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