After the dust has settled around Joaquin Phoenix’s last movie, Napolean, we thought we’d celebrate his top fifteen movie performances—from the 2019 smash Joker to film buff classic Gladiator. The academy-award-winning actor has been in the business for years, starring alongside his brother River Phoenix from a pretty young age. Joaquin even named his son River in an ode to his brother’s memory—star of Stand by Me (dir. Rob Reiner, 1986) and My Own Private Idaho (dir. Gus Van Sant,…

Wes Anderson is back with his latest film, The Phoenician Scheme. He is a celebrated American filmmaker known for his distinctive visual style, quirky characters, and offbeat humor. His filmography includes critically acclaimed works such as "The Grand Budapest Hotel," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Moonrise Kingdom," "The Royal Tenenbaums," and "The French Dispatch" Anderson's films are often marked by their bright colors, intricate set designs, and nostalgic soundtracks. He has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Anderson's unique…

In the frenetic landscape of contemporary cinema, dominated by fast-paced narratives, bombastic special effects, and relentless sensory overload, a counter-current has emerged called “slow cinema.” Film scholar Emre Çağlayan, in his book “Poetics of Slow Cinema,” defines the phenomenon as a particular subgenre of filmmaking whose aesthetic features include “a mannered use of the long take and a resolute emphasis on dead time.” However, the deliberate pacing and minimalist aesthetics of these films are not merely stylistic choices; they reflect…

When we talk about capturing the essence of food and its huge impact on our lives, movies can take us to a different world or awaken our senses to a completely different sensory feeling. When I first watched the mouth-watering Cubano sandwiches in Chef (2014) or the magical confections in Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp starrer Chocolat (2000), I was blown away by the ion and determination that the people who prepared and enjoyed the food in those films had…

The Sundance Film Festival has long been a cradle for groundbreaking independent cinema, launching films that often grow beyond their initial acclaim to achieve cult status. These movies transcend their time, finding ionate followings for their innovative storytelling, unique aesthetic, or subversive themes. Reservoir Dogs (1992) revolutionized the crime genre with its sharp dialogue and nonlinear narrative, while The Big Lebowski (1998) became a cultural phenomenon with its quirky humor and iconic characters. American Psycho (2000) offered a biting satire on…

Winona Ryder, a versatile American actress, has left an indelible mark on the film industry through her diverse filmography. With a career spanning several decades, Ryder's talent shines brightly in various roles. Her breakthrough came in the late '80s with iconic performances in "Beetlejuice" (1988) (and the sequel, of course) and "Heathers" (1988), showcasing her exceptional acting skills. The '90s brought her critical acclaim in "Edward Scissorhands" (1990) and "Girl, Interrupted" (1999), earning Academy Award nominations. Ryder's compelling performance in…

Taiwanese auteur Tsai Ming-liang was born in present-day Kuching, Malaysia, on October 27, 1957. Voted 18th by The Guardian among the world’s 40 best directors, Tsai has been a regular presence at major international film festivals for over two decades and a poster figure of the Second New Wave of Taiwanese cinema. In the course of his career, Tsai shot 11 feature films, including the evocative “The River” (1997), the haunting “Goodbye, Dragon Inn” (2003), the intimate “Vive L’Amour” (1994),…

Darren Aronofsky is one of the most important American filmmakers working today. His distinct and intense exploration of the darkest aspects of the human psyche captivates and devastates us. From the visceral experience of 'Requiem for a Dream' to the mind-bending journey of 'Black Swan', the biblical allegory of 'Mother!' or the surprisingly delicate 'The Whale', Aronofsky's films leave a lasting impression on viewers, challenging perceptions and stirring emotions.