Oddball Cinema

A journey of self-discovery can qualify as an Oddball Adventure. This mockumentary follows the quest of spoiled rich girl Claire to attain “enlightenment” by consulting a series of experts in religion, philosophy, and other metaphysical matters. The result is Theatre of Cringe as she vacuously tries to embrace everything she learns – if “learns” can be considered the correct term – in the most superficial way.

■ Title — Clairevoyant
■ Directors — Arthur De Larroche, Micaela Wittman
■ Cast — Micaela Wittman, Anousha, Amy Benedict
■ Unrated
■ ©2021 | 1h 30m | Comedy, Drama

For any quantum physicists in the audience, the plot won’t stand up to rigorous technical analysis, but anyone who embraces it as metaphor and symbolism will find it worth a watch. In a future when time travel is not only possible but marketed commercially (to those who can afford it), a happily married man suspects that a former friend is manipulating the past to prevent him from ever meeting his wife. As a time-paradox story, the plot holes are difficult to ignore, but as a love story, it’s full of dedication in the face of impossible challenges.

■ Title — Needle in a Timestack
■ Director — John Ridley
■ Cast — Leslie Odom Jr., Freida Pinto, Cynthia Erivo
■ ©2021 ■ Rated R ■ 1h 51m ■ Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi

■ Watch it free with ads on Fawesome:
https://fawesome.tv/movies/10696664/needle-in-a-timestack
■ Watch it free with ads on Tubi:
https://tubitv.com/movies/100065039/needle-in-a-timestack

■ As with most of our online features, you can watch this one whenever you like. Members who watch at the scheduled time may enjoy exchanging comments with other members on this page. If you post a comment before the show, please avoid spoilers. Comments posted after the show may contain any content, but Oddball Cinema encourages members to always avoid spoilers unless there’s some particularly important details you need to mention.

■ Many of the movies on our online events from as far back as March 2020 are still available for viewing. However, titles sometimes move from one streaming service to another. If you find that the links on an old event no longer work, you can search for the current providers of any title here: https://justwatch.com

The story begins with a discovery: the afterlife is real, and it’s neither oblivion nor torment. On the contrary, it seems intriguing and appealing. The scientist who provided the proof wants to do further research, and her clinic offers opportunities for volunteers to expire under her care while she gathers data about the process. Two troubled loners with no connection to each other each decide to participate. Due to unexpected travel complications, they wind up at the same rental-car office and agree to share a car for several days to reach the clinic. The film focuses on the relationship that forms between them – completely dysfunctional at first – as they explore the reasons for their decisions and encounter various friends and strangers along the way. It’s a thought-provoking journey that goes far off the cinematic beaten path.

■ Title — Next Exit
■ Director — Mali Elfman
■ Cast — Gavin Powers, Joe Powers, Katie Parker
■ Unrated, suitable for teens and adults
■ ©2022 | 1h 46m | Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi
■ Distributed by Magnolia Pictures
■ Licensed for showing in Alexandria libraries by MPLC

This feature presents the true exploits of women who turned their coupon-clipping hobby into a multimillion-dollar fraud operation. In real life, three women were involved; in the movie, the number is reduced to two for clarity and brevity, but most of the other details are surprisingly accurate. The story begins near the end, with police raiding the home of one suspect, invading in a manner you might expect at a narcotics factory. Flashbacks to the innocent beginnings, not-so-innocent developments, and finally the outrageous expansion into full-fledged interstate crime are replete with audacious initiatives, surprising successes, and the dogged determination of the authorities trying to track down the culprits. It’s a fun feature with clashing personalities and unexpected twists that may have you rooting for the women despite the illegality of their actions.

■ Title — Queenpins
■ Directors — Aron Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly
■ Cast — Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Paul Walter Hauser
■ ©2021 ■ Rated R ■ 1h 50m ■ Comedy, Crime

■ Watch it free with ads on Fawesome:
https://fawesome.tv/movies/10680760/queenpins
■ Watch it free with ads on Tubi:
https://tubitv.com/movies/100011065/queenpins

■ As with most of our online features, you can watch this one whenever you like. Members who watch at the scheduled time may enjoy exchanging comments with other members on this page. If you post a comment before the show, please avoid spoilers. Comments posted after the show may contain any content, but Oddball Cinema encourages members to always avoid spoilers unless there’s some particularly important details you need to mention.

■ Many of the movies on our online events from as far back as March 2020 are still available for viewing. However, titles sometimes move from one streaming service to another. If you find that the links on an old event no longer work, you can search for the current providers of any title here: https://justwatch.com