FF2 Media’s new “Watch at Home” columns list the new films written and/or directed by women filmmakers that are newly available each week on DVD, Video On Demand &/or streaming services.
Here are the new films written and/or directed by women filmmakers now available at home as of 3/22/2019 (with links to FF2 Media reviews posted the week of their theatrical release):
- Bumblebee – Christina Hodson (writer)
- Out of Blue – Carol Morley (director/writer)
- Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us – Aya Takaha (co-writer)
DANIELLE’S TOP PICK OF THE WEEK
This week’s selection is Bumblebee, which just hit digital video this past Tuesday.
Travis Knight taking over the director’s chair from Michael Bay turns out to be the best thing ever. I say this because this film has a lot of heart. There’s more heart here than perhaps any of the recent Transformers films no matter how heart they tried. Some credit for this should go to screenwriter Christina Hodson and an uncredited Kelly Fremon Craig. While there are certainly laughs during the film, it’s none of the cringe-worthy kind. Not by a long shot.
There’s so much to love about this film, especially the chemistry in the performances between Steinfeld and Lendeborg Jr. Her performance in Edge of Seventeen already showed that she can lead a film but this film shows she can lead an action film, too. Granted the audience is already here for the robots but the rising star is going to be around for some time to come.
This isn’t a John Hughes film by any means but there’s a fun tribute in the film. It’s not just the appearance of Simple Minds’ classic anthem, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” but there’s a great homage to John Bender, too. Is this Bumblebee’s way of telling Charlie not to forget about him? It’s certainly arguable. Though one could also see this film as a mix between E.T. the Extra Terrestrial and The Iron Giant with just enough heart and soul that a John Hughes film can offer.
The Transformers franchise was dead in the water after the last outing but Bumblebee helps give it the ounce of freshness that it so desperately needed.
Please click HERE for my full review.
© Danielle Solzman (/19) FF2 Media
Featured photos from Bumblebee EPK
Photo Credits: Paramount Pictures
