Victoria
It's been a while since I've seen a film that has left me thinking about it for days, even weeks and also leaving me a little emotionally exhausted afterwards. The single-take German film set in the urban streets of Berlin takes you on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. Victoria, a young Spanish woman, who has recently moved to Berlin finds her flirtation with a local guy but their night out with his group of friends takes a turn for the worst. Victoria has you constantly on the edge of your seat - feeling like you are experiencing this one night in Berlin with them. Laia Costa gives such a realistic performance, you forget she is even acting. The film left such an impression on me and I just want to watch it again and again!
Her
Her tells the tale of Theodore, a lonely man, separated from, yet still attached to his past with his former lover. He develops an unlikely relationship with his newly bought OS, that's designed to meet his every need. Her explores Theodore facing feelings of solitude, doubt, attachment and joy with his new found relationship and how relationships can form in the weirdest of ways and how unpredictable they can be at times. Her is both mind boggling and visually stunning, set in the futuristic cityscape of Los Angeles. As hard it is to get your head around the idea of a character falling in love with a computer, you actually get drawn into the concept, beginning to imagine this OS as a real person. Her teaches an important lesson for us all about people and how we are forming these synthetic "relationships" with and an attachment to things.
Casino
When I was considered "old enough", I went through my dad's DVD collection and watched every single 18 movie there was - the extent of my rebelling phase... anyway, one of the DVD's that has stuck in my mind was Casino. This Martin Scorsese classic explores the dark under belly of Las Vegas that lies beneath it's glamorous face. Behind the scenes in Tangiers casino we see the mob involvement of the 1970's and 80's through the eyes of Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro, who move to Las Vegas to live and work in the complex world of casinos, gambling, drugs and violence. Ace falls in love with Ginger and Nicky falls deeper into a spiral of drug abuse and violence - their weaknesses leading them to destruction. It's so interesting to see what goes on behind closed doors beneath the glittery and glamorous surface of Las Vegas - if you like any other Scorsese movie then you will love this too!
Dead Poets Society
It's the start of a new term at Welton Academy where the painfully shy Todd begins his senior year and is introduced to the bright and popular, Neil - who soon form a close friendship. Both, along with other friends, meet Professor Keating (played by the wonderful Robin Williams), their new English teacher - however, he is nothing like any other traditional teacher. Keating is enthusiastic and passionate, and encourages the boys to go against the status quo, to seize the day and teaches them the beauty and importance of art and poetry. He shows them how to think differently, be confident and creative and how to use their imagination to its fullest. Each boy in the class is changed for life by Keating's way of teaching and are all left inspired by his words. He tells them of the Dead Poets Society which unites the boys as a close group of friends and encourages them to go for their dreams - basically, every teacher should watch this and TAKE. NOTE. We need more teachers like Keating in the world, preach!
Amy - The Documentary
Whether you were a fan of Amy Winehouse or not - there is no denying the flawless talent she had in both singing and songwriting. The documentary tells the story of Amy's journey of her career success followed by her self destruction that eventually lead to her death. It explores Amy's relationships with her family and boyfriends and how they influenced her music. It faces subjects of self-harm, bulimia, the controversial attention from the media and her eventual downfall from her drug and alcohol addiction. The documentary makes you realise that despite her problems, she was a naturally talented, down to earth girl with a sharp sense of humour and not a bad bone in her body - it's such a moving and sad story but so worth the watch. The documentary shows you that there was a lot more to Amy than just her classic beehive do and drug addiction.
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