Our “Streaming Surprises” series calls attention to good movies new and old that our board members are watching. Titles are available from various streaming services. “Meru” (2015) Just two months ago, filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin received Oscars for their 2018 documentary film “Free Solo,” the story of Alex Honnold and his historic…

Icelandic filmmaker Benedikt Erlingsson’s second major film, “Woman at War,” is the quirky tale of an environmental activist who battles Iceland’s government. The absurdist tale, which is Fresno Filmworks’ April 12 showing, successfully combines thrills with laughs. There are similarities to Erlingsson’s directorial debut, “Of Horses and Men”, especially the comedic tone and the beautiful…