I try to recommend to as many people as possible the documentaries of Frederick Wiseman, a filmmaker who’s been directing & editing observational, fly-on-the-wall documentaries (without any non-diagetic music, narration, or talking-head style interviews) of various institutions for 50+ years. Through this project it becomes a documented history of culture as it's evolved in that matter of time through a lens of serious critique. You can pick any from out of a hat or based on whichever title interests you, but a good start is High School (1968).
Jan 29, 2024
Related Recs
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Pretty sick, went with a friend and it was very funny. $14 Movie Theater IPAs were hitting in a fantastic way. Then we went to see the second half of the Knicks game in some dive in the Village. It was a great time, stumbled on the escalator in front of strangers.
10/10
May 26, 2025
I have another indie theater that I prefer because it’s cozier, has better vibes, is much closer to me, and everybody who works there is genuinely passionate about film. It’s not really anything special visually but it’s a beautiful institution and it’s so fun to be there ❤️
But this one is an old art deco theatre designed by architect John Eberson (he designed Loew’s Paradise in the Bronx and the Paradise Theatre in Chicago)! It’s pretty run down/poorly managed and staffed but it’s a gorgeous building and definitely worth visiting. Not my photos but included for illustrative purposes!!
Nov 14, 2024
Nov 17, 2024
Top Recs from @tr0utmask
news from home (1976) is simple but one of the finest ever. long, uncut landscape shots of 70s new york with occasional narration from the director reading out letters written by her mom from belgium. the pairing becomes moving very soon as the mother transparently misses her daughter more and more. also the closest we have to a time machine from the city of yesterday.
no home movie (2015) is much longer and even slower but equally moving if you let it have its way. initially there might not seem to be a point beyond mild enjoyment to the long shots of the trees and fields, or the scattered conversations between a much older akerman and her mother, but what the last.. 20 or 30 minutes encompass hit like a bullet train. the added context of it being akerman’s last film makes it ring louder, even better if you watch it back-to-back with the one above like i did.
good if you have any sort of complicated feelings toward your mom
Jan 30, 2024
a docufiction film about illegal za‘atar and ‘akkoub foraging in israel and the palestinians that still do it in opposition to the israel nature and parks authority. great look into a small facet of how israel polices every part of palestinian life. plus only 65 minutes, very easy to squeeze in!
Feb 2, 2024
Like glacierbaby said, Tubi is great for pulpy stuff.
Tubi has a handful of Mario Bava movies, one of his most popular and a personal favorite being Blood and Black Lace (1964). A fashion-centric giallo mystery with loads of vibrant colors… and murder.
The Driller Killer (1979) is an interesting object. Director Abel Ferrara’s indulgent debut starring himself is a strange mix of absurdist slice-of-life with streaks of a slasher film. These days, it also works as a documentary of a long-gone New York.
Hardcore (1979) is great. George C. Scott basically plays a Calvinist losing his mind.
Jan 28, 2024