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7 Prisoners 2021

7.1/10

A boy comes of age in a modern day cage in this hard-hitting, heartbreaking drama

A boy comes of age in a modern day cage in this hard-hitting, heartbreaking drama.

Our take

For many coming-of-age stories, there’s the dream of growing up, getting out of your comfort zone, and finding purpose, success, or maybe, just the simple case to earn enough money for a better life. It’s this dream that makes 7 Prisoners such a harrowing coming-of-age drama. The plot feels reminiscent of something Charles Dickens would have written, but writer-director Alexandre Moratto focuses more on the characters with the lever in their respective trolley problems, which male lead Christian Malheiros takes with such a dynamic performance, and which Moratto takes to a more depressing end. 7 Prisoners is much more bleak compared to many coming-of-age stories, but it’s one that works as a necessary exposé of a real life social issue that the world should have solved long long before.

Synopsis

An impoverished teen seeking to escape the clutches of a human trafficker must weigh living up to his moral code against his struggle to survive.

Storyline

Now that he’s 18 years old, Mateus hopes to provide a better life for his family by accepting a new job in São Paolo, though what awaits him might not be what he expected.

TLDR

It’s actually depressing that despite all our technological advances, the world still resorts to exploiting children like Mateus.

What stands out

The way Moratto crafts and cultivates a bleak mood as each situation swaps out for a heavier moral dilemma for Mateus, and as his boss Lucas has gone through the same thing.

Lion’s Den 2008

7/10

A woman raises her kid in prison in this emotional drama

A woman raises her kid in prison in this emotional drama.

Our take

Women are rarely depicted in prison for a serious drama– usually, it mostly happens in exploitation films. So when Lion’s Den was released in Cannes, it’s no wonder that it garnered attention, even to the point of being submitted as Argentina’s entry for the Oscars. It’s really mostly a realistic depiction of how an incarcerated mother raised her child, as per Argentine law, they remain together for only four years. However, it’s because of sticking to that fact that the law ends up becoming a time limit that helps drive the story forward. It’s a simple approach, but writer-director Pablo Trapero sticks to this straightforward style, and it ultimately works because of Martina Gusmán’s star-making performance. It’s tough to watch, with the assault, strip searches, and riots, but Leonera is a much more empathetic depiction that’s sadly rare to see.

Synopsis

Julia, a 25 year-old university student, two weeks pregnant, with no criminal record, is sent to prison. Julia murdered the father of her child. This story addresses maternity, jail and Justice; confinement, guilt and solitude; but above all it deals with Julia and her son, Tomas, born inside an Argentinean prison.

Storyline

After being arrested for murder, expectant mother Julia Zárate sinks into a deep depression, but the birth of her son Tomás gives her a reason to live.

TLDR

More roles for Martina Gusmán, please!

What stands out

Martina Gusmán.

Studio 54 2018

7/10

An entertaining documentary that pays tribute to the notorious New York nightclub

An entertaining documentary that pays tribute to the notorious New York nightclub .

Our take

New York’s hottest club was Studio 54. It has everything– the lights, the exclusivity, the drugs, the tax evasion legal issues that brought its founders to jail… But in all seriousness, the documentary about the notorious studio-turned-disco already has an interesting story to tell, and while it’s done with the usual Netflix flair, but director Matt Tyrnauer keeps focus on the actual club, rather than the notoriety surrounding it, by interviewing the crew behind Studio 54 rather than the famous celebrities, and thankfully, former studio owner and one half of the duo Ian Schrager finally opened up to talk about the whirlwind success he went through nearly half a century ago. The documentary may be a bit more tame than the real life club, but Studio 54 is a long overdue documentary that’s refreshingly candid, if a bit more calmer than expected.

Synopsis

Studio 54 was the epicenter of 70s hedonism - a place that not only redefined the nightclub, but also came to symbolize an entire era. Its co-owners, Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, two friends from Brooklyn, seemed to come out of nowhere to suddenly preside over a new kind of New York society. Now, 39 years after the velvet rope was first slung across the club's hallowed threshold, a feature documentary tells the real story behind the greatest club of all time.

Storyline

New York City, 1977. College friends Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager open Studio 54, a nightclub that quickly becomes the most popular spot in the city.

TLDR

In the club, we all fam.

What stands out

The documentary focused more on Steve Rubell, and understandably so, considering his larger-than-life presence, and considering that he’s not here to tell his story.

The Forgotten Battle 2020

7/10

The battle to win a supply port brings three lives to intertwine in this intense war drama

The battle to win a supply port brings three lives to intertwine in this intense war drama.

Our take

War doesn’t take place in just one battle– it takes multiple battles in certain strategic places across a country or even a continent. It’s because of this that when one group claims victory, it’s not immediately obvious across all territories. This is what happened in The Forgotten Battle. The film’s title refers to the Battle of the Scheldt, where Allied forces won over an important supply route between Belgium and the Netherlands, in the final year before both countries were totally liberated. In line with this, the film creates tension by ratcheting up the uncertainty the people felt through three different perspectives. By focusing on a disillusioned Dutch volunteer, a privileged British glider pilot, and a reluctant Dutch resistance fighter, The movie highlights the conflict between their personal hopes with the dreadful circumstances war forced them into and the moral dilemmas they had to face to survive. It’s not a totally original idea– many war films are based on this theme– but The Forgotten Battle adeptly balances these perspectives with a decent script and great production value.

