Seconds (1966)

 Did you ever think that you took a wrong path in your life? In that case, would you like to have a second chance? Start all over again? But, do you really know what you need? What will you do with that second chance? What went wrong the first time to make it work out with the given opportunity?

Seconds is a film that addresses the questions above in its own unique way, questions that will never cease to be contemporary from a conceptual point of view, because they relate to the fabric of the human soul. John Frankenheimer does an amazing job in viusualizing the unternal conflicts of its characters as well as their interactions with the environment. What is more interesting is that its filming is even now breath-taking.

So, if you are interested in an excellent story, kind-of science fiction, thriller, social comment this is a film you will never forget.

Mt rating: 09/10

The Help

 It is hard for a person in another country to understand the impact of a social environment and events to the life of people living elsewhere. Even specific words and phrases may bear an entirely different meaning. Specifically, in a scene of the film, a philanthropic dance takes place, in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s. The organizer of the dance, refers to ‘The Help‘, to denote the African-American maids working in the white households of the people participating to the dance.

It never ceases to surprise me how prejudice, ignorance and social infrastructure may dominate over reason, kindness and humanity. The film from director Tate Taylor and Kathryn Stockett who wrote the screenplay and the book it was based on is really amazing.

Acting and direction transfer the spectator in a place and time where kindness and cruelty, brightness and stupidity, hope and fear, go hand in hand.

This is a film you should NOT miss.

My rating: 10/10

 

We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

 Indeed, we need to talk about it! A film presenting a story of atrocity in a brilliant manner, with excellent actors and amazing performances. Lynne Rramsay knows how to keep the spectator in suspense as the memories of the main characters are mixed with what is happening in present. The striking contrast in the character’s outlook as well as its whole social surrounding spawns numerous questions awaiting an answer as the film unfolds.

However, what is more striking is the lack of script, i.e. a solid story explaining why some things happened in the movie. In order to justify this position, one must go into details (click on the more button after the rating), which you might want to read after you decide whether you want to see the film or not.

My rating: 05/10