A Preschool Director Reviews the Early Childhood Education Documentary 'No Small Matter'
Investing in our children to better our future is not a new idea, but unfortunately, it is also not our current reality as is highlighted in the powerful documentary, No Small Matter.
As a preschool director for over 20 years, I found the film’s portrayal of Early Childhood Education today to be a heart wrenching, yet accurate view of the daily challenge that parents face to provide quality care for their children. Today, parents often struggle to pay childcare costs equal to their rents and mortgages, even for sub-standard care. This is in conjunction with the undervalued field of early childhood educators, who are often referred to as glorified babysitters. Despite their financial challenges, many preschool teachers will find second sources of income in order to continue doing what they are passionate about.
At a time when cultural disparity and inequities have become front and center topics, the subject matter in this film, co-directed by Danny Alpert, Greg Jacobs, Jon Siskel, is not only incredibly timely but another reminder that we cannot continue to ignore these issues. Increasing the focus on Early Childhood through parent education opportunities and access to high-quality childcare in our most underserved communities is an investment that will not only better our children’s lives but will positively impact all of our futures. No Small Matter is more than a documentary, it is a movement that demands change and I am hoping that this is the year we begin to see that happening.
– Sandra Rojas, Director of Sand Tots Parent Participation Nursery School
Visit No Small Matter for streaming options and more information.
Black Cinema Matters: An Education on Being Black in America in 10 Films
Do films have the power to change the world?
While we believe so, it's hard to say that definitively when we continue to see injustices against our fellow Americans being committed. Supporting black communities can be done in many ways and since Cinemacy is a film community designed to champion independent filmmaking and voices, we'd like to take this moment to highlight 10 powerful films directed by African American filmmakers.
Watch their films. Learn their stories. Amplify their voices. Change the current narrative so that we can one day say, definitively, that films had the power to change the world.
An Education on Being Black in America in 10 Films:
1) 12 Years a Slave | dir. Steve McQueen | Available to rent on Amazon, iTunes, and other VOD platforms.
In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.
2) Do the Right Thing | dir. Spike Lee | Available to rent on Amazon, iTunes, and other VOD platforms.
Salvatore "Sal" Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.
3) Fruitvale Station | dir. Ryan Coogler | Available to rent on Amazon, iTunes, and other VOD platforms.
Based on a true story. Though he once spent time in San Quentin, 22-year-old black man Oscar Grant (Michael B Jordan) is now trying hard to live a clean life and support his girlfriend and young daughter. Flashbacks reveal the last day in Oscar's life, in which he accompanied his family and friends to San Francisco to watch fireworks on New Year's Eve, and, on the way back home, became swept up in an altercation with police that ended in tragedy.
4) Get Out | dir. Jordan Peele | Available to rent on Amazon, iTunes, and other VOD platforms.
Now that Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and his girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams), have reached the meet-the-parents milestone of dating, she invites him for a weekend getaway upstate with Missy and Dean. At first, Chris reads the family's overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter's interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead him to a truth that he never could have imagined.
5) Hale County This Morning, This Evening | dir. RaMell Ross | Streaming on Amazon, available to rent on VOD platforms.
Intimate and personal moments from the lives of the black community of Hale County, Alabama, forming an emotive impression of the historic South and consequences of racism while upholding the beauty of life.
6) I Am Not Your Negro | dir. Raoul Peck | Streaming on Amazon, available to rent on VOD platforms.
In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished.
7) If Beale Street Could Talk | dir. Barry Jenkins | Streaming on Hulu, available to rent on VOD platforms.
In early 1970s Harlem, daughter and wife-to-be Tish (KiKi Layne) vividly recalls the passion, respect, and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt (Stephan James), who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.
8) Monsters and Men | dir. Reinaldo Marcus Green | Streaming on Hulu, available to rent on VOD platforms.
The aftermath of a police killing of a black man, told through the eyes of the bystander who filmed the act, an African-American police officer and a high-school baseball phenom inspired to take a stand.
9) Selma | dir. Ava DuVernay | Available to rent on Amazon, iTunes, and other VOD platforms.
Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, discrimination was still rampant in certain areas, making it very difficult for blacks to register to vote. In 1965, an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
10) Sorry To Bother You | dir. Boots Riley | Streaming on Hulu, available to rent on VOD platforms.
