Alive (1993)

Genre

Adventure | Biography | Drama

Director

Frank Marshall

Country

USA

Cast

Ethan Hawke, Josh Hamilton, John Haymes, Bruce Ramsay, David Kriegel, Jack Noseworthy, Kevin Breznahan, David Cubitt, Gian DiDonna, John Cassini, Richard Ian Cox, Nuno Antunes, Gordon Currie, Sam Behrens, Michael Taylor, Steven Shayler, John Malkovich

Storyline

In 1972, the plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team crashes on the Andes Mountains, and considered dead, the survivors are forced to use desperate measures to survive.

Opinion

I always wanted to watch this film but never got around it. I knew the story and that was enough to keep me away from it. Then yesterday I was in the mood for something "heavier", and I finally played it. It blew me away.

"Alive" is a remarkable, emotional survival film that demonstrates the determination of mankind and fight for survival. It's one of those films you wouldn't believe if you didn't know in advance that it's based on true events. It's one of those films that is an endurance test for the audience as well, because it is not very easy to watch at times.

I haven't read Piers Paul Read's "Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors", but like I said before, I knew the story - we talked about it in High School and I read all I could on the internet - and I can tell that the film is a good transposition of what those people had to go through. 

The story of these young men, some who had never seen the snow before, that were able to survive for 72 days on the Andes is truly uplifting, and shows some of the best sides of humanity. Each person in this film is unique, you can easily find yourself sympathetic with the viewpoints of the each of them, yet at the same time you wonder what would you have done if you were in their place. 

"Alive" features an impressive crash sequence that skilfully captures the horror and helplessness of those trapped in that plane that hardly leaves you untouched. Same goes with the rescue scene, where the expression on Carlitos' face is worth more than words.

The portray a real story in the right way you need a great cast and the film sure has it. Ethan Hawke as Nando Parrado, the optimistic and irrational one, and Josh Hamilton as Roberto Canessa, the pessimist, stand out, especially because of the debate between the two men.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Genre

Action | Sci-Fi

Director

George Miller

Country

Australia | USA

Cast

Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoë Kravitz, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton, Josh Helman, Nathan Jones, John Howard, Richard Carter, Angus Sampson, iOTA, Quentin Kenihan, Jennifer Hagan, Jon Iles, Melissa Jaffer, Megan Gale, Gillian Jones, Joy Smithers, Melita Jurisic

Storyline

In the stark desert wasteland populated by a broken humanity driven with survival and the unending ravage for gasoline, a loner named Max (Tom Hardy) finds himself unwantedly caught in the middle of a chase while aiding the heroine Furiosa (Charlize Theron), and her female companions, she struggles to return to her homeland and escape the clutches of a ruthless dessert gang leader, Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne).

Opinion

Following a series of ups and downs, the Mad Max Trilogy ended in the worst possible of ways with "Beyond Thunderdome", a film starring Mel Gibson that somehow ends up on the set of "Hook". Ever since, George Miller had plenty of time to think. I imagine him brainstorming, trying to restore Max's name and dignity; and here he is, thirty years later, with a brand new film that will blow you away.

A ferocious, glorious, gripping, thrilling, and absolutely insane film, "Mad Max: Fury Road" is a masterpiece that goes far beyond the action genre.

As mentioned earlier, George Miller had plenty of time and he used it beautifully: not only he identified the weak points of his narrative, but he also realized that action without substance doesn't have any purpose. Miller renewed his post-apocalyptic universe and was able to express this complex and chaotic world to perfection through his people: every single face has a story to tell that is worth listening to.

You will be immediately catapulted into a mad world, where it is not recommended to let your guard down, between a sandstorm and an attack led by the War Boys. Adrenaline doesn't lower for a single moment, leaving you on the edge of the seat for the whole running time.

To a great story frantically paced is added a minimal use of CGI on behalf of the spectacular Australian landscapes and real stunts. The result is a mix of explosions, jumps and fights so real that no computer will ever be able to replicate. Also, the way the sick action sequences were filmed not only is revolutionary but is so fantastic there are no words to describe it.

But the real innovation is the presence of women. They are the real characters, and for once they break free from the 'objects to be saved and owned' label that our male-dominated society imposes, and they fight for their freedom. Among these stands out Furiosa, the heroine of the story with a dark past behind her.

Then of course there's Mad Max, no longer in the disguise of Mel Gibson, still a man haunted by his past, so tormented to force himself to an even greater exile than the rest of humanity has to deal with. To balance the whole there is Immortan Joe, a terrible tyrant and self-proclaimed god followed by the War Boys, warriors willing to sacrifice their lives to earn Joe's admiration.

As for the acting, Tom Hardy's talent for portraying strong, silent characters shines again in a subtle performance. Thanks to his impetuous and animalistic attitude, and a glance filled with madness, he really does a great job. However, the stand out is Charlize Theron who delivers an emotionally perfect and Oscar worthy performance as Furiosa. 

Yes, it deserves every single nomination. 

Hope is a mistake. If you can't fix what's broken, you'll, uh... you'll go insane. - Max Rockatansky

Animal Kingdom (2010)

Genre

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Director

David Michôd

Country

Australia

Cast

James Frecheville, Ben Mendelsohn, Guy Pearce, Jacki Weaver, Joel Edgerton, Sullivan Stapleton, Luke Ford, Dan Wyllie, Anthony Hayes, Laura Wheelwright, Mirrah Foulkes, Justin Rosniak, Susan Prior, Clayton Jacobson, Anna Lise Phillips

Storyline

After his mother dies, seventeen year-old J Cody (James Frecheville) has no choice but to contact his maternal grandmother, Janine "Smurf" Cody (Jacki Weaver), who rules her criminal family with a borderline incestuos love over her three sons. Among blood brothers and blood, manipulated trial sand revenge served cold, J will soon lose his innocence.

Opinion

The extremely impressive debut from Australian director David Michôd, Animal Kingdom is a tense, gloomy, innovative and mesmerizing crime family drama.

In this bitter and dramatic film, Michôd tells the gangster life as if it was an animal kingdom, where the strongest, the one that eats the weakest wins, and also makes a criticism to those men - and women - who are neither men nor animals. He shows all this with a cynical eye, with no compassion, and wonderfully manages to convey violence without aestheticizing it. 

However, the moral condemnation aforementioned soon stops to make room for a world where no one is really good or bad. In fact, whether criminals or cops there is no difference: they all use others for their own ends. Only detective Leckie makes exception. 

Also, don't expect long shooting scenes, or robberies or car chases because there are none in Animal Kingdom, as the action is reduced to a minimum.

The films makes use of the minimalist synthesiser music from Antony Partos to create an air of dread and tension.

The cast is uniformly excellent. In his debut James Frecheville is basically a piece of wood as J (in a good way), he is in a constant catatonic state, seemingly frail and confused, Ben Mendelsohn delivers a convincing performance as terrifying psychopath Pope, Guy Pearce gives a wonderful and intense performance as detective Leckie, and Jacki Weaver gives a strong performance as Smurf, the matriarch of the family with the psychotic smiles.