We’re past the halfway point in December. As the snow falls (where this is being written) and the days become shorter and colder, take care of yourself. Lose yourself in a film. Stay home and get lost in a make believe world for a couple hours. This week’s first recommendations are films that contain worlds you can lose yourself in. Enjoy.
Wolfwalkers
The most recent entry this week (it hit streaming about a week ago) is a spellbinding Celtic tale of love, acceptance, and finding your place in the world. With top notch hand-drawn animation and an incredible voice cast, Wolfwalkers in an instant classic that’ll enthrall young and old alike. Read Karen Han’s piece at Polygon. 103 mins. Trailer. Find it on Apple TV+.
Blow the Man Down
Get lost in a sleepy New England fishing town with some dark secrets in this black comedy/mystery of sorts. Two sisters find themselves in over their heads, reeling from the loss of their mother, scrambling to cover up a murder. As their lies mount, the sisters uncover the town’s seedy underbelly. Part comedy, part indie drama, with a dash of thriller, the razor smart script and realistic performances crackle. 90 mins. Read Leonard Maltin’s thoughts at his website. Trailer. Watch on Amazon Prime.
In The Mood For Love
The seminal work of master filmmaker Wong Kar Wai, In the Mood For Love has hit streaming services, showing a new generation of would be filmgoers the power of asian cinema (spoiler: the best films come from Asia). Set in Hong Kong in the 1960s, it details the platonic relationship between two neighbors (Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung at the peak of their powers) whose spouses are having an affair with one another. A masterclass in restraint, mood, longing, and unfulfilled desire, the film’s score alone will stay with you for years. Don’t miss this one. Read Vikram Murthi’s thoughts at IndieWire. 97 mins. Trailer. Stream on HBO Max.
If you want to get lost in a slightly more f’d up world
Midsommar
While this may seem like a horror/psychological thriller, Midsommar is in fact, a breakup movie. Set in a lush and verdant community in northern Sweden, it follow Dani (A perfect Florence Pugh) and her friends as they navigate the culty ways of the Midsommar festival. Yes, it’s psychedelic. Yes, at times violent. Yes, there’s some very weird, very f’d up things. But it’s a beautifully crafted film of grief and loss and renewal. And the last shot will make you believe that it’s not all bad. Read Adam Neyman’s piece for The Ringer. 145 mins. Trailer. Watch on Amazon Prime.
Hotel Artemis
This flick doesn’t quite reach the levels of John Wick-style levels of cool underworld alternate universe.. but it’s close. Jodie Foster plays an aging nurse in an illicit, members-only medical clinic for all sorts of seedy individuals, while the riots of LA burn around them. A little cooler, and a little less violent than expected, Hotel Artemis gathers an incredible group of performers (Jeff Goldblum! Sterling K. Brown! Sophia Boutella! Dave Bautista! Jenny Slate!) who are having fun hamming it up as assassins and crime lords. It’s not Shakespeare, but it’s mindless fun, which we all could use. 93 mins. Trailer. Watch on Amazon Prime now.
Obligatory TV recommendation…
Because we need a positive show once in a while.
The Good Place
Network television doesn’t always knock it out of the park. Especially in comedy. But The Good Place, a seemingly trite concept (put a bad person in what’s essentially heaven), morphed into one of the most heartwarming, human-goodness affirming, goofy shows in television history. It’s weird, it’s funny, it’s campy, features some great twists, and gets an all-time performance from elder statesman Ted Danson. It’s short (22 min episodes), it’s binge-able, and it’s altogether a wonderful trip on the small screen. Get lost in the alternate reality Earth where there is a heaven… and much, much more. Watch all four seasons on Netflix.
Shoutout Letterboxd for helping the film community keep track of their obsession.
For last week’s recommendations, check it out here.
Also, I’d love any feedback or suggestions on the content/layout! Let me know below!