The Coda Presents: For Your Consideration 5

It’s nearing the end of film awards season, which means my list for best films will be coming out very soon. But in the meantime, there is some really good stuff to watch out there right now. The Artist, A Dangerous Method, Hugo, and Albert Nobbs are all great films and still in theaters. Melancholia, The Innkeepers, Sleeping Beauty, and The Guard are available On Demand. And, Midnight in Paris, Meeks Cutoff, and Detective Dee and the Phantom Flame is available on Blu-Ray or DVD, and those are just a few of the great choices. Film fans, get out there and watch something! Or, take some friendly advice and check out these few, available on your streaming platforms, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION…

Certified Copy

Dir: Abbas Kiarostami

Starring: Juliette Binoche and William Shimell

This is probably going to be double dipping, since this film will more than likely make my top ten, but I had to put it on this list because most people haven’t seen this film though it is easily available.  The film concerns a British author on a book tour in Tuscany giving a speech about his work. His book expels upon ideas of the originality of art. A woman listening to the discussion meets with the man and the two begin a journey discussing the many ideologies and theories of his book. What starts as a simple discussion consumes into a journey of the progressive nature of originality versus imitation in humanity. Questions abound concerning the authenticity of the relationship and journey they are taking. What is original and what is copied?

Hunger

Dir: Steve McQueen

Starring: Michael Fassbender and Stuart Graham

This is a prison film, and it’s a brutal and aggressive shock to your eyes and ears from the very beginning. Hunger concerns the life of IRA inmate Bobby Sands, who started a hunger strike while in prison in Northern Ireland in 1981. The transformation of Michael Fassbender is dangerously realistic. This film is hard to watch, it unflinchingly showcases the brutal nature of prison and the plight of the inmates during the hunger strike. Nonetheless, it’s an ambitious feat of filmmaking.

Best Worst Movie

Dir: Michael Stephenson

Troll 2.  Deemed one of the worst films of all time. Meet the people who love this film, who admire and watch it on a regular basis. This is a cult film, revered by the fans that memorize every single line of the film. Now, I know you are probably wondering how this could be enjoyable to watch. Well, it’s the same appeal of why it’s fun to watch people at the airport or mall. It’s a fun and entertaining documentary about a group of people who hold and undying admiration for something most of the population would laugh or ridicule. Insightful and intriguing.

HORROR FANS

I always have something for my horror movie-loving crowd.  

So, here’s a bit of nostalgia for you.

Witchfinder General

Dir: Michael Reeves

Starring: Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy, and Rupert Davies

This might not be a straight-up horror film, but horror fans should still watch it. This is one of my favorite Vincent Price performances. Basically it concerns a conman who is exploiting village’s superstitions in order to make profit by finding witches and prosecuting them. Vincent Price plays one of his most unfavorable characters in this film. Horror fans, give it a try.