In an alternate reality of present-day Oakland, Calif., telemarketer Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield) finds himself in a macabre universe after he discovers a magical key that leads to material glory. As Green's career begins to take off, his friends and co-workers organize a protest against corporate oppression. Cassius soon falls under the spell of Steve Lift (Armie Hammer), a cocaine-snorting CEO who offers him a salary beyond his wildest dreams.
The 6 Best Streaming Services (That Aren't Netflix)
Quarantine and chill.
That's our new reality, for now at least. If you've already torn your way through Netflix's Tiger King, caught up on every episode of reality TV via Hulu, and even knocked a few classic films off the watch list from the Criterion Collection, we've got you covered. Below are six streaming services that are specially curated for independent, documentary, and art house cinephiles. With many platforms offering free trials, now is the perfect time to explore cinema beyond your comfort zone.
Alamo Drafthouse
Last week Alamo Drafthouse announced it would begin offering "Alamo-At-Home," a virtual cinema initiative led by distributors like Kino Lorber, Film Movement, and Magnolia Pictures to allow independent theaters to digitally offer new films. Their signature programming series “Terror Tuesday” and “Weird Wednesday” return for Virtual Cinema experiences.
IFC Films Unlimited
If you're an Amazon Prime Video subscriber, you can enjoy IFC Films Unlimited and 100+ more channels — for a free 30-day trial. Watch the best from IFC, like Boyhood, The Babadook, and In The Loop, from the comfort of your own home. After the free trial ends, IFC Films Unlimited bills $5.99/month, cancel anytime.
Kanopy
If you have a library card, then you have access to Kanopy, an on-demand streaming video platform for public libraries and universities that offers films and documentaries. Kanopy has a catalog of 30,000 documentaries, classic, and indie films (including an A24 film category) that can be streamed on a desktop computer, mobile device, and Roku app. While access is free with a library card, there is a limit of 10 credits (films) per month.
Kino Lorber
Last October, Kino Lorber launched Kino-Now an online movie rental and purchase platform with everything from festival hits to silent classics “Battleship Potemkin” and “Nosferatu” and works by Jean-Luc Godard, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Rick Alverson. Kino Lorber President and CEO Richard Lorber bills Kino-Now as a “kind of arthouse iTunes” where some of the most acclaimed films in history will be available at similar price points to Apple’s service.
MUBI
MUBI, the premiere streaming service for curated independent films, has its slate packed with recent festival hits and rediscovered classics. This month, they will celebrate the creative partnership between two icons of French cinema in the double bill Belmondo & Melville. April's curated line-up also spotlights daring new voices and champions classics from the past. Get 3 months for just $1.
OVID
OVID was launched by a collection of 8 top U.S. Indie film distributors, and consistently adds 20+ titles per month. Since it's launch one year ago, it has grown its collection from approx. 300 titles to almost 800 today. Enjoy a free 14-day trial, then OVID bills $6.99/month.
Indie Filmmakers Reveal Their Favorite Indie Films
More highlights from the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards include the filmmakers of Greener Grass, A Hidden Life, See You Yesterday, and To Dust.
Plus - a special bonus - Honey Boy director Alma Har'el shares her favorite films of 2019, many of which were nominated for various Spirit Awards.
Good times and good vibes all around!
Everything We Saw At Sundance 2020
Another Sundance Film Festival has come and gone, and while the lineup this year didn't necessarily blow either of us away, we managed to seek out some solid films that left an impression.
2020 proved to be the year of the female director festival-wide, in fact, half of the films we saw were directed by women. Stories about celebrities, strippers, and cartoon characters all took center stage this year, with most still waiting for a distributor to secure an upcoming theatrical or streaming release. Here are the films we saw and enjoyed at this year's festival.
Wendy
After Benh Zeitlin first blew audiences away with his debut film Beasts of the Southern Wild back in 2012, people have long awaited the director's follow-up film. Eight years later, audiences were finally treated to that film – Wendy – a re-imagining of the beloved Peter Pan tale. Co-written with his screenwriter sister Eliza, Wendy captures what makes Zeitlin such a visionary and inspiring filmmaker. Telling the story of Peter Pan through the eyes of Wendy (Devin France), Wendy shows how Peter (Yashua Mack) and the lost boys all came to be. Zeitlin's affinity of conjuring Bayou magical realism makes this a perfect source material to adapt and another incredible outing.
