The Tree of Life (2011)

One of my favourite film makers delivers this masterpiece of cinema - a poetic account of one boy's struggle with meaning juxtaposed with images of the cosmos and eternity. Absolutely stunning camera work, realism blended with childlike wonder and real emotional pain and joy.

The pace is slow, but the characters are engaging and the 139 minutes pass as though a dream. Categorically perfect contemplation.

Official Site | IