Movie Reviews

In Bruges

MA Nominated, Movie Reviews / By

Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) are two Irish hitmen sent to the picturesque medieval town of Bruges, Belgium, after a job in London goes horribly wrong. Ray, in his first assignment as a hitman, accidentally killed a young boy while assassinating a priest. Haunted by guilt, Ray is depressed and suicidal, while Ken, his seasoned partner, tries to look after him.

Their boss, Harry (Ralph Fiennes), ordered them to Bruges to lie low and wait for further instructions. Ken embraces the beauty and history of the city, enjoying the sights and culture. In contrast, Ray detests Bruges, dismissing it as dull and torturous. Their conflicting reactions to the city provide much of the film’s humor and pathos.

Ray’s time in Bruges takes a turn when he meets and becomes infatuated with Chloë (Clémence Poésy), a local woman involved in criminal activities. During their budding relationship, Ray also gets into various misadventures, including a bizarre encounter with a racist American tourist and an eccentric dwarf actor.

La Noire De

Movie Reviews, ZA Nominated / By

The story centers on Diouana, a young Senegalese woman who is hired by a wealthy French couple to work as a nanny. At first, she is thrilled by the opportunity, seeing it as a way to escape the poverty of Dakar and experience a glamorous European lifestyle. Her excitement is heightened by her dreams of freedom and adventure in France.

When she arrives in Antibes, however, the reality is starkly different. Instead of being treated as a professional caretaker, Diouana is relegated to the role of a domestic servant. She is expected to clean, cook, and cater to the whims of her employers, while the promises of respect and opportunity fade away. Her employers show little regard for her humanity, treating her as an object of convenience and novelty.

Ladri Di Biciclette

MA Nominated, Movie Reviews / By

The film is set in post-World War II Rome, a city struggling with high unemployment and economic ruin. It follows Antonio Ricci, an impoverished man who lands a much-needed job that requires a bicycle. When his own bicycle is stolen on his first day of work, Antonio and his young son Bruno spend the subsequent days searching the city for the stolen bike, which is vital for keeping his job and sustaining his family.

The narrative unfolds over the course of two days and depicts Antonio’s increasingly desperate efforts to recover his bicycle. The search leads father and son through various Roman neighborhoods, exposing them to different facets of the city and its inhabitants. Each encounter along the way gradually chips away at Antonio’s optimism and faith in humanity. He encounters indifference, poverty, and the harsh realities of other working-class lives, which mirror his own struggles.

The climax of the film is both tragic and illuminating: after all avenues are exhausted and driven by despair, Antonio attempts to steal a bicycle in front of his son. He is caught and humiliated but is spared from arrest after the bicycle’s owner, moved by Bruno’s pleas, decides not to press charges. This final act of mercy does little to alleviate the shame and moral defeat experienced by Antonio, as he walks away, hand in hand with his son, both crushed by the weight of their circumstances.

Themes:

“Bicycle Thieves” explores the themes of poverty, dignity, and the desperate human condition. It addresses the moral quandaries faced by those on the fringes of society, who are often forced to compromise their ethics simply to survive. The film poignantly illustrates the impact of societal structures on individual lives and highlights the personal struggles behind widespread economic despair.

The relationship between Antonio and Bruno adds a layer of emotional depth to the story, showing the influence of adult actions on young minds and the innocence and resilience of children.

“Bicycle Thieves” remains a powerful film for its realistic portrayal and emotional depth, effectively capturing the essence of Italian neorealism. Its legacy continues as a profound critique of societal failure to support its most vulnerable members, resonating with audiences around the world even decades after its release.

Throne Of Blood

KS Nominated, Movie Reviews / By

The film opens with Washizu and his fellow samurai, Miki (Banquo in the original play), returning from a victorious battle through Cobweb Forest. They encounter a mysterious spirit who prophesies their futures: Washizu will rise to become the lord of Spider’s Web Castle, and later, Miki’s offspring will also rule.

Washizu shares this prophecy with his ambitious wife, Asaji, who convinces him that the fastest way for the prophecy to be fulfilled is to murder their lord, Kuniharu Tsuzuki, when he visits their home. Driven by his wife’s manipulative encouragement and his own burgeoning ambition, Washizu kills Tsuzuki and blames the guards, whom he also kills, thus securing his position as the new lord.

