Happy Thursday! Input your email to receive bi-weekly movie recommendations—all available to stream:
Today’s movie is Short Term 12 (2013), streaming on Prime Video, a drama that was the breakout film for *take breath* Brie Larson, Lakeith Stanfield, Kaitlyn Dever, John Gallagher Jr., Stephanie Beatriz, Rami Malek, and director Destin Lance Cretton—he’ll be directing Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Here’s what it’s about: Grace (Brie Larson), a worker at a foster care facility, is both passionate and good at her job—empathetic, sometimes to a fault, and caring. However, when a new arrival Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) drudges up old memories for Grace, she begins to revert to old habits and faces her past. [Trailer // 96 mins]
Why you should watch it: Though Grace’s boyfriend and coworker Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) is almost too perfect, we understand where his love and care comes from. There’s a tendency for movies like Short Term 12 to be overwrought or contrived in their handling of such a sensitive story—and, at their worst, resort to emotional manipulation to get a reaction out of their audiences. However, Cretton avoids the pitfalls of the genre by balancing out the story with an intense and masterfully deployed empathy that carves the characters into something real.
Take Lakeith Stanfield’s Marcus, an older resident at the facility about to age out of the program. His storyline is on an obvious trajectory. However, it doesn’t feel like it’s created in the microcosm of the movie. He feels lived in like he actually experienced the things in his past that drive his decisions in the movie. It’s that kind of smart direction—and careful plotting—that makes this modest drama truly great.
📺 Buy or Rent: Prime Video | iTunes | YouTube
Pair it with 🍷
Shoplifters (dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda): Omasu (Lily Franky) and his son Shota (Kairi Jō) help their family get by shoplifting food and other necessities. And while they’re poor and barely able to survive through petty crime, they’re able to live a happy life because of their strong bond. However, when an incident unveils hidden secrets, their strength as a family is tested. [Full post]
20th Century Women (dir. Mike Mills): It’s 1979 in Santa Barbara, California. Jimmy Carter is president. The Vietnam War recently ended. Dorothea (Annette Bening) is 55 years old and her son Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann) is 15. However, as the turn of a new decade approaches, Dorothea has trouble getting through to Jamie. So, she enlists the help of punk rocker Abbie (Greta Gerwig) and wiser-than-her years teen neighbor Julie (Elle Fanning) to help raise him. [Full post]
One random movie thought 💭
It’s been five years since George Miller’s magnum opus Mad Max: Fury Road premiered in theaters and proceeded to win six Oscars from ten nominations. However, one nomination it didn’t receive was Best Screenplay, which is a shame considering its unique format.
Miller commissioned storyboards to include in the screenplay since so much of the film was rooted in visual storytelling. In the storyboards, he was able to communicate plot and even character motivation and development. Script to Screen did an incredible side by side that you can watch here.
Sending positive energy.
See you Monday —
Karl (@karl_delo)