Change Your Image
Gymnopedies
When he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine, that all the world will be in love with night, and pay no worship to the garish sun.
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The way I am, the way it is with me, you'll never grow old. Because I keep you right here in my mind. And in my heart. Just the way you were when I saw you last. So you see, with me, you can't get old. Your hair will always stay brown, your skin will always be fresh like rain. I won't let one little wrinkle mark your face. I'll keep you beside me, young and beautiful forever. Because of all the people in the world, only with me will you be safe from time. ~ Johnny Got His Gun
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I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. ~ Sun Tzu
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Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. ~ George Santayana
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I tried, sir. See the stars? So cold, so far, and so very lonely. Oh, so lonely. All that space... just... empty space. And so far from home. I've circled round and round this house, orbit after orbit. Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like never to stop, and circle alone up there forever. And what if I got there - got to the moon - and couldn't get back? Sure, everyone dies, but I'm afraid to die ALONE, so far from home. And if there's no God, then that's really, REALLY alone. ~ The Ninth Configuration
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His gaze is from the passing of bars so exhausted, that it doesn't hold a thing anymore. For him, it's as if there were thousands of bars and behind the thousands of bars no world. The sure stride of lithe, powerful steps, that around the smallest of circles turns, is like a dance of pure energy about a center, in which a great will stands numbed. Only occasionally, without a sound, do the covers of the eyes slide open. An image rushes in, goes through the tensed silence of the frame only to vanish, forever, in the heart. ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
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When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ~ 1 Corinthians 13
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Cursed missed opportunities. Am I a part of the cure. Or am I part of the disease? ~ Coldplay
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I wasted time, and now doth time waste me. ~ William Shakespeare
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No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. ~ John Donne
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You could tell he really liked this girl who worked there, but she just smiled at him like a little child. He knew he could never have a girl like that around his arm. I started to think that he knew. He knew that nobody looked at him like a normal kid. People either laughed at him or felt sorry for him. He couldn't do anything about it. He was trapped. He knew everything. ~ The United States of Leland
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Loneliness has followed me my whole life, everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There's no escape. I'm God's lonely man. ~ Taxi Driver
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Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
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The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven. ~ John Milton
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History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. ~ Karl Marx
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When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
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I realize now how much she's just like the others, cold and distant, and many people are like that, women for sure, they're like a union. ~ Taxi Driver
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Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving. ~ Dale Carnegie
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You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you. ~ Dale Carnegie
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Remember that a person's name is to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language ~ Dale Carnegie
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Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration and resentment. ~ Dale Carnegie
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Isabel: Kneel, Conquistador.
[Tomas kneels before her]
Isabel: Let in the morning light.
[the doors are opened; light floods into the hall]
Isabel: The beast runs amok in my kingdom. He has isolated me, and now he is sharpening his talons for one more fateful push. But salvation lies in the jungles of New Spain. Will you deliver Spain from bondage? ~ The Fountain
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I was born with glass bones and paper skin. Every morning I break my legs, and every afternoon I break my arms, at night I lie awake in agony until my heart attacks put me to sleep. ~ SpongeBob SquarePants
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You know the downward spiral is essentially a chain reaction. They're all reactions! One thing begets the next. A man has a weakness, he's flawed. That flaw leads him to guilt. The guilt leads him to shame. The shame he compensates with pride and vanity. And when pride fails, despair takes over and they all lead to his destruction. It will become his fate... Something's gotta stop the flow. ~ Ink
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All these years, all these memories, there was you. You pull me through time. ~ The Fountain
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All the hardest, coldest people you meet were once as soft as water. And that's the tragedy of living. ~ Iain Thomas
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It covers my eyes. It's all I can see. Say there's some kids playing baseball. All I see is the one kid they won't let play because he tells corny jokes. And no-one thinks they're funny. Or I see a boy and a girl in love and kissing, you know. I just see that they're gonna be one of those sad old couples one day who just cheats on each other and can't even look at each other in the eye. And I feel it. I feel all of their sadness. I feel it probably even worse than that sad old couple or that corny kid will ever feel it. ~ The United States of Leland
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I recall when our lives were unusual and electric. When we burned with something close to fire. But now we sway to a different rhythm. Lives lived without meaning or even directed hope. The passage of time measured only by loss. Loss of a job, loss of a minivan... a son. ~ The United States of Leland
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If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected . ~ Sun Tzu
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Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. ~ Sun Tzu
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In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity. ~ Sun Tzu
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When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move. ~ Sun Tzu
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1. Mathematics is the language of nature. 2. Everything around us can be represented and understood through numbers. 3. If you graph these numbers, patterns emerge. Therefore: There are patterns everywhere in nature. ~ Pi
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When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion. ~ Dale Carnegie
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It was possible to learn, the problem was, did I want to ? ~ Fantastic Planet
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Never, oh! never, nothing will die; The stream flows, The wind blows, The cloud fleets, The heart beats, Nothing will die. ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson
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I could always live in my art, but never in my life. ~ Ingmar Bergman
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You learn, like the Tibetans, to survive on a little. ~ The Addiction
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Oh, the stench here is worse than a charnel house. This is a graveyard. Rows of crumbling tombstones. Vicious libelous epitaphs. And we're all drawn here like flies. ~ The Addiction
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It was one of those days when it's a minute away from snowing and there's this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. Right? And this bag was just dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. That's the day I realized that there was this entire life behind things, and this incredibly benevolent force that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video's a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember... I need to remember... Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it, and my heart is just going to cave in. ~ American Beauty
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Time and tide wait for no man. ~ Geoffrey Chaucer
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For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light. ~ The Fountain
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At times I almost dream I too have spent a life the sages' way, and tread once more familiar paths. Perchance I perished in an arrogant self-reliance an age ago. And in that act a prayer for one more chance went up so earnest, so... Instinct with better light let in by death that life was blotted out not so completely, but scattered, wrecks enough of it to remain dim memories, as now, when seems, once more, the goal in sight again... ~ Robert Browning
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Life flows too slowly on me. So I speed it up. I set it right. ~ Le Feu Follet
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C'est la vie' - that's life; such is life.