As the new ruler, Washizu grows increasingly paranoid about holding onto power and the second part of the prophecy concerning Miki’s son. His fears lead him to plot the murder of Miki and his son during a hunt. Miki is killed, but his son escapes, intensifying Washizu’s paranoia.

Washizu, now tormented by guilt and fear, consults the spirit again, which tells him that he will not be defeated until Cobweb Forest marches to attack Spider’s Web Castle. Confident that such an event is impossible, Washizu feels secure until he sees enemy forces using trees from Cobweb Forest as camouflage to advance on the castle, fulfilling the spirit’s prophecy in a literal sense.

In the climactic siege, Washizu’s soldiers turn against him, driven by the revelation of his treachery and crimes. He is ultimately killed by arrows from his own men, depicted in a dramatic sequence that highlights his tragic downfall. Asaji, overwhelmed by guilt and madness, spirals into despair.

Themes:

“Throne of Blood” explores the corrupting influence of power and the inevitable downfall that follows unchecked ambition, themes central to “Macbeth.” Kurosawa adapts these themes to a Japanese context, emphasizing the rigid codes of honor and loyalty characteristic of samurai culture, which make the betrayals all the more stark and tragic.

The film is noted for its atmospheric use of natural settings, particularly the eerie, mist-laden Cobweb Forest, which adds a supernatural quality to the story. The Noh theater-inspired performances, especially by Isuzu Yamada as Asaji, lend a stylized and haunting aesthetic that underscores the film’s dark themes.

“Throne of Blood” remains a critical favorite for its powerful integration of Shakespearean drama with Japanese historical and cultural elements, making it one of the most compelling cinematic adaptations of “Macbeth.”

The Handmaiden

BM Nominated, Movie Reviews / By

In Japanese-occupied Korea, a conman operating under the alias “Count Fujiwara” devises a scheme to seduce and marry a Japanese heiress named Lady Hideko, with the intention of committing her to an asylum to steal her inheritance. To facilitate this plan, he hires Sook-hee, a young pickpocket, to become Hideko’s maid and encourage her to marry him.

As Sook-hee integrates into Hideko’s household, she discovers that Hideko lives under the oppressive control of her uncle, Kouzuki, a Korean man who collaborates with the Japanese occupiers and has a disturbing obsession with rare books. Sook-hee’s primary duty is to assist Hideko in preparing for readings that Kouzuki hosts for his guests.

During this period, Sook-hee and Hideko develop a complex relationship that evolves into a romantic and sexual bond. This unexpected connection leads to a series of double-crosses and shifting alliances, as both women seek to liberate themselves from the manipulative men controlling their lives.

The narrative unfolds in three parts, each offering different perspectives and revealing hidden motives, culminating in a gripping and intricate tale of deception, love, and empowerment.

The Handmaiden received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, performances, and visual style, and it won the Best Film Not in the English Language at the 71st British Academy Film Awards.

Se7en

Movie Reviews, YA Nominated / By

The story follows two detectives, the veteran William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and the young, impulsive David Mills (Brad Pitt), who are paired together to solve a series of gruesome murders in an unnamed city that is perpetually rain-soaked and dreary. Somerset, on the verge of retirement, is deeply knowledgeable and philosophical, while Mills is eager and hot-headed, newly transferred to the city with his wife, Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow).

The detectives discover that the murders are intricately planned and each represents a punishment for one of the seven deadly sins: gluttony, greed, sloth, lust, pride, envy, and wrath. The first murder involves an obese man forced to eat until his stomach ruptures, representing gluttony. The second victim, a wealthy defense attorney, is bled to death for the sin of greed.

As Somerset and Mills delve deeper into the case, they realize they are dealing with a serial killer whose meticulous planning and knowledge of scripture and classical texts suggest profound derangement yet intelligent design. The killer, John Doe (Kevin Spacey), eventually turns himself in, covered in the blood of an unidentified victim.

Doe offers to lead the detectives to the final two bodies, initiating a tense climax. In a remote desert location, a delivery van arrives with a package, which, upon opening by Mills, is revealed to contain the severed head of his pregnant wife, Tracy, representing envy (Doe’s envy of Mills’ normal life) and preparing to incite Mills to embody wrath.

