(Welcome to
The Quarantine Stream, a new series where the /Film team shares what they’ve been watching while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.)
The Movie:
Where You Can Stream It: YouTube
The Pitch: A 13-minute short which focuses on the workers of abortion helpline in Philadelphia, all of whom go by the name “Lisa” when they’re answering phone calls.
Why It’s Essential Viewing: It’s a quick but effective history lesson about the draconian Hyde Amendment, and a heartbreaking eavesdrop session into the trials and tribulations of women who desperately need help.
Abortion Helpline, This is Lisa has also been shortlisted in the Documentary Short Subject category for this year’s Academy Awards, beating out over a hundred other shorts that qualified.
(Welcome to
The Quarantine Stream, a new series where the /Film team shares what they’ve been watching while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.)
The Movie:
Where You Can Stream It: Netflix
The Pitch: In a fantastical origin story of the comedy rock band known as Tenacious D, musicians JB (Jack Black) and KG (Kyle Gass) begin a friendship that could lead to the formation of the greatest rock band in the world. To make that dream come true, the righteous duo embarks on a quest to find a legendary guitar pick that possesses supernatural powers, encountering all sorts of strange characters along the way.
(Welcome to
The Quarantine Stream, a series where the /Film team shares what they’ve been watching while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.)
The Series:
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max
The Pitch: The life and times of several people connected with a hospital in 1900 New York City.
Why It’s Essential Quarantine Viewing:
The Knickonly lasted two seasons, but they’re two great seasons that you can binge through in no time. Although maybe you should pace yourself – the series is often quite bleak and bloody. But that’s part of its charm.
At some point,
Steven Soderbergh announced that he was “retiring.” And while other people may use retirement to kick back and relax, Soderbergh kept busy. He only retired from
The Pitch: A direct sequel to
The Muppets, but a lot sillier.
Why It’s Essential Quarantine Viewing: I loved
The Muppets, the 2011 movie that essentially rebooted the Muppet franchise and introduced a new Muppet, Walter. After that film – which was funny, and charming, and featured great songs – I was ready for more. And yet, when a sequel arrived in 2014, the reaction seemed muted. No one seemed to downright hate
Muppets Most Wanted, but the general consensus seemed to be that the movie was a step-down, especially since Jason Segel, who co-wrote and starred in
The Muppets, wasn’t involved. This lukewarm reaction kept me from giving the film a shot – until now. And I know I’m not alone – many people seemed to have completely skipped
The Pitch: Director/producer/editor
D.W. Young takes his camera into the world of antiquarian and rare book dealers in New York City, textually acknowledging that while the act of reading is becoming less popular, there is still a community out there that holds the torch for the ineffable magic contained between the front and back cover of a book.
Why It’s Essential Viewing: “Essential” is probably too strong of a descriptor for this movie, but if you love reading, this documentary will give you a sense of where the industry stands while also providing plenty of shots of gorgeous libraries and a bird’s eye view of the annual New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.