Byrne, Belushi, Modern Mystery and More, Now Available to Stream

2020 is almost over. I shudder to even write that out for all to see, for fear of tempting fate. Doing so does seem like an invitation for the universe to step in and remind us that our attempts to demarcate the passage of time are a desperate coping mechanism for scrambling and destructive primates made cruelly conscious of our own mortality. (As far as what will end it all, my money is on either scorpions, antibiotic-resistant infections or keto zombies.) But below are some films worth checking out before you dole out your own superlatives for media. There are many months' worth of columns addressing streamable films, and I think the following are make for a good assortment to ramp up for the end of the year, especially with the heaps of Best Of lists currently circulating. (Look for our own Jim Ridley Memorial Film Poll, coming in January.) Previous weeks of streaming recommendations: March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23, April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, Aug. 6, Aug. 13, Aug. 20, Aug. 27, Sept. 3, Sept. 10, Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 15, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 11, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 17, Dec. 23.

American Utopia on HBO Max

It’s not Stop Making Sense. Nothing could be. But Spike Lee and David Byrne work very well together in this mordant, magnificent document of a Broadway performance of American Utopia (the show, as well as the concept). Musically effusive, impeccably staged and inspiring for a lot of reasons, this film lets you regain access to your hope and joy. And between this and Da 5 Bloods, as always, Spike Lee is willing to start the necessary conversations.

Belushi on Fubo and Showtime

Belushi is a bit too reverential for a subject as rooted in chaos as the late comedian/actor John Belushi, but what makes this documentary intriguing are the interviews. Compiled for an oral history that came out a few years back, this film uses those first-person discussions as the framework to reconstruct a life upon, and it adds a great deal of emotional heft. Truthfully, it’s just nice to hear Carrie Fisher’s voice again. And the array of voices helps to establish the conflicted truths of who John Belushi was and what his legacy represents. Also worth watching for anyone looking to learn from the mistakes of Chevy Chase and what not to do to everyone around you.

Benjamin via video on demand

A romantic drama about people who don’t “define things or be specific about words that mean things.” Filmmaker Benjamin (Colin Morgan) is emotionally treading water as his new movie stumbles into theaters. “What’s your film about?” he’s asked. And without hesitating, he answers, “My inability to love.” Written and directed by British comedian and presenter Simon Amstell, this is an emotional carbfest and deeply, deeply funny. If you ever find yourself hoisted on the petard of your own overthinking, then this is the rom-com for you.

The Kid Detective on Vudu

Starts like Mystery Team, ends like The Long Goodbye. Adam Brody is quite good as former child detective Abe, coasting for far too long on his reputation — until he's contracted to solve a murder. But it’s not just a murderer he’s searching for — it’s also his own purpose. Like The Wretched earlier this year, The Kid Detective has one of the gutsiest scripts 2020 has thrown at us, landing a couple of feints that hit like a spiked mace right in the cerebral cortex. One of the major surprises of this year, and essential viewing for anyone who’s been fiending for a good mystery or trying to bypass their own system of emotional traps.

On the Rocks on Apple TV+

There’s nothing quite like the holidays for taking stock of family drama, and Sofia Coppola finds whatever your unsettled issues are and pokes them with this deeply funny and absolutely merciless pointy stick of a comedy. Weaponizing Bill Murray’s charm and using it like a UV light to excavate the damage that charming white guys have done to the emotional hotel room that is American life, this is Coppola using the expectations of the audience like a cloaking device. Rashida Jones and Marlon Wayans are both great, and the milieu of New York privilege never seemed quite so fun and frothy. But this is also about intersections of life that even in New York’s More-of-Everything masala we don’t always see. Murray is great, and gleefully, gloriously taken to task for the Peter Pan-ism that runs through so much of his most endearing work.

Matthias and Maxime on MUBI

A film about that particular time period when groups of dude friends have to either evolve or dissipate. When high school and college habits face off against the adult world. When marriage, career and society start to reshape the Who of someone’s identity. Matthias and Maxime's writer/director/star Xavier Dolan (Tom at the Farm, Laurence Anyways) understands big emotions, and the emotional significance of the right song or the wrong sweater. And there’s something deeply resonant at the heart of this subtle Québecois drama.

Uncle Peckerhead on Amazon Prime

Every musician has their stories. And in a time as chaotic for the industry as the pandemic has been, perhaps respectable narratives can’t really get at the vast span of emotions that come into play when you schlep a bunch of weirdos with something to say around the country under messy circumstances. Which is to say that it is doubtful that most, if any, bands have found themselves with a roadie/driver/confidant quite like this film's titular Uncle Peckerhead. He’s reliable and enthusiastic. He’s got his own van, and he’s willing to share. And all he needs to get through the long days and longer nights is the flesh and blood of the living. Uncle Peckerhead is funnier than this kind of movie usually pulls off, and stuffed with moments anyone who’s been on the business end of a ramshackle tour will empathize with. A delightful and gross surprise.

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan on Amazon Prime

A personal favorite from this year of hell, this delightful Hindi-language musical (the title translates roughly to “Be Extra-Careful of Marriage”) is about a lot of things. (There’s a whole subplot about GMO cauliflower, in fact.) At times it even feels like a Tyler Perry production, making a point of covering as many issues and tropes as possible. But at heart, this is a sweet romance about what it means to win over a conservative society and a violent patriarchy when the only weapons you have are being charming and a good-hearted significant other. This film is like a comfy blanket for gloomy days, and the magnificent “Pyaar Tenu Karda Gabru” is a victory in the history of gay musical numbers.