The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

directed by Wes Anderson

with: Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman

When a director decides that everything in the main set of the film will be hand-made and hand painted, you know he is dedicated, passionate and patient; good. The Darjeeling Limited is a detailed world created by Anderson where three American brothers take a "spiritual" journey in the railways of India to reunite after having taken separate paths since their father's death. Like other Anderson movies each character has an inner conflict that affects his interaction with the others. This is solved with addictive or impulsive behaviors. We see abuse of  cough syrup, pain killers and cigarettes; bathroom-train sex, purchase of poisonous snakes and brotherly fights. When the spiritualization seems to be forced, no spiritualization takes place. Instead, it happens naturally and when least expected, when everything appears to be going wrong. The film is allegorical and hyperbolic, and it needs to be, to show the importance of the evolution of the character-driven plot. I love the suitcases (designed by Louis Vuitton) and what they mean. The short film Hotel Chevalier, with Natalie Portman, entirely complements the film and is required for full understanding and enjoyment. As all Anderson movies, it has a great soundtrack, it is funny and inspirational. 

Recommended. 

Rating: 8.25/10

Alice (1988)

directed by Jan Svankmajer 

with: Kristýna Kohoutová

This film is the visually-striking, Czech version, dark adaptation of the children's novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Surrealistic in principle, it combines live action and stop-motion animation to create a bizarre world full of fantastic characters of inexplicable behaviors. It is frightening at some points and relies on sound effects to be effective. Creative and original, this version of Carroll's novel is entertaining and confusing. Although some parts can be exasperating and tedious, both the beginning and ending are essential for full satisfaction. 

Must see for surrealism lovers. 

Recommended for people that like an alternative from Disney.  

Rating: 7.5/10

Pierrot Le Fou (1965)

written and directed by Jean-Luc Godard

with: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Anna Karina

This movie was way ahead of its time. Even now it may still impress the audiences. It impressed me. With a collection of literature references and impulsive and passionate decisions, this movie is intellect vs. emotions, sensuality vs. love. It criticizes the bourgeois lifestyle in France portraying it as boring and idiotic, where Pierrot/Ferdinand is the rebel who seeks a change in his life and escapes with his babysitter in a criminal and romantic series of events that lack linearity. It was innovative for its time and crazy, beautifully written, it feels like poetry itself. With paintings, the director communicates the world the characters are stuck in. The actors talk to the audience at times and address us directly, looking at the camera, breaking the rules of cinema but capturing more of our attention and making us wonder, why did Godard decide this and that? With this film we see that Godard took risks in a way that only a true master can and it seems natural. The music is also worth noticing and the musical scenes too. This is how movies should be today, unpredictable and grotesque.

Must see.

Rating: 9.25/10

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

directed by Terry Gilliam

with: Johnny Depp, Benicio del Toro

We had two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a saltshaker half-full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers... Also, a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of beer, a pint of raw ether, and two dozen amyls. Not that we needed all that for the trip, but once you get locked into a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can. The only thing that really worried me was the ether. There is nothing more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge, and I knew we'd get into that rotten stuff pretty soon.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is not just a movie about Hunter S. Thompson's gift to the world, Gonzo journalism, nor it is a movie about his drug experiences with his attorney; this movie is a drug itself. Thanks to the sometimes distorted imagery and great acting by Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro, director Terry Gilliam, with a well-thought-out pace, induces the viewer into a drug-like experience with a precise evolution. Almost like ether, it makes you lose balance. Balance about life's perception and limits.

"The edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over" Hunter S. Thompson

Approach with caution.

Rating: 7.5/10

El Topo (1970)

directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky

with: Alejandro Jodorowsky

El Topo is the surrealist western cult movie that caused controversy because of its strong explicit content, giving birth to the cultural phenomenon of "midnight cinema". John Lennon loved it, and so did David Lynch and Marilyn Manson. It is a movie about values and morale, empathy and sympathy. Jodorowsky offers us an allegorical view of the influence of society in people's (sometimes) irrational behavior towards each other. Discrimination and rejection is very well portrayed, and so is dishonesty, honor and egoism. It is not like any western movie, it is an evolution and extension of the genre, creating new ways of perceiving life and death, love and redefinition of one's persona.

Recommended.

