Before Sunrise [1995]

directed by:

Richard Linklater

cinematography by:

Lee Daniel

starred by:

Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy

notes:

best romance movie ever! i was completely enamoured by the script and how natural Ethan and Julie showed the growing infatuation between the two characters. from the topics of their conversations and the slow walking through the city really pulled me in and it felt like i was third wheeling the two the whole time lol. i'm heartbroken that this is purely fictional and i'll never find a love like this in real life TT

Midnight in Paris [2011]

directed by:

Woody Allen

cinematography by:

Darius Khondji

starred by:

Owen Wilson

notes:

one of the most unique themes ever portrayed on film, and one that deeply resonates with me in a way nothing ever did. Owen's character idealization of the past is something that i find myself doing too, and it's more than being just an "old soul", it's something every one does, and the movie makes it clear that is part of human nature to focus on the past instead of living in the present. the casting is brilliant as well! the scene with Picasso is one of the funniest and coolest moments ever! And the ending is heartwarming!

Kiki's Delivery Service [1989]

directed by:

Hayao Miyazaki

notes:

first japanese animation i've ever saw back when i was a little kid and it growed to be my comfort movie! I've always had an obsession with witches in cinema so Kiki is simply one of my favorite characters ever! The soundtrack paired with the dreamy scenery gives me such a nostalgic and warm feeling, in the surface, it may look like a simple children's movie but the topics raised throughout the movie are really important and relatable to all ages! The metaphors used to symbolize growing pains and burnout are also really clever and emotional to see. Please go watch it if you haven't yet!

Dead Poets Society [1989]

directed by:

Peter Weir

cinematography by:

John Seale

starred by:

Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard

notes:

i wanted to do cinema for years because of this movie, 10 year old me really went through a major development arc just because of this story lol. It's beautiful, gloomy and endearing, i cry like a baby everytime i watch it. it's so satisfying to see how Robin's character influence and help the students grow and find their passions, as well as it is devastating to see the end. The cinematography is really beautiful as well, the seasons changing throughout the movie adds a nice touch and adds to the layer of impending doom. Neil will forever live rent free in my mind!

Rear Window [1954]

directed by:

Alfred Hitchcock

cinematography by:

Robert Burks

starred by:

James Stewart, Grace Kelly

notes:

Good Will Hunting [1954]

directed by:

Gus Van Sant

cinematography by:

Jean-Yves Escoffier

starred by:

Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck

notes:

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower [2012]

directed by:

Stephen Chbosky

cinematography by:

Andrew Dunn

starred by:

Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller

notes:

Priscilla [2023]

directed by:

Sofia Coppola

cinematography by:

Philippe Le Sourd

starred by:

Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi

notes:

say what you wanna say about sofia coppola, but the woman really knows how to paint a beautiful atmosphere. the costume design, the soundtrack and the cinematography got me on a chokehold. Cailee was a pleasant surprise to me, i had never watched any of her movies but after this one i'm a really big fan, her voice, her looks! she has an old hollywood quality of stars like grace kelly and ingrid bergman.

Beautiful Boy [2018]

directed by:

Felix Van Groeningen

cinematography by:

Ruben Impens

starred by:

Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet

notes:

I'm Still Here [2024]

directed by:

Walter Salles

cinematography by:

Adrian Teijido

starred by:

Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, Fernanda Montenegro

notes:

a movie everyone needs to see once in their life time. this one hits particularly close too home as a brazilian. growing up hearing stories about the dictatorship and seeing how it still has it's effects on the country today really makes this movie into a surreal experience, i watched it on the cinema when it first came out and hearing people cry as the credits rolled will stick with me. Fernanda gives a show stopping performance and for me it was really impactful because i grew up watching her comedy series, so to see this side of her was completely beautiful. it reminds me once more of the power cinema has to keep memories alive and tell stories that need to be heard.

A Complete Unknown [2024]

directed by:

James Mangold

cinematography by:

Phedon Papamichael

starred by:

Timothée Chalamet

notes:

timothee's speech at SAG is what made me compelled to watch this and all i have to say he really is a gem of talent! the ammount of effort put into portraying a multi layered person such as bob dylan is no easy task, and you can see how timothee really cares about his craft. i don't really enjoy music biopics but this one was a pleasent surprise.

We Live In Time [2024]

directed by:

John Crowley

cinematography by:

Stuart Bentley

starred by:

Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield

notes:

real solid movie! the script was nothing groundbreaking but andrew and florence really transformed it into something raw and beautiful, it was amazing to see both of them on screen and i won't lie i was teary eyed by the end of it (florence's monologue was one of the best performances i've seen in a while)

Taxi Driver [1976]

directed by:

Martin Scorsese

cinematography by:

Michael Chapman

starred by:

Robert De Niro

notes:

i wasn't expecting to enjoy this movie as much as i did, but i was hooked with that initial jazz track on top of footage of moody new york night life. it's the type of movie that makes you increasingly umcomfortable, a slow build up that dares you to look away. robert de niro is simply incredible, that's obvious, but he plays travis in a way that made me sympathize and pity him. the movie depicts male loneliness and ptsd in a way i could relate a bit even if my life and struggles aren't even a tad bit similar to his. i heard a lot of people think it's overrated, but i guess that's inevitable when it has become a classic of the noir genre. one of the best ending shots i've ever since as well!