DAS, Author at Dead Auteur Society

The Manchurian Candidate

“The Manchurian Candidate,” released in 1962, is a political thriller film directed by John Frankenheimer. Based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Richard Condon, the film is a complex tale of brainwashing, political manipulation, and conspiracy, set against the backdrop of the Cold War.

Plot Synopsis:

The story revolves around the principal character, Raymond Shaw (played by Laurence Harvey), a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Shaw and his platoon are captured by Soviet agents and subjected to a sinister form of brainwashing. After their release, Shaw returns to the United States, where he is celebrated as a war hero and awarded the Medal of Honor. However, unbeknownst to everyone, he has been programmed to be an unwitting assassin for a Communist conspiracy.

Major Bennett Marco (played by Frank Sinatra), who served in the same platoon as Shaw, starts having troubling nightmares that suggest that their platoon’s capture and subsequent release were not as straightforward as they seemed. These dreams hint at a brainwashing scheme and trigger Marco’s investigation into what really happened in Korea.

As Marco digs deeper, he discovers a chilling plot orchestrated by Shaw’s mother, Mrs. Eleanor Iselin (played by Angela Lansbury), and her husband, Senator John Iselin (played by James Gregory). Eleanor is a Communist agent, and her husband is a McCarthy-like figure whom she is using as a pawn in her scheme to gain political power. Raymond has been programmed to obey her commands unquestionably, making him a tool for her ambitions.

The climax of the film builds around a political convention where Shaw is programmed to assassinate a presidential candidate, which would facilitate Senator Iselin’s rise to power. Marco, who has uncovered the truth, races against time to stop Shaw and unravel the conspiracy.

Themes:

“The Manchurian Candidate” is renowned for its exploration of themes like brainwashing, political corruption, the power of maternal influence, and the paranoia of the Cold War era. The film also delves into the psychology of its characters, particularly Shaw, who is portrayed as a tragic figure trapped by manipulations beyond his control.

The film’s narrative, with its blend of political intrigue and psychological depth, combined with its stark black-and-white cinematography, creates a tense, atmospheric thriller. It’s often regarded as a classic of the political thriller genre and remains relevant for its commentary on manipulation, power, and the complexities of human behavior in the political arena.

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Eye In The Sky

Movie Reviews, YA Nominated / DAS

“Eye in the Sky” is a 2015 British thriller film directed by Gavin Hood and written by Guy Hibbert. The movie provides a riveting look into modern warfare, specifically the use of drone technology, and delves deep into the moral, ethical, and political dilemmas that come with it.

Plot Synopsis:

Colonel Katherine Powell (played by Helen Mirren) is a UK-based military officer in command of an operation to capture high-level terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya. Through remote surveillance and on-the-ground intel, they locate the targets within a safe house.

As Powell’s operation progresses, the objectives shift from “capture” to “kill” when they learn that the terrorists are planning a series of suicide bombings. To execute this, they decide to employ a drone strike. The strike becomes complicated when a young girl enters the kill zone to sell bread, potentially becoming collateral damage if the missile is launched.

Lieutenant General Frank Benson (played by Alan Rickman), overseeing the mission with government officials in a London boardroom, and drone pilot Steve Watts (played by Aaron Paul), located in the US, are then thrust into a moral and ethical debate. The film primarily revolves around the weighing of one life against many. The decision-makers grapple with whether to proceed with the strike and potentially kill the innocent girl to prevent a larger imminent terrorist attack.

Throughout the film, the characters communicate mostly through electronic means, and the tension rises as the clock ticks, emphasizing the immediacy and real-time decisions required in such military operations. The situation draws in various stakeholders, including politicians, lawyers, and military personnel, each bringing their perspective and biases to the table.

Themes:

“Eye in the Sky” delves deep into the ethical quandaries of modern warfare. It questions the cost of collateral damage, the nature of decisions made from a distance, and the impact of technology on the humanity of warfare. The film lays bare the intricacies of weighing individual lives against the greater good and the bureaucratic intricacies that come into play during life-and-death decisions.

The narrative challenges the audience to contemplate the morality of their own choices in such a situation, making it a thought-provoking watch.

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The Land

Movie Reviews, ZA Nominated / DAS

David, known as “Tsotsi,” is a young man who leads a violent life in Johannesburg, leading a small gang of thugs who commit crimes to survive. His past is troubled, with a history of abandonment and abuse, leading him to become emotionally detached and ruthless. The film gradually unfolds his backstory, showing how he became the hardened criminal he is in the present.

