This Netflix original film features a stunning and chilling performance by Idris Elba, who won for Best Supporting Male. Other wins included Best Male Lead, Abraham Attah, who is impressive in the role of a child soldier, and Best Cinematography and Director (Cary Joji Fukunaga)
#SpiritAwards: Abraham Attah wins Best Male Lead for ‘Beasts’ (for his first role ever) https://t.co/cj6UxOH95I https://t.co/DzLj2OepS9
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 28, 2016
World of Tomorrow
I highly recommend this rapid paced 17 minutes of just about every sci-fi concept explored, parodied, and considered as a playful little girl is transported into the future to meet her humorless adult descendant. Both funny and melancholy, and definitely not to be missed.
This critically acclaimed erotic gay thriller doesn’t play by the rules of a typical suspense film. The build-up of suspense is almost overwhelmed by the endless stream of naked men and a variety of explicit sex scenes that are often playful and humorous. Although it has been described as “Hitchcockian,” that description is only appropriate if you view it as 10% Hitch – 90% cock. However, the ending is shocking, unnerving, and unique. (available on DVD, Blu-ray, iTunes, and Netflix streaming)
Dreams of a Life (2012)
In 2003, the body of 38 year old Joyce Vincent was found in her studio apartment. She had been dead for over two years. This film, part documentary-part dramatization, attempts to discover why her friends and family made little effort to contact her, and explores how this tragedy could have happened.
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(available on DVD and Netflix streaming)
Nature photographer James Balog spent three years documenting the effects of global warming on glaciers in Greenland, Iceland, Alaska, Glacier National Park, and Mt Everest. By strategically placing cameras that took one picture every hour for three years, Balog reveals through some stunning images the dramatic effects of climate change.
(available on DVD and Netflix streaming)
Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters (2012)
Crewdson’s elaborately staged cinematic photographs depicting scenes from American life are stunning examples of photography as art and social commentary. Each photo is an evocative psychological moment in time captured with a richness of depth and a haunting perspective of the sadness and beauty of human life.
(available on DVD and Netflix streaming)
Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters Trailer from Benjamin Shapiro on Vimeo.
One Magic Christmas (1985)
A modern, and somewhat bleak version of some of the elements from It’s a Wonderful Life. Mary Steenburgen plays a cynical, hard working mother who learns how easily either one act of desperation or one act of kindness can change lives in ways she’d never expect. Contains one of the most lovely moments in cinema involving a letter to Santa. (available on Netflix Streaming)
The Ref (1994)
During a home invasion, a thief (Denis Leary) becomes embroiled in the constant arguing of his hostages (Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis) a couple who hate each other more than the man holding them prisoner. This dark and hilarious comedy provides holiday delight in both cynical and sentimental ways.
Saturday Night Live Christmas Special (1999)
This one is not a film, it’s a diverse collection of Christmas themed sketches from the early years of Saturday Night Live. Highlights include: The cynical and violent “Lost Ending” to It’s a Wonderful Life, and Alec Baldwin as the infamous Pete Schweddy, whose company is famous for their Christmas balls, which inspired an infamous and short-lived Ben and Jerry’s ice cream flavor…
Joyeux Noel (2006)
An emotionally moving French language drama based on the true story of three armies in the trenches of World War I, and the remarkable Christmas Eve truce they unexpectedly choose to share. This unforgettable film illustrates the power the Holiday spirit can inspire even in the most dire of situations.
Love, Actually (2003)
An entertaining collection of both sweet and cynical love stories for those of us who usually dislike romantic comedies. Familiar British stars (Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Keira Knightly, etc) share screen time with emerging stars including Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) and January Jones (Mad Men). (available on Netflix streaming)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton’s fusion of iconic elements from both Halloween and Christmas tells the story of a multi-talented skeleton who wants to take over as “Sandy Claws” because he’s tired of Halloween. If you’ve been to Disneyland during Halloween and Christmas time, you’ve already seen some of the visual delights this film offers. It also has a few catchy tunes and one lovely ballad in its Golden Globe nominated score. (available on Netflix streaming)
The Imposter (2012)
The compelling story of a boy who disappeared in Texas. Almost four years later in Spain, a young man claims that he is the missing boy. Despite the fact that he has a French accent and appears to be much older than a teenager, the family accepts him as the missing boy and they bring him home to Texas. Are they covering something up? This is one of those unique films that has you questioning what you are seeing. Puzzling, shocking, and incredibly entertaining.
Tired of It’s a Wonderful Life and the 42 different versions of A Christmas Carol?
Then you might like these lesser known, and edgy Christmas themed films.
Bad Santa (2003)
Billy Bob Thornton directs and stars in this hilarious comedy about the misadventures of a mean and cranky department store Santa, and the young boy he finds himself looking after. This film is crude and hysterically funny. John Ritter’s last film role. (FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY)
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol. (1988) (from – Blackadder: the complete collector’s set)
The brilliant British comedian Rowan Atkinson takes the classic Dickens’ Christmas story and turns it into a wicked parody of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Tiny Tim, and just about everything sacred about the familiar icons of the Victorian period and the original A Christmas Carol. After being exploited by ungrateful friends and relatives, Ebenezer Black Adder decides to take revenge. (TV-PG)
Available on Netflix streaming.
Black Christmas (1974)
During Christmas time, a mentally disturbed man delivers a series of disturbing phone calls to a group of sorority sisters before they head home for the Holidays, and then they start disappearing. Eventually some of the bodies are found. Is the killer someone they know? Olivia Hussey (Romeo and Juliet) and Margot Kidder (Superman films) play two of the sorority sisters.
Gremlins (1984)
It’s Christmas in a small town when a young man inadvertently breaks the three important rules he is instructed to follow to keep his new exotic pet safe. Water and “bright light” cause the adorable Mogwai to duplicate himself and then multiply into a hoard of dangerous mini monsters. Gizmo (voice of Howie Mandel) is one of the cutest critters ever to appear on screen. Directed by Joe Dante. Produced by Steven Spielberg. (rated PG)
WORLD LIT FILM 