Synopsis

In WWII's final years, a soldier in the German army, a British glider pilot, and a Dutch resistance fighter's paths intertwine. Their choices shape destinies, impacting not only their freedom but also that of others.

Storyline

Walcheren Island, Zeeland, Netherlands, 1944. While the Allied forces fight to win back a supply route, the lives of disillusioned Dutch volunteer Marinus van Staveren, British glider pilot Will Sinclair, and Dutch resistance fighter Teuntje Visser become intertwined.

TLDR

With many, many films about World War II, it’s no surprise that this film touches on the same themes. But it’s not bad and it’s decent to look at with the Netflix production budget.

What stands out

The multiple perspectives. It’s not new, but keeping balance between them is tough, and this film is able to do it well.

Apollo 13: Survival 2024

7/10

A gripping documentary depicting one of the most critical emergencies in all of spaceflight history

A gripping documentary depicting one of the most critical emergencies in all of spaceflight history.

Our take

If you want a powerful, masterful rendition of the ill-fated space mission, go and watch Apollo 13 (1995). But the documentary more than half a century after the mission, and two decades after the feature film, is not half bad. Of course, being a documentary, Apollo 13: Survival is much more factual, but the true tale still manages to hold the tension, the high stakes, and the emotional pull of the actual spaceflight, with excellent editing stitching the never-before-seen archival footage and key interviews into an exciting, compelling account. That being said, older viewers that already watched the Tom Hanks drama would likely not find anything new in this film, but Apollo 13: Survival would be a decent documentary to those who have never heard of the spacecraft.

Synopsis

Using original footage and interviews, this documentary tells the nail-biting story of Apollo 13 and the struggle to bring its astronauts safely home.

Storyline

April 1970. After the US successfully sent men to the moon, more trips were planned to explore certain sites and take geological samples for science. However, one mission turned deadly when an oxygen tank ruptured, leaving the three person crew in a precarious situation.

TLDR

It’s pretty interesting to release this at a time when the world’s scientists are making plans to go to Mars.

What stands out

Given that most of what we know about the incident comes directly from a memoir co-written by Commander James A. Lovell Jr. (since one crew member died, and the other wasn’t interested to talk about it), it makes sense that the documentary is a tad more focused on the commander and his family than the other crew members.

The Very Best

Laapataa Ladies 2024

8.4/10

Two brides are accidentally swapped in this refreshing comedy of errors

Two brides are accidentally swapped in this refreshing comedy of errors.

Our take

When two young brides are mistakenly swapped on a train, it’s a difficult situation, much more so when the brides in question are both veiled and wearing the same red bridal attire. This seemingly simple swap is the entire plot of Laapataa Ladies, but director Kiran Rao transforms this mishap into a hilarious, yet realistic, satire that challenges plenty of the norms enforced on women in the country. As Phool and Jaya switch places, the film understands where their respective mindsets come from– Phool having not learned much about the world, and Jaya having been jaded by it– but the film doesn’t stop there. It brings them to places that challenge those mindsets, and in turn, they challenge the people around them too, by actively making choices from the mindsets they had to hold to survive. Laapataa Ladies is what it says on the tin– Laapataa is the word for lost– but the sharply written characters, the witty dialogue, and the subtle social commentary make this charming love story one of a kind.

Synopsis

In 2001, somewhere in rural India, two young brides get accidentally swapped on a train. In the ensuing chaos, they both encounter a host of colourful characters, resulting in hilarious and unexpected consequences.

Storyline

Somewhere in rural India, 2001. Rushing out of the train, Deepak, a farmer, is travelling back to his village with his new bride, Phool Kumari. However, as they were also seated near with other newlyweds, Deepak disembarks with the wrong bride, leading all of them to a chaotic search and a journey of self-discovery.

TLDR

Kiran Rao, how is this only your second directing feature? I can’t wait to see more of your films.

What stands out

The female characters. The men are hilarious, but what makes Laapataa Ladies work is how the search is mostly driven by Phool and Jaya, and it’s so interesting to see the contrast between their motivations and actions.

Brawl in Cell Block 99 2017

7/10

A former boxer is pushed into the deepest depths of prison in this neo-noir action thriller

A former boxer is pushed into the deepest depths of prison in this neo-noir action thriller.

Our take

What would it take to push you to kill? Thankfully, for the general public, modern everyday life would not likely push you to (so far), but in certain circumstances, people might be surprised at the lengths they’re willing to go to for their loved ones. Brawl in Cell Block 99 depicts a man pushed into those circumstances, and thus director S. Craig Zahler takes this to extremely violent ends, with blood gushing and bones crushing all to save his family. Plotwise, Brawl in Cell Block 99 would be typical prison film fare, but fans of Vince Vaughn would appreciate his performance here.

Synopsis

After working as a drug courier and getting into a brutal shootout with police, a former boxer finds himself at the mercy of his enemies as they force him to instigate violent acts that turn the prison he resides in into a battleground.

