Weekly Movie Recommendations

This week on The Movie Gourmet – Harry Dean Stanton’s masterpiece in Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas has been restored and re-released in theaters. In Paris Texas, Harry Dean plays Travis, a man so traumatized that he has disappeared and is found wandering across the desert and mistaken for a mute.  As he is cared for by his brother (Dean Stockwell), he evolves from feral to erratic to troubled, but with a sense of tenderness and a determination to put things right.  We see Travis as a madman who gains extraordinary lucidity about what wrong in his life and his own responsibility for it.

At the film’s climax, Travis speaks to Jane (Natassja Kinski) through a one-way mirror (she can’t see him).  Spinning what at first seems like parable, Travis explains what happened to him – and to her – and why it happened.  It’s a 20-minute monologue so captivating and touching that it rises to be recognized as one of the very greatest screen performances.

Paris, Texas is on my list of the fifty or so Greatest Movies of All Time. It’s been playing the Laemmle theaters in LA this week, opens at San Francisco’s Roxie today and opens at the Palm in San Luis Obispo next week.

CURRENT MOVIES

• Thelma: too proud to be taken. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Perfect Days: intentional contentment. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Hulu (included).
• How to Come Alive: addicted to his own turmoil. In theaters.
• Didi: learning to get out of his own way. In theaters.
• Between the Temples: prodded out of his funk. In theaters.
• Hit Man: who knew self-invention could be so fun? Netflix.
• I Saw the TV Glow: brimming with originality. Back in some theaters and Amazon, AppleTV; Fandango.
• The Bikeriders: they ride, drink and fight, and yet we care. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Peacock (included).
• Ghostlight: a family saves itself, in iambic pentameter. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango (included).
• Challengers: three people and their desire. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• La Chimera: six genres for the price of one. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Daddio: intimacy between strangers. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Sorry/Not Sorry: revelatory, and posing the smartest questions. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• The Grab: important, engrossing and sobering. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Relative: a loving, but insistent investigation. Amazon (included with prime), AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube. 
• Wicked Little Letters: a sparkling Jessie Buckley and an interesting take on repression. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Netflix.
• How to Have Sex: searing and authentic. MUBI.
• Civil War: a most cautionary tale. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.

ON TV

On September 10, Turner Classic Movies offers Born to Kill (1947). Lawrence Tierney (no cupcake in real life, either), plays the nastiest, most predatory and savage male character in film noir history. Set in the world of Reno quickie divorces, the characters seem to compete to demonstrate the most venal behavior; (spoiler: the psychopath played by Tierney wins.) Claire Trevor, the Queen of Noir, was often wore flamboyant hats, but she just keeps topping herself in this film. Walter Slezak and Elisha Cook, Jr., play dregs of the underworld.

This week on The Movie Gourmet – my irreplaceable father-in-law died this week, so I’m honoring him with a photo from his favorite BritBox crime show, Vera.

CURRENT MOVIES

• Thelma: too proud to be taken. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Perfect Days: intentional contentment. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Hulu (included).
• How to Come Alive: addicted to his own turmoil. In theaters.
• Didi: learning to get out of his own way. In theaters.
• Between the Temples: prodded out of his funk. In theaters.
• Hit Man: who knew self-invention could be so fun? Netflix.
• I Saw the TV Glow: brimming with originality. Back in some theaters and Amazon, AppleTV; Fandango.
• The Bikeriders: they ride, drink and fight, and yet we care. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Peacock (included).
• Ghostlight: a family saves itself, in iambic pentameter. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango (included).
• Challengers: three people and their desire. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• La Chimera: six genres for the price of one. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Daddio: intimacy between strangers. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Sorry/Not Sorry: revelatory, and posing the smartest questions. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• The Grab: important, engrossing and sobering. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Relative: a loving, but insistent investigation. Amazon (included with prime), AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube. 
• Wicked Little Letters: a sparkling Jessie Buckley and an interesting take on repression. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Netflix.
• How to Have Sex: searing and authentic. MUBI.
• Civil War: a most cautionary tale. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.

