Abood Ash

Directed by David Fincher and based on the 1996 film of the same name, Fight Club revolves around an unnamed narrator suffering from amnesia, who is discontented with his life until he meets a soap maker named Tyler Durden, whom he forms a friendship with. Both men start a fight club and the narrator gets embroiled in a relationship woman named Marla Singer. However, everything is not what it seems, as the narrator finds out the group is out of control and after a major revelation, he realizes there is only one way out. Looks like we're going to break the first two rules of Fight Club. Over the last twenty years, Fight Club has been considered to be one of the most controversial and talked-about movies of all time and developed a cult following. It received polarizing reviews at the time and was a box-office failure, but soon found commercial success thanks to its DVD sales and the movie's themes managed to remain relevant even today. Fight Club remains David Fincher's finest work in his impressive filmography, as he's able to adapt certain aspects of the novel while keeping the themes intact, while showcasing the effects of toxic masculinity and consumerism in our society. The cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth is wonderful and the editing helps compliment the story. The score by The Dust Brothers is one of the most iconic soundtracks in cinema, as it features many memorable tracks, such as "Who is Tyler Durden?" and "Jack's Smirking Revenge". The screenplay manages to remain faithful to the source material and it features some of the most quotable lines in cinema history. Edward Norton delivers an exceptional performance as the Narrator, as he is able to convey a sense of desperation and paranoia to his character and it's easily one of the best performances in his career. Brad Pitt is iconic as Tyler Durden and his chemistry with Norton is superb, as both actors manage to play off each other. He also delivers awesome quotes throughout the film and never manages to outstay his welcome. Helena Bonham Carter manages to charm as Marla Singer and supporting actors, such as Meat Loaf (RIP) and Jared Leto were also good in their roles. Overall, there's a reason why Fight Club is still talked about years after its release. The film had become a staple in pop culture, thanks to its memorable quotes and its depiction of mayhem, chaos,

Have you ever seen a film that left you speechless for just how good it is? You know, I have never exactly been into romance movies. I´m more into action flicks and indie movies, so I wasn't into these kind of movies. However, I wanted to try watch at least one romance movie and I had to choose Before Sunrise, the first film in the Before trilogy. Needless to say, I was surpised by this film, as it blew my mind by its optimistic, realistic depiction of romance and the genuine chemistry between the two lead actors. Before Sunrise focues on two strangers, Jesse and Celine, who meet on a train on the way from Budapest to Paris and upon having a conversation, they begin to form a bond together. As they arrive to Vienna to spend a night together before they head to Paris, Jesse and Celine begin to know each other and end up forming romantic feelings towards one another. While the story is very basic, the way it decides to tell that story is beautiful. The story is told throught the conversations and dialogue scenes that Jesse and Celine share throughout the film and we get to know more about these characters. The dialogue scenes are very well-written and it doesn't come off as scripted or forced. It all sounds natural and it's exactly how two people falling in love interact. Director Richard Linklater does a great job in showcasing the human aspects of postmodren romance and making the relationship between the two lead characters believable. Ethan Hawke and Julie Deply are magnificent in their roles and they share wonderful chemsitry throughout the film. What I love about this chemistry is that both actors manage to make it believeable and it comes off naturally instead of two actors reading dialogue from a screenplay. The ilmmaking aspects are also worth-praising; the cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking, as the camerawork manages to showcase the beautiful landscapes of Vienna. Speaking of which, choosing Vienna as the main location of the film was a smart choice. The score by Fred Frith is great and the editing keeps the film at a nice pace. The only complaints I have about the film is that there are some scenes that slow the movie down, but it doesn´t detract from the experience, as Before Sunrise is easily one of the most incredible films I´ve ever seen. It's charming, funny and smart and it will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Considered to be one of the most controversial films ever made at the time of its release, American History X is a film that is ahead of its time, as it tackles issues such as racism, violence and the Neo-Nazi movement that is sadly prevalent today, given the current situation of the world. It provides a hard-hitting, brutal and absolutely devastating depiction of racism in the United States and shows the ultimate consequences of following the path of hatred and violence and it’s further elevated by its incredible screenplay, Tony Kaye’s direction and Edward Norton’s performance. American History X tells the story of former Neo-Nazi skinhead, Derek Vinyard, who has recently completed his three year prison sentence after killing two black men who were trying to steal his truck and is trying to prevent his brother, Danny, from going the same path as he did years ago. The story is told from Danny’s perspective and utilizes non-linear storytelling to switch between the past and present. Flashbacks showcase how Derek ended up joining the Neo-Nazi movement after the death of his father and how he ended up in jail. When it was released, American History X was considered to be one of the most controversial films ever made due its violence and excessive language, but in time, it developed a sort of cult following due to its honest depiction of violence and racism in the country that still remains prevalent today and how hatred and violence can destroy someone’s life. Although the film didn’t end up the way he intended to, Tony Kaye still does a great job in presenting that story and it’s further aided by the incredible screenplay, which demonstrates the negative effects of racism and violence. I also love how the film delivers its message, that we must not allow hatred, violence and anger overtake use and we must peace and harmony with each other. The score by Anne Dudley is magnificent and it adds to the film’s disturbing atmosphere. The cinematography does a great job in switching between the present day and flashback sequences, which utilizes the monochromatic color grading to showcase the events of Derek’s life. Speaking of which, the movie does a great in utilizing the non-linear storytelling to showcase Derek’s life and further advances the story. Danny’s narration also helps complimenting it, as we can hear see the events from his perspective. However, the most impressive aspect about this film is Edward Norton’s incredible performance. This is arguably the best performance in his entire career, alongside Fight Club and it’s a real shame he didn’t win an Oscar for this role, as it’s the role that defined his career. Edward Furlong does a great job as Derek’s brother, Danny, and you follow his story throughout the film. While it can be excessive and gruesome with its messages, it’s undenying how much American History X remains relevant today, as it manages to tackles issues, such as racism and violence, that we sadly still see in today’s history. An absolute classic, I highly recommend it to film lovers and people who haven’t checked it out yet.

