The Commercial Appeal - Go Memphis
Four new(ish) offerings available on digital platforms
Here are four new(ish) offerings available on digital platforms. Skip or stream? Read on and find out.
‘Proximity’
The best way to approach the debut feature from writer-director Eric Demeusy’s “Proximity” is as an exercise in nostalgia allowing you to count how many old-school science fiction thrillers it rips off ... err ... pays homage. The most obvious inspirations are “E.T.,” “Star Wars” and “Men in Black.” Demeusy strives to be like those movies, right down to the horn-heavy John Williamsesque score and secret government agency stocked with well-dressed men in suits. No surprise, “Proximity” isn’t even in the same galaxy as those classics. But hey, you gotta start somewhere. Demeusy kicks the tires on heady topics like science, religion, existence ... but doesn’t do much with them. The story centers on Isaac (Ryan Masson), a NASA scientist abducted by aliens. He returns three days later with psychic superpowers, though no one believes him. To prove he’s legit, Isaac uploads a video he shot of his captors. It goes viral, naturally, and sends Isaac on a quest to prove it’s not a hoax. In addition to Masson’s Isaac, the only three people who matter here are Zed (Christian Prentice), an off-the-grid computer hacker; fellow abductee, Sara (Highdee Kuan); and Carl (Don Scribner), whose 1979 abduction kicks the film into drive. What ensues is an ambitious and imaginative alien feature that moves from Pasadena to Costa Rica to British Columbia, but is overly long and saddled with inexperienced actors stuck with pedestrian dialogue and too much exposition. Veteran character actor Scribner (the cult classic “Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity”) is a bright spot. Ditto for the look of the film. Demeusy puts his award-winning VFX (“Stranger Things,” “Tron: Legacy”) skills to good use despite a tiny budget. The production values are more glossy than gritty but the special effects are surprisingly good.
Not rated. Available to rent on digital platforms. Grade: C+
‘Clementine’
Speaking of film debuts, writer-director Lara Gallagher spins a psychological yarn about a woman reeling from a one-sided break up. And her ex, a woman we know only as “D,” has the nerve to keep their dog, too. An anguished Karen (Otmara Marrero) flees Los Angeles for her former partner’s idyllic lake house in the Pacific Northwest. There, an alluring younger woman (Sydney Sweeney) inserts herself into Karen’s life. What transpires is a moody rumination on love and power dynamics. It’s a slow burn, not much is said and not much happens. The isolated setting, the ringing landline amid the solitude, a gun in a drawer, and the arrival of a handyman (Will Brittain), all add a sense of danger.
Not rated. Available at clementine.oscilloscope.net Grade: B
‘Robert the Bruce’
A biopic about the 14th century Scottish king who heroically won independence for his native land arrives on the 25th anniversary of “Braveheart,” the Mel Gibson Oscar-winner. Angus Macfadyen reprises his “Braveheart” role as Robert. Director Richard Gray works from a script co-written by Eric Belgau and Macfadyen that picks up after the death of William Wallace. The Scottish clans are warring amongst themselves and there’s a bounty on Robert’s head. When Robert is wounded, he’s taken in by a widow (a terrific Anna Hutchison) and her three children. Through them, the script explores the man behind the sword, not the warrior of legend. That’s a compelling angle with some intriguing commentary on the cost of war on families. Except, there is not enough of Robert in a film that bears his name. He barely utters a word in the first act. The script is too cluttered with the business of its minor characters (Patrick Fugit, Zach Mcgowan), all of whom are onenote and rote. Plus, the ploddingly pace and the snowy setting makes it all seem so cold and distant.
Not rated. Available to rent on digital platforms. Grade: B
‘Never Have I Ever’
Here’s your next binge. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan delivers a breakout performance as the brainy and spirited Devi, an Indian American teenager tasked with becoming popular, balancing friends, handling an academic rival (Jaren Lewison) and surviving drama at home. Over the course of 10, 30-minute episodes, Devi will clash with her mother (Poorna Jagannathan), get drunk, get grounded and fall head over heels for a cute jock (Darren Barnet). The comedy, inspired by co-creator Mindy Kaling’s Boston upbringing, yields to some coming-of-age tropes, but the charm of its top-notch cast and relatable themes elevate the material. Tennis star John Mcenroe narrates, which is a bit of stunt casting that works nicely. Some of the best scenes are the back-and-forth between Devi and her therapist, a neverbetter Niecy Nash. They talk frankly about boys, parties and the loss of the teen’s father, which Devi can’t confront. Richa Moorjani is a hoot as Devi’s gorgeous cousin, Kamala, a Caltech scholar facing an arranged marriage. Whether you loved or hated high school, “Never Have I Ever” will make you laugh and cry.
