Sidewalls (Medianeras)

Ditch the typical Romantic-Comedy formula and settle for whimsical reality. The lives of Mariana (Pilar Lopez de Ayala) and Martin (Javier Drolas) seem to be a perfect match; but with millions of people in a city, a soul-mate may go unnoticed in a crowd. The film could present itself a bit difficult to swallow for the active viewer. It follows a very text based patterns, with the character’s internally voicing their every thought. It is a slow pace with little to no action; it is as if the viewer was dropped in the middle of a completely mundane everyday life of another. It is realistic, that is until its very amusing ending. For the helpless romantics and architecture fanatic, it will definitely be pleasing.

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Rotten Tomatoes - 70%

IMDb- 7.5

The Imposter

This can be perhaps one of the best documentaries created in the past few years. It is a perfect example of a true life plot twist. Follow a series of interviews with Frenchman imposter Frédéric Bourdin as he tells his story of impersonating 16-year-old Nicholas Barclay. The film covers the supposed return of Barclay after his three year disappearance. The Barclay family welcomes veteran-trickster, Frédéric as their son regardless of his different eye color, immense age difference, and French accent. Very smoothly, the film takes the viewer through the steps and journey of an impersonator, gaining more than they bargained for. It is definitely a must see film; a documentary as full as suspense and substance as a star-packed action-thriller. The story of an imposter is interesting enough on its own, but the truth behind the disappearance of Nicholas Barclay may present itself as the main course. 

Rotten Tomatoes - 95%

IMDb- 7.5

Rubber (2010)

Hold on tight until the end, “Rubber” can perhaps be amongst the most abstract, unconventional, irrational and oddly entertaining films to be created. Director and screenplay writer Quentin Dupieux does a fantastic job at showering life to a complete inanimate object. Experiencing sentiment towards a tire is the last thing an audience member will expect. Although the screenplay is flawed, with a storyline that gets choppy and uncomfortably long, the film delivers. Its witty, absurd plot and characters make it a watch worthy horror-comedy. Laugh, cringe, ponder, watch the movie watching experience and answer the biggest questions of all; does a movie continue if nobody’s watching?

Rotten Tomatoes - 68%

IMDb - 5.8

Dallas Buyers Club

Alright, alright, alright; Matthew McConaughey sheds the muscles to make room for something much grander, the performance of a lifetime. Independent film and Oscar Nominated “Dallas Buyers Club” did the impossible with its minimal budget of $5 million, depicting the life of real AIDS diagnosed, rodeo cowboy Ron Woodroof. Unsatisfied with his prognosis and lack of options for survival, Woodroof took matters into his own hands. Self medicating, and experimenting with drugs to ease AIDS’ symptoms. 

Woodroof starts the Dallas Buyers Club, by smuggling the drugs under the FDA’s noses and selling it to desperate patients. Although the film is entertaining to see and full of witty comedy, it is prompt yo remind the public that is mainly about a deadly disease and its patients. Stubborn, macho, Ron Woodrrom (Mettew McConaughey) shows his drive to live in a strange manner. Abusing alcohol and drugs, while medicating for the illness the audience may question the authority a man like this has to tell others about medical treatment. Easing the tension, his trusty business partner, Rayon (Jared Letto), is the life of the film and the most heartbreaking part. Audience will shed a tear for both these Oscar winning actors. 

Rotten Tomatoes - 94%

IMDb - 8.0

Cutie and the Boxer

Oscar Nominated documentary “Cutie and the Boxer” is not simply for the art aficionado, but for anyone with a curious look into the hardships of love and marriage. Following the life of well-known, 80-year-old boxing artist Ushio Shinohara the film presents that fame is not always followed by glamour. Through Ushio’s struggle to sell his abstract motion paintings and obscure sculptures, audience get a front seat view into the meaning of starving artist.

Yet, the film is not simply about the artistry of a painter’s life; Noriko Shinohara, a passionate painter forced to live in her husband’s shadow, gets to voice her marital turmoil through her own creations, “Cutie.” Escaping the bounds of her husband’s success, audience will see the rise of a woman who has found her voice. The film hardly feels like a documentary, but more like a journey through the Shinohara’s bumpy life. Entertaining to the last drop, interesting and culturally stimulating, “Cutie and the Boxer,” although not the winner of this year’s Academy Awards, it is easy to see the reason for its nomination. 

