I’ve been holed up in Brooklyn since early March, save a few treks across state lines via rental car, and on each of those trips I’ve been sure to visit a drive-in. That’s how I caught “Jaws” on the Fourth of July, and “Boys State” and “The Rental.” But half of the movies on this, my top 10 favorite movies of 2020 list, are ones that I saw in honest-to-god theaters way back in the spring. 

Continue reading Lena Wilson’s Best Films Of 2020 at The Playlist.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw is stretching herself, even while social distancing. The actress co-stars in Summerland, a British dramatic film written and directed by Jessica Swale. Mbatha-Raw plays Vera, the love interest to Alex (Gemma Arterton) during the 1940’s. The love doesn’t last and heartbroken, Alex becomes a recluse in her quaint cottage home. It isn’t until she’s signed up to be a temporary caregiver of Frank (Lucas Bond) during WWI that Alex is forced to face her fears and her past love.

Continue reading Gugu Mbatha-Raw On ‘Summerland’ & The Journey Of Living Through Her Characters [Interview] at The Playlist.

There is a scene early on in “Summerland,” a romantic WWII drama by Jessica Swale, that calls to mind the pilot of “Killing Eve.” In “Killing Eve,” we first meet assassin Villanelle (Jodi Comer) in an ice cream shop, where, after smiling benignly at a little girl, she walks out and pushes the little girl’s ice cream onto her lap.

Continue reading Gemma Arterton Shines In Subversive Tearjerker ‘Summerland’ [Review] at The Playlist.

Over 2,000 years ago, the Roman poet Virgil gave the world three simple words which everyone should aspire to embrace: amor vincit omnia (“love conquers all”). The phrase—in Latin or English—has been used as a title for paintings, songs, albums, and books. Is it corny as hell? Yes. But is it true? Yes. In fact, no time may it be more true than during a war. A new indie flick called “Summerland” suggests that a little love goes a long way, even in the most dire circumstances.

Continue reading ‘Summerland’ Trailer: Gemma Arterton Opens Her Home And Heart To A Boy Escaping The Horrors Of War at The Playlist.