Tag: hbomax

A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

Damn good biopic based on the true story of an English man jailed in Thailand who betters himself by boxing in prison. This film is as gritty as they come, and absolutely not for the timid viewer. The violence and human degradation is almost constant. A Prayer… feels a little long, but every scene seems to be necessary, so maybe don’t watch in one sitting. The fight sequences kept the pace up even though I am 100% not a sports enthusiast. The acting and cinematography are top notch as well. How in the hell did the director get these performances out of legit Thai criminals? I need to see a making-of. Much like the book “In the Belly of the Beast,” this movie made me value my freedom like you wouldn’t believe.

Available on Blu-ray. from Lion’s Gate.

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Nightcrawler (2014)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

Jake Gyllenhaal makes very strange career choices, and I absolutely respect that. In this one he plays a creep like you wouldn’t believe. Nightcrawler is a none-more-black satire that starts slow, but builds into insanity. 100% solid Anomalous Cinema.

Blu-ray available from Universal.

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Kusama: Infinity (2018)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

Here we have a good overview of the career of influential Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. I thought this doc might be too fluffy as much of her work is bright and polka dot-strewn, but it does not shy away from the artists’ battle with mental illness and other dark corners of her life. Infinity also touches on the many lesser-known ways in which Kusama’s output has made an impact on the history of art. Recommended viewing for those interested in the creative struggle.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Heaven’s Gate (1980)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

Ok, so this movie was one of the epic flops in cinema history. The nutshell version is that the estimated budget was 44 million and the cumulative gross worldwide revenue was less than 3.5 million. Ouch. However, Heaven’s Gate is a damn good film! It’s also bloated, over-complicated, bizarre, and excruciatingly slow at times. I can imagine seeing it in the theater was quite a trial. Watch this in a few chunks, and you’ll appreciate what Michael Cimino was trying to do. Some of the scenes in this movie are just jaw droppingly insane on multiple levels. It’s honestly a must-see work of Anomalous Cinema. I’m just very happy that the director got to see it appreciated during his lifetime.

Blu-ray available from Criterion.

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Hotel Mumbai (2018)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

This is a surprisingly well-constructed dramatization of the 2008 terror attacks. It does not pull any punches, so be prepared for a lot of graphic violence. The bloodshed is balanced with mostly-believable human stories. Hotel Mumbai manages to shine some light on a story that I didn’t know nearly enough about before watching.

Available on Blu-ray from Universal.

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Blazing Saddles (1974)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

You haven’t already seen the arguably the best comedy ever made? Shame. Oh and if you were born before 2000, get ready to have your sense of decorum shaken. Mel Brooks talks about that here.

Available on Blu-ray from Warner Home Video.

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Remember (2015)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

This film was not well regarded by critics, but I enjoyed it. Yes, it’s not nearly as good as my previous Atom Egoyan recommendation The Sweet Hereafter. However I appreciated Remember better than a few other critically acclaimed films by the same director. It’s a good thriller, really. Check it out.

Available on Blu-ray from Lion’s Gate.

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The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

I was not the least bit interested in this movie when it originally came out. Then last year I listened to a podcast where the writer Jon Ronson was interviewed, and this book / screenplay were mentioned. Ronson is a super smart and amusing guy, so I figured the movie would actually be worth watching after all. I got around to watching it the other day and found Goats very entertaining. It does suffer from some moments of big-budget movie cheese, but I wasn’t too bothered. The story is based on fact, but the movie is all whacky comedy, so I’d recommend watching it with a couple of drinks or whatever you’re into.

Available on Blu-ray from Starz / Anchor Bay.

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Dead Ringers (1988)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer

I can’t believe it took me over 80 posts to recommend a David Cronenberg film. After all he’s one of my favorite directors, and is STILL making good movies. Dead Ringers is an excellent, more mature thriller than say, Scanners. It does feel a bit slower than the director’s earlier films but that’s ok. It makes up for that flaw with one of my favorite minor movie character names of all time, Anders Wolleck. He’s played by an actor you might recognize. Also, keep an eye out for Jill Hennessy (City on a Hill, Law and Order, ugh… Crossing Jordan) and her real-life twin sister.

Blu-ray available from Shout Factory.

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