I Found Some Gems
Hi everyone, I am passing by to say: “Hello!”, and also to check in with you and ask about your life: How are you doing lately? Are you as excited about Autumn as I am? Or you would rather live in a permanent season of summer? Is it too cold where you live?
In my last post, I shared some of the activities that make me feel good. All of the activities mentioned are still at the top of my list of projects to calm me down and make me feel better, but there is an important one that I didn’t include because I didn’t think it was necessary.
I watch more movies than I want to admit, and sitting on my couch with salty popcorn to immerse myself in a Hollywood creation is the only acceptable way to put an end to the day for me, both during the weekend as well as during the busy working days. There is always time for a night time story.
I have been watching sooo many movies lately, a few of them which I found unwatchable. As always, some of the greatest movies that I discovered didn’t get the credit they deserved due to what I believe must be a lack of marketing budget.
But don’t worry, today I am sticking my head out of my nest to share with you the latest gems that I have found.
Jack and the Hole
A tale about Jack, a young boy who decides to experiment with freedom and adulthood by throwing every member of his family into a hole.
I enjoyed watching the movie, but I loved even more reading all of the theories that people had about the ending. You can tell that multiple points in this story are based on theories we are told as kids about adulthood, individualism and maturing as a person, which give this film a lot more depth.
My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To
A surreal plot about a young boy who lives in absolute isolation with his older brother and sister.
The two siblings live a life of loneliness and routine, putting themselves in the most dangerous situations only to make their little brother survive.
I love how much this movie resembles a tale you would tell to your kids to persuade them from talking to strangers.
I love the way that family dynamics are portrayed. If you are into dark stories, you will probably enjoy this movie.
Burn
This was a weird movie that I found by chance one evening.
The reason why I decided to mention it today is not because the story was particularly amazing, but because it has wonderful interpretations and the best characterization of a real person with narcissistic personality disorder.
The main character is a very unpopular girl who works in a gas station with her very attractive coworker. As much as she tries to provide the best customer service to her clients, people continue to remind her how little they appreciate her in comparison to her colleague.
One night, a guy arrives determined to rob the gas station.
Drunk Bus
A young boy who spends his nights working as a campus bus driver befriends a samoan guard during his shift.
The main character of this adventure is completely directionless after a bad breakup with his long-time girlfriend. During the night shifts, he encounters some bizarre events that make him bond with the security guard.
The reason why I included Drunk Bus on the list is simply because of the originality of the story. It’s a very easy to watch and you don’t need to focus your entire attention on it, so you can chop some celery whilst watching it!
The Antonio Campos Foursome
1- Marcy Mary May Marlene
A few weeks ago I watched this production starred by Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes and Sarah Paulson. It follows a woman that escapes a cult to stay with her sister and her husband. She finds herself fighting her past trauma whilst trying to adapt to the materialistic life that her sister lives.
I decided to check other productions from the same director, and what I found was even better.
2- Afterschool
A film from 2008 that focuses on the lives of a group of kids in a private boarding school after one of them records the death of two classmates by accident.
This movie is pretty hard to watch, even more than the first one!
I think that the point of the movie is to represent the lives of privileged families, with kids separated from their emotionally distant parents at a young age and the negation of problems involving drugs and potential mental disorders.
3- Christine
Another amazing movie based on a real story. It follows the life of the journalist Christine Chubbuck, her relationship with her mom, her colleagues and her ambitions.
The story took an unexpected turn! I highly recommend watching it before reading the story of the journalist so that you don’t read any spoilers and can be surprised by the end of the movie.
4- Simon Killer
The Crown Jewel, the movie of the year (although it was released in 2012!).
I have too many thoughts about this movie, but I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t watched it. I may write a post about the movie with all the spoilers and a huge Spoiler Alert sign and the beginning for those who don’t want to read it.
It’s an amazing production, like all of the movies director by Antonio Campos.
Despite leaving me with a bad, bad taste in my mouth, this movie is a must watch and study for everyone interested in psychology and human relationships.
I have a few more productions on my list that I want to share, but I am thinking of preparing a post about the latest documentaries that I have watched in case some of you want some real-life darkness for Halloween.
Let me know if you have any suggestions about other movies you think I should watch.
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day!
16 Comments
Sid
Nice list of movies.
I would like to recommend you Michael Haneke’s movies (I heard that Antonio Campos took some inspiration from his movies). My favourite one is Cache. Funny Games is awesome too
Kiira Smith
Thank you Sid!
I am definitely checking Haneke’s movies, I actually watched funny games some time ago and I liked it so I am taking note of that 😁
Savannah
Hi! I am very much looking forward to Autumn, it is my favourite season of the year 🙂
Glad that you are looking forward to it too!
I haven’t seen most of the movies that you mentioned but I did see Jack and the Hole and I found it to be very captivating. Will be checking the other films for sure!
Kiira Smith
Autumn is magical and we’ll be enjoying it shortly 🍂
I hope you like the movies 😊
Nel
From the ones on the list, I have seen Drunk Bus.
I met Pineapple (the character from the movie) in a tattoo shop, on 6th St, in Austin. He pierced my friend’s belly button, and is the same in person as he is in this movie…which is laid back and cool as fuck. The movie is good, too!
Oh I have also seen Christine and it was pretty good too. Very good picks!
Kiira Smith
No way! That’s such a huge coincidence ❗❗😮 It must have been really funny.
Thanks for sharing the anecdote Nel ❤️
John Malone
Interesting selection of movies, haven’t seen any but they seem like a good pick to watch when it gets a bit colder and you are cozied up in your living room
Kiira Smith
We need some movies for the cold season right? ❄️
Some of them are a bit dark, but so is Autumn and winter hahaha
Jamie
I love Antonio Campos’s films. I think The Devil All The Time was a bit worse but otherwise really top level, immersive movies!
Kiira Smith
Thanks Jamie ❤️ Hopefully Campos will continue making productions 🙏
Vy
Awesome selection of movies, many of them pretty unknown! I have seen all of them though hehe
My favourite one is Simon Killer, very remarkable
Kiira Smith
All of them? 😮 Vy you are a Pro! 🎬
Agree, there was something else about Simon Killer…🤔
Ruth
I have seen a few of these movies. I didn’t like Burn as much, but Drunk bus and jack and the hole were great 🙂
Kiira Smith
That’s cool, Jack and the Whole and Drunk bus are very unique stories 🙂.
Naz
Nice list, will make sure I watch them in the next few weeks. It would be awesome if you made a list of documentaries you have seen recently like you mention, I would definitely be interested hahaha
Kiira Smith
Thank you Naz! There are a couple of Documentaries that I want to watch before (to see if I add them to the list) but I think that the post with all of them will be ready fairly soon!😁