WATCH AT HOME

The most eclectic watch-at-home recommendations you’ll find ANYWHERE:

• I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore: a schlub goes postal. Netflix.
• Headhunters: from smoothly confident scoundrel to human piñata. Amazon, AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube, redbox.
• Very Semi-Serious: glorious The New Yorker cartoons. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• John Adams: the most overlooked giant of our Founding Fathers. MAX included), Amazon, AppleTV.
• Black Bear: ever surprising. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Ruby Sparks: be careful what you ask for. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary: ordinary humans enabling monstrous acts. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Much Ado About Nothing (2013): it’s not homework, it’s a screwball comedy. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Midnight Family: an all-night race for pesos. YouTube.

This week on The Movie Gourmet – new reviews of Didi and Between the Temples, a remembrance of a European film icon, and an underappreciated 1964 drama that showcased a future movie star.

REMEMBRANCE

Impossibly handsome and dashing, no one ever removed their sunglasses with more of a flourish than iconic French leading man Alain Delon.  Delon had eyes that could switch off any glimmer of empathy – perfect for playing sociopaths. Accordingly, he broke through internationally playing Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley in Purple Noon (1960). Delon is best known for being a favorite of top European directors, starring in Visconti’s Rocco and His Brothers and The Leopard, Antonioni’s L’Eclisse, and Melville’s Le Samouri and Le Cercle Rouge. I also like Delon in the less famous caper movies Any Number Can Win and The Sicilian Clan. Mr. Klein, in which Delon played a sleazy French art dealer who took advantage of Nazi persecution of Jews, was a Lost Film, only becoming available again in the past five years.

Sheila O’Malley has written most insightful essays on Delon and has posted the most playful photo of him.

CURRENT MOVIES

• Thelma: too proud to be taken. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Perfect Days: intentional contentment. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Hulu (included).
• How to Come Alive: addicted to his own turmoil. In theaters.
• Didi: learning to get out of his own way. In theaters.
• Between the Temples: prodded out of his funk. In theaters.
• Hit Man: who knew self-invention could be so fun? Netflix.
• I Saw the TV Glow: brimming with originality. Back in some theaters and Amazon, AppleTV; Fandango.
• The Bikeriders: they ride, drink and fight, and yet we care. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Peacock (included).
• Ghostlight: a family saves itself, in iambic pentameter. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango (included).
• Challengers: three people and their desire. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• La Chimera: six genres for the price of one. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Daddio: intimacy between strangers. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Sorry/Not Sorry: revelatory, and posing the smartest questions. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• The Grab: important, engrossing and sobering. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Relative: a loving, but insistent investigation. Amazon (included with prime), AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube. 
• Wicked Little Letters: a sparkling Jessie Buckley and an interesting take on repression. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Netflix.
• How to Have Sex: searing and authentic. MUBI.
• Civil War: a most cautionary tale. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.

WATCH AT HOME

The most eclectic watch-at-home recommendations you’ll find ANYWHERE:

• Midnight Family: an all-night race for pesos. YouTube.
• Headhunters: from smoothly confident scoundrel to human piñata. Amazon, AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube, redbox.
• Very Semi-Serious: glorious The New Yorker cartoons. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• John Adams: the most overlooked giant of our Founding Fathers. MAX included), Amazon, AppleTV.
• Black Bear: ever surprising. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Ruby Sparks: be careful what you ask for. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary: ordinary humans enabling monstrous acts. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Much Ado About Nothing (2013): it’s not homework, it’s a screwball comedy. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore: a schlub goes postal. Netflix.

ON TV

In the underappreciated 1966 drama, A Man Called Adam, Sammy Davis Jr. plays Adam, a self-destructive jazz star. Adam draws people in with his talent and charisma, and, racked by guilt, pushes away those closest to him with selfish and cruel behavior. You can catch A Man Called Adam on Turner Classic Movies on August 27.

Claudia (Cicely Tyson) is drawn to Adam and tries to save him, anchoring herself in the roller coaster of his life. Remember that, after all the ups and downs, a roller coaster always ends up at the bottom.

