With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit platforms. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.
Antichrist (Lars von Trier)
Like the majority of Lars von Trier films, from the first moments of Antichrist, one will be able to discern if it’s an experience they want to proceed with. For those will to endure its specific unpleasantness, there’s a poetic, affecting exploration of despair at its center. Chaos reigns, indeed. – Jordan R.
Where to Stream: FilmStruck
Donnie Darko (Richard Kelly)
Last year marked the 15-year anniversary of Richard Kelly’s debut cult curio, Donnie Darko. While the film’s cult-status has elevated it into its own separate canon alongside other 21st-century indie-cult hits, Kelly’s two other films — the positively delirious and daring Southland Tales and the labyrinthine sci-fi period piece The Box — prove that he is a director deserving of much greater consideration. Sadly it’s been about eight years since a new film of his has been in theaters, but the time is surely ripe. Kelly’s visions of the end-times feel just as urgent now as they did when we were first introduced to them back in 2001. And since we’re living in a time when the formerly reclusive Terrence Malick is miraculously pumping out multiple films a year, there’s every reason to be optimistic that, soon, the same will be the case with Kelly. Read my full interview with the director. – Andrew W.
Where to Stream: iTunes
The Prestige (Christopher Nolan)
The Prestige is relatively light work by Christopher Nolan, a thematic downgrade from the serial killer cat-and-mouse game of Insomnia; the wonderfully intoxicating and heavy Memento; the unnerving Following; and yes, even the psychological exploration of Bruce Wayne’s demons in Batman Begins. I think when looking back at his career thus far, it stands out as the least substantial in many ways – and yet it is also one of his most memorable films, as one can sense a bit of freedom afforded him by the success of Batman. This is Nolan unshackled from the studio constraints of a comic book tentpole, having fun and delivering a clever and crafty yarn. The performances from all involved are wonderful (I still rank it as one of Hugh Jackman’s best), and the tonal shift towards earnest sci-fi as the picture progresses – the kind of tricky balancing act that could derail a lesser filmmaker – results in a surprisingly moving ending, one where everything we think we know is turned on its head and a bit of tragedy seeps through the picture. The Prestige is Nolan pulling a trick over on his audience just as expertly as Michael Caine’s character explains in the film itself, and yet never once do we feel cheated. – John U.
Where to Stream: Netflix
The Son of Joseph (Eugéne Green)
As my first introduction to the films Eugéne Green, The Son of Joseph displays an impressive formal approach and playful sense of comedy. In the story of a teenager attempting to track down his real father — and the aftermath of what that entails — Green’s Bressonian style melds nicely with his colorful palette, creating one of the more distinct features of the year so far. – Jordan R.
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
Tramps (Adam Leon)
The romantic comedy formula is one that can’t help but become redundant in premise. How many different scenarios are there for two people to converge? Even so, Adam Leon may have found a new one with his meet-cute during a dead-drop gone wrong called Tramps. It should have been a painless exchange: Ellie (Grace Van Patten) picks up Danny (Callum Turner), they retrieve a briefcase with unknown contents, and deliver said case to a woman with a green purse at the train station. She may have second thoughts and he may be pinch-hitting for brother Darren (Michal Vondel) who’s currently in jail, but how could anyone screw this up? – Jared M. (full review)
Where to Stream: Netflix
New to Streaming
Amazon
Buena Vista Social Club
Gold (review)
Keep Quiet
FilmStruck
Red Desert + The Last Wave
Pay Day + A Taxing Woman
The Films of Aki Kaurismäki
Ivan the Terrible, Part I and Part II
Toni
MUBI (free 30-day trial)
Contact High
The Valley Below
Love Rites
Araya
Out in the Dark
Archipelago
Rouge
Netflix
A Patch of Fog (review)
Little Boxes (review)
Manglehorn (review)
Sand Castle (review)