“Don’t wake me for the end of the world unless it has very good special effects.”
-Prince of Chaos
The movies have always fascinated some subconscious part of us that we rarely realize. We swoon with actresses, fight alongside heroes, yell at unaware dumb girls to get away from the serial killer and laugh at happy endings – the theater becomes a portal to another world – the cinematic universe.
A good movie feeds the soul – like a good book feeds the mind. Here’s a catalogue of movies, that have not only won hearts but also numerous awards, to make you fall in love with cinema all over again.
1. Nocturnal Animals
Genre: Thriller
Few of us are fond of neo-psychological/noir films for plenty of reasons, but when a fashion designer like Tom Ford directs a movie, you’re in for a visual treat. It’s a story within a story and another story on the side. We know, confusing. Also, brilliant. Adams is an artist that receives a manuscript from
her ex-husband (Gyllenhaal). Majority of the story follows her imagination, Gyllenhaal’s words and dark, notorious characters out to spread filth. By the end of the movie, you’re left wondering if it’s a message, a metaphor or just, truth. Bonus – no cliché jumpscares!
Recommended: For anyone with a taste for art or noir.
2. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Genre: Action
Okay, we know this isn’t a movie, but seriously, if you haven’t checked out LOTR, what have you done with your life? The trilogy is adapted from a book trilogy and as with many book adaptations, people were skeptical, and Peter Jackson obliterated the skepticism. Frodo Baggins, a hobbit, embarks on a journey to destroy a ring with a mind of its own and engulfed in evil, with the allegiance of humans, a wizard, an elf, fellow hobbits, and dwarf – with the amazing screenplay, terrific character development & acting to go with. The music is so beautiful and apt, it takes you to Middle Earth, and you’d not want to return.
Recommended: For anyone who wants to form a movie religion.
3. Up in the Air
Genre: Dramedy
A talkie that focuses on the life of a man whose job is to fire people on behalf of their companies, Up in the Air is everything we didn’t know we needed. It has drama, it revolves around emotions and their lack thereof, a man out to deliver bad news, and a female exec. doing an even worse job. The storyline is unique, George Clooney and Anna Kendrick do not fail to deliver (see what we did there?). What makes it worth is its unexpected ending, one not many people’d see coming.
Recommended: For anyone looking for laughter and dramaaaaaa.
4. Her
Genre: Romance
A unique name for a unique story. Joaquin Pheonix plays a man who downloads an OS onto his computer – with artificial intelligence, a woman’s voice, and falls in love with ‘her’. The cinematography is gorgeous, the plot unheard of, supporting roles (Amy Adams and Chris Pratt) especially commendable and the voice-over of the AI by ScarJo was rumored to be nominated for an Oscar itself! A rare specimen of originality.
Recommended: For suckers for romance and OOTB thinking.
5. Zootopia
Genre: Animation/Crime
Figuratively speaking, Zootopia is a place where all animals live together in ‘harmony’. The same kind of harmony we humans have *cough*. Realistically speaking, Disney has hit the mark where it wanted to. Judy Hopps (love punny names) is a rabbit set out to become a cop, among bulls, elephants, and rhinos.
She meets sly fox Nick Wilde who helps her prove that size doesn’t matter. The movie addresses a lot of realism we face in human society –and makes it fun!
Could you believe that? No? Go watch!
Recommended: For people who love great chemistry and cartoons.
Movies have magic. They break through our thoughts, seep through our beliefs and settle somewhere deep in our hearts. Never to leave.
Netflix may or may not have your favorite movies, but if you watch the ones on this list, it won’t be long before you find a new favorite.
Written by: Shriya Singh Rawat