You'll probably be happy to see the end of 2020. But you may also find sadness about the films going away from The Criterion Channel at the end of December. Here are a few that will disappear from Criterion on New Year's Day: A Trouble in Paradise (1932) What's so fascinating and entertaining about witty, … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion when December ends
Category: Streaming
What’s coming in December on the Criterion Channel
I don't expect Santa to come down my chimney, but I do expect a lot of good movies to come down my Internet connection next month. The Criterion Channel will offer a lot of movies worth watching. Here are just some of the movies, and some of the collections of movies, that will become available … Continue reading What’s coming in December on the Criterion Channel
Free movies from Kino Now
Kino Lorber celebrates its streaming service, Kino Now, with the Kino Now Anniversary Binge. Eight classic and new films will stream for free until November 15. Unlike the Criterion Channel, Kino Now is a pay-per-view service. There are no subscription fees, but you must pay for each movie you watch. Unless, of course, you want … Continue reading Free movies from Kino Now
Before Halloween: 6 good movies leaving Criterion October 31
Here's something to scare you as Halloween approaches: 45 movies will disappear from the Criterion Channel as the kids go virtual trick-or-treat. Here are six of these movies that I can recommend. That doesn't mean I hate the other 39. I just haven't seen most of them. Others I haven't seen or didn't really like. … Continue reading Before Halloween: 6 good movies leaving Criterion October 31
Ten really good movies newly available free at Kanopy
Kanopy offers the best bargain for streaming movies. No advertising, and all you need is a library card. But there is a limitation: You can only watch 10 movies a month. Here are ten Kanopy "Newly Added Movies" worth watching. But I have to admit that I've seen some of these on Kanopy years ago. … Continue reading Ten really good movies newly available free at Kanopy
Classic Cinema on HBO Max
Most people associate HBO with made-for-television series like Last Week Tonight and Axios. Or maybe even classics like The Wire. But the cable giant also offers a massive collection of classic cinema worth looking at. The collection goes back to the silent era, all around the world, and contains 21st-century Hollywood flicks. Counting them all … Continue reading Classic Cinema on HBO Max
More good than bad in August at the Criterion Channel
If you love great cinema, you really should subscribe to the Criterion Channel. Here you can get your fill of Akira Kurosawa, Fritz Lang, Mike Leigh, Atom Egoyan, Yasujiro Ozu, Asghar Farhadi, and so much more. And it's not all serious. Search for comedy, and (as I write this), you'll get 378 results. Throughout August, … Continue reading More good than bad in August at the Criterion Channel
Weird movies streaming from the New Mission
Like a lot of closed Bay Area movie theaters, the New Mission offers virtual cinema: You buy an e-ticket at the theater's website, you stream the film at home, and the theater gets a little money. Most of the available movies are new pictures that would be properly screening at local theaters if these were … Continue reading Weird movies streaming from the New Mission
Alternative streaming services – if you can get them to your TV
With everyone stuck at home, distributors are creating their own streaming services. But they're not making it easy for their customers to watch what they pay for on the big home screen. Yes, I know that people watch movies on their computers, their tablets, and worst of all, their phones. Yes, I watch videos on … Continue reading Alternative streaming services – if you can get them to your TV
Films that increase empathy
Roger Ebert once called movies "a machine that generates empathy." I'm not sure that's always true. Triumph of the Will generated a lot of emotions, but empathy wasn't one of them. And yet, the best films can help you understand those trapped in poverty, loneliness, and sickness. Ever since the invention of the close-up, motion … Continue reading Films that increase empathy
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