Five Films for Your Lockdown!! (Pt. 4)

 

HERE IT IS! Part 4 of films to check out while locked down during these crappy times. I hope you enjoy watching them as I think all five are worth a watch for everyone. 

1.  An Elephant Sitting Still (2018)

The first and last film of the late director Hu Bo, An Elephant Sitting Still is a near 4 hour epic drama about four main characters trying to survive their own harsh experiences in the less fortunate side of China. All four characters are layered and fleshed out and you really feel for their need for more. They decide to go in search of the mythological elephant that simply sits still and believe that visiting this elephant will show signs of new days ahead. 

The film is beautifully shot with lingering tracking shots and long takes that really shares the character's perspective with the audience. The score is very memorable and the story goes in directions I didn't expect. It's another great film that shows an oppressive side of China that has never been fully seen. 

If you're not a fan of films that are quite the length, then you might want to skip this one but I would recommend checking it out anyway. 

2. Violent (2014)

Directed by the Norwegian band We Are the City, Violent is one of those movies I feel was made specifically for me. It's both atmospheric and immersive. The film is shot very well from the gorgeous landscapes of Norway to surreal images in the film. The story follows a young woman named Dagny who after the experiencing a disaster that kills her, we experience her relationships with the five people that loved her the most. 

The performances, the cinematography, and my favorite aspect, the music score really make this film worthy of a watch. After seeing it twice, I feel this is a movie that will stay with me for a long span of time. It's a truly memorable sensory experience. (Available on Google Play)

3. Her (2013)

What can be said about this movie that has already been said? Spike Jonez won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and it was rightly deserved. Her is a phenomenal film about the relationship between a man and his computer (yes, your heard me right). Their relationship and chemistry is involving, authentic, and emotional. Joaquin Phoenix once again is fantastic, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, and Olivia Wide made for great supporting cast members, and Scarlet Johansson who is literally just a voice truly shines as the computer love interest.  

This movie also does probably the most accurate portrayal of the future I've seen in quite some time. In short, the future setting is timeless and accurate of what the future is and could turn into. The music is also excellent as it was composed by the band Arcade Fire. I'm personally not a fan of their music but I'd be lying if I said the scoring for the film wasn't perfection. If you haven't seen this movie yet I'd highly recommend it, and if you saw it once I hope you enjoyed it enough to want to watch it again. 

 

4. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days (2007)

Winner of the Palme d'or at Cannes Film Festival (highly deserving), this was and still is worth watching bar-none. It's about how a young woman who helps her best friend get an illegal abortion in 1980's Romania. The acting is perfect and also very physical as well as the cinematography which helps the experience feel both physical and kinetic. I personally love the shaky-cam tracking shots that really make you feel like your struggling to keep up with the gravity of the situation. The direction by Cristian Mungiu is energetic and immersive and I also recommend the film Graduation from 2016 also by Cristian Mingiu. Still, 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days, also shows us a side of the world we don't usually see especially back then.

5. Thunder Road (2018)

This was a recent first watch but I believe it's the second easiest movie to recommend second behind the movie Her. Jim Cumming's directorial debut is one of the most impressive in recent memory. With a budget of only $200,000, Thunder Road is a great example of utilizing what resources you have to create a truly great film. It's a great story of a cop looking for redemption after the death of his mother by caring for his daughter the best he can. 

It's a fantastic blend of cringe comedy and serious to the point of dark themes. This is a funny, touching, well shot, and engaging piece of filmmaking and it's clear Jim Cummings shows signs of a bright future in the medium. 

Did you see any of these films? If so, leave a comment about them below!