C8 life happenings | THE STRAITS TIMES | FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 |

John Lui Film Correspondent and Alison De Souza recommend

THE ART

Picks OF SELF- DEFENSE (M18) 100 minutes/ HBO GO and HBO (June 22, 10am)/ Film&TV

This bone-dry comedy looks at the violent fantasy at the heart of the American idea of manhood: That a “real” man is the one who dominates. That idea, some say, is why the police choke citizens and break the skulls of protesters. It also explains United States President Donald Trump’s tweets in which he frequently vows to “get tough” with enemies. Casey, played by Jesse Eisenberg (above, foreground) at his nervy, wide-eyed best, is weak, physically and mentally. Bullied at his office job and despised everywhere else, things reach a breaking point after a mugging which leaves him badly beaten. In desperation, he joins a karate school, where he meets the mysterious Sensei (Alessandro Nivola, above, background) and secretive senior student Anna (Imogen Poots). Writer-director Riley Stearns sees masculine brutality for what it is: the pose of a fragile being with nothing inside. Nivola’s Sensei is as properly repugnant as he needs to be to make the film work as a warning about the self-deception at the heart of the tough-guy image.

John Lui

PHOTOS: APPLE TV+, HBO, NETFLIX

DA 5 BLOODS VIEWING PARTY followed by an online discussion Da 5 Bloods (above, M18, 156 minutes), about Lee’s work, race relations CENTRAL PARK stars Kristen Bell and Josh Gad. released on Netflix today, is directed and other topics. Apple TV+/ Viewers meet park manager Owen and co-written by two-time Oscar WHEN: Today, 8pm, with a post-movie Tillerman (Odom Jr), who lives on the nominee Spike Lee. online group discussion If you are not a fan of musicals grounds with wife Paige (Kathryn The drama follows four black ADMISSION: Free, but the viewing of or animated series pitched at Hahn) and children Molly (Bell) and veterans – Paul (Delroy Lindo), the film requires a Netflix adults, you probably didn’t think Cole (Tituss Burgess). Otis (Clarke Peters), Eddie (Norm subscription. The watch party there was much need for a show But the Tillermans and the park Lewis) and Melvin (Isiah Whitlock Jr) – requires the installation of the that was both. face an existential threat: a mean going to Vietnam to find the remains netflixparty.com browser plug-in But Apple TV+’s Central Park old heiress named Bitsy (Stanley of their squad leader (Chadwick INFO: Links to the watch party and has an impressive pedigree in Tucci), who is scheming to buy it Boseman) as well as buried treasure. online group discussion will be each genre. and turn it into condominiums. This journey forces the men to think shown on the Telegram group The creator is Loren Bouchard, As he showed with Bob’s about a war which has left a stain on /t.me/singaporefilmsociety and who made the clever, sweet-natured Burgers, Bouchard has a knack for their conscience. facebook.com/singaporefilmsociety animated family comedy Bob’s picking men who can hilariously The viewing party is hosted by the Burgers (2011 to present). And the animate female characters, and Singapore Film Society and will be John Lui voice cast features two Tony Tucci’s turn as the acidic Bitsy is winners from the original reason enough to tune in to this production of Hamilton (Leslie show. Odom Jr and Daveed Diggs), along with Frozen (2013 and 2019) Alison De Souza

KIDS

Imagination Solution In this online class conducted by Faust International Youth Theatre, children between the ages of seven and eight are guided to create puppets from everyday objects, and taught to use their character to solve problems through storytelling. The outfit aims to provide a fun learning environment as well as PHOTO: ANTICIPATE PICTURES develop self-confidence and the ability to work with others. WHEN: Tue, Thu, June 23 & 25, FILMS 3.30 - 4pm ADMISSION: $120 Good Time (2017, M18) INFO: str.sg/JPBM After a botched bank robbery Solo Spaces lands his younger brother in prison, Constantine Nikas (Robert Pattinson, In this online class conducted above) embarks on a twisted odyssey by Faust International Youth through the city’s underworld in an Theatre, children between increasingly desperate – and the ages of nine and 12 will learn dangerous – attempt to get his the art of the monologue through brother out of jail. Winner for a deep study of characters. Best Composer, Cannes Soundtrack WHEN: Tue, Thu, June 23 & 25, Award, at the Cannes Film Festival 4.15 - 4.45pm ADMISSION: $120 2017. INFO: www.faustworld.com.sg WHERE: www.anticipatepictures. Rumpelstiltskin com/good-time PRICE: US$4.99 (S$6.90) for rental Gateway Theatre’s Gateway Kids Club (48-hour streaming window); Storytelling tells the tale of a miller’s US$9.99 for purchase daughter, who is asked to spin straw into gold. At a loss as to what City Of Ghosts (2017, M18) to do, she receives magical help at a Follow the journey of “Raqqa is price. The video will be available on Being Slaughtered Silently” – a the GatewayEntSG YouTube channel. handful of anonymous activists Gateway Theatre is a creative arts who banded together after their space that provides a platform in homeland was taken over by ISIS support of made-in-Singapore in 2014. Winner of Outstanding works and promotes positive Directorial Achievement in messages and social values to Documentary at the Directors children, youth and families. Guild of America 2017. WHERE: facebook.com/ WHERE: www.anticipatepictures. GatewayTheatreSG com/city-of-ghosts WHEN: Tomorrow, 11am PRICE: US$4.99 for rental ADMISSION: Free (48-hour streaming window); US$9.99 for purchase HOW TO GET YOUR PETS EVENT LISTED E-Pets’ Day Out The listings on these Pets’ Day Out moves into the Happenings pages are free. online space, streamed live on the Animal Buzz Facebook page, Go to str.sg/happen at least featuring shelter animals up for two weeks ahead. Required adoption from animal welfare information includes the name groups such as Cat Welfare Society of the event, organiser, venue, and Causes for Animals Singapore; date and time, ticket prices and a live chat session with vets, nearest MRT station, as well addressing questions about pet as your name, address and health and behaviour; and a contact number. consolidated resource to support animal welfare groups in this We reserve the right to edit challenging period. Animal Buzz is or reject items. Go to the official Facebook page for the www.straitstimes.com Animal & Veterinary Service, a cluster (click on Lifestyle) for within the National Parks Board. more listings. WHEN: June 27, 3 - 5pm ADMISSION: Free INFO: str.sg/JPBg