Latest news with #OnBecomingaGuineaFowl
Tom's Guide
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Max just added a new award-winning black comedy — and it's a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
"On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" just got added to Max, and it's possible that the streaming service just added the best movie of the year. There's a good chance you haven't heard of this black comedy yet. A co-production between Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia, this movie was a film festival darling that only got a limited release in the U.S. and earned a low $237,397 at the box office. But those who have gotten to see it love it for the most part. It has a perfect 100% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and writer/director Rungano Nyoni won Best Director at the Un Certain Regard competition of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. The praise hasn't quite been universal, though. Audiences have only rated it 70% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, though I think I've nailed down the common complaint as to why. So, without further ado, here's what "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" is about and why this newly added black comedy needs to be the next thing you watch on Max. "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" stars Susan Chardy as Shula, a young Zambian woman. While driving on an empty road one night, she discovers the body of her uncle Fred (Roy Chisa). This, naturally, begins funeral proceedings, with some more distraught over Fred's passing than others. As Shula and her cousins come together in mourning, though, things take a turn and long-buried secrets come back out into the open. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. As I mentioned already, this movie has been a critical success. It has a 100% "fresh" rating from 92 critical reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and the lowest scored review I saw was a 3/4 from Lisa Trifone of Third Coast Review, who still called it a "deeply affecting" film. I saw more than a few reviews with perfect scores. Our senior TV editor, Michael Desjardin, agrees with the critics as well. He's seen the film and told me it's "Absolutely, positively my favorite film of the year." "Nothing is going to touch it," he added. Audiences, however, were a bit more mixed in their response to the film, though most negative reviews still managed to praise it. Ultimately, this seems to come down to the fact that for a black comedy, this movie simply isn't that funny. Or at least, while humor is used, it's not going to have you in hysterics. While this movie deals with loss, it also deals with shared trauma and sexual assault, so by its very nature, it's going to delve into dark places. But if you can prepare yourself for that, by all accounts, this is an incredible film. It's certainly going to be the next movie I'll be watching on Max. Stream "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" on Max now Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
Boston Globe
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Sinners,' Joey Chestnut's return, plus the best movies and TV shows to watch July Fourth weekend
Michael B. Jordan in 'Sinners.' Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures 'Sinners' Director and writer Ryan Coogler's period horror drama 'Sinners' streams on Max beginning Friday. The film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers in 1930s Mississippi, whose return home is plagued by the appearance of vampires. Globe film critic Odie Henderson Available on Max Advertisement 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' Another new flick arriving on Max Friday is director and writer Rungano Nyoni's 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl.' The dark and absurd A24 film stars Susan Chardy as Shula, a woman who finds her uncle dead in the road and must break the news to her family. Henderson Available on Max New TV show now available to stream Joey Chestnut poses for photos in Coney Island's Maimonides Park, July 4, 2021, in Brooklyn. Brittainy Newman/Associated Press Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest July Fourth is a busy day for sports watchers, with the Red Sox taking on the Nationals down at the nation's capital and Wimbledon continuing across the pond. But on New York's Coney Island, there's no better tradition to honor the holiday than the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, broadcasting live at noon on ESPN2 and streaming on ESPN+. Competitive eating powerhouse and 16-time champ Joey Chestnut makes his return to the tournament after missing last year's event. Chestnut set a new all-time record in 2021 by eating 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Available on ESPN+ Advertisement Binge-worthy weekend TV pick From left: Damian Lewis and Ron Livingston in "Band of Brothers." David James/HBO 'Band