The Secret in Their Eyes (2010)

PRIVATE EYES

The past is in the past, buried in time and fleeting away. But for former investigator Benjamin Esposito, he can’t move on without dragging with the past along. Now retired, he’s intent to write a fictionalized version of a rape and homicide case he was worked on. He asks his former boss, the American-schooled Irene Menéndez-Hastings, for advice, but she seems reluctant to unearth the 1974 case.

The victim is Liliana Colotto, a pretty 23 year-old schoolteacher. When Benjamin arrives at the crime scene, her corpse is naked, bruised and, thrown off from the bed. Had this occurred today, a swab of DNA might conveniently revealed the perpetrator. Instead, the best deduced estimation is that she probably knew the killer because there was no force-entry on the door. Eventually, a silly hunch breaks the case open. Among Liliana’s photographs, Benjamin notices a suspicious young man leering at the victim. What could possibly be the secret in his eyes?

A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

THE BOYS IN THE BAND

The Beatles run from a stampede of girls in the opening sequence of “A Hard Day’s Night.” The boy band tries to elude them by hiding inside telephone booths, behind newspapers, and facial hair. It’s a silly scene and it rightly sets the jovial spirit of the film. It’s a welcome attitude compared to today’s grandstanding singers. There is no whiff of self-importance. There is neither cliche proclamation of “living the dream” nor display of bling-blinding indulgence. If one forgets that the Beatles are a cultural phenomena, the film simply shows four mischievous boys, running around as they perform one song after another.

The Remains of the Day (1993)

CALL OF DUTY

It’s most kind of you to take this time and read the review. I am by no means an expert in film criticism, but I’m much obliged for sharing my humble view. I promise to do my utmost best. And if I have executed my job suitably, you should be able to judge whether this movie is worth a look. I, myself, could not remember as to why I have chosen to watch it, but by the end of it, I was thoroughly pleased to have done so.

Based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, “The Remains of the Day” is about James Stevens (Anthony Hopkins), a dignified, dutiful butler in the English estate of Darlington. In the film, he recalls a crucial time in his service, circa 1930s, right before the second World War. He has hired a first-rate employee – a lovely Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson) in the role of the housekeeper. The woman proves to be sharp-eyed, confident, and poised. However, she can be outspoken when it comes to conduct and rules. And while this challenges his authority, Mister Stevens is secretly amused by her restrained rants.

Catfish (2010)

NEV’S ENDING STORY

While the film shows no actual fish, “Catfish” is one fishy movie. It asserts itself to be one-hundred-percent true documentary, but there are times when you doubt its authenticity. Its premise involves an affable photographer named Nev. As documented by his two camera-ready roomies, we see him expound on his unlikely correspondence with a child painter named Abby.

The girl, miles away in Michigan, has seen one of Nev’s published photographs. She contacts him, expresses her admiration, and sends him her paintings inspired by his work. Touched to have a fan, Nev communicates with Abby mostly through cyber. Soon, in Facebook, he also befriends her appreciative mother Angela and hot half-sister Megan. He becomes intimate with the family as the correspondence grows through text messages, phone calls, and songs. Then one day, Nev decides to surprise them by driving to Michigan. And the surprise! – the supriser becomes the surpisee. The movie depends on this revelation and if you have not watched it yet and plans to, I warn you that the following might splash some spoilers.