The Lord of the Rings trilogy - Peter Jackson brought Middle-earth to life with a scope so massive, yet so intimate and focused, that it is hard to not be stunned by it's powerful themes of friendship, power, sorrow, and destiny that were seamlessly integrated with some of the most amazing computer-generated images in movie history. It's overarching theme that all good things must come to an end fulfills itself by the end of this cinematic masterpiece.
Dan-o-Meter: 10 out of 10
The Dark Knight - Complex, layered, and dark, the Dark Knight is not a comic book film. It is a modern crime-drama that relentlessly blurs the line between right and wrong. Heath Ledger's Joker (one of the greatest acting performances I've ever seen) leaves no doubt that pure and unadulterated evil does indeed exist, but the search for the right way - if any - to combat this evil has consequences beyond any single person's control and rarely leaves anyone unscathed. With this film Christopher Nolan directed a masterpiece and cemented his name as one of the most talented directors of today.
Dan-o-Meter: 10 out of 10
Crash - One of the most thought-provoking and introspective movies I've ever seen, Crash shows a society where every individual's soul contains a deep recess where hate and racism coexist with love. The nuances of behavior and emotion that Paul Haggis puts in the narrative will cause viewers to question their own motives and actions that occur in their interactions with different ethnicities. Provocative soul-searching is the mark of a good movie.
Dan-o-Meter: 10 out of 10
Boy A - A film that asks the question "Who deserves who gets a second chance?" Does a young man who committed a brutal crime as a child deserve another chance in life? Boy A gives us the heart-wrenching tale of such a young man and forces us to see him as a human being on the path of reformation and redemption that teeters on the brink falling to ruin because of our own notions of justice and solace.
Dan-o-Meter: 9 out of 10
Children of Men - called a modern day nativity story by some, Children of Men is about a world without children. But it is about so much more than that. It is about a need for redemption in a world where pride, power, and prejudice dominate. As the world crumbles, an unborn child is its only hope and the enthralling story surrounding it will not let up until the end credits bring closure to it. The inclusion of one of the longest uncut movie scenes in movie history is stunning in its intensity. You will gain a new appreciation for the joy of children when seeing a world where their laughter and mischief is completely absent.
Dan-o-Meter: 10 out of 10
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