James R | On 26, Mar 2016

Not getting your arthouse fix from Netflix? Wish there were more indie films on Amazon Prime Video? Every week, we round up the new releases on MUBI, the subscription VOD service that hand-picks new and old classics from around the world.

Patricio Guzman joins the ranks of directors enjoying topical retrospectives on the site this week, including Kevin Smith, Ben Wheatley, John Cassavetes and – next week – Italy’s Roberto Minervini.

Here’s what’s new and coming soon to MUBI:

Clerks – Monday 21st March

MUBI brings a double-bill of Kevin Smith classics this week, kicking off with 1994’s Clerks, which follows the uneventful life of Dante Hicks, a clerk at a New Jersey convenience store, who gets called into work on his day off. The result is one of the most fondly remembered slacker comedies from the 1990s – and a vital expose of the working conditions for independent contractors on the Death Star.

Chasing Amy – Tuesday 22nd March

The third of Kevin Smith’s New Jersey Trilogy stars Ben Affleck as comic book artist Holden, who falls in love with fellow artist Alyssa, only to be thwarted by her sexuality, his friend’s attitude and his own misgivings about himself. The result is a sensitive and honest exploration of gender, friendship and sex.

Gloria – Wednesday 23rd March

MUBI’s John Cassavetesr retrospective continues with this crime thriller about a showgirl who becomes the reluctant guardian of the young boy from next door, after his family are killed by the mob. Gena Rowlands is so good in the lead that she earned a Best Actress Oscar nomination in 1981.

Nostalgia for the Light – Thursday 24th March

As The Pearl Button hits UK cinemas, Patricio Guzman’s previous documentary arrives on MUBI. Like The Pearl Button, it’s another film that fuses together the natural world with Chile’s past underneath Pinochet’s regime, to frequently spellbinding effect.

The Passion of the Christ – Friday 25th March

MUBI marks Good Friday with the addition of Mel Gibson’s violent, graphic account of Jesus’ crucifixion.

Five Easy Pieces – Saturday 26th March

Jack Nicholson cemented his stardom with his iconic turn in Bob Rafelson’s drama, which follows a drop-out from upper-class America as he slums it through a blue-collar life of oil-rigs, bars and motels – and teaches the world how to order toast.

Brief Encounter – Sunday 27th March

David Lean’s romantic masterpiece chronicles an almost-affair between a wife (Celia Johnson) and a married man (Trevor Howard) after their paths cross at a station. Throbbing with passion, pain and pathos, it’s a beautiful, timeless tribute to unrequited love, captured with monochrome precision and swooningly accompanied by Rachmaninov. Even today, people still flock to Carnforth railway station in Lancashire to relive their memories of the film – and filmmakers such as Todd Haynes still echo Lean’s classic in their own work.

Almost Famous – Monday 28th March

Cameron Crowe’s 2000 film stars Patrick Fugit and Kate Hudson as a high-school boy given the chance to write for Rolling Stone about a rock band and a groupie whom he encounters. The result is a coming-of-age that combines comedy and soundtrack with entertaining exuberance.

Love Streams – Tuesday 29th March

MUBI’s John Cassavetes retrospective continues with Love Streams, which follows a few days in the life of writer Robert Harmon and his sister Sarah, who are reunited after years apart.

Low Tide – Wednesday 30th March

MUBI kicks off a double-bill of Roberto Minervini films with 2012’s Low Tide, which follows the parallel lives of a 12-year-old boy and his single mother.

Stop the Pounding Heart – Thursday 31st March

MUBI’s double-bill of Roberto Minervini concludes with Stop the Pounding Heart, which chronicles the meeting of home-schooled goat farmer Sara and amateur bull rider Colby.

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty – Friday 1st April

Step aside, Ben Stiller: Norman Z. McLeod’s 1947 original adaptation of James Thurber’s short story stars Danny Kaye as the young day-dreaming proofreader for a magazine, who one day finds the woman of his dreams – in real life.

Note: Release dates for future titles are subject to change. A monthly subscription to MUBI costs £4.99 a month, with a 30-day free trial. For more information, visit www.mubi.com.

 

Last chance to stream: Titles leaving MUBI soon

The Best Years of Our Lives
Available until: 27th March

No Country for Old Men
Available until: 28th March

She Monkeys
Available until: 29th March

Sabotage
Available until: 30th March

Secret Agent
Available until: 31st March

Oldboy
Available until: 1st April

Hail Mary
Available until: 2nd April

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