2 Best Movies to Watch by Liam Aiken

Staff & contributors
It’s easy to mistake Henry Fool for one of those stylish, aimless movies that only look smart but are, essentially, hollow. But it’s not one of those films. Directed by indie director Hal Hartley, Henry Fool is a funny and poignant look into American blue-collar life. The deadpan look, blocky colors, and unrealistic but philosophical dialogue add to the charm. Still, the film’s surprising capacity for hope and humanity makes it a timeless and highly watchable film. This is peak American independent cinema, and it’s one that deserves more credit.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Actor: Camille Paglia, Christy Carlson Romano, Chuck Montgomery, Dave Simonds, Don Creech, Fay Ann Lee, Gene Ruffini, James Saito, James Urbaniak, Kevin Corrigan, Liam Aiken, Maria Porter, Marissa Chibas, Miho Nikaido, Nicholas Hope, Parker Posey, Paul Boocock, Paul Greco, Paul Lazar, Rachel Miner, Thomas Jay Ryan, Valorie Hubbard, Veanne Cox, Vivian Bang

Director: Hal Hartley

Rating: R

Electrick Children is the debut film for director Rebecca Thomas and one of the most unique and visually stunning films I’ve seen in a while. This gem is about a teenager born and raised in a religious community who believes she has been impregnated with the son of God from a cassette tape she listened to. She decides to run away to neighboring Las Vegas in search of the real father, “the man who sings on the cassette tape.” Heavy stuff, man. Electrick Children is one of those films you see once and it stays with you. It deals with teenagers so delicately and accurately, depicting the butterflies, the excitement, the romance, the heartbreak, the trials and tribulations of this age and beyond. Its cinematography is hypnotizing and its soundtrack is divine (listen to Top of the Hill by Conduits on repeat and it’ll start to have an impact on your life.) Its plot is completely fresh and is able to grab and keep your attention from the first second until the very end. Watching this film made me want to go back in time and fall in love all over again. It made me feel lusty and gave me butterflies and made my heart flutter unlike any other film I’ve seen. You can’t pass this one up.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Bill Sage, Billy Zane, Cassidy Gard, Cynthia Watros, John Patrick Amedori, Julia Garner, Liam Aiken, Rachel Pirard, Rory Culkin

Director: Rebecca Thomas

Rating: R