Chris & Jonny’s Film (in the) House Watch List
Friday 15th May 2020
Whilst the world is on pause and your FilmhouseSunderland visits aren’t possible, we’re keeping the independent cinema flag flying with our new weekly watch lists from Chris & Jonny, the people behind the project.
Each Friday, we’ll post a list of four films that are currently available across BBC iPlayer, All4, Netflix and Amazon Prime that we think you should seek out.
This week’s selection is…
Prince Avalanche (15) (2013) (Netflix)
David Gordon Green’s (All The Real Girls, Joe, Halloween 2018) gentle remake of the Icelandic film Either Way stars Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch as two workmen painting lines on deserted country highwaysin Texas. Alvin (Rudd) is volatile and serious, and Lance (Hirsch) feckless and flighty. As the miles roll on the pair squabble and gradually develop an unlikely friendship, and a beautifully observed comedy-drama emerges. Propelled along by a terrific score by Explosions in the Sky and David Wingo, Prince Avalanche is light, funny and captivating stuff.
Cold War (15) (2018) (Amazon Prime)
Pawel Palikowski’s Oscar-nominated love letter to his mother and father is one of the greatest films of recent years. Set against the background of 1950s Poland, Berlin, Yugoslavia and Paris, it’s the passionate love story of Victor and Zula, a couple separated by cold war politics, their own flaws and cruel twists of fate. Opening in the ruins of post-war Poland, Cold War spans many years, documenting their love and passion for one another amidst the turmoil of a divided Europe. Spellbinding, beautiful and flawlessly acted, Cold War is perfect in every sense.
The Conversation (12) (1974) (BBC IPlayer)
Francis Ford Coppola’s psychological thriller was made between his first two Godfather films. It boasts a fantastic, understated performance from Gene Hackman as Harry Caul, a surveillance expert hired by a mysterious client to record the conversation of a couple walking through Union Square in San Francisco. Harry’s work soon starts to trouble him as he begins to suspect from his recordings that he has stumbled upon a murder plot. Celebrated by critics as potentially Coppola’s real greatest film, The Conversation’s atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion, Hackman’s performance and sound editor Walter Murch’s incredible sound design make it a gripping watch. Watch out for a young Harrison Ford too!
Eden (15) (2014) (All 4)
Mia Hansen-Løve’s terrific foray into early nineties Paris club culture is the wistful tale of Paul (Félix de Givry), a young, aspiring DJ drawn into the underground scene of raves, nightlife, sex, drugs and music. As two decades pass, we follow Paul as he navigates his career, life and love, including his relationship with Julia (Greta Gerwig), his friends and collaborators. Part study of the electronic music scene, part rite-of-passage, Eden is a soulful, immersive and moving film that tracks the progress of time and life with a delicate and authentic touch.
We’d love to hear what you think of the films we recommend – let us know!
See you next week,
Chris & Jonny
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