Tag Archives: 87th Academy Awards

Film Reviews (International)

Selma (2014)

Video Leave a comment

My Ratings: 4.2/5.

The Imitation Game, Wild, American Sniper, Mr.Turner, Big Eyes, Foxcatcher, Unbroken, The Theory Of Every Thing, Fury, Kill The Messenger – and among these never-ending list of biographies produced in 2014, Selma turns out to be the one with the most impact.

selma-poster1The film Selma vividly depicts the unfortunate times when equality and respect in the society depended on one’s race and color.

Presently with a Black President behind the desk it is hard for us to imagine the amount of sacrifice and torment the Black community of United States went through in the past, the sacrifice they had to make just to claim their basic rights as a citizen.

But then again, it was the time to change the course of history forever.

It was 1965 and Martin Luther King leaded the epic march from Selma to Montgomery (Alabama), a nonviolent protest demanding for the right-to-vote for all black men and women in the country.

While under the orders of George Wallace (the then Governor of Alabama) countless innocent men and women (of all ages) were harassed, brutally beaten and even murdered but that didn’t stop Martin Luther King from keep demanding his rights (peacefully though).   

selma-posterPresident Lyndon Johnson finally had to give in and it was victory – a victory of both equality and humanity. 

The film Selma directed by Ava DuVernay brilliantly manages to portray the emotions and sentiments of the people who fought  for what they believed was right.

And such a powerful film is evidently backed by some outstanding performances – David Oyelowo (as King, he is simply brilliant), Carmen Ejogo, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Wilkinson, Giovanni Ribisi, Tim Roth and others.

Selma with four Golden Globe Award nominations (won for Best Original Song) was also nominated for Best Picture and won Best Original Song at the Oscars this year.

A film that will undoubtedly touch your heart. Watch it.

  • Share on Tumblr
Film Reviews (International)

Ida (2014)

Video Leave a comment

Ida film review.

My Ratings: 4.3/5.

Only a few very rare films have images so powerful that they tend to overshadow everything else, even the narrative and the storyline seems to dissolve in the pure beauty of each and every frame.

Ida is such a rare gem.

ida-poster3It is a simple story of an orphan young nun named Anna (real name Ida) who before taking her final vows to God takes a trip along with her aunt (her only relation) to know about her parents.

1960’s Poland being the backdrop Anna’s parent’s identities are linked with secrets that brings back past uncomfortable memories from the days of the Nazi invasion of Poland.

But still Anna is determined to know the truth.

Shouldered by the two main characters Anna (introducing Agata Trzebuchowska) and her aunt Wanda (Agata Kulesza), just about 80 mins long, this Polish film takes us into one of the best road trips ever – a compact script and very natural performances.

ida-poster1Both Ryszard Lenczewski and Lukasz Zal are credited for the rich black and white artistic imagery. Cinematography at it’s best.

The film is uniquely in square format (aspect ratio 1.33 : 1) and interestingly most of the frames have huge amount of negative space on the top. I think it some how signifies the presence of God which relates to the inner religious struggle of Anna throughout the film.

Director Pawel Pawlikowski makes sure that his film Ida has a profound impact on the audience, his visual style of storytelling and his creative sense is surely admirable.

Official submission of Poland to the Best Foreign Language Film category for the 87th Academy Awards, Ida wins the Oscar!

Definitely the most visually pleasing film of the recent times and missing this film may even be considered as a sin!

  • Share on Tumblr