of Brothers' Revisit a masterpiece this July Fourth weekend and check out the acclaimed World War II miniseries 'Band of Brothers,' streaming on Max and Netflix. Co-created by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, the 10-episode Emmy-winning drama follows the paratroopers of Easy Company and their heroic efforts amid the horrors of the battlefield. The companion series 'The Pacific' is also streaming on Max and Netflix, while the acclaimed Available on Max and Netflix Movie night picks Tom Cruise in "Top Gun: Maverick." Paramount Pictures/Paramount Pictures/Paramount + July Fourth movie marathon Celebrate America with an action-packed and patriotic-themed movie marathon featuring hits available across different streaming services: 'Born on the Fourth of July' (Netflix); the 'Captain America' movies (Disney+); 'Flags of Our Fathers' (Paramount+); 'Glory' (Paramount+); 'Independence Day' (Hulu); the 'National Treasure' movies (Disney+); the 'Rocky' movies (Prime Video); 'Saving Private Ryan' (Paramount+, Prime Video); 'The Patriot' (Paramount+); and last, but not least, the 'Top Gun' films (Paramount+). Matt Juul is the assistant digital editor for the Living Arts team at the Boston Globe, with over a decade of experience covering arts and entertainment. Matt Juul can be reached at
Tom's Guide
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
New on HBO Max in July 2025 — all the new shows and movies to watch
It's summertime, and HBO Max is bringing the heat once again in July with a new wave of releases. This month, there are fresh drops from HBO and several big movies releasing this month, helping to keep HBO Max in the game as one of the very best streaming services you can subscribe to. The biggest release of the month has to be the HBO Max debut of what many have called the movie of the year, as Ryan Coogler's horror flick, 'Sinners,' which hits HBO Max early this month. There's also new movies to stream for A24 friends, as both 'Opus' and 'Death of a Unicorn' are due to land through July. Plus, there's the new Spanish HBO Original series, 'Rage,' new documentaries and plenty of new library titles to look forward to this month, too. Oh, and we can't forget that Shark Week is coming up, too (the full schedule is below). Don't see anything you want to stream this month? Fret not; HBO Max is home to tons of great stuff; for even more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out our guide to the best movies on HBO Max. Otherwise, here's more info about everything new on HBO Max in July 2025. "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" is one of several A24 releases coming to HBO Max this month, and this black comedy-drama comes highly recommended; it's currently got a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Written and directed by Rungano Nyoni, "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" sees Shula (Susan Chardy) stumbling across the body of her uncle in the middle of an empty road one evening. Funeral plans begin to spin up around Shula and her cousins, and this hubbub serves as a backdrop wherein they start to surface some of the secrets of their middle class Zambian family. Stream on HBO Max on July 4 Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Ryan Coogler's ultra-gripping and acclaimed horror-thriller about twin brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) confronting a horrific evil is finally launching on HBO Max in just a few more days. If you've not seen it yet, this is your chance to check out what is still one of the very best new movies of the year. Smoke and Stack are attempting to leave their troubled past in Chicago behind and head back to their hometown to start again by opening up their own juke joint inside an abandoned sawmill. And, on opening night, they are their customers contend with a truly nefarious force of evil. It's bloody, brutal, and an absolute blast; add it to your July watchlist, pronto. Stream on HBO Max on July 14 If you're looking for a brand-new series to get stuck into this month, then "Rage" ("Furia") is HBO Max's new original of the month. "Rage" is a Spanish series created and directed by Félix Sabroso, and is billed by Warner Bros. Discovery as a "surprising, realistic and intense drama." It takes the form of a contemporary portrait of five women who are ready to do anything in the face of extreme situations. The interwoven story draws connections between each of them, and sees them facing extortion, oppression, deceit, exclusion and manipulation in a single shared universe that sees their lives changed, butterfly-effect style, by a series of conflicts. Across 8 eight episodes, they'll be pushed to the limit in pursuit of revenge, "Rage" begins with a two-episode premiere, with new episodes dropping weekly thereafter. Stream on HBO Max from July 11 JULY 1 Annabelle (2014) Better off Dead… Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me Canyon River Carol Chopped: Volume 4, Season 61 (FOOD