As the winter storms hit most of the US, time to hunker down and stay inside (oh yeah, plus the pandemic is still happening). Hopefully the below will help you get through some snowy winter days.
New and noteworthy…
Judas and the Black Messiah
A biopic that doesn’t focus on the subject as much as the turmoil and time surrounding the subject. Starring Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton, the outspoken, charismatic 21-year-old Chicagoan Black Panther leader, and LaKeith Stanfield as William O’Neal, an FBI informant inside the Panthers. Jaw dropping performances and a vital look at race relations then and now make Judas must watch material. Trailer. 126 mins. Stream it on HBO Max for a month.
Read Adam Nayman’s piece at The Ringer.
Space Sweepers
In the mood for a plucky group of blue collar spacegoers looking to get rich quick in a sci-fi romp in the far future? Korea’s Space Sweepers might fit the bill. Turn your brain off and let the dazzling visuals go to work. Don’t concern yourself too much with the plot involving a 7-year-old child MacGuffin. Just sit back and relax to a futuristic space western with more flash than substance. Trailer. 136 mins. Find it on Netflix.
Time to rewatch…
Parasite
About a year ago, Parasite shocked the world and won the Oscar for Best Picture, a stunning milestone for foreign cinema. Director Bong Joon Ho won three additional Oscars in what was the last good thing to happen in 2020. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and watch this darkly comedic, genre-jumping thriller. If you have seen it, time to rewatch. Trailer. 132 mins. Watch on Hulu.
Read Karen Han’s piece at Polygon.
The Big Sick
Folks knew comedian Kumail Nanjiani from some bit characters and his supporting role on HBO’s Silicon Valley (and soon to be Marvel turn). But in 2017 he co-wrote The Big Sick with his wife Emily Gordon, based on their relationship, breakup, her serious illness, and how they got through the crisis. Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Ray Romano and Holly Hunter turn in a heartwarming (and at time heartbreaking) rom-com that’ll breathe a little life into 2021. Trailer. 120 mins. Watch on Amazon Prime.
Read Angie Han’s review at Mashable.
If you want to watch something off the beaten path…
Overlord
A little WWII revisionist history coupled with a zombie-esque body horror flick is what you’ll get with Overlord. Director Julius Avery has built an action film with a dark secret, paying homage to gory b-movies (but with a budget). With performances that are better than you’d usually find in this fare, Overlord turns in a grisly and entertaining watch. Trailer. 110 mins. Find it on Amazon Prime.
The Handmaiden
The horniest film to come out in the last 25 years, The Handmaiden is also a dark, dark, dark look at power, class, and desire. Director Park Chan Wook crafts a thriller and melodrama in a highly stylized and intriguing way, as had become his calling card. If you’re familiar with South Korean cinema, then this will be a treat. If you’re uninitiated, then you’re in for a ride. Trailer. 144 mins. Watch on Amazon Prime.
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!