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The earth turned to bring us closer. It turned on itself and in us, until it finally brought us together in this dream. ~ Eugenio Montejo
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I want to tell you the ocean knows this, that life in its jewel boxes is endless as the sand, impossible to count, pure, and among the blood-colored grapes time has made the petal hard and shiny, made the jellyfish full of light and untied its knot, letting its musical threads fall from a horn of plenty made of infinite mother-of-pearl. I am nothing but the empty net which has gone on ahead of human eyes, dead in those darknesses, of fingers accustomed to the triangle, longitudes on the timid globe of an orange. I walked around as you do, investigating the endless star, and in my net, during the night, I woke up naked, the only thing caught, a fish trapped inside the wind. ~ Pablo Neruda
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Put your arms around me. I need to feel their warmth, to keep the chill of death away. ~ Johnny Got His Gun
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Existence is the search for relief from our habit, and our habit is the only relief we can find. ~ The Addiction
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I'm not concerned with where I am or how I got there. I'm at peace and it's then that I realize I'm dead. My body begins to turn a greenish-white with spots of purple. Next, the insects arrive. The inevitable follows, putridity and liquescence. Before I know it, I'm nothing but bones. When I start fading to dust, I lose whatever care I still might have had about where my clothes are and as I begin to feel myself slipping away towards I know not what... ~ The X-Files
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There are a thousand men hacking away at the branches of the tree of evil but only one is hacking at the roots. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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A baby holds your hands, and then suddenly, there's this huge man lifting you off the ground, and then he's gone. Where's that son? ~ My Dinner With Andre
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Learn to fish and you have created a wonderful business opportunity, teach a man to fish and you ruin a wonderful business opportunity. ~ Karl Marx
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You exist in time, but you belong to eternity. ~ Osho
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I once knew a happy man, but the happiness was a curse. ~ Thirteen Conversations About One Thing
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The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. ~ Job 1:21
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I think there are two ways you can see the world. You either see the sadness that's behind everything or you choose to keep it all out. Your heart can't break if you don't let the world touch it. ~ The United States Of Leland
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If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants. ~ Sir Isaac Newton
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Could have, would have, should have - models of lost opportunity.
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Reviews
Dark Days (2000)
The Dark Days are over..
I love documentaries that explore real people, and more specifically documentaries that open your eyes about social issues. "Dark Days" is a fascinating documentary about the homeless population who live in the underground tunnels of New York City. It's quite astonishing, the conditions in which the individuals featured in this documentary are living in. What I admire the most about how this documentary is presented, is that there are no punches pulled, it doesn't try to sugar coat the circumstances in which the individuals find themselves in. The penetrating black-and-white cinematography, with the incorporation of DJ Shadow's soundtrack - adds a real bleakness and grittiness to the ambience of the documentary.
We are given a glimpse into their hellish existence, as they decorate their scrap-metal like shacks with discarded materials, and other disposed items. We get to witness their mundane activities, and rituals - as they cook, raise their pets, and interact with others. The characters portrayed are very real and tragic, they all each have a unique set of circumstances which lead them to live in the underground tunnels of New York City. Everyone presented, explains how they reached this point, either through impoverishment, addiction, tragedy, or a mixture of all. The use of symbolism in the epilogue, is the best in any documentary I have seen, the transition of penetrating black-and-white to colour perfectly highlights that the dark days are over, and the sunlit uplands are near. In short, "Dark Days" perfectly encapsulates human suffering and hardship.
Network (1976)
"I don't have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad."
It is well documented that "Network" is seen as a scathing indictment to television industry. With its biting satire on American television, and a great cast on top of their game, it is a thoroughly entertaining effort by Sidney Lumet. The film would receive nine Academy Award nominations and would win four including for Best Actor for Peter Finch (Posthumously, in his final role), Best Actress for Faye Dunaway, and Best Supporting Actress for Beatrice Straight. Paddy Chayefsky, the only person to have won three Academy Awards for writing both adapted and original screenplays, would write the screenplay for Network - and would win the Best Original Screenplay for Network. I stand by my opinion, that Network is one of the best written, daring and intelligent screenplays for its time. The story centres around a television network and its eternal struggle with poor ratings. In their desperation they exploit the increasingly deranged ramblings of their anchor (Finch).
Like many have said, the film is extremely prophetic, accurately predicting what will happen in the future. Network seems to foreshadow Reality TV, Social Media sensation, and the likes. While one could best describe Howard Beale (Peter Finch), as a "mad man", his ramblings are strangely relevant and accessible to the average person. Even though Howard is clearly under strain and is suffering from some form of mental illness - the viewer really feels sympathetic to his struggles. Diana (Faye Dunaway) plays the ambitious executive who stops at nothing to ensure ratings skyrocket, even if that means that Howards state of mind suffers.
"I'm Mad As Hell" speech, is a speech that needs no introduction. It is one of the most iconic in cinematic history, and is as relevant today, as it was when it was first released. What makes Network such a good film, is that it possesses strong direction by Lumet, powerful acting, and an intelligent script. A cool-as-hell parable on evils of the Television industry.
Det sjunde inseglet (1957)
"My indifference to men has shut me out. I live now in a world of ghosts, a prisoner in my dreams."