Network) Cunningham Dames Dances With Wolves Dances With Wolves: Extended Cut Film Geek Get Out Get Shorty (1995) In Time Insidious Jewel Robbery Jimmy the Gent Lady Killer Lawyer Man Life as We Know It Love & Other Drugs Love Crazy Moana with Sound (1926) Mortal Kombat (1995) Mortal Kombat (2021) Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Mortal Kombat: Annihilation Napoleon Dynamite One Way Passage Other Men's Women Picture Snatcher Private Detective 62 Red Dawn (1984) Shadow of the Thin Man Shaun the Sheep Movie Showgirls Sinner's Holiday Smart Money Snatched (2017) Song of the Thin Man Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay Taxi! (1932) The Amityville Horror (1979) The Amityville Horror (2005) The Big Lebowski The Brink (2019) The Great Wall The Kennel Murder Case The Key The Last House on the Left The Meg The Public Enemy The Road to Singapore (1931) The St. Louis Kid The Strawberry Blonde The Thin Man Goes Home The Three Stooges Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am Torrid Zone Two O'Clock Courage Tyrel Valentine's Day Valley of the Sun (1942) What's Your Number? What's Your Number? Ex-tended Edition Winner Take All (1932) Woman at War JULY 2 Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print (HBO Original) My Big Fat Fabulous Life, Season 13 (TLC) JULY 3 Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League The Deep Three, Season 3 JULY 4 On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (A24) Sinners (2025) JULY 10 Back to the Frontier, Season 1 (Max Original, Magnolia Network) Celebrity IOU, Season 10 (HGTV) Isadora Moon, Season 1B (Max Original) JULY 11 Chasing the West, Season 1 (HGTV) House Hunters International: Volume 9, Season 202 (HGTV) House Hunters: Volume 10, Season 243 (HGTV) Opus (A24) Rage (Furia), Season 1 (HBO Original) JULY 12 Gold Rush: Mine Rescue with Freddy & Juan, Season 5 (Discovery) JULY 14 Evil Lives Here, Season 18 (ID) Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing, Season 3 (Discovery) Two Guys Garage, Season 24 JULY 15 A Killer Among Friends, Season 1 (ID) JULY 16 911: Did the Killer Call?, Season 1 (ID) JULY 17 Beat Bobby Flay, Season 38 (FOOD Network) JULY 18 Billy Joel: And So It Goes (HBO Original) Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Season 51 (FOOD Network) Family Recipe Showdown, Season 1 (FOOD Network) I Love You Forever (2024) JULY 19 Guy's Ranch Kitchen, Season 7B (FOOD Network) Zillow Gone Wild, Season 2 (HGTV) JULY 20 Shark Week 2025 (Discovery) Teen Titans Go!, Season 9C (Cartoon Network) JULY 22 Eva Longoria: Searching For Spain, Season 1 (CNN) JULY 23 Welcome to Plathville, Season 7 (TLC) JULY 25 AEW Special Events, 2023C (2023) AEW Special Events, 2024C (2024) Care Bears: Unlock the Magic S1F: The No Heart Games (2024) Death of a Unicorn (A24) JULY 26 The Pioneer Woman, Season 39 (FOOD Network) JULY 29 Worst Cooks in America, Season 29 (FOOD Network) JULY 31 Don't Hate Your House with the Property Brothers, Season 2 (HGTV) MLB JULY 1 Cleveland Guardians at Chicago Cubs, 8 p.m. ET JULY 8 LA Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers, 7 p.m. ET NASCAR JULY 6 Grant Park 165, 2 p.m. ET JULY 13 Toyota/Save Mart 350, 3.30 p.m. ET JULY 20 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400, 2 p.m. ET JULY 27 Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG, 2 p.m. ET SOCCER JULY 2 USWNT vs Canada, 7.30 p.m. ET AEW JULY 2 AEW Dynamite, 8 p.m. ET JULY 5 AEW Collision, 8 p.m. ET JULY 9 AEW Dynamite, 8 p.m. ET JULY 10 AEW Collision, 8 p.m. ET AEW Countdown to All in 2025, 10 p.m. ET JULY 16 AEW Dynamite, 8 p.m. ET JULY 19 AEW Collision, 8 p.m. ET JULY 23 AEW Dynamite, 8 p.m. ET JULY 25 AEW Forbidden Door (2023) AEW All Out (2023) AEW WrestleDream (2023) AEW Full Gear (2023) AEW Worlds End (2023) AEW Forbidden Door (2024) AEW Full Gear (2024) AEW Worlds End (2024) JULY 26 AEW Collision, 8 p.m. ET JULY 30 AEW Dynamite, 8 p.m. ET JULY 31 AEW Collision, 8 p.m. ET JULY 20 'Dancing with Sharks' premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Hosted by Emmy® Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron, Dancing with Sharks is a competition show unlike any other. For the first time ever, five divers compete to put together an amazing underwater routine with their toothy partners. From hammerheads to tigers and nurse sharks, each shark has its own signature dance moves. At the end of the show, a winner is crowned – if all the competitors make it that far. 'Air Jaws: The Hunt for Colossus' premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery A 20-foot great white breaches in New Zealand, sparking a hunt for Colossus – the legendary flying shark who went missing 10 years ago from South Africa's waters. Could he still be alive and lead researchers to a secret colony of lost great whites? 'Great White Assassin' premieres at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Shark expert Alison Towner teams up with Shark Week legend Dickie Chivell to decode how killer whales take down great whites with ease. To get answers, the team travels to New Zealand and goes to the extreme, sending Dickie underwater posed as an orca to see how the great whites react. JULY 21 'Great White Sex Battle' premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery In a Shark Week first, male and female great white sharks compete in a series of challenges to determine which sex is the superior predator in the waters off the coast of New Zealand. 'Jaws vs Mega Croc' premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Using data gathered in new experiments, Tristan Guttridge, Rosie Moore and Dr. Sora Kim construct a CGI fight to the death between two of the biggest and baddest apex predators in the water – the Great White Shark and Nile Crocodile. 'In the Eyes of the Storm: Shark Storm' premieres at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery In the summer of 2024, dozens of cameras capture a rare outbreak of shark attacks along America's gulf coast. Told exclusively through first-hand accounts of victims and eyewitnesses, nobody has seen all these perspectives unfold in real time until now. JULY 22 'Great White Northern Invasion' premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Great white sharks have found a new home off the shores of Nova Scotia, Canada. With the waters now frothing with great whites, interactions with humans are on the rise. A team of scientists tracks down and tags the biggest sharks to uncover the sharkiest locations before there's a fatal attack. 'How to Survive a Shark Attack' premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Shark attack survivor Paul de Gelder attempts the unthinkable – getting attacked by a shark, again. Under the supervision of experts, Paul provokes sharks to attack him in multiple scenarios, where they bite and tear off prosthetic limbs to teach life-saving tactics for surviving an encounter with nature's deadliest predators. 'Black Mako of the Abyss' premieres at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery When Shark Tagger Keith Poe saw the shark for the first time, he knew it was different. It was aggressive, 13-feet long and had very dark skin. Now, a group of experts lure the beast up from the abyss to determine if the creature is a mako, or mutant, or possibly, a mako and great white hybrid. JULY 23 'Expedition Unknown: Shark Files' premieres at 8 p.m. ET/ PT on Discovery Global adventurer Josh Gates solves some of the strangest and most disturbing shark mysteries of all-time, including the real-life bloody inspiration for the movie Jaws and the gruesome case of the Tiger Shark who vomited an arm while living in captivity and ultimately helped police solve a murder mystery. 'Expedition X: Malpelo Monster Shark' premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Josh Gates sends Phil Torres and Heather Amaro on their most perilous mission yet – tracking a legendary monster shark that lurks in the eerie waters of Malpelo Island, 300 miles off Colombia's coast. After terrifying footage of this monster is brought to Josh, he sends his fearless team deep into the ocean to unmask the true identity of this 20-foot-long predator. 'Alien Sharks: Death Down Under' premieres at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Wildlife biologist Forrest Galante injects himself with shark venom after diving down under into Australia's dangerous waters, home to some of the weirdest, alien-like and deadly sharks. He hopes this risky and potentially lethal experiment will bypass years of red tape to finally discover the potency of the venomous Port Jackson Shark and Ghost Shark. JULY 24 'Surviving Jaws' premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Fifty years ago, Jaws changed the beachgoing experience forever – striking fear into millions of Americans who vowed to never go in the water again. Now, marine biologist Tom 'Blowfish' Hird and predator ecologist Michelle Jewell re-examine the movie and dive with Great Whites to separate fact from fiction, answering questions like: does skinny dipping really attract great white sharks? Could a monster shark chew through a boat's hull? 'Caught! Sharks Strike Back' premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery This year has set a record for shark encounters captured on camera, from a hilarious moment when a shark slaps a fisherman in the face to the intense 10-minutes a great white stalked a kayaker… these are craziest moments of when sharks strike back. 