Spring has FINALLY sprung here in New York City & so has movie season. Fresh off the success of this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, the film scene here in New York is booming and there’s definitely no shortage of flicks to see this spring/summer. Here are some of our favorites so far from this season, and a few upcoming films that are sure to make your own top 5
Nymphomaniac Part I & II – There’s not much explanation needed when asking why you might want to see this film. Director Lars Von Trier needs no introduction when it comes to pushing boundaries, and once again lets us into his dark reality with Nymphomaniac. A 4-hour film meant to be seen in two volumes, Nympho tells the story of Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and her never-ending search for her orgasm. From teenage sex romps on trains to sadomasochism, Nymphomaniac explores a woman’s sexual history from beginning to present at 50 years old. Electric, obsessive, addictive, painful, & hilarious, Nymphomaniac is sure to either attract or repel its audience. If you haven’t seen this film yet, the controversy in and of itself is a reason for you to go and make your own verdict on Von Trier’s sexual epic. Nymphomaniac Part I & II out in theaters now
Only Lovers Left Alive –Tilda Swinton & Tom Hiddleston star as disaffected rock & roll vampires in Jim Jarmusch’s latest flick. Only Lovers Left Alive lets us in to the world of Adam (Hiddleston) & Eve (Swinton), two century old vampires & their lament for the modern human existence. The film has been talked about as one of THE vampire film you need to see and as one of Jarmusch’s finest. I know that when one hears the word “vampire movie” this might be instantly deterring for certain audiences (especially since most peoples minds immediately go to “Twilight”), but knowing the “ever-so-cool” kind of director Jarmusch is, I’m sure that fans can’t help but wonder what cinematic universe he’ll transport his audience into this time. Only Lovers Left Alive is out in theaters now
Palo Alto – Based off a book of short stories written by James Franco, Palo Alto marks Gia Coppola’s feature film debut. The film is an exploration of that certain time in an individual’s life that we all remember: high school. Starring Emma Roberts, Val Kilmer, and James Franco himself, Palo Alto is a group portrait film that explores the angst, desires, & vulnerability of wasted youth in suburban California. At face value, Palo Alto has all the elements of a typical high school movie, but the reviews it’s been garnering so far are definitely proving otherwise. The film has been making the festival circuit this past year premiering at Telluride Film Festival & most recently at Tribeca film Festival just last week. Palo Alto opens in select theaters beginning May 9th.
The Immigrant – Taking place in Prohibition era 1920s – New York, James Gray’s melodrama The Immigrant tells the story of young Polish immigrant, Ewa (Marion Cotillard). After being aided by a charming gentleman (Joaquin Phoenix), the film explores the degrading and gut wrenching experiences Ewa faces as she becomes entangled in a life of prostitution on her journey for a place in the New World. The Immigrant has been making every top 10 list of films to see this summer and features yet another knockout performance by French superstar, Marion Cotillard. The film opens for limited release starting May 16.
Life Itself – Based on his 2011 Memoir Life Itself, this biographical documentary recounts the life of one of the world’s most famous film critics, Roger Ebert. Filmed right before and completed after his death just last spring, the film was directed by Steve James and executive produced by Martin Scorsese. As a lifetime lover of film and the cinematic experience, Life Itself allows us into the funny, heart wrenching, and inspiring life that was Roger Ebert. The documentary opens this summer on July 11 and as Ebert would say, “thank you for going on this journey with me. I’ll see you at the movies.”
Words: Dorothy Pranolo
