The new year is upon us (….almost) and we here at Cut and Run have curated a selection of films to guide you through this trying time. Whether it be:
to bring in the new year,
a film to wallow in the depths of despair with;
inspiration for your re-emergence into sunlight
This is our guide to your last(s) and first(s) for the 23/24 season.
Cut and Run is a labour of love. A new-newsletter (new-new-newsletter) that is designed to recommend. Over the coming months we will be introducing written essay contributions through our new-press (new-new-press) function which will allow our editors even more dramatic turns and quips - so if you’ve enjoyed this and we’ve gotten you out of the hole of New Year’s Day by suggesting you watch James Benning with the KLF on in the background - stay tuned for an essay or two.
Editor
1. Cyber Tracker (1994) Dir. Richard Pepin
A tale of trackers and cyborgs. Prepares one for millennial anxieties and Y2K themed ball-drops. Pairs well with:
If you like this we recommend: Literally anything else with similar themes, it’s probably better.
2. Deprisa, Deprisa (1981) Dir. Carlos Saura
Among our favourite(s) on the list. Fantastic soundtrack. Notably , Cappuccino’s ‘Hell Dance with Me’:
Prepares one for the fast paced moments of the evening - stealing cars for example.
If you like this we recommend: Pixote (1980) (If you’re looking to be devastated).
3. Robotrix (1991) Dir. Jamie Luk
One of the few exploitation films on the list. If you’ve never seen a CAT III film from Hong-Kong, do yourself a favour and let it be Robotrix. If you like Abel Ferrara, leather and martial arts this is probably for you. Not sure how it will improve your new years, but hey.
Pairs well with:
If you like this we recommend: Taxi Hunter (1993) or anything with Anthony Chau-Sang Wong.
4. Highball (1997) Dir. Noah Baumbach
This one is off the beaten track a little. We aren’t sure if Noah Baumbach even likes this movie (or is that Mr Jealousy?). Anyway, its a fun romp about friends and relationships (with a new year theme). Peter Bogdanovich is in it?! (amazing!) A lot of the original Baumbach team are here, Eric Stoltz, Chris Eigeman etc. Noah really had a walk and talk crew going at this point (it's like the Fassbinder family - if they had a vague Gen X disposition and chatted about Prague a lot). That sounds critical, we love Noah - and a special shout out to Chris Eigeman. It prepares one for the walk and talk aspects of the evening.
Pairs well with:
If you like this we recommend: Kicking and Screaming (1995) and The Squid and the Whale (2005). Also, Bogdanovich and his entire filmography (even the Maron podcast, really great!)
5. Baller Blockin’ (2000) Dir. Steven Esteb
This one is wild. I don’t know…. have you ever wished all of cash money millionaires made a film….and the film was shot like a TV movie……and that movie included Lil Wayne prior to the release of Tha Carter in his ‘Lights Out’ era…..
Baller Blockin is a 2000s film, shot on a handheld (presumably, given the youtube copy) and filled with all of the existential angst you could hope for from Cash Money Millionaires first foray into the pictures. A phenomenal soundtrack, evidenced by:
Pairs well with:
If you like this we recommend: Paid in Full (2002)
6. Body Melt (1993) Dir. Philip Brophy
This one is for our Australian constituency - or anyone otherwise interested in Ozploitation. Body Melt is a simple tale - Pebbles Court is an all-Australian suburb struck by a new drug, which has, as its’ third phase, the body melt effect. For the body melt moments of the evening…
Pairs well with: Well….
If you like this we recommend: Wake in Fright (1971) (The best Ozploitation film)
7. Ticket of No Return (1979) Dir. Ulrike Ottinger
Ticket of No Return is fantastic. So is Ulrike Ottinger. For all those that have been considering a move to Berlin or their severe disdain for German transit guards.
Pairs well with:
8. Babylon (1980) Dir. Franco Rosso
Babylon is phenomenal. It reminds us of Mike Leigh, Alan Clarke etc. It will re-contextualise British cinema for you, and if it doesn’t you’re probably missing the point.
Beefy !!
Pairs well with:
the best speakers you can find….
Like theses ones (that Henry Rollins bought for $200,000).
For these:
If you like this we recommend: Franco Rosso’s Shorts
9. New Years Day (1989) Dir. Henry Jaglom
We mainly picked this one for the title, it’s still fun though. Whit Stillman is probably a better option for this kind of material. Milos Forman is in it. So is Mulder. Enjoy.
Pairs well with:
If you like this we recommend: Metropolitan (1990)
10. The Garden (1990) Dir. Derek Jarman
Transcendent. What Schrader is knocking on about in his book on style (not a coincidence we’ve left it next to Ozu). Just phenomenal. Watch it.
Pairs well with:
If you like this we recommend: The Angelic Conversation (1985)
11. Good Morning (1959) Dir, Yasujirō Ozu
A really fun flick. Typical Ozu aesthetics (which should be a calling card). Lots of farting. It’s great.
If you’ve just gotten a Model T-14CI7 and you’re keen to watch the Sumo Wrestling or Baseball this is the one for you.
Pairs well with: Sunshine (as in, the Sun)
If you like this we recommend: High and Low (it’s the same kid?!) - Great police procedural.
12. 13 Lakes (2004) Dir. James Benning
1..2…3..4…5..6..7..8..9…10..11…12….13 Lakes. Largely a picture dedicated too lakes with the occasional character study of a boat. Great flick if you pair it with the right soundtrack. James Benning rules. He rubs some people the wrong way - but not us!
Pairs well with : The KLF’s ‘Chill Out’ (Specifically, Madrugada Eterna on repeat)
If you like this we recommend: Ten Skies (2004)
With all of our love,
Cut and Run.
P.S Valentines Day Coming Soon x