2022 Movie Rush
2022 has been a fantastic year of movie-watching for ‘The Cinephile Duo’. From the list of movies we have seen from different eras, here are the ones we liked the most. You can find the complete list right here.
The Shinning (1980)
P- I went into this movie very excited but scared. I am not a huge horror fan, I have seen very few of them, and most were a mixed genre. But I was excited because of the director, writer, and actors. Also, the countless callbacks and references in other movies, the score, the cinematography, etc., and I'm so glad I overcame the initial fear of this and experienced what good Horror Sci-Fi suppose to feel like.
M- I agree. A genre classic, the Shinning is a perfect example of adapting while still being creative and holding the book's themes. Kubrik decided to trim the elements of Sci-Fi and dive more towards the horror nature of the book. With a brilliant opening, the movie holds the viewer's attention from beginning to end. Brilliant performances by Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall help sell the dreadful situation they find themselves in at the Overlook. As a horror fan, this movie has become one of my favourite scares, and I highly recommend checking this one.
Das Boot (1981)
M- From the very few war movies that show the German side's perspective, Das Boot captures the terror of being inside a U-boat during World War 2. The film is shot in a way that gives you the essence of the claustrophobic nature in which the soldiers survived. "of the 40,000 German submarine sailors, 30,000 never returned home" the movie starts with this haunting quote and gives the viewer an example of what to expect, the film is a rollercoaster of emotions. I liked the surreal portrayal of the sailors and their boat.
P- I am a colossal war movie fan, and in my opinion, there are two types of war movies: one that is uncomfortable, messy, gruelling, and nerve-wracking, AND the others that are shitty.
This is one of the most fascinating, surreal, gut-wrenching and brutally honest war movies IMO. It is not a comfortable watch, and you will feel claustrophobic, hopeless, hate, sympathy and all emotion the crew of this German U-96 would have felt.
This movie is unique in its storytelling style. And maybe quite a unique anti-war film. It doesn't preach or lecture, and it genuinely gives an insight into what the man on the "other side" would have felt.
We recommend watching the Directors' Cut and watching the German TV version to get the whole experience.
High and Low (1963)
M- From the famous director known for making Samurai movies, High and Low is a Drama/Crime movie that shows the possibilities of fantastic storytelling. From the conversations on ethics to the correct police procedure shown, this movie is very gripping. The film sets a moral dilemma towards its characters and is one of the best Crime/dramas I have seen.
P- It's Akira Kurosawa. What else needs to be said? So far, this is my only 2nd movie from this legendary director, and IMO a movie can’t get any better or perfect than this.
Apocalypse now (1979)
P- This was long due in my watchlist, and I honestly feel like I have changed from the movie's start to the end.
M- From the avalanche of movies made on the Vietnam war, Apocalypse stands out. The film does feel like a journey, and it portrays the mental trauma the soldiers went through. If cinematic opera could be described by one movie, this is the one. Coppola holds onto particular moments and lets the actors do what they do best. From Martin sheen's performance to the brilliant Marlon Brando, it was one of my favourite movies worth rewatching.
Stalker (1979)
M- Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker is a Sci-Fi movie that breaks the genre and asks for the viewers' attention. It is one of the most beautiful movies I have seen, and the journey he takes the characters through is philosophical and profound. The film does not hold the viewer's hand and lets most things up for interpretation, there is a structure, but the meaning behind it is up to the viewer. Tarkovsky gives a slice of cake to the viewer and asks them to taste it to see how sweet it is. A gold mine of long takes, Tarkovsky loves to capture the moment and get the most out of everything, from the atmosphere he creates to his actors' performances. Give this movie a chance. I am sure it will not disappoint.
P- I Honestly didn't expect how weird it would be. A sci-fi that redefines the genre. It felt more like a meditation or a thought experiment than just a movie. Honestly, I have not understood even half the thing, but this has to be one of the most mind-bending movies I have ever watched. It made me Andrei Tarkovsky Fan.
