On the list this week: A new drama from Jim Jarmusch, a strange new wrestling comedy from Netflix, and a thrilling documentary.
Paterson
Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson is a meditative drama about a bus driver named Paterson (Adam Driver), who lives in Paterson, New Jersey. Every day, he drives his bus along the same route, observing the conversations of his passengers, getting a brief peek into their passing lives. He lives with his wife, Laura (Golshifteh Farahani), a flighty artist who encourages him to publish the poems he crafts during pauses in his day. Suffice to say, Paterson is a movie low on action, but heavy with the sort of small, wonderful moments that make life interesting. Driver and Farahani give charming, diametrically opposed performances. He’s a stoic philosopher, she’s a flurry of energy, yet somehow they make it work.
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Le Mans: Racing is Everything
Every year in northern France, racers come together for one of the most prestigious — and dangerous — events in motor sports — the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For one full day, teams of drivers race along the Circuit de la Sarthe. Fatigue is common, as is death. The documentary series Le Mans: Racing is Everything follows various drivers as they prepare for the race, and offers insight into the history of the event. This is a must-watch documentary for racing fans.
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GLOW season 1
Life is tough for aspiring actors, perhaps doubly so for actresses. That’s the lesson Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie) learns as she trawls Los Angeles for roles with substance. Her search takes her to a dingy gym, where director Sam Sylvia (Marc Maron) is holding auditions for a new venture: An all-women wrestling league. Surprisingly, the sleazy, trashy style of Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling provides the women involved with a chance to assert themselves. GLOW is a smart comedy with a hint of sadness underneath — and perhaps a breakout lead role for Brie, who has had excellent supporting roles in shows like Community and Mad Men.
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T.J. Miller: Meticulously Ridiculous
T.J. Miller’s star has risen thanks to his scene-stealing turn as Erlich Bachman in Silicon Valley, and now he can add a stand-up special to his increasingly impressive resume. Meticulously Ridiculous is a strange performance, filled with digressions and odd physical comedy (Miller’s suit is soaked throughout the special). It’s the kind of difficult, offbeat show that could go wrong in many a comedian’s hands, but Miller delivers the material with gusto. Those who enjoy comedy that is heavy on storytelling should check this out.
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Moana
One of the latest Disney films, Moana is a lovely adventure rooted in Polynesian mythology. The movie follows Moana (Auli’i Cravalho), the young daughter of the chieftain of an island called Motonui. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets out on a journey to cure it by returning the heart of the goddess Te Fiti to its owner. To do so, she will need to work with the one who stole it a thousand years ago — the trickster god Maui (Dwayne Johnson). Together, they must brave the sea and the monsters inhabiting it, including the lava demon Te Ka. It’s a rollicking tale, with beautiful animation and, as is Disney’s tradition, memorable music.
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