Interstellar 2014

This film will be one of the strong contender for the big awards. Directed by the great Christopher Nolan. It is a complex narrative about a post apocalyptic world where the air is contaminated. Former NASA pilot Cooper played by Matthew McCounaghey, by accident discovers the research of Prof. Brand played by Michael Caine, where he wants to move human civilization to another planet via a wormhole. A lot of situations happen with the different characters. The movie plays a lot on the notion of String Theory, the idea of folding time, the relation of Quantum Mechanics and Gravity as well as the different dimensions, This idea of the fifth dimension plays an important part if the movies narrative. I liked the movie much more than Gravity.  

Locke 2014

It is one of the best and most intense films I have seen this year. It is a solo performance by Tom Hardy, perhaps the best young actor today. Over the space of 80 minutes, Ivan Locke's life has a complete change through a series of phone calls he receives while driving down the highway to London to face an important mistake he made. On the brink of the most important day of his career as an architect/engineer, he faces a personal decision that would cost him everything. A must see film directed by Steven Knight.

The Double 2014

In this movie Jesse Eisenberg plays two roles, one of a timid office worker, scorned by his mother, ignored by his co-workers as well as the woman of his dreams played by Mia Wasikowska. He also plays his arrogant double. It is an adaptation of Dostoyevky's tale. When the double arrives at the office everyone notices him but nobody comments of the fact that they look exactly the same. The movie is a great play on humanity and the way we view ourselves. The film is directed by Richard Ayoade. A must seen film for those Jesse Eisenberg fans.

Paper Chase 1973

 A gem of a film. directed by James Bridges. The story of a first year year student at Harvard Law School. When he attends the class of Charles W. Kingsfield Jr. played by John Houseman, he realizes it is going to be a challenge. At the same time he needs to demonstrate mainly to himself that he has what it takes like all the other students. He becomes obsessed with the professor's persona. In a twist of fate he becomes involved with Prof. Kingsfield daughter played by Lindsay Wagner.

Marathon Man 1976

An amazing thriller, that I had seen before but it was good to see again. The story of Tom Levy, a graduate student and a runner played by the great Dustin Hoffman, Tom has no idea what his brother does for a living, played by Roy Schreider. When his brother dies in his apartment the nightmare begins when all sorts of dark characters appear to find out when Tom knew, specially the former Nazi played by Sir Lawrence Olivier, other bad guys like William Devane and his girlfriend played by Marthe Keller.

Laggies 2014

The story of a life in crisis as this woman played by Keira Knightly finds herself with no direction about her life. She goes into this weird life turn and meets this teenager that he befriends and through this relationship begins to find herself. She meets and begins to fall for the teenager's father played by Sam Rockwell, they began and affair that makes her realize she needs to break the engagement with her fiance played by one of my favorite actors; Mark Webber. A strange and funny story that is worth seeing.

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion 1970

An absolute masterpiece by Italian director Elio Petri. A political thriller that denounces the power driven class in Italy in the late 60's. The film is the story of the chief police officer that sees himself above the law, He murdered his lover played by the the stunning Florinda Bolkan. He plays this game about leaving cues for the investigators about the fact that he committed the murder, however the investigators are oblivious to this and refuse to believe he is even suspicious.  The officer has a fascist discourse that he communicates to his subordinates in a great scene when he is giving them a speech, reminding us of a young Mussolini. The great thing about the film is that within a few exceptions the film is still fresh and unfortunately the problems of the ruling class in power is still the same no matter where you go. Actor Jean Marie Volonte that plays the police chief gives an amazing performance.