RIP: Lauren Bacall 1924 - 2014

RIP: Robin Williams 1951 - 2014

The Lunchbox

Indian writer and director Ritesh Batra made his feature debut with this powerful drama about two lonely people looking for a connection. A mistaken delivery connects a young housewife with an elderly clerk which starts an unusual friendship through notes in the lunchbox. Utterly original and compelling, Batra delivers one of the best films from India in recent memory which is quiet an accomplishment. The film works on several levels with universal themes with the exotic backdrop of India which makes for a rewarding experience. Irrfan Khan stars with another terrific performance along with Nimrat Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

6 Souls

Swedish directors Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein made their feature debut with this psychological thriller. A forensic psychiatrist takes the unusual case of a man suffering from multi-personality disorder but finds out a more sinister truth behind it which becomes dangerous and deadly. Writer Michael Cooney puts a clever twist on the paranormal by blending thriller and horror elements which directors Marlind and Stein effectively bring to the screen. The overqualified Julianne Moore stars with a solid supporting cast that includes Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jeffrey DeMunn and Frances Conroy. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Jimmy P.

French writer and director Arnaud Desplechin made his English language debut with this powerful drama. A Native American man suffering from psychological issues finds help from an unconventional French psychoanalyst. After several powerful family dramas, Desplechin tackles an unusual and challenging material  based on a true story which would have never made in the US but pays off to those giving it a chance. Benicio Del Toro and Mathieu Amalric star with terrific performances which drives the drama. The solid supporting cast includes Gina McKee and Misty Upham amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Boyhood

Writer and director Richard Linklater returns with another terrific film which is one of a kind. The life of a boy and his family is shown in real time over the course of twelve years from a child to a young adult. The fact that Linklater spent 12 years to make the film where actors age on screen makes the film a special treat without any artifice of make-up. The natural course of story takes away the artificial input of conflicts that gives the story an authentic feel. Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke star with solid performances which reminds it's a fictional film while Ellar Coltrane's transformation from boy to man comes as natural as possible where the line between life and performance is blurred. The supporting cast is solid as well with Lorelei Linklater appearing as the sister with an equal transformation. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.

Begin Again

Irish writer and director John Carney returns with another winning film with music at its core. A chance encounter between a washed up music executive and a young singer-songwriter gives them a new chance in life and their passion. Carney hits all the right marks without falling into cliches to deliver a refreshing film which shows the power of music. Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo star with terrific performances which elevates the film along the fine supporting cast which includes James Corden, Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld and Catherine Keener. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.

Zatoichi

Japanese actor, writer and director Takeshi Kitano remade the classic story for modern audiences. A blind swordsman becomes the unlikely hero when he becomes involved in a war between two powerful gangs in feudal Japan. Multi tasking Kitano delivers an entertaining action film about the classic hero. Kitano leads a solid ensemble which makes this film stand out. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Mademoiselle C

French director Fabien Constant made his feature debut with this documentary about fashion icon Carine Roitfeld. Former head of French Vogue, Carine Roitfeld is followed as she moves to New York to create a new fashion book. Insightful film about the world of fashion through one of its most powerful players using her experience and connections for a new endeavor. Constant got total access to Roitfeld and her powerful friends to make the film this happen which shows the machinery of the fashion world. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel

Directors Lisa Immordino Vreeland, Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt and Frédéric Tcheng made their feature debut with this terrific documentary about the legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland. The life and work of Diana Vreeland who's responsible for the modern fashion journalism through her groundbreaking work at Bazaar, Vogue and Metropolitan Museum. Using archival footage and interviews of Vreeland and fashion experts the directors created an informative as well as entertaining film. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Immigrant

Writer and director James Gray returns with his fifth film which is his first period drama and fourth with Joaquin Phoenix. In order to save her sister, a desperate immigrant woman falls prey to a shady businessman who forces her into prostitution which paves the way for tragedy. Gray delivers his best film with this visually striking melodrama which sheds light on the dark side of the immigrant experience. Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix star with terrific performances along a solid supporting cast which includes Jeremy Renner, Dagmara Dominczyk and Angela Sarafyan. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Instructions Not Included

Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez made his feature debut with this comedy which he wrote, directed and produced as well as stars. A playboy finds his bachelor life interrupted when he's forced to raise baby abandoned by his former flame which takes him on a journey into fatherhood with unexpected consequences. Derbez' colorful melodrama shows a different perspective of Hollywood by using a familiar formula which has its moments. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: James Garner 1928 - 2014

His Brother

French writer and director Patrice Chéreau delivered a powerful film with this intimate drama about family and death. Two estranged brothers are forced to come together when one of them has a terminal disease and return to their hometown which forces them to re-evaluate their lives and face the harsh reality.  Based on the novel by Philippe Besson, Chéreau and co-writer Anne-Louise Trividic made an uncompromising film which deals with harsh realities of life without any false sentimentality. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD. 

Under the Skin

British writer and director Jonathan Glazer returned almost a decade with his third feature with this enigmatic sci-fi thriller. Two mysterious aliens pose as humans where the female hunts for men which eventually gets her in trouble and separated from the male which has deadly consequences. Based loosely on the novel by Michel Faber, Glazer delivers a visually stunning film which is strange and hypnotic leaving much for the viewer to interpret instead of offering easy answers. Scarlett Johansson stars as the alien femme fatale who stands out among the mostly non-professional Scottish cast and scenery. Stunning Scottish locations plays a major character in the film along with top rate artists behind the camera. 1001 Films coverage of films on DVD.

Those Who Love Me, Take the Train

French writer and director Patrice Chéreau dealt with death, grief and friendship with this drama. Family and friends of an artist take the train to his funeral where they conflict with each other and reflect on their relationship with the deceased as well as the remaining relationships. Funerals can be messy and complicated as Chéreau and writer Danièle Thompson show in this very French film which is miles ahead of any contemporary American film with an all star cast. The stellar ensemble includes Pascal Greggory, Charles Berling, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Bruno Todeschini, Vincent Perez, Roschdy Zem, Dominique Blanc and Olivier Gourmet. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Maleficent

Godzilla

Persecution

French writer and director Patrice Chéreau's final feature is a powerful character study. A man struggling with life has a complicated relationship with a woman which pushes him on the edge of existence. Chéreau and cowriter Anne-Louise Trividic show the messy side of life without giving into cliches or easy answers with fully developed and complex characters struggling to cope with harsh realities of life. Romain Duris stars with another terrific performance along a fine cast that includes Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jean-Hugues Anglade and Gilles Cohen. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: Paul Mazursky 1930 - 2014

Great Expectations

British director Mike Newell bounces back to top form after more than a decade with the terrific adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. A young orphan crosses paths with three strangers, a convict, a wealthy spinster and a young girl who shape his life with great expectations. Newell and writer David Nicholls hit all the right marks to bring the beloved classic to the screen. Jeremy Irvine stars with a terrific performance with a stellar supporting cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Sally Hawkins, Robbie Coltrane, Jason Flemyng, Ewen Bremner and Holliday Grainger amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.