Cicely Tyson, in her first credited movie role, is radiant. Two great speeches, in which she absolutely commands the screen, showcase her talent; you can tell that this is going to be a movie star. While no Cicely Tyson, Sammy Davis, Jr., is excellent as the protagonist. 

This week on The Movie Gourmet – a new review of last year’s overlooked neo-noir The Little Things, which is worth streaming for Denzel Washington’s performance. Note that Thelma, Ghostlight, Daddio and Sorry/Not Sorryare already streaming. The Bikeriders, which has been streaming for couple weeks, is included in a Peacock subscription. Plus, scroll down for a rarity, my recommendation of a sexy silent film.

REMEMBRANCE

Gena Rowlands, Oscar-nominated as best actress for Gloria and A Woman Under the Influence, had a gift for authentic and wrenching performances. I also liked her in lighter fare like Minnie and Moskowitz and Night on Earth. She was the director John Cassavetes’ wife, muse and leading lady.

CURRENT MOVIES

• Thelma: too proud to be taken. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Perfect Days: intentional contentment. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Hulu (included).
• How to Come Alive: addicted to his own turmoil. In theaters.
• Hit Man: who knew self-invention could be so fun? Netflix.
• I Saw the TV Glow: brimming with originality. Back in some theaters and Amazon, AppleTV; Fandango.
• The Bikeriders: they ride, drink and fight, and yet we care. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Peacock (included).
• Ghostlight: a family saves itself, in iambic pentameter. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango (included).
• Challengers: three people and their desire. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• La Chimera: six genres for the price of one. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Daddio: intimacy between strangers. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Sorry/Not Sorry: revelatory, and posing the smartest questions. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• The Grab: important, engrossing and sobering. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Relative: a loving, but insistent investigation. Amazon (included with prime), AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube. 
• Wicked Little Letters: a sparkling Jessie Buckley and an interesting take on repression. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Netflix.
• How to Have Sex: searing and authentic. MUBI.
• Civil War: a most cautionary tale. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, but still expensive.

WATCH AT HOME

The most eclectic watch-at-home recommendations you’ll find ANYWHERE:

• Much Ado About Nothing (2013): it’s not homework, it’s a screwball comedy. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Headhunters: from smoothly confident scoundrel to human piñata. Amazon, AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube, redbox.
• Very Semi-Serious: glorious The New Yorker cartoons. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• John Adams: the most overlooked giant of our Founding Fathers. MAX included), Amazon, AppleTV.
• Black Bear: ever surprising. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Ruby Sparks: be careful what you ask for. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary: ordinary humans enabling monstrous acts. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Midnight Family: an all-night race for pesos. YouTube.
• I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore: a schlub goes postal. Netflix.

ON TV

I rarely, rarely recommend silent dramas, because today’s general audiences find them too stilted to enjoy, and I don’t push “eat your broccoli” movies on folks. But, on August 19, Turner Classic Movies will present the 1926 Flesh and the Devil, and it’s a good chance to see what the stardom of Greta Garbo was all about, as well as pre-Code Hollywood sexuality.

Flesh and the Devil was made in Garbo’s first year in Hollywood and was her breakthrough star-making role in the US. She plays Felicitas, a woman who enjoy making men loooong for her. In her seduction of the righteous young limitary officer Leo (John Gilbert), she shoots him a come hither look even while kneeling for communion in church. She accepts his offer of a dance and immediately flops into his arms with predatory intent, quickly leading him outside into the dark where they can be alone; things move rapidly to a post-coital smoke. Reportedly, this is cinema’s first horizontal love scene and its first closeup of an open-mouth kiss.

At filming, Garbo was 21 and Gilbert 26 (but he looks over 30). Gilbert had dreamy looks, expressive eyes and perfect comic timing; he was a naturalistic actor – unusually so for the silent era – and he would have probably been a top talent in today’s cinema. The couple’s steamy chemistry in Flesh and the Devil was real; they moved in together before the shooting wrapped. Their enthusiasm during the filming of the bear rug scene so embarrassed director Clarence Brown that he did not call “cut”; the crew just crept out of the studio.

