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Shadow in the Cloud (2020)
I don't think I've seen a film quite like it.
Objectively it's not a *good* film but it's an exhilarating way to spend 80 minutes.
The short-run time leaves no room for exposition and the small range of sets make the most use of the limited budget. The dialogue is rather clunky and over-the-top, but works within the tone of the film. Chloë Grace Moretz is clearly the standout with most of the run time dedicated to her.
The film is weird, violent, completely over the top and pulls no punches.
Before Sunset (2004)
Even better than Before Sunrise
Before Sunset is the absolutely beautiful sequel to Before Sunrise, two films by Richard Linklater starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Both movies focus on two very interesting characters, an American (Hawke) and a French woman, when they meet at junctures in their lives.
In the first movie they meet for the very first time on a train and take a whimsical walk around the streets of Vienna. It's about discovering a place, memories, love and relationships, all of which are pieced together with beautiful dialogue and a fantastic story.
Before Sunset is the sequel, set and filmed nine years after original. This time it follows the couple around the streets of Paris, and amazingly the dialogue surpasses the beauty of the previous movie. The cinematography is passive, yet intensive, which only enhances the stunningly crafted monologues. The couple meander, discussing what happened on that night all those years ago and how their lives have been influenced by their encounter.
The dialogue is mesmerising - a real insight to both sides of emotion and love. I recommend watching 'Before Sunrise' before watching 'Before Sunset' to fully appreciate the magical journey of this romantic masterpiece.
Run Fatboy Run (2007)
Great collaboration between Schwimmer and Pegg
David Schwimmer is at the helm in his theatrical directorial début, Run, Fatboy, Run: a story of love and perseverance but with a heavy twist of humour. The movie stars Simon Pegg as Dennis, the hapless protagonist yearning after his ex-fiancée, who he left pregnant at the altar five years ago! Now a washed-up, unfit (but not fat) security guard for a lingerie store, he is trying to win back the respect of his son and the love of his life.
This isn't the first time Simon Pegg and David Schwimmer have collaborated. They starred alongside one another in the overlooked heist-gone-wrong comedy of confusion and betrayal, Big Nothing. I highly recommend both Big Nothing and Run, Fatboy, Run if you're a fan of British humour and sarcasm.
Funny Games (1997)
Unconventionally Brilliant
Funny Games is an unconventional thriller by German writer and director Michael Haneke. The movie follows a mother, father and son vacationing at their lake house when they're interrupted and held hostage by two psychotic young men.
The hostage-takers are strangely sedate in their brutal treatment of the family. The horror of the situation is heightened to epic proportions with Haneke's brilliant direction. You do not see any of the violence; instead, you see the horrible reality. The extremely long shots, the lack of music and the harsh factuality of the scenes make this movie brilliant.
Haneke breaks the "fourth wall" at least twice during this movie. As one character looks and talks directly to the camera and the audience. Another breathtaking scene is a single take which lasts over ten minutes.
These types of directorial choices are far from those which are found in typical Hollywood movies. Haneke purposefully uses non-glamorous portrayals of violence in a direct opposition to Taraninto-style movies and because of this, I think the movie is brilliant - highly recommended.
Helvetica (2007)
The History of Helvetica on Film
I do not interact with different fonts on a daily basis, however, I do appreciate good typography. This film was a good introduction in to the most important typeface in todays society. The film follows the timeline of the font, from it's inception 50 years ago, through a rebellion period and emerging as the 'defecto' font in everyday society (whether you realise it or not!).
I felt some parts of the film put too much emphasis on the importance of the font in relation to globalisation, commercialism and politics even relating the font to the Vietnam war and the current invasion of Iraq. However, the segments by Erik Spiekermann, Experimental Jetset and Michael C. Place were interesting and educational without being pretentious.
The film is well shot and the cinematography of the stills which artfully reveal the use of the font all around us are beautiful.