Doe explains that his plan was to illustrate the presence of sin around everyone and punish the wicked directly through his acts. Confronted with his wife’s head and Doe’s taunting, Mills is consumed by rage and kills Doe, thereby completing the series of seven sins.

Themes:

“Se7en” explores themes of good versus evil, the nature of sin, and the philosophical challenge of retaining one’s moral compass in a world filled with darkness and despair. The film is noted for its exploration of the apathy and jadedness that can come from confronting evil on a daily basis, which is contrasted with the idealism and emotional responses that stem from personal involvement. The ending starkly poses the question of justice versus vengeance and whether evil can truly be understood or countered by good.

“Se7en” is widely regarded as a cinematic masterpiece for its atmospheric direction, tight screenplay, and compelling performances, leaving a lasting impact on the thriller genre with its bleak outlook and moral complexity.

Persona

Movie Reviews, ZA Nominated / By

The film begins with a series of seemingly unrelated and abstract images, including a film projector starting, a crucifixion, and a child in a hospital caressing a large, blurry face on a screen. These images set the tone for the film’s exploration of human consciousness and perception.

The story then shifts to focus on Elisabet Vogler (played by Liv Ullmann), an actress who suddenly becomes mute during a performance and has since remained silent, withdrawn from speaking and interacting with others. Elisabet’s psychiatrist sends her to a secluded seaside cottage to recover, accompanied by Alma (played by Bibi Andersson), a young, talkative nurse assigned to care for her.

As they spend time together, Alma speaks freely about her life, thoughts, and feelings to the silent Elisabet. Gradually, the relationship between the two women intensifies, leading Alma to confess intimate and troubling experiences from her past. Throughout this process, Elisabet remains mostly silent, becoming both a screen onto which Alma projects her own thoughts and a mirror reflecting her own identity.

The core of the film revolves around the psychological and emotional entanglement between Elisabet and Alma. As their identities begin to converge and blur, Alma becomes increasingly unstable, feeling that Elisabet is overtaking her identity. The boundaries between the two women diminish, leading to a haunting and ambiguous conclusion where their personalities seem to merge.

Themes:

“Persona” delves deeply into themes of identity, the human psyche, and the nature of reality versus illusion. The film explores the idea that individuals wear masks (“personas”) in social interactions, and it questions what happens when these facades break down. Bergman uses the relationship between the two women to probe ideas about the duality of human nature, the vulnerability of the self, and the existential loneliness of being.

The film is also noted for its stark, minimalist setting and cinematography, which reinforce the intense psychological drama unfolding between the characters. The innovative use of close-ups, cuts, and monologues blurs the lines between the characters’ identities, enhancing the film’s dream-like and surreal quality.

“Persona” is celebrated not only for its narrative and thematic complexity but also for its groundbreaking visual style and editing, which have influenced many filmmakers and remain a subject of study and admiration in the world of cinema.

Nairobi Half Life

MA Nominated, Movie Reviews / By

The film follows Mwas, a young, aspiring actor from rural Kenya who dreams of becoming a successful actor. Filled with ambition and enthusiasm, Mwas leaves his village and travels to Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital, to pursue his acting career. However, he quickly encounters the harsh realities of city life.

Upon arriving in Nairobi, Mwas is naive and unprepared for the city’s harshness. He is quickly robbed and left with nothing, which forces him to face the tough streets of Nairobi. Struggling to make ends meet and still clinging to his dream, Mwas finds himself torn between two worlds.

On one side, Mwas tries to pursue his passion for acting by joining a small, local theatre group. Here, he begins to find a sense of community and purpose. However, the economic strain and the slow pace of success in the theatre push him towards the other side of Nairobi life.

On the darker side, Mwas becomes involved with a group of small-time criminals led by the charismatic but dangerous Oti. As he gets deeper into the criminal underworld, he starts earning money and gaining respect from his new associates, which seduces him further into a life of crime.

The film delves into Mwas’s internal conflict as he juggles his burgeoning criminal activities with his aspirations in theatre. His double life leads to increasingly dangerous situations, both on the streets and in his personal relationships. Mwas finds himself caught in a cycle of crime and violence that threatens to derail his dreams and destroy his life.

