What I've Been Watching: March 19-March 23

A continued update of my film log! Hopefully this gives you some ideas of what to/what not to watch.

PI (1998), is the directorial debut of acclaimed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky. Hailed as an intellectual mind-bending thriller, I wouldn't quite call it intellectual, mind-bending, or a thriller. It feels more like a passive exploration of genius with a lot of distracting filmmaking tricks. Feels like Aronofsky still trying to find his voice. Stream on Hulu, or rent on Amazon Video for $3.99.

LA PROMESSE (1996), the first notable project from Belgian brothers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne. It's an understated, staggeringly good portrait of a young man unlearning toxic masculinity in helping one of his father's exploited undocumented laborers. Stream on the Criterion Channel, or rent on Amazon Video for $3.99.

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (2014), Martin Scorsese's critique of Wall Street (and, to a lesser extent, capitalism) is a film of epic proportions. It may be among Scorsese's least effective films, however. The endless drug use and partying become banal after the first hour-and-a-half, and what's left is a shallow exercise in style in service of a mediocre script. Rent on Amazon Video for $3.99.

BROKEN FLOWERS (2005), perhaps the best film on this list and my favorite Jim Jarmusch film, Bill Murray delivers his best performance in this road trip odyssey through long lost love. Surprisingly sweet, endlessly funny, and genuinely moving. Rent on Amazon Video for $3.99.