Stream This: Young Adult, Saved!, Weiner-Dog, and more...
Thursday, September 1, 2016 at 1:35PM It's that time again. Let's look at what's new to streaming on Amazon Prime this month, by random screengrabs wherever the scrolling bar drops us in the movie...
Oh Mary, please don't tell me you're a lesbian."
Saved! (2004)
I've never seen this Christian high school movie but given how often its devout fans bring it up or quote it perhaps I should?
Please help us...
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Don't do it, Brad! Kiki is BIG TROUBLE even though she comes in a tiny cute package.
six more movies after the jump...
I'm glad you're up because you have a kid to care for."
Pusher II (2004)
Before Drive and Neon Demon Nicolas Winding Refn made Danish films with his then-muse Mads Mikkelsen as violent men. In this trilogy he's a small time criminal just out of prison
Do you still think that my Shylock was inadequate? That was the adjective you used, 'inadequate'!"
Theater of Blood (1973)
Vincent Price is a Shakespearean actor seeking revenge on his critics in this horror flick. I wonder what critics thought of it at the time? Tim Burton, noted Vincent Price enthusiast and future auteur, would have been 15 year old when this movie arrived in theaters.
-Are you hurt?
-Oh it's nothing.
1984 (1984)
Have any of you seen this dystopian film based on the George Orwell? I haven't but I used to love the Eurythmics theme song "Sex Crime (1984)"
-It's so beautiful
-It sleeps. When worn by one with a courageous heart, the stone glows red.
Secret of Nimh (1982)
I looooved this as a kid. I wonder what Don Bluth, the only mainstream off-Disney game in the US animation world back then, thinks of the modern animation boom? So many studios now competing for so many more dollars.
But then... this is where I have trouble. Where do I go from here? I know how you're always saying about the story. 'What if?' 'Then what?' But that's what I don't know the answer to.
Weiner-Dog (2016)
Did you read Daniel Walber's episode of The Furniture on this Todd Solondz film? You should.
A lot of my kids learn emotions cognitively. It doesn't come naturally to them the way it does for you and me so we need to show them. 'This is what happiness looks like. This is what anxious looks like.' And so on..."
Young Adult (2011)
'What about neutral?' Look (!) at the incomprehension and suspicion just lightly dusted over, well, "neutral". Charlize is f***ing brilliant in this movie. It's clearer and clearer as time passes that it's both Jason Reitman's best film, Diablo Cody's best screenplay, and Charlize Theron's best work as an actor. I'm so mad at myself for having it as #11 in my 2011 list. Shoulda made the top ten.
Also New to Streaming on Amazon Prime...
2001 Maniacs, Any Given Sunday, Apollo 13, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Autopsy, Borderland, Breakhart Pass, The Broken, Bronson, Buried, Butterfly Effect 3, Caddyshack, Crazy Eights, Dark Ride, The Death of Ian Stone, The Devil Inside, Dying Breed, Eight Men Out, Fido, Food, Inc, Four Feathers, From Within, Full Metal Jacket, Fun Size, Futureworld, Good Will Hunting, Hair, Heaven's Gate, Imagine That, Lake Dead, Man on Wire, the Mechanic, Mr Mahesty, Mulberry Street, Nightmare Man, Offspring, Out of Time, Pusher I, Pusher II, Pusher III, Reincarnation, Roman Holiday, Scary Movie 2, The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Thaw, To the Wonder, Unearthed, and United States of Leland.
Coming Sept 2nd-Sept 12th: Knock Knock, Scout's Guide to Zombie Apocalypse, Paranormal Activity: Ghost Dimension, and Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction, Bigger Stronger Faster, Cocaine Cowboys, Drillbit Taylor
Reader Comments (18)
which movie would you swap out of your top ten to make room?