Rating: 8.5/10

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

directed by Lars Von Trier

with: Björk, David Morse, Peter Stormare, Catherine Deneuve

Controversial. People either hate it or love it. I love it. I love Björk's acting and singing and Von Trier's experimental style; with no control of lighting and a perfect rhythm, this movie seems to be extremely realistic, creating a natural emphasis in the emotional aspects of the dramatic sequences. Extremely depressing and unbelievable series of events, this movie is the only one that has made me shed tears. It is about deception and (mis)trust, innocence and imagination, betrayal and unfairness. A tragedy of a Czech immigrant woman in Washington who is gradually loosing her eyesight is saving money (with a low-pay job at a factory) for his son's surgery to avoid the same fate as hers. The only thing that keeps her motivated is her passion for musicals. Beautiful and breathtaking. 

Strongly Recommended. 

Rating: 8.75/10

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

directed by Michel Gondry

with: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo, Kristen Dunst, Tom Wilkinson

"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!

The world forgetting, by the world forgot

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!

Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd."

from Alexander Pope's poem Eloisa to Abelard

 

I would not change anything in this movie. This movie is perfect. The music, sound effects, cuts, zooms, visual effects, dialogues, acting, and everything that constructs the mise-en-scene, are perfect. Nothing is missing, nothing is excessive, everything is in the right place and precisely put together. This happens when you have a team of such talented and highly creative members like Michel Gondry (director), Charlie Kaufman (screenplay) and Jon Brion (music). Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is an intelligent comedy boiled in the deepest emotions. It is complex and mind-bending, romantic and humorous, sad and surrealistic. It plays with the idea of the importance of memory and the influence of it in relationships and life itself. Indirectly it also contains strong ideas about time and place. Gondry's masterpiece and Jim Carrey's best. 

Highly Recommended. 

Rating: 10/10

Christopher Nolan (1970- )

Nolan is a talented filmmaker. He does not only direct high-quality obscure thrillers, but he also writes and produces. He has the formula for good mainstream filmmaking, finding a balance between the popular and the artsy; something rare in Hollywood. His movies are in a way simple but very adorned. He is apparently finding a constant group of collaborators and will hopefully stay on the same track as one of the good filmmakers of today's days. 

"I think audiences get too comfortable and familiar in today's movies. They believe everything they're hearing and seeing. I like to shake that up." -C. Nolan. 

List of Movies:

Following (1998)

Memento (2000)

Insomnia (2002)

Batman Begins (2005)

The Prestige (2006)

The Dark Knight (2008)

Rating: 8/10

The Dark Knight (2008)

directed by Christopher Nolan

with: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Gary Oldman 

I think I consider The Dark Knight to be the best superhero movie ever made. It has to be. I mean with all the marketing that it got and all the high expectations and all the money invested in it, it wasn't allowed to disappoint. And yes, Heath Ledger's acting does a lot of the work. It is supreme and is not overrated as some would say. He did a fine job, and so did the rest of the cast. What I don't like a lot about the movie is that it has unnecessary action scenes and it is way too long. When I feel like watching it again I just prefer not too. It's too intense and long, it's exhausting. In general terms, Christopher Nolan keeps doing good movies and I'm perfectly fine with that. 

Recommended. 

Rating: 8.25/10

Memento (2000)

directed by Christopher Nolan

with: Guy Pearce, Carrie Anne-Moss

The first time I saw this movie I loved it; the second time, I didn't (it just wasn't entertaining anymore) and there might not be a third time. This movie is very original and captivating. It is impressive and unpredictable, well written and well thought out, it is the movie of the year 2000. The story is told backwards, starting with the ending and ending with the beginning. Innovative. I've always wanted to arrange the pieces and put them in chronological order (maybe I will) to see how the movie really is and to understand it better and put an end to some confusions that sprouted only the second time I saw it. I only have one problem with this movie: if he has short-term memory loss and can't remember anything since the incident, then how does he know that he suffers from that amnesia-like disease? How does he remember that? 

See it one time only. 

Rating: 7/10

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

directed by Danny Boyle

with: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto

Stylistically and aesthetically, it is a good movie. With cuts, close-ups and shoots Boyle communicates effectively the essence of the story. And that is the only reason why this movie is acceptable. It is predictable and pretentious. It is probably one of the most ridiculous love stories and I don't understand why people like it so much (maybe because of the influence of the media). This story is supposed to represent destiny, but it bothers me that destiny is not really destiny in this movie, it is somewhat manipulated by Dev Patel's character as he purposefully participates in 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' to find Frieda Pinto's character. He did not have to become a celebrity and he did not have to win. I also find irrelevant the fact that the he is suspected of cheating, especially when all the answers to his questions are found in his 'forced-attempt-to-imitate-City-of-God' life in the slums.

