The Mule
What!? This looks so awesome! Visceral, suspenseful, gross, trimphant – and funny! Could it be all those things at once? Leave it to the Australians – maybe it just can. Justin Chang (Variety) wrote, “An excremental but hardly execrable Australian comedy-drama that plays like the klutzy, sheets-soiling stepbrother of ‘Maria Full of Grace.’”
Rudderless
Though probably not earth-shatteringly original (and a bit narratively manipulative), this film is steeped in the kind of real-life freedom and meaningful connectedness that I’ve been yearning for lately. William H. Macy directed this movie – and I just find Billy Crudup and Anton Yelchin so appealing. And they sing and play guitars together! Can’t wait to see it.
The Internet’s Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz
Acclaimed by both critics and viewers, this film explores the life and work of Aaron Swartz, internet genius, founder of Reddit, protest leader, maybe also – criminal? Leslie Felperin from The Guardian writes, “The film builds up a portrait of a brilliant, driven, complex young man who’s likely to be an iconic figure in the future, a sort of digital-age Che Guevara.” In our world of controlled mass media, Twitter-driven revolution, and ongoing threats to net neutrality laws – it’s important to be reminded that we all have power, and it’s up to us how we use it.
Also out on DVD this week:
- Lucy – Is it possible to have your mind both totally blown and numbed at the same time? Let’s check.
- The Boxtrolls – Not as good as ParaNorman or Coraline, but apparently better than most kids stuff.
- Annabelle – This movie sucks.
- The Drop – See this movie! Seriously, why haven’t you seen it yet? Don’t you like puppies? Seriously, though, best Tom Hardy of the year, IMO.
- The Zero Theorem – For the Terry Gilliam fans.
- White Bird in a Blizzard – This film gets mixed reviews, but everyone agrees that Shailene Woodley is wonderful, as always. I’m a big Christopher Meloni fan too.
- The Green Prince – Check this one out. The Independent says: “Depending on your perspective, Nadav Schirman’s troubling documentary is either a story about heroism and friendship or a study in extreme treachery and bad faith.”
- Guy Maddin’s My Winnipeg – More like arts and farts and crafts. Just kidding, this is probably fun – it reminded me of how great The Stories We Tell is. Did you see that? It’s so good.
– betsy midnight
Midnight Movie Train 