BREAKFAST ON PLUTO
Director: Neil Jordan
Release Date: 2005
Breakfast on Pluto is a 2005 comedy-drama film written and directed by Neil Jordan and based on the novel of the same name by Patrick McCabe.
In addition to the excellent soundtrack, I was touched by the portray of personage, and entirely impressed with Cillian Murphy’s performance.
The story seems to be telling me that all the sarcasm and provocation in life is all about creating a better version of yourself.
FRANCES HA
Director: Noah Baumbach
Release Date: 2012
This film was beautifully shot in black & white and intended as an homage to the French New Wave.
It tells the story of a young dancer who is in the uncertainty of an unknown life but still content with the daily small happiness.
While the heroine is at times awkward and naive, the magical chemistry makes us almost fall in love with such a seemingly banal character. It’s like a mirror reflecting ourselves and the essence of life.
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY
Director: Anthony Minghella
Release Date: 1999
Instead of seeing it as a psychological thriller, I say it’s a movie about love. The metaphors of certain scenes and the hidden meanings beneath all the characters’ interactions that its mysterious and dramatic development tickles the hearts of the audiences along with the beautiful classical and jazz music.
Not to mention the rich plot combines the stunning scenery makes you feel like you are in a wonderful illusion of love.
THE PIANIST
Director: Roman Polanski
Release Date: 2002
There is so much perfection in this great movie. It was created based on autobiographical book The Pianist (1946), a Holocaust memoir by the Polish-Jewish pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman.
The director Roman Polanski himself is a Holocaust survivor as well, but what’s striking is the restrained emotion and maintained objectivity throughout the movie.
It takes us back to the time of war and chaos, to experience every detail, along with Chopin’s notes.
JOAN OF ARC
Director: Luc Besson
Release Date: 1999
To me, it’s more like a philosophical film rather than a historical biopic.
The psychological portrayal of the heroine and her superb acting amazes me. The well controlled pacing of the film takes us back and forth between reality and illusion, to feel the collision between the swords swing in the brutal battles scenes and the world in the protagonist’s mind.
Ultimately, the most thought-provoking thing about this movie is not the story itself, but that each of us could look into the “god” in ourselves.
TWICE BORN
Director: Sergio Castellitto
Release Date: 2012
Twice Born is a human drama directed by Sergio Castellitto and based on Margaret Mazzantini’s popular novel ‘Venuto Al Mundo’ (English translation ‘brought into the world’).
The film presents an unforgettable life story in the form of flashbacks with a delicate rhythm, it’s more mood driven over the plot driven, and the extraordinary acting makes the excellent work shine.
The original name ‘Venuto Al Mundo’ and English version ‘Twice Born’ perfectly illustrate the nuanced philosophy of life presented in the film.
CVN 