Revolutionary Road
Sam Mendes
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, this film is an emotional roller-coaster. Based on a novel by Richard Yates, the film set in the 1950s, revolves around the life of a young couple. Their hopes and aspirations and how they struggle to come to terms with each other is portrayed intensely by the actors. In particular, the scene where John (Michael Shannon) confronts the couple and questions their decision to not move to Paris, is one of the few scenes that makes this movie, one of my all-time favourites.
The Bridge On The River Kwai
David Lean
This film revolves around the construction of a bridge in Burma by British POWs captured by the Japanese, during World War II. Col. Nicholson, the commander of the captured British troops, agrees to collaborate with the Japanese, in constructing the bridge hoping that building the bridge would boost the morale of the prisoners. While the prisoners work hard to complete the bridge, the Allies send a group to demolish the bridge. Released in 1957, this movie, based on the Burma-Siam Railway construction ends with a very riveting climax scene.
Unforgiven
Clint Eastwood
William Munny, is a legendary gunslinger, who has given up his past to live with his kids on a farm. On the promise of an enormous bounty, he decides to take one last assignment with two other men. The film portrays friendship, loss, revenge and how the hero is forced to go back on all his promises. Will Munny is not perfect, but a real hero who will remain unforgiven for the rest of his life. Released in 1992, this movie has some of the best dialogues, and is by far one of the best Western movies made in recent times.
Doubt
John Patrick Shanley
Set in the 1960s, the movie revolves around a Catholic church in the Bronx, New York. Sr. Aloysius, a strict nun, who is the principal of the church's school, doubts that Fr. Flynn might have initiated an inappropriate relationship with a young student. She is determined to make Fr. Flynn leave, though he denies her accusation. She remains unshaken in her belief that Father Flynn is guilty, and bases her doubt as the sole evidence to move him out. Amy Adams wonderfully portrays the role of Sr. James, a young and naive nun, who feels guilty about discussing her concern with Sr. Aloysius. Filled with some great performances by Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis, this movie is a delight to watch.
Frozen River
Courtney Hunt
The movie revolves around the lives of two women who are consumed by a world they never intended to be a part of. Eddy (Melissa Leo), a struggling working-class single mom teams up with Lila Littlewolf (Misty Upham), a Mohawk tribe member, in trafficking illegal immigrants from Canada to the U.S., by transporting them in the trunk of her car over a frozen river, hoping this extra money could help make the down payment for her cabin home. It is one of my favourites, because it is not one of those movies that just make you feel good, but leaves you thinking how far one can go to protect one's family.
Those that almost made it
Inglorious Bastards: Quentin Tarantino
Death Proof: Quentin Tarantino
Sophie's Choice: Alan J. Pakula
Scent of a Women: Martin Brest
A Beautiful Mind: Ron Howard
(Prasad Sriram is a software engineer based in San Jose, U.S. A huge movie fan he loves watching films based on history and wars.)
