We all know the library is a great resource not only for fine literature, but do you know it’s also a great resource for films as well? In some cities, a library card might be all you need for your film entertainment needs. And now residents of Jersey City, New Jersey are able to stream films, music, television and more with nothing more than their library card and an app. With a partnership between the Jersey City Free Public Library and hoopla digital, patrons can stream films like The Assassin, Silver Linings Playbook, television shows like The Addams Family, and a number of e-books, comics and albums. While the library may not be able to compete with Netflix, Hulu or other paid streaming services, it definitely makes this overlooked resource worth checking out. For all the films and television new to streaming this week, check out the recommendations below:

Netflix

Cooked (Series, Season 1)

Food docs have become a staple of Netflix, with such offerings as Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Somm, and the wonderful Netflix original series Chef’s Table all available. Their newest series, Cooked, produced by Alex Gibney and author Michael Pollan, is a four-part miniseries that looks specifically at how people around the world prepare food. Breaking up the episodes by “Fire,” “Air,” “Water” and “Earth,” the series spans the globe from Peru to Australia to Berkeley, California. No doubt, Cooked will provide insight into the growing philosophy around food while offering a lot of mouth-watering moments.

Other titles new to Netflix this week:
Asthma (Jake Hoffman, 2015)
Atonement (Joe Wright, 2007)
Love (Series, Season 1)
The Returned (Series, Season 2)
XXY (Lucía Puenzo, 2007)

Fandor

Diabolique (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1955)

This week’s “Criterion Picks” takes a look at the best films inspired by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. Highlighted among the Hitchcockian thrillers is Clouzot’s Diabolique, one of the most terrifying slow-burn films in all of French cinema. The film stars Clouzot’s wife Vera as a school teacher who teams up with her husband’s mistress to knock him off—but there may be a different plan at hand. Full of twists and mystery, Diabolique is often talked about as a direct inspiration for Hitchcock’s great horror film Psycho. Other films in collection include Purple Noon, The Vanishing, The Soft Skin, Sisters, and more. These great thrillers are only available on Fandor until February 28.

Other titles new to Fandor this week:
Diamond Tongues (Pavan Moondi & Brian Robertson, 2015)
The Horse Boy (Michel Orion Scott, 2009)
Identity Crisis (Melvin Van Peebles, 1989)
Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (Melvin Van Peebles, 1971)
Tabu (F.W. Murnau, 1931)

MUBI

Amélie (Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2001)

The French film gateway for many millennials, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s fantastic and whimsical love story is a unique experience. One of the greatest examples of film production and design, its meticulously staged frames are incredibly tactile, providing for a visual feast. It also boasts one of the most creative and fun opening title sequences ever, setting up the film’s visual wit immediately. Since its release, Jeunet has only made three feature films and none have left the cultural footprint of his breakout film—though Amélie most likely opened up his fantastic Delicatessen and The City of Lost Children to wider audiences wanting more of his signature style. Amélie can be streamed on MUBI until March 15.

Other titles new to MUBI this week:
The Crying Game (Neil Jordan, 1992)
The Falls (Peter Greenaway, 1980)
The Little Foxes (William Wyler, 1941)
Of Mice and Men (Lewis Milestone, 1939)
The Unity of All Things (Alexander Carver & Daniel Schmidt, 2013)

iTunes & Video On-Demand

Togetherness (Series, Season 1)

With the HBO series’ second season debuting this weekend, a binge session is in order. Created by the Duplass Brothers and their frequent collaborator Steve Zissis, Togetherness stars Duplass (Mark, in this case), Melanie Lynskey, Zissis and Amanda Peet as couples navigating their romantic and working lives. Zissis is particularly good as a schlubby, struggling actor, trying to get his life together with a potential big break within reach. Its slightly offbeat humor and sharp character and relationship exploration make for a richly emotional watch. And with an incredible cliff-hanger in the final moments of its season 1 finale, you’re going to keep watching through season 2. Togetherness is now available for rent or purchase on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and other VOD services and to stream on HBO Now.

Other titles new to VOD this week:
Broad City (Series, Season 3)
Creed (Ryan Coogler, 2015)
Miss You Already (Catherine Hardwicke, 2015)
Room (Lenny Abrahamson, 2015)
Youth (Paolo Sorrentino, 2015)

Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth has the rare power to force recollections of the past as well as anticipations of the future, all the while keeping its viewer completely grounded in the present, grounded in its stunning and symphonic display of human emotion. Indeed, Sorrentino pulls the rug out from under his audience on several occasions throughout the duration of the film’s runtime, dragging them down into the depths of dejection only to raise them back up, just as quickly, into the heights of pure laughter and joy. Watching this film is like being trapped in a game of pinball, only Sorrentino is the game player and his audience is the ball that he’s whacking in every which direction without the slightest bit of hesitation. It’s clear, however, that he’s doing this out of love; if anything, Youth is undoubtedly the director’s most tender and heartfelt film yet. And also his most accessible to date.

Part of this accessibility can be attributed to Sorrentino’s decision, as primarily an Italian-language director, to direct the film in English (a feat which he attempted once prior with his overlooked 2011 output, This Must Be the Place). This immediately increases the number of people that will be interested in seeing it worldwide. Nonetheless, the chief reason why mainstream audiences will be drawn to this film is because of the big-name stars attached to the cast, including Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano and Jane Fonda in an unforgettable cameo performance.

Much like a few of the other films in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Youth is relatively light on plot and focuses more on conversations between characters, uprooted emotions and recounted memories than a concrete narrative. With that being said, the general storyline follows our protagonist, retired composer Fred Ballinger (Michael Caine), during his stay at a spa resort in the Alps with his daughter, Lena (Rachel Weisz), as well as his longtime best friend, illustrious film director Mick Boyle (Harvey Keitel).