Themes:

“Nairobi Half Life” addresses the struggles faced by young people in urban centers, especially those coming from rural areas with dreams of making it big in the city. The film portrays the challenges of poverty, the lure of crime, and the redemptive power of art. It also explores themes of identity, belonging, and the personal cost of survival in a city that can be as punishing as it is opportunistic.

Overall, “Nairobi Half Life” provides a vivid, gritty, and moving portrait of life in modern Nairobi, highlighting the resilience and complexity of its people. The film has been lauded for its storytelling, direction, and performances, particularly Joseph Wairimu, who plays Mwas.

Loving Vincent

KS Nominated, Movie Reviews / By

The film takes place in 1891, one year after Vincent van Gogh’s death. It centers around Armand Roulin (voiced by Douglas Booth), the son of postman Joseph Roulin (voiced by Chris O’Dowd), who was a friend to Van Gogh. Armand is tasked by his father to deliver Van Gogh’s last letter to his brother, Theo van Gogh. When Armand learns of Theo’s passing, he sets out to deliver the letter to Dr. Gachet, who was close to Vincent, in the village of Auvers-sur-Oise.

Upon arrival, Armand becomes intrigued by the circumstances of Van Gogh’s death. Van Gogh was prolific in his last weeks, painting a new picture every day, which makes his sudden death by gunshot wound, reported as a suicide, seem strange and unexplained. As Armand speaks with various people who knew Vincent—including Dr. Gachet, the innkeeper’s daughter Adeline Ravoux, and the boatman who frequents the inn—he collects different stories about Vincent’s life, art, and the mysterious details surrounding his death.

Each person Armand talks to provides a different perspective, and the stories are visualized through the style of paintings that resemble Van Gogh’s work. These narratives reveal aspects of Van Gogh’s emotional state, his struggles with mental illness, and his passion for art. The film paints a complex portrait of Van Gogh as both a troubled and talented individual.

The investigation leads Armand to question whether Van Gogh’s death was indeed a suicide or possibly a murder. However, as he delves deeper, the lines between life and death blur, and the film explores more profound themes about art, existence, and the immortalization of an artist’s spirit through their work.

“Loving Vincent” serves as both a tribute to Van Gogh’s remarkable legacy and an exploration of the profound impact he left on those who knew him and on the generations that followed. The film’s visual style, replicating Van Gogh’s famous painting techniques and incorporating elements of his most recognizable works, offers a visually stunning and emotionally engaging narrative, making it a unique piece in the realm of animated and biographical cinema.

Moon

Movie Reviews, YA Nominated / By

Sam Bell (played by Sam Rockwell) is an astronaut working for Lunar Industries Ltd., stationed at a lunar base that harvests and sends back to Earth helium-3, a clean and potent energy source. Sam is nearing the end of his three-year solitary contract on the Moon, looking forward to returning to Earth to reunite with his wife, Tess, and their young daughter, Eve.

Sam’s only companion is GERTY, a robotic assistant with artificial intelligence designed to tend to his needs and oversee the base’s operations. As the end of his tenure approaches, Sam begins to experience a series of strange occurrences and hallucinations, leading to a personal accident involving a lunar rover.

After the accident, Sam awakens in the base’s infirmary with no memory of what happened. Suspicious of GERTY’s evasiveness and with communication with Earth mysteriously cut off, Sam decides to investigate the accident site himself. There, he makes a shocking discovery: he finds an unconscious man in a crashed rover who looks exactly like him.

The plot thickens as the two Sams try to understand their existence and the reality of their mission on the Moon. They uncover a harrowing truth – they are not the original Sam Bell but clones, part of a series created and used by Lunar Industries to cheaply staff the lunar operation. The clones are designed to believe in their singular identity and life on Earth, only to be replaced after their three-year cycle ends, with their memories reset.

As the two Sams grapple with their identity and the moral implications of their creators’ actions, they devise a plan to return one Sam to Earth to reveal the truth about Lunar Industries’ unethical practices, while the other remains to ensure the mission’s continuation.

“Moon” is a thought-provoking, psychological sci-fi film that delves into issues of corporate ethics, the nature of consciousness, and what it means to be truly human. The film’s minimalist style, combined with Rockwell’s compelling performance and the emotionally resonant story, garnered critical acclaim and has made it a standout entry in the science fiction genre.