Streaming Roulette, August: Pray away those freaky requiems
Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 2:00PM
NATHANIEL R in Freaky, In Her Shoes, Jared Leto, Josephine Baker, Kingdom, LGBTQ+, Magnolia, The Thin Red Line, Tom Cruise, Woody Harrelson, streaming

New month. Time for another round of Streaming Roulette where we point out a handful or two of random titles that are newly streaming and just for fun, freeze frame them at totally random places in the scroll bar...

[No dialogue. Confused, looking around.]

FREAKY (2020) on HBOMax
This must be when the serial killer and the teenager find themselves in each others bodies, in this horror comedy riff on the Freaky Friday template. We didn't see this one (did you?) but are a tiny bit curious. Tangent: Do you ever wonder how actors and musicians feel when they watch movies and see their own faces as set decoration, on character's bedroom walls? (Hi Brendon Urie.)

-Do you miss her?
-Every day. You?
-I didn't know your wife so I can't say that I do.
-[Laughter]

IN HER SHOES (2005) on Amazon Prime
Shirley Maclaine snagged a Golden Globe nomination for this dramedy about two estranged sisters (Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette) who meet a grandmother (Maclaine) they didn't know existed. Vaguely remember this being better than its reviews back in 2005 but haven't seen it since. It was also the subject of an episode of "This Had Oscar Buzz" 

[voice on phone] I miss him so much but he thinks I'm rejecting him because I won't call him my daughter.

PRAY AWAY (2021) on Netflix 
A new documentary focusing on ex-leaders of the "gay conversion therapy" movement.  

[horn blaring]

KINGDOM: ASHIN OF THE NORTH (2021) on Netflix
Strangely Netflix has not connected this new release to its origin series under "new episodes" but it is essentially a prequel to the two-seasons of South Korea's sensational zombie epidemic / royal thriller Kingdom. We haven't watched this yet but the series itself had amazing craft work, strong performances, and exciting direction. Can't recommend the series highly enough and the existence of this prequel suggests we're not getting a third season after the long break due to COVID.

- I'm gonna switch gears here. According to your book you ended up at UC Berkeley?
- 84 to 89

MAGNOLIA (1999) on Netflix
Ohmygod. Remember how sensational this interview scene was between Tom Cruise's misogynist guru and a non-intimidated reporter (April Grace)? Cruise totally earned that Oscar nomination (the outcome of that year's Best Supporting Actor Oscar race is one of the saddest ever given the five star brilliance on offer from a few of the nominees) but Grace should have been instantly in-demand after this. If we'd had the Film Bitch Awards back then she would have been nominated for Best Performance in a Limited or Cameo role with ease, maybe even won. She sparred with an on-fire Cruise with real beat-for-beat expressive strength and presence. In related news: I deeply miss when Paul Thomas Anderson made ensemble films. I'm not sure what prompted his turn to more typical "focus on one character" films but it was a shame in some ways since few directors ever hope to be the next Altman like PTA once did. 

 

[music and camera snapping sounds]

PRINCESS TAM-TAM (1935) on Criterion
Criterion is running a series on Josephine Baker right now. In this one she's a shepherd girl pretending to be a princess who becomes a sensation of the Parisian nightlife. 


Where am I? Where am I?

THE THIN RED LINE (1998) on Hulu
Landed on the very upsetting scene where Woody Harrelson accidentally blows himself up. God he's a great actor. They way he repeats that line 'Where am I?' without sound the second time but just his lips moving is so harrowing. A fine picture if not my favourite Malick. Think that's The New World but it varies. You?

-God does not love evil-doers. I guess that means you.
-Shut up.

NAZ & MAALIK (2016) on Hulu
Have you ever seen this indie about two closeted Muslim teenagers? 

I finally asked myself. What's her fix? Television, right?!

REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000) on HBOMax
We sometimes forget that we once loved Jared Leto. It was many moons ago from the time of Jordan Catalano leaning on lockers through to this Darren Aronofsky breakout picture in which he's very good as a junkie. Jennifer Connelly and Ellen Burstyn are even better, though, in Oscar statue worthy performances.

 

also streaming on Netflix

later this month

 

 

COLLECTIONS streaming on Criterion Channel

Individual films also streaming on Criterion Channel

later this month

 

also streaming on Hulu

later this month

 

also streaming on Prime...

later this month

 

also streaming on Disney+

later this month

 

also streaming

 

 

later this month

Article originally appeared on The Film Experience (http://thefilmexperience.net/).
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