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Recommended

3 Backyards

3 Backyards (Screen Media) — 3 Backyards is a truly ambitious and inventive work that speaks not only through acting and plot, but through Mendelsohn’s savvy directorial control of music, lensing and pacing. The film’s stylistic choice of ’70s-era American New Wave grammar is a joy to behold on the big screen. I can’t remember the last time I saw so many lens flares and long slow rack zooms. The narrative moves at a pace that recalls the best of those Euro-influenced American New Wave films from the 1970s that were allowed, for a short time, to explore oblique themes through small dramatic events. Everything from the ending of Easy Rider to the Beckett-like Westerns of Monte Hellman (The Shooting, Ride in the Whirlwind) through Altman’s Three Women reflected both filmmakers’ and audiences’ willingness to embrace the pursuit of realms beyond literal logic. But perhaps the film that 3 Backyards most reminds me of is Alan Rudolph rarely seen Remember My Name. Read Mike S. Ryan’s full HTN review, then buy it on DVD.

Erasing David (MPI Home Video) — Buy it on DVD.

The Criterion Corner

Black Moon (Criterion) — (Why have I not yet seen this incredible sounding Louis Malle film yet???) Buy it on DVD and Blu-ray.

Zazie dans le metro (Criterion) — Buy it on DVD or Blu-ray.

People on Sunday (Criterion) — Buy it on DVD or Blu-ray.

Have Not Seen But Really/Kinda/Sorta/Maybe Wanna

The Alan Berliner Collection: The Family Album/Intimate Stranger/Nobody’s Business/The Sweetest Sound/Wide Awake (Lorber Films) — (I haven’t seen most of them, which is why i’m including this release in this section.) Buy the 5-DVD Set.

Barney’s Version (Sony Classics) — Buy the 2-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo.

Lebanon, PA. (Monarch Home Video) — Buy it on DVD or Blu-ray.

White Lightnin’ (MPI Home Video) — Buy it on DVD.

Sucker Punch (Warner Home Video) — (Okay, so maybe I don’t actually want to see this at all.) Buy it on DVD, a Movie-Only Blu-ray Edition, or Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy.

Wild Cards of the Week

Bloody Birthday (Severin Films) — Buy it on DVD.

While we’re at it, here’s another Severin Films release that seems muy interesante:

The Baby (Severin Films) — Buy it on DVD.

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