Before the fall of the Berlin Wall, East Germany’s secret police (Stasi) monitored the country’s population. The socialist regime secured its power by creating a culture of fear, paranoia, and denunciation within the society, and an arbitrary state executive to go after potential anti-authoritarian individuals and forces. The Lives Of Others (2006) is a remarkable …
Buffalo’66 (1998)
Independent cinema usually takes risks that don’t always guarantee the desired effects in the overall calculation of a film. This type of films are produced outside the major film studio system, they’re distributed by independent entertainment companies, and they usually have a limited release. They are distinguishable by their content and style and the way …
Donnie Darko (2001)
“Donnie Darko”, directed by Richard Kelly; is a fascinating cult coming-of-age film that calls to be experienced and solved many times. The plot is full of intriguing mental riddles that involve parallel realities and dreams, as well as feelings that transcend the definitions of “nostalgia” or “mystery”. Above all, this film has a kind of …
The Sex Gourmet – Jackie Brown (1997)
#6 Robert DeNiro and Bridget Fonda Tarantino’s Jackie Brown is my AK-47. Accept no substitutes. Aside from the slickness of the script, the funky unstoppable score throughout, the film just exudes sex and style. There is not much to say about the 10 second sex scene between Robert De Niro and Bridget Fonda, but its …
Eraserhead (1977)
“Eraserhead”, directed by David Lynch, is a dark and mysterious film, which today continues to raise mixed emotions and interesting interpretations about its “meaning”. The film tells the story of Henry (Jack Nance) , a man who lives in an unknown industrialized city, which is covered by oppressive and devastating feelings of monotony and darkness. …
Shame (2011)
“Shame” is a harsh and compulsive film, directed by Steve McQueen. The film tells us about the life of Brandon (Michael Fassbender), a life that is almost perfect: he has a stable work, a nice apartment, good friends and women who adore him. However, something prevents Brandon from having a relationship that lasts more than …
The Sex Gourmet – Damage (1992)
#5 Jeremy Irons & Juliette Binoche Having written four previous pieces on sex scenes which have toasted my loins, the time has come to vent spleen on a film where I have been left both frigid and entertained in the most unexpected way. And, it is with an amused and a slightly annoyed disposition that …
Elephant (2003)
On April 20, 1999, two teenage boys wearing trenchcoats carried a disheartening arsenal of military weapons to Columbine High School located in Littleton /Colorado, and systematically murdered thirteen students. Although this singular incident was horrible, it was just one of the eight deadly school shootings in the United States between 1997 and 1999, a number …
Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)
Middle school was a torment for me, and don’t try to tell me that middle school wasn’t a torment for you because I know you’re lying. For all, to a greater or lesser extent, middle school was a time of physical and emotional transformation. “Welcome to the Dollhouse”, directed by Todd Solondz, is the story …
The Sex Gourmet – Angel Heart (1987)
#4 Mickey Rourke & Lisa Bonet Never before has a film captivated me as much as Angel Heart. At an early age I started a polygamous relationship with it, marrying three of my favorite things: Mickey Rourke, the Occult and Chicken. My relationship with the latter is really quite simple, each Sunday a chicken is …