Rotten Tomatoes - 96%

IMDb - 7.2

A Hijacking

A Hijacking is a thrilling picture of human terror that hits much too close to reality, so much that at times it is hard to believe it is merely a fictional film. Danish crew members of the hijacked cargo ship MV Rozen find themselves in a constant tease of hope by contemporary Somali pirates. We've all seen the typical hostage and or pirate movie, but never like this. It is the 21st century and no more do pirate hold swords and sail ships. Piracy is now a tactical negotiation, a business.

The film displays the slow effects of trauma, inflicted by the pirates through inhumane mind games played on cook and protagonist Mikkel (Pilou Asbæk) as well as several other crew members. As the film moves along your mind seems to deteriorate along with these suffering men, longing for  the simplest luxuries, like a bathroom, as well as their homes and families, only a few miles away. 

It is truly and fully a simple yet perfect display of the plausible; incredibly well written and filmed. Though it is a bit slow on tempo it will have you on the edge of your seat as the crew members are treated as live stock, going to the highest bid.

  Rotten Tomatoes : 97%

IMDb: 7.1/10

Blancanieves

Blancanieves is a beautifully crafted re-imagined fairytale that needs no words. Character, Carmen's big marble like eyes and strong willful movement are enough to keep the story moving forward. It experiments with all that is the original tale of Snow White, only in a more traditional Spaniard way. It will have you at the edge of your seat even if you are familiar with the original tale and it will only grasp your heart to break it. The longing of a daughter for her ill stricken father, hits close to anyone's tear ducts and the sourness of a greedy stepmother is enough to make the skin crawl. Don't be intimidated by the fact that it is a lengthy silent film, the emotional provoking and artistic filming will be worth all the while.

Rotten Tomatoes - 94%

IMDb- 7.3/10

The Hunt

Love children? Want to change your mind? Watch the Hunt, and just for a second perhaps you might find yourself completely engulfed in hate towards an adorable clueless little girl and if you have a heart even a whole village. The Hunt is an astonishing and exemplary film of the crowd following phenomenon, get enough people to point at the sky and say it is green, and that should be enough to make it so. 

Mads Mikkelsen gets to redeem himself as a human being, after taking the unsettling role of Hannibal Lecter in NBC's Hannibal, by playing kindergarten assistant Lucas. 

When things finally seem to look up after a life wrecking divorce, Lucas finds himself surrounded by pitchforks and torches. A little white lie turns into havoc and an endless battle to redeem himself from a fabricated ghastly image. The Hunt will have you clenching your fist, grinding your teeth, yelling at the screen and even shedding a few tears. It is an astounding demonstration of uncalled for cruelty and string of will from a broken man.

Rotten Tomatoes - 94%

IMDb-8.2/10

Only God Forgives

Only God Forgives is a hard to swallow minimalistic substance of brilliance with no middle ground. You will either love it or hate it. Warning: to make it through the film one must have endless patience and a strong stomach. Drive Director, Nicolas Winding Refn returns with this experimental, beautifully crafted crime thriller. Make no mistake to expect a Drive squeal, the partnership of Refn and Gosling continues to make one as an audience member fall in love with the screen, but this is a complete new set of characters and pace. Gosling once more outstands himself, bringing to life another character of little words. It is a simple case of less is more, add a sprinkle of emotional turmoil and you have a delicious mix. One thing is for sure Ryan Gosling has been climbing a steep daring stairway to stardom, but from the top it's a hard fall. God forgive if he takes a mediocre role. Yet Gosling is not the only shining star, Kristin Scott Thomas repeatedly pierce the audience with her sharp tongue and vicious acting. If you will not see the film for the story-line see it for the efforts of these two actors and the films artistry. 

Julian (Ryan Gosling) and Brother Billy (Tom Burke) run a successful boxing ring doubling as center for family business, smuggling. Business takes a step back when ring leader Billy is brutally murdered and long estranged 'nurturing' mother, Crystal (Kristin Scott Thomas) with venom tongue arrives to Bangkok to demand her son's revenge. Who is one to deny mother's wishes? And so we embark on Julian's attempt to put down his brothers killer, in the process entangling himself with sword wielding policeman Chang (Vithaya Pansringarm.)

Rotten Tomatoes - 36% (why?)

IMDb - 6.2/10 (that's better)