by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Welcome to the Buried Treasure of the Streaming World! This series takes a month’s worth of content at a time and sift out the buried treasure that exists on all forms of streaming. These films most likely fly under the radar, but now it is time to shine that spotlight on them and give them the attention they truly deserve. Time to dive in, shall we?
Asia (5/5 stars) VOD
What is more powerful than the relationship between a mother and her daughter? In her debut drama, writer-director Ruthy Pribar proves that there is a lot of work that goes into making this relationship work. Alena Yiv dials in a powerful, anchoring performance as a career woman who was too young to be a mother. She sleeps with a doctor in his car and shies away from spending time with her daughter. Rising star Shira Haas matches Yiv with a compelling performance as her daughter who is acting out and wandering through the complicated journey of adolescence. But one twist of fate brings these two closer and Asia delivers on powerful themes of finding strength as a mother and grieving the loss of a possible future. This Israeli drama is a must-see film as the year wraps up.
Try Harder! (4/5 stars) VOD
What was your college search like as high school ended? Taking standardized tests… submitting college applications… writing application essays… stressing whenever a new letter arrives in the mail. Debbie Lum’s new documentary Try Harder! captures this experience like no other film. The story of a class of stressed out and high achieving students from Lowell High School in San Francisco plays out through Lum’s film in a moving and impactful way. Lum is also able to tackle larger issues like racism and systematic prejudice, while making one of the most relatable documentaries of the year. If you ever stressed and worried about your future when it came to your college search, this is a must watch film for you.
Dead Asleep (4/5 stars) Hulu
What is the most compelling new true crime documentary around? Hulu and director Skye Borgman have you covered. You have seen plenty of serial killers and mysterious death captures, but what happens when a young man insists that they killed their best friend while sleepwalking? Borgman takes her audience on an informative and impactful journey of knowledge that will shatter the illusions you might have when it comes to sleepwalking. This is a truly tragic tale of loss where there are no winners. Not many true crime documentaries out there capture the moral grey area that this film lives in. One of the most unique docs out there right now, check out this film. It will take you on an unexpected and emotional journey.
The Year of the Everlasting Storm (4.5/5 stars) VOD
What is the most magical aspect of film? The beauty of poetry in motion that film can capture is nothing like any other type of art form. A film like The Year of the Everlasting Storm is a perfect flex of the opportunities that film has. This anthology series exists deeply within the visual medium. With all the filmmakers, there is a beauty on the filmmaking side of things that just sparks off the screen. From a narrative perspective, each story (to varying degrees) delivers a deeply human and emotional experience. Each in a unique way, the segments will capture your imagination and make you feel something deeply. That is something truly special that film can engross you in. Kudos to creators like David Lowery for bringing such beautiful stories to life.
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (4.5/5 stars) Netflix
C’mon… how else should you be spending Christmastime than with some pitch perfect Nick Park creations? Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas is a wonderfully charming and endearing romp that is a must-see on Netflix during the holidays. What’s not to love? The sheep deliver a variety of pleasantly fun slapstick gags along the way. The dog tries his best to keep them in line. You get treated to a heartwarming story of a poor child finally getting the love and attention for the holidays they have always yearned for. Beautiful stop motion animation comes to life in this joyous short film that will make you grin from ear to ear. I might be biased… but Shaun the Sheep is one of the most sure fire wins for any film.
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