Read more: ‘Wendy' Review: A Gorgeous Ode to Never Growing Up
The Nowhere Inn
St. Vincent plays herself, sort of, in The Nowhere Inn, a mockumentary that satirizes celebrity culture and the enigma that is the indie rockstar. Directed by Bill Benz and co-written by Annie Clark and Carrie Brownstein, Clark aka St. Vincent goes down the Joaquin Phoenix route in I’m Still Here as she enlists her best friend, Portlandia star and Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein, to capture her “relatableness” while on tour. Turns out, Clark is pretty boring when not on stage, and Brownstein encourages her to add a little spice to her life to make the documentary interesting. Clark takes this suggestion too far, and over the course of the film, her erratic and growing diva behavior goes from funny to frightening.
The Nowhere Inn is a bizarre output from all involved but its eccentric nature and stark commentary on authenticity and reality make for a fascinating watch. Annie Clark is in on the joke as she pokes fun at herself, her career, and her relationships (including a special appearance by Dakota Johnson who acts as a hybrid of Clark’s infamous previous partners Kristen Stewart and Cara Delevingne). There’s no denying this film is weird. That’s the point. However, because of this, it may have difficulty finding distribution due to the very small target audience. Despite its obvious consumer-friendly challenges and big-screen future, fans of off the wall content (that doesn’t necessarily make sense) will have an interesting time trying to digest The Nowhere Inn. It definitely helps if you’re a fan of St. Vincent, otherwise, this may not be the best film for you.
Watch: St. Vincent and Carrie Brownstein Cryptically Talk About ‘The Nowhere Inn’
Kajillionaire
Miranda July's Kajillionaire follows a family of three whose lives revolve around turning one hustle into the next. Oddball outsiders whose very existence require them to stand apart from society in order to break it down and gamify it, director Miranda July similarly stands outside the norm to put life's more strangely beautiful moments onscreen; such as the beauty of soap suds that overflow through a factory ceiling, to pondering some of life's biggest questions like what to do when the big earthquake hits. Led by performances from Evan Rachel Wood and Richard Jenkins, Kajillionaire is a fusion of magic and ordinary life that entertains questions of larger universal life, making this one to watch should it find distribution post-Sundance.
Read more: ‘Kajillionaire’ Review: A Family of Scammers Long For Connection
Shirley
Josephine Decker returns to Sundance after her award-winning film Madeline’s Madeline with another captivating dramatic entry, Shirley. Starring an eccentric Elisabeth Moss as famed author Shirley Jackson and the ever-wonderful Michael Stuhlbarg as her husband Stanley Hyman, Shirley tells the story of a young couple (Odessa Young, Logan Lerman) whose life becomes forever changed by the odd couple. After accepting room and board in exchange for household chores and companionship, Rose (Young) becomes an accidental muse for Shirley, a famed horror writer who spends her days chain-smoking over her typewriter in the musky home office of her large Victorian house.
Decker's signature style of euphoric imagery and layered, complicated female protagonists in control is the film’s strongest calling card. Moss gives a phenomenal performance as a kooky yet brilliant artist whose inner turmoil is a constant battle. Not to be overlooked is Michael Stuhlbarg, who delivers yet another scene-stealing monologue that is almost as memorable as his Call Me By Your Name performance. Beautifully captured by Sturla Brandth Grøvlen (Victoria, Wendy), who juxtaposes light and dark to create unforgettable moments and a moody score by Tamar-kali, Shirley is a hauntingly powerful film about a strong woman, made by a strong woman.
Read more: If No Other Film Comes Out This Year, ‘Shirley’ Might Just Be The Year’s Best
Zola
Based on a real-life tweet-storm of a stripper's whirlwind adventure to the Deep South, Zola generated solid buzz before even arriving at Sundance having been the product of a bidding war that ultimately went to A24. It's fitting that Zola found its home at the same arthouse shop that made the bad-girls in bikinis romp Spring Breakers, a spiritually similar movie. But Zola taps into the language of the internet using a ton of different styles and a wholly unique vision, which can be credited to the film's director, Janicza Bravo, who made Lemon. While it's a beautifully shot movie, Bravo makes Zola more of a deadpan comedy than ROFL-road movie, and it's one of the things that I wish this movie delivered more on.
Read more:
Wake Up
Booksmart director Olivia Wilde and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star Margaret Qualley combine their creative energy as they explore the reality of technology-obsessed culture in the branded short film, Wake Up. Backed by computer goliath HP and produced by The Lab at Anonymous Content, Wake Up is a beautifully shot cautionary tale about the increase in isolation and its unintended consequences of emotional detachment caused by an addiction to technology.