While the cast does a wonderful job realizing their characters, the true star of the film is cinematographer Luca Bigazzi, who has worked on several of Sorrentino’s previous projects including the Academy Award winning, The Great Beauty. As he did with his previous work, Bigazzi seems to channel an aesthetic similar to that of Emmanuel Lubezki’s collaborations with the legendary director, Terrence Malick. Both Bigazzi and Lubezki place great emphasis on the visual composition of each scene, capturing an immense degree of detail through the movement of their ever-gliding cameras.

One particularly memorable example of Bigazzi’s skill can be found early in the film. During a dream sequence, Ballinger walks down a platform surrounded by a rising body of water as it slowly begins to engulf him. There are very few cinematographers that can place us smack-dab in the center of the world they’re shooting like Bigazzi and Lubezki, which is why I continue to enjoy their masterful work.

If there’s one area in which Youth falters a bit, it’s making the 118-minute runtime feel long. Youth would’ve benefited from removing a few unnecessary scenes from its later acts. Instead, the audience may find themselves completely enthralled by its beauty one minute, and then checking their wristwatches the next. Nevertheless, some excessive minutes doesn’t take away from the fact Youth is an enjoyable film with a varied soundtrack, gorgeous locations, spectacular visuals and a deeply philosophical screenplay.

Originally published on June 3rd, 2015 as part of our Cannes Film Festival coverage.

Just last week the lineup for the 2015 Cannes Film Festival was announced, and slowly more information about the films playing is starting to surface. While many of the films don’t even have official synopsis yet, a select few have released images and trailers. It’s hard to believe that 2015 Cannes is less than a month away already (this year the festival runs from May 13th – May 24th), but we’ll be keeping this festival media guide updated as the festival approaches and more information about Cannes titles come in.

Amnesia

Amy

A documentary on the late singer/songwriter, who died of alcohol poisoning in 2011.

Carol

Set in 1950s New York, a department-store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman.

Irrational Man

On a small town college campus, a philosophy professor in existential crisis gives his life new purpose when he enters into a relationship with his student.

Inside Out

After a girl moves to a new home, her emotions are plunged into chaos as they compete for control of her mind.

The Little Prince

A pilot crashes in the desert and meets a little boy from a distant planet.

Mad Max: Fury Road

In a post-apocalyptic world, in which people fight to the death, Max teams up with a mysterious woman, Furiousa, to try and survive.

Mia Madre

Our Little Sister

A story that revolves around three sisters who live in their grandmother’s home and the arrival of their 13-year-old half sister.

Sicario

The Tale of Tales

Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Fremaux and president Pierre Lescure announced this morning the films that will play at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. This comes just days after announcing the opening film Emmanuelle Bercot‘s La Tete Haute. Premiering at the festival this year will be Paolo Sorrentino‘s The Early Years, Todd Haynes‘ 1950’s romantic drama Carol (starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara), Woody Allen‘s Irrational Man, and Yorgos Lanthimos‘ highly anticipated follow-up to Dogtooth called The Lobster. Also playing will be Pixar’s animated film Inside Out, Gus Van Sant‘s Sea of Trees (starring Matthew McConaughey and Naomi Watts) and a special screening of Natalie Portman‘s A Tale of Love and Darkness.

While the bulk of competition and out-of-competition titles were announced, a few more films are expected be added to the lineup over the next few weeks. The Cannes Film Festival this year runs from May 13th – May 24th.

Opening Film

Standing Tall (La Tete Haute), Emmanuelle Bercot

Competition

Carol, Todd Haynes
Macbeth, Justin Kurzel
Dheepan, Jacques Audiard
La Loi du March, Stephane Brize
Marguerite and Julien, Valerie Donzelli
The Tale of Tales, Matteo Garrone
The Assassin, Hou Hsiao Hsien
Mountains May Depart, Jia Zhangke
Our Little Sister, Hirokazu Koreeda
The Lobster, Yorgos Lanthimos
Mon roie, Maiwenn
Mia Madre, Nanni Moretti
Son of Saul, Laszlo Nemes
Youth, Paulo Sorrentino
Louder Than Bombs, Joachim Trier
Sea of Trees, Gus Van Sant
Sicario, Denis Villeneuve

Out of Competition

Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller
Inside Out, Pete Docter, Ronaldo Del Carmen
Irrational Man, Woody Allen
The Little Prince, Mark Osborne

Special Screenings

A Tale of Love and Darkness, Natalie Portman
Asphalte, Samuel Benchetrit
Panama, Pavle Vuckovic
Amnesia, Barbet Schroeder
Hayored Lema’Ala, Elad Keidan
Oka, Souleymane Cisse

Midnight Screenings

Amy, Asif Kapadia
Office, Hong Won-Chan

Un Certain Regard

Madonna, Shin Suwon
Maryland, Anna Winocour
The Fourth Direction, Gurvinder Singh
Masaan (Fly Away Solo), Neeraj Ghaywan
Hruter (Rams), Grimur Hakonarson
Kishibe No Tabi (Journey to the Shore), Kiyoshi
Je Suis Un Soldat (I Am a Soldier), Laurent Larivere
Zvizdan (The High Sun), Dalibor Matanic
The Other Side, Roberto Minervini
One Floor Below, Radu Muntean
Shameless, Oh Seung-Uk
The Chosen Ones, David Pablos
Nahid, Ida Panahandeh
The Treasure, Corneliu Porumboiu