New to Streaming: The Mastermind, Afternoons of Solitude, Wake Up Dead Man, Die My Love, and Additional Titles

      Each week, we showcase notable titles that have recently been released on streaming platforms in the United States. Take a look at this week's picks below, and explore previous compilations here.

      **7 Walks with Mark Brown (Vincent Barré, Pierre Creton)**

      Directed by life partners Pierre Creton and Vincent Barré, *7 Walks With Mark Brown* gradually engages the viewer. It depicts a journey taken by the directors alongside a small crew and botanist Brown, concluding in a forest established to conserve plant species from the time of the dinosaurs. While not overtly mystical, it pays tribute to the significance of life beyond humanity. – Steve E.

      *Where to Stream: VOD*

      **Afternoons of Solitude (Albert Serra)**

      Albert Serra’s latest film, *Afternoons of Solitude*, resembles two hours of Sky Sports more than one might anticipate from the creator of *Story of My Death*. Adhering to the conventions of observational and direct cinema, the film spends the majority of its duration capturing long takes inside Spanish bullfighting arenas, focusing on Andrés Roca Rey, a Peruvian “exemplar” of the sport engaged in intense, ritualistic violence. In an age where we are acutely aware of the constructed nature of documentaries, Serra’s accomplishment here lies in achieving an objective perspective. Filmed by DP Arthur Tort, the camera remains non-intrusive, and the editing avoids close-ups designed to incite disapproval, fostering a relationship where we can mutually acknowledge the circumstances. This work presents an anthropological perspective of a pastime that demands both our respect and critical assessment, illustrating Roca as both hero and antagonist, categories which ultimately seem inadequate. Captured in a sculptural and monumental style, he exists within the cinematic space. – David K. (full review)

      *Where to Stream: MUBI*

      **Die My Love (Lynne Ramsay)**

      Near the conclusion of Lynne Ramsay’s *You Were Never Really Here*, two assassins—one elegantly dressed yet dying, the other disheveled but undeniably alive—lie together on a kitchen floor with their hands gently touching as Charlene’s “Never Been to Me” plays on a nearby radio, with the lyrics barely escaping the lips of the wounded man. This juxtaposition elevated what was otherwise a skillfully executed revenge narrative into something nearly sublime. Ramsay revisits this motif, albeit with less persuasive impact, in her long-awaited follow-up *Die My Love*, a visceral exploration of a woman undergoing a mental breakdown. True to form, Ramsay's music selections are both enjoyable and unpredictable, including David Bowie’s “Kooks” on a car radio and her own acoustic rendition of “Love Will Tear Us Apart” during the credits—an apt choice for a film centered on toxic love and the actions we take against our loved ones, marked by little joy in the conflict. – Rory O. (full review)

      *Where to Stream: VOD*

      **F1 (Joseph Kosinski)**

      Sports narratives reach their peak drama in moments of the improbable, and the same can be said for the films that depict these unbelievable stories. From *Rudy* to *Rookie of the Year*, America is drawn to stories that detail the rise of underdogs, like the five-foot-nothings and the Chicago Cubs, perennial outsiders in baseball. Joseph Kosinski utilizes this familiar template in *F1* (also known as *F1 The Movie*), his follow-up to the blockbuster *Top Gun: Maverick*. However, the true measure of this major, star-studded film extends beyond its box office performance. – Kent M. W. (full review)

      *Where to Stream: Apple TV*

      **Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han)**

      Most of us struggle to recall what it was like to be two years old. The early years are filled with fragmented memories, tales from others, and photographs of infants that barely capture any resemblance. Yet, the memories that do linger are often steeped in wonder for a child. They don't necessarily have to revolve around significant events. I recall being four and being mesmerized by the taste of a tangerine, amazed that food could be so flavorful. For Amélie, the young protagonist in *Little Amélie or the Character of Rain*, it’s the experience of eating white chocolate. The film unfolds as a 77-minute sequence of such moments, offering a glimpse into the life of a nearly three-year-old—a reflection on how we once perceived the world. – Michael F. (full review)

      *Where to Stream: VOD*

      **The Mastermind (Kelly Reichardt)**

      For the second time in three years, Cannes’ competition concludes with a film featuring Josh O’Connor as a scruffy man from the late 20th century with a talent for stealing masterpieces