Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit (svu)

On this episode of Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit, Matt and Alison talk moral compromises and modern Romania in their review of Cristian Mungiu’s GRADUATION. Then, having entirely failed to find the time to watch more streaming Romanian New Wave films, as was the original plan, they instead delve into the Toronto International Film Festival. Yes, Matt and Alison both recently returned from the event that typically kicks off awards season, and each are ready to offer their top five highlights (and one lowlight) from the fest. Listener's Choice Review: "Graduation" Queue Shots: TIFF 2017 Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthology television series mean you can have a brand new cast and story in each new installment. Alas, when it comes to listening to Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit, you’ll have to settle for Matt and Alison every time. On this episode of Filmspotting: SVU, they discuss the British series INSIDE NO. 9, a collection of standalone episodes ranging from comedy to horror, but all set at a location numbered “9.” Then they talk about how episodic anthology series are a kind of intersection between TV and short films, and offer some new and classic recs, all available to stream right now. Listener's Choice Review: "Inside No. 9" Queue Shots: Anthology Shows Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shall we begin? On this episode of Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit, Matt and Alison dissect Adam Wingard’s Netflix original movie DEATH NOTE, based on the popular manga and anime series. After despairing at there ever being a great American anime adaptation, they offer up four anime features available to rent or stream at home right now — a kind of anime movie starter pack. Listener's Choice Review: "Death Note" Queue Shots: Anime Starter Kit Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you like to swing on a star? How about listen to Bruce Willis sing pop standards while stealing artifacts? On this episode of Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit, Matt and Alison consider 1991’s notorious HUDSON HAWK and whether it deserves its reputation as an epic disaster. Then they talk vanity projects and what makes a film deserve that designation, recommending some fascinating failures available to rent or stream at home right now. Opening Break: "Alien" Covenant" "Chuck" "Unleashed" Listener's Choice Review: "Hudson Hawk" Queue Shots: Vanity Projects Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the era of Peak TV, it’s become increasingly common to see filmmakers crossing over to work on the small screen. But what about when it’s the other way around? This week, Matt and Alison look at the film debuts of some famous television creators and talk about how well their approach ends up translating. It’s all inspired by their main review, of Netflix’s original movie TO THE BONE, the directorial debut of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Unreal"'s Marti Noxon. Opening Break: "Colossal" "The Circle" "Fun Mom Dinner" Listener's Choice Review: "To the Bone" Queue Shots: When TV Creators Make Movies Behind the 8-Ball: 3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Filmspotting: SVU is brought to you by Movies On Demand On Cable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To think what people could accomplish, were it not for the pesky families they love! On this episode of the Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit podcast, Matt and Alison talk ambition, sacrifice, and James Gray’s THE LOST CITY OF Z. Then, in honor of Charlie Hunnam’s career-best turn as the dashing Percy Fawcett, they recommend some other movies about explorers (of various sorts), all available to rent or stream right now. Opening Break: "A Cure For Wellness" "Kong: Skull Island" "The Last Face" Listener's Choice Review: "The Lost City of Z" Queue Shots: Movies About Explorers Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you call a fictional animal that’s adorable, intelligent, and looks like a giant pig crossed with a hippo? In the world of Bong Joon-ho’s OKJA: lunch. On this episode, Matt and Alison discuss the South Korean director’s continent-crossing, genre-defying Netflix original, and what it signals for the streaming giant’s future in movie-making. Then they recommend some other multilingual movies available to rent or stream right now. Opening Break: "Song to Song" "Certain Women" "A Quiet Passion" Listener's Choice Review: "Okja" Queue Shots: Multilingual Movies Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wo, oh, what we want to know, are you willing to watch a nearly four-hour documentary about the Grateful Dead? Matt and Alison did, and talk all about it on this episode of SVU, which takes on both Amir Bar-lev’s Amazon original doc LONG STRANGE TRIP and the larger question of what makes a music doc worthwhile for audiences beyond the hardcore fans. Then they recommend some other music docs worth checking out, all available to rent or stream right now. Opening Break: "T2 Trainspotting" "Life" "John Wick: Chapter 2" Listener's Choice Review: "Long Strange Trip" Queue Shots: Music Docs Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With TWIN PEAKS back on the air after 26 years, Matt and Alison start this episode of SVU by taking a look at the film with which TWIN PEAKS last left off — prequel FIRE WALK WITH ME, which was booed at Cannes back in 1992, but has since been reevaluated as a David Lynch classic. Then, in honor of the way FIRE WALK WITH ME gives the spotlight to Laura Palmer, TWIN PEAKS’ murder victim, they discuss the not-always-grand tradition of the beautiful dead girl on screen, offering examples that established or subverted this trend, all available to rent or stream right now. Filmspotting: SVU is brought to you by Movies On Demand On Cable, Lexus, and Showtime’s I'm Dying Up Here. Opening Break: "A Cure For Wellness" "I, Daniel Blake" "Band Aid" Listener's Choice Review: "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" Queue Shots: The Beautiful Dead Girl Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does Hulu’s THE HANDMAID’S TALE deserve the hype it’s been getting as the most frighteningly timely series on streaming? In this episode of SVU, Matt and Alison discuss the new Margaret Atwood adaptation and how it attempts, via its visuals, to depict its horrors as experience rather than