Take a journey with Oprah in ‘A Wrinkle in Time’
Here are some interesting new releases available now from cable and digital providers as well as a title that has recently become available for streaming.
Video on Demand
“A Wrinkle In Time”: In a world of superhero blockbusters and endless sequels, it’s remarkably refreshing to have a big-budget film aimed at families with a young nerdy biracial girl as the lead character. Meg (Storm Reid) is the daughter of two physicists, but after her father mysteriously disappears she really loses her confidence and struggles at school. She is bullied and heartbroken, but a friendly classmate named Calvin (Levi Miller) ends up joining her on a quest journeying through space and time with Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling) to help her find her father. For the target audience of modern tween viewers, visionary director Ava DuVernay has simplified the religious tones of the original novel to deliver a valuable lesson about being true to yourself against all the odds. (Cable and digital VOD)
“How To Talk To Girls At Parties”: If you blinked, you probably missed the new film from John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”) during its brief theatrical run. Now available for home viewing, this is simply destined to be a cult classic. Based on a short story written by Neil Gaiman, this sci-fi drama uses the punk scene of London in the late 1970s as the backdrop for a story that is truly out of this world. Elle Fanning stars as Zan, an inquisitive alien teen who separates herself from her colony and falls in love with Enn (Alex Sharp). As she traverses the city with him and his friends, she begins to question her original mission. This movie is kind of bizarre and far from everybody’s cup of tea, but it has such a unique vision that it’s utterly charming and unforgettable. Throw in Nicole Kidman as an aging punk rocker and you’ve got something worth taking a chance on. Digital purchase on iTunes includes deleted scenes and a full-length commentary track. (Cable and digital VOD)
Also on streaming services
“Lady Bird”: Now that it has hit Prime streaming, allow me to give one last recommendation to one of 2017’s greatest films. Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut is a splendid comedy about a young woman who is trying to figure out where she fits in while growing up in Sacramento, California. Nominated for five Academy Awards including best picture, best director and best original screenplay, it’s a sharply observational story about the relationship between a mother and daughter that isn’t always harmonious. Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf give the best performances of their careers, and it’s all backed by a note-perfect soundtrack. (Amazon Prime)