As lockdown eases in the UK, cinemas are beginning to reopen their doors to the public throughout July.
Safety measures that are being put in place are staggered film times, distanced seating, sanitising stations, additional cleaning, and employees being provided with PPE.
It will be interesting to see what UK Box Office numbers are like for the first month and if studios will continue to provide home rental for certain films.
My recommendations this month are a mix of films and television I have watched on subscription-based streaming sites, rental streaming for under £5 and DVD.
My top three films for June are:
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Rating 9/10
A heatwave has hit Brooklyn and emotions are running high at Sal’s pizzeria when the Italian American owners “Wall of Fame” is questioned for not featuring any African American’s. The racial tension bubbles throughout the film and explodes at various moments in a handful of iconic scenes. We are approaching 31 years since its release and Spike Lee’s masterpiece is still frighteningly relevant today.
You can rent Do the Right Thing on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
Tampopo (1985)
Rating 9/10
Juzo Itami’s “Ramen Western” is a truly unique food film. The main plot follows Tampopo who accepts the help of truck driver Goro to bring her struggling Ramen restaurant to life. Throughout the film, there are oddball comedy vignettes centred around food which make this film memorable and stand out from the crowd. Don’t watch this on an empty stomach.
You can buy Tampopo on DVD.
Undefeated (2011)
Rating 9/10
T.J. Martin and Daniel Lindsay’s powerful award-winning documentary provides intimate footage of Manassas High School’s American Football team in North Memphis. Bill Courtney, a local businessman, voluntarily coaches the team and carries a lot of responsibility to support the teenagers. Martin and Lindsay set out to let everything unfold naturally and with over 9 months of filming and 500 hours of footage, there are numerous social themes like fatherhood explored throughout.
You can watch Undefeated on Now TV, YouTube and Google Play.
Honourable mentions are as follows:
Embrace of the Serpent (2015) Rating 9/10
This hypnotising slow-burn journey through the Colombian Amazon is something truly special as we are taken on two separate explorations for a sacred healing plant. The story was inspired from the diaries of ethnologist Theodor Koch-Grünberg and biologist Richard Evans Schultes.
You can watch Embrace of the Serpent on All 4.
I Am Not Your Negro (2016) Rating 9/10
Raoul Peck’s documentary is based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript Remember This House, where the writer personally reflects on assassinated civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Baldwin’s words are brought to life by the masterful narration of Samuel L Jackson. Essential viewing.
You can watch I Am Not Your Negro on BBC iPlayer
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Rating 9/10
The moment Leatherface enters the frame this film was pure adrenaline. I found myself laughing by the end, it was that intense. There are a handful of horror films that scarred me just from looking at the VHS covers in Blockbuster Video, which resulted in it taking all these years to watch this highly influential slasher film.
You can rent The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
Manhunter (1986) Rating 8.5/10
Michael Mann’s adaptation of Thomas Harris’ novel Red Dragon would have to be my favourite of the Dr Hannibal Lecter film series. The film oozes with tension and atmosphere thanks to the all-round solid performances, stunning cinematography and 80s score.
You can rent Manhunter on Sky Store.
The Player (1992) Rating 8.5/10
Tim Robbins plays film studio executive Griffin Mill who has been receiving death threats from a disgruntled screenwriter. This Hollywood satire is sharp, witty, and brilliantly directed by Robert Altman.
You can watch The Player on Prime Video.
Da 5 Bloods (2020) Rating 8/10
Despite the far-fetched direction the story ends up going I enjoyed Spike Lee’s latest Netflix release. Delroy Lindo is phenomenal and deserves recognition for his portrayal of Vietnam veteran Paul.
You can watch Da 5 Bloods on Netflix.
The Hidden (1987) Rating 8/10
A wildly entertaining genre-bending 80s film with elements of action, Sci-fi, thriller and buddy cop all bundled into one.
You can rent The Hidden on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
Crooklyn (1994) Rating 8/10
The third Spike Lee film that stood for me last month. This coming of age tale, set in 70s Brooklyn, was co-written with his sister Joie and brother Cinqué. I loved the well-written characters and soundtrack in Lee’s most personal film to date.