Every sentence, every question, every response was a mortal struggle. Fighting for existence itself. It was exhilarating. The plot revolves around a knight Antonius Block (Max von Sydow), returning home to Sweden to seeks answers about life, death, and the existence of God as he plays chess against the personification of Death (Bengt Ekerot), during the Black Plague. The game of chess opens the metaphor: free will vs fate. The chess scenes, which must be said, add a great deal of suspense to the film. In this film, much like most of Bergman's filmography, he explores many existential questions and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world devoid of warmth.
The Seventh Seal, which is considered by many to be Ingmar Bergman's greatest film, is the desperate vehicle for a sensitive, introspective, and insightful young man who is confused by the world around him. I really adore Ingmar Bergman's films, they are very deep, littered with symbolism, philosophy and spirituality. In Antonius's perpetual search for answers, he encounters many unique individuals, each have their own outlook on life, and death. The imagery is spellbinding, the wonderful penetrating black-and-white cinematography adds to the relentlessly concentrated internal struggle of the characters, and you can see the stress etched on the face of Antonius Block. Antonius Block knows too well there's a game out there, and the stakes are high. If you stay in the game long enough, you've got to lose. And once you've lost there's no way back, no way at all.
In essence, the film is an allegory and meditation of life, and death. Maybe Antonius Block knew that God and the Devil are playing a game of tug-of-war game with him. And he never knows which side he will wind up on.
The Tree of Life (2011)
"Tell us a story from before we can remember."
In my opinion, no other film divides consensus among film fans like The Tree of Life (2011) - maybe apart from Lost in Translation (2003). Some may see it as pretentious, typical Terrence Malick fluff, while others (including myself) will see it as deeply poignant and thought-provoking metaphysical piece. There doesn't seem to be a happy middle ground, at least as far as I can I see.
The story is set in 1960's Texas, the O'Brien's are informed of the sudden death of their 19-year-old son, this tragedy inevitably throws the family into turmoil. The film jumps into present day where the eldest son Jack (Sean Penn) is adrift and lost in modern life. Essentially, the loss of his brother, along with the subsequent pain in which his parents went through haunts him and casts a long shadow over his existence. This is a very poetic, moving and profound experience - with the recurring themes that you would expect from a Terrence Malick film. I feel that The Tree of Life is his most personal of his filmography, his films usually put strong emphasis on the cinematography and editing over the plot and the character development. While this film is beautiful to look at, it also possesses strong character development. If you consider Days of Heaven (1978), one of the most beautiful films to look at, you could quite literally frame any second of the film and put it on your wall - that is how gorgeous the film is to looks at. You don't really feel an emotional connection to the characters, in The Tree of Life, however you do feel attached.
The film possesses a wonderful cast with Sean Penn, Brad Pitt and the beautiful Jessica Chastain - and all three are on the top of their game here. I feel that The Tree of Life perfectly encapsulates cinema as a great art form because it combines the essential aspects of film-making such as cinematography, with that of great storytelling - the ability to empathize with the characters. This is a perfect vehicle as a cathartic testament to loss and ultimately the frailty of life. So may describe it as 'too cosmic for Hollywood', while others may take a great deal from it as a spiritual piece of filmmaking. I know I have.
The Father (2020)
"What is to become of me?
An extraordinary tour-de-force from the timeless Hopkins in this cautionary tale about the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease on a family. Florian Zeller wrote and directed 'The Father', his first film, and based on his own play. The film rightly received much acclaim from critics, who would praise Hopkins and Colman's performances, and its depiction of dementia. Sir Anthony Hopkins won his second Academy Award at the tender age of 83 for his role in this film, the eldest winner of an acting Academy Award. Hopkins visited his father's grave in Wales and recited the poem "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas after winning the award.
The story revolves around Anthony suffering with dementia who lives in a flat in London, and who has driven away previous caregivers. Anthony's condition is deteriorating expeditiously, and needs assistance, but he is hostile to any help. His daughter Anne (Olivia Colman) visits him every day to ensure that he is comfortable. "The Father" is an intricate puzzle of a film, it is presented to the viewer through the perspective of Anthony, this helps convey the confused nature of Anthony to the viewer. As Anthony's memory begins to play tricks on him, it draws the viewer into the same confusion and uncertainty that Anthony is experiencing. This makes the emotional impact on the viewer even that much greater. The story truly grips the audience through its use of angst and tension-filled dialogue, with many profound simple utterances about the mind-set of someone suffering with dementia such as:
"I feel as if I'm losing all my leaves."
"Who exactly am I?"
"I want my mummy."
"What is to become of me?
You can literally feel the stress and pressure escalating, while we are presented with several characteristic Zeller-esque like deceptions, which are just so heartbreaking and personal to anybody that may have gone or are going through something similar. This is a type of film that really breaks the third wall, in terms of stories that are presented to the viewer that are extremely personal, or close-up that you feel that is has happened to you. Maybe Ingmar Bergman was right, when he said: "No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls."
Notwithstanding, the powerhouse performance from Anthony Hopkins, this film is outstanding in almost every aspect, and thoroughly essential viewing. It is not easy to sit through, but it is the epitome of strong storytelling, and character driven cinema.
The Morning After (1974)
"Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be. There's a shadow hanging over me."
