Gareth's Picks After Life (1998) The first film by HIrokazu Kore-eda that I saw, but definitely not the last.  It is a transformational film of heartbreaking beauty.  It asks a simple question.  If you could take only one memory of your life to the afterlife, what would it be?  Kore-eda posits that there is a film crew ready to film it for you. Available to stream on Kanopy     […]

Gareth's Picks The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) A very effective horror film from André Øvredal starring the always brilliant Brian Cox.  The structure of this film is quite compelling. Don't sleep on this one and if you watch it you may lose some sleep. Available on TUBI       Room 237 (2012) fantastic documentary that examines the many interpretations of Stanley Kurbrik's The Shining.  Directed by Rodney Ascher, the man […]

Gareth's Picks   The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) Film by Joe Cornish that effectively translates the old King Arthur myth for the modern era. Hilarious performance by Angus Imrie as Merlin. Andy Serkis's son Louis is more than up to the task as the lead.  Fun for the whole family! Available to stream on TUBI     Incendies (2010) Early Denis Villeneauve film that is a heartbreaking and […]

Gareth's Picks Women in Retirement (1941) Unusual film noir from 1941 starring the always watchable Ida Lupino as a housekeeper/companion to a rich woman in Victorian England who must make some difficult decisions when she is forced to take care of her two challenging sisters played by wondrous duo of Edith Barnett (former wife of Vincent Price) and Elsa Lanchester (the Bride of Frankenstein herself) Available to stream on Tubi   […]

Gareth's Picks The Ambassador (2011) Danish documentarian Mads Brügger brings his unique skills by casting himself as an ambassador trying to buy his way across the Democratic Republic of Congo and revealing the deep corruption in international politics. Available to stream for free on Kanopy     The Reason I Jump (2020) Thought-provoking and empathy building adaptation of the memoir by a Japanese boy with autism.  The film does a marvelous job […]

Gareth's Picks The Visitor (1979) One of those films you have to see to believe it exist.  Shelley Winter’s performance alone is worth viewing Available to watch on Tubi       Following (1998) If you enjoyed Oppenheimer, check out where it all began with Christopher Nolan's first feature. Available to watch as with all of Nolan's films on Tubi         Craig's Picks The Wraith (1986) Ghost […]

Gareth's Picks The Story of a Three-Day Pass (1967) Melvin Van Peebles directorial debut from 1967 about a soldier who gets a three-day pass in Paris still has resonance and potency.  Of course, he would go on to be one of the most important and influential filmmakers of all time. Available on Kanopy (get it through your library card!)     The River (1951) French master Jean Renoir's first color […]

Gareth's Picks The Name of the Rose (1986) Enjoy Sean Connery's medieval murder mystery based on the classic Umberto Eco's novel.  The casting is sublime. Available on  TUBI     Odd Man Out (1947) Carol Reed classic with a masterful performance by James Mason. Available on TUBI and Plex       Craig's Picks Lovers and Liars (1979) Goldie Hawn is in this Italian comedy for some reason. It’s not […]

Gareth's Picks The Day After Trinity (1981) If you liked Oppenheimer, check out this amazing documentary from 1981.  See the real folks portrayed in Nolan's film and get an even deeper appreciation. Available on the Criterion Channel   Charley Varrick (1973) Don Siegel film starring the always brilliant Walter Matheau in a heist film. Available to stream on TUBI       Craig's Picks The Chocolate War (1988) Based on […]