Our second Volunteer of the Month is Alex Alcala, who has chosen Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread as his VOTM pick!

Set in 1950s London, the film follows renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his tightly controlled life dedicated to crafting exquisite couture for high society. Reynolds’ world is upended when he meets Alma (Vicky Krieps), a headstrong young woman who becomes his muse and lover. As their relationship deepens, a battle of wills emerges, with Alma challenging Reynolds’ rigid ways and asserting her own desires. Their dynamic becomes a haunting and unconventional love story, steeped in power struggles and mutual dependence.

A24 presents Sing Sing, Greg Kwedar’s 2023 prison drama based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Prison. Now nominated for three Oscars, including Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Song! 

The film centers on John “Divine G” Whitfield (Colman Domingo), an inmate wrongfully convicted, who finds purpose and redemption by participating in a theater group composed of fellow prisoners. As they collaborate to stage an original comedy, “Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code,” tensions arise with the introduction of a new member, Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin (portraying a version of himself), who challenges the group’s dynamics and Divine G’s leadership. Through the transformative power of art, the men confront their pasts, forge deep bonds, and rediscover their humanity.

Sing Sing features a compelling ensemble cast, including many formerly incarcerated actors, and has been lauded for its authentic portrayal of resilience and the rehabilitative impact of creative expression.

Our Concrete Dreams series wraps up with The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Joe Talbot’s poignant 2019 drama.

The film follows Jimmie Fails (playing a semi-fictionalized version of himself) as he dreams of reclaiming his childhood home, a grand Victorian house in San Francisco, which his grandfather supposedly built. With the help of his best friend Montgomery Allen (Jonathan Majors), Jimmie embarks on a heartfelt quest to restore and reclaim the house amidst a city undergoing rapid change. As their journey unfolds, the film delves into the complexities of home, friendship, and the cultural dislocation faced by Black communities in a gentrifying city.

Praised for its lyrical storytelling, stunning cinematography, and heartfelt performances, the film won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance and solidified its place as a modern cinematic masterpiece.

Concrete Dreams: Black Identity in the Urban Frame is a series that explores the profound relationship between Black Cinema and the cities that shape its narratives. Each film in the series not only tells a compelling story, but also positions the urban environment as a central character—its streets, culture, and communities influencing the lives, struggles, and triumphs of its inhabitants. By highlighting stories that intertwine identity, culture, and place, this series invites audiences to reflect on the dynamic interplay between people and the environments they call home, showcasing how these cities pulse through the heart of Black storytelling.

Wind up the tension with The Monkey, a new horror film from Longlegs’ Osgood Perkins!

The film follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, portrayed by Theo James and Bill Skarsgård, who reunite to settle their late father’s estate. Among his belongings, they discover an eerie wind-up monkey toy with cymbals, an artifact tied to a series of tragic deaths from their childhood. As the monkey’s sinister influence resurfaces, the brothers are drawn into a horrifying battle to break its curse before it claims more lives.

Our In Defense Of… series continues with Ben Stiller’s 1996 black comedy The Cable Guy, our Film Club Manager Bobby Thornson’s pick!

The film follows Steven Kovacs (Matthew Broderick), a mild-mannered architect who moves into a new apartment after a breakup. Hoping to set up his cable TV, he encounters Chip Douglas (Jim Carrey), an eccentric and overly friendly cable installer who quickly insinuates himself into Steven’s life. Initially amused by Chip’s antics, Steven soon realizes that Chip’s desire for friendship comes with increasingly invasive and dangerous consequences. As Chip’s behavior escalates, Steven finds himself caught in a web of manipulation and chaos.