Movies About Nothing

From Ingmar Bergman, starring Bibi Andersson, Liv Ullmann, Margaretha Krook, Gunnar Björnstrand
Rated Not Rated

Persona is a 1966 Swedish drama film directed by Ingmar Bergman and starring Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson. It tells the story of a young nurse, Alma (Ullmann), who is assigned to care for a famous but mute stage actress, Elisabet Vogler (Andersson). As the two women spend time together, Alma notices that Elisabet's personality starts to take over hers, as if their souls have merged. As Alma tries to understand what is happening to her, the film explores themes of identity, memory, and communication. Ultimately, the film suggests that each of us have multiple facets to our identities, and that it is sometimes necessary to reject one identity in order to embrace another.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Rated R

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 American crime comedy film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, a slacker and avid bowler, and John Goodman as Walter Sobchak, his best friend. The story is set in Los Angeles in the early 1990s, and follows the Dude's dealings with the wealthy Jeffrey Lebowski and the nihilists, who have mistaken the Dude for the other Lebowski. The movie follows the Dude's adventures and misadventures as he gets mixed up in the tangled tale of a missing trophy wife, a missing rug, and a ransom demand. Along the way, he meets a colorful cast of characters, including a mysterious and beautiful woman, a bowling-obsessed millionaire, and a pacifist Vietnam vet. The Dude must take on a mission to get to the bottom of the mystery and unravel the truth. The Big Lebowski is a highly acclaimed comedy with a cult following. Bridges' performance as the Dude has been praised for its blend of comedy, drama, and absurdity, and the movie has developed a devoted following since its release. The film was nominated for numerous awards, including two Academy

From Michael Haneke, starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert, Alexandre Tharaud
Rated PG-13

Amour is a 2012 French-language drama film written and directed by Michael Haneke and starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva and Isabelle Huppert. The film follows an elderly couple, Anne and Georges (Trintignant and Riva), as they cope with the physical and emotional strains of Anne's declining health. As Anne's condition worsens, their bond is put to the ultimate test as the couple struggles to maintain their love and independence. The story illustrates the difficult realities of aging and the cruel dilemmas that face the elderly and their loved ones. With a focus on the strength of love and commitment, Amour is a powerful and moving exploration of mortality and the resilience of the human spirit.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Elijah Smith
Rated R

Boyhood is a 2014 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Richard Linklater, and starring Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, and Ethan Hawke. The film was shot intermittently over a period of twelve years, showing the growth of the main character, Mason Evans Jr., from age 6 to age 18. The story follows Mason and his family as he navigates the everyday challenges of childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, including divorce and college applications. Through Mason's journey, the audience witnesses key moments of his life, growing up in Texas, and the impact of his parents' strained marriage on his development. Boyhood portrays the coming-of-age of a young boy against the backdrop of a rapidly changing cultural landscape, exploring important themes such as growing up, family dynamics, and the passage of time.

From Mike Leigh, starring David Thewlis, Lesley Sharp, Katrin Cartlidge, Greg Cruttwell
Rated Not Rated

Naked is a darkly comic drama directed by Mike Leigh and stars David Thewlis as Johnny, a homeless twenty-something drifter who arrives in London and is quickly thrust into an alienating and dangerous underworld. Johnny is an eloquent and intelligent man, but his life is a constant struggle for survival as he traverses the city and encounters a variety of different characters, each with their own unique stories. With his gruff demeanor and razor-sharp wit, Johnny slowly begins to unravel the mysteries of his past and the reasons why he is on the run. Ultimately, Naked exposes the harsh realities of life on the streets while exploring themes of morality, human connection, and the dangers of unchecked ambition.

From Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris
Rated R

Lost in Translation is a 2003 comedy-drama film written and directed by Sofia Coppola. The film follows Bob Harris (Bill Murray), an aging American movie star, and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a young college graduate, who develop an unlikely friendship in Tokyo. Both are struggling with loneliness and difficulty adjusting to their new environments and find solace in each other. The story explores themes of alienation, ennui, and cultural displacement as the two characters deepen their bond and explore the city of Tokyo.

