Summer is just over, and whether you’re heading to the movies or staying home and watching a new film or a beloved classic, Michael Gendron of The Lift has some movie recommendations for you.

The trap

Michael: Love him or hate him, M. Night Shyamalan has always been a filmmaker who provokes strong reactions. His latest film Trap stars Josh Harnett, who has made a nice comeback of late. He gets his daughter concert tickets for pop sensation Lady Raven, but the concert is actually a trap for
a serial killer. This is an entertaining thriller with a great sense of humor. Shyamalan doesn’t throw in a big twist here, instead keeping the action matter-of-fact and telling much of the story visually. If you go in expecting scares or melodrama, you’ll be disappointed, because that’s not what this film is. Tonally, it feels more like a dark, comedic heist film that’s really good at building suspense. Tune into the mood of this film and you’ll have a blast. The Trap is in theaters now.

Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes

Michael: Next, a new documentary just came out from Max that delves into the story of one of Hollywood’s biggest 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 footage, film clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and some never-before-seen private videos and images. A truly loving portrait that allows fans to gain Liz’s insight into 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 any watch list.

Alphabet City

Michael: Honestly, there’s no rhyme or reason why I’m talking about our next film other than the fact that I just saw it for the first time and really enjoyed it. Amos Poe’s Alphabet City is a hard-hitting ’80s independent crime drama starring Vincent Spano, Michael Winslow, and Jami Gertz. The film takes place over a single night where a dealer keeps putting off a crime he doesn’t want to commit. There’s as much pulsing synth as you could want in a film like this, and at times it really does feel like an escape from a neon-soaked hell. Movies just don’t look like that anymore, so in addition to a compelling story, it’s also just a great time capsule. This film isn’t a huge time commitment either, clocking in at under 90 minutes. This film is currently streaming on Apple TV+ and the Criterion Channel. There’s also a great Blu-ray release from Fun City Editions.

Love lies bleeding

Michael: Finally, let’s take a look at another film that recently came out on Max and is available to rent on most digital platforms: Rose Glass’ Love Lies Bleeding. The film is set in the last year of the 1980s. A bodybuilder, played by Katy O’Brian, comes through a town in New Mexico, starts a relationship with the gym manager, played by Kristen Stewart, and becomes enmeshed in the violent world of her family. A bold vision of love where all the characters are messy and capable of cruel acts. This film can get pretty explicit, but if you’re brave, Kristen Stewart continues to prove herself to be a great actress and O’Brian is a revelation. She commands the screen in every scene she appears in. Add in some great surrealist flourishes and truly black comedy and you have one of the most interesting films of the year. Again, this film is streaming on Max and available to rent on most digital services.