Streaming Roulette May: Circus of Books, Song of the Sea, Etc...

by Nathaniel R

If you're new to the site this is how we share new streaming offerings for the month. We select a handful or two of titles and just randomly hit a place on the scroll bar to see what the film looks like - no cheating.  Ready? Let's play...

I'm sorry it's just upsetting to me to hear that.

Circus of Books (2020) on Netflix
Sometimes expectations can get too high when you hear nothing but raves (including one right here). This documentary about nice Jewish parents running a gay porn shop, is a good film and you absolutely should watch it, don't misunderstand. But the clumsy hand-held camera took us out of the picture way too often. It's curious to land on this image of the daughter/director  because though the scene is moving and the movie wouldn't have been possible without the insider feel, we kept wanting more context from/about the adult children to better illuminate the family drama... which isn't really a sidebar topic, though it often feels that way.

More after the jump including The Half of It, and all-too familiar rants about Angela Bassett's career, and Oscar's Best Animated Feature category...

-It's kind of sweet.
       -It's kind of trite.
-It shows that he cares.
       -It shows he's a moron; Who outruns trains?

The Half Of It (2020) on Netflix
We keep hearing this riff on Cyrano de Bergerac which mixes LGBTQ youth, high school comedy, and immigraton themes, into the very well worn story -- is delightful. It won Tribeca's Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature so we'll get to it as soon as is humanly possible.

I can tell when you're lying.

Bad Education (2020) on HBO
People are enamored of this film about a local schoolboard scandal, especially the performances from Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney, including both members of our team who reviewed it, first Chris at TIFF and then Tony on HBO. Expect Emmy nominations... since HBO bought it at festivals  for their channel so we don't they can pretend it was meant to be in theaters before COVID-19 which is the only way to be eligible for Oscars now if you're a streaming title.

No thankee! The sea... she's the only situation wantin' fer me. 

The Lighthouse (2019) on Amazon Prime
Team Experience was mostly rapturous on this one, including Chris and Jason. But it didn't quite do it for yours truly, "No thankee!" That said the dialogue is a hoot and Robert Pattinson is just about perfect in it. Oh and cinematographer Jarin Blachke completely earned that Oscar nomination. Okay okay, maybe we should give it a second chance. 

We should never have discussed those things in front of her!

Daughters of Darkness (1971) on Amazon Prime
The early 70s featured a flood of lesbian vampire movies (look it up) and no, we don't know why that is but we'd love some clues. This is one of the most famous with Delphine Seyrig as Countess Báthory.

We shared a kiss.

This Means War (2012) on HBO
This is surely one of those movies that people have forgotten existed. Tom Hardy (*drools*) and Chris Pine compete for Reese Witherspoon's lips in this (reportedly) unholy blend of action comedy with rom-com. We've never seen it but we kind of want to given the starpower. Have you? 

Of course I like it. It's beautiful. But I couldn't accept it.

If you Could Only Cook (1935) on Criterion
One of the less famous entries in their current "Starring Jean Arthur" series. This one's a Depression era romantic comedy. We just discussed the inimitable Jean Arthur's career right here. 

I can get us home using my map. Just you wait and see.

Song of the Sea (2014) on Netflix
Still vividly remember seeing this at TIFF in 2013 --  the colors, the design, the linework, the unforgettable owl villain. When is Cartoon Saloon going to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar? It's past time already. We love Disney and Disney/Pixar as much as the next person but when (combined) the Mouse House wins this category 70% of the time (13 out of 19 years!). And no other studio has managed more than a single win. And two of the most consistently brilliant animation studios (Laika and Cartoon Saloon) are still Oscarless after two decades of the category, something might be wrong with the voting structures/rules. Just saying. 

Hey, maybe this is just maneuvers, huh?

Sands of Iwo Jima (1949) on Hulu
Nominated for four Oscars including Best Actor for John Wayne. 

So what you're telling me is that you don't really have a passion for medicine.

How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998) on HBO
How unfortunate that we were robbed of the steamy sex scene with our streaming roulette scrollbar and only got this post-coital image, as sensual as it is.

A fact about the ridiculousness of Hollywood decision makers in the 1990s and 2000s. There were FAR too few star vehicles for Angela Bassett after her 1993 What's Love Got to Do With It breakout! This is the only one that fits the classic definition of "star vehicle". Okay, there are two if you count Waiting to Exhale though that's more of an ensemble piece even though Angela burns the whole place down with her star magnetism. 