spectacle. Then, in honor of the show’s main director, cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Reed Morano, they recommend work featuring other female cinematographers, all of it available to rent or stream right now. Opening Break: "Get Out" "Logan" "Berlin Syndrome" Listener's Choice Review: "The Handmaid's Tale" Queue Shots: Films With Female Cinematographers Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s M. Night Shyamalan’s shared universe and we’re all just living in it in this episode of SVU, in which Matt and Alison debate whether SPLIT is the comeback vehicle it’s been heralded to be for the director, as well as how the movie’s late-revealed connection to another Shyamalan title changes its context. Then they offer up recommendations for some other convention-defying superhero stories on both film and television, all available to stream right now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of SVU, Matt and Alison consider the enchantments of Anna Biller’s retro-styled THE LOVE WITCH, in which Samantha Robinson plays a troubled witch whose romantic escapades have a tendency to turn deadly. Then, inspired by the film’s throwback color saturation, they recommend some Technicolor classics available to rent or stream at home, and discuss whether the full glory of Technicolor translates when it’s not being shown on a big screen. Opening Break: "The Salesman" "La La Land" "The Red Turtle" Listener's Choice Review: "The Love Witch" Queue Shots: Technicolor Classics Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ken Russell’s famous/infamous 1971 horror drama THE DEVILS is available to stream for the first time ever, and so on this episode of Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit, Matt and Alison take a look at the film (available in its US cut) and discuss how its provocations hold up. Then, with minimal rending of garments and speaking in demonic voices, they offer up some other religious horror recommendations available to rent or stream right now. Opening Break: "Lion" "Queen of the Desert" "Split" Listener's Choice Review: "The Devils" Queue Shots: Religious Horror Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of the recent passing of Bill Paxton, on this episode of Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit, Matt and Alison look at the career of the actor and filmmaker. In addition to offering up some favorite roles in movies available to rent or stream right now, they do a deeper dive into his 2001 directorial debut FRAILTY, in which Paxton also stars as a single dad convinced that God has chosen him to kill demons. Opening Break: "Aftermath" "Hidden Figures" "Assassin's Creed" Listener's Choice Review: "Frailty" Queue Shots: Bill Paxton Movies Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grab your magnifying glasses and your fake badges — in this episode of Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit, Matt and Alison do some sleuthing into the surprisingly sprawling genre of amateur detective movies. It’s all inspired by their main review of Macon Blair’s I DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, in which a lonely, decidedly non-law-enforcement-professional Melanie Lynskey teams up with Elijah Wood to figure out who robbed her house. Opening Break: "Fences" "Allied" "Mean Dreams" Listener's Choice Review: "I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore" Queue Shots: Amateur Detective Movies Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit, Matt and Alison decide, once and for all, which of them is the true hootie tootie disco cutie, as they talk THE GREASY STRANGLER. Then they discuss what makes a midnight movie and offer some midnight movie recs, all available to rent or stream right now. Opening Break: "Manchester By The Sea" / "Jackie" / "Catfight" Listener's Choice Review: "The Greasy Strangler" Queue Shots: Paul Dano Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can a magical farting corpse also be a metaphor for self-acceptance? In this episode of Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit, Matt and Alison discuss whether Swiss Army Man pulls off its attempted combination of body function humor and therapeutic messaging. Then they look at the filmography of one of its stars, Paul Dano, recommending some highlights from the 32-year-old actor's career that are available to rent or stream. Opening Break: "The Edge of Seventeen" / "Moonlight" / "The Girl With All The Gifts" Listener's Choice Review: "Swiss Army Man" Queue Shots: Paul Dano Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh from Park City, and feeling anything but, Matt and Alison talk the recently concluded Sundance Film Festival on this episode of the Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit podcast — and in particular, why the dominance of Netflix and Amazon means you'll be able to stream some of the fest's most talked-about titles very soon. They also delve into cinematographer-turned-director Kirsten Johnson's beautiful meditation on what it means to make a documentary, Cameraperson. Opening Break: "Loving" / "War on Everyone" "Ouija: Origin of Evil Listener's Choice Review: "Cameraperson" Queue Shots: Sundance 2017 Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With no shortage of scary stuff happening on their home turf at the moment, Matt and Alison dedicate this episode of the Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit podcast to some of the more enjoyable sort of horror, all from international sources. After discussion the Iranian UNDER THE SHADOW and its "Babadook"-like qualities, they recommend some other foreign horror available to be rented or streamed right now. Opening Break: "Trespass Against Us" / "Claire In Motion" / "Nerdland"Listener's Choice Review: "Under the Shadow"Queue Shots: Foreign Horror FilmsBehind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Filmspotting: Streaming Video Unit podcast kicks off the new year with Matt and Alison trying to take refuge in the nostalgic vision of the past offered in Café Society — but Woody Allen doesn't make this easy. Then they take a look at some other movies featuring love triangles, all available to be streamed or rented right now. Opening Break: "American Honey" "Sully" "Operation Avalanche" Listener's Choice Review: "Café Society" Queue Shots: Films Featuring Love Triangles Behind the 8-Ball:  3 New Releases 2 Listener Recommendations 1 Random Film From Our Netflix "My Lists" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices