Moon

Movie Reviews, YA Nominated /

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.

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Society Of The Snow

Movie Reviews, ZA Nominated /

“Society of the Snow” (Spanish: “La Sociedad de la Nieve”) is a film based on the real-life event of the 1972 Andes flight disaster, where Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed into the Andes mountains. This event is also the subject of the book “Out of the Silence: After the Crash” by Eduardo Strauch and Mireya Soriano, which provides a firsthand account of the survivors’ ordeal. The film likely draws from these accounts and focuses on the harrowing experience of the crash survivors, who were stranded in the Andes for 72 days under extreme conditions before being rescued.

Plot Synopsis (based on the historical event and the book):

The story begins with a Uruguayan rugby team, along with their friends, family, and supporters, boarding a flight to Chile for a match. However, their plane crashes in the remote Andes mountains, leaving survivors to face the brutal reality of their situation: isolated in the freezing cold, with limited food supplies and no hope of immediate rescue.

As days turn into weeks, the survivors are forced to make unimaginable decisions to stay alive. They face a series of life-threatening challenges, including avalanches, the harsh mountainous environment, and the psychological toll of their dire circumstances. One of the most controversial and ethically complex aspects of their survival strategy involves the decision to resort to cannibalism, consuming the bodies of deceased passengers to stave off starvation.

Throughout their ordeal, the survivors form a tight-knit “society” bound by the necessity to maintain hope, leadership, and the collective will to live. This society is characterized by its own rules, roles, and the immense solidarity among its members, as they are driven to the limits of human endurance.

The film likely explores the themes of survival, human resilience, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity. It also delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of the survivors’ journey, highlighting the personal growth, changes in perspective, and the deep bonds formed through shared suffering.

“Society of the Snow” presents a gripping tale of survival that is both a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and a poignant reminder of the value of life and the power of hope and determination in the most desperate situations.

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200 Meters

MA Nominated, Movie Reviews /

“200 Meters” is a 2020 drama film directed by Ameen Nayfeh. The film tells a poignant story set against the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, focusing on the physical and emotional distances created by borders and walls. The film’s narrative is deeply rooted in the current socio-political landscape of the region, offering a personal and human perspective on a complex issue.

Plot Synopsis:

The protagonist of “200 Meters,” Mustafa (played by Ali Suliman), is a Palestinian father who lives in the West Bank, while his wife and children live just 200 meters away but on the other side of the Israeli separation wall in Israel. Despite the short physical distance, the wall makes it impossible for them to live together or even visit easily. Mustafa communicates with his family by using a flashlight to signal them from across the barrier each night.

The central conflict of the film arises when Mustafa learns that his son has been in an accident and is in an Israeli hospital. Desperate to be with his son but without a permit to cross the checkpoint legally, he decides to pay smugglers to help him cross the border.

The journey, though just 200 meters, is fraught with danger and becomes a perilous adventure. Mustafa joins a group of people each with their own reasons for needing to cross the border. As they navigate various obstacles, the group faces moments of tension, camaraderie, and even humor, reflecting the shared human experience amidst the political turmoil.

Throughout the journey, Mustafa’s resolve is tested as he encounters both physical and emotional challenges. His desperation to reach his son is a powerful driving force, highlighting the impact of the separation wall on individual lives and families.

Themes:

“200 Meters” is much more than a story about a physical journey; it’s a metaphor for the emotional and societal distances created by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The film explores themes of separation, the resilience of the human spirit, and the universal desire for family and connection. It also provides a nuanced portrayal of the everyday realities for people living on both sides of the wall, moving beyond political rhetoric to focus on personal stories and experiences.

The film has been recognized for its empathetic portrayal of a deeply divided region and its ability to humanize the struggles faced by those living within its borders. It offers a compelling look at the lengths to which people will go for their loved ones, set against a backdrop of one of the most enduring and challenging conflicts of our time.

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Gaslight

Movie Reviews, ZA Nominated /

“Gaslight,” released in 1944, is a psychological thriller film directed by George Cukor. The film is an adaptation of Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 play “Gas Light” and is a remake of the 1940 British film of the same name. It stars Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotten, and Angela Lansbury in her film debut. “Gaslight” is known for its atmospheric tension and exploration of psychological manipulation, a concept that has come to be known as “gaslighting.”

**Plot Synopsis**:

The film is set in Victorian-era London, where Paula Alquist (played by Ingrid Bergman) lives in the home of her aunt, a famous opera singer, who was mysteriously murdered. Traumatized by the event, Paula is sent to Italy to recover, where she pursues a career in opera and falls in love with a charming pianist, Gregory Anton (played by Charles Boyer). After a whirlwind romance, the couple marries.

Gregory convinces Paula to return to London and live in her inherited aunt’s house, the site of the murder. Once they move in, strange occurrences begin. Paula notices the gas lights in the house dimming without explanation and hears footsteps in the attic. Additionally, various items go missing, and she is led to believe by Gregory that she is forgetful and losing her sanity.

Gregory’s true motive is gradually revealed: he is the murderer of Paula’s aunt and is searching the house for valuable jewels he believes are hidden there. His psychological manipulation of Paula is part of his plan to distract and confuse her while he continues his search.

Brian Cameron (played by Joseph Cotten), a Scotland Yard inspector, becomes involved when he recognizes Paula as the niece of the famous opera singer. He becomes suspicious of Gregory and begins his own investigation into the strange happenings in the house.

The climax of the film reveals Gregory’s true identity and his criminal intentions. Cameron confronts Gregory, rescuing Paula and exposing the gaslighting to which she has been subjected. The film ends with Paula gaining the upper hand over Gregory, symbolizing her reclaiming her sanity and strength.

**Themes**:

“Gaslight” delves into the psychological manipulation and abuse that Paula endures, effectively illustrating how an abuser can undermine someone’s perception of reality. The film’s portrayal of this insidious form of manipulation has led to the term “gaslighting” being used in psychological circles to describe a similar kind of mental manipulation.

Ingrid Bergman’s performance, for which she won an Academy Award, is celebrated for its emotional depth and authenticity. The film itself is considered a classic in the psychological thriller genre and remains significant for its exploration of psychological abuse, manipulation, and the resilience of the human spirit.

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The Manchurian Candidate

KS Nominated, Movie Reviews /

“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 /

“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 /

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 /

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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The Fugitive

Movie Reviews, TS Nominated /

“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 /

“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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