ALSO STREAMING IN RIGHT NOW...

newly streaming

• Starring Jean Arthur (16 films - Discussion)
• 3 Faces (2018)
• Around the World in 80 Days (1956) 5 Oscar wins
• The Battle of Algiers (1966)
• The Limey (1999)
• Mulholland Dr (2001)
• Paris Texas (1984)
• This is Not a Film (2011)
• Taxi (2015)
• Wadjda (2012)

later this month (a selection) 

• The Age of Innocence (May 21st)
• 3 Films by Tsai Ming-Liang (May 7th)
• 11 Documentaries by Louis Malle (May 11th)
• 17 Films written by Frances Marion (May 17th)
• 3 Films by Diane Kurys (May 20th)
• 8 Films Starring Jackie Chan  (May 31st)

newly streaming

• Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
• All Day and All Night
• Almost Happy (Netflix Original)
• The Artist (recent discussion)
• Back to the Future (first two movies)
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Cracked Up, The Darrel Hammond Story
• Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Den of Thieves
• For Colored Girls
• Fun With Dick and Jane
• Get In
• The Heartbreak Kid (remake -ugh. the original never streams)
• Hollywood (Netflix Original)
• I Am Divine
• Into the Night (Netflix Original - not the Michelle Pfeiffer movie)
• Jarhead (and its 'straight to video' sequels)
• Material
• Mrs Serial Killer
• The Patriot
• Reckoning (S1)
• Sinister
• Underworld (and two sequels)
• Urban Cowboy
• What a Girl Wants
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

later this month (selection)

• Avatar: The Last Airbender (S1-3, May 15th)
• Becoming (Michelle Obama Doc, May 6th)
• Dead To Me (S2, May 8th)
• The Eddy (miniseries, May 8th)
• The Lovebirds (May 22nd)
• Ne Zha (May 25th)
• Trumbo (May 19th)

newly streaming

• Abominable
• Aeon Flux 
• Assassination Tango
• Batman Begins (and The Dark Knight)
• Billy the Kid 
• Brick Mansions 
• The Conjuring
• Crooked Hearts 
• Demolition Man 
• Escape from Alcatraz 
• Friday the 13th Part III 
• Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter 
• Gloria 
• Goodfellas 
• The Graduate
• The Green Mile 
• Harry Benson: Shoot First 
• House of D 
• A Life Less Ordinary
• Megamind 
• Men With Brooms 
• Molly 
• Monster House 
• Mutant Species 
• Pathology 
• The Patriot
• Planet 51 
• Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown 
• Sands of Iwo Jima 
• Slums of Beverly Hills 
• Some Kind of Hero 
• Soul Food 
• Sprung 
• Strategic Air Command 
• Tamara 
• Tank Girl
• Treasure Hounds 
• Universal Soldier
• Walking Tall 
• The Whistleblower 

later in the month (a selection)

• The Lodge (May 5th)
• Ramy (S2, May 29th)
• Rocketman (May 22nd)
• Spaceship Earth (May 8th)

newly streaming for May - a selection they usually offer the same films as Hulu (see above) plus a slew of older often B films

• 10 Fingers of Steel (1973)
• A Cadaver Christmas (2011)
• Best of Shaolin Kung Fu (1977)
• Blood Spattered Bride (1972)
• Escape From Alcatraz (1979)
• Eurocrime! The Italian Cop And Gangster Films That Ruled The '70s (2014)
• Fearless Young Boxer (1979)
• Five Fingers of Steel (1982)
• Green Dragon Inn (1977)
• I Hate Tom Petty (2013)
• Inferno (1980)
• Lakeboat (2000)
• Night Train Murders (1975)
• Seven Deaths In The Cat's Eye (1973)
• Torso (1973)

later in the month (selection) 

