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
Related Recs
went to a cinema club - this is what it's all about. community is real! even in the city! it's not all over. i watched natural enemies and boxing helena with my friend and ally charlie. the first was awesome, the second was less so - but arguably more fun. sherilyn fenn is not a star, she is something else entirely.
Mar 15, 2025
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or maybe Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
I saw hella movies in theaters last year on the AMC stubs membership but it was CGI monkeys carrying heavy emotions ftw
Apr 10, 2025
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Film Forum is the OG but Metrograph is younger and hungrier, with a more diverse slate of films and an emphasis on rediscovered or neglected classics. Great atmosphere too, with a restaurant and bookstore. you can’t go wrong!
Apr 22, 2024
Top Recs from @tr0utmask
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
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
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Eberhard Weber - The Colours of Chloë. An ECM Jazz classic, diverse map of lush instrumentation constructed by the bassist for a number of Kate Bush albums. Good for closed eyes.
John Fahey - Fare Forward Voyagers (Soldier’s Choice). An American Primitivist odyssey, a story entirely told through strings.
Vayda - breeze. A 14-minute punch of unregulated thoughts and general life advice.
Takeo Moriyama - East Plants. Breakneck-speed jazz record with overhead John Coltrane influences led by one of the most cracked drummers on the east side of our Earth.
Ornette Coleman - A jazz composition so hellbent on being a tad annoying it’s like a wash of ice cold water to the head. Great medication to hard reset your brain.
Jayden Cyprian - I’ll Start Here. Vulnerable document of a young man trying to find himself. Restorative rap music.
Jan 28, 2024