'Frankenshark' premieres at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Shark expert Tristan Guttridge and his team use CGI to create the ultimate apex predator. Pulling from a variety of shark species, they build the deadliest, weirdest shark on the planet and put it to the test in a high-stakes showdown against a killer orca. Shark expert Tristan Guttridge and his team use CGI to create the ultimate apex predator. Pulling from a variety of shark species, they build the deadliest, weirdest shark on the planet and put it to the test in a high-stakes showdown against a killer orca. JULY 25 'Great White Reign of Terror' premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery In South Africa, two people are killed by great whites near the eastern cape, an area that hasn't seen an attack in decades. Scientists worry it could be the start of a series of attacks eerily similar to Black December in 1957, when six people lost their lives. Ryan Johnson, Gibbs Kuguru and Andy Casagrande head out to investigate the cause behind the spike in attacks before there's another fatality. 'Florida's Death Beach' premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery The numbers are in, and once again, Florida – specifically New Smyrna Beach – has earned the title of "The Shark Attack Capital of the World," accounting for 30% of global shark attacks. But why has the popular spring break, party beach become so deadly? Forrest Galante and his team investigate before even more blood ends up in the water. 'Bull Shark Showdown' premieres at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery The most vicious and insane populations of bull sharks from Australia and America faceoff in a no-holds-barred showdown beneath the water. Bull Shark-attack survivor Paul de Gelder contends that his Aussie sharks are the toughest, while American shark biologist Dr. Craig O'Connell attempts to find the meanest sharks Florida has to offer to take the crown. JULY 26 'Attack of the Devil Shark' premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery A rogue Tiger Shark attacks and kills a person in St. Martin. Weeks later, it strikes again. Locals fear it could be the work of the legendary Devil Shark – a massive and ruthless tiger shark who's haunted their shores for decades. When a team sets out to track down the shark responsible for the attacks, they uncover a seismic force that may be triggering aggression in sharks. 'Battle for Shark Mountain' premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Off Mozambique's coast, sharks swarm a hidden peak, hunting Giant Trevally in a once-a-year feeding frenzy. But when 5,000 Trevally fight back, the hunters become the hunted in one of the ocean's wildest showdowns.
News18
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Materialists Trailer: Love Gets Complicated With Chris Evans And Dakota Johnson
Last Updated: Materialists stars Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson in a love triangle balancing stability and chaos between her past and present. Romance takes a modern, complicated turn in Materialists, a new romantic comedy set in the heart of New York City. Starring Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson, the film explores a stylish love triangle under the direction of Celine Song, whose debut feature Past Lives received critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination. In Materialists, Dakota Johnson steps into the role of Lucy, a driven and high-powered matchmaker who has built a thriving career connecting others—but whose own romantic life is far less orderly. Her world begins to spiral when, during a chic Manhattan soiree, she crosses paths with Harry (Pedro Pascal), a charming and wealthy tech billionaire with all the makings of a perfect partner. The same night throws her for an emotional loop when she unexpectedly bumps into her ex-boyfriend John (Chris Evans), a passionate but struggling actor-slash-waiter, whose imperfections and past heartbreaks still linger in her mind. According to the film's official synopsis, Lucy must navigate the emotional tug-of-war between her stable, aspirational present and the messy, unresolved past she thought she left behind. The story cleverly weaves humour, vulnerability and sharp introspection as Lucy contemplates whether true love lies in what looks good on paper or in something far more chaotic and unpredictable. The newly released trailer offers glimpses into this tangled love triangle, filled with biting one-liners, lingering stares and moments of romantic tension. One pivotal scene shows John confronting Lucy about her relationship with Harry, asking whether she truly envisions a life with him, adding layers of doubt to what initially seemed like a fairy tale match. With its sparkling dialogue and stylish visuals, Materialists is shaping up to be one of the most buzzworthy rom-coms of the year. The film also boasts a stellar supporting cast, including Marin Ireland, Louisa Jacobson, Zoe Winters, Sawyer Spielberg and Dasha Nekrasova, each bringing depth to a vibrant ensemble. As her second directorial outing, Materialists sees Celine Song blending the emotional resonance of Past Lives with a lighter, more comedic tone, proving her storytelling versatility while still exploring themes of identity, love and self-worth. Distributed by A24, Materialists joins a slate of exciting new releases from the indie powerhouse. Other anticipated titles on their calendar include On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (released March 7), the surreal drama Opus starring Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich (March 14), and the fantastical Death of a Unicorn featuring Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd (March 28). Set to hit theatres on June 13, Materialists is primed to be a summer hit—blending aesthetics, smart storytelling and star power into a must-watch cinematic romance. First Published:
