Ajami (2009)

This was such an impact to my brain. An authentic film that reveals all the tragic incidents that happen in Tel Aviv between the Muslims and the Christians who live there. A compilation of five stories of different people who actually are all members of the same community. Omar is an Israeli Arab who tries to survive along with his family and escape from the nightmare of death, due to a crazy vendetta that has started between his relatives and a gang of extortionists. He loves Hadir, a Christian girl but their love has no future. Malek is an illegal Palestinian worker who tries to save some money and help his sick mother. Soon he will collaborate with Omar and try to sell some drugs but he will be also trapped at a vicious game of death and betrayal. Dando is an Israeli cop who tries to find out who killed his beloved brother. Soon all of these characters will face their fate in a crisis that will change their lives forever. Excellent film that nominated for the Best Foreign Language film in 2009 and won a lot of other awards around the globe.

The Sender (1982)

Another lost film back from the 80s. A psychological thriller that will keep you satisfied. The story is simple as that. A telepathic man who lives in his disturbed world, seems to be lost and tries to commit suicide. Dr. Gail Farmer tries to help him out and discover what happens about him. Soon she and the other people who work on the same hospital will taste the supernatural powers of this strange man when his dreams will become a real terror to everybody. Gail will also contact with his dead mother who her spirit tries to kill him in order to stay with him forever. A suspenseful gem with dramatic consequences and manipulating cinematography. It is a pity that movies like that didn't get the recognition they really deserve.

There Will Come Soft Rains - Nazim Tulyakhodzayev (1987)

Our world without us. A journey through an urban environment, viewing the dynamic life of a city without the people that inhabit it. This amazing animated film based on Ray Bradbury's sci-fi novel "The Martian Chronicles", on the short story called "There Will Come Soft Rains". It won the "Golden Dove" Award on Leipzig International Festival for Documentary and Animated Films in 1984. It is going to haunt you for a long time for sure. Excellent!

Lifted (2006)

Back to the animations gems and one of my favorite animation studios: Pixar. Actually with no dialog but an interesting score, funny characters and special effects, this little diamond can give you all the entertainment you need in a small package. Just quality!

The Killing Joke - Sebastian Lopez (2011)

An excellent production dedicated to the 70s horror films. A young woman is being chased by a clown in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by abandoned factories. The suspense is working properly, the actors acted really good, the composition was impressive and that gave as a result a beautiful film. Enjoy!

The Killing Joke from sebastian lopez on Vimeo.

Little red ridning hood - Tomas Nilsson (2008)

A different view at the classical story of Little red ridning hood. Brought in a digital way, this fantasy tale becomes a very interesting animation. Enjoy!

Slagsmålsklubben - Sponsored by destiny from Tomas Nilsson on Vimeo.

Gorath (1962)

Earth is going to collapse under the massive impact with a mysterious star, called Gorath that it has sixty times the Earth's mass. Japanese government who is leading the space exploration and research, is sending JX-1, a special rocket that finally looses control and crashes onto the gigantic star. Now it is time for a second team to fly JX-2, even if they are not ready yet. Their will to rescue the planet is so big that they are ready to sacrifice themselves. Among them, there is Tetsu Kanai, a brave space pilot. In the meantime, two astronomers, Kano and his partner Tazara are really worried about the collision of this mysterious star. How can they advance the war against this approaching threat? This is the greatest challenge for scientific world and not only. When the spaceship approaches Gorath, Kanai looses his memory while observing it and collecting data from a near distance. Scientists all over the world begin a new project. To move earth from its position and they start manufacturing jet pipes on the South pole that will unleash a huge power force into the sky but will be this enough? Dr. kono is opposite to the theories of Mr. Kano that Gorath increases its mass from time to time but as time lasts, they are both anxious about our civilization's fate. Cheap production, cheaper effects but this gem is still worth watching. A propaganda film of Japanese empire about a dream of space age.

Cinema, Aspirinas e Urubus aka Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures (2005)

A road movie based on the strong relationship of two different men and probably two different cultures. The first one is Johann, a German guy who travels around Brazil and sells aspirin for a living. He ended there after spending some years working on the ships and believes it is the best option to continue his life there as he also escaped from the Second World war and the destroyed Europe. The second is Ranulpho, a guy from Brazil, borned at a town in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes he is being so arrogant but the truth is that he really knows nothing about life and work. So Johann tries to help him and when his life is in big dangerous, Ranulpho will be there and pay him back. Soon they will become best friends but war is near and Johann soon will have to find new solutions again in order to survive. What can I say about the screenplay, the acting, the direction? Just perfect. Enjoy real cinema!

The muppet show - She loves you!

Ok another great gem from the past now. I was crazy with the Muppet show as a child. So enjoy this group of beetles sing a classic Beatles song. Funny as hell!

Blind - Yukihiro Shoda (2011)

I am a crazy fan of Japanese artists. I have to admit that. This beautiful short film really touched me so I had to immediately share it with you. It is about a young man who lives in a post apocalyptic Tokyo where people have used to live with gas masks. But the line between reality and fiction is so thin. The soundtrack is incredible, the poetic direction is also stunning. Enjoy the Asian taste!

blind from YUKIHIRO SHODA on Vimeo.

El retorno del Hombre-Lobo aka Night of the Werewolf (1981)

Erika and her friends like to research about paranormal activities through old manuscripts, incidents and visiting monasteries, castles and other haunted places. But the other two girls don't really know the motivation of evil Erika to resurrect Countess Elisabeth Bathory, a satanic witch who alongside her followers ruled over life and death in Medieval Europe. Bathory used to have a werewolf as a slave named Waldemar. When she comes back to life as Erika sacrifices one of her friends, she wants to slave hin back again. But Karen, the other young woman falls in love with Waldemar and helps him into his epic battle against the evil company. Ok, it was about time to return to one of my favorite genre of fantasy movies. Great cinematography and a nice atmospheric musical score with some sound ripped from Ennio Morricone's ''One upon the time in the West''. Cool gem for Paul Naschy fans and terror genre enthusiasts!

O' Horten (2007)

Another great film from Norway. Last years I 've been a fan of Scandinavian films as I think they complete their own style of cinema. This is a sensitive drama where our fellow Mr. Odd O' Horten is ready for his retirement after forty years at the service of national railway as an engineer. His life is going to change more when he realizes that common things and routines also change. He has a lot of strange experiences and meet more weird people around him lately. Sometimes he feels alone and he is thinking of his simple life where everything was tight and peaceful. A real film for the elderly people. Sensitive, bittersweet, poetic, some times mixed with equal parts of black humor and surrealism. A beautiful experience though.

Take the money and run (1969)

Every time I watch a Woody Allen's film, I admire him more and more. I think he is one of most multi-talented people of world cinema. This gem is back from 1969 and we can see how clever he was almost forty years ago. He plays Virgil Starkwell, a looser who becomes a criminal from his childhood. His mania about stealing can't stop over the years. He will try to rob banks but he will fail. When he is driven to prison he always tries to escape unsuccessfully. After he is being released, he meets Louise, a shy and faithful young girl and they start a relationship. But even familiar happiness can't help him to stop his obsession of stealing banks. A very funny story with comical situations, interesting narration as it was more a documentary than a film and excellent acting from Allen himself.

Control - Daniel Binns (2011)

So summer is over. Let's control our feelings and get back to our ordinary rhythms of life. But what about this scared guy who can't control his life and situations as well? How can he treat his mind in order to find his internal calm? A beautiful animation. Enjoy!

Control from Daniel Binns on Vimeo.