Highly considered to be one of the greatest, scariest and most influential films of all time, Jaws is not only the film that made Steven Spielberg into a household name, it also changed the way Hollywood promoted its films, pioneering the summer blockbuster cinema and establishing the modern Hollywood business model. It also inspired three sequels, but won't talk about them for now. Based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Peter Benchley, Jaws is set in the fictional town of Amity Island and concerns about police chef Martin Brody, who is trying to hunt down a man eating white shark who is attacking beachgoers with the help of marine biologist Matt Hooper and local fisherman Quint. The film does an excellent job in providing tension throughout its runtime and building up suspense towards the shark's appearance, as it manages not to show the shark all the time, but not denying its existence, and when the shark appears, it manages to scare the audience in an effective way. The first half of the film does a great job in establishing the shark as well as keeping the audience at the edge of their seat. The filmmaking aspects are also worth admiring; the practical effects do a great job in bringing the shark to life and making it realistic. The camerawork does a great job in making the shark's presence more ominous and the fast paced editing adds more to the film's tension. John Williams' incredible score does a brilliant job in amplifying the tension. The performances by the cast is great, especially Roy Schieder as Martin Brody, Richard Dreyfuss as Matt Hooper and Robert Shaw as Quint. The flaw I found in the film is that the second half isn't as compelling as the first half and drags the film's pacing a bit. Still, it's no secret why people still consider Jaws one of the greatest films ever made. A monumental moment in cinema history, Jaws is the film that set the stage for the rest of Steven Spielberg's career and became pivotal for establishing the modern Hollywood blockbuster. Still one of the most suspenseful movies ever made and it's one of these movies that still stands the test of time.

The final film in Disney's Renaissance era and one of the films that shaped my childhood, Tarzan is one of these film that evoke a sense of nostalgia to me, as I used to watch it a lot when I was younger. Disney's take on Edgar Rice Burroughs' character does justice to the character and still remains a classic in Disney's catalog. Based on the book “Tarzan and The Apes” by Edgar Rice Burroughs, it tells the story of Tarzan, from his childhood being adopted and raised by the gorillas to his first encounter with humans and Western society. This is the Tarzan film that I grew up watching and it's still as good as I watched the first time. One of the best things about the film is the animation. I'm astonished that the animation still holds ups even after 22 years. Every character animation is on point and I love the attention to detail to the characters. The script manages to loosely adapt Tarzan's story, but it still does justice to the character and is packed with heartfelt and emotional moments that elevates the movie. The voice acting is also great, especially Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan, Minnie Driver as Jane, Rosie O'Donnell as Turk and Brian Blessed as Clayton. The soundtrack by Phil Collins is amazing and it adds to the film's adventurous vibe. My favorite tracks of the soundtracks are "Two Worlds, One Family", which is the opening track of the movie, and "Strangers Like Me", which is an amazing track by itself. The only issues I have with the film is that the pacing can be a bit slow and I would have like to see more development to the characters. Overall, Tarzan is a great animated film and a childhood classic. It will always have a special place in my heart and it remains a great entry in Disney's catalog.

The first time I watched Intouchables was back in high school. We had to watch the film in order to get an understanding of the relationship and prejudice between the two races. Since then, I watched this movie a few time and it became one of my favorite films ever. Intouchables is a heartfelt story about friendship and it's a shame it gets overlooled nowadays. The film is loosely based on the true story of Adbell Sallou's friendship with a paralyized millionaire Phillipe Pozzo Di Borgo. In the film, Phillipe hires a young man from the projects named Driss to take care of him and they both develop am unlikely friendship. The directors Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano do a great job in showcasing the friendship and the flaws of the two main characters. The story is very interesting and shows that two people from different races can confront their obstacles in life. The main leads, Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy, are fantastic and and share great chemistry together. It also has great moments of humor that brought a smile to my face. I love how the relationship between Driss and Phillipe develop from two people agruing against each other to becoming true friends. The cinematography is gorgeous and soundtrack by Ludovico Einaudi is also brilliant and adds to the emotional scenes in the film. On the flip side, the movie can be inaccurate in presenting the story of Phillipe and Abdel and the Obama reference is a bit jarring. Overall, Intouchable is still a great French film. In a world filled with dispair and sadness, Intouchables brings joy, hope and faith in humanity. This will remain one of my favorite foreign films of all time.