• Alias (S1-5) on May 11th
• Come to Daddy (2020) on May 23rd
• The Hustle (2019) on May 7th
• Seberg (2020) on May 15th

newly streaming

• George of the Jungle
• Homewar Bound
• Homeward Bound 2
• John Carter

later in the month a selection

• Fantastic Mr Fox - on May 22nd
• Hello Dolly - on May 22nd
• Maleficent: Mistress of Evil - on May 15th
• The Moon Spinners (starring Hayley Mills) - on May 29th

newly streaming

• The Art of Getting By, 2011
• Bigger, 2018
• Black Knight, 2001
• BlacKkKlansman, 2018
• Broken Arrow, 1996
• Cast Away, 2000
• Cinema Paradiso (Director’s Cut), 1990
• Cold Mountain, 2003
• Commando, 1985
• Contagion, 2011
• Cowboys & Aliens (Unrated Version), 2011
• Crazy Rich Asians, 2018
• Death at a Funeral, 2007
• Dick Tracy, 1990
• The Fighter, 2010
• Friday Night Lights, 2004
• Green Card, 1990
• The Hangover Part II, 2011
• The Hot Chick, 2002
• How Stella Got Her Groove Back, 1998
• In Bruges, 2008
• Incarnate, 2016
• Jaws, 1975 (and its first 3 sequels)
• John Tucker Must Die, 2006
• Josie and the Pussycats, 2001
• The Kite Runner, 2007
• La La Land, 2016
• Little Shop of Horrors (Director’s Cut), 1986
• Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, 2018
• The Meg, 2018
• Michael Clayton, 2007
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding, 2002
• Nocturnal Animals, 2016
• Paul (Extended Version), 2011
• Precious, 2009
• Rise of the Guardians, 2012
• School of Rock, 2003
• Signs, 2002
• Something Borrowed, 2011
• Twins, 1988
• Unstoppable, 2010
• Wild Hogs, 2007
• Your Highness (Extended Version), 2011

later in month -a selection. * May 27th will feature the launch of HBOMax which is somehow different than HBOGo and HBONow though at the very beginning HBONow members will have access to HBOMax at no additional charge. 

• Downton Abbey (2019) on May 9th
• Joker (2019) on May 16th
• * MANY WARNER BROS MOVIES  -on May 27th
• Lucy in the Sky (2019) on May 30th
• Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind (2020) on May 5th
• Ready or Not (2019) on May 23rd

Comments

[Travis C]

If I could "Eternal Sunshine" certain movies out of my brain, THIS MEANS WAR would be high on the list of "get rid of these first!. Mainly because I can't believe Reece and Tom decided to participate (Chris, however, seems natural for this type of rubbish). So of course I'd urge you not to.

[Tyler]

"Seven Deaths in the Cat's Eye" is a fun giallo! Jane Birkin and Hiram Keller (of Fellini Satyricon fame) are both super gorgeous in it.

[thevoid99]

This Means War... I'd rather jump off a cliff than see that piece of shit again.

[par]

that moment from circus of books reminded me of an identical scene in broadcast news and, much like holly hunter's character, made me suspicious of the interviewer

[/3rtful]

Bassett and Taye Diggs are the weakest part of How Stella Got Her Groove Back. When people say Regina King deserved Oscar recognition for Jerry Maguire and Ray they're not evaluating anything near that encompasses her strong suit as a performer. She's aces in the movie. But Whoopi Goldberg is the MVP. She hasn't been this good since.

[starlit]

I echo the voices above with This Means War. Absolutely atrocious. It makes sense why all three principals took it: Reese was still in rom-com mode, Pine was looking to break out of the sci-fi mold, and Hardy wanted to do a rom-com as he had never done one before. All three were also offered enough money to sweeten the deal. The film is so awful though with all three characters being odious. Hardy comes out best, which is faint praise, but that actually makes the movie worse because it makes even less sense Reese's character would pick Chris Pine's character.*

*I like Tom <I>waymore than Chris in general, even back then, especially back then as Hardy was coming off a string of impressive acting.

[James]

I endorse the recommendation of The Half of It. Writer and director Alice Wu has constructed a classic romantic comedy and found outstanding young actors to execute her vision. The entire experience is delightful.

[Owen]

Chris > Tom

[Glenn Dunks]

The best thing about THIS MEANS WAR were the drink they served us before the screening that were divided into Team Tom (gin) and Team Chris (wine). A ghastly experience, that one.

[JW]

Is The Parks and Recreation special streaming on any platform for Canadians that don't get NBC streaming (if that's a thing)

[Ian]

The Half of It is dreadful, dreadful, dreadful.

[Ryan T.]

