Today's Common Denominator: Goosebumps Guaranteed
*Movies available to stream on Netflix have a star next to them*
The Lobster (2015)
🏢🏢🏢🏢
Absurd and astounding, the Lobster paints a world where single people are hunted down and obliged to find a partner within 45 days - otherwise, they are transformed into the animal of their choice. We follow the story of David, a man who, cheated on by his wife, must engage in the 45 day process. When he fails to find a match, David decides to escape the dystopia and join a group of solitary rebels, only to realize their codes regarding love are just as absurd and ruthless as the ones of the world he left. The Lobster is a breathtaking movie that makes its own rules and follows them to perfection. It will teach audiences everywhere the true cost of love, within and without this man-made dystopia.
Boys (2014)*
🏢🏢🏢
This Dutch drama tells the story of Sieger, a reserved 15-year old athlete, and Marc, his teammate. As they prepare for a National relay event, Sieger and Marc navigate into something more than friendship. Sieger struggles with both identity and environment in this visually gorgeous film, unveiling what it really means to love and trust someone. I deeply recommend this movie: it's one of those little gems that you occasionally find on Netflix, and it's worth every minute.
Hush (2016)*
🏢🏢🏢
A contender for the best indie horror film on Netflix, Hush is brings a chilling premise to the table: the protagonist, an imaginative writer, is deaf-mute. This shapes an intense game of cat and mouse where the writer is forced to use all her resources... but will that be enough? Hush is skillfully arranged, alternating between traditional horror tropes and excitingly original scenarios... I only wish the premise had led to an ever deeper exploration of the horror genre than it already does.
Tangerine (2015)*
🏢🏢🏢🏢
Tangerine is a sensational film. A tale of vengeance sparkles alive when Sin-dee, a transgender prostitute learns upon completing a prison sentence that her boyfriend may have been unfaithful. With the help (or not) of her friend Alexandra, also a trans sex worker, Sin-dee plans to track down and beat up the woman her man's been fooling with... All you really need to know is that the plot climaxes in an L.A. donut shop. I really recommend this movie, not only because it's hilarious, but because it's filled with bittersweet moments. Tangerine made me feel nice at home in a world I knew nothing about. It was dazzling, thought-provoking, and funny. Did I mention it was shot entirely on an iPhone?
Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016)
🏢🏢🏢
Okay well, I have a soft spot for inspirational sport movies (hello Secretariat, 2010, also a great film)... so what? And although movies where actors are cast to speak English with a foreign accent (hello The Book Thief, 2013) make me cringe a lot, Pelé: Birth of a Legend left me in cheers & tears. For every morose moment, there's that "feel good" certainty that the film is going to end on a positive note, even for those of us who aren't soccer fans. Plus, the incorporation of Brazilian Ginga into soccer is visually breathtaking. I definitely would watch this film just for the sake of the visuals. Character evolution can wait (and it does, alas).
*Movies available to stream on Netflix have a star next to them*
🏢🏢🏢🏢
Absurd and astounding, the Lobster paints a world where single people are hunted down and obliged to find a partner within 45 days - otherwise, they are transformed into the animal of their choice. We follow the story of David, a man who, cheated on by his wife, must engage in the 45 day process. When he fails to find a match, David decides to escape the dystopia and join a group of solitary rebels, only to realize their codes regarding love are just as absurd and ruthless as the ones of the world he left. The Lobster is a breathtaking movie that makes its own rules and follows them to perfection. It will teach audiences everywhere the true cost of love, within and without this man-made dystopia.
Boys (2014)*
🏢🏢🏢
This Dutch drama tells the story of Sieger, a reserved 15-year old athlete, and Marc, his teammate. As they prepare for a National relay event, Sieger and Marc navigate into something more than friendship. Sieger struggles with both identity and environment in this visually gorgeous film, unveiling what it really means to love and trust someone. I deeply recommend this movie: it's one of those little gems that you occasionally find on Netflix, and it's worth every minute.
Hush (2016)*
🏢🏢🏢
A contender for the best indie horror film on Netflix, Hush is brings a chilling premise to the table: the protagonist, an imaginative writer, is deaf-mute. This shapes an intense game of cat and mouse where the writer is forced to use all her resources... but will that be enough? Hush is skillfully arranged, alternating between traditional horror tropes and excitingly original scenarios... I only wish the premise had led to an ever deeper exploration of the horror genre than it already does.
Tangerine (2015)*
🏢🏢🏢🏢
Tangerine is a sensational film. A tale of vengeance sparkles alive when Sin-dee, a transgender prostitute learns upon completing a prison sentence that her boyfriend may have been unfaithful. With the help (or not) of her friend Alexandra, also a trans sex worker, Sin-dee plans to track down and beat up the woman her man's been fooling with... All you really need to know is that the plot climaxes in an L.A. donut shop. I really recommend this movie, not only because it's hilarious, but because it's filled with bittersweet moments. Tangerine made me feel nice at home in a world I knew nothing about. It was dazzling, thought-provoking, and funny. Did I mention it was shot entirely on an iPhone?
Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016)
🏢🏢🏢
Okay well, I have a soft spot for inspirational sport movies (hello Secretariat, 2010, also a great film)... so what? And although movies where actors are cast to speak English with a foreign accent (hello The Book Thief, 2013) make me cringe a lot, Pelé: Birth of a Legend left me in cheers & tears. For every morose moment, there's that "feel good" certainty that the film is going to end on a positive note, even for those of us who aren't soccer fans. Plus, the incorporation of Brazilian Ginga into soccer is visually breathtaking. I definitely would watch this film just for the sake of the visuals. Character evolution can wait (and it does, alas).
