by Patrick Bromley
Streaming suggestions for the final days of August.
The Love Witch (2017, dir. Anna Biller) I know I've recommended this one in the past, but it was just added to Shudder and that's a great opportunity to sing its praises once again. Few movies of the last five years are more beautiful or more hypnotic. Plus, Samantha Robinson has a role in this summer's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and you should see her star-making performance in this one. I'm in love with this movie. (Watch on Shudder)
The Brothers Bloom (2009, dir. Rian Johnson) It's unfortunate that Rian Johnson has become such a polarizing figure among certain groups of movie fans now, because he's only ever made really good, really interesting movies. The Brothers Bloom remains my favorite of all his work. Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody play con artist brothers running a scheme the involves heiress Rachel Weisz, who has never been more charming on screen. This is a magical movie and one of my favorites of 2009. (Watch on Amazon Prime Video)
Netherworld (1992, dir. David Schmoeller) I wrote about this Full Moon gem a few weeks ago, and shortly thereafter it showed up on their streaming service. Coincidence? Probably, but please let me have this. It's a cool little supernatural horror film about a man trying to unlock the secrets of the afterlife. It also involves zombie birds. I'll be here when you finish watching. (Watch on Full Moon Features)
All That We Destroy (2019, dir. Chelsea Stardust) I've watched a handful of Hulu's "Into the Dark" films, and this one is easily my favorite (Gigi Saul Guerrero's Culture Shock is also worth seeking out). Samantha Mathis plays a scientist whose son commits a murder, so she begins cloning the victim so he can repeat the crime again and again. Director Chelsea Stardust is an upcoming guest on the podcast, so be sure to watch this before she comes on. Her second feature, the incredibly fun and bloody Satanic Panic, hits theaters and VOD on September 6! (Watch on Hulu)
The Matrix (1999, dir. The Wachowskis) You've probably seen The Matrix. You probably own The Matrix. I'm only including here because it's getting a 20th anniversary re-release this weekend, and just in case you're not able to make it out to see it on the big screen again, I wanted you to know you can stay home and stream it for free. I got to see it theatrically a few months ago and it totally holds up. This is my hot take. (Watch free with ads on Vudu)
I've watched all of the Hulu Into the Dark entries and actually was surprised at how good or, at the very least, interesting most of them are. "I'm Just F*uckin' With You" and "Pooka" are probably my two favorties (IJFWY has one of my favorite performances of the year and will probably end up in my top 10 films of the year if I actually make a list). "The Toy Box" is probably the one that I didn't like at all. "All that we Destroy" is a good recommendation for the series. Another I really appreciate about "Into the Dark" is how diverse the style and tone is of each film.
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