In film, symbols are visual or narrative elements that carry deeper meanings beyond their literal significance. They serve as tools to communicate themes, emotions, and ideas, often resonating with the audience on a subconscious level. One good example is ‘Parasite’. ‘Parasite’, directed by Bong Joon-ho, is a darkly comedic and socially insightful thriller that explores…
‘Bottle George’ is a wonderful stop-motion short that explores the relationship between a young girl struggling with her fear of her alcoholic father and a small creature trapped inside a bottle. The girl and her father are poor and live with a mischievous cat who offers some comic relief in a mostly serious film intent on…
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ marks Anthony Mackie’s debut as the lead in a standalone film as the iconic hero. Directed by Julius Onah, the movie explores Sam Wilson’s journey as he embraces the mantle of Captain America amidst political turmoil and personal challenges. I attended a ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Town Hall event…
The original 1937 animated ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ is a classic Disney and regarded as a landmark in animation history — not only for being the first full-length animated feature but also for its artistry, memorable songs, and emotional depth. The new ‘Snow White’ film strays significantly from the classic’s themes, with changes…
‘The Only Girl in the Orchestra’ is a short documentary directed by Molly O’Brien that chronicles the life and career of Orin O’Brien, who made history in 1966 as the first woman to be hired by the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein. The film highlights her journey as a double bassist and her reflections…
Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Presence’ (2024) takes a minimalist yet immersive approach to cinematography, enhancing its psychological horror elements through clever framing, lighting, and camera movement. I liked how the movie is viewed through the ghost’s perspective. The unsettling camera work represents the spirit, moving smoothly through the house, watching the family unseen. There are subtle distortions,…
‘The Most Precious of Cargoes’ ( La Plus Précieuse des marchandises), directed by Michel Hazanavicius and adapted from Jean-Claude Grumberg’s novella, is a French animated film that intertwines the innocence of a fairy tale with the harrowing realities of the Holocaust. This film is an ambitious film that attempts to blend the innocence of animation with…
‘Magpie’ was an interesting psychological thriller. The film is a true slow burn: in the beginning it is cold and frigid, then warm and bubbling, then it had an explosive climax in its final act. It’s gripping and suspenseful throughout. It’s anchored by a fantastic performance by Daisy Ridley. There are some symbolic scenes that…
‘Apartment 7A’ is a prequel to the 1968 horror classic ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ starring Mia Farrow. ‘Apartment 7A’ is a stunning visual display with a psychologically deeper look into the background story on how young women were drawn into the Bramford building. In ‘Rosemary’s Baby’, Terry briefly meets Rosemary in the laundry room. The dialogue follows:…
Pablo Larraín’s ‘Maria’ is simply triumphant and is a captivating exploration of Maria Callas. Director Pablo Larraín’s direction in ‘Maria’ truly stands out, reflecting his signature style of creating deeply emotional and intimate portrayals of iconic figures like in ‘Spencer’ and ‘Jackie’. In ‘Spencer’, Diana’s delusions are a symbolic representation of her fractured reality, a coping…