It tries to be different and tries to stay away from the mainstream, but ends up failing and being pathetic in some ways. It marks the beginning of a new era where Bollywood meets Hollywood, and more importantly it seems to be an outline of a new business plan for the film industry and that is why this movie is important in our context. I know that a lot of people will not agree with me, and they will all suggest giving it another chance. I won't. I'd rather watch Holly's and Michael's sketch "Slumdunder Mifflinaire" in the Company Picnic episode of The Office.

Must see.

Rating: 4.5/10

Science of Sleep (2006)

Directed by Michel Gondry 

with: Gael García Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alain Chabat

La Science des Rêves, invites to a place where dreams and reality become a homogenous mix. Childhood reminiscences assault adulthood insecurities. The main character, Stephane Miroux has his own TV show where he displays his thoughts and cooks his dreams. In this film,  cotton clouds float when the right combination of piano keys are stroked. Gondry's creativity is evident with the "1 second time machine" and the "3D glasses" that let you see flat things in 3D. This movie is made of dreams and uses surrealistic imagery. 

Recommended. 

Rating: 8/10

Michel Gondry (1963- )

If anyone has control over the mise-en-scene is Gondry. His visual style is extremely creative and with simple elements and materials he constructs a dreamlike world that goes beyond the limits of imagination. His movies are varnished by a layer of fantasy and surrealism that fit the story perfectly. He is also famous for directing TV commercials and music videos.

"I always had disturbing dreams from when I was a child. Seeing that they disturb me, I might as well make money for it." M. Gondry

List of Movies:

Human Nature (2001)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Science of Sleep (2006)

Be Kind, Rewind (2008)

Tokyo! (2009)

Rating: 8.5/10

Alejandro Jodorowsky (1929- )

Eccentric and unique, Jodorowsky's ideas are innovative and bestial, shattering the context's paradigm into fine little pieces. He defies the laws of normality and human morale. In his world he welcomes monsters with deformed faces and indefinite body structures, he welcomes the monsters of human's universal feelings and superficiality. Even though he has a short career in the film industry and lacks a formal film education, Jodorowsky is an acomplished cult filmmaker who has built a strong bond of loyalty with his followers. 

"Most directors make films with their eyes; I make films with my testicles." A. Jodorowsky 

List of Movies: 

Fando y Lis (1967)

El Topo (1970)

The Holy Mountain (1973)

Santa Sangre (1989)

The Rainbow Thief (1990)

Rating: 7.5/10

The Holy Mountain (1973)

directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky

with: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Zamira Saunders, Horacio Salinas

Of all the movies that I've seen so far in my life, none of them is as visually assaulting as The Holy Mountain is. It is also one of the few movies that has changed the way I see the world today. It is a key that opens a hidden treasure found inside our brains. The Holy Mountain is for the open-minded, peaceful, creative and violently imaginative everyday philosopher. From religion to economy, from Venus to Neptune, The Holy Mountain is the movie that the greater number of people who see it, the better place we'll live in. Jodorowsky relied on surrealism with no fear to failure. He experiments in many different ways with unpredictable sound effects and explicit nudity and violence.

Extremely Recommended.

Rating: 9.25/10

Lars Von Trier (1956- )

I would describe what I know of Von Trier's work as extremely realistic. Throughout allegories he guides us into the dark tunnel of human's most atrocious thoughts. He is part of the Dogme95 collective, which he the wrote the manifesto to, along with Tomas Vinterberg. His films use explicit and strong imagery (considered controversial) to increase the dramatic sensation of the topics, making the viewer a witness of human deceit and evil. Sometimes depressing, his stories are powerful and teach those who are eager and open to learn about what it is like to live in society.