Chicago Tribune
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' review: A family funeral digs up a history of hidden trauma
Wherever it takes place, whoever's life has ended, a funeral is a kind of collective memory bank. No two memories of the deceased, spoken or unspoken, work the same way. But a person's life, and its ripple effects, have a way of lingering. Delicate but fierce, 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' is the second feature from the Zambian-born, Welsh-raised writer-director Rungano Nyoni. As both participant and observer, like its protagonist, the film contends with many shades of anguish, in a story about an extended Zambian family mourning the death of a man known to all as Uncle Fred. In a steady, enveloping rhythm, with disarming slivers of sly humor, Nyoni asks a question without a pat answer: Can a dishonorable corpse be honored by those in attendance, if most of the mourners deny or wave away certain shared memories, like smoke from a dying fire? Driving home alone from a costume party, still in her Missy Elliott mask and headgear from the '90s hit 'The Rain,' Shula sees something at the roadside before we, the audience, see it as well. It is the body of her Uncle Fred. Shula (played by Susan Chardy) responds by not responding. She's either in stoic shock or the throes of something more inward. Along the same stretch of Zambian road stumbles Shula's cousin Nsansa (Elizabeth Chisela), seemingly worlds apart from Shula in her boisterous, presently drunken state. These two women serve as our entryway to the eventual marathon of a ceremonial family gathering. Shula joins the other women (always and only women) in the funeral preparations, the cooking, the serving, the ingrained, subservient nods. There's another cultural factor at work here. As the mourning rituals get underway, and Fred's relatives fill the humble house and yard, Shula and her cousins find themselves receding as adults and reverting, subtly, to their younger, compliant selves in that universal way of grown children re-entering the orbit of family. Clearly Shula has much on her mind. 'Guinea Fowl' is about how she finds the courage to talk about how Uncle Fred sexually abused her when she was a child, and with whom she feels safe in that spilled secret. She was not the only one. How many knew what was happening? Uncle Fred also left behind a much younger widow and several children; Shula's extended clan holds the widow (Norah Mwansa) responsible for her wastrel husband's ignoble death, not far from a brothel he frequented. Much of the film deals with how Fred's modest estate will be settled, and parceled out — and whether his hungry family will get anything, in the end, to make up for what the widow owes Fred's blood relatives in this circumstance. 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,' which shrewdly delays its title's meaning until the last possible minute, proceeds from ritualistic detail to detail, as part of the natural flow of things. Some of the mourners enter the house of mourning walking on their knees, singing a song about how death 'comes crawling' and the bereaved should do likewise. As the chicken on the grill outside sizzles away in the evening, there's a scene where Shula, looking for a missing relative, keeps getting interrupted by male mourners placing their dinner orders. The movie's subtle dramatics (too subtle for some, maybe, but whatever) create an ecosystem for our own exploration. Director Nyoni's 2017 debut feature, 'I Am Not a Witch,' announced a significant talent already formed, and driven by what keeps women confined, and by what cultural traditions of repression. Her cinematographer on that film and this one, David Gallego, has a supple eye for both indoor and outdoor shadows and light, and expressively emotional color. 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' takes its time and maintains a tight lid on Shula's emotions, not because it's a setup for some sort of explosion (though that comes, in its way) but because it's the authentic choice for a tamped-down psyche in search of a release valve. Nyoni is not into screeds or simple messaging. This is a poetic-realist vision with grace notes of wit and surrealism. It is a calm, visually assured statement of shared rage. And it's a 2025 highlight. 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' — 3.5 stars (out of 4) Running time: 1:39 How to watch: Premieres Fri. March 14 at Music Box Theatre, AMC River East and Alamo Drafthouse Wrigleyville