Dick Van Dyke famous for musicals such as Mary Poppins (1964), and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as well as his long running Diagnosis: Murder TV series - but his performance in the little-known ABC Movie of the Week about alcoholism is easily his best performance of his career. There is no doubt in my mind had it been a feature film instead of an ABC Movie of the Week then he could have easily won an Academy Award. Essentially, the story revolves around a respected businessman and family man brought to his knees by the crippling chains of addiction, and his downward spiral into the abyss of desperation, with some shocking and uncomfortable scenes thrown in for good measure. The screenplay is written by the well-respected and renowned screenwriter Richard Matheson. There have been many sobering and devastating portrayals about the effects of alcoholism in film down through the years including Leaving Las Vegas (1995), The Fire Within (1963), A Sensitive, Passionate Man (1977), and A Day at the Beach (1970), and this deserves to be among that list. Van Dyke's performance here really haunts me, his acting is incredibly potent as he loses everything, he has worked so hard for in life including his wife, children, job, friends, and his respect. Absolutely soul destroying, and clearly not for everybody, as the subject matter may be too distressing for some, but if you want to enjoy a film about alcoholism, or to be in awe of the acting, then you are in the right place. In essence, it is effectively a cautionary tale about the effects of alcoholism on a marriage, that is thoroughly elevated to the next level by the fine performance of Van Dyke.
Frankie and Johnny (1991)
"I know I can't the make the bad go away. You're right, I can't. But when the bad comes again, I am gonna be next to you."
'Frankie and Johnny' is a wonderful overlooked and tender romance with real heart. The emotionally fragile waitress Frankie, who is played by the beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer, meets the middle-aged Johnny (Al Pacino) who is released from prison. For all intents and purposes, Johnny is a loner, but highly intelligent, perceptive, and articulate. Frankie is emotionally detached and does not let herself get to close for fear of getting hurt again. What ensues is a beautiful and enchanting chemistry between these two lonely individuals as Johnny gradually breaks down Frankie's defences.
Al Pacino has not been in many romantic films, but this is really the epitome of what makes a good romance - he excels as he frequently does. The film never really ventures into the mawkish or oversentimental that you would expect, it maintains an austere quality, partly due to the past traumas that the two lead characters have experienced. Al Pacino is perhaps best known for his immensely powerful monologues such as in Any Given Sunday (1999) and Scent of a Woman (1992) - and it is no different here.
"I want to kill myself sometimes when I think that I'm the only person in the world and that part of me that feels that way is trapped inside this body, that only bumps into other bodies, without ever connecting to the only other person in the world trapped inside of them. We have to connect. We just have to."
The original screenplay for Frankie and Johnny was adapted by Terrence McNally's Broadway play Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (1987), and it starred F. Murray Abraham and Kathy Bates - the latter of which campaigned heavily to get the role in the film but would lose out to Michelle Pfeiffer. Claude Debussy's 'Claire de Lune', perhaps one of the most beautiful pieces of classical music you will likely to ever encounter, permeates the ending as Johnny eventually wins over Frankie's heart. A sweet and tender romance with mesmerising and haunting performances.
All of Us Strangers (2023)
"The hardest part was letting go, not taking part."
"I'll protect you from the hooded claw/Keep the vampires from your door."
A metaphysical tragic tearjerker would be how I would best describe 'All of Us Strangers', an incredibly potent film about loneliness and grief. Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal are just marvellous here, especial Mescal who is building a formidable repertoire for his immensely powerful roles such as Aftersun (2022) and Normal People (2020). It is without a doubt one of the most moving pieces of filmmaking I have seen in recent years. The tale revolves around a 30-year-old Londoner Adam (Andrew Scott), and his relationship with his new neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal), and as the story evolves, his past (notably his parents) haunts his every waking moment, trying to seek closure and solace. Their relationship is clearly very important to both, it plays out in a painfully tender and poignant fashion. One of the many reasons that I adored 'All of Us Strangers', is that it is littered with many moving and thought-provoking lines - that would just about break your heart and send shivers down your spine. Andrew Haigh deserves so much praise, his direction really excels because of the tenderness and sweetness that is portrayed between the two leads. Frankie Goes to Hollywood's powerful hit 'The Power of Love' permeates throughout and takes a moving picture and makes it more poignant. This film is quite possibly one of the most moving explorations of loneliness, grief, and love that you will likely see.
You Are Alone (2005)
An Unflinching Look Into Depression
"When your darkest moment comes to light" - the tagline to this ultra unknown micro-budget film. An unflinching and sobering drama exploring the effects of loneliness on individuals who attempt to relieve their loneliness, even if that is only for one hour. This is why I love films so much, why I will spend hours upon hours watching films that not many have even heard of. "You Are Alone" is quite possibly the very definition of unknown with around 500 ratings on IMDb, and 200, or so on Letterboxd. Like Tape (2001) in that it is set entirely in a motel room, except for several brief flashbacks. Set in the mid-2000s, the story revolves around high school senior who works as a prostitute in her spare time, and an older middle aged, depressed neighbour.
"You Are Alone" will explore the human psyche in greater depth, with spellbinding performances from Jessica Bohl and Richard Brundage, and their chemistry is just outstanding. The film will explore their characters lives, delving in and out, of their many, and numerous sorrows. You would assume that the film would be about sex, but instead focuses on two lonely individuals who seek a meaningful connection. While it tantalises the act of sex, it very much focuses on the complexity of the characters in the world in which they are living in.
It perfectly encapsulates the edgy, melancholic beauty that you would associate in such a setting. I felt like I was there witnessing the interaction between them, for every sentence, every question, every response was a mortal struggle. The fight for existence itself. It was exhilarating.
Aftersun (2022)
"I think it's nice that we share the same sky."
Aftersun is an absolutely beautiful and tender penetrating look into the mind of someone with depression. The story revolves around a father, Calum (Paul Mescal) who is taking his daughter, Sophie (Frankie Corio) on a holiday to Turkey, in the 1990's. Their holiday would be videotaped for Sophie, as she would reflect on the joy and the sadness of the holiday that she took with her father twenty years earlier.