Pusher Trilogy
(1996-2004-2005)
P- This was the most surprising and exciting movie I picked from just a random mention on a random YouTube video. This proved itself to be THE BEST GANGSTER MOVIE EVER MADE. Not just the way it was shot, the storytelling, and the natural acting but the emotions it invoked. Most of us have seen the famous Hollywood Gangster movies, which may be the opposite of those.
All three parts seem similar, but each shows a human or natural side of the main characters. I can still feel how emotionally and deeply invested I became in the 1st movie. The main character's decisions and the consequences he had to face seemed soooo real.
And then, of course, it's one of the first movies of The One and Only, Mads.
M- The Pusher series is violent, decrepit, ugly and has this realness like no other movie from the crime genre. All three films follow a different protagonists from different backgrounds, each trying to make it through a particular day in their life. One of my favourite aspects of the movie is the opening, each film opens with the score introducing the main cast, and it sets up perfectly what you can expect from them. All three movies are worth the watch.
The Hunt (2012)
M- The movie dives into the dark topic of what it means to be accused of being a paedophile. The Hunt showcases the dark side of a mob mentality and works as a thriller and horror. It is not an easy watch, but it gives you a different perspective.
P- I don't even know what to say about this one… its so heartbreaking to witness this story unfold—the frustration, anxiety, helplessness and sadness. Maybe one of the best Mads performances, I highly recommend it but honestly I can't rewatch this.
There will be blood (2007)
M-Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Thomas Anderson, is there anything more to be said here? Both of them have collaborated to make incredible movies, and this is one of them. The performance from Daniel is alone a reason to watch this movie. A drama in the early 90s shows the harshness behind the Oil industry, then a well-written script of a man slowly losing his morality and sanity.
P- The performances are just unimaginable in this.
And the whole mining/oil race back in the day is fascinating to watch and read more about. This is also a brilliant and unique father-son story.
Mother (2009)
M- One of his earlier works, Bong Joon-Ho, is a thriller that is entertaining and shocking. A simple story, but with a lot of twists and turns. The story of the Mother and Son and their relationship is challenged to its core, and the performances and direction make this a must-watch.
P- A very underrated movie in Bong Joon-Ho's filmography IMO. The performance is just legendary.
Cure (1997)
M - One of my favourite non-horror movies that might as well be one of the scariest movies I have seen, Cure dives into topics common for Horror movies but deals with them differently, making the viewer question what they have seen. Even after multiple watches of this movie, it still entertains me due to the superb direction, acting and cinematography. The sound edit is very detailed, and each new viewing has given me a different perspective on the film.
P- What a ride, just an absolute mind-bending storytelling and a terrifying movie-watching experience.
It's the kind of movie that definitely needs multiple viewing for its layered and philosophical nature.
Honourable mentions and recommendations:
Misery (1990)
P- This is more horrifying than most other horror movies. It's a slow burn but makes you feel as helpless as the characters. Not just physically but emotionally.
M- One of my favourite Stephen King adaptations, a brilliant performance by Kathy Bates, makes this thriller worth watching. With the movie so personal to King, it depicts the nature of fans and the impact they have on the writers, cough cough GRRM. 😊
RRR (2022)
P- Sorry, We can not be friends if you were living under a rock and STILL haven't seen RRR. It's not just a phenomenal experience but a brilliantly told story with some of the most breathtakingly stunning visual poetry I have ever seen. This movie broke the barriers and mould of the "Indian cinema" worldwide and redefined the word "Indian cinema".
M- A movie about friendship and fellowship, along with some of the most fun action scenes I have seen, RRR is a package that always delivers. It has its roots in the fight of the freedom fighters against the British, and I enjoyed the movie for all its charm and charisma, and finally, a movie linked to India other than Slumdog.
Kantara (2022)
P- What RRR did for Indian cinema worldwide, Kantara did in India itself. In a time when people almost hated the current non-sensible and repetitive movies released in India, This was a breath of fresh air.
It not only told the grassroots story but also showed the real humans, story and ethos.
M- Delving into the old traditions I had little to no knowledge of before, Kantara shows the intimate nature of the locals and their beliefs. With fantastic attention given to the score, with the use of Indian instruments and gorgeous cinematography, Kantara is a movie worth watching, from its unique style to a story deeply linked to India's roots.
