First Reformed (2017)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I love this one, and have no idea why I didn’t recommend it yet. While I’m a big fan of director Paul Schrader, he hasn’t really impressed me with a film since Auto Focus (2002). However he redeemed himself big time with First Reformed. The story is about a small town minister who struggles with inner conflict. Sounds like a snoozer, right? Nope. The movie starts out slow and becomes wonderfully bizarre. All that is helped by a fantastic score by Lustmord (also his best work in years). See this movie as soon as possible.

Blu-ray available from Lion’s Gate.

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Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-qiang (2016)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

Here’s a solid overview of one of the more high-profile Chinese visual artists. Guo-qiang is known mostly for his epic firework performances. The movie also covers the artist tackling a major project that challenges him on every level. Sky Ladder is an absorbing documentary that I wish had a slightly longer run time. You won’t hear me say that very often.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is easily the finest drama I’ve seen since I started this website. I am a bit biased as I’m a big fan of Ian Holm. Most people know Holm’s supporting roles, particularly as Ash in Alien. Its a pity he didn’t get more lead parts because he was flawless in this film. Sir Ian does a bit of a monologue at around 39 minutes into the movie that blew my mind. I very rarely hit pause because an actor just knocked it out of the park, but that’s exactly what happened. The film is excellent beyond just its lead. It looks great, the script is perfect, and it has a fantastic, reverb drenched, ambient score too. I give The Sweet Hereafter my highest recommendation.

A Blu-ray was released by New Line Cinema but it appears to be out of print.

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Samsara (2011)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a collection of awe-inspiring footage shot in 25 countries, over five years, with no dialog. You’ll see everything from man-made and natural wonders to some of the worst places on earth. You also get a wide variety of beautiful creative expression and grim human stupidity. Watch this one big. No phone. No tablet. No laptop. BIG. Samsara is a visual learning experience.

FYI – If you enjoy this film, you should really check out the pioneer of this kind of documentary, Koyaanisqatsi (1982). Also, the people behind Samsara made a very similar film in 1992 called Baraka that’s nearly as good.

Available on Blu-ray from MPI.

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Embrace of the Serpent (2015)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Here’s a very well-made, history-based, dark, jungle adventure. Well, two adventures. Part of it involves a search for what they refer to in the movie as Caapi (William S. Burroughs called it Yage). If you’ve seen any of the Italian cannibal exploitation movies, this is their grown-up, arthouse descendant (with a bit of Altered States mixed in).

Available on Blu-ray from Oscilloscope.

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Vengeance (1970)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

John Boorman’s Point Blank was a very influential movie. It informed the fractured storyline of Oldboy. It also inspired the look and feel of Vengeance. That makes this movie lean more towards an art film than Five Elements Ninjas. What will bring you down to earth from the fancy heights of cinema is the straight-up, no frills english dubbing by all the same voices that looped the other Shaw Brothers films around the same time. I was hoping there would be the original Chinese dub available to take that cheesy edge off, but that option was not available (on the version I watched anyhow). In spite of that minor flaw, this is a very good, artsy, dark martial arts movie that I personally found quite enjoyable. It’s got a bit more drama than fists a-flyin’ but I give it high marks for it’s look and style.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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Holy Hell (2016)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

The story of an an ’80s New Age cult where the dark truth about their leader gradually reveals itself. This isn’t Jonestown level crazy, but it’s pretty damned compelling. Psychedelic VHS footage abounds! The film takes a while to get to the nitty gritty, but it’s worth the investment of time. I recommend you mute the godawful song at the end.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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The Photographer of Mauthausen (2018)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This movie revolves around World War 2 Spanish prisoners in the Mauthausen concentration camp. Here’s another history-based drama that tells an interesting story I was totally unfamiliar with. The lead actor is Mario Casas from The Invisible Guest, who does a fine job. As you will imagine, this film is very dark. It is also, at times, brutally graphic. There are moments that feel a bit cheesy, but overall it’s an effective movie that I fully recommend.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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Dumb: The Story of Big Brother Magazine (2017)

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Streaming on Hulu | imdb | trailer

I felt the the need to lighten the mood a bit. Back in the ‘90 a friend brought over a VHS tape produced by Big Brother magazine. It included my introduction to Johnny Knoxville, in which the future movie star shot himself in the chest with a bulletproof vest on. They never showed that bit on the MTV.

This documentary has a lot of the same raunchy craziness as Jackass. It is also an interesting perspective on the history of the skateboarding days of the early ‘90s thru to the early ‘00s. If you’re not easily offended, Dumb is a lot of fun.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Deep Red (1975)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Here’s another highly regarded Dario Argento giallo film. It’s a strange one in the sense of its highs and lows. The highs are some very artistic sequences and murder scenes, reinforced by the very first soundtrack appearance by the mighty Goblin. The lows are that the film is extremely convoluted, and sometimes excruciatingly slow. Don’t be discouraged. It is absolutely worth the effort to get to the crazy ending.

Available on Blu-ray from Arrow.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.