PAVEMENTS & THE ACCOUNTANT 2

PAVEMENTS

Written & Directed by Alex Ross Perry

Do you know the band Pavement? It's ok if you don't, I'm a huge music nerd and was only familiar with them by name and a couple vague references. These slacker rock white boys from Stockton that were briefly mainstream on MTV but were pretty successful as an indie band. 

The new feature from self proclaimed Pavement superfan Alex Ross Perry is an experimental mixture of music documentary and fiction. It's actually really silly and fun, centered around the bands real rehearsals and prep for their 2022 reunion tour. It's also about the making of a stage jukebox musical based on their catalog, as well as a big budget Hollywood biopic. Oh yeah there's also the Pavement Museum opening in Stockton. 

While the actual rehearsal footage and old band clips are genuine and offer poignant moments, the rest of the stuff is done tongue firmly planted in cheek. In the case of the (fake?) Hollywood biopic starring Stranger Things cutie Joe Keery and Jason Schwartzman, it's downright satirical. There are brilliant moments where you see a compare/contrast of real footage and Hollywood biopic version. 

PAVEMENTS is a great introduction to a newbie but clearly made for the diehard fans. I was a little surprised by how little just straight live performance there was but that's what makes this such a fun different little music doc. I could easily find entire live shows on YouTube, this was something deeper and more meaningful but also somehow just so silly. Hmm... kinda like the band? I see what you did there director Alex Ross Perry. Success, because I'm listening to a Pavement playlist as I write this. Bring on another tour! 

⭐⭐⭐1/2 out of 4

THE ACCOUNTANT 2

Directed by Gavin O'Connor

Daddy Ben Affleck is super duper autistic, so of course that makes him good with numbers and also being an assassin. I have not seen the first ACCOUNTANT, but all the references to "8 years ago" kept me clued in enough. Now that's good screenwriting!

Come for the witty electric chemistry between Daddy Affleck and his also hitman brother played by another Daddy, Jon Bernthal. Ignore the vaguely racist plot involving Mexican cartels and sex trafficking. There's some cool action and it's not wall to wall, but more of a detective story and family drama with lots of humourous moments. 

It's pretty fun and got me to fire up the original on MAX (HBO GO?). I'm not a numbers guy but I say complete the trilogy and bring on ACCOUNTANT CUBED. 

⭐⭐⭐ out of 4