Gareth’s Picks

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

If you saw the recent German adaptation from 2022, you must see this version made by Lewis Milestone at the start of the sound era in Hollywood.  It is astonishing at every level and it is Pre-Code so it is able to present challenging material.  Interestingly, the lead actor Lew Ayres went on to become a conscientious objector for World War II and was ostracized by Hollywood in spite of the fact that he did serve as a medic during the war. Before that he also made several Dr. Kildare films.  These are also worth seeing!

Available to stream for free on TUBI

Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control (1999)

Errol Morris’s documentary about four people who initially may seem quite different, but he does a masterful job of finding the thread between them. This includes a robot scientist, a topiary artist, a lion tamer, and a mole rat scientist.  Yes, mole rats.

Available to stream for free on TUBI

Craig’s Picks

Career Girls (1997)

Mike Leigh’s story of two friends who reunite and rekindle a friendship 6 years after college. Stars the luminous Katrin Cartlidge who we lost in 2002. They also bond over The Cure, so I’m sold.

Available on Criterion

Clockwatchers (1997)

Apparently there’s a theme this week.

Toni Collette, Parker Posey, Lisa Kudrow and Alanna Ubach in a workplace indie directed by Jill Sprecher. You don’t need anymore info. It’s great, go watch it.

It’s available to stream for free on all the free streaming platforms