June feels like a month of dedicated character, not so much with changes in temperature and environment, but with figuring out or trying to figure out who we are, what we are capable of, and how we show it all to the outside world. These seven films, new to Hulu this month, question the limits of our ability to be direct in our aims and see through desire, demonstrating that things are often what they seem, and more.
Extraterrestrial
Available: June 1
Director:Ridley Scott
Writer: Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt, Tom Skerritt
the original Extraterrestrial film that launched a franchise, the OG Extraterrestrial (1979) thrills in its mix of juicy relationships, narrative suspense and sci-fi imaginings and simulations. Released ten years after the first men walked on the Moon, the film presents the Moon, in its orbit around the Earth, as a known and unknown place.
An education
Available: June 1
Director: Lone Scherfig
Writer: Lynn Barber, Nick Hornby
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Peter Sarsgaard
An education sounds like a visualization you would have in your head when your friend tells you about a dazzling moment in their love life. Carey Mulligan is excellent as a woman falling in love with an older man, who cheats on her to the end. When she finds out, the film is silent, leaving you thinking about the weight of the betrayal.
Burn after reading
Available: June 1
Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Writer:Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Cast: Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, George Clooney
A die Coen Brothers‘Obviously the funniest movies, the plot grabs your attention from the start, with its mix of doofus and high profile character portrayals. A part of brad pittThe funniest work of is here. Frances McDormand kills, as usual, with a focused exterior that belies a sense of laughter.
happy feet
Available: June 1
Director: George Miller, Warren Coleman, Judy Morris
Writer: George Morris, John Collee, Judy Morris
Cast: Brittany Murphy, Elijah Wood, Lombardo Boyard
happy feetThe delicious delivery of a beautiful message – that to be yourself, you must first find and love yourself – comes to life in the form of penguins who consider the voice to be instrumental in their pairings. A penguin, speechless but with feet, leans into its natural abilities, demonstrating the resonance of joy that comes from living a truth.
Napoleon Dynamite
Available: June 1
Director: Jared Hess
Writer: Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess
Cast: Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Shondrella Avery
The definition of a feel-good film, Napoleon Dynamite manages to be about all that is essential and valuable for human survival – deep friendship, loving relationship, nurturing and giving, challenge of journeying towards acceptance and curious gaze at the world, with the desire to create opportunities for authentic connection – all while being a comedic achievement.
Notes on a Scandal
Available: June 15
Director:Richard Eyre
Writer: Patrick Marber, Zoe Heller
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Shaun Parkes
Notes on a Scandal reverses smoldering. While the narrative appears one way, the film’s ending twists in a way that surprises the audience less and forces us more to rethink the storytelling – and all of our notions and judgments that lead us to conclusions. Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench keep us on the sidelines of understanding motive and desire.
personal customer
Available: June 30th
Director: Olivier Assayas
Writer: Olivier Assayas
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Lars Eidinger, Benoit Peverelli
personal customer imbues the spooky with sadness and does it so well, with Kristen Stewart in one of her most sensitive performances. There is a mysterious story here, but what grounds the story is brotherly love and the shock that comes from the impact of death. Shopping becomes an illusion and a question: what do we cover to avoid seeing?
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