When a young woman (Qualley) wakes up, alone, in a hospital with no relocation of how she got there, she sets out to find answers. However, everyone she attempts to connect with is transfixed by their smartphone, computer, or other electronic devices, ignoring the outreach and bid for belonging from our tech-less protagonist. Using her dance background, Qualley gracefully moves and breezes through New York City’s densely populated area, literally reaching out to strangers for connection, eye contact, and acknowledgment. Shot by legendary cinematographer Matthew Libatique and scored by indie artist Perfume Genius, Wake Up is a dreamy foreshadowing that a world devoid of human connection is not a joyous one. Let technology aid us in making the world a more connected place, not act as barriers to drive us further away from each other.
Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story
One of the most disgusting, vile, and demented shows of all time, Ren & Stimpy also stands as one of the most singularly influential artistic achievements of the 90s. Beloved by the cult following that took to it, a new documentary (funded by Kickstarter) chronicles the creation of Ren & Stimpy and the team behind it, including the brilliant yet tyrannical creator John Kricfalusi. It's a time capsule that shows the brilliant animators who put the cartoon on paper at a time when animation was at a low point. The doc captures interviews from all of the people involved, including John Kricfalusi, who speaks to the infamous end when he was fired from the show's second season. As the doc continues to show with John's substantiation, we learn of a very problematic history with fans and aspiring animators, which makes the whole thing even more disturbing. It's fitting that, like John, it's Ren & Stimpy's avant-garde hideousness that makes the show unforgettable.
Read more: ‘Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story’ is Here–You Eeediot!
Whirlybird
In Matt Yoka's debut feature documentary, Whirlybird, audiences are taken on a visual journey in the City of Angels in the 90s through the lens of journalist Bob Tur and his wife Marika Gerrard, the couple responsible for capturing the iconic ariel video footage of the OJ Simpson pursuit, the Rodney King riots, the Northridge earthquake, and so much more. Infamous for his risky (and often illegal) methods of "getting the shot," Bob was a relentless reporter, in love with the excitement and thrill of the chase. However, the documentary digs deeper, beyond his success as a journalist, and into Bob's volatile, explosive, and obsessive behavior that puts not only his relationships but his physical and mental health at risk.
In the world of journalism, Bob Tur is credited for revolutionizing breaking news by changing the way news was captured: via helicopter. Bob and Marika were never far from a crime scene, murder, fire or flood - hanging out of a helicopter, camera in hand and ready to film. However, Bob's personal life was fraught with torment. Not only was he constantly fighting with his wife, his employees, and the authorities, he was also struggling to accept himself as a trans man, which the documentary only focuses on in the last fifteen or so minutes of the film. The story of Whirlybird is primarily about the revolution of the news industry, not the reinvention of Bob Tur, who now goes by Zoey. Unfortunately, more focus on his personal struggle would have made this film a lot stronger and more memorable.
Bob was the original TMZ. He was a pioneer, and his legacy will never be forgotten. However, through raw and vulnerable interviews, he admits to living a life full of regret. It's as if he questions if this was all even worth it, a difficult sentiment to hear someone say aloud. The relentlessness of capturing the headline news will affect any man over time, much like it did Bob Tur. For Angelinos especially, Whirlybird - with original music by Ty Segall - is a fascinating retrospective of our city from above as we navigate the fine line between serenity and chaos from among the clouds.
Read more: ‘Whirlybird’ Review: Capturing Serenity and Chaos Over the Clouds
What We’re Seeing at Sundance 2020
This year marks the fourth time these Californians are packing up our parkas and heading to the Sundance Film Festival.
Every year brings unique opportunities and different experiences, and we're looking forward to reveling in it all. Last year we introduced Night Cap, a nightly video series where we discuss the films of the day over cocktails (or Emergen-C), and we're excited to bring that back in 2020. Don't miss an episode- click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
From directorial debuts to special screenings and world premieres, over half of which were directed by women (!), here’s a list of films that we’ve secured tickets to, and looking forward to seeing at the Sundance Film Festival.
Be sure to follow Cinemacy on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter so that you can get the ground report on everything we do.
