Music & Films for
Common People
silence
dir. martin scorsese
50
A minor work from Scorsese that is not clear in its direction or its objectives. But the visual impact of Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography is enough reason to watch this film, it really takes inspiration of Japanese aesthetics, and is solemn but entirely hypnotic.
la región salvaje
(the untamed) dir. amat escalante
49
A brave hybrid of genres that mixes sci-fi, intimate drama, horror and social cinema. Escalante explores sexuality in quite an unorthodox way, but such an experimental film could have benefited of more work in the visual style.
tarde para la ira
(the fury of a patient man) dir. raúl arévalo
48
Quite an interesting directorial debut that splashes a revenge thriller with personal style and great cinematography. The construction of the tension is slow but steady and keeps the story evolving, and the director is able to hide the few cliché tricks that the screenplay borrows.
la fille inconnue
(the unknown girl) dir. jean-pierre & Luc Dardenne
47
While it is certainly far behind the best films of the Dardenne brothers, this modest mix of thriller and social drama offers an intimate exploration of moral issues. It is great in following the main character and twisting her world, but not as much giving a satisfactory closure to her investigation.
perfetti sconosciuti
(Perfect strangers) dir. paolo genovese
46
Quite a funny comedy of intrigue where the plot twists are the ones that lead to the development of characters and its relations. Even if it can overcome its theatricality, it does offer a satisfactory dose of social satire and reflections on friendship and honesty.
que dios nos perdone
(May god save us) dir. rodrigo sorogoyen
45
This film takes a lot from the old-school Fincher police thrillers and make us follow some very unlikeable anti-heroes in a frantic investigation. Its characters and the approach it takes to solving the puzzle sets it apart to similar and less successful films.
mal de pierres
(from the land of the moon) dir. nicole garcia
44
A classic romantic drama that is at the service of Marion Cotillard, making her shine and show her creation of amazing characters. It's very elegant in its direction and most of the time stays away from clichés, creating a bittersweet story about love and longing.
20th century women
dir. mike mills
43
While it gets a bit lost, the collection of rich moments and existential ideas is powerful and quite striking. Anette Bening is as good as always, and the supporting cast really works as an ensamble to bring to life this very particular group that is learning how to surf through life.
kimi no na wa
(your name) dir. makoto shinkai
42
Even if there are quite substantial holes in its storytelling, it is quite a nice twist in the exchange-bodies tradition, with a beautiful animation that is very careful in its use of depth, color and framing. It evokes a dream-like sensation that transcends its own fantasy world.
the bad batch
dir. ana lily amirpour
41
A hipster western with a subtle political subtext and a vibrant style plagued with extravagant characters and bizarre situations, but that Amirpour holds in control to don't exceed the limits of good-taste maximalism. This director is leaving a strong impression with her original worlds.
hjartasteinn
(heartstone) dir. Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson
40
A deep and touching analysis of the toxic construction of masculinity in rural communities. Embellished by a stunning cinematography that favors the beautiful Nordic landscapes, its an experience as rich in its visuals as it is in its emotions.
tschick
(goodbye berlin) dir. fatih akin
39
This coming-of-age road movie is Akin's most effective work in years. His outcast characters are very well constructed and the chemistry between them is explosive, it's quite an enjoyable film that disguises its formal complexities in good-hearted teen simplicity.
ucitelka
(the teacher) dir. jan hrebejk
38
This incisive and hilarious social comedy exposes the rotten corruption within socialism in 80's Czechoslovaquia, but it could very well apply to every political system that allows abuse of power and trafficking of favors. A small film that bets to a smart screenplay and an effective direction.
divines
dir. houda benyamina
37
Part action film, part social drama, Divines presents a lovable story of sorority and friendship. The two main characters are fascinating and let us explore the world of urban teenagers in Europe, with hints of good-hearted humor, but a lot of energy to keep you at the edge of your seat.
jackie
dir. pablo larraín
36
Larrain and Portman gave the best of themselves to recreate the full complexities of Jackie Kennedy in the aftermath of her husband's homicide. Both director and actress know how to approach the character, giving her full humanity and surrounding her of a beautiful aesthetic.
okja
dir. joon-ho bong
35
Okja is better in style than it is in narrative. Bong creates a fascinating world and over the top characters to expose the ethic dilemmas of meat consumption. It avoids being moralizing, and creates great moments of action while it shows the best abilities of its director.
manchester by the sea
dir. kenneth lonergan
34
If Lonergan is able to create a melodrama that works, it's because he faces it with a deep solemnity and a good understanding of human emotions. The great work with the actors and the camera approach gives it satisfactory realism and delicacy.
a ghost story
dir. david lowery
33
You need to see A Ghost Story with a very open mind to unusual narratives, or you'll be deeply frustrated by it. It's a bold attempt to approach deep philosophical topics like the pass of time and the sense of life by bending traditional storytelling and favoring contemplation.
el ciudadano ilustre
(the distinguished citizen) dir. mariano cohn & gastón duprat
32
El Ciudadano Ilustre excels at its characters development and at its ability to create small and credible plot twists that keep the story moving forward. It uses an acid sense of humor to create a social criticism that hits both the intellectual and the working class.
under sandet
(land of mine) dir. martin zandvliet
31
The horrors of war are narrated with such good sense of rhythm, that Under Sandet creates a violent sense of tension, even when the story relies on a few narrative deceits. It manages to achieve a good emotional impact by telling a part of WWII that is mostly untold.
lion
dir. garth davis
30
Lion could be emotionally manipulative, but it's effective in touch the most sensitive fibers of the heart by presenting a touching real life story and making us connect with its main character and his quest. Nicole Kidman's monologue is one of her best film moments ever.
nocturnal animals
dir. tom ford
29
A metanarrative film that goes to the darkest corners of the human psyche by combining film genres and playing with narrative levels. Being the aesthete that he is, Tom Ford pays meticulous attention to misè-en-scène details, offering a new visual delight.
miss sloane
dir. john madden
28
An audacious political thriller that brings light on the machinery of lobbyism and the dark deals that try to influence the political system. An intense screenplay that knows how to create great levels of tension, supported by the great performance of Jessica Chastain.
hidden figures
dir. theodore melfi
27
A film that is as light-hearted as it is empowering. A feminist comedy that gives credit and reinsert in history the achievements of three black female scientists during the space race. A great cast, a smart screenplay, and a powerful message work together to create this indie gem.
o ornitólogo
(the ornithologist) dir. João Pedro Rodrigues
26
A blasphemous reinterpretation of biblical stories set in dark atmospheres and plagued with disturbing characters. We're facing a challenging movie that breaks the rules of films about self-discovery in the middle of nature, charging it with ambiguous symbols and exquisite sequences.