What I've Been Watching: March 23-March 26

Here's the latest of what I've been watching! I hope you've all been watching good stuff!

LA COLLECTIONNEUSE (1967), one of Eric Rohmer's most acclaimed erotic French dramas from the 60s and 70s, is a thoughtful and unexpectedly feminist exploration of romance and gender, all set in the glorious south of France. The sweltering sun, the salty sea, and the succulent fruits create an atmosphere palatable to all of the senses. A feast for not just the mind, but the senses as well. Stream on the Criterion Channel or Kanopy.

SIDE EFFECTS (2013), a medical thriller to rival the other Steven Soderbergh-Scott Z. Burns collaboration Contagion, this might be Soderbergh's Hitchcockian almost-masterpiece. Rooney Mara is phenomenal in a role that evolves with each new bit of information we're given. Stream on HBO Now, or rent on Amazon Video for $3.99.

UNVEILED (2005), otherwise known as "Fremde Haut" in its home country of Germany, this story of LGBT refugees nicely balances realism without succumbing to the torture porn that these kinds of films so often do. It's rather unremarkable in many technical aspects, but the film's screenplay is uncommonly sensitive. Buy on Amazon on DVD. 

ALL THAT JAZZ (1979), a Bob Fosse autobiography that has achieved classic status - and for good reason. This exquisite mixture of song, dance, and storytelling feels like a miracle on screen and has never been replicated with such success. Roy Schneider is brilliant as Bob Fosse's alter ego, Joe Gideon. Buy on Amazon on Blu-ray/DVD.