Before you watch anything, you should watch the trailer for Godzilla vs. Kong. It’s so wild.
But as 2021 rolls on, the movies are almost about to get better… but not quite. Until then, there’s a couple new movies, some new to streaming, and a couple that have recently hit streaming that deserve a rewatch. Also, again, Weathering With You is now on HBO Max.
New and noteworthy…
The White Tiger
Somewhat of a rebuttal to the idealized and sanitized version of a rags-to-riches story in India of Slumdog Millionaire, Netflix’s new The White Tiger is a darkly comedic, more realist version of a similar story (yet still pretty idealized). There’s no campy love story through-line, as Balram (Adarsh Gourav in a star-making turn) rises from the darkness of a small village to his own version of success—fates, gods and masters be damned. 126 mins. Trailer. Watch it on Netflix now. Read Bilge Ebiri’s review at Vulture.
The Rhythm Section
Not new (it was released early in 2020), but new to streaming is the Blake Lively-helmed spy thriller, The Rythm Section. Director Reed Morano’s stylish flick could use a bit more twists and action, but Lively is spirited in a transformative role as a revenge-seeking spy, being toyed with by Jude Law (who phones it in) and Sterling K. Brown (who is never bad). It’s not the second coming of Jason Bourne, but it’ll fit the bill if you’re looking for this fare. 109 mins. Trailer. Watch on Amazon Prime.
A Sun
A hit at the festivals and then buried on Netflix, A Sun is one of the best films of 2020 (and probably 2021). A sprawling epic about the consequences of choice, the pride of a family destroyed, and how its reverberations affect its rebuild for years. The Taiwanese film is raw, powerful, and darkly comedic, well worth the runtime, in the same vein as Shoplifters and Burning. 156 mins. Trailer. Stream on Netflix. Read Peter Debruge’s thoughts at Variety.
Revisit before they go away…
Lost in Translation
Sofia Coppola’s 2003 standout still resonates. Scarlett Johansson as a wide eyed and disillusioned newlywed and Bill Murray’s washed up actor are a perfect team for late night antics in the weird and bright lights of Tokyo. Building an improbably and unimpeachable bond, the film shines a light on everyone’s trepidation and insecurities while reminding oneself to live and be loved. 102 mins. Watch on Amazon Prime.
Isle of Dogs
A minor Wes Anderson, to be sure, but if you know me, you know I’m a fan of animation, and the stop motion in Isle of Dogs is *chef’s kiss*. Set in a fictionalized Japan where cats are preferred pets of the ruling class and dogs have been banished to an island to fight for scraps. All the hallmarks of a Wes Anderson film are here: Stunning voice cast, stylized scene settings, irreverent humor, and quirky soundtrack. Trailer. 101 mins. Watch on Disney+ now.
TV!
Because The Office is no longer on Netflix.
Sweet Home
What do you get when you mix a K Drama with Lovecraftian creatures and throw in a dose of government conspiracy? You get Korea’s monster/thriller/drama Sweet Home. I believe it is the country’s first export to hit top 10 in the US (which is wild given the popularity of Korea’s culture), but if you want something a little weird, a little sincere, and a little fun to get you through January, look no further. Trailer. Ten Episodes. Stream 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!