The Nowhere Inn directed by Bill Benz
Why we’re excited:
In perhaps the most legendary duo of all time (in our opinion), Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) and Carrie Brownstein play themselves as they shed their onstage personas and get real in The Nowhere Inn. Boundary blurring and enticingly self-aware, Bill Benz's directorial debut is one of our most anticipated films to watch.
Wendy directed by Benh Zeitlin
Why we’re excited:
Director Benh Zeitlin (best known for his four-time Academy Award-nominated film Beasts of the Southern Wild) returns to the festival with Wendy, an imaginative adaptation of J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. Youthfulness and freedom seem to be the cornerstones of Zeitlan's vision, with fantastical elements further aided by composer and longtime collaborator Dan Romer. Wendy has already been acquired by Fox Searchlight.
Promising Young Woman directed by Emerald Fennell
Why we’re excited:
Promising Young Woman, written and directed by Emerald Fennell, made waves when it landed on the 2018 Black List. Starring Carey Mulligan as a woman who singlehandedly takes on toxic masculinity with a vengeance (giving off premature Under The Skin vibes), this femme fatale feature has us excited. Promising Young Woman has already been acquired by Focus Features.
Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia directed by DANIELS, Hannah Fidell, Alexa Lim Haas, Lucas Leyva, Olivia Lloyd, Phil Lord, Jillian Mayer, The Meza Brothers, Terence Nance, Brett Potter, Dylan Redford, Xander Robin, Julian Yuri Rodriguez, and Celia Rowlson-Hall
Why we’re excited:
That's right, 14 directors are credited in the making of Omniboat, and that alone is an intriguing enough concept. Among the filmmakers are directing duo DANIELS, whose last feature Swiss Army Man was the hit of the 2015 film festival. Omniboat's logline is simple: a symphony inspired by and made in Miami, but if there's anything we've learned about a DANIELS film, it's to expect the unexpected. We'll be going into this film with open minds.
Dick Johnson is Dead directed by Kirsten Johnson
Why we’re excited:
Kirsten Johnson is a tour de force in the documentary sphere; her last film Cameraperson was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2017. In one of her most personal films to date, she's turning the lens on her father in Dick Johnson is Dead, a poignant story about her desperate attempt to keep her aging father alive through filmmaking. We're bringing the Kleenex to this one.
Kajillionaire directed by Miranda July
Why we’re excited:
Miranda July - filmmaker, writer, and artist extraordinaire - is one of our idols; her commitment to authenticity and creativity is inspiring both on-screen and off. Her latest feature Kajillionaire, starring Evan Rachel Wood, Richard Jenkins, and Debra Winger, is being described as an absurd comedy and, honestly, I wouldn't expect anything less. Another highlight we're anticipating: The Last Black Man in San Francisco's composer Emile Mosseri lends his creativity to fuel Kajillionaire's soundtrack.
Shirley directed by Josephine Decker
Why we’re excited:
Michael Stuhlbarg and Elisabeth Moss play a couple whose relationship is put to the test in Josephine Decker's drama Shirley. Based on the 2014 novel by Susan Merrill and screenplay by Sarah Gubbins, Decker lends her sensitive and observant eye to this period drama, which is sure to be a piercing watch.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always directed by Eliza Hittman
Why we’re excited:
Writer/director Eliza Hittman returns to the festival three years after she won the Directing Award for her film, Beach Rats. Never Rarely Sometimes Always, shot on 16mm film, depicts the hardship a young teenager faces as she does her best to navigate through an unwanted pregnancy. Never Rarely Sometimes Always has already been acquired by Focus Features.
Downhill directed by Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Why we’re excited:
Perhaps the film with the biggest commercial star power is the Nat Faxon/Jim Rash drama Downhill. Based on the 2014 Swedish film Force Majeure by Ruben Östlund, Downhill tells the story of how one split-second decision in a moment of panic reveals an unsettling insight into the patriarch of an otherwise happy go lucky family. Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell, we're looking forward to seeing two great comedic actors out of their comfort zones in dramatic roles. Downhill has already been acquired by Fox Searchlight.
Dinner in America directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier
Why we’re excited:
Two misfits find each other through music and chaos in writer/director Adam Carter Rehmeier's punk rock comedy, Dinner in America. Starring Kyle Gallner and Emily Skeggs, this road to self-discovery in Midwestern suburbia feels like the perfect festival film: full of quirkiness and originality. We're also looking forward to the handful of original songs that fuels the film's soundtrack.
