Are you tired of seeing movies in which the fate of the world hangs in the balance, every decision means life or death, or a catastrophe is about to unfold? Why not a movie in which the stakes are lower. Much, much lower. You don’t need a story about the world being destroyed to be entertaining and these movies prove it.
This week we’re joined by Warren, co-host of the Doom Thugs Monthly podcast, and quite the cinephile himself. Thanks Warren!!
Harr Pick: WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (2014)
Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon and Google Play
Category: Comedy
Before Taika Waititi completely reinvigorated Thor with THOR: RAGNAROK and became a darling of the big budget superhero scene he co-directed and co-wrote one of the most hilarious movies of the 2010s. The stakes could not be lower as the movie follows a household of four of the most dorky vampires in New Zealand as they go about their nights. The cast of characters are instantly memorable and loveable. I love how much thought went into creating this world. Waititi and co-director Jemaine Clement (FLIGHT OF THE CONCORDS) dig deep into vampire lore and mine it for all its worth. The television show (also called WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS) is a worthy follow up. —Harrison
Harr Pick: ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD (2019)
Where to watch: Available to stream on Fubo or Starz
Category: Comedy
I didn’t really get this one at first but upon second and third viewing I felt like this movie transfixes you, washes over you, and makes you want to live in the world of late 1960s Hollywood forever and ever and ever. While the movie does contain a few scenes of tension and suspense, most of it is just an entertaining look at the lives of three people who live in Hollywood. Leonardo DiCaprio is small time tv actor trying to find his place in the industry as the western tv shows start to die out. Brad Pitt is a stuntman with a shady past living his best life. Margot Robbie stars as real life actress Sharon Tate as she goes about her day unaware of her fate. There’s a sense of melancholy to this movie that makes it feel like Tarantino’s most mature work to date. —Harrison
Harr Pick: THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS (2007)
Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon or Google Play
Category: Human Drama
THE KING OF KONG is one of the best documentaries of all time. It follows mild-mannered teacher Steve as he tries to get a high score on the Donkey Kong arcade machine. In his path stands Billy Mitchell, a nefarious competitor who will do anything to keep his own Donkey Kong record intact. While the movie has some fun back and forth competition, ups and downs, and surprise revelations, it’s ultimately a movie about getting a high score in a video game. Very low stakes indeed. Plus the best part about the documentary is the cast of characters who populate the arcade scene chasing scores on the old video games. —Harrison
If anyone wants to see, there’s potentially a Donkey Kong kill screen coming up. —Warren
Warren Pick: TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY (2006)
Where to watch: Available to stream on Netflix and HBO MAX
Category: Comedy
In my opinion (made obvious by my list of films for this topic) the comedic genre really lends itself to and squeezes the most entertainment out of common situations and extremely low stakes. If you’ve already seen the HBO TENACIOUS D TV series, you have some idea of what to expect, but when you give in-his-prime Jack Black a bigger budget to make a movie about his acoustic guitar driven “greatest band in the world” what you get is pure stoner magic. (I re-watched this recently completely stone sober and still enjoyed.) The stakes? JB and KG must pay their rent with their music by winning a local bar talent competition. Easy right? What follows is a cameo laden hard rock fever dream that includes Sasquatch, Satan, and Tim Robbins chewing up the scenery. Check this one out for a dumb fun good time with kick ass music. —Warren
Warren Pick: SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD (2010)
Where to watch: Available to stream on Netflix
Category: Comedy
I just love this damn movie so much! Edgar Wright (more on him shortly) takes a well-worn movie trope, two young people dating, and makes one of the best if not the best video game movie of all time (despite the pesky fact that this movie has no video game affiliation, it’s based on a graphic novel). It all revolves around dealing with your girlfriend’s exes, which is relatable to almost any person on earth, and is 100% engrossing and entertaining. The stakes? Can Canadian indie rocker Scott Pilgrim successfully date the girl of his dreams? The fight scenes are fantastic, the music is awesome, and the cast in this film is unreal, including a ton of people that are now considered Hollywood elite. But at the heart of the thing is Michael Cera, who really nails the nerdy, put upon hero and is just all-in and completely game for everything that comes his way. This movie is criminally underrated in my opinion and well worth your quarters. —Warren
I saw this movie in theaters (humble brag) and I’ve been in love with it ever since. Not only is the story entertaining, but the technical craft put into this movie is mind blowing. Some of the best editing in a movie I’ve ever seen. This movie is alive with style. —Harrison
Warren Pick: HOT FUZZ (2007)
Where to watch: Available to stream on HBO MAX
Category: Comedy
Two Edgar Wright movies? That’s right! The man just gets small stakes big fun. This is the second film in the classic “Cornetto Trilogy” that also includes SHAUN OF THE DEAD and THE WORLD’S END. Both also amazing in their own right and each of the three films has its own distinct flavor. Director Wright along with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost team up again and take on the action movie genre. If you’re a fan of SPACED or any of the other movies in this trilogy you already know the type of humor you are in for. The stakes in this one? A small, sleepy village in rural England competes in and wins a Best Village contest every year. Simple right? Until a grizzled detective from London needs a break from the go-go-go of the big city and is assigned a post in this village and begins to notice things aren’t exactly as they seem. This one is big, big fun with hilarious comedic beats from the always funny Pegg and Frost, a who’s who of British legends new and old, and a turn for the climax and finale of the film that takes it straight up action. I don’t want to give anything away but if you haven’t seen HOT FUZZ by now, you owe it to yourself, for the greater good. —Warren
If you love action movies you’ll love this one. It’s a love letter to the genre. What better way to honor the thrills of an action movie than by setting the story in a rustic English village. —Harrison
Question of the Week
What are your favorite low stakes movies?
Follow us on Twitter!
Tweet at us (@movienaux) for recommendations 24/7!
We Want You!!!
Want more? Be sure to subscribe below!
Think others will enjoy our movie suggestions and discussions? Please share by clicking the link below.