What a week! We got new Nic Cage, one of our old favorites returned to the airwaves, and we had a reason to return to an all-time classic. Whether you want action, comedy, or chill vibes, it's all here. We've gotta say, Volume 69 is pretty nice.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
We start this week with a highly-anticipated blockbuster starring the man, the myth, the legend: Nic Cage. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent has been creating buzz in the movie world since the script hit the illustrious Blacklist in 2019, and now it is finally in theaters. Cage plays a weird, meta version of himself, and it seems to be an incredibly self-aware project. That’s probably because the role (and the whole film, really) was written specifically for Cage himself. That doesn’t mean they didn’t put a great cast around the Oscar-winning actor, though. Pedro Pascal co-stars in a fun romp that looks like it dabbles in the comedy, action, and spy genres. Cage has been having a bit of a mainstream renaissance lately, and as big fans of the legendary actor, we couldn’t be happier.
Barry Season 3
The spring TV boom rolls on this week with another pandemic-delayed return, and this time, it’s one of our favorite shows coming back to the airwaves. The HBO hit Barry is back, and the trailer promises more twists and turns coming in season 3 of the genre-bending show. Bill Hader and Henry Winkler lead an outstanding cast, which also features breakout performances from new faces like Sarah Goldberg and Anthony Carrigan. Carrigan’s “Noho Hank” has a special place in our heart, not just from his hilarious one-liners, but also because of our time spent living in North Hollywood. Bill Hader’s actor-turned-hitman is one of the most complicated characters on television, and the first two seasons were really riveting. It’s been a while since Barry was on air, so we might have to go back and rewatch some of Season 2 as a refresher – but we definitely don’t mind. Once it premieres on Sunday night, Barry is getting bumped to the top of our Sunday night queue in what is a very-crowded TV field.
Monster Energy’s Three Kings
We love when athletes push the boundaries and take on challenges in other sports, and Monster Energy brought us the latest example with some of our favorites. F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton and Motocross champ Dylan Ferrandis joined Big Wave surfer Makua Rothman at a Waco wave pool to hang out and hit the surf. It was cool seeing Hamilton and Ferrandis out of their elements, but still pulling off some great moves – and of course, Rothman was fantastic. But beyond the stunts, it was even cooler hearing someone like Lewis Hamilton talk about watching Rothman surf, and to see him try and translate what he’s watching into something he could pull off while he’s on the board. Even star athletes have to push their own limits and try new things sometimes, and there’s definitely inspiration we can find in our own creative pursuits. And who doesn’t love a cool surfing video?
Caamp - “Apple Tree Blues”
Another one of our indie favorites is back with a new single, and we’ve had it on repeat all week. This time, our song of the week is Caamp’s “Apple Tree Blues.” The song is upbeat, with fast-paced folk instrumentals, which are balanced out by Caamp’s typical calming, laid-back vocals. While it’s not a party track, it’s still a great tune for this time of year as the weather warms up and we’re spending more time outside. Whether you’re driving around with the windows rolled down or trying to work while staring out the window, “Apple Tree Blues” belongs in the background. Like the rest of Caamp’s discography, there’s something very freeing and relaxing about the song, even if you don’t pay too much attention to the lyrics. We could all use something uplifting in our days, and the sweet sounds of Caamp’s new single should definitely lift your spirits.
Dazed and Confused
Alright, alright, alright. It’s the perfect time of year to revisit a true classic, and we couldn’t help but feature it in this week’s Friday Five. Dazed and Confused isn’t just one of the most iconic stoner movies of all-time, but it’s up there as one of our favorites overall – and it’s even the annual birthday movie of a member of the King Penguin team. Richard Linklater’s ode to high school in the 70’s put Matthew McConaughey on the map, along with a handful of other actors that would come to dominate 90s and 2000s cinema. A young Ben Affleck really sells the role of a high school bully, and it’s pretty incredible to go back and watch his pre-Good Will Hunting work. The soundtrack is unbelievable, and there’s a great story behind how the soundtrack came to include so many massive hits. If you are looking to add to the King Penguin Summer Reading List, the film’s oral history Alright, Alright, Alright is a great, fun read. Whether or not 4/20 is your kind of holiday, it’s always a good time to take a load off with Wooderson and the gang. So sit back, relax, and keep on L-I-V-I-N.