I'll throw the M word out there for YOUNG ADULT any day with no shame. When it came out I think it was only seen as acidic and mean-spirited, but I think it's actually quite humane and curious toward Mavis. Also some of my favorite recent editing work for how concise it is while still giving room to the performance. The lawn monologue is a master class on all fronts.
Film Bitch FYC > Zosia Mamet plumbs amazing depths out of a semi-absurd scenario in Weiner-Dog. Now that I think of it, I guess I always liked her in Girls - while unfairly taking her for granted. But her vulnerability and believability in this role combined with a firm grip on the film's tone (without letting said tone entrap her) really blew me away.
Also SAVED! is sweet but after a recent rewatch, I don't think it's held up unfortunately
What bums me out even more apart from Viola the obvious winner hands down for me and Streep in the old lady bits of TIL no one else was remotely worthy of a nomination,when this film clearly in retrospect is a career high point for all involved I'd hand back Charlize's Monster Oscar to have her win for this true original creation,i want to be Mavis's friend,does that make me mad.
This film was my winner in 2011 for best film just edging out Drive.
2011 Best Actress in order
Theron
Coleman
Davis
Dunst
Streep
Jesus that picture of Mads Mikkelsen. Guess it's off to go stare at the big post I did at MNPP for that scene!
I still haven't actually seen the Pusher trilogy though -- I think I have a project for myself for the long weekend!
Theater of Blood is a lot of fun -- one of my favorite Vincent Prince movies. (Although truth be told I can't think of a movie Vincent Price has been in that I haven't liked -- if he's onscreen I am just happy.)
The thing I remember most about The Secret of Nimh is the Flying Dreams song by Paul Williams. Just beautiful.
goran - I completely agree re: Mamet in Weinerdog. Very impressive.
Young Adult is one of my favorite films. Mavis Gary, for all her flaws, is my fictional literary icon. She just takes all this crap that keeps getting thrown at her and finds a way to keep pulling it into her work, even when that work is most assuredly going to be her last high paying gig for a long time. She's a total mess with anxiety issues yet she managed a successful career in a very unstable field. I mean, the break up a marriage plot in her twisted little mind is beyond bonkers but she consistently goes after what she wants in life.
Totally agree about Young Adult and Theron...the sex scene with Patton Oswalt should have earned them Oscar nominations.
2011 Best Actress is my strongest line-up for some time... Yet none of them managed nominations -
Colman
Olsen
Paquin
Swinton
Theron
I can't even include Dunst, which breaks my heart...
Since there's no "On this day..." today, I just have to mention that it's Lily Tomlin and Ann Richards's birthday today and that makes it the third greatest day of the year, after the Oscars and Meryl and Elizabeth Warren's birthday. So everyone better celebrate tonight!
Also, Young Adult is great and I can't wait to rewatch it!
Monster is still Charlize Theron's best performance and film.
It's not amazing, but Saved! is definitely worth a viewing. I can't believe you've never seen it! Worth it just for Mandy Moore and a Maculay Culkin line about Planned Parenthood.
I agreed Young Adult IS Theron's best performance, more so than the Oscar baity Monster. She is brilliant as the Kidult and in a total denial bitch mode (that seems *ahem* kinda like her real persona). Its a shame she was edged out in Oscar nom, but hey at least she scored a GG nom....
My 2011 Best Actress list:
1) Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)
2) Charlize Theron (Young Adult)
3) Tilda Swinston (We Need to Talk about Kevin)
4) Viola Davis (The Help)
5) Kristen Wiig (The Bridesmaids)
goran - totally agree about Mamet. I've only seen the first season of Girls but I actually thought she was kinda terrible (did not believe her for a second) but I heard she gets better in later seasons. I also thought she was terrible on Mad Men so it was nice to finally see her be good in something to justify her constantly getting work (other than her name).
Young Adult is a terrific movie--caught it a second time earlier this year and it's even better than I'd remembered. Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, and Diablo Cody each did their careers proud. Everyone who hasn't seen it should do so immediately.