This is an international film in which love is hard to find and morals are put to the test. Set in Mumbai, the many emotions caused by various choices spiral. All We Imagine as Light is centered on finding the moments in life that count. Written and directed by Payal Kapadia, the writing and continuity display a sense of realism that is unforgettable. The emotional and cultural backgrounds in All We Imagine as Light are cohesive and prompt audiences to ponder the ultimate question, “What does the heart want?”
The film features a nurse named Prabha (played by Kani Kusruti). Her life is interrupted when a gift shows up from her estranged husband. She has a roommate, Anu (played by Divya Prabha) who is in love with her boyfriend. These two roommates are experiencing different types of feelings. There is deep meaning to this film although it is a quiet, soft-spoken one. It is a journey where audiences are curious about what Prabha or Anu are thinking. There is a purposeful dynamic focused on finding connections or love.
It is a beautifully written and directed portrait of Mumbai that is enhanced through the cinematography. Much of the lighting is in tune with Prabha’s and Anu’s feelings. There are moments ofsadness, confusion, and acceptance. There are also moments where hardship seems to cause great struggles in their lives. Overall, it is a poetic portrait of finding meaning in life and what one’s heart desires. Four out of four stars.
This is one of those rare experiences where honesty finds its brilliance. The film is vocal, vulgar, and has no filter, yet is executed monumentally well. Hard Truths is a dark comedy that is perfect for The Chicago International Film Festival. The characterizations are superb. Written and directed by Mike Leigh, the writing that is part tragedy part comedy are a recipe for many laughs as well as moments which transition to seriousness.
The film focuses on Pansy (played by Marianne Jeanne-Baptiste), who is trying to navigate her own life and struggles. The setting is the United Kingdom. Pansy is vocal and tells the truth without holding back as she keeps fighting to make a point. The story is a portrait of a strong-willed African American woman in an English setting. She is trying to help her depressed son Moses (played by Tuwaine Barrett) while at the same time dealing with other conflicts in her family. The twist to this dark comedy is that the problem is Pansy.
The film is about navigating reality and facing consequences, but also about how society reacts when not everyone is on the same page. The cultural dynamics explore many different rituals and difficult scenarios. It is a joyful rollercoaster that feels bipolar, but the writing is successful at turning the negative into an attention-grabbing work of art. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.
For those looking for some nostalgic terror, Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street delivers. The immersive momentum is even better in its new 4K HDR (high dynamic range) Edition. There are superb elements including sound effects, scares, and bonus features which make for a surreal experience for both old and new audiences. The killer, Freddy Krueger (played by Robert Englund) is back with his blades leading to unsettling nightmares. The screeching sounds are more intense now thanks to the improved audio quality.
The visuals in this film give off 80s vibes The younger days of celebrities like Heather Langenkamp (who plays Nancy Thompson), Johnny Depp (who plays Glen Lantz), and Amanda Wyss (who plays Tina Gray) marked the early days of a killer that built a franchise. Their nightmares of the same killer, Freddy Krueger, feature the invisible silences that create horror. The 4K restoration makes the moving parts of the puzzle worth revisiting. The digital edition is now available and the 4K UHD Disc debuts on October 15th. For collectors, the physical discs are what fans will not want to miss due to the visual effects.
Get your Halloween fascination on and investigate securing your copy of A Nightmare on Elm Street in 4K. The 1986 horrors still dazzle. It is uncharted territory that feels interactive and also original which is hard to find these days. This is one of the most historic films filled with horrific galore that audiences will not want to turn down. Four out of four stars for A Nightmare on Elm Street in 4K.
Movies with Tarek 