You can rent Crooklyn on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
Fear Eats the Soul (1974) Rating 8/10
Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s film follows an ageing German widow and a middle-aged Moroccan man and their struggle for their relationship to be accepted by family, acquaintances, and co-workers. An emotional drama with its main focus on prejudice in society.
You can watch Fear Eats the Soul on the Prime Video BFI Player channel.
Crimson Tide (1995) Rating 8/10
Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington lock horns in this 90s submarine thriller from Tony Scott. I enjoyed the tension built by the heavyweight cast and was engaged with the story throughout.
You can rent Crimson Tide on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
The Yakuza (1974) Rating 8/10
An incredibly composed American/Japanese crime film from Sydney Pollack. The slow-burn storytelling makes the action sequences impactful and memorable.
You can rent The Yakuza on Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
Losing Ground (1982) Rating 8/10
I liked the differing personalities of academic Sara and creative Victor in Kathleen Collins’ forgotten marriage drama. After a successful festival run, the film never made it into theatres until it was digitally restored by her daughter in 2015. It is known as one of the first feature-length films to have been directed by a Black American woman.
You can watch Losing Ground on The Criterion Channel.
Black Girl (1966) Rating 8/10
A wonderfully crafted and unsettling tale of a young Senegalese woman moving to France. Diouana, with the promise of child-care work, finds herself trapped as a rich couple’s servant. This was the debut feature-length film from Ousmane Sembene who is regarded as “the father of African cinema”.
You can watch Black Girl on The Criterion Channel.
Three Identical Strangers (2018) Rating 8/10
American triplets separated at birth find one another at the age of 19. Go into this layered documentary blind, it blew my mind.
You can watch Three Identical Strangers on Netflix and All4.
Beastie Boys Story (2020) Rating 8/10
Initially, I was unsure with Spike Jonze’s decision to go with the TED Talks documentary style but once the Beastie’s story got into a rhythm I found this to be an entertaining and insightful watch.
You can watch Beastie Boys Story on Apple TV+.
A Well-Spent Life (1971) Rating 8/10
A cracking little 70s music documentary about Texan blues guitarist Mance Lipscomb. I love Les Blank’s slice-of-life filmmaking style as Lipscomb talks freely about touring, marriage, and life.
You can watch A Well-Spent Life on The Criterion Channel.
Italianamerican (1974) Rating 8/10
Martin Scorsese interviews his mother and father in this short and sweet documentary about his family origins. His parents are great storytellers, especially his mother who has so much energy. A bonus comes in the credits where we are treated to her famous meatballs recipe.
You can watch Italianamerican on YouTube for free.
Additionally, check out Scottish-based Marii Stoltsen’s short film Kinder Surprise which was due to screen at the Cannes Short Film Corner 2020 before lockdown. The entire short was put together in 48 hours.
Here is a quick list of 10 television programmes that had me hooked during the lockdown evenings:
- HBO’s impeccably written and acted crime mini-series The Night Of (Now TV)
- Netflix’s mind-bending Sci-Fi Dark reaches its conclusion. (Netflix)
- Controversial American Football coach Jason Brown takes over at Independence Community College in Last Chance U. (Netflix)
- TIME: The Kalief Browder Story is a difficult but important look into Kalief Browder’s harrowing struggle in America’s criminal justice system. (Netflix)
- Adapted crime mini-series Defending Jacob. (Apple TV+)
- Billy Crudup brings his A-game in the excellent #MeToo drama The Morning Show.(Apple TV+)
- 3 excellent Scottish documentaries brought to you by a Screen Scotland/BBC initiative under the title Right Here. (BBC iPlayer)
- Jodie Comer continues to impress in the third season of Killing Eve. (BBC iPlayer)
- Strong lead characters in English/French detective show The Tunnel: Season 1. (Now TV)
- An exploration into the life of the legendary Mark Calaway in 5-part mini-series Undertaker: The Last Ride. (WWE Network)
You can find all my film ratings on my Letterboxd account.
See you next month with my July recommendations!
Alex
salmonconnery 