In response to the unprecedented rise in streaming, MUBI has upped their game by opening their Library to subscribers.
This has expanded their film selection significantly, with curated categories like “Modern Masterpieces”, “Film Festival Favourites” and “Perfect Failures” available to explore.
If you click on this link you can get the first month of MUBI for free.
My recommendations this month are a mix of films I have watched on various subscription-based streaming sites, rental streaming for under £5 and DVD.
I watched close to 40 films in May so I have trimmed it down to the 20 that made the biggest impression.
My top three films are:
Hoop Dreams (1994)
Rating 10/10
Off the back of ESPN’s engrossing The Last Dance, MUBI has made a newly restored version of Hoop Dreams available to watch. This for me is the pinnacle of sports documentary filmmaking covering William Gates and Arthur Agee’s basketball journey through the Chicago high school system. Race, class, family and education all come in to play as Gates and Agee aim to reach college with the dream of playing in the NBA.
You can watch Hoop Dreams on MUBI and Prime Video Channels.
The Straight Story (1999)
Rating 9/10
Walt Disney Pictures Presents: A film by David Lynch. I had to re-read this numerous times to make sure this was correct. Elderly Alvin Straight receives word that his brother is sick and as a result hops on his lawnmower to make his way across the American Midwest to visit him. This was a wonderful film about family, growing old and the kindness of strangers. Road movies are my Achilles heel just now and this broke me.
You can rent The Straight Story on Prime Video.
Blue Collar (1978)
Rating 8.5/10
Paul Schrader’s directorial debut is a dark and gritty American working-class tale. The excellent lead trio of Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel and Yaphet Kotto play auto assembly line workers in Detroit who have had enough of management and their union reps. The film starts with elements of a dark comedy which then slowly turn into a tense and unpredictable drama.
You can rent Blue Collar on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
The jam-packed honourable mentions are as follows:
Mother (2009) Rating 8.5/10
Each film I have watched of Bong Joon-ho’s has this unique way of getting you into a comfort zone and then shocking you in an instant with its unpredictability. I enjoyed the overall execution of the story with the film being in no rush whatsoever. Kim Hye-ja is exceptional in the lead role and some of the cinematography on display is truly beautiful.
You can stream Mother on the BFI Player and Prime Video Channels.
After Hours (1985) Rating 8.5/10
Something completely different from Martin Scorsese here. Paul Hackett’s overnight tale in New York is stressful and hilarious, I felt like I was trapped in a bad dream.
You can rent After Hours on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
The Lunchbox (2013) Rating 8.5/10
A quiet and slow-burn Indian romance set in Mumbai. The late Irrfan Khan plays soon to be retired Saajan with such poise. Khan’s performance is so natural and believable as Saajan slowly comes out of his shell after receiving a dabbawallas lunchbox, from lonely mother Ila, by mistake.
You can stream The Lunchbox on MUBI Library and BBC iPlayer.
Le Mans ’66 (2019) Rating 8.5/10
The driving sequences were thrilling and I bought into Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles friendship. Matt Damon and Christian Bale have great on-screen chemistry here. Big regret not seeing this in the cinema during its theatrical run.
You can rent Le Mans ‘66 on Prime Video and Google Play.
Coco (2017) Rating 8.5/10
I completely ignored this Pixar release until recently when a friend recommended it. This was a beautifully told tale about the importance of family ancestry . One lump in the throat scene is up there with the likes of Monsters, Inc, Up and Toy Story 3.
You can stream Coco on Disney +.
Heat (1995) Rating 9/10
My first rewatch of Michael Mann’s crime epic since my early teens. Incredible acting from a powerhouse cast with some intense and loud as hell action scenes. This is easily one of the best cat and mouse thrillers I have ever watched.
You can stream Heat on Prime Video.
A Bronx Tale (1993) Rating 9/10
Another first rewatch since my early teens. Robert De Niro pulls off a fantastic directorial debut in this coming of age/gangster story. This film had real heart, well-written characters and a killer 50s/60s soundtrack.
You can stream A Bronx Tale on Prime Video.
Breaking Away (1979) Rating 8/10
This coming of age sports drama stars a youthful Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, Jackie Earle Haley and the show-stealing Dennis Christopher. All four friends have recently graduated high school and are known as “cutters” by the Indiana University Bloomington students that populate their city. The film focuses on the competitive cycling aspirations of Dave (BAFTA-winning Christopher) and his father’s disillusionment with his son’s love of Italian culture. The film picked up an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and there is no question that this inspired Richard Linklater’s film Everybody Wants Some!!
You can rent Breaking Away on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
Calm with Horses (2019) Rating 8/10
Accomplished Irish crime debut from Nick Rowland bolstered by one of my favourite lead performances this year from Cosmo Jarvis. The score from Blanck Mass added to the atmosphere throughout.
You can rent Calm with Horses on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
Monos (2019) Rating 8/10
Go in blind to this war survival drama. I was unsure to begin with but the intense performances from the young Colombian cast, haunting score and stunning cinematography won me over. This must have been a gruelling shoot for all involved, adding this to the list of films I regret not seeing at the cinema.
You can stream Monos on Netflix.
The Hit (1984) Rating 8/10
Stephen Frear’s genre-bending British/Spanish crime film is a fun ride with some great performances. Two hitmen capture a former gangster from witness protection in the Spanish countryside with instructions to deliver him to Paris. The difference in characteristics of both hitmen is an entertaining watch, John Hurt is reserved whereas a young Tim Roth plays the hot-headed and unpredictable rookie. Roth’s big-screen debut earned him a BAFA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer.
You can buy The Hit on DVD as it is currently unavailable to stream.
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) Rating 8/10
A hitman returns to his Michigan hometown for a 10-year high school reunion. This fun action romantic comedy has some razor-sharp dialogue, a fantastic soundtrack and a great John Cusack performance.
You can rent Grosse Pointe Blank on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
Private Life (2018) Rating 8/10
A well pieced together drama about assisted reproduction and adoption with a great cast. The key scenes were so subtle with Paul Giamatti and Kathryn Hahn on top form as the New York couple wanting to start a family.
You can stream Private Life on Netflix.
Hell in the Pacific (1968) Rating 8/10
World War 2 survival drama from director John Boorman (Deliverance). A Japanese naval captain and American pilot are marooned on an island in the Pacific Ocean. Toshiro Mifune and Lee Marvin are phenomenal here as the two soldiers clash in difficult conditions. Its widely known that Boorman’s preferred ending was pushed aside by the studio. I would advise to watch the alternative ending on YouTube and not letting the studio cut affect your overall judgment of the film.
You can buy Hell in the Pacific on DVD as it is currently unavailable to stream.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) Rating 8/10
The Terror was my favourite television shows of 2018, so I was in the mood for a sea epic. Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany’s believable friendship and their character’s different goals of the HMS Surprise exploration made this an interesting watch. The battle set pieces were great as well.
You can rent Master and Commander on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
In the Name of the Father (1993) Rating 8/10
I was glued to the screen throughout this powerful true story of The Guildford Four. Daniel Day- Lewis is exceptional as Gerry Conlon; he is a one of a kind actor.
You can stream In the Name of the Father on Prime Video.
Yi Yi (2000) Rating 8/10
A quiet and delicate Taiwanese family drama. Yi Yi is a very natural film with its methodical pace working wonders for the character development of the whole family.
You can watch Yi Yi on YouTube for free.
You can find all my film ratings on my Letterboxd account.
See you next month with my June recommendations!
Alex
salmonconnery 