Tommy Metz III

This last week we Americans all did our best to celebrate our Thanksgiving in ceremonies modified by the COVID 19 Pandemic. Netflix released “Hillbilly Elegy” on the Tuesday before the holiday and some may see the Appalachian memoir as a bit non-festive, but the autobiographical nature of the story is important. What’s the purpose behind telling a story like this now and what does it tell us about the people and their characters in it? The Film Board will take its own turn here, reviewing the film adaptation of J.D. Vance’s story of personal geography, growth and change.

“The Trial of the Chicago 7” examines Vietnam War protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the trial to prosecute leaders of the different organizations that protested. The film conveys many stark statements of injustice about law enforcement and the harmful political posturing of other people in power. This content is in Sorkin’s wheelhouse so The Film Board can’t wait to view and discuss it at such a pivotal time.

Over the past month, we’ve begun to see some new releases open in limited theater capacities while others continue to be held back because of a world that can’t currently create a literal “blockbuster.” Different titles are popping up in different places and different ways and this month we decided to tackle a new release on Netflix, Charlie Kaufman’s “I’m Thinking of Ending Things.” As with most Kaufman works, it weaves an impressionistic puzzle that benefits from deep conversation and multiple viewings. Multiple other shows from The Next Reel’s family of podcasts have taken swipes at spoiling Kaufman, but this is the first turn for The Film Board.