FIELD OF STREAMS highlights this public library resource
Welcome to Field of Streams, Cinapse’s weekly guide of what’s playing on your favorite streaming services. What’s new on Netflix? What are the best recent additions to Amazon Prime? What is Kanopy, and what is is showing this month? What are some lesser known gems streaming on Fandor? Scariest movies on Shudder? Best picks on Mubi? Latest Hulu hits? Top action movies across all of the services? Our favorite movies streaming now? Recommendations for fans of the latest Hollywood blockbuster? We’ve got it all. From monthly roundups, to curated top 5 lists, to reviews of our favorites available now… it’s here. We built it for you, so come and join us in the Field of Streams.
Not everyone knows–but everyone should–that most public libraries off a free streaming service called Kanopy (we highlighted this service early in 2018, ICYMI). Just for having a library card, viewers can get top-shelf films through this amazing service. There’s usually a limit on how many movies can be watched per month–It’s five in Austin–but the quality is fantastic and the offerings range from Criterion-level classics to indie comedies. Here are a few to stream before the month is out.
HEREDITARY
In honor of Midsommar blowing minds everywhere, it’s worth revisiting Ari Aster’s 2018 film. Hereditary was not only the best horror film of that year, but was actually a part of a horror renaissance happening in cinema. With images that will stick in your mind forever and an ending that’s sure to belt your buckle, Hereditary would be a great way to kick off a spooky weekend.
FACES PLACES (Visages, Villages)
This French documentary follows two artists around the countryside, engaging in a project that highlights both of their various skills and enthusiasms. Agnes Varda is an icon of the French New Wave movement and someone every lover of cinema should become acquainted with. Seeing her in the final years of her life is a great way to do it. (Varda passed away earlier this year.) Artist JR–Yes, that’s his full name; a bit of a Banksy type character–is different in so many way from his elder counterpart, but they mesh perfectly on the road.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Ben Foster has somehow become one of the greatest actors of his generation, and Leave No Trace is yet another stunning example of this trend. Foster plays a father who lives off the grid with his daughter (an amazing Thomasin McKenzie) following traumatic experiences in the military. Leave No Trace moves at a slow pace, and builds to a burn as father and daughter each try to adapt to changing circumstances. A beautiful and heartfelt film.
HEARTS BEAT LOUD
Who doesn’t love Nick Offerman? While not every character will be Ron Swanson, his charm goes along way in whatever he chooses to do. In Hearts Beat Loud he’s both a dad and an aging music geek. While running a record store in Brooklyn, he raises his talented daughter, and their musical connection is as important as their familial one. A fun story filled with great music and cool locations.
COLUMBUS
If architecture could be the lead of a film, this would be the ultimate example. Columbus focuses on Columbus, Indiana, one of the most important cities in the world when it comes to the Modernist aesthetic. Who knew? With this as the backdrop, Haley Lu Richardson and John Cho each give reserved performances as people connected to this local art as well as trying to figure out how to navigate the world of messy adulthood. A gorgeous, heady film.
There are countless services to explore and great things to watch on all of them. Which ones did we miss that you would suggest to us? And, as always, if you’ve got thoughts on titles we’re missing out on or new services to check out, leave a comment below or email us.
Till next week, stream on, stream away.
