Tag Archives: Ari Aster

BEST WORLD CINEMA OF 2019 SO FAR (10+1LIST)

Best World Cinema of 2019 so far

written by Souranath Banerjee

2019 – half gone. But be optimistic. The glass is also half full. And on top of that we have a flashback List to consider!

Best World Cinema of 2019 so far – amazing films from across the globe you shouldn’t have missed. But if you have, no worries. There is always enough time for good Cinema. Cheers!

10. The Souvenir

Country: UK

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Al2nC0vzY

Set in the early ’80s, it is about a unique connection between a young female film-student and an older man – a relationship which is complicated, twisted but addictively engaging.

Directed by Joanna Hogg, this one is the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

A slow burner, but surely worth your time.

9. An Elephant Sitting Still

Da xiang xi di er zuo (original title), Country: China

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om6xGJ4S3LY

Four troubled characters, one city, and finally their lives intersect with each other – you think you have seen similar plots but this one will still surprise you.

Directed by debutant Bo Hu who tragically committed suicide in October 2017 at the age of 29. But the one movie he made is pure art and will stay with us forever!

8. Transit

Country: Germany

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R15ekRCq-eY

Nazi-occupied France, a man desperate to escape under a false identity but then his plans get messed up as he falls in Love with a woman who is the wife of the dead author whose identity he has assumed!

Directed by Christian Petzold, this is the director’s last chapter of the trilogy which also includes Barbara (2012) and Phoenix (2014).

7. Parasite

Gisaengchung (original title), Country: South Korea

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEUXfv87Wpk

Very rarely does a movie from Thriller-genre wins the Palme d’Or in the Cannes Film Festival. This one did!

Directed by Joon-ho Bong, this is a unique story of how an unemployed family sinks its hooks into a rich household and the incidents that follows are both comic and tragic at the same time. A brilliant work of art!

6. Beanpole

Dylda (original title), Country: Russia

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfWhQXg4GrA

Set in the backdrop of post World War II, 1945 – the city Leningrad demolished, citizens devastated yet desperate to survive in the aftermath of the war.

Directed by Kantemir Balagov, this is the story of Iya and Masha, two female soldiers who struggle to revive their lives. A beautiful, powerful and emotionally painful movie!

5. The Last Black Man in San Francisco

Country: USA

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0FnJDhY9-0

A perfect indie film focused on two major subjects – San Francisco – the city itself and the Friendship. It is also about coping up with changes around, and sometimes just letting it go and be simply nostalgic instead.

Directed by Joe Talbot, visually beautiful, awesome performances, superb music and effortless story telling – a very entertaining watch!

4. Hotel Mumbai

Country: India/Australia/USA

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVQpbp54ljA

The 2008 Taj Hotel terrorist attack that shook Mumbai to its core! The focus is mostly on the horrific proceedings that went on inside the hotel, the many lives lost and so many lives saved by the dedicated hotel staff.

Directed by Anthony Maras, terrific performances, an intense thriller based on true events – a bit underrated but definitely one of the best movie of this year.

3. Ruben Brandt, Collector

Country: Hungary

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dOZpivfNxw

A psychotherapist is haunted by images of famous paintings but thankfully four of his patients know exactly how to help – by stealing the real artworks! But then a detective is desperate to catch them in the act.

Directed by Milorad Krstic, this one is an animated masterpiece, very artistic, a visual treat packed with insane action sequences.

2. Midsommar

Country: USA

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vnghdsjmd0

A couple travels to Sweden to attend a rural mid-summer festival and it all sounds so fun. But then when a pagan cult is involved things are bound to turn bizarre and weird.

After the success of Hereditary this is director Ari Aster‘s second film – same ‘horror’ genre and equally entertaining. A chilling experience – totally worth it.

1. Queen of Hearts

Dronningen (original title), Country: Denmark

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36D00AXXF_M

Directed by May el-Toukhy, this is an emotional drama where a woman makes some irrational choices in her life and has to live with the consequences.

Intense and passionate, a controversial plot, very well written, superb detailing of the characters, and an Oscar-worthy performance by Trine Dyrholm.

The film is a must watch!

and (The ‘+1’ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. The Farewell

Country: USA/China

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RofpAjqwMa8

The story of a Chinese-American woman travelling back to China to see her grandmother who has cancer. She struggles with her family’s decision to hide the illness and to plan an impromptu wedding!

Written and directed by Lulu Wang, a perfect family drama that is making waves in the festival circuit as well as entertaining the audiences in the theatres!

Similar Interest: Best Hollywood Movies of 2017 so far

Similar Interest: Best of World Cinema 2017 so far

Similar Interest: Best Hollywood Films of 2018 so far

Similar Interest: Best World Cinema of 2018 so far

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.com

Best Hollywood Films of 2018 so far (10+1list)

Best Hollywood Films of 2018 so far

written by Souranath Banerjee

Half the year is gone and you film-buffs are counting the good ones you have watched. If not – then you should be!