From Kevin Smith, starring Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonauer
Rated R

Clerks is a 1994 American independent black-and-white comedy film written, directed, and co-produced by Kevin Smith. The film follows two store clerks, Dante Hicks and Randal Graves, as they work their mundane jobs in a convenience store and video store, respectively, while discussing their lives, the state of their personal relationships, and other everyday situations. The plot is set in motion when Dante's ex-girlfriend, Caitlin Bree, arrives at the store to get her sign changed. The film features a large amount of profanity and offbeat humor, as well as a variety of pop culture references. The movie was filmed entirely in black and white, with the exception of a short scene in color. The film was made on a budget of $27,000 and became a sleeper hit, grossing over $3 million at the box office. It has since become a cult classic and has been credited with launching the careers of Smith, Jeffrey Anderson and Jason Mewes.

From Alexander Payne, starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Bob Odenkirk
Rated R

Nebraska is a 2013 American black-and-white comedy-drama directed by Alexander Payne and written by Bob Nelson. The film stars Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, and Bob Odenkirk. The story follows an elderly, alcoholic father (Dern) and his estranged son (Forte) who set out on a road trip from Montana to Nebraska to claim a million-dollar prize. Along the way, they stop at various family members' homes in small towns, learning more about the father's past and how he is viewed by his family. At the same time, the son and father must struggle to reconnect and accept each other for who they are. Nebraska was met with critical acclaim and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Dern. The film won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Dern).

From Todd Solondz, starring Jane Adams, Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dylan Baker
Rated NC-17

"Happiness" is a dark comedy written and directed by Todd Solondz. The film follows the intersecting lives of three sisters, Joy, Helen and Trish, as they attempt to navigate the complexities of life and love. Joy, the eldest sister, is a successful businesswoman struggling to find love, Helen is an ambitious writer who is desperate to be admired, and Trish is a devoted mother who is trying to come to terms with her son's disturbing behavior. As the family comes together to celebrate the holidays, they are forced to confront the secrets they have kept from each other and the painful truths that lie beneath their seemingly idyllic suburban lives. The film is an exploration of human connection and the difficulties of finding true happiness.

From Steve McQueen, starring Stuart Graham, Laine Megaw, Brian Milligan, Liam McMahon
Rated Not Rated

Hunger is a 2008 British-Irish drama film directed by Steve McQueen and written by Enda Walsh. It is based on the 1981 Irish hunger strike, when Irish republican prisoners protested against the removal of Special Category Status. It stars Michael Fassbender as Bobby Sands, a Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteer who leads the1981 hunger strike in Maze Prison. The film focuses on his conversation with a Catholic priest, Father Moran, as well as depicting the harsh conditions of the prisoners in the jail. Through these conversations and interactions, the film ultimately explores the depths of human suffering and the meaning of sacrifice for one's beliefs.

From Laurent Cantet, starring François Bégaudeau, Agame Malembo-Emene, Angélica Sancio, Arthur Fogel
Rated PG-13

The Class is a 2008 French drama film written and directed by Laurent Cantet. It stars a cast of amateur actors and follows the story of a year in the life of a bilingual French-Arabic class in a middle-school in the suburbs of Paris. The class is made up of students from diverse backgrounds, many of whom struggle to cope with the pressures of school and society, as well as with their own family situations. Through their interactions with their teacher, Mr. Marin, the students discover the power of language and self-expression. The film won the Palme d'Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, amongst other awards.

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund
Rated R

From Steve McQueen, starring Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale, Lucy Walters
Rated NC-17

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Jesse Plemons
Rated R

From Steven Knight, starring Tom Hardy, Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott
Rated R

From Rick Alverson, starring Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, James Murphy, Jeffrey Jensen
Rated Not Rated