Hang the DJ 📱
Hang the DJ 📱
Since tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, today’s recommendation is for a satisfying romance.
❤️ Happy Thursday!
Since tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, today’s recommendation is Hang the DJ a romantic episode of dystopian sci-fi anthology Black Mirror. I promise this one isn’t sad — only a little.
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Here’s what it’s about: “The system” is a community where a Siri-like AI pairs potential matches for a certain amount of time to gather data to help them find the perfect match. Amy (Georgina Campbell) and Frank (Joe Cole) find themselves matched for just 12-hours. However, the encounter sticks with them and makes them question whether “the system” is flawed. [Trailer]
Why you should watch it: What makes Black Mirror so compelling is its commitment to staying within the realm of reality, even when its stories could get a little out of hand. Hang the DJ is a perfect example of a story that feels within reach. Dating and connection are moving online more and more, so a story about a dating system that takes over your life isn’t quite far-fetched.
What’s most impressive is the amount of character building achieved in just 51 minutes. Within the first few minutes, you’re sold on Amy, Joe, and their relationship and you’re brought through an array of emotions — sadness, anger, happiness — before a completely satisfying conclusion.
Directed by Tim Van Patten // Runtime 51 mins // Year 2017 // Genre Sci-fi Romance
📺 Buy or rent: Hang the DJ is only available to stream on Netflix. It is the fourth episode of the fourth season.
Two trailers you should watchThe French Dispatch
From Searchlight Pictures: A love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional 20th-century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in "The French Dispatch" magazine.
My take: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson’s last live-action movie, was his most successful movie to date, so following it up with yet another period piece just feels right. And while the trailer has his same whimsical tone, the mix of black and white cinematography and the anthology-like structure feel like a step forward. Plus, how you could beat that cast!
Directed by Wes Anderson
Runtime 108 mins
Year 2020
Genre Period Comedy-Drama
📺 In theaters July 23rd (I know what I’m doing for my birthday)
The Green Knight
From A24: A fantasy adventure based on the Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur's reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic green-skinned stranger.
My take: Reader, when I tell you I screamed. David Lowery — I recommended his film A Ghost Story previously — is perhaps one of the most underrated indie filmmakers working today. His distinct style of bleak fantasy has never quite made it into the mainstream, but The Green Knight might be the film to do it. This might be the film of the summer for me.
Directed by David Lowery
Year 2020
Genre Period Fantasy
📺 In theaters May 29th
PSA: Previous recommendation Good Timeis now streaming on Netflix!
That’s it for today! Make someone feel special tomorrow ☺️ and have a wonderful long weekend. I’ll be in your inbox on Tuesday on account of the holiday.
See you next week!
Karl (@karl_delo)