This year Hollywood have given us some pretty decent movies and
then a very few really good ones. All genres touched – from Sci-Fi to Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-faraction, thrillers to comedies, horror flicks to coming-of-age dramas, biographies and even a couple of superb animated ones like Isle of Dogs and Paddington 2.

Then of course the two huge commercially successful Superhero movies like Avengers: Infinity War and Black Panther. And also Solo: A Star Wars Story for the Star war fans.

Till now it has been what we film-lovers like to call it ‘a satisfying year’. Hope you agree! And let’s also hope the rest of the year goes well. Fingers crossed.

And so here we go – the Best Hollywood Films of 2018 so far. Relax and enjoy the flashback!

10. You Were Never Really Here (2017)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8oYYg75Qvg

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farWhen actor Joaquin Phoenix join hands with director Lynne Ramsay you expect something special and that is exactly what this film is.

A traumatized violent man who tracks down people for a living goes in search of a missing 13-year-old daughter of a senator but this time something goes horribly wrong.

An unexpected ending but totally worth the experience – a must watch.

9.  Hereditary (2018)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6wWKNij_1M

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farThere are very few films especially in the horror genre that manage to keep the tension and disturbance flowing till the very end and this movie exactly does that and that too in terrific style.

Written and directed by Ari Aster, superb performances by Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne and Alex Wolff.

Certainly one of the best horror movies of this year!

8. The Rider (2017)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlrWRttLTkg

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farA young cowboy takes a fall and is suffering from a fatal head injury. His passion, his career and the way he is being treated by others seem to be changing and he has to cope with his new life!

Written and directed by Chloé Zhao, an underrated film with great story telling, awesome performances and also visually stunning. Brady Jandreau in the part of the rodeo is so cool.

7. Eighth Grade (2018)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8lFgF_IjPw

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farHighly underrated and yet a perfect coming of age comedy drama where a young girl tries her best to survive the last week of her eighth grade.

Written and directed by Bo Burnham, a witty and honest portrayal of that awkward age of a youngster where she is neither a child nor an adult – desperately trying to fit in and make her own mark. Elsie Fisher in the central character is absolutely brilliant!

6. A Quiet Place (2018)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR7cc5t7tv8

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farA family trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where silence is the key, if you make a sound the deaf dangerous creatures will come looking for you. Basically you die.

(Click for the Review)

Directed by John KrasinskiEmily Blunt and John Krasinski at their best and Millicent Simmonds deserves a special mention in the acting department.

5. Tully (2018)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5D3O4yCmCg

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farMotherhood with three little ones (including a newborn) is tough and hectic but then you can always hire a nanny to reduce the stress. And then if the mother and the young nanny starts sharing a certain bond between them – nothing like it!

Directed by Jason Reitman (of Juno fame), and great performances by Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis and Mark Duplass – a very honest film with good humor and drama.

4. Ready Player One (2018)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSp1dM2Vj48

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farA young boy is more comfortable in the virtual gaming universe than the real one but as he starts winning the game he discovers the dangers of that crazy world!

Adopted from the famous Sci-Fi novel by Ernest Cline and directed by none other than Steven Spielberg – this is one awesome visual trip that you shouldn’t dare miss. Tye Sheridan and Olivia Cooke are just made for the roles.

3. Love, Simon (2018)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0cbWdlQg_8

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farFor a teenager it is often difficult to come out as gay and that is why a young boy tries his best to keep it a secret from his friends and family but then he falls in love. And it is a secret no more!

Directed by Greg Berlanti, this is a unique witty drama, fine piece of storytelling, and Nick Robinson along with Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel are really perfect in their roles. 

2. Deadpool 2 (2018)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D86RtevtfrA

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farRyan Reynolds aka Deadpool – the ‘Foul-mouthed mutant mercenary’ is back and all set to fight out the bad guys. And he is as funny and raunchy as ever. 

(Click for the Review)

Directed by David Leitch, with Josh BrolinJulian DennisonZazie Beetz and Karan Soni this second installment of the popular comic franchise is not to be missed.

1. The Tale (2018)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXpYsr3AL4U

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farA brilliant mystery drama that forces a woman to go back into her childhood and e-examine her first sexual relationship. A perfect example of the psychology of repressed memory.

Written and directed by Jennifer Fox, this is a must watch film not only because of the sensitive and well narrated story but also for the brilliant performance of Laura Dern. Unfortunately highly underrated. 

and (The ‘+1’ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. Annihilation (2018)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89OP78l9oF0

Best-Hollywood-Films-of-2018-so-farA mysterious zone with strange creatures and plants that needs to be explored and a team of female experts are ready for an expedition of their lifetime.

Directed by Alex Garland, a spell-bounding visual treat starring  Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason LeighOscar IsaacGina Rodriguez among others. 

A well made Sci-Fi that demands your attention!

Similar Interest: Best Hollywood Movies of 2017 so far

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.com.