Posted by Frank
hoopla, one of the Seattle Public Library’s streaming video services, has doubled its collection of videos since my last blog post. Here, in no particular order, are my current top 10 favorite movies that you can stream, right now, for free.
Big Night (1996). Two brothers (Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci) try to save their struggling Italian restaurant with one big, traditional Italian dinner. A fantastic supporting cast (Minnie Driver, Isabella Rossellini, Liev Schreiber, Ian Holm, Marc Anthony and Allison Janney) make this a winning screwball comedy with heart.
The Elephant Man (1980). David Lynch‘s moving and complex portrait of John Merrick (John Hurt), whose severe disfigurement led to a life of ridicule and loneliness until he is approached by a Victorian doctor (Anthony Hopkins) who can see the man inside. Anne Bancroft and John Gielgud costar in this compassionate film about human dignity.
The Andromeda Strain (1971). This adaption of Michael Crichton’s novel follows a group of scientists investigating an alien virus that wiped out an entire town, except for two people – a baby and an elderly alcoholic – who hold the key to solving the mystery before the virus spreads. This sci-fi flick is both intelligent and gripping.
The Man on the Moon (1999). Jim Carrey won a Golden Globe for his portrait of the enigmatic and eccentric comedian Andy Kaufman. Acclaimed director Milos Forman assembled an intriguing cast (including Danny DeVito and Courtney Love) to support Carrey, who inhabited the body and soul of the comedian who died at 35.
Defending Your Life (1991). Albert Brooks wrote, directed and stars in this insightful comedy about a man who must defend the choices he made in Judgment City or else risk returning to Earth to try all over again. Meryl Streep is radiant as his love interest and Rip Torn is a riot as his defense lawyer.
Double Indemnity (1944). Hands down, one of the best examples of film noir, and of film, period. Fred MacMurray is an insurance salesman seduced by Barbara Stanwyck, a vixen who convinces him to help kill her husband and stage it as an accident so they can cash in on his settlement. A masterpiece.
This Boy’s Life (1993). Leonardo DiCaprio is a star in the making in his first major film role. He depicts a young boy living with his divorced mother (Ellen Barkin) and abusive stepfather (Robert DeNiro) in 1950s Concrete, Washington. Based on Tobias Wolff’s memoir.
Cabaret (1972). Liza Minnelli is unforgettable as Sally Bowles, a performer in the Kit-Kat Club in 1930s Berlin, where complex romance takes center stage even as the Nazis rise to power. Minnelli and Master of Ceremonies Joel Grey won Oscars for this highly original musical.
Far From Heaven (2002). Todd Haynes’ homage to 50s melodrama is lush with gorgeous cinematography, swirling music and a fabulous performance by Julianne Moore as a housewife who seeks solace with an African-American man (Dennis Haysbert) after discovering her husband (Dennis Quaid) is gay.
The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981). Lily Tomlin stars as a housewife whose exposure to household chemicals causes her to shrink. Okay, this is probably a terrible movie, but the 9-year-old me thought it was the funniest movie ever.
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