You might not be able to go to Suns Cinema right now, but we’re bringing a little piece of Suns Cinema to you. In honor of social distancing and flattening the curve and all those other new phrases that have suddenly become apart of our daily lexicon, we had the crew from Suns Cinema / The Suns Cinema Podcast (which is still streaming every Tuesday right here) tell us all about the movies they’re watching now.
So keep scrolling for some excellent streaming picks… And if you like what you read (or just want to help a small local business), we highly recommend joining the Suns Cinema Patreon or by sending them some money over venmo (@sunscinema)!
Jason Cauley
Rear Window (1955) – The perfect suspense classic for this moment in time. Hitchcock is arguably at the height of his powers here. Jimmy Stewart perfectly embodies how nearly all of us are feeling right now. Grace Kelly and Thelma Ritter are perfect together with Stewart, the trio of accidental sleuths. It’s charming and witty. It’s voyeuristic and brilliant in its simplicity; one amazing set, the lives of our neighbors on display … And maybe a murder. (STARZ – It may be the ideal time to hit-up that free 7-day trial!)
Apollo 11 (2019) – Need to remember how special we humans can be? Need your faith in perseverance restored just a bit? Look no further, friends. This documentary of real footage (mostly gorgeous 70mm) covering the moon mission will fill you with Rocky IV-level pride in your country and in humanity itself. It’s like a vitamin B-12 shot for your soul! (Hulu)
In a World… (2013) – The undeniableness that is Lake Bell will come as a most welcomed distraction these days. I’ve probably mentioned this movie too many times on the podcast, but I want people to check it out. Bell wrote, directed, and stars in this very unique and lovable movie about a woman attempting to make a big move in the hilariously highly-competitive world of voice-over acting. The supporting cast is also just delightful: Nick Offerman, Tig Notaro, Michaela Watkins, Rob Corddry, Stephanie Allynne, Ken Marino, Fred Melamed, Demetri Martin … On and on. It’s an easy call. (HBO or any HBO add-on)
The Great Escape (1963) – If Rear Window is the perfect suspense classic right now then John Sturges’ allied adventure film may be the perfect classic epic to screen during our little human hiatus. Steve McQueen heads up a star-studded cast of P.O.W.s who band together in the face internment at the hands of Nazis. It’s fun and exciting and you finally have time for some of these three-hour studio hits. (I’m rewatching for research purposes.) (Provided by Lord Amazon Prime since ‘05!)
Bud Greenspan Presents (1986 – 2010) – These Olympic Docs are sooooooooo incredible, people! Beginning in earnest with the 1984 Summer Olympics, these Bud Greenspan Olympic recaps are completely and utterly engrossing. I’m watching one-a-day. You can start at the begining with 16 Days of Glory or Salt Lake City: 2002 or just jump in anywhere. You’ll be glad you did. (Criterion Channel – Just get it. It’s worth it.)
Max Johansen
Wizards (1977) – Because I have some really solid mushrooms right now! (Rent on Amazon Prime)
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) – Because Angela Lansbury fighting nazis is what we all need right now (plus I have some really solid mushrooms, see above.) (Rent on Amazon Prime)
The Usual Suspects (1995) – Because if I’m gonna be continually lied to by a conman, I’d at least like to be entertained along the way. (HBO or any HBO add-on)
Zulu (1964) – Because I have three hours to spare watching a film and a further six to decide how I feel about it. (Daily Motion)
City of God (2002) – Because I could watch that movie a thousand more times and still be utterly transfixed. (Rent on Amazon Prime)
Dave Cabrera
(All of Dave’s selections are from the Criterion Channel. Seriously, get it. Spend some of that toilet paper money on a ton of unregrettable entertainment.)
Tampopo (1985) – A personal favorite, feel good, weirdo ramen-western, the ROCKY of food movies, this one has it all. Best with whatever ramen you’ve stocked away.
Persona (1966) – Ingmar Bergman’s most experimental film, about a stage actor gone mute being taken care of by a nurse on a remote island. A fever dream about Isolation, Isolation, Isolation.
Streets of Shame (1956) – Kenji Mizoguchi’s very feminist look into Tokyo’s Post War Red Light District. Harrowing but spends a lot of time giving voice to sex-workers and the socio-economic struggles of being a woman.
Desert Hearts (1985) – Donna Deitch’s first narrative feature about a woman who heads to Reno in 1959 to file for divorce and falls for a woman. Opens with Patsy Cline and the soundtrack doesn’t stop. Desert backdrop is impeccable. Not sure how this isn’t more well known and beloved.
7 Films by Susan Pitt (1971-2013) – Animated shorts (mostly hand painted) dealing with the psychosexual, subconscious, depression, and mortality. Surrealism to magical realism. One short Asparagus is noted as “A kaleidoscopic vegetal Fantasia.”
Ryan Hunter Mitchell
Alright I got a few. Here’s the real answers so far: The Sopranos and Stranger Things… But I started a couple queues:
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) – It’s time for a rewatch of the beautiful fantasy wedged into the horrors of the Spanish civil war. (Netflix)
A Single Man (2009) – Fitting title. I haven’t seen it yet and liked Nocturnal Animals enough to see another Tom Ford flick.
The Brothers Bloom (2008) – From Rian Johnson. Overlooked sophomore feature by Johnson. It’s a great con/heist movie that includes tons of travel for everyone feeling cooped up indoors right now. (Amazon)
12 Monkeys (1995) – I kinda feel like taking notes this time. Futuristic movie about a virus that wipes out the majority of the human population… listen to our PODCAST! (Amazon)
I’m also watching stuff on YouTube. It’s gonna get weird but you asked.
Adam Curtis’s The Century of the Self – Part 1: “Happiness Machines” (2002)
This is a BBC distributed doc from Adam Curtis. He has an interesting docu style. A lot of archive footage collaged with great music choices. He makes docs that I could see Chris Marker making if he were still alive and read nothing but Thomas Pynchon. (Again, YouTube)
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