One night, after shooting a woman and stealing her car, Tsotsi discovers her baby in the back seat. Instead of abandoning the infant, he unexpectedly takes the baby back to his shanty. This decision starts a transformational journey for Tsotsi. Over the next few days, his interactions with the baby bring forth suppressed emotions and memories from his childhood.

As Tsotsi struggles with caring for the baby, he enlists the help of a young widow named Miriam to breastfeed the child. Miriam, through her kindness and understanding, begins to influence Tsotsi, showing him that there’s more to life than violence and crime.

While the search intensifies for the baby by the police and the baby’s father, Tsotsi is faced with numerous moral dilemmas. He’s torn between his old life of crime and the potential for redemption.

The climax of the film sees Tsotsi confronted with a choice that could determine his future and the baby’s fate.

Themes:

“Tsotsi” delves deep into the theme of redemption and transformation. The film showcases the idea that no one is beyond saving and that the human spirit, no matter how broken, can find its way back to compassion and empathy. The bleak setting of Johannesburg’s slums serves as a stark backdrop to Tsotsi’s internal journey from heartlessness to humanity.

The film was widely acclaimed and won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006.

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Tsotsi

MA Nominated, Movie Reviews / DAS

The climax of the film sees Tsotsi confronted with a choice that could determine his future and the baby’s fate.

Themes:

The film was widely acclaimed and won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006.

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The Fugitive

Movie Reviews, TS Nominated / DAS

“The Fugitive” is a 1993 action thriller film directed by Andrew Davis and stars Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. The film is based on the 1960s television series of the same name created by Roy Huggins.

The film centers on Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford), a renowned vascular surgeon in Chicago, who comes home one night to find his wife Helen brutally murdered. The assailant, a one-armed man, manages to escape, leaving Kimble as the prime suspect. Despite his protests about the one-armed man, Kimble is arrested, tried, and convicted for his wife’s murder.

While being transported to death row, the prison bus carrying Kimble crashes, giving him the opportunity to escape. Now on the run, he must evade capture by law enforcement while attempting to find the real killer to clear his name.

The relentless U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) is assigned to the case. Despite Kimble’s attempts to stay one step ahead, Gerard proves to be an intelligent and dogged pursuer. The film generates tension and excitement as Kimble navigates the streets of Chicago, piecing together clues that might lead him to his wife’s killer.

The film climaxes as Kimble uncovers a conspiracy related to his wife’s murder that involves a major pharmaceutical company that Kimble’s hospital was about to endorse for a new drug. This revelation leads to a final confrontation with the one-armed man, the authorities, and those responsible for his wife’s death.

“The Fugitive” is known for its tense action sequences, solid performances, especially by Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones, and its compelling narrative. Jones won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard.

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Hero

KS Nominated, Movie Reviews / DAS

“Hero” is a Chinese martial arts film directed by Zhang Yimou that was released in 2002. The film is set during the Warring States period of Ancient China, specifically centered around the King of Qin’s desire to conquer all of China and unify it under his rule. Here’s a brief synopsis for the film:

In “Hero”, a nameless warrior, portrayed by Jet Li, arrives at the palace of the King of Qin, bearing weapons of his defeated enemies – the assassins Broken Sword, Flying Snow, and Sky. The warrior claims he has defeated these infamous assassins and proceeds to tell his story.

The film’s story unfolds through a series of flashbacks, showing the Nameless Warrior’s battles with the assassins. These encounters are presented through different colored themes, each illustrating a different version of events. The stories contradict each other and show the complex relationships and motives of each character, revealing a stunning tapestry of martial arts action, political intrigue, and emotional depth.

However, as the King listens to these tales, he begins to see through the fabrications and suspect the true intentions of the Nameless Warrior. In the stunning climax, the King reveals his interpretation of the events and the real motive behind the Nameless Warrior’s visit. The film concludes with a profound message about peace and the sacrifices necessary for its attainment.

“Hero” weaves martial arts with complex storytelling, reflecting on the themes of perception, honor, sacrifice, love, and the greater good. The film is renowned for its breathtaking visuals, action sequences, and philosophical undertones, making it a masterpiece of the wuxia genre.

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12 Angry Men

Movie Reviews, YA Nominated / DAS

12 Angry Men is a 1957 American courtroom drama film directed by Sidney Lumet, adapted from a 1954 teleplay of the same name by Reginald Rose.

