A “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” character has landed her own series, and novelist Dennis Lehane has delivered a nine-part scorcher of a series about arson.
Here’s a look at what to watch this weekend, in addition to the new racing thriller “F1 The Movie.”
“Ironheart”: Cinema power couple Ryan and Zinzi Coogler (“Sinners”) are among the executive producers behind Chinaka Hodge’s new series about one of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s” most memorable characters — genius teen scientist Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne). And oh does the Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) Fellowship college student land into big trouble in this fast-paced, very funny six-episode series on Disney+. For any “Black Panther” fan, or for that matter, and Marvel fan, the Robin Hood-like storyline makes for a satisfying sidenote that offers hints at what’s ahead in the MCU. (In other words, new characters get introduced, and stay put for that final end credit scene). Riri gets a rude awakening in Episode 1 when she’s expelled from MIT for some side hustles academics frown on. She moves back to her hometown of Chicago, a painful return since it’s where the traumatic deaths of her stepdad and best friend Natalie (Lyric Ross) occurred.
Without necessary funding for research so she can create more Iron Man-like suits and engage in other science projects, the ambitious Riri seeks quick money by joining up with Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos of “In the Heights”) — aka “The Hood” — and his street-smart crew. They rob smug rich people whose actions are making life miserable for the poor. “The Hood” is a decent nemesis that could have benefited from another episode to further explore his motivations and background, along with his scaly intentions. Ramos is a very good actor and could have sunk his teeth into that. There are twists and surprises and clever visual cues (such as a Faust poster in the background of one scene) and Hodge explores broader, fertile themes about injustice, and the higher standards and expectations foisted on the shoulders of young people of color.
As with many MCU features and series, “Ironheart’ features a terrific playlist and numerous funny one-liners, and delivers spectacular action set pieces as well as a topical AI storyline and some fully developed characters — in particular Joe McGillicuddy (Alden Ehrenreich, a most welcome addition to the MCU) who wants to use technology for the good of society but is bullied by his female next-door neighbor. The series’ biggest disappointment is “The Hood,” whose backstory needs more fleshing out, given his impact on the story line.
Regardless, concerns that the series’ delay was due to quality problems have proved to be viral poppycock. “Ironheart” points MCU in an intriguing direction and gives us characters we’d like to see more of in the future. Details: 3 stars out of 4; three episodes available now with three remaining episodes dropping July 1.
“Smoke”: The second Apple TV+ series from acclaimed neo-noir novelist Dennis Lehane (the first being the superior “Black Bird”) is another gripping shocker and uses as its impetus real-life events. But the less you know about this series, though, the better. So don’t go searching. Taron Egerton gives a phenomenal, cuts-like-a-knife performance as Dave Gudsen, an aspiring novelist by night and cocky arson investigator by day.
Dave has a quick temper and comes up lacking as a husband and stepfather, but can he ever smile and win people over. He tag-teams with detective Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett, channeling combustible intensity) to dig deeper into a series of arsons we know are caused by a seemingly harmless, but rage-filled, fast-food restaurant worker (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, in a performance that Emmys are made for). Nearly every character in “Smoke” has a broken moral compass and that includes Michelle, a survivor of trauma who doesn’t play by any rulebooks, along with her married and then separated lover (Rafe Spall) who is her boss. Other compromised characters include Gudsen’s former arsonist partner, the boozy and sleazy Esposito (John Leguizamo, a scene-stealer) and Harvey Englehart (Greg Kinnear), Gudsen’s boss. “Smoke” is well-made and tremendously acted, and while the plot does go up in — ahem — smoke late in the game, the actors always keep us invested. And there’s an one OMG moment in Episode 2 that almost knocked me off my couch. Details: 3 stars; 2 episodes drop June 27, with a new episode dropping every Friday through Aug. 15.
“Familiar Touch”: Any conversation next year about the performances that deserve serious Oscar consideration should absolutely include Bay Area native Kathleen Chalfant’s transcendent portrayal of an erudite octogenarian and former chef who’s holding on dearly to her memories and words as time passes and her memory becomes hazy and elusive. Chalfant, who was born in San Francisco and grew up in Oakland, is the very embodiment of Ruth, an elegantly dressed and smart New Yorker and mom whose eroding mind has deceived her into thinking that her son (H. Jon Benjamin) is a gentleman caller. He has no other recourse but to move her into an assisted living facility. Director and screenwriter Sarah Friedland’s exquisite film is heartbreakingly authentic but warmhearted and even joyful at moments, as it respects the life of the regal and refined Ruth as well as those who know her or are just getting to know her — including care workers Vanessa (Carolyn Michelle Smith) and Brian (Andy McQueen). Chalfant never overstates what Ruth is experiencing yet completely puts us into her shoes. It’s an understated but emotionally piercing performance that might well get overlooked, since “Familiar Touch” probably won’t get the backing of a splashy studio-run Oscar campaign. It would be a travesty if that should happen since Chalfant, who is in virtually every scene of the film, shakes audiences to their elemental core as she honors so many in our world who are in Ruth’s shoes and are experiencing the same blurred reality. Details: 3½ stars, opens June 27 at the Smith Rafael Film Center and the Roxie in San Francisco; Chalfant will be on hand for an onstage conversation after the 6 pm. July 1 screening at the Roxie, and after the 7 p.m. July 2 screening at the Smith Rafael.
“Into the Wonderwoods”: A 10-year-old boy with a very active imagination gets lost in some magical woods while taking an emergency road trip with his family to visit his ailing grandmother in this animated delight from directors Vincent Paronnaud (it’s based on his comic book) and Alexis Ducord. Young Angelo’s adventure finds him befriending a squirrel who wants to become a bird, a piano-playing frog with a caterpillar sidekick, a vampire skateboarder girl, and more. It’s a funny journey that is vibrantly animated (I like the stingray-looking airships) and comes with a despicable but comedic villain. The screenplay loses its way at the end but kids and adults will be enchanted by the inventive, eccentric characters and the rich animation. Details: 3 stars; available to rent June 27 on various streaming platforms.
Contact Randy Myers at [email protected].