The film opens with faded lighting and as it progresses is captured like an artistic archive.  La Chimera glows with glimpses into a world of aspirational wonders. The Italian director Alice Rohrwacher’s film is both an empathetic and vibrant experience. Its set in Italy in the 1980s with beautiful landscapes serving as part of the film’s foundation. La Chimera takes a wholistic approach with its narrative involving an extensive search for artifacts through uncharted territory.

The film focuses on Arthur, played by Josh O’Connor, a tomb raider, referred to as the Tombarol. Arthur’s job is digging and searching for archeological artifacts that are in tombs in various places in Italy. His old friend Flora, played by Isabella Rosellini,is elderly and suffers with some health issues. Flora’s assistant is Italia, played by Carol Duarte, who is learning to sing and but is tone deaf. Arthur has a friend Pirro played by Vincenzo Nemolato who is his partner-in-crime in their search for artifacts that they’re hoping will be profitable. Arthus, however, is frustrated that his earnings aren’t what he anticipates given his time and devotion to his job. He reports his finding to Spartaco, played by Alba Rohwacher, who handles the public relations, and determines the value of what Arthur and his team find.

The film’s direction is poetic in portraying Arthur’s point of view. He takes his artifacts seriously and has skills and knowledge to figure out where to search. Arthur is also suffering from a loss, and the artifacts keep him occupied. Unfortunately, Arthur is under-appreciated, and many see his research as a gimmick or a waste of time. His friends Flora, Italia, and Pirro help inspire him to continue his search.

La Chimera is a journey where interesting dynamics lead to something more life changing. The forests and landscapes fuel the invigoration in La Chimera. Arthur is trying to find artifacts, Italia is dealing with being a servant, and Flora is struggling with health issues. Whatever is found in the depths of Arthur’s research could change the lives of those around him. Hatred flows through the community of the people that despise Arthur’s work. Arthur is not a bad person, but he is viewed by some as a con artist. Arthur’s persistence in La Chimera makes the movie lively for its audience.

The writing and lighting combine to send a message—the bigger the artifacts, the greater the chances of a promising livelihood. There are many pleasing discoveries in the story and the revelations go deep in La Chimera. There is a hidden irony in the revelation that the hard work will not benefit everyone. While there is a notion in the film that the tasks at hand are detrimental, in the end persistence leads to finding somethingmore rewarding. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for La Chimera.

Immaculate is about faith being tested. The story is not so much about making religious or culturally-influence choices, but more about dealing with choices involving betrayal. The movie is directed by Michael Mohan and written by Andrew Lobel. Immaculate is audacious in portraying how difficult it is to maintain the faith especially when things begin to go south. The trailers caused me to anticipate that this film was going to be a bumpy ride of surreal terror which it was. The psychological tracks in Immaculate are destined to break norms and barriers.

The film introduces its audience to Cecilia who is played by Sydney Sweeney. Cecilia is a young American who is devoted to religion and takes a position at a convent in Italy. She has faith that this is her new Safe Haven until the attitudes of the other nuns and the staff start to create a pattern of disturbing questions. The Father at the convent is played by Alvaro Morte. He tries to convey that Cecilia is now in a place that is extremely safe. However, as Cecilia gathers facts and information from other nuns, she increasingly feels that the convent has some very unsettling vibes which are both devilish and life-threatening.

With Sweeney in the lead role, she has a very cute and innocent personality as a young practicing nun. Due to her youthful and pleasing style, the audience hopes she finds a way out of the convent before it is too late. The film periodically traces back to the practices of the convent and shows various times when many of the nuns are held back from going elsewhere. Whateverdetrimental actions and behaviors are happening at the convent,it appears that the more likely of the same is likely to occur. Immaculate is a movie about religion and faith where a trail of lies highlight the journey with their shock value.

With the setting in Italy, the language barrier also contributes to the tension in Immaculate. Cecilia cannot understand what is being said through most of the movie. What she sees and feels cause  her stress and uneasiness. Immaculate is an experience that is quite unsettling. Can Cecilia save herself from the terrorswaiting for her? Will her faith sustain her? What is the evil that lurks in the convent? Immaculate made me feel like I was in a historic church being subjected to extreme darkness which wasquite unsettling. The film is not an easy psychological thriller to absorb. It takes some mental preparation and toughness especially due to the violence and realizations that further put Ceclia’s safety in jeopardy.

Immaculate is a daring movie for a daring actress. Sweeney’s role is filled with pure adrenaline. However, the film overall was not amazing. It is one of those terror flicks that keeps trying to throw violence in to heighten the effect. In the end, I did not feel as satisfied as I had anticipated I would when I left the movie was over. Two out of four stars for Immaculate.