Gareth’s Picks  Underwater (2020) This is proof that Kristin Stewart is a star.  Yes, this film is derivative of several excellent films, but it also adds some nice elements to the Alien/Abyss foundations.  It is Kristin Stewart who makes this film so much better through her performance which has a physicality and empathy that makes it  than a science-fiction B-movie.  Worth a 90 minute escape. Available on TUBI     Nosferatu (1922 […]

Gareth's Picks   The Book of Life (2014) Ten years old now and it is safe to call this a classic.  Astonishing animation and story combine as we get a tale/education about Day of the Dead and the Land of the Remembered.  Fantastic voice work by Diego Luna, Zoe Saldano, and Ron Perlman.  Fun for the whole family. Available to stream on Roku for free Selena (1997) Great biopic about […]

Gareth's Picks   McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971) We just talked about NASHVILLE on the show, so now is a good time to watch another great film by Robert Altman.  A western that tries not to be a western, it stars Warren Beatty and Julie Christie as the titular couple, a gambler and a madam trying to survive in a mining town in the Pacific Northwest.  They built the town […]

Gareth’s Picks Another Round (2020) We talked about this film a few years ago on the show, but it is worth repeating what a fantastic film it is.  Dogme 95 co-creator Thomas Vinterberg returns to magnificent form along with old friend Mads Mikkelson to tell the story of a group of friends who try to test the theory that they will be happier if they maintain a constant level of […]

Gareth’s Picks The Dark Crystal (1982) The first of two masterpieces by Jim Henson, here he tells the story of another world where the planet has been divided into two powers, the horrible Skeksis and the wise Mystics. Stuck in the middle are the Gelflings, elf-like creatures who will have to fulfill the prophecy of uniting the world.  Boy, we sure could use some Jim Henson magic right now in […]

Gareth’s Picks   Submarine (2010) One of my favorite comedians is Richard Ayoade and here is his directorial debut.  Definitely inspired by The Graduate and a fair amount of Wes Anderson, this coming of age/love story, it also has his dark sense of humor.  Craig Roberts plays the young man, but his parents played by Sally Hawkins and Paddy Considine give this film the extra level of emotion. Available on TUBI Wicker […]

Gareth’s Picks The Enzo Castellari Science Fiction trilogy 1990: The Bronx Warriors (1982)               Escape from the Bronx (1983)                 The New Barbarians ((1983) If you want to explore the bizzaro b-film world of Italian Post-Apocalypse science fiction, there is no better place to start than this trilogy of movies.  The first two are cheap knock offs […]

Gareth’s Picks Invaders from Mars (1986) Severely underrated Tobe Hooper re-invention of the 1953 classic.  In this case, the McCarthyism theme is replaced by the 80's Reagan era and it is just as, if not more terrifying.  Imagine your parents and everyone else around you is slowly being controlled by aliens.  Maybe this needs to be remade now. Terrified me as a kid and just as scary now. Throw in excellent […]

Gareth’s Picks God's Own Country (2017)  This is a very well made film that shows the intersection of immigration and queer love.  Josh O'Connor early in his career plays a sheep herder in Yorkshire that hides his true identity from his overbearing father, masterfully played by the always brilliant Ian Hart.  This changes when a Romanian immigrant worker shows up and they start an affair.  Directed and written with precision and […]