Paul Mescal's performance here as a father desperate to connect with his beloved daughter is magnificent; and also struggling to hide his inner turmoil and deep depression is quite remarkable. It is really no wonder that Mescal would be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Mescal would later star in All of Us Strangers, another intimate and mature portrayal of depression. The soundtrack is exceptional, and would be utilized to immense effect; the closing scene to Queen's "Under Pressure" is tender, as it is heart-breaking. What I liked about the soundtrack is that it successfully captured the feel of the 90s - its iconography and nostalgia that it was trying to capture.
Aftersun is an extremely touching and moving film about a father who only wanted to make his daughter happy, when he was feeling dead inside. I was very much impressed with the cinematography of the film, beautifully shot - the amount of golden light that reflects Sophie, contrasts well with the cold light that reflects her father, portraying the juxtaposition of the depression that overwhelms the father, and the innocence of the daughter. A sun kissed masterpiece soaked in melancholy and nostalgia, that will last for quite some time after the credits roll.
Yi boh lai beng duk (1996)
A Tour de Force of nastiness and depravity.
What can I say about this demented Category III depravity? The combination of gore and various other kinds of bodily fluids may make it too much for many to stomach. In 1988, the Hong Kong authorities introduced a rating system, with the most depraved horrific of subject matter falling under Category III. This isn't unusual, as most regions or countries have some description of a rating system in place. However, the most disgusting and hideous of horror films would come from this category. There have been several infamous horror films to come from Hong Kong including, but not limited to; Man Behind the Sun (1988), The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story (1993), Devil Fetus (1983), Seeding of a Ghost (1983) and Dr. Lamb (1992). I can only compare it to Italian horror cinema, in terms of the cult following it has developed.
The protagonist, Kai San (Anthony Chau-Sang Wong) is an extremely odious individual, a man who contracts the Ebola virus in South Africa, becomes immune to it, and continues to spread the virus and infects others when he returns to Hong Kong. There are countless sickening and disgusting scenes in the film, including the infamous "burger" scene. The film is relentless with depraved and disgusting scenarios, that will truly shock the viewer. I tried to keep this review spoiler free, because the film must be seen to be believed - it truly knows no bounds. Whatever you do, don't eat before, or during the film!
The Way (2010)
"Our children, they are the very best and the very worst of us."
The Way is a very moving film about the bond between a son and a father. The Way is about a father who heads to France to recover the body of his son who died, and who was estranged to, while there he decides to finish the "El camino de Santiago," in the memory of his son. As he makes his way through the old pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela he meets and forms a group with other pilgrims - who each have their own stories. The pilgrimage covers around 500 miles, or 800 km, and can take around 30 days to complete from the French Pyrenees, through to Northern Spain, to the destination, the Cathedral of Santiago De Compostela, where the remains of Saint James, an apostle, are said to be buried. Many see it as a personal challenge, or a spiritual journey that can be walked, cycled, or even by horseback. Martin Sheen himself, is a devout catholic, had heard about the trail from his father who was from this area of Spain but had emigrated to America.
Emilio Estevez (Martin's son) had written the main character's role specifically for that of his father. Emilio Estevez would later reveal that much of the inspiration he got for the film was the pilgrimage that his father and his son Taylor Estevez made a few years prior. This would be the seventh time that Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez have worked together. Martin's daughter, Renée, also has a part in the film. Martin Sheen would walk around 500 miles in Northern Spain, which is a delight to look at, stunning, a feast for the eyes. You could quite literally frame any second of the beautiful Spanish landscape and put it on your wall - that is how gorgeous the film is to looks at. The chemistry between the father and son, Sheen, and Estevez, is magical. The Way is a beautifully told inspirational film, that pulls you in, and captures your heart.
Seven Pounds (2008)
A deeply thought-provoking film about redemption
Seven Pounds really shows you how guilt can weigh on someone. Will Smith, with one of his finest performances, plays Ben, a complex character, and even that more perplexing to the viewer as you see his inner turmoil manifest itself in the most unselfish of ways. Seven Pounds is powerful stuff, almost Shakespeare like, in terms of how the film provokes emotions if I could be so bold to make the comparison. I believe I read somewhere where director Gabriele Muccino's "Seven Pounds" refers to the seven pounds of flesh, a clear reference to Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". This is high caliber drama at its most beautiful, the humanity shown in the film dumfounds and moves the soul.
I believe that one aspect of a good film, is strong character development, and Ben evolves as events, and circumstances changes his outlook on life, and forces him to change the way he deals with the world around him. You can literally see the pain and stress sketched on his face as his characters evolves, and as he connects with the people around him. At its very heart, this is a fable about redemption and acceptance, a man who suffered deep tragedy, and who was determined to improve the lives of others. I never seen the ending coming, one of the most heart wrenching and visceral I have seen in recent times. Seven Pounds is one of the most significant, passionate and intense films I have seen in a long time, and it leaves the audience with lots of room for discussion, I know it left me with a lot to discuss. If we all shared the same principles and values of Ben Thomas, we would leave this world a little better than we found it.
Mr. Nobody (2009)
"You have to make the right choice. As long as you don't choose, everything remains possible."
Mr Nobody is just so utterly unique and profoundly moving, that you feel you must do some soul-searching afterwards. The film is quite literally the best example of poetry put on film. It is so much more than a philosophical sci-fi film, it explores themes such as destiny, perception, dreams, and memories. It is like an onion, for every layer you peel back (in this case - repeat viewings), you receive more wisdom.
Mr Nobody resembles something near a transcending reality vis-à-vis Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or The Butterfly Effect, but more existential akin to Gattaca. It's possesses a deep introspective and imaginative quality to see through people, situations, and words to find their hidden meanings, motives, and outcomes. Destiny in other words. I won't go too much into the tech aspects, but everything was marvellous as you would expect from a thought-provoking sci-fi. The cinematography is probably the most pleasing aspect, truly poetry in motion. Jared Leto's (Nemo Nobody) performance was particularly outstanding as with most of his performances are. The soundtrack is one of the best I can recall from any film. It includes "Everyday" by Buddy Holly, "Sweet Dreams" by Annie Lennox, Erik Satie's moody Gymnopédie & Gnossiennes, and of course the extremely catchy Mister Sandman soundtrack.
A highly original, ultra intelligent, thought-provoking, poignant, and utterly engaging film. It's certainly not to everyone's taste, some may see it as pretentious artsy fartsy fluff, but I personally took a lot from it. What it thought me is to take the opportunities that are in front of me, and not allow them to be cursed missed opportunities.
Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
"You want to wait for him, don't you?"
I am not ashamed to say that I welled up at the end of this extremely emotional film. The film is based on the true story of Hachiko, an Akita dog immortalized for his undying loyalty to his owner. Hachiko would regularly meet his owner, Professor Ueno, at Shibuya Station each day after he returned from work. He faithfully continued to wait there for over nine years following Ueno's death. Hachiko would die on March 8, 1935, at the age of eleven. When he died, his owner's partner Yaeko Ueno, and the Shibuya Station staff mourned his death, and on March 8, there is a memorial ceremony at the station every year. In April 1934, a bronze statue created in the likeness of Hachiko was erected at Shibuya Station.
The loyalty, love, and devotion that poor Hachiko showed to his owner was nothing short of extraordinary. It really proves the bond between man and his dog. The performance of the actors takes a back seat to the story, but everyone is on fire here. Richard Gere known for his leading man and character driven credentials was outstanding. His performance was a mature and intimate portrayal of the master of Hachiko. Hachi: A Dog's Tale is a remake of Hachiko Monogatari (1987) - which is even more heartbreaking than Hachi: A Dog's Tale. What I love is that the film is devoid of CGI, explosions or violence just pure raw emotion, loyalty, and love between dog and man.
Waking Life (2001)
"The trick is to combine your waking rational abilities with the infinite possibilities of your dreams. Because, if you can do that, you can do anything."
"The worst mistake that you can make is to think you're alive when really you're asleep in life's waiting room."
Waking Life is a film for passionate thinkers, a thought-provoking piece of cinema that works like philosophical therapy. The film may not be for everyone, some may see it as pretentious, while others - who are philosophically inclined, will be thoroughly delighted. Much like all of Linklater's films, the script contains several observations about life, of which we can relate to on a personal level. I absolutely love Richard Linklater's films; his films often tend to take place within a single day in real time, and the emphasis is generally on realistic, and often philosophical dialogue between characters. Ethan Hawke is a marvellous actor who delivers in these strong emotional character driven roles that he is most famous for.
The plot revolves around a man who shuffles through a dream meeting with various people and discussing the true meanings and purposes of the universe. I was very much impressed by the animation, and how the heavy philosophical dialog that would seem complex, but relative and true at the same time. Waking Life is a treat for all the senses, visually and intellectually. In the early 90's, Richard Linklater would give us the offbeat and charming philosophical comedy Slacker. In the mid 90's, he would give us the undeniably romantic Before Sunset. In the early 00's he gave us this quintessential philosophical animation masterpiece. Linklater is perpetually serving up the audience challenging and introspective films, with a dash of nostalgia.
Waking Life deals with the suggestion of lucid dreams and the very nature of our own existence. What also struck me about Waking Life was the way in which the marvellous animation was layered through the film. What this helps achieves is an extreme sense of a dreamlike experience for the viewer. For a deep thinker, this is like spiritual nourishment for my mind and soul.
Der Himmel über Berlin (1987)
"Time heals all, but what if time itself is the disease?"
Wings of Desire is a remarkable achievement, a beautiful film in terms of visuals and themes. This is a film of the highest calibre, a film that possess a dreamlike quality, and one that will surely provoke emotions in the viewer. It is the most emotionally and spiritually moving film of all time, in my opinion. The film centres on an angel who grows exhausted of his purely ethereal life of merely observing human activity of Berlin's residents, and ultimately longs for the very real joys of existence when he falls in love with a woman.
The film attempts to clarify the fundamental notions by which people understand the world, e.g., existence, objects and their properties, space and time, cause and effect, and possibility. It is a calm and personal meditation fantasy that has such a simple vision that really makes you want to believe in this metaphysical world. It contains such lavish cinematography, masterful direction by Wim Winders, and thoroughly impressive performances from all. It even has Peter Falk appearing in several scenes!
There is something in this film that goes beyond art, that delves deep into our thoughts and all our dreams, it inspires a sense of spiritual mystery, awe, and fascination that really makes you contemplate your own life. I would best categorize Wings of Desire as a cathartic testament to love and ultimately the frailty of life. The bar scene at the end is one of the most beautiful, sweetest, and spellbinding endings, I can ever recall seeing. Wings of Desire is a philosophical, poetic, and a spiritually significant film for all the ages.
Nattvardsgästerna (1963)
"God, my God!" "Why hast thou forsaken me?"
Winter Light is the second film in Ingmar Bergman's Faith Trilogy. Through a Glass Darkly (1961) and The Silence (1963) complete the series. Winter Light may very well be Ingmar Bergman's most powerful film on faith and religion. Ingmar Bergman is one of the most influential directors of all time, best known for his profoundly personal meditations of faith and the human soul. The subject matter of Winter Light may be too bleak or depressing for some, but it is a very penetrating look into the human soul, and the fallible search for faith, belonging, and the ambiguity of love.
Ingmar Bergman would name Winter Light as a favourite of his own films. Bergman, the son of a Lutheran minister, was always very invested in religious themes in his films, and Winter Light is no different here. The film, like all of Bergman's films, would explore themes of redemption in a world without meaning, anxiety, and inner turmoil of his characters. Ingrid Thulin's and Max Von Sydow's (You can see the pained anguish and struggle on Von Sydow's face, even when he is saying nothing.) performances were nothing short of magnificent. These would comprise of his famed company of actors which included Harriet Andersson, Bibi Andersson, Liv Ullmann, Gunnar Björnstrand, Erland Josephson, and Gunnel Lindblom.
The wonderful penetrating black-and-white cinematography adds to the relentlessly concentrated internal struggle of our characters. There is so much beauty and meaning in this film including the profoundly thought-provoking "emphasis on physical pain" monologue. Winter Light was deliberately lacking any music to give the feeling of coldness in human faith and nature. This is the quintessential film on the eternal struggle between faith and God.
Charly (1968)
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
"I want to be smarter, just so I could get a little closer, you know?"
Wouldn't it be good if we could wish ourselves away?
Charly is a heartbreaking fable about an intellectually disabled man who undergoes an experiment that will give him the intelligence of a genius. Cliff Robertson plays Charly Gordon, an intellectually disabled man who is selected by doctors to undergo a procedure that will triple his IQ. Charly is unable to read or write, he works as a janitor, where his coworkers poke fun of his disability, and in his spare time he enjoys playing with the children in the playground. The procedure gives him a new lease on life, and as his intelligence continues to increase, he dresses differently, and meets a woman, in Alice, who he intends to marry. As the effectiveness of the procedure starts to decline, so does Charly's intelligence. Charly falls into depression and asks Alice never to see him again akin to Robert De Niro's character in Awakenings (1990). Sometime later Alice sees Charly playing with the children at the playground, fully regressed.
Cliff Robertson earned an Academy Award for Best Actor for playing the role which was based on the novel by Daniel Keyes entitled "Flowers for Algernon." This is a beautiful film that you will not forget for a long time, a poignant cautionary tale of a man who only ever wanted to fit in.
Léon (1994)
"I like these quiet little moments before the storm. It reminds me of Beethoven."
Léon: The Professional is perhaps one of the finest action films you will likely ever see. The tension builds and builds, the entire film seems to be balanced on a knife's edge. Gary Oldman is superb here, in portraying one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history, in Norman Stansfield. MSM Movies would describe the Norman Stansfield character as "the role that launched a thousand villains". The "Bring me EVERYONE!" line was entirely improvised by Oldman to make Luc Besson laugh. Funny enough, Norman Stansfield - played by Oldman - who is excessively obsessed with Ludwig van Beethoven. That same year, Oldman would portray Beethoven in Immortal Beloved (1994). In all sincerity Oldman is one of the finest actors of his generation. Gary Oldman is an actor of tremendous range and versatility. He is well known for playing characters that are usually borderline psychotics. He has a great ability to change his psychical appearance and voice to make each character believable and unique. It speaks volumes about his acting, through all these years, to be still cast in high-profile films.
The film also features a young Natalie Portman, who would beat two thousand other girls for the role. Léon (played by Jean Reno) is the near unstoppable professional hitman, who reluctantly takes in twelve-year-old Mathilda (Portman) under his wing. The wonderful score by Éric Serra would provide the relentless intensity the film was trying to convey. Who can forget Stings - Shape of My Heart at the ending? This is easily one of his best written songs and works well at the end of the film. This is a real masterpiece - action with real heart.
Cure (1997)
"All the things that used to be inside of me... now they are all outside."
Martin Scorsese would once claim that Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Cure was his "most terrifying movie." He would state that: "Along with Pulse, which is about ghosts on the Internet, Cure is his most terrifying movie," Scorsese adds, "There are startling images and moments in this picture that will haunt you for a long time to come, and I suppose I should say that it's not for the faint of heart. But be brave because it's worth it." Indeed. Cure centres around a police detective (Kôji Yakusho) investigating extremely baffling murders where the victims are being brutally murdered and an X carved on the neck. The detectives decide that one man (Masato Hagiwara) seems to relate to the murders. Kunio Mamiya is the main antagonist in the film, he is a former psychology student who studies hypnosis, which enabled people to awaken their psychotic sides. Mamiya was clearly on an interminable path towards the occult and evil, where he became actively obsessed with the teachings of psychology and mesmerism.
Cure can share some similarities with Se7en (1995) and The Silence of the Lambs (1991) in terms of them being intensely claustrophobic thrillers in the 90's which explores the minds of serial killers through police procedurals. Like Scorsese would add, there are many startling images and moments in the film that will haunt you. For example, the investigators would search his apartment where they would find a large collection of books devoted to the German pioneer of hypnosis, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), whose believe in therapeutics, would be known as mesmerism, the forerunner of hypnotism.
I feel that Cure explores the themes of malaise and evil in nature, and this is used as a vehicle for the detective grappling with his own form of malaise in the face of true evil in society. Kiyoshi Kurosawa is a very talented director; his other film Pulse (2001) would deal with the theme of loneliness in modern society. Kurosawa is a true connoisseur of the horror genre, which is on display in his social horror fables. Cure is a truly frightening film because it is halfway plausible in terms of psychology.
Taxi Driver (1976)
"All my life needed was a sense of someplace to go."
Taxi Driver is one of the most iconic films in cinematic history and contains one of the most iconic characters in Travis Bickle. The film has remained popular all these years later and is without a doubt one of the most culturally impactful and significant films of its era and one of the greatest ever made and garnered such a cult status. Taxi Driver would explore many themes such as loneliness, depression, redemption, alienation mental illness.
The film is set in a decaying and morally bankrupt New York City following the War in Vietnam, this gritty disintegrating and deteriorating NY - which in-turn can represent the harsh reality of the character's mental health through the progression of the film. The film can be seen as a cautionary tale of alienation and loneliness, and how those circumstances can impact on the mental health of an individual. In my opinion, Travis Bickle is a product of his environment, he is obviously suffering from some description of PTSD from his time in Vietnam, and then to be transplanted into a deteriorating and morally bankrupt New York City - this just makes a combustible situation even that much worse.
As I mentioned, Taxi Driver is not just an incredible character study, though; it's also a scathing social commentary of its time. It is the quintessential character study of a movie loner put to film. Like with any iconic film, it is littered with many unforgettable quotes, such as:
"Loneliness has followed me my whole life. Everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There's no escape. I'm God's lonely man..."
"I realize now how much she's just like the others, cold and distant, and many people are like that, women for sure, they're like a union."
And, of course, the immortal "You talkin' to me?" scene. I would venture to say that this is Martin Scorsese's best, and Robert De Niro's best - I personally think his best performance was in Awakenings (1990). Taxi Driver would be nominated for four Academy Awards in the Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Score. The impact that "Taxi Driver" has had even in today's society hasn't diminished, it has remained just as powerful as it was when it was first released.
Loving Vincent (2017)
"I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say, 'he feels deeply, he feels tenderly.'"
Loving Vincent is one the most beautiful films I have ever seen. You could quite literally frame any second of the film and put it on your wall - that is how gorgeous the film is to looks at. Loving Vincent is the world's very first fully painted animation feature. The film's 65,000 frames were created by using oil paintings on canvas, the very same technique that Vincent van Gogh used, which were created by a team of more than one hundred painters. It was truly an outstanding feat, considering most similar short films run for 10 to 15 minutes.
This film is a beautiful work that was crafted by the loving hands of devoted filmmakers. Vincent van Gogh is among the most influential and famous figures in the history of art. Van Gogh, for all intents and purposes, was considered a loner by many. Van Gogh would never achieve the kind of fame he was seeking in this mortal world, he only sold one painting in his lifetime - he would achieve his success and acclaim after he died. He was only 37 years of age when he died, when he shot himself in the chest with a revolver, on the 27th of July 1890.
The score is provided by Clint Mansell, a wonderful composer associated with the works of Darren Aronofsky. Lianne La Havas provides a haunting rendition of Don McLean's "Vincent". I can't justify in enough words what a beautiful film is Loving Vincent, I will simply say that it is like a beautiful swirling, scintillating dream.
Suna no onna (1964)
"Closing walls and ticking clocks"
Women in the Dunes is pure existentialist gold, for those who are inclined towards philosophy. The story centres around an entomologist who is on vacation and who becomes trapped by local villagers into living with an unmade woman whose task to shovel sand for them. Women in the Dunes can be seen as an allegory, the sand itself can represent time perpetually flowing and erasing all that it encounters. The woman can represent submission, a symbolic figure - one that can be viewed as damnation or salvation - but that is just my take on it. That is the beauty of Hiroshi Teshigahara's "Woman in the Dunes" - there is such much subtext and metaphor that it is nearly impossible to accurately decipher.
It is deeply thought-provoking, and you feel that you are facing the same faith as the woman is facing. The dialogue is full of rich philosophical utterances such as:
"Are you shoveling sand to live or living to shovel sand?"
"I'm so frightened every morning when I go to sleep that I'll wake up alone again. That really frightens me."
This type of film is food for the brain, it poses many questions that can be applied to any walk of life. It is a metaphorical film that requires discussion, and your attention. The cinematography is gorgeous to look at, the sliding sand which is filmed very close-up as if you are right there shoveling too! Hiroshi Teshigahara's film is for all intents and purposes, a parable. He would later direct The Face of Another (1966), another exceptional highly symbolic masterpiece that explore themes of self-identity.
The Elephant Man (1980)
"People are frightened by what they don't understand."
The Elephant Man is perhaps the most devastating film you will likely ever see. The film is based on the life of Joseph Merrick (referred as "John" in the film) who was disparagingly known as "The Elephant Man". The film may be David Lynch's most accessible work, deceptively unlike his other works. This was David Lynch's second film he directed, and he was working as a roofer at the time he was offered the chance to direct this film.
Joseph Merrick was born in Leicester, England in the 1860's. Merrick would develop abnormalities at a young age, which many believed to be caused by a rare disease known as Proteus syndrome. He would be sent to a workhouse before escaping and working in a freak show. Merrick would die at the young age of 27 from asphyxia, which resulted from the weight of his head as he laid down.
The Elephant Man is an extremely depressing story, essentially a tale about a man who only wanted to fit into a society who ridiculed him. John Merrick (John Hurt) or Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) would develop a strong friendship, the first in Merrick's life. In my opinion, one of the most emotional scenes that I can recall in film - was where Merrick would state:
"If only I could find her. If only she could see me now, here, with such lovely kind friends. You, Mrs. Treves, and you, Mr. Treves. Then maybe she would love me as I am. I've tried to hard to be good."
Mrs Treves visibly touched that she begins to cry. The acting is first class, everyone was on top of their game. John Hurt was exceptional, he made an outrageous display of physical and mental fortitude, I can't begin to imagine the sacrifices and strength he needed for this role. The film was shot in beautiful black and white photography, which really helped avoid any unnecessary distractions and allowed the viewer to concentrate on the pure emotion exhibited in the film. The Incredibly powerful and potent ending perfectly underscored by the classical "Adagio For Strings" by Samuel Barber which was played for mourning at Franklin Delano Roosevelt's funeral and also after JFK's assassination. The Elephant Man was nominated for eight accolades at the Academy Awards of that year. It was a travesty that it didn't win any, in my humble opinion. The Elephant Man is a film for the ages that remains a powerful vehicle for resilience and acceptance in the face of severe adversity.