Available on Netflix. Grade: B+
Whether you call them sno-balls, snow cones or water ice, we can all agree these frozen icy treats are the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day.
According to Wikipedia, there is a difference between a sno-ball and a snow cone. The ice of a sno-ball is fine and fluffy; while a snow cone’s ice is coarse, crunchy and granular. In a snow cone, the flavored syrup tends to sink to the bottom of the cup; while in a snoball, the ice absorbs the syrup.
All I know is that I love them all — especially when you add soft serve ice cream to the mix.
Here are five spots in Memphis to find these sweet frozen treats this summer.
Jerry’s Sno Cones
1657 Wells Station Road: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-thursday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday
1601 Bonnie Lane, Cordova: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-thursday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday
Jerry’s Sno Cones is a Memphis institution. For more than 50 years, Memphians have trekked to the location on Wells Station in the Berclair neighborhood for frozen treats. In 2018, Jerry’s opened a second location in Cordova.
Go traditional and order a classic snow cone — Jerry’s offers dozens of flavors. But I recommend the Snow Cone Supreme. It is a yummy treat that is the best of both worlds — a snow cone topped with creamy soft serve ice cream.
Be forewarned, the lines tend to be long, but don’t let that dissuade you. It moves fairly fast, and these treats are worth the wait. Also, don’t forget to bring cash. Jerry’s doesn’t accept checks or credit cards.
Suga Mama’s Snoballs
1717 East Holmes Road: 1-7 p.m. Mon
To add soft serve ice cream to your sno cone at Miccos, ask for it “Miccod.” day-friday; noon-7 p.m. Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday
Marci Clark started her New Orleansstyle sno-ball business in 2016. Originally run from a food truck, she opened a brick-and-mortar location of Suga Mama’s Snoballs in Whitehaven in January.
Suga Mama’s is known for its Southern-inspired signature flavors. Clark’s most famous sno-ball is the Banana Pudding flavor. A banana-flavored snoball is stuffed with banana pudding ice cream and garnished with cookies and whipped cream just like a classic banana pudding. Suga Mama’s also has sno-balls topped with cheesecake or strawberry shortcakes.
For a more traditional snow cone experience, try flavors like Swamp Thing (Pineapple, Strawberry, Blueberry) or Bob Marley (Mango, Green Apple, Red Raspberry). All sno-balls are also available with ice cream added.
Miccos Snocones & Shakes
9077 Poplar Ave., Germantown: noon-9 p.m. Sunday-thursday and noon-10 p.m. Friday-saturday
At Miccos Snocones & Shakes, the Michelotti family serves up frozen treats worth every calorie. Its New Or
Snow cones in a rainbow of colors at Jerry’s on Wells Station Road. leans-style shaved ice treats are super refreshing and come in dozens of flavors. Want to add some soft serve ice cream to your snow cone? No problem — order it “Miccod” for just $1 more.
Since opening in 2016, this familyowned snow cone shop has become a favorite of kids of all ages. In June 2019, it moved from its original Collierville location to a new spot on Poplar Avenue in Germantown.
Parker’s Water Ice
7825 Winchester Road, Collierville: noon-8 p.m. daily
Parker’s Water Ice features an icy treat that is different than a traditional snow cone. Unlike hard ice treats such as shaved ice or snow cones, Italian water ice is made up of water, fruit juice and fruit flavors blended together and frozen. It is this process that gives water ice its smooth and creamy texture — with no added dairy. Each flavor is scooped just like ice cream.
Parker’s Water Ice has 34 flavors of water ice in its repertoire, ranging from strawberry to coconut to cotton candy. The selection of flavors in the case rotates weekly.
Order a “gelati” if you want soft serve vanilla ice cream layered in the water ice.
Chill Frozen Treats & Sweets
2015 S. Houston Levee Road, Collierville: 1-9 p.m. Sunday-thursday and 1-10 p.m. Friday-saturday
In 2019, the Reed family opened Chill Frozen Treats & Sweets at Houston Levee and Wolf River Boulevard. The family-run shop features New Orleans-style sno-balls topped with your choice of flavors. There are dozens of options for choose from. Each sno-ball can be stuffed with soft serve ice cream and topped with what they call an ice cream “snow cap.”
A unique offering is a Sno-shake. It’s a delicious and creamy combination between a sno-ball and a milkshake. Try it in any sno-ball flavor.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.