This past year was magical at the cinemas. We saw Blade Runner 2049 with its triple whammy of Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, and Jared Leto (we’ll excuse you for Suicide Squad, Jared), Dunkirk — Christopher Nolan’s meditation on war, and Get Out, directed by our bae from Key and Peele, Jordan Peele. However, the year also saw a few small, arthouse movies, which though overshadowed by the big banner productions, immediately blew our socks off!
Here are some that you can catch on the down-low.
The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)
Dysfunctional families are to movies what bacon is to an English breakfast — the crunchiest, most delicious part of it! And it doesn’t get more dysfunctional than the Meyerowitz. Based in New York, The Meyerowitz Stories is about the process of healing between an aging sculptor played by Dustin Hoffman, and his children. Despite living fairly privileged lives, the characters in this story are far from happy. Hoffman’s character, Harold, suffers from myriad trust issues, and his children — played with aplomb by Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, and Elizabeth Marvel — have inherited these eccentricities too. The Meyerowitz Stories has a run time of approximately 112 minutes and is written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who is known for movies such as the Academy Award winning The Squid and The Whale and Mistress America.
Ingrid Goes West
Ingrid Goes West stars Aubrey Plaza as Ingrid, a mentally unstable woman who struggles to find acceptance online. A topical comedy, Ingrid Goes West has received rave reviews for its strong performances by Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen, and its intense portrayal of the effects of social media — and the FOMO it causes — on people’s psyche. Ingrid Goes West had its world premier at the Sundance Film Festival and has also been selected for the Independent Spirit Awards for Best Feature Film and Best First Screenplay. On the whole, watch it for its smart writing and ironic message of hope at the end.
The Florida Project
Tragedies are always heartbreaking, especially when they involve children. The Florida Project directed by Sean Baker and starring Willem Dafoe and Bria Vinaite, tells the story of Moonee, played by Brooklynn Prince. A six-year-old child, Moonee stays with her impoverished yet rebellious mother in the Magic Castle Motel, Florida, where she and her band of friends get up to all kinds of mischief. Their carefree and innocent experiences provide a sharp contrast to the motel’s adult residents, especially Moonee’s mother, who exist on the edge of society. The only parental figure in the children’s lives seems to be Bobby, the motel’s manager, who reluctantly takes Moonee and her friends under his wing. With strong performances supported by a robust script, The Florida Project brings up hard-hitting issues in modern America, which are sure to leave you asking yourself tough questions with tougher answers.
It Comes at Night
A mysterious illness, a post apocalyptic world, two families who distrust each other, and a dead dog — It Comes At Night is a thrilling, sad tale with all this and more. The cast includes Joel Edgerton and Christopher Abbott as Paul and Will, two survivors of the outbreak — as they try to ensure the survival of their respective families. However, when mysterious events start happening around them, both families lose faith in each other, culminating in an ending which neither can walk away from. It Comes At Night is the second directorial venture of Trey Edward Shults(Krisha), and is hailed for its masterful use of suspense and horror.
Mudbound
Based on the novel, Mudbound is a complex period drama that highlights the racism faced by African American veterans. Jamie McAllen, played by Garrett Hedlund, and Ronsel Jackson, played by Jason Mitchell are soldiers who return home from a war that has changed them in unspeakable ways. However, their new-found perspective on life makes them critical of things back home — leaving them frustrated and uncomfortable with their families. Things however come to a head when it is discovered that Ronsel has a child from an interracial relationship, which makes him the target of the KKK. Mudbound has won a slew of awards, including Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture and Best Original Song. Watch it for the brilliant performances by the entire cast — especially Mary J. Blige — and Dee Rees’ exceptional direction.
This past year was magical at the cinemas. We saw Blade Runner 2049 with its triple whammy of Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, and Jared Leto (we’ll excuse you for Suicide Squad, Jared), Dunkirk —