Flesh and the Devil also includes an excellent character performance by George Fawcett as Pastor Voss, a character who oddly smokes a cigar in his pipe. Fawcett was 65 but had already made 107 silents films.

This week on The Movie Gourmet – a new review of the Norman Mailer biodoc How to Come Alive.

Note: The wonderful family drama Ghostlight can now be streamed from Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube and Fandango (included). The Bikeriders, Jeff Nichol’s engrossing exploration of the culture of a 1960s Midwestern motorcycle gang and its (unfortunate) evolution, can also be streamed. In fact, all SEVEN of my Best Movies of 2024 – So Far can now be watched at home.

CURRENT MOVIES

• Thelma: too proud to be taken. In theaters.
• Perfect Days: intentional contentment. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Hulu (included).
• How to Come Alive: addicted to his own turmoil. In theaters.
• Hit Man: who knew self-invention could be so fun? Netflix.
• I Saw the TV Glow: brimming with originality. Back in some theaters and Amazon, AppleTV; Fandango.
• The Bikeriders: they ride, drink and fight, and yet we care. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• Ghostlight: a family saves itself, in iambic pentameter. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango (included).
• Challengers: three people and their desire. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• La Chimera: six genres for the price of one. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• The Grab: important, engrossing and sobering. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Relative: a loving, but insistent investigation. Amazon (included with prime), AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube. 
• Wicked Little Letters: a sparkling Jessie Buckley and an interesting take on repression. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Netflix.
• How to Have Sex: searing and authentic. MUBI.
• Civil War: a most cautionary tale. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, but still expensive.

WATCH AT HOME

The most eclectic watch-at-home recommendations you’ll find ANYWHERE:

• Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary: ordinary humans enabling monstrous acts. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Headhunters: from smoothly confident scoundrel to human piñata. Amazon, AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube, redbox.
• Very Semi-Serious: glorious The New Yorker cartoons. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• John Adams: the most overlooked giant of our Founding Fathers. MAX included), Amazon, AppleTV.
• Black Bear: ever surprising. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Ruby Sparks: be careful what you ask for. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Much Ado About Nothing (2013): it’s not homework, it’s a screwball comedy. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Midnight Family: an all-night race for pesos. YouTube.
• I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore: a schlub goes postal. Netflix.

This week on The Movie Gourmet – I haven’t yet written on the new Norman Mailer biodoc How to Come Alive, but I want you to know that it’s very good. I did post on Wim Wender’s 1977 neo-noir The American Friend, an adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel Ripley’s Game; if you missed it on TCM, you can still stream it from Criterion, Amazon, AppleTV and Fandango.

BTW Wicked Little Letters is now on Netflix.

CURRENT MOVIES

• Thelma: too proud to be taken. In theaters.
• Perfect Days: intentional contentment. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Hulu (included).
• How to Come Alive: addicted to his own turmoil. In theaters.
• Hit Man: who knew self-invention could be so fun? Netflix.
• I Saw the TV Glow: brimming with originality. Back in some theaters and Amazon, AppleTV; Fandango.
• Challengers: three people and their desire. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• La Chimera: six genres for the price of one. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• The Grab: important, engrossing and sobering. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Relative: a loving, but insistent investigation. Amazon (included with prime), AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube. 
• Wicked Little Letters: a sparkling Jessie Buckley and an interesting take on repression. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Netflix.
• How to Have Sex: searing and authentic. MUBI.
• Civil War: a most cautionary tale. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, but still expensive.

WATCH AT HOME

The most eclectic watch-at-home recommendations you’ll find ANYWHERE:

• Ruby Sparks: be careful what you ask for. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Headhunters: from smoothly confident scoundrel to human piñata. Amazon, AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube, redbox.
• Very Semi-Serious: glorious The New Yorker cartoons. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• John Adams: the most overlooked giant of our Founding Fathers. MAX included), Amazon, AppleTV.
• Black Bear: ever surprising. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary: ordinary humans enabling monstrous acts. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Much Ado About Nothing (2013): it’s not homework, it’s a screwball comedy. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Midnight Family: an all-night race for pesos. YouTube.
• I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore: a schlub goes postal. Netflix.

