The Couch Critic
The Couch Critic is your laid-back guide to movies and TV shows that deserve your attention—or maybe don’t. Nathan dives deep into storytelling, character development, and cinematic style with a sharp eye and a wry sense of humor. Whether it’s a blockbuster hit, a hidden gem, or a cult classic, Nathan’s relatable approach ensures every episode feels like a cozy chat with a friend who just happens to love film. Perfect for casual watchers and cinephiles alike, The Couch Critic brings thoughtful critique without the fluff. Grab your favorite snack, settle in, and let Nathan guide you through the world of screen entertainment.
The Couch Critic
'Shelter in Solitude': A Hidden Gem Unearthed
Ever wondered how a low-budget independent film can outshine the million-dollar blockbusters? Tune in to this episode of Natey and Katy: At the Movies where Natey takes the reins solo, to talk about an unexpected hit, "Shelter in Solitude". This is no ordinary film review, it's an exploration of a hidden gem that left Natey pleasantly surprised with its raw, realistic storyline and phenomenal acting. A captivating tale of a death row prisoner, a country singer turned prison guard and their unlikely bond with drama and humor intertwined, this movie breaks the cliche and dives into an ending that's grounded in reality.
Natey, our host and local actor, shares his unique perspective on the superb acting, intriguing plot and the significant twists of the film. He appreciates the movie's divergence from the usual 'white savior' trope and praises its realistic ending. And guess what? He even gives this movie a perfect score of six out of six! Tune in to discover why this independent film is worth searching and watching. But that's not all, Natey also gives us a sneak peek of the next episode which will focus on the movie 'Killers of the Flower Moon.' Don't miss out on this insightful review of 'Shelter in Solitude' and find out what's coming up next on Natey and Katy: At the Movies!
One's a movie buff, one watches movies, just enough Together. Fun will be had by all. This is Nady and Katie at the Movies.
Speaker 2:Hello everyone, and welcome to another brand new episode of Nady and Katie at the Movies. I'm your host, nathan aka Nady, of course, and with me on this episode is just me, that's right. Last episode we said that Katie was not able to see the movie that I'm reviewing today because it was not showing at any local theaters around her, so it will just be me today talking about Shelter in Solitude. Now, this movie came out at the beginning of this month and we've had to wait until now to review it because, unfortunately, with movies dropping because of the strike, we just had to rearrange movies, and originally we were going to review Ordinary Angels, which was supposed to come out the 13th day after my birthday, but unfortunately that got moved back because of Taylor Swift, so this movie probably is no longer in theaters because it is an independent film. But before I talk about it, I got to go over the synopsis. A death row prisoner with 10 days left to live forms an unlikely bond with a washed up country singer turned prison guard. Shelter in Solitude stars Savon Fallon, hogan, robert Patrick, peter Macon and then Costa Lanetta. I saw the trailer for this because, again, we had to replace Ordinary Angels with another movie, and so this was one of the first movies that popped up when I looked up movies coming out in October. Couldn't find anything October 13th, so October 6th had to do. So I went to go see this with really no expectations because, again, it's a independent film, not really wide released, not really promoted, so I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. I was one of two people in the whole theater that were going to watch this and I would consider this a hidden gem. You know we've talked about a few movies on this season that have just been surprise hits for us. Katie and I have seen these without any expectations and we came out of the theater just surprised how good the movie was, and that's what this one was for me.
Speaker 2:It was very subtle. There wasn't any action. It was a very you know, very much a drama. It had some comedy in it, but I would call this kind of a dramedy and it's about a prisoner who again is in prison for a murder and he is on death row. He only has 10 days to live, and this takes place during the COVID pandemic, which I thought was interesting.
