Bloody New Year (dir. Norman J. Warren, 1987) A group of young British people and an American tourist find themselves shipwrecked on an island after fleeing an incredibly dismal looking theme park. There’s a hotel that’s done up with Christmas decorations and is advertising that they’ll be celebrated New Year’s Eve 1959. It’s July, by … Continue reading Bloody New Year (1987)

New Year’s Evil (dir. Emmett Alston, 1980) “For Christ’s sakes, Diane, do you know what time it is?” “Ernie, baby, do me a favor. Drop a lude and relax, huh?” That’s how we know we’re in 1980--not even a minute into New Year’s Evil, we’re talking about quaaludes. Diane Sullivan (Roz Kelly)--better known by her … Continue reading New Year’s Evil (1980)

About a Boy (dir. Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz, 2002) Will (Hugh Grant) is living his best life. 38 years old. Never held a real job or had a relationship last longer than a couple of months. Has a ludicrously nice place in London. Looks like Hugh Grant. His father had a one hit wonder … Continue reading About a Boy (2002)

Brazil (dir. Terry Gilliam, 1985) The problem with the fictional dystopia is that we seem to invariably live in them. Most writers are drawing upon something they see in the real world as inspiration to begin with. Stalinist Russia with Orwell and Nineteen Eighty-Four. Eugenics, class structures, and narcotizing mass media with Huxley and Brave … Continue reading Brazil (1985)

Children of Men (dir. Alfonso Cuaron, 2006) 16 November 2027. No child has been born in eighteen years. Every woman in the world is infertile. The species is doomed to extinction within a couple of generations. The planet is reeling against this reality. Britain has gone all in on nationalism and fascism. The borders are … Continue reading Children of Men (2006)

Carol (dir. Todd Haynes, 2015) December 1952. Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a young woman in her twenties, lives alone in her New York apartment, where she has to light the oven for warmth. She works the counter at Frankenberg’s, a department store that offers a whole two weeks vacation after five years employment, an entire … Continue reading Carol (2015)

Eyes Wide Shut (dir. Stanley Kubrick, 1999) The scene is Manhattan at the end of the millennium. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise) is a physician with a wealthy clientele. He is married to Alice (Nicole Kidman), who once owned an art gallery. They attend a Christmas party hosted by Victor Ziegler (Sydney Pollack). Alice has a … Continue reading Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Tangerine (dir. Sean Baker, 2015) Just out of a four week stint in Los Angeles County lockup, Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) connects with her best friend and fellow sex worker Alexandra (Mya Taylor) on Christmas Eve. Alexandra tells Sin-Dee that her pimp and boyfriend Chester (James Ransone) has been cheating on her these past … Continue reading Tangerine (2015)

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (dir. Shane Black, 2005) Shane Black had one of the most enviable careers a screenwriter could hope to have in Hollywood. A few years out of film school he sells the script for Lethal Weapon for 250,000 dollars. The nineties are even better for him. His work on The Last Action … Continue reading Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

The Long Kiss Goodnight (dir. Renny Harlin, 1996) My name is Samantha Caine. At least I think it is. You might not believe it, but I was born only eight years ago on a beach in New Jersey. I entered the world fully grown, wearing clothes I don't remember buying. In the back pocket, a … Continue reading The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)