Shentonista Recommends — February Films

If you’re like us and Chinese New Year has gotten you exhausted from the endless house visits; exchanging of well-wishes with relatives; stuffing of faces; and barrage of probing personal questions, then you’ll need some much-needed alone time. We find that a good movie soothes the soul and awakens the imagination, the perfect remedy for festivity-induced-fatigue. Here’s our list of just some of our favourite films; we hope you find something that tickles your fancy. If you have something to recommend to us, let us know by leaving a comment below. We’d love to find out!

He Named Me Malala
Genre: Documentary
Director: Davis Guggenheim
Cast: Malala Yousafzai
Summary: This is the story of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani teenager who shot to fame after the Taliban tried to kill her for supporting girls’ education — when she was just 15. Today she has emerged as a children’s rights advocate and is the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Why we like it: We believe that everyone has the right to be educated, and that education is one of the most powerful tools to change the world. As Malala says, “There’s a moment where you have to choose whether to be silent, or to stand up.” An inspiring reminder and a story of true courage, this documentary, while not the best in terms of cinematography or sound, also provides a well-rounded view of what Malala is like — beyond being an advocate, speaking at international conferences around the world, she’s a girl and teenager, attending school, giggling over boys; she’s human.
Watch the trailer here.

Me, Earl & The Dying Girl
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Cast: Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, RJ Cyler
Summary: Greg is an awkward high-school senior who, along with his best friend Earl, has a passion for turning classic movies into satirical remakes. He becomes unlikely friends with Rachel, who has leukaemia, and finds his life changed — though, not in the way he had expected or hoped.
Why we like it: “This isn’t a touching romantic story.” It’s a coming-of-age tale — the best of times, the worse of times, quirky, a little offbeat, wry, and real — as life is. Buoyed by beautiful cinematography and witty dialogue, this movie is a little different, but still understandable and relatable for all adults. The original movie poster might seem a bit indie and out-there, but don’t let it deter you: this is a film that pays off. Look out for the the movie-in-movie play, surreal moments, and keep your tissues on standby.
Watch the trailer here.

The Martian
Genre: Sci-fi/Drama
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain
Summary: After things go terribly awry on an expedition to Mars, astronaut and biologist Mark Watney is left behind on the desolate planet. Presumed to be dead, and with only a limited amount of supplies, he must make the most of his wits and keep up his spirits in order to survive.
Why we like it: The movie is set in 2035, so things still seem comfortably familiar and not too hard to imagine. The movie was critically acclaimed and a blockbuster hit, but what we liked most about it was how it defied the other movies in the same genre — think Prometheus, Gravity, and Interstellar — and delivered surprisingly light-hearted, even comedic, fare. Easy on the brain without being superficial (“I’m gonna have to science the shit out of this,” Mark says), The Martian is a thrilling, gripping tale of perseverance and the human spirit.
Watch the trailer here.

The Stanford Prison Experiment
Genre: Drama
Director: Kyle Patrick Alvarez
Cast: Billy Crudup, Ezra Miller, Michael Angarano
Summary: The movie is based on a 1971 experiment that was done to investigate the psychological effects of becoming a prisoner or a prison guard. Fifteen male students volunteered to take part in a  14-day prison simulation, taking on different roles. Ultimately a study on power and authority, and the most basic of human nature, the experiment came to an abrupt halt just six days after it began.
Why we like it: From the outset, the cinematography marks the mood of The Stanford Prison Experiment. You feel a genuine sense of discomfort as the events unfold — the guards becoming more abusive, the prisoners becoming more subservient. While we watch with with horror, there is also the nagging sense, as the ‘guards’ share after the end of the experiment, that we never truly know what we’re capable of. Like books, we think the best movies are the ones that have you thinking about them long after the credits finish rolling, and this movie certainly gets under your skin.
Watch the trailer here.

Macbeth
Genre: Drama
Director: Justin Kurzel
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard
Summary: A prophecy by three witches, and his wife’s relentless goading, convinces Macbeth that his destiny is the throne of Scotland. After dirtying his hands and usurping the reigning king, however, Macbeth is consumed by paranoia and guilt, and must stave off the constant threats to his power.
Why we like it: Shakespeare’s Macbeth might be familiar Literature text to some, and although there might be some painful memories that come with studying the play in school, none of that resurfaces while watching the film. Kurzel’s eye for cinematography and the stunning English and Scottish landscapes mean that each scene is painstakingly, beautifully composed. The movie stays true to the original plot and language, which might make it difficult for some to understand, but the visuals more than make up for it. Despite its uncharacteristic A-List cast, the film had a limited release and run in Singapore, but it’s worth tracking down.
Watch the trailer here.

Image credits:
He Named Me Malala
Me, Earl & The Dying Girl
The Martian
The Stanford Prison Experiment
Macbeth