arbrndr

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

30. A film recommended to you by a librarian

A Moment in the Reeds (2017) Original Title: Tämä hetki kaislikossa Directed by Mikko Mäkelä

Why it fits the challenge:

This was recommended somewhere in the Helmet Film Challenge channels specifically for queer film specific challenges. Found it to be a good little indie film with some beautiful imagery and tender scenes, but it didn't quite stick the landing.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

29. A short film

Sound from the Deep (2017) Directed by Antti Laakso and Joonas Allonen

Why it fits the challenge:

An atmospheric Lovecraftian horror short from Finland. It's very hard for me to rate short films but I thought it was quite solid, especially for a small Finnish production. Nothing particularly new, though.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

28. A film banned somewhere in the world

In the Realm of the Senses (1976) Original title: 愛のコリーダ Directed by Nagisa Ōshima

Why it fits the challenge:

This is a film that has been censored in multiple countries, Finland included, but it has been shown on television a few times now. It surely pushes a lot of boundaries, especially for its time, but it's just too repetitive to my liking.

My rating: ⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

27. An independent film

Blindspotting (2018)

Directed by Carlos López Estrada

Why it fits the challenge:

Written by the lead actors Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, the film was produced outside the major Hollywood studio system on a pretty low budget. Tackles themes like gentrification in Oakland and race, while being surprisingly funny as well. A very good film that I definitely want to revisit.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Other challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

26. An episode film by several directors

Fantasia (1940)

Directed by Wilfred Jackson, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Samuel Armstrong, Jim Handley, T. Hee, Hamilton Luske, Ben Sharpsteen, James Algar, Norman Ferguson, David Hand and Ford Beebe Jr.

Why it fits the challenge:

A collection of eight animated Disney shorts combined with classical music. Comes together quite nicely. Wish I'd seen it as a child!

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Other challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

25. A film that deals with solitude

Leave No Trace (2018)

Directed by Debra Granik

Why it fits the challenge:

A father and daughter live off-grid in the forests of Oregon. Liked the central performances by Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie, and the setting was indeed lovely, but the film didn't quite hit me like Granik's previous effort Winter's Bone did.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Other challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

24. A film with a dog in it

Crawl (2019)

Directed by Alexandre Aja

Why it fits the challenge:

Fun gator horror flick that poses the question: "Does the cute dog survive?"

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Other challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

23. A film chosen at random from the library shelf

First Reformed (2017) Directed by Paul Schrader

Why it fits the challenge:

Not a completely random pick, but one of the more positive surprises I've found from the library. Ethan Hawke is at his best as the reverend struggling with past, alcoholism and faith.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

22. A black and white film

The Lighthouse (2019) Directed by Robert Eggers

Why it fits the challenge:

Two lighthouse keepers descend into madness while working on a remote island. The black and white imagery works wonderfully with the surrealist nature of this film. Willem Dafoe is the king.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

21. A film directed by a famous actor/actress

Vox Lux (2018) Directed by Brady Corbet

Why it fits the challenge:

Directed by Brady Corbet, who I remember as an actor from films like Martha Marcy May Marlene, Melancholia and Force Majeure.

Follows a rising pop star played by Natalie Portman. Satirical look into the music business and the celebrity cult. Interesting effort, but didn't quite work for me. Might want to give it another shot at some point.

My rating: ⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

20. A film that is about a culture previously foreign to you

Tanna (2015) Directed by Martin Butler and Bentley Dean

Why it fits the challenge:

Can't say I know much about the cultures of the Southern Pacific islands. Tanna in particular is an island that is a part of Vanuatu.

Quite a simple film, beautiful images. Worth a watch.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

19. You dislike the Finnish name the film has

The Sisters Brothers (2018) Directed by Jacques Audiard

Why it fits the challenge:

The Finnish title "Sistersin veljekset" kind of misses the language play in the original one, but I'm sure there are way worse examples of poor translated titles.

Overall a pretty great film. Interesting modern western. Enjoyed the performances by Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges in the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

18. A film that was directed by an Asian director

Burning (2018) Original title: 버닝 Directed by Lee Chang-dong

Why it fits the challenge:

A slow-burn Korean thriller with intriguing characters and stunning visual storytelling. Rewards the patient viewer. Glad I saw this in a cinema back then.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

17. A film that has twins in it

Dead Ringers (1988) Directed by David Cronenberg

Why it fits the challenge:

A classic David Cronenberg film. Jeremy Irons' dual role as twin gynecologists is the highlight for me.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

16. A film where the story moves between the real world and a fantasy realm

Barbie (2023) Directed by Greta Gerwig

Why it fits the challenge:

A film that turned out to be way better than expected. Could have been a crappy toy commercial but ended up being a satirical comedy about gender roles, feminism and whatnot. Margot Robbie carries the film, and Ryan Gosling is also excellent with the musical number of 'I'm Just Ken' being one of the highlights. And yeah, the film fits in this challenge as it begins in the fictional and colourful Barbie Land but the characters end up visiting the real world as well.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

15. A film that deals with a taboo topic

Raw (2016) Original title: Grave Directed by Julia Ducournau

Why it fits the challenge:

A highly allegorical and disturbing horror film about sexual awakening. Deals with cannibalism as well, which makes it a good choice for this particular challenge. I didn't vibe with it as much as some others have done, but definitely an interesting film from a promising director.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.

[arbrndr]

Helmet Film Challenge

14. A film where the screenwriter’s last name begins with the same letter as yours

Tenet (2020) Directed by Christopher Nolan

Why it fits the challenge:

Not a lot of screenwriters with a last name beginning with an N, I find. Christopher Nolan is one, though, and funnily enough, I'm not the biggest fan of his screenwriting, even though I enjoy his films quite a bit. It's the same thing with Tenet: the concept is fun and the action kept me engaged until the end, but the ultimate feeling I got left with was emptiness.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Original challenges on the Helmet website.