Every month, a bunch of new films and shows are uploaded to streaming services for you to binge watch until your eyes pop. But how to sort through such an overwhelming list? Much like Fantine in Les Misérables, we here at Milwaukee Film have streamed a stream in times gone by. Here's what's coming your way this October!
House
(October 8 via Criterion Channel • Dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi • 1977)
One of the most wildly original and inventive films I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. I could describe the plot and characters here, but it wouldn't do any justice to the delightful chaos contained within the film - you really just have to see it for yourself. What makes this more than just a fun, campy horror romp for me is how it sincerely addresses real issues like the atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and ultimately plays out like a psychedelic fairy tale that works as a metaphor for the lead character's maturation into womanhood. And I haven't even mentioned the bizarre ghost cat that haunts the titular house! I love this weird movie so much.
– Joe, Digital Media Assistant
Saturday Matinee: Animation Celebration
(October 12 via Criterion Channel • Dir. Various • Various Years)
Clearly if you are streaming anything in October you are (a) doing it before October 17 and (b) you are doing so as part of your finely calibrated training regimen to prepare for the 2019 Milwaukee Film Festival. What better way to hone your fest-going muscles than a shorts program of some of the best animated films, including MFF alums like The Burden (MFF2017's Shorter Is Better Jury Award Winner!) and Coda (MFF2014).
- Cara, Education Director & Milwaukee Film Festival Director
Persepolis
(October 9 via Criterion Channel • Dir.
Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud • 2007)
Stunning animation, silly coming-of-age situations, punk music, AND Iranian history?? This movie was a dream come true for 16-year-old Kerstin..
– Kerstin, Cinema Programming Director
Veronica Mars
(LEAVING HBO NOW October 12 • Dir. Rob Thomas • 2014)
My current obsession is actually Veronica Mars Season 4 on Hulu, but I love this idea of fans wanting more VM so badly that they funded this 2014 film by way of a Kickstarter. True passion! The difference in catering to the fans that funded the movie, versus the season 4 vision for Veronica's character growth is fun to think about. Also #logandeservedbetter #loganstinyshorts #season4highlights
– Jamie, Operations Director
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
(October 1 via Hulu • Dir. Steven Spielberg • 2001)
Nothing will scare you more this Halloween season than remembering A.I. didn't get a Best Picture nomination.
- Ian, Hospitality Coordinator
Free Fire
(October 21 via Netflix • Dir. Ben Wheatley • 2016)
A ninety minute shootout that all takes place in one big room. But, it's not a typical dumb "shoot 'em up." It's a very funny character-driven film, created by a wonderfully off-kilter filmmaker. One of my favorites of 2016.
- Kristopher, Membership Manager
Charlie's Angels
(October 1 via Netflix • Dir. McG • 2000)
Drew Barrymore in this film was definitely my first gay crush. I watched this more times than I can count as a teen, and I strongly encourage everyone to try and catch up. Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu are such badasses. Plus, Tim Curry is one of the bad guys (classic), Sam Rockwell is also a bad guy (double classic) and Bill Murray is Bosley. What more could you ask for?
- Molly, Milwaukee Filmmaker Alliance Manager
Moulin Rouge!
(October 1 via HBO NOW • Dir.
Baz Luhrmann • 2001)
Personally, my favorite of Baz Luhrmann's over-the-top, visually striking films. Although it's easy to write off as a silly musical, the film balances perfectly on the edge of camp, and underneath it all, I still believe it's one of the greatest tragic love stories I've seen on film. Plus, my love for early 2000s Nicole Kidman films knows no bounds.
- Molly (again)
Secretary
(October 1 via Hulu • Dir.
Steven Shainberg • 2002)
You know as they say: every old sock needs an old shoe. I like to think of this "American erotic romantic drama comedy film" as proving the fact that any relationship goes and whatever works for you probably works for someone else! So get into James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal's weird and lovely S/M-fueled romance. Long before the 50 Shades of Grey epidemic, Secretary was thoughtfully carving out this relationship dynamic and doing a much better job with much better actors.
- Rachel, Development Manager
Schitt's Creek: Season 5
(October 10 via Netflix • Dir.
Various • 2019)
I've been trying to get my best friend to watch this show and she's very resistant. I'm not sure why because it's truly delightful and hilarious. Daniel Levy steals the show but the Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara are the oddest and bestest of married couples and I'll never tire of seeing them together onscreen.
- Rachel (again)
Halloween Baking Championship: Seasons 1-3, Halloween Wars: Seasons 4-7, and Halloween Wars: Special
(October 1 via Hulu • Dir. Various • Various Years)
It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, not the film festival, it's Halloween time! When I come home after working twelve hour days + during the festival, all I want to do is mindlessly watch hours of spooky confection competition reality television, but then pass out shortly after the first challenge of the show.
- Amelia, Operations Manager
Ocean's Twelve
(October 1 via Netflix • Dir. Steven Soderbergh • 2004)
1. This movie is good, I will brook no argument when it comes to this. 2. The soundtrack is one of, if not the all-time greatest background-music-while-one-writes-or-does-chores offerings of all time. 3. This features what is perhaps the least sleazy Vincent Cassel character in cinematic history!
- Tom, Digital Media Manager
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
(October 30 via Criterion Channel • Dir.
Ana Lily Amirpour • 2014)
Think of this as your Halloween aperitif before you spend all of the 31st chowing down on an all-you-can-eat (all-you-can-EEK?) buffet of horrors.
- Tom (again)
Wounds
(October 18 via Hulu • Dir.
Babak Anvari • 2019)
MFF2016 attendees lucky enough to catch one of our screenings of Under the Shadow have long been awaiting the next film from its director, Babak Anvari. Wait no longer - Armie Hammer! Dakota Johnson! Zazie Beets! Cursed cell phones! It's the perfect capper to a day presumably spent binging on #MFF2019 titles.
- Tom (again!)
Boyz N The Hood
(October 1 via Hulu • Dir.
John Singleton • 1991)
A breakthrough film in many ways, from being the late, great John Singleton's feature debut (earning him the recognition of being both the youngest person and the first African-American to be nominated for the Best Director Oscar in the process), to star making performances from Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, and Nia Long, this holds up as one of my favorites from the 90s. It also has one of my favorite third acts ever and remains just as gripping and emotional as the first time I saw it.
- Joe (again)
Raging Bull
(October 1 via Netflix • Dir.
Martin Scorsese • 1980)
Picking a favorite Scorsese film is an almost impossible task for me and one where my answer could change on any given day. I generally lean towards Taxi Driver as my favorite, but Raging Bull is very close and it's a testament to Scorsese's talent and legacy that he has so many great ones to choose from. Featuring brilliant black and white cinematography that puts you in the ring during the boxing matches as the camera dances in time with the fighters and another amazing De Niro performance during one of the best stretches of any actor's career (seriously, his filmography from the 70s through the 90s is absurdly great), Raging Bull more than earns its legacy as one of the all-time greats.
- Joe (again!)
The Adventures of Prince Achmed
(October 5 via Criterion Channel • Dir.
Lotte Reiniger • 1926)
German Director Lotte Reiniger’s 1926 adaptation of Tales of the Arabian Nights is now considered the first full-length animated film. She astonishingly cut each piece of paper by hand, individually animating frames over the course of three years. This absolute masterpiece influenced Walt Disney and others, its technological breakthroughs making Snow White (and everything that followed) possible. At only an hour long, it's spooky atmosphere is perfect for kids and adults this Halloween season!!
- Petey, Assistant Hospitality Coordinator
Posted by: Milwaukee Film