This week on The Movie Gourmet – reviews of two overlooked films now available to watch at home: the breathtakingly original psychological drama Discreet and the lyrical biodoc Without Getting Killed or Caught.

CURRENT MOVIES

• Thelma: too proud to be taken. In theaters.
• Perfect Days: intentional contentment. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Hulu (included).
• Hit Man: who knew self-invention could be so fun? Netflix.
• I Saw the TV Glow: brimming with originality. Back in some theaters and Amazon, AppleTV; Fandango.
• Challengers: three people and their desire. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• La Chimera: six genres for the price of one. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• The Grab: important, engrossing and sobering. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Relative: a loving, but insistent investigation. Amazon (included with prime), AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube. 
• Wicked Little Letters: a sparkling Jessie Buckley and an interesting take on repression. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Netflix.
• How to Have Sex: searing and authentic. MUBI.
• Civil War: a most cautionary tale. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, but still expensive.

WATCH AT HOME

The most eclectic watch-at-home recommendations you’ll find ANYWHERE:

• Black Bear: ever surprising. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Headhunters: from smoothly confident scoundrel to human piñata. Amazon, AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube, redbox.
• Very Semi-Serious: glorious The New Yorker cartoons. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• John Adams: the most overlooked giant of our Founding Fathers. MAX included), Amazon, AppleTV.
• Ruby Sparks: be careful what you ask for. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary: ordinary humans enabling monstrous acts. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Much Ado About Nothing (2013): it’s not homework, it’s a screwball comedy. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Midnight Family: an all-night race for pesos. YouTube.
• I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore: a schlub goes postal. Netflix.

ON TV

On July 27, Turner Classic Movies airs a WOWZER – the 1960 Korean horror/noir The Housemaid. A couple hires a maid, who turns out to be the domestic from hell. Seduction, deception, threats follow…and who will poison whom? I screened this film for a recent Noir City, and although I can’t say that it’s one of my favorites, it does keeping stunning the audience with ever darker twists. Often considered one of the top Korean films of all time. TCM will present The Housemaid on Noir Alley with intro and outro by Eddie Muller.

This week on The Movie Gourmet – I’m covering the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, which opened Thursday. Here’s my SJFJFF preview and my festival recommendations. Also, a new review of the evocative and highly evocative psychodrama I Saw the TV Glow.

REMEMBRANCE

Shelley Duvall will be best remembered for playing the wife of Jack Nicholson’s decompensating writer in The Shining. It’s hard to discuss American cinema of the 1970s without mentioning Duvall because six of her first seven movies were Robert Altman films (Brewster McCloud, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Thieves Like Us, Nashville, Buffalo Bill etc., and 3 Women; the seventh was Annie Hall, in a hilarious turn as an Alvy Singer sex partner. She also played the waitress who prods Steve Martin’s Cyrano character into wooing Daryl Hannah’s Roxanne in Roxanne.

CURRENT MOVIES

• Ghostlight: a family saves itself, in iambic pentameter. In theaters.
• The Bikeriders: they ride, drink and fight, and yet we care. In theaters.
• Daddio: intimacy between strangers. In theaters.
• Perfect Days: intentional contentment. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Hulu (included).
• Sorry/Not Sorry: revelatory, and posing the smartest questions. In theaters.
• Confessions of a Good Samaritan: of course, wouldn’t you?…WHAT? In theaters, primarily arthouses.
• Hit Man: who knew self-invention could be so fun? Netflix.
• Thelma: too proud to be taken. In theaters.
• I Saw the TV Glow: brimming with originality. Back in some theaters and Amazon, AppleTV; Fandango.
• Mother Couch: obstreperous mom, surreal situation. In theaters, primarily arthouses.
• Challengers: three people and their desire. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• La Chimera: six genres for the price of one. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• The Grab: important, engrossing and sobering. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Run Lola Run: still sprinting after 25 years. In theaters and Amazon, AppleTV and YouTube.
• Relative: a loving, but insistent investigation. Amazon (included with prime), AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube. 
• Wicked Little Letters: a sparkling Jessie Buckley and an interesting take on repression. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• How to Have Sex: searing and authentic. MUBI.
• Civil War: a most cautionary tale. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, but still expensive.
• The Dead Don’t Hurt: such a bad movie. In theaters.
• Kinds of Kindness: disgustingly indulgent. In theaters, primarily arthouses.