I had always wanted to see the sequel to the original Blade Runner for a long time. It had been on my watchlist for a while and by the time I watched it, it did not disappoint. If Blade Runner is highly considered to be influencial to the sci-fi genre, Blade Runner 2049 builds on the fundation of the first film and proves to be a filmmaking achievement in itself. Blade Runner 2049 takes place 30 years after the original film and follows a new blade runner, an LAPD officer named K,who unravels a long-buried secret that could result in an all out war between the humans and the replicants. Ordered by his superior to destroy the evidence, K's journey leads to a confrontation with a long missing former LAPD blade runner Rick Deckard. Having not seen any of Denis Villeneuve's films, I was impressed on how he handled this film, following Ridley Scott's footsteps while adding his own visual style. He takes the themes and ideas of its predecessor and builds on them, as well as paying a homage to the original in a fascinating way. The cinematography by Roger Deakins is one the movie's best highlights, as he blends color grading with ideal lighting and shadow and makes every single frame a jaw dropping work of imagery. The production design also deserves praise, as it updates the dystopian setting of the first film and gives it a more vibrant personality. The score by Hans Zimmer is terrific as usual. The movie features a great cast, with each one giving a brilliant performance to their role. Ryan Gosling is superb as K and proves to be an interesting character. Harrison Ford reprises his role as Deckard gives a nuanced and show stealing performance. Ana De Armas proves to a wonderful addition to the cast, as well as Sylvia Hoeks and Jared Leto. The only thing disappointing in the film is that I didn't get to see Deckard enough and the plot can be a bit confusing. Overall, Blade Runner 2049 is not only a satisfying sequel to the original, it also manages to surpass it. It delivers on both visual and narrative scale and it will live on as one of the best sci-fi films of all time.

Ridley Scott is well-known director who's well know for directing sci-fi and epic drama films, so I was quite surprised to hear that he directed a film like Thelma and Louise. I 've heard about but I've never got to see it, and when I did, it did not disappoint. Thelma and Louise is a movie that has a real feminist edge and showcases a story that is about friendship and love. Thelma and Louise focues on the titular characters as Louise shoots a man who had tried to rape Thelma while on a getaway vaction. Due to the incriminating circumstances, they make a run for it and thus a cross country chase ensues for the two fugitives. While on the run, both women realize the strength of their friendship. What I love about this film is that it takes time to develop both Thelma and Louise and showcases the themes of friendship, loyalty and love. Throughout the film, we see their relationship develop closer and they end bonding like sisters. All of that is elevated by Scott's masterful direction and Callie Khouri's screenplay, which adds a few surpises to an otherwise simple plot. The technical aspects are also very good. The cinematography is beautifully handled and the editing keeps the movie's pace moving. The performances by the lead two actress, Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, are great and you can see that they share great chemistry together. It also has a great supporting cast such as Michael Madsen, Harvey Keitel and even Brad Pitt. On the flip side, the movie can drag on in some scene and the plot is a bit straightforwad. Overall, Thelma and Louise still holds up after 29 years and it's a movie that has real heart and is one Scott's best films.

Remember when The Watchowskis directed The Matrixin 1999? Those were the good days. It's baffling to see that they managed to make one of the most boring, uninspired and forgettable sci-fi films in the last decade with Jupiter Ascending. The tells the story of Jupiter Jones, who discovers her destiny as an heiress of intergalactic nobility and must fight to protect the inhabitants of Earth from an ancient and destructive industry. Oh, boy, where do I begin? The movie does have some great ideas. There is a good movie somewhere behind all of this. You can tell the Watchowskis tried to do a good film, but sadly, the movie never utilizes its ideas to its full extent and the plot itself is non-sensical and so boring you don't care about what's going on. The movie has a decent cast of actors, such as Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne and Sean Bean, but the characters are so forgettable and uninteresting it's hard to care about anyone, especially Jupiter. The action sequences, while it can be fun, feels repetitive all time and the pacing is terrible. The only good things I can point out is the special effects and its visual landscape. The VFX team has done a great job in bringing its world to life. Sadly, that doesn't detract from the film's flaws, as Jupiter Ascending is a complete disaster and it's one of the most forgettable sci-fi films I've ever seen. If you're a sci-fi fan or a Watchowski fan, please skip this film.