Storyline

After losing his job as an auto mechanic, former boxer Bradley Thomas decides to work as a drug courier. However, when a deal goes wrong, Bradley is thrown into jail and forced to fight his way through in order to keep his wife and unborn child alive.

TLDR

Okay, I’m actually curious, can some former boxers try to rip a car to pieces with their bare hands?

What stands out

Vince Vaughn.

The Mole Agent 2020

7.2/10

A senior citizen becomes resident home spy in this surprisingly warm documentary

A senior citizen becomes resident home spy in this surprisingly warm documentary.

Our take

Going deep undercover, integrating one’s self into a group without any suspicion, and passing out information to another party… That’s the job of a mole. While they mostly lurk in various government agencies, laboratories, and other special circles of power, The Mole Agent instead goes deep undercover in a Chilean retirement home, having stakes that may not be world-ending, but take more personal, domestic weight as Sergio befriends the residents, records and reports on their well-being, and tries to figure out what exactly Romulo wants as evidence. It’s a funny situation, one that depicts the resident home with warmth, albeit with the occasional spy cams and an old-fashioned piano score, but it can be difficult to figure out where the line is between truth and fiction, as some scenes can feel a bit staged. Still, The Mole Agent is a charming portrait of old age, made so compelling with director Maite Alberdi’s unusual perspective.

Synopsis

When a daughter becomes concerned about her mother's well-being in a retirement home, private investigator Romulo hires Sergio, an 83-year-old man who becomes a new resident—and a mole inside the home, who struggles to balance his assignment with becoming increasingly involved in the lives of several residents.

Storyline

To investigate a retirement home for elder abuse, private investigator Romulo recruits Sergio, an 83-year-old man, to become a resident mole. As he befriends the residents, he struggles to balance his assignment and becomes involved in their lives.

TLDR

Missing my grandparents today.

What stands out

The direction.

Four Daughters 2023

7.2/10

A heartbreaking docudrama of a family torn by extremism

A heartbreaking docudrama of a family torn by extremism.

Our take

Normally, a film like this would be a straightforward documentary with archival footage and key interviews with experts in the issue. But instead of taking that approach in Four Daughters, writer-director Kaouther Ben Hania takes a more personal approach, understanding that the topic in question isn’t just about extremism, but that this is a tragedy experienced by the Hamrouni family. As such, the approach doesn’t try to mine the drama to make the film more engaging. Hania just tries to introduce us to the family, with the archival footage interspersed with conversations filmed behind-the-scenes of the documentary, and with the past recreated by both the real family and by actors. It’s because of this that Hania cedes unparalleled control for Olfa Hamrouni to tell her story. With this issue spreading throughout the globe, Four Daughters is a necessary documentary. The personal, compelling approach helps drive that home.

Synopsis

Between light and darkness stands Olfa, a Tunisian woman and the mother of four daughters. One day, her two older daughters disappear. To fill in their absence, the filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania invites professional actresses and invents a unique cinema experience that will lift the veil on Olfa and her daughters' life stories. An intimate journey of hope, rebellion, violence, transmission and sisterhood that will question the very foundations of our societies.

Storyline

After two of her eldest daughters leave and become radicalized by extremists, Olfa Hamrouni is offered a chance by filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania to depict and restage their family history.

TLDR

These are really scary times. Don’t forget to hold onto the family you have, if you still have them.

What stands out

The re-enactment. The actors could never replace the women in question, but having them stand in makes it clear how painful remembering this traumatic experience is.

Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain 2024

7.8/10

A spirit lingers within the palace chambers in this psychedelic horror mystery

A spirit lingers within the palace chambers in this psychedelic horror mystery.

Our take

While based on the Mononoke series, which is in turn, a spin-off of Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales, it might seem that Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain would require some background reading for people new to the story. Thankfully, there’s no need to do homework for this beautifully designed masterpiece, as the Medicine Seller takes on a new case with every installment. 2024’s Phantom in the Rain (also known as Paper Umbrella) unfolds its world with ease, with doors opening and closing to a select few for a high-pressure, hierarchical imperial household. Immediately, the visuals are stunning, with traditional ukiyo ink and paper mixed with modern kaleidoscopic fill and movement, but even without the gorgeous art, the first Mononoke movie works with its eerie horror, intense sound design, and a compelling mystery driven by court intrigue and vengeful spirits.

Synopsis

In the chambers of the Edo harem, two newcomers uncover political intrigue, rivalry and a vengeful spirit only one traveling medicine seller can vanquish.

Storyline

Japan, 1800s, Edo period. Two young women, Asa and Kame, work as servants for the Ooku, the women-only quarters of the Edo Castle. However, within the hierarchical and rivalry-ridden chambers lies a vengeful spirit, one hunted down by a mysterious man with a painted face, only known as the Medicine Seller.

TLDR

Come for the pretty colors, stay for the supernatural palace mystery.

What stands out

The visuals are stunning, yes, but I love how easily they built up the characters of the two handmaidens, the way their story is a cyclical repeat of so many girls in the Ooku chambers, and the way the karakasa spirit is included.