the many eras of music yet to come. The film depicts a very nuanced story that centers on the fact that Little Richard "was an omni being who contained multitudes -- he was unabashedly everything." Out now. (Max)
"Elisa & Marcela" (TV-MA) -- This Spanish-language biographical film shot entirely in black and white is one of Netflix's hidden gems and a must-watch for those who enjoy minimalistic, character-driven movies. Inspired by the true story of Elisa Sanchez Loriga and Marcela Gracia Ibeas, the film recounts how a lesbian couple managed to get married in 1901 at the Church of Saint George in A Coruna, Spain. As if told in book chapters, it details how the two women met during their time at school and formed an immediate friendship that progressed into a forbidden romantic relationship. When outside forces threaten to drive them apart, Elisa and Marcela go to great lengths to conceal their relationship, with Elisa even taking the identity of her deceased male cousin. Out now. (Netlfix)
Greta Fernandez, left, and Natalia de Molina star in "Elisa & Marcela." Photo Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.