Godfrey Reggio’s “Koyaanisqatsi” is a documentary that has been imitated countless times but never surpassed, and maybe never quite equaled either. Ron Fricke, the cinematographer of this important piece of filmmaking, went on to direct his own films like “Baraka” and “Samsara”, but for some reason they lacked the philosophical depth that a mind likeContinue reading “The Grand Illusion in “Koyaanisqatsi””
Category Archives: Film Reviews
Short-Lived Moments In Steve McQueen’s “Shame”
Our days are filled with simple little interactions with complete strangers, a nod at someone passing by, a sympathetic look towards someone you may never see again, a shared smirk with some random bystander. These short-lived moments may signify the smallest measurable unit of human connection, but occasionally, they can trigger an avalanche of emotions.Continue reading “Short-Lived Moments In Steve McQueen’s “Shame””
Miscommunication in “Where is the Friend’s House?”
Few films have captured the difficulty of growing up like Abbas Kiarostami’s “Where is the Friend’s House”. In this underseen Iranian masterpiece, Babek Ahmed Poor plays an eight-year-old schoolboy running around a neighbouring village in search for his classmate’s home to return a notebook. Although, very little takes place in terms of plot, KiarostamiContinue reading “Miscommunication in “Where is the Friend’s House?””
The Sublime Cinema of Yasujirō Ozu
Yasujiro Ozu expressed grand philosophical ideas through little moments of everyday life. He is in my humble opinion, the most sensitive and disciplined director to ever hold a camera. Ozu disregarded how the rest of the world shot films and created his own cinematic language. He broke every rule there was and did it the most subtle way possible. Ozu’s films exercised the most discreetContinue reading “The Sublime Cinema of Yasujirō Ozu”
Unexpected Discoveries in Edward Yang’s “YI YI”
Edward Yang’s “Yi Yi” is a delicate masterpiece about self-reflection and the little things that make life worth living. Yang orchestrated an ensemble of social scenes that literally feature “reflection shots” of his characters. At times, you can see their reflection on windows, mirrors, or polished surfaces, but beneath the surface we see much more,Continue reading “Unexpected Discoveries in Edward Yang’s “YI YI””
Mob Hysteria in “Canoa: A Shameful Memory”
In a small town called Canoa, a corrupt power-hungry priest uses fear to brainwash the inhabitants’ minds. When he starts becoming insecure about his position, the priest uses paranoia to turn the townspeople into mindless lunatics who would do anything to protect an already miserable way of life. This brutal film, which is based onContinue reading “Mob Hysteria in “Canoa: A Shameful Memory””
Sustaining Love in Ingmar Bergman’s “Scenes from a Marriage”
Ingmar Bergman’s “Scenes from a Marriage” is a brutally honest study of marriage. It revolves around two human beings trying to sustain love and intimacy throughout their lives. No matter what I write, nothing will prepare you for this masterpiece. It is truly a transformative work filled with a lifetime of wisdom. “Scenes from aContinue reading “Sustaining Love in Ingmar Bergman’s “Scenes from a Marriage””
Transcendence in Luchino Visconti’s “Death in Venice”
When Luchino Visconti’s “Death in Venice” about an aging artist lingering in a hotel in Venice finally reveals itself, it is absolutely breathtaking. I found myself mesmerised at how a film can express so much by saying so little. It possesses an honest and truthful understanding of beauty, art, and how they relate to ourContinue reading “Transcendence in Luchino Visconti’s “Death in Venice””
The Coziness of “The Tree of Wooden Clogs”
If I were to make a list of the most well-photographed films ever made, “The Tree of Wooden Clogs” would probably be right up there. The photographic images in this film are on par with the greatest paintings ever made. The warm lighting and earthy texture within each perfectly composed shot are so vivid, richContinue reading “The Coziness of “The Tree of Wooden Clogs””
Life After Death In Roberto Gavaldón’s “Macario”
“We’ve got to be nicer with the dead, because we spend more time dead than alive. Anyway, we all are born to die. What do we learn here? A bust, and sometimes not even that…lots of work, many troubles… When we’re born, we’re carrying our death in the liver, or in the stomach, or hereContinue reading “Life After Death In Roberto Gavaldón’s “Macario””
The Cinephile Fix 