Popcorn Picks

22/12/2020

Popcorn Pick #9: Come and See [Ідзі і глядзі] (1985)

From Soviet-era director Elem Klimov comes this devastating and unrelenting vision of the atrocities of war. Set against the 1940's invasion of Belorussia by the German Wehrmacht, the film follows the harrowing journey of a young boy and his abrupt, terrifying transition to adulthood as his country is ravaged before his eyes.

As beautiful as it is disturbing, Come and See has earned its title as an "anti-war" film, showcasing in brutal clarity the horrors that man can (and often does) inflict upon his fellow man.

16/12/2020

Popcorn Pick #8: The Lighthouse (2019)

Robert Eggers' "The Lighthouse" is a dark, twisted tale of two lightkeepers suffering from extreme isolation on an island off the coast of 1800's New England. A psychological thrill ride from start to finish, the film garnered attention for its unique cinematography, compelling set design, and period-accurate dialogue.

Anchored by monumental performances from lead actors Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, "The Lighthouse" is one of the decade's most important films, and a must-see cinematic experience.

"Utterly disgusting. I found no redeeming value [in the film] whatsoever."
-My Uncle Jerry

22/09/2020

Popcorn Pick #7: La Haine (1995)

In a seedy Paris suburb, three young men deal with the aftermath of a riot in which their friend was arrested, brutalized, and left in a comatose state by the police. When one member of the group stumbles upon a handgun that was lost during the riot, a mesmerizing series of events are set in motion that take place over the course of a single day.

Director Mathieu Kassovitz effortlessly blends lightning-fast visual humor, thoughtful social critiques, and witty dialogue to create a film that feels more like a slice of life in 1990's France than a fictional story. Shot beautifully in black and white and edited with a youthful spirit reflective of the film's themes, La Haine has earned a dedicated cult following over the years and currently enjoys a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

15/09/2020

Popcorn Pick #6: V for Vendetta (2006)

Set in the near future of the year 2020, the world has been decimated following the outbreak of the mysterious St. Mary's Virus. What remains of the United Kingdom is a dystopian police state overseen by Norsefire, a neo-fascist, ultranationalist political party with complete hegemonic control over its citizens.

Enter V (Hugo Weaving), a vaudevillian anarchist with a flare for the dramatic and larger-than-life ideals. Dawning a Guy Fawkes mask and finding an unexpected ally in Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), V plans to give the people of England a powerful reminder of their agency in a crumbling world.

This adaptation of Alan Moore's legendary graphic novel was directed by James McTeigue, and is perhaps more applicable during the COVID-19 pandemic than ever before.

15/09/2020

15/09/2020

Popcorn Pick #5: McFarland USA (2015)

Director Niki Caro delivers this awe-inspiring true story of the high school track team in McFarland, California that would go on to win nine CIF State Championships.

Helmed by none other than legendary twelve-time Academy Award winner Kevin Costner, this eye-watering underdog tale is sure to bring a smile to the whole family.

13/09/2020

Popcorn Pick #4: The VelociPastor (2017)

After a terrible accident befalls his family, devout Catholic Priest Doug Jones (Greg Cohan) embarks upon a spiritual quest to China, where he masters the ancient art of skinshifting. With vengeance on his mind, Jones learns to take the form of God’s greatest predator — the velociraptor — and doles out justice one claw at a time.

12/09/2020

Popcorn Pick #3: Waterworld (1995)

In the near future, the polar ice caps have melted, causing catastrophic rises in sea levels the world over. Those who survive have adapted to life on boats, rafts, wreckage, and anything else that will float, as they scour the seas for the mythical promise of “dry land.”

Helmed and produced by twelve-time Academy Award winner Kevin Costner, the film was a major financial success, leading to the creation of a Waterworld-based theme park at Universal Studios Hollywood.

11/09/2020

Popcorn Pick #2: Samurai Cop (1991)

Tensions run high in this non-stop action thrill ride from director Amir Shervan. The film follows a no-nonsense Los Angeles police detective nicknamed “the Samurai” as he slices and dices his way through one of the city’s most notorious criminal organizations.

10/09/2020

Popcorn Pick #1: Battlefield Earth (2000)

John Travolta delivers the performance of a lifetime in this academy-snubbed sci-fi classic. Battlefield Earth became a cultural benchmark when it exploded into the zeitgeist 20 years ago, and is perhaps more relevant now than ever before.