Summer has just been rolling by, and whether you’re looking to take a trip to the theater or stay in with a new release or classic favorite, The Lift’s Michael Gendron has some movie recommendations for you.

The Trap

Michael: Love him or hate him, M. Night Shyamalan has always been a filmmaker that draws strong reactions.   His latest, Trap, stars Josh Harnett, who’s been having a nice resurgence lately, as a father he gets his daughter concert tickets to the pop sensation Lady Raven, but the concert is actually a trap for
a serial killer.  This is a fun thriller with a great sense of humor.  Shyamalan doesn’t hold out for a big twist here, instead, he lets the plot unfold in a matter-of-fact nature, telling so much of the story visually.  If you go into this expecting scares or melodrama, you’re going to be disappointed because that’s not what this ,ovie is  Tonally, it feels more like a darkly comic heist film that’s really great at building tension.  Tune into this one’s vibe, and you’ll have a blast.  “The Trap” is playing in theaters now.

Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes

Michael: Next, a new documentary just dropped on Max that delves into the history of one of Hollywood’s greatest stars and actors, Elizabeth Taylor. In “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes”, Taylor recounts the early years of her career in a recently unearthed 1964 interview.  The interview is interwoven with archival ootage, movie clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and some never-before-seen home movies and pictures.   A truly loving portrait that allows fans to get Liz’s insight on the difference between her public persona and her self-perception while remembering all the movies and scandals.  If you’re new to the world of Elizabeth Taylor, this also serves as a good introduction to the golden age of her career and I’m sure it will inspire a few more additions to anyone’s watchlist.

Alphabet City

Michael: Truth be told, there’s no rhyme or reason why I’m talking about our next film, besides the fact I just saw it for the first time and really loved it.  Amos Poe’s “Alphabet City” is a nitty-gritty independent crime drama from the 80s starring Vincent Spano, Michael Winslow, and Jami Gertz. The film takes place throughout a single night as a pusher continually delays committing a crime he doesn’t want to commit. There’s as much pulsing synth as you could hope for in a movie like this and at times it truly does feel like an escape from a neon-soaked hell. Movies just don’t look like this anymore, so besides a compelling story, it’s also just a great time capsule.  This one also isn’t much of a time commitment, clocking in at under 90-minutes.    This one is currently streaming on Apple TV+ and the Criterion Channel.  It also has a great Blu-ray release from Fun City Editions.

Love Lies Bleeding

Michael: Finally, let’s take a look at another movie that recently dropped on Max and is available to rent on most digital platforms, Rose Glass’s “Love Lies Bleeding.”  Set in the last year of the 1980s,  a body builder, played by Katy O’Brian, passes through a New Mexican town, begins a relationship with a gym manager played by Kristen Stewart, and becomes entangled in her family’s world of violence.   A bold vision of love where all the characters are messy and are capable horrific acts.  This one can get fairly explicit, but if you’re feeling bold, Kristen Stewart continues to prove herself a great actress and O’Brian is a revelation.  She owns the screen in every scene she’s in.  Throw in some in some great surrealist flourishes and some really dark comedy and you’ve got one of the years most interesting films.  Once again this one is streaming on Max and is available to rent on most digital services.