-
CIDADE DE DEUS aka CITY OF GOD
“City of God” (Cidade de Deus, 2002) is a powerful and raw crime drama directed by Fernando Meirelles and co-directed by Kátia Lund. The film is based on the 1997 novel by Paulo Lins and offers a gritty, unflinching look at life in one of Rio de Janeiro’s most notorious slums, the City of God,…
-
DRACULA (31)
“Dracula” (1931) is the seminal Universal horror film directed by Tod Browning, which set the stage for many of the iconic vampire films that followed. Adapted from the 1897 novel by Bram Stoker, the film tells the story of Count Dracula, a centuries-old vampire who seeks to move from Transylvania to London to spread the…
-
SACRED HOUSES: THE RANGRA THEATER, ALPINE, TEXAS
In this edition of the “Sacred Houses Series,” we pay homage to the Rangra Theater in Alpine, Texas, USA, as we continue to honor notable movie theaters worldwide. The Rangra Theater in Alpine, Texas, has a rich history dating back to its original opening in 1921 as the Big Ben Theatre. Over the decades, it…
-
THE FRENCH CONNECTION
“The French Connection” is a crime thriller directed by William Friedkin and based on Robin Moore’s non-fiction book. Released in 1971, the film is renowned for its gritty realism, intense action sequences, and portrayal of a tense, hard-nosed police investigation. It is often regarded as one of the greatest American films of its era and…
-
THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU
“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” is a 2005 quirky comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson. The film follows Steve Zissou (Bill Murray), a washed-up oceanographer and filmmaker, on a final, eccentric expedition to seek revenge on a rare jaguar shark that killed his partner and best friend, Esteban. The story opens with Steve Zissou’s latest…
-
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
“We Need to Talk About Kevin” is a 2011 psychological drama based on Lionel Shriver’s novel. The film, directed by Lynne Ramsay, explores the complex and unsettling relationship between Eva (Tilda Swinton) and her son Kevin (Ezra Miller), ultimately leading to a tragic and devastating event. The story unfolds in a non-linear format, jumping between…
-
SHORT FILM: EDMUND
“Edmund” is a 2024 short sci-fi drama by writer and director James Frost. This poignant little film unfolds on the final day of an extraterrestrial being’s sojourn on Earth, encapsulating themes of isolation and longing within a world that simultaneously embraces and alienates him. It’s set in a near future where aliens coexist alongside humans…
-
SUNA NO ONNA aka THE WOMAN IN THE DUNES
“The Woman in the Dunes” (Suna no Onna) is a 1964 film directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara and based on the novel by Kōbō Abe. It is a surreal, psychological drama that explores themes of isolation, existentialism, and the human struggle for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. The film is one of the most important…
-
PULP FICTION
Pulp Fiction is a 1994 film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It is known for its non-linear narrative structure, sharp dialogue, eclectic soundtrack, and blending of humor, violence, and pop culture references. The film is a dark, satirical exploration of crime and morality, weaving together multiple interlocking stories centered around the Los Angeles criminal…
-
TOUT VA BIEN aka EVERYTHING IS FINE
Tout Va Bien (translated as Everything is Fine) is a 1972 French political drama directed by Jean-Luc Godard and Jean-Pierre Gorin that delves into the contradictions and disillusionments of modern life, particularly in the context of the political and social upheaval of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film explores the relationship between personal…
The Other Cinema 