Streaming movie picks: ‘Riccione Sun’ is the Italian vacation you can’t go on now
Bummed about having to scrap those summer vacation plans?
Here’s a virtual pick-me-up — “Under the Riccione Sun,” a fizzy Italian romp that goes down like an icy limoncello on a sweltering Tuscan afternoon.
The import debuted recently but befalls the fate of numerous Netflix titles, getting lost in the shuffle of new releases. It’s hardly a classic, but its breezy, carefree escapism feels like a gift in a world gone mad.
Set in a Northern Italy tourist magnet, it gathers an attractive cast playing attractive 20-somethings searching for friendship and romance on the beach and at a tony nightclub. All the characters in this enchanting bit of fluff are likeable and have some baggage. It’s like a contemporary take on the old Annette Funicello-Frankie Avalon beach party flicks, with a little more sex and the occasional F-bomb tossed in. There’s also no breaking out in song per se, but there is a concert at the finale.
A sweet love story — a blind hunk (Lorenzo Zurzolo) falls for a young woman strapped with an inconsiderate boyfriend — anchors the film. Directors Niccolò Celaia and Antonio Usbergo — collectively known as Yonuts — give the 40-plus crowd something to swoon over with a late-blooming romance between an overprotective mom (Isabella Ferrari) and a bouncer (Luca Ward).
Jovial and as expendable as a hotel beach towel, it’s a guilty pleasure done right. Details: 3 stars out of 4; available now on Netflix.
“Force of Nature”: Derivative and campy, director Michael Polish’s thriller is stuffed with as many cliches as its 91 minutes can take. Cory Miller’s screenplay is a Category 4 howler, throwing in a hurricane, an art heist, a hungry critter cooped up in a room and a grouchy, sexist and racist ex-cop (Mel Gibson!) who refuses to leave his apartment. Emile Hirsch — another actor with a tarnished reputation — and Kate Bosworth co-star. For all its baggage, “Nature” delivers little more than predictable chum. Details: 1½ stars; available on various platforms.
“Quarantine Cat Film Festival”: Sometimes cat videos are you need to brighten your mood. And that’s exactly what you’ll get in this collection of short clips, all during the pandemic. If you’re a dog person, just skedaddle. My recommendation, parents? Break this 90-minute montage into 20-minute, kid-friendly treat. Details: Accessible at Smith Rafael Center’s Virtual Cinema series.
“Four Kids and It”: Why would Matthew Goode, Paula Patton, Russell Brand (OK, maybe that one is not so surprising) and Michael Caine sign up for this loosely adapted version of a beloved kiddie series? The terrible promo poster with an E.T. clone made it seem even less promising. But this British production turns out to be as sweet as pineapple upside down cake. An ages-old sand critter (voice of Caine) anchors this love story that draws together a white British family and a Black American family. It’s a tad too long, but it’s quirky, fanciful and will appeal to kids and parents. Details: 2½ stars; available to rent, stream or buy on various platforms.
“The Truth”: Hirokazu Kore-eda is one of cinema’s best storytellers even if this, his latest, mostly flits around the charms of its lead star — the divine Catherine Deneuve. The “Shoplifters” director delves into the tale of a tempermental star (Deneuve) tailoring her memoir to keep her image intact. That modified history peeves her daughter (Juliette Binoche). Ethan Hawke co-stars as Binoche’s husband. The these two actresses make “Truth” a mighty tasty affair even though I craved a more substantive meal. Details: 2½ stars; available July 3 on various platforms.
“Disclosure”: Everyone likes a good “talker,” right? This smart, well-written and terrifically acted Aussie drama is just that. It takes a simple premise — a child claims she was abused by another family’s child — and turns into a suburban drama that tumbleweeds into something along the shocking lines of “Little Fires Everywhere” and “The Slap.” Details: 3 stars; now available on several platforms.
“House of Hummingbird”: Bora Kim’s beauty of a feature debut is something to cherish, a compassionate yet unsentimental portrait of 14-year-old Eun-hee (talented newcomer Ji-hu Park) growing up in a dysfunctional family in ‘90s South Korea. Eun-hee melts your hearts as she endures a macho environment where her rage-filled, less intelligent brother gains footholds while she doesn’t. “Hummingbird” is a film appreciative of silences and moods and characters, making it one of 2020’s best films. But it can be tough. Details: 4 stars; accessible on Roxie Theater’s Virtual Cinema series.
“Denise Ho: Becoming the Song”: Fresh off a world premiere as part of the Frameline Film Festival’s Pride Showcase streaming film series, Sue Williams’ documentary focuses on the life, career and pro-democracy activism of the iconic Hong Kong singer Ho, who is out, is someone to admire and respect — as an artist, a person and advocate. Details: 3 stars; accessible on Roxie Theater’s Virtual Cinema series.
“Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things”: Filled with archival images and musical performances along with relevant interviews, Leslie Woodhead’s ode to an icon reveals the racism and sexism Fitzgerald encountered through her career. Narrated by Sharon D. Clarke, “Just One of Those Things” is about a resilient and talented woman bucking conventions and becoming an American legend on her own terms. Details: 3½ stars; accessible on Virtual Cinema series at Smith Rafael Center and Roxie Cinema.
“Friday the 13th — The 40th anniversary”: When it came out in 1980, Sean Cunningham’s “Halloween” ripoff was a hit. It gave us not only Jason’s mom (Betsy Palmer) and Camp Crystal Lake — a magnet for horny camp counselors who get picked off one by one — but there was no hockey mask in it. Does it hold up? Sort of. More kitschy than scary now, it features a young Kevin Bacon running around in a Speedo. The DVD extras are unpretentious and fun. Details: 2½ stars; available for rent or purchase on multiple platforms.