drama – Page 2 – Anomalous Cinema

The Order (2024)

May 16, 2025August 22, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a very good crime thriller based on the real life murder of radio talk show host Alan Berg, as well as other crimes by a white power group in the ‘80s. I grew up in the Denver area and remember Berg’s killing vividly. The Order is an intelligent film that is also fast paced throughout. The whole movie looks great, with moody lighting, and unusual color choices, as well as scenic locations. It also benefits from excellent music by Jed Kurzel, who happns to be the brother of the director. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, and hopefully you will be too.

Available on Blu-ray from Vertical.

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Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)

March 14, 2025June 19, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

A fake psychic medium gets her husband to kidnap a child in order to help out business. This movie is a true oddball of the early ‘60s. It is tense, weird, and dark, but all done in a way I’ve never quite seen before. Kim Stanley was nominated for an Oscar for her part, and Richard Attenborough (brother of David) is really fantastic here as well. John Barry’s score is also very good and appropriately creepy. Check out Seance on a Wet Afternoon to experience a crime drama of a very unusual kind.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

Femme (2023)

February 28, 2025June 8, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Jules is a drag performer whose life is upended by a homophobic assault. He finds his attacker and then things get extremely complicated. I discovered this one thanks to John Waters’ excellent Top 10 for 2024, and it is quite an experience. This film explores the nuances of sadism and masochism without pulling any punches. Judging by the IMDb Meta Score, the critics found this to be difficult viewing. I really appreciated how challenging it is to stereotypes and audience expectations. Femme may be difficult to sit through, but I think that’s part of what makes it special.

Available on Blu-ray from Utopia.

Nr. 24 (2024)

February 14, 2025February 13, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This is an excellent docudrama on Gunnar Sønsteby, who worked his way up to be the leader of a group of resistance fighters in Norway during World War 2. He went on to become that country’s most decorated war hero. The film balances action, tension, drama, and ethical issues throughout in a really intelligent way. I found myself surprisingly invested in what was happening. Nr. 24 taught me about a part of WW2 history I was totally unaware of, and I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

Frank (2014)

January 17, 2025May 1, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I decided to watch this because I am a fan of co-writer Jon Ronson, who was also behind The Men Who Stare at Goats. Of course I like the idea of Michael Fassbender working behind a mask for an entire movie too. This is all very loosely based on the true story of Ronson playing keyboards in Chris Sieveys, aka Frank Sidebottoms, backing band. I was in weird music groups for 25+ years, so some of that aspect of the film rings a bit false, but I still enjoyed watching it. If you’d like to see something Anomalous, give Frank a try.

Blu-ray available from Magnolia.

The Imitation Game (2014)

January 10, 2025April 9, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I really try to avoid Oscar winners here, but this one is pretty damned Anomalous, so I’m giving it a pass. This is the dramatized version of Alan Turing’s battle to crack the Nazi Enigma code, as well as events that occurred after WW2. The man was a genius on an epic level, and his complicated story is well handled in this film. As usual with historical movies, there are several factual errors, but none that are unforgivable. I am just happy Turing’s tale has been told in a way that reached a large audience. I avoided watching The Imitation Game for years because it is a PG-13 drama. That was a mistake, as I definitely appreciated seeing it recently, and I hope that you will give it a try.

Available on Blu-ray from Starz / Anchor Bay.

A Prophet (2009)

December 20, 2024March 27, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

A French orphan of North African descent works his way to the top of the immigrant crime world. Noel Murray from The A.V. Club wisely compared this movie to Goodfellas. Yes, that is a very tall order, but A Prophet definitely impressed me when I first saw it. I rated the film a 10/10 back then, and I am looking forward to watching it again very soon.

The domestic Blu-ray is currently out of print.

Catch-22 (1970)

November 8, 2024February 22, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is the first adaptation of one of my all-time favorite books, “Catch-22” (yes, the commonly used phrase originates from the novel). It is a case where the movie is not as good as the book, however it is still damn good on it’s own (much like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest). One of the original ad taglines sums up Catch-22 nicely – “The anti-war satire of epic proportions.” The cast is amazing. It seems as if anyone who was well known in 1970 is in the film. Alan Arkin is awesome as our “hero” Yossarian. I also highly recommend the 2019 Hulu mini-series starring Christopher Abbott (Possessor, etc) in the same role. Make sure to keep an ear open for a prominent Neurosis sample used on their classic “Souls at Zero” album.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

Rebel Ridge (2024)

October 25, 2024October 22, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

Director Jeremy Saulnier does it again. Much like his film Blue Ruin, this is not an action movie, but it does have some awesome fight sequences. This is about an ex-Marine who gets harassed, First Blood style, by a corrupt small town sheriff (played very effectively by Don Johnson). If you just keep in mind this is a thriller, slower paced than most action films, but not as slow as Hold the Dark, you just might enjoy it as much as me. I salute Netflix for continuing to give Saulnier financing for his work.

Not available on Blu-ray.

It Comes at Night (2017)

October 18, 2024January 24, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I was hoping to recommend a horror movie, but this is more of a psychological thriller. Pretty damned creepy at times though. I saw It Comes at Night when it first came out and gave it a good rating, but I didn’t remember a thing about it. I figured why not rewatch it after a few drinks and give you a more off the cuff recommendation?

Ahem…

Killer cinematography. The whole cast is solid. Nice to see Christopher Abbot again in a role before I began recognizing his awesomeness. There are bits of this that remind me of how it felt at the beginning of Covid (oh boy doesn’t that make you want to watch this now?). Some people were turned off by this not being a straight forward horror movie. Some were turned off by not knowing exactly what is going on. I was not turned off. I am not calling this a fun movie, or even a great movie, but it sure as hell is Anomalous Cinema.

The themes reminded me of the OG Twilight Zone episodes The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street (1960) and The Shelter (1961). I suggest if you’ve never seen those, watch them AFTER It Comes at Night.

Available on Blu-ray from Lion’s Gate.