Circus of Books
This surprisingly sweet documentary takes viewers inside a historic mom and pop gay porn shop –emphasis on the mom and pop part. Circus of Books is directed by Rachel Mason, whose parents, Karen and Barry Mason, opened the store that would eventually become a fixture of the West Hollywood queer scene and the country’s biggest distributor of gay adult materials. With Circus of Books in danger of closing, Mason interviews her parents, current and former store employees (including drag star Alaska!), and figures like Hustler publisher Larry Flynt. The story she spotlights goes beyond that of an unassuming elderly straight couple selling porn in a digital world. By the film’s end, Circus of Books has given us a seminal lesson in queer culture that includes personal perspectives on the AIDS epidemic, a look at the long history of criminalized sexuality, and the Mason family’s own emotional coming out stories.
Circus of Books is currently streaming on Netflix.
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
James Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham’s Crip Camp is a marvelous, multi-faced portrait of self-determination that doubles as a clear and resounding call for marginalized people to be given the chance to tell their own stories. Built around incredible, joyous footage taken at Camp Jened in the ‘70s, Crip Camp tells the story of a political movement that was sparked by a utopic idea of a collaborative, disability-friendly community. Camp Jened’s ideology was simple: the summer camp was exclusively geared towards disabled teens, allowing them to safely explore the era’s free-spirited culture, all while having each of their individual needs met. Long after Camp Jened’s doors closed, its alums were making waves, pioneering the disability rights movement that has led to major legislation including the Americans With Disabilities Act. In an era that’s rife with social justice documentaries, Crip Camp is an essential watch.
Crip Camp is currently streaming on Netflix.
Dick Johnson is Dead
Kirsten Johnson’s latest documentary, Dick Johnson is Dead, is personal in its subject and grandiose in its scale, attempting to capture the absurdity of death while also creating a portrait of the artist’s father, psychologist Richard “Dick” Johnson. The elder Johnson is suffering from dementia, a condition that worsens as the film goes on. He’s also committed to his daughter’s filmmaking, and together the two decide to imagine his demise, again and again, creating bloody and bleak faux death scenes with a streak of black humor and melodramatic flair. The conceit gets tougher when Johnson’s health begins to deteriorate, but the documentarian never stops capturing her father with love, pathos, and curiosity, creating a living memorial for the man she loves, as well as a testament to life itself.
Dick Johnson is Dead is currently streaming on Netflix.
First Cow
Kelly Reichardt’s latest is a gentle, exhilarating, and deeply lovable take on the ever-unreachable American Dream. First Cow tells the story of introverted chef Cookie (John Magaro) and Chinese immigrant King-Lu (Orion Lee), who cultivate a companionship after they meet on their way to the Oregon Territory in 1820. The two soon set up shop at a burgeoning outpost, where they come across a neglected dairy cow belonging to a wealthy man. As usual, Reichardt brings the texture of history to life, from the rough furs of the town’s trappers to the sweet, crumbling cakes that fuel the central pair’s dreams of making their way to San Francisco. First Cow is a beautiful meditation on companionship, but it’s also a memorably melancholy look at what it truly means to be an outsider.
First Cow is currently streaming on Showtime.
I’m Your Woman
Last year, Julia Hart brought us Fast Color, an exhilarating, character-driven genre film. This year she trades in superhero sci-fi for a 1970s crime thriller, to equally satisfying results. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Rachel Brosnahan stars as Jean, a housewife whose life is turned upside down when her husband brings home a baby and then promptly disappears. When her husband’s shady dealings come to light, Jean is forced to raise the child on the run and mostly alone, leading to an atmosphere of paranoia and maternal isolation. Stylish and sleek, with great supporting turns by Arinzé Kene and Marsha Stephanie Blake, I’m Your Woman is an enthralling throwback and an impressive chapter in an always-interesting filmmaker’s career.
I’m Your Woman is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
Related Topics: 2020 Rewind