9 Films We Saw (That You Might Have Missed) in 2019
At the end of each year, when the "best films" are discussed and agreed upon, the conversation usually surrounds only a select few. But what about the smaller independent films that didn't have as big of an audience? Well, Cinemacy has got you covered.
These are the nine films we saw this year that you likely missed and should definitely seek out.
1. The Art of Self-Defense
2. Wild Rose
"You can't take your eyes and ears off Jessie Buckley, whose performance as a Scottish ex-convict and aspiring Country star shines brighter than the lights of her Nashville dreams. This musical had a quiet release compared to some of NEON's other releases (re: Parasite), but just like our protagonist, Wild Rose is fiercely fun and thoroughly entertaining." -Morgan Rojas
3. High Life
4. Amazing Grace
5. Leto
6. The Amazing Johnathan Documentary
"The Amazing Johnathan Documentary is one of the most fascinating portraits of the human condition and the power of manipulation. It puts not only [director] Ben Berman, but every viewer into a situation where losing sight of what’s right vs. wrong, truth vs. illusion is tested." –Morgan Rojas
7. Her Smell
8. The Death of Dick Long
9. Monos
Cinemacy's Favorite Films of 2019
What we consider to be among our favorite films of 2019 represents a combination of the movies that had the greatest emotional impact on us, matched with movies that felt innovative or groundbreaking. Below are the films that we consider to be the best of this year.
Morgan’s Favorites
10. Ms. Purple
Justin Chon, who stunned audiences and critics alike with his sophomore film, Gook, once again brings a heartfelt story of Asian American cultural identity to the streets of Los Angeles in Ms. Purple. Visually, Ms. Purple is a dreamy concoction of Wong Kar-wai and PT Anderson, and with confident directorial choices that depict the basic human desire for belonging, this quiet yet powerful film is another solid addition to Chon's canon.
9. I Am Easy To Find
Running just 24 minutes long, I Am Easy To Find, director Mike Mills’ latest work in conjunction with The National, is a beautiful look at aging, isolation, and humanity through a breathtakingly grounding performance from Alicia Vikander. The evolution from infant to teenager to adult to elder is a journey we all take (some longer than others), but witnessing this simple yet profound miracle on the big screen feels like an otherworldly experience.
8. The Souvenir
In Joanna Hogg's defiant drama The Souvenir, an empathetic film student finds herself stuck in an overwhelming romantic relationship and at the mercy of her drug-addicted boyfriend's unpredictable behavior. Starring Honor Swinton Byrne (daughter of Tilda Swinton, who plays a supporting role) and Tom Burke, this deeply emotional film combines artful direction and heartbreaking circumstances to create one unforgettable cinematic experience.
7. Waves
Waves, directed by Trey Edward Shults, is a mesmerizing portrait of a hard-lived life and the discovery that every day is a new opportunity for compassion, acceptance, and peace. Like the title suggests, Waves will put one through a range of emotions; first comes the rumblings of uncertainty, then the crash of chaos, all to be swept away and reset to calm, steady waters. This rebirth cycle is a reminder that life goes on, despite the hardships, tragedies, and tears that act as roadblocks.
6. The Last Black Man in San Francisco
The sweeping landscapes, the anthem-like monologues, and the unforgettable rendition of "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)," Joe Talbot's The Last Black Man in San Francisco plays like visual poetry. A groundbreaking performance from Jimmie Fails in his first feature-length film, this heartfelt tribute to a changing city looks at the emotional disruption of gentrification, which leads one man to question the meaning of home.
5. Honey Boy
The minute the credits rolled after the first time I saw Honey Boy back in January, I knew this film would be among one of my favorites of the year. The pairing of Alma Har'el's creative direction and Shia LaBeouf's unfiltered vulnerability creates a work of art so moving, it's a film that will stay with you. A complex and poignant story about a complicated father/son relationship, Honey Boy is a revelation, and hopefully not the last collaboration between LaBeouf and Har'el.
4. Uncut Gems
Returning to his more dramatic side, Adam Sandler delivers a stunning performance as Howard Ratner, a man on the edge of a mental breakdown in the Safdie Brothers' crime thriller, Uncut Gems. For 135 minutes, we're thrust into non-stop dazzling mania that spares no moment for viewers to catch their breath, further aided by a score from Brooklyn-based electronic producer Oneohtrix Point Never. Like Howard – a maximalist through and through – Uncut Gems is very much a reflection of his go hard or go home lifestyle.
