(HBO MAX/Criterion) Scrappy, queer, surprisingly melancholy British alt-timeline art-punk film from Derek Jarman, featuring a rather disconnected Adam Ant. “As long as the music’s loud enough, we won’t hear the world falling apart!”
Please note: the following trailer is NSFW.
(Hulu/Prime/tubi/VOD) A surprisingly uncomplicated thriller but also a coming-of-age film about a boy who believes in true love, despite being presented with numerous evidence to the contrary. Grounded by earnest dialogue and fantastic performances (despite McConaughey’s distracting teeth), it also features Mitchell himself: Joe Don Baker.
(VOD) Epic camp melodrama that never quite feels earnest enough, but is still a worthwhile display of a woman spiraling downwards, and the systems set in place that mean to put her in her place. (Also worth nothing: absinthe is a major plot point.)
(HBO MAX/VOD) I feel dumb for not realizing that THE AMERICANS cribbed liberally from Warren Beatty’s three-hour epic about American union organizers, socialists, and Soviet sympathizers. While it’s gorgeously shot, the written word and Diane Keaton are the complicated hearts of the film.
Fun fact: Sondheim was hired to score the film — at the same time as he was working on Merrily We Roll Along — and you can read more about it here:
(VOD) Warren Beaty in Arther Penn’s (BONNIE AND CLYDE) most naked attempt at French New Wave within the American studio system and, yes, Beaty makes a damn fine Belmondo. It’s a bit of a maddening Kafka-esque mess that doesn’t completely cohere, but it remains a fascinating experiment (if all of the above sounds appealing).
It’s worth noting that it was an extremely formative film for Joe Dante, as he explains in this TRAILERS FROM HELL episode:
(VOD) There aren’t enough films about motherhood mid-life crises, and this one has Charlize Theron AND Mackenzie Davis, with Diablo Cody putting words into their mouths. Cody’s come a long way since JUNO, tamping down on her writerly idiosyncrasies and has crafted an exceptional character piece.
As a sidenote: I love this trailer; I watch it at least once a month.
(Hulu/kanopy/mubi/tubi/VOD) Absolutely charming ‘summer of self-discovery’ film about a teen visiting her writer aunt in Ravenswood, Chicago. As I lived in Ravenswood for several years (and currently live adjacent to the neighborhood) I recognized -every single location- in the film, even down to the church the aunt attends, which means that the film’s home field advantage may unfairly tilt my critical scales, but it really is an extraordinarily delightful film. Pairs well with Showtime’s WORK IN PROGRESS.
(Warning: the trailer is less of a trailer and more of a highlight reel, so you may want to avoid it.)
(Prime/VOD) Winsome depression-era period piece about a con man and his hanger-on. Sparkling dialogue, great chase sequences in a film that doesn’t need them, and surprisingly touching performances from Ryan O’Neil and his daughter. Peter Bogdanovich was on one hell of a roll.
(fubu/kanopy/Plex/VOD/Vudu) A nuanced take on the ‘jealous friend’ genre from Sophia Takal (2019’s BLACK CHRISTMAS) that weaves in clever commentary about Hollywood and casting, while featuring deft camera work and terrific performances from Mackenzie Davis & Cailtin FitzGerald.
(Crackle/Plex/VOD). Forgotten 60s classic about a man — Burt Lancaster, clad only in swimming trunks for the entire film — literally trying to swim his way through the haunted pools of his past, seeking redemption.
It’s worth noting that Grindhouse Releasing has limited, newly restored Blu-Ray available: https://grindhousereleasing.com/the-swimmer/