WATCH AT HOME

The most eclectic watch-at-home recommendations you’ll find ANYWHERE:

• John Adams: the most overlooked giant of our Founding Fathers. MAX included), Amazon, AppleTV.
• Headhunters: from smoothly confident scoundrel to human piñata. Amazon, AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube, redbox.
• Very Semi-Serious: glorious The New Yorker cartoons. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Black Bear: ever surprising. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Ruby Sparks: be careful what you ask for. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary: ordinary humans enabling monstrous acts. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Much Ado About Nothing (2013): it’s not homework, it’s a screwball comedy. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Midnight Family: an all-night race for pesos. YouTube.
• I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore: a schlub goes postal. Netflix.

ON TV

Need 100 minutes of emotional uplift? On July 20, Turner Classic Movies brings us the gospel music documentary Say Amen, Somebody. This 1982 art house hit is almost never on television, and has been hard to find, although you can now stream in on Criterion, AppleTV, YouTube and Fandango. The film traces the genre from gospel pioneers Willie Mae Ford Smith and Thomas A. Dorsey to contemporary artists. The music is stirring and infectious.

This week on The Movie Gourmet – new reviews of two fine documentaries and an acting showcase – Penny Lane’s exploration of shocking altruism, Confessions of a Good Samaritan, a thoughtful dive into #MeToo accountability, Sorry/Not Sorry, the sweet, but not overly sentimental Perfect Days, and the Dakota Johnson-Sean Penn two-hander Daddio.

CURRENT MOVIES

• Ghostlight: a family saves itself, in iambic pentameter. In theaters.
• The Bikeriders: they ride, drink and fight, and yet we care. In theaters.
• Daddio: intimacy between strangers. In theaters.
• Perfect Days: intentional contentment. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, Hulu (included).
• Sorry/Not Sorry: revelatory, and posing the smartest questions. In theaters.
• Confessions of a Good Samaritan: of course, wouldn’t you?…WHAT? In theaters, primarily arthouses.
• Hit Man: who knew self-invention could be so fun? Netflix.
• Thelma: too proud to be taken. In theaters.
• Mother Couch: obstreperous mom, surreal situation. In theaters, primarily arthouses.
• Challengers: three people and their desire. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• La Chimera: six genres for the price of one. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango.
• The Grab: important, engrossing and sobering. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Run Lola Run: still sprinting after 25 years. In theaters and Amazon, AppleTV and YouTube.
• Relative: a loving, but insistent investigation. Amazon (included with prime), AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube. 
• Wicked Little Letters: a sparkling Jessie Buckley and an interesting take on repression. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• How to Have Sex: searing and authentic. MUBI.
• Civil War: a most cautionary tale. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, but still expensive.
• The Dead Don’t Hurt: such a bad movie. In theaters.
• Kinds of Kindness: disgustingly indulgent. In theaters, primarily arthouses.

WATCH AT HOME

The most eclectic watch-at-home recommendations you’ll find ANYWHERE:

• Very Semi-Serious: glorious The New Yorker cartoons. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Headhunters: from smoothly confident scoundrel to human piñata. Amazon, AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube, redbox.
• John Adams: the most overlooked giant of our Founding Fathers. MAX included), Amazon, AppleTV.
• Black Bear: ever surprising. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Ruby Sparks: be careful what you ask for. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary: ordinary humans enabling monstrous acts. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Much Ado About Nothing (2013): it’s not homework, it’s a screwball comedy. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Midnight Family: an all-night race for pesos. YouTube.
• I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore: a schlub goes postal. Netflix.