"If you tell a man what to do in real life, to which extent is it reality and to which extent are you in control?" L. Von Trier

List of Movies:

The Element of Crime. Pt 1 of Europe Trilogy (1984)

Epidemic. Pt 2 of Europe Trilogy (1987)

Zentropa. Pt 3 of Europe Trilogy (1991)

Breaking the Waves. Pt 1 of Golden Heart Trilogy (1996)

The Idiots. Pt 2 of Golden Heart Trilogy (1998)

Dancer in the Dark. Pt 3 of Golden Heart Trilogy (2000)

Dogville. Pt 1 of USA: Land of Opportunity trilogy (2003)

The Five Obstructions (2003)

Manderlay. Pt 2 of USA: Land of Opportunity trilogy (2005)

The Boss of it All (2006)

Antichrist (2009)

Washington. Pt 3 of USA: Land of Opportunity trilogy ( )

Rating: 7/10

Luis Bunuel (1900–1983)

Ahhhhh!! I am afraid to use imprecise words to describe him and his work.

"All my life I've been harassed by questions: Why is something this way and not another? How do you account for that? This rage to understand, to fill in the blanks, only makes life more banal. If we could only find the courage to leave our destiny to chance, to accept the fundamental mystery of our lives, then we might be closer to the sort of happiness that comes with innocence." -L. Bunuel

 

List of Movies:

Un Chien Andalou (1929)

L'Age d'Or (1930)

Las Hurdes (1933)

Gran Casino (1946)

El Gran Calavera (1949)

Subida al Cielo (1951)

El Bruto (1952)

Robinson Crusoe (1952)

El (1953)

La Ilusion Viaje en Tranvia (1953)

Abismos de Pasión (1954)

El Río y la Muerte (1954)

Ensayo de un Crimen (1955)

Nazarín (1958)

The Young ONe (1960)

Viridiana (1961)

El Angel Eexterminador (1962)

Le Journal d'une femme de chambre (1963)

Simón del Desierto (1965)

Belle de Jour (1967)

La Voie Lactée (1969)

Tristana (1979)

Le Charme Discret de la Bourgeoisie (1972)

Le Fantome de la liberté (1974)

Cet obscur object du désir (1977)

Rating: 10/10

Un Chien Andalou (1929)

Directed by Luis Buñuel & Salvador Dalí

with: Simone Mareuil, Pierre Batchef, Luis Buñuel, Salvador Dalí

If there is a short film I can recommend to the world, it is Un Chien Andalou. Fifteen minutes of surrealism at its purest form. The movie lacks plot and rationale and that is what makes it so perfect. It has got to be the most innovative and daring movie of all times. It is a collection of revolutionized ideas and imagery put together by two of the most creative and imaginative art figures of the world, Buñuel and Dali. From nudity to explicit violence, to an eye being slit by a razor and ants coming out of someone's hand, every second of this movie is indispensable to create the (life-changing) experience that will illuminate your eyes. 

Must see. 

Rating: 10/10

Wes Anderson (1969- )

Anderson is an extremely creative filmmaker. His story lines are simple, yet reach the most complex depths of the human soul. His movies are character-driven, absurd and weird, yet appear to be normal, always with a moral behind. He builds a safe world for the tormented and psychologically challenged characters so they can interact and be accepted. He generally works with a similar group of people creating a constant atmosphere that only Anderson could achieve. His movies are about empathy and tolerance of human behaviors. He is extremely meticulous and detailed, uses vivid colors and dry humor.

"I want to try not to repeat myself. But then I seem to do it continuously in my films. It's not something I make any effort to do. I just want to make films that are personal, but interesting to an audience. I feel I get criticized for style over substance, and for details that get in the way of the characters. But every decision I make is how to bring those characters forward." -W.Anderson

List of Movies:

Bottle Rocket (1996)

Rushmore (1998)

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Rating: 8.5/10

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

Directed by Wes Anderson

with: Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Cate Blanchett, Owen Wilson

From beginning to end, this movie captivates the viewer's eyes. With impressive, very-detailed and well-thought-out mise-en-scene designs  in pastel-esque colors, Wes Anderson offers us a world that suits the uniqueness and weirdness of the characters' psyche. It is known as a comedy, but if I were to define a genre for it, it would be psycomedy because of how it plays with the psychological aspects of the characters. It is an insight at the boringness of failed adulthood with shared universal fears. The penultimate scene is meticulously and beautifully constructed in every way. It is an excellent movie by an excellent director with a grandiose soundtrack by Seu Jorge who covers David Bowie hits in portuguese. 

Highly Recommended.  

Rating: 8.5/10