Watching: Dying and loving all over again ~ ⛾:Kaffibolla


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For subscribers	April 16, 2025

	By Mekado Murphy

Dear Watchers,

For some people, it takes practice across many eras to learn the lessons of love. And sometimes even that is not enough.

On this Genre Movie Wednesday, our science fiction expert, Elisabeth Vincentelli, looks at a nifty little reincarnation comedy that gives its lead character plenty of time to get deep into romance — and then die, again and again. She pairs that movie with a psychological space thriller that turns up the heat (and the mayhem) during a mission to a Saturn moon.

Read Elisabeth's thoughts on each of these sci-fi curiosities below, then head here for three more of her picks.

Happy viewing.

'Timestalker'

Two people in 18th-century-style costumes and wigs sit in dim lighting. The person on the left has a white curly wig and looks upward. The person on the right has an elaborate pink wig and an unimpressed expression, resting their head on their hand.

From left, Nick Frost and Alice Lowe in "Timestalker." Level 33 Entertainment

Where to watch: Stream "Timestalker" on Hoopla. Rent or buy it on most major platforms.

In Alice Lowe's very dry, very funny satire of historical romances, Agnes (Lowe) keeps dying — often brutally — then reincarnating in various historical eras. In each one, she pursues the same scamp, Alex (Aneurin Barnard). "You're the love of my lives," she tells him.

At the same time, she remains oblivious that her loyal friend Meg (Tanya Reynolds) might want a little more from her. Lowe has mastered a distinctive touch that incorporates cartoonish gore, surreal bite and precisely written dialogue. "I have everything I have ever wanted," Agnes, as an aristocrat in 1793, says while dreamily petting a pink cat. "Fine teeth. My books. A handsome house. A hale and hearty husband, who is oft-absent."

Of course, what Agnes has "ever wanted" most is the eternal bad boy. One of the best sequences takes place in 1980, when Alex is an Adam Ant-type pop star and Agnes sports the best perm this side of Nancy Wheeler in "Stranger Things." Does it ever work out? Does Agnes learn?

'Slingshot'

Laurence Fishburne, in a navy sweatshirt, sits in a white astronaut chair; Casey Affleck, in a dark outfit and blue pants, sits behind him, holding a device.

In "Slingshot," Captain Franks (Laurence Fishburne) is on a mission with John (Casey Affleck) to Saturn's largest moon. Bleecker Street

Where to watch: Stream "Slingshot" on Paramount+.

We all have favorite cinematic subgenres. Mine include submarine movies and their science-fiction equivalents: claustrophobic thrillers set on a small spacecraft.

In this film from Mikael Hafstrom, such a ship is heading to Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The members of the three-man crew, headed by Captain Franks (Laurence Fishburne), are awakened at regular intervals from their hypersleep to run tests. The polite computer voice that is de rigueur in such environments tells us, however, that the hibernation drugs can have "mild side effects." Uh-oh. After the ship gets dinged in an accident, the astronauts must decide whether to turn back or continue. Nobody agrees on anything, and paranoia sets in.

"Slingshot" is told mostly from the perspective of John (Casey Affleck, whose regular-guy lack of affect is very effective in this context), the only one to realize what's going on. Unless, of course, he's going crazy. It could be both: What happens when the person who seems to get it isn't all there?

EXTRA-CREDIT READING

Two men in formal attire are on a marble staircase. One stands holding the railing, wearing glasses and a suit with a white shirt. The other sits on the steps, wearing a pinstripe suit and light-colored boots. The background features a wall sconce.

Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler and a Dozen Years of Collaborations

The star and the director of "Sinners" have risen in parallel since first working together over a decade ago. In a joint interview, they explain their connection.

By Reggie Ugwu

A woman wearing a black T-shirt and dark sunglasses stands against a wall, arms resting behind her head. She is in a relaxed pose, with shadows cast across the wall.

Joan Chen: Exacting Artist, Cool Mom

The acclaimed actress and filmmaker is having a career renaissance playing dynamic mother roles in indie films, including in the new version of "The Wedding Banquet."

By Esther Zuckerman

A man in a red outfit stands on a historical street holding a letter. In the background, a woman in black is walking, while another person walks away with two dogs. The setting is rustic with old architecture.

Beyond the Algorithm

'The Voyeurs,' 'Cyrano' and More Streaming Gems

Exciting new riffs on 1990s genre movies are among the highlights of this month's recommendations on your subscription streaming services.

By Jason Bailey

Two men stand back-to-back against a neutral background. One wears a dark suit with a patterned shirt, and the other wears a checkered shirt. The man on the left has his hands in his pockets. The lighting casts a soft shadow behind them.

Alex Garland Pairs With a Veteran to Engage in Realistic 'Warfare'

The filmmaker directed his latest picture with Ray Mendoza, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Iraq War. They wanted to depict, with a sense of urgency, war as it is really experienced.

By Marc Tracy

A tight portrait of Rami Malek shot on a white background. He is wearing a dark blazer and looking off to the side.

Q&A

Rami Malek, Professional Outcast, Becomes 'The Amateur'

The actor discusses his new thriller, as well as his most recognizable roles portraying misfits who prove their doubters, including themselves, wrong.

By Sean T. Collins

In a movie still, a shaggy black-and-white dog puts its paw on a human hand.

Documentary Lens

'Pets' Is the Rare Documentary for Children, About Children

The movie, directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, celebrates animals while planting a seed of interest in rescue operations.

By Alissa Wilkinson

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