Speaker 2:I don't know when this film was shot or anything like that. I don't know if it was during that time, but that's where this movie takes place, and so he's having to be put in solitary confinement, you know, away from all the prisoners, and prisoners are starting to get released and all these things in his execution which they thought was going to be a big thing, where people were going to come, when they aren't letting anyone witness this execution, and so it's just a story of a guy on death row who you find out the reason he murdered this person was because they were raping his daughter, and so he was protecting his daughter and then comes in this washed up country singer who's actually the sister of the warden of this prison, and she gets her bar closed down because of COVID, gets her money stolen from the sleazeball guy, and so she needs a job, and so she goes and starts working at the prison where her brother works, and then again, like the synopsis said, her and this prisoner form a bond together and she actually ends up investigating his case herself, finds his daughter, and so you think at one moment in the movie that they might have evidence to release him, but unfortunately it is too late, because it was only like a day before the execution when they found this evidence, and you know, things like that take time, and so, in the spoiler alert, he does end up still being put to death, but, like I said, no one was really allowed to watch the execution, but they allowed his daughter to be there. He hadn't seen his daughter since the incident, and so it was very heartbreaking to see. So I'm just going to go right into my likes. My number one like, of course, is the acting. You've listened to the show before, then you know that I am a local actor, so I would consider, I guess, myself an acting snob when it comes to movies, and so I really watch movies in hopes that the acting will be well done, and this movie did not disappoint.
Speaker 2:They made it very easy for me to invest in these characters, to care about these characters. Again, this was not an action movie, this was not a suspense, it wasn't even like really a murder mystery, it wasn't anything that we've seen before, but still it was a very subtle movie. It was very real, it was grounded in reality, and so it made it very easy for me to care what was going on with these characters, and so the acting was just phenomenal. I just thought it was great the ending, even though it's not that big of a deal. It ended very abruptly like right after the execution, the movie was over.
Speaker 2:I don't know what I was expecting. I don't know if I was expecting more of an ending or something like that, but part of me was hoping that they would find the evidence and he would be released. But I also appreciated the fact that they didn't happen like that because, again, it's based in reality and a lot of movies nowadays with a white character and an African-American character and the white characters trying to help the African-American out they have these white savior movies out there that a lot of people don't like. I don't mind them that much. Maybe it's because I'm white, I don't know. But I appreciate the fact that that's not what this movie ended up being, and it could have been that. It could have been this down on his luck African-American prisoner gets help from a white washed up country singer, and so I appreciated that they didn't do that.
Speaker 2:Like I said, this was a hit in Jim. It was very well done, very well shot and grounded in reality. I really appreciated everything about it. I just think they did a really good job and it just stinks that we weren't able to release this episode until three weeks four, three, four weeks after this movie was released and it's no longer in theaters. So if you search on a streaming service or search digital or, who knows, maybe even look up a physical copy of Shelter and Solitude, I would highly recommend this movie. I'm going to go ahead and rate it a six out of six. I thought it was just a very well done movie. I thought it was really, really good, and so, before I close this episode, I want to give you a little sneak peek of what we have in store next week.
Speaker 1:Whose land is this? My land, Well, well, well, our war hero has arrived. You've been a good choice. Coming back here Los Angeles are the finest, wealthiest and most beautiful people on God's earth. They are smart, everybody they have. The same. Who gets the oil, Son? I got a question. You like women. That's my weakness. Well, we mix these families together and that estate money flows around direction and will come to us.
Speaker 1:Show me, kasi, that's how you are. I don't know what you said, but it must have been Indian, for handsome devil Shit. Why did you come here? I work for my uncle. You scared of him. Oh, he's the nicest man in the world, the Osage. Their time is over.
Speaker 2:We got to take back control of our home.
Speaker 1:I was sent down from Washington DC to see about these murders. We have so many deaths, we've lost count. There's just bad luck. Seems more like an epidemic than bad luck to me. Osages dying by the enemy, do not let them die alone. Evil surrounds my heart. You gonna pick a side. I don't even know if you love me anymore. Of course I love you and kill these men who killed my family. Did Joao say who she was most afraid of? Don't do something you're going to regret for the rest of your life. I ain't got nothing but regret, you only congratulate others.
Speaker 2:Then nobody's retreat, or call dib-e-g. Your one soul is better than yours, but is not the other way around. It's ended as a second day. The last lady was dead the flower moon for our final movie in October. I can't believe that this month is already over Like it's crazy. And that episode will be releasing on Halloween, so be on the lookout for that. This is Nati and Katie at the Movies. I ain't got nothing to end this with.
Speaker 1:Thanks for listening to Nati and Katie at the Movies. Feel free to leave us a review so people can find the show. Follow us on all our social media platforms and if there's a movie that you want us to watch, feel free to contact us at natiandkateyatgmailcom. Thanks for listening and have a great day.