The film’s story is set in a jury room and follows the deliberations of a group of jurors who are deciding the fate of a teenager accused of murdering his father. If found guilty, the young man will receive the death penalty.

As the film begins, the jurors cast their initial votes, and 11 vote guilty, with only one man, Juror #8 (played by Henry Fonda), voting not guilty. Juror #8 doesn’t believe he has enough evidence to sentence the boy to death, and he wants to talk about the case more thoroughly.

What follows is a tense and emotionally charged debate as Juror #8 attempts to sow a seed of reasonable doubt in the minds of the other jurors. His challenges and methodical reasoning force the other jurors to reconsider the evidence, and one by one, they begin to see the potential for doubt. The film masterfully explores different facets of human character and prejudice, as each juror reveals more about himself and his biases in the process.

Over the course of the film, Juror #8 gradually manages to convince the other jurors that there’s enough reasonable doubt about the boy’s guilt to warrant a not guilty verdict. Despite facing considerable opposition and personal attacks, he sticks to his convictions, urging the other jurors to consider the life at stake and their responsibility in making their decision.

In the end, all the jurors agree on a not guilty verdict, illustrating the importance of reasonable doubt and the principle that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. The film concludes as the jurors leave the courthouse, their duty fulfilled, returning to their own separate lives.

12 Angry Men is considered a classic and is widely celebrated for its powerful script, compelling characters, and its exploration of the justice system and human psychology.

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Swimming Pool

Movie Reviews, ZA Nominated / DAS

Swimming Pool is a 2003 psychological thriller film directed by François Ozon and starring Charlotte Rampling and Ludivine Sagnier. The film is set primarily in the south of France and focuses on the relationship between a British mystery author and a young, enigmatic woman.

Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling), a successful British mystery writer, is feeling burnt out and uninspired. Her publisher, John Bosload (Charles Dance), offers her the use of his secluded vacation home in the south of France to help her relax and find new inspiration. Sarah reluctantly agrees and heads to the French countryside.

Upon her arrival, Sarah begins to enjoy the peace and quiet of the house and starts to make progress on her new novel. However, her tranquility is soon disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Julie (Ludivine Sagnier), John’s free-spirited, sexually provocative daughter. The two women initially clash due to their stark differences in personality and lifestyle, but as time goes on, they develop a complex and tense relationship.

As the days go by, Sarah becomes increasingly intrigued by Julie’s promiscuous behavior and starts to incorporate elements of Julie’s life into her novel. The line between fiction and reality begins to blur, and Sarah finds herself becoming more and more entangled in Julie’s world. This ultimately leads to a series of events that force both women to confront their darkest secrets and question their true selves.

Swimming Pool is a suspenseful and atmospheric thriller that explores themes of identity, desire, and the power of the creative process. The film is known for its visually stunning cinematography, strong performances from its lead actresses, and its enigmatic and thought-provoking narrative.

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Theeb

MA Nominated, Movie Reviews / DAS

Theeb (2014) is a Jordanian adventure drama film set during World War I. The story follows Theeb, a young Bedouin boy, who must learn the harsh realities of life in the desert as he embarks on a perilous journey with a British officer and his Bedouin guide. Theeb’s older brother, Hussein, is initially asked to help guide the British officer to a secret destination, but Theeb insists on joining them.

As they traverse the treacherous Arabian desert, the group encounters dangerous obstacles and a series of betrayals. Theeb, whose name means “wolf” in Arabic, must rely on his instincts and adapt to the harsh environment to survive. The film explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the loss of innocence while providing a unique perspective on the cultural and historical context of the region during World War I.

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First Cow

Movie Reviews, TS Nominated / DAS

First Cow (2019) is an American drama film set in the 1820s in the Oregon Territory. The story revolves around two men, Otis “Cookie” Figowitz, a skilled cook, and King-Lu, a Chinese immigrant. Both men are seeking their fortune in the untamed wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.

When they come across the territory’s first and only dairy cow, owned by a wealthy landowner, they devise a plan to steal its milk under the cover of night. Using the stolen milk, Cookie makes delicious “oily cakes,” which they sell at the local market, quickly gaining popularity and success. However, their secret operation becomes increasingly risky as their business thrives and draws more attention.

The film explores themes of friendship, ambition, and the pursuit of the American Dream while providing a glimpse into the lives of early settlers in the Pacific Northwest. The slow-paced, atmospheric storytelling is complemented by stunning cinematography and a focus on the simplicity and beauty of nature.

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