The Half of It is delightful, delightful, delightful.

I hope Alice Wu doesn't take another 15 years to make her next film. Her debut film, Saving Face, is a gay classic and everyone should check it out if they haven't already. As for The Half of It, the three main leads really are quite appealing and the more distance I have from it, the more I appreciated the ending (which I wasn't sure about initially while loving the rest of the film).

[Robert G]

Laika and Cartoon Saloon are definitely overdue. It's also just so strange to me that Studio Ghibli has only won once (especially with all the years that Disney has distributed them in America). The House of Mouse is synonymous with American animation and it's always going to be an uphill battle to beat them at the Oscars.

[thefilmjunkie]

@par: I thought about Broadcast News during that scene as well. I liked the movie overall, but that moment did seem a little disingenuous. I wish she would've just kept the camera on her brother the whole time.

[Jaragon]

I tried watching"Circus of Books" but was turned off by the bad film making

[Volvagia]

Robert G: Going through Animated Feature? I'd... roughly halve...Disney's combined total of 13. Keep: Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, WALL-E, Frozen, Inside Out, Zootopia, Coco. 5 Pixar, 2 Mainline Disney. The 6 Replacements?

Persepolis over Ratatouille
Coraline, Fantastic Mr. Fox or Secret of Kells over Up
How to Train Your Dragon over Toy Story 3
ParaNorman over Brave
Song of the Sea or The Tale of Princess Kaguya over Big Hero 6
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World over Toy Story 4

Pixar: 5 (Down from a ludicrous 10)
DreamWorks: 3 (Up from a slightly underselling 1 win)
Mainline Disney: 2 (Down from 3)
Laika: 1 or 2 (up from 0)
Cartoon Saloon: 1 or 2 (up from 0)
Studio Ghibli: 1 or 2 (up from a definite 1)
Aardman: 1
Nickelodeon: 1
Sony: 1
American Empirical Pictures: 0 or 1 (up from a definite 0)
(Means: 9 or 10 studios with at least 1 win, up from 7 and anywhere from 3 to 5 studios with multiple wins, up from 2)

[kin]

No, you can't take away Oscars from Ratatouille or the Toy Story franchise (You can take away 4, but there's no denying 3).

Anyway, this argument of taking Oscars from Pixar is like saying Michael Jordan shouldn't have 6 NBA titles. If you are the best, you are the best.

(I am ok with not giving Up or Brave Oscars though.)

[Nathaniel (ka)R(ma)]

Just your daily (sporadic) reminder that Renée Zellweger is a two-time Academy Award winning Actress.

[Ryan T.]

"Anyway, this argument of taking Oscars from Pixar is like saying Michael Jordan shouldn't have 6 NBA titles. If you are the best, you are the best."

This analogy isn't exactly correct. Jordan was competing in something that had objective results. Awards for movies, as much as we'd love if it it was purely objective, is pretty subjective.

A better analogy would be all the Emmy awards which Julia Louis-Dreyfus won. Is she objectively amazing and deserved all her awards? YES. Could I say the exact same thing about Amy Poehler (Parks & Rec) or Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback)? Would I have wanted them to honor Poehler or Kudrow over Dreyfus? YES.

[Lea]

You've come up with a really good list. I think you have to have the talent to do that. Here, for example, like sites that rate online games. It is clear that there are many games, but they somehow manage to select quality content.

[Dan Humphrey]

It's certainly worth mentioning that 12 films by Youssef Chahine, a queer filmmaker who also happens to be considered Egypt's most distinguished director, have, improbably enough, appeared on Netflix this month with little fanfare, including ALEXANDRIA... WHY? (featuring the first gay characters in an Egyptian film), the highly regarded THE LAND (1970) and at least one undisputable masterpiece, CAIRO STATION. Fun fact: Chahine discovered Omar Sharif, who can be seen in THE BLAZING SUN and DARK WATERS, the two earliest Chahine films in the Netflix offerings.

[Tony Smith]

Do you have experience streaming on Twitch? To be honest, I’ve been thinking about trying my hand at streaming for a long time, but it always seemed to me that I was unlikely to become popular. Now there are online tools and solutions like the Twitch bot Streamerplus, more about which you can find out at this link https://streamerplus.com/twitch-viewer-bot/, which gives me more confidence that everything will work out great for me.