3. 1917
Much like the young soldiers in the film, director Sam Mendes set out on a seemingly impossible mission: create a feature-length WWI film in a single take. That's 119 minutes of real-time conflict and non-stop adrenaline, in one take. Not only is 1917's mere existence a success, but it's also one of the most technically proficient, emotionally compelling, and jaw-dropping goliaths of a war film that I've ever seen.
2. Marriage Story
A bittersweet story about reaching the expiration date of a relationship, Marriage Story opens the floodgates to romantic emotional catharsis through its exploration of one of the most complex emotions humans experience: love (and love lost). Relationships like Charlie and Nicole’s are never black and white – never truly all bad, or all good – which is what makes the decision to leave such a monumental one and one that is sure to keep Marriage Story in the minds and hearts of all who experience it.
1. Parasite
South Korean director Bong Joon Ho’s highly anticipated thriller has been hot on the lips of many cinephiles for most of 2019; the five-minute standing ovation after its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival concurred that its hype is fully deserved. Thematically darker that Okja and more realistically unnerving than Snowpiercer, Parasite is a fantastically satirical and biting look at the economic divide, ethics vs. morals, and social commentary on privilege that, in my opinion, is the best film of the year.
Honorable Mention: Climax
Ryan’s Favorites
10. Love, Antosha
I had the amazing fortune of taking a philosophy of aesthetics class with the late Anton Yelchin a few years before his untimely passing. What I saw then is what is captured beautifully in the heartfelt documentary Love, Antosha, which I saw the premiere of at Sundance Film Festival: a bright, kind-hearted, and curious artist who inspired everyone he came into contact with.
9. The Last Black Man in San Francisco
There have been three moments when I've watched a film, and forgot that the directors didn't have to follow the "rules." The first was Do The Right Thing, the second was My Own Private Idaho, and the third was The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Written by and starring Jimmie Fails and directed by Joe Talbot, every moment feels like a beautiful swirl of artistic expression and personal storytelling.
8. A Hidden Life
It wasn't until the end of this three and a half hour, mostly exploratory film when the final quote card came in the form of a poem by George Eliot that I felt the full weight pummel me. I don't see a time when I'll stop thinking about this philosophically starring film.
7. Joker
I recognize that this is going to be a controversial pick, but let me clarify that I'm not including Joker without its problematic blindspot of homegrown terrorism of the disgruntled white male variety. I'm including it because everything surrounding Joker excited me both as a lifelong Batman fan and as something to encapsulate the year with. I remember what I felt when I first learned Joaquin Phoenix was cast in the role, and remember how excited I was by the trailer (perhaps my favorite of the year). All that to say, while the film itself was inspired but also predictable, I will look back on 2019 and remember this as a memorable moment in film.
6. Honey Boy
Okay, I lied: the other moment where I remembered that directors didn't have to follow rules was after watching the world premiere of Honey Boy at Sundance this year. What Honey Boy achieved was something different, though: the most emotionally cathartic piece of art that I saw made this year; it showed me the vulnerability that any artist can put into their art.
5. The Souvenir
As The Souvenir began, I was more or less unstirred. As it continued, I found myself growingly curious. By its end, I was left emotionally and artistically floored, ending with perhaps my favorite final shot of this year.
4. Marriage Story
I love seeing the career trajectory of an artist and seeing how their films and stories change over time. As a fan of Baumbach, I admire how Marriage Story comes from a place of such mature resolve; no longer lashing out with caustic verbal wit, the sentimentality pours through with understanding and grace. Scarlett Johansson's performance is one of the bravest performances of the year, and Adam Driver's work (including his rendition of Sondheim's "Being Alive") hits a whole other notch in the actor's career (and should be awarded).
3. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is everything that I love about the movies, yes. With its unmatchable production design, it's such a gift of a film. And Tarantino's latest was surprisingly sympathetic. I look forward to keeping this one around for long after this year.
2. Parasite
Parasite was one of the most electrifying film experiences I saw this year. Starting out as a brainy twisty thriller that would surely have Steven Soderbergh lying awake at night, the film only continues to impress as it reveals itself as a social-political commentary of this year.
1. The Irishman
Full disclosure, I work at Netflix. So my best of the year might be biased (but I don't mean to consciously do so). Scorsese's film is important for so many reasons. The final shot of The Irishman will haunt me as long as I watch movies.
Honorable Mentions: Waves