ON TV

On Saturday, July 13, Turner Classic Movies airs John Sayles’ 1988 Eight Men Out, which tells the true story of the Black Sox Scandal – the Chicago White Sox players who fixed the 1919 World Series.  Sayles used actors, not baseball players, but the baseball scenes are totally authentic.  The characters of star players Eddie Cicotte (David Straithern), Buck Weaver (John Cusack) and Shoeless Joe Jackson (D.B. Sweeney) and owner Charles Comiskey (Clifton James) vividly come alive. Watch for Sayles himself and Studs Terkel playing sportswriters Ring Lardner and Hugh Fullerton.

You know it’s a good week when you can see Ghostlight, The Bikeriders and Thelma in theaters, and you can stream Challengers, La Chimera and Hit Man at home. This week on The Movie Gourmet – new reviews of Jeff Nichol’s superbly character driven The Bikeriders and the unabashedly surreal comedy Mother Couch, and the disgustingly self-indulgent Kinds of Kindness.

REMEMBRANCE

Robert Towne is best known, justifiably, for his Oscar-winning screenplay for Chinatown, one of my Greatest Movies of All Time; but director Roman Polanski perfected the script by changing the ending over Towne’s objections.  However, Chinatown was only one of a string of brilliant screenplays penned by Towne between 1973 and 1982 – The Last Detail, The Yakuza, Shampoo and Personal Best. Starting in 1967, Towne was also the uncredited script doctor who polished Bonnie and Clyde, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, The Godfather and Heaven Can Wait.

CURRENT MOVIES

• Ghostlight: a family saves itself, in iambic pentameter. In theaters.
• The Bikeriders: they ride, drink and fight, and yet we care. In theaters.
• Hit Man: who knew self-invention could be so fun? Netflix.
• Thelma: too proud to be taken. In theaters.
• Mother Couch: obstreperous mom, surreal situation. In theaters, primarily arthouses.
• Challengers: three people and their desire. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, but still expensive.
• La Chimera: six genres for the price of one. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• The Grab: important, engrossing and sobering. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Run Lola Run: still sprinting after 25 years. In theaters and Amazon, AppleTV and YouTube.
• Relative: a loving, but insistent investigation. Amazon (included with prime), AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube. 
• Wicked Little Letters: a sparkling Jessie Buckley and an interesting take on repression. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• How to Have Sex: searing and authentic. MUBI.
• Civil War: a most cautionary tale. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango, but still expensive.
• The Dead Don’t Hurt: such a bad movie. In theaters.
• Kinds of Kindness: disgustingly indulgent. In theaters, primarily arthouses.

WATCH AT HOME

The most eclectic watch-at-home recommendations you’ll find ANYWHERE:

• Headhunters: from smoothly confident scoundrel to human piñata. Amazon, AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube, redbox.
• Very Semi-Serious: glorious The New Yorker cartoons. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• John Adams: the most overlooked giant of our Founding Fathers. MAX included), Amazon, AppleTV.
• Black Bear: ever surprising. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Ruby Sparks: be careful what you ask for. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary: ordinary humans enabling monstrous acts. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Much Ado About Nothing (2013): it’s not homework, it’s a screwball comedy. Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube.
• Midnight Family: an all-night race for pesos. YouTube.
• I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore: a schlub goes postal. Netflix.

ON TV

On July 8, Turner Classic Movies will play the less well-known 1940 version of Gaslight. In GASLIGHT, GASLIGHT and gaslighting in domestic violence, I wrote about this film, the more familiar 1944 version and gaslighting itself. This original 1940 version is also especially well-acted. Anton Walbrook is suave and evil as the hubbie and Dyana Wyngard is unforgettably haunting as the wife. Only 19 minutes in, we see his duplicity, manipulation and control. Frank Pettingell is very good as the detective, and the cast includes Robert Newton (Long John Silver in the 1950 Treasure Island). Cathleen Cordell plays the oversexed maid Nancy in a less nuanced performance than Angela Lansbury’s in 1944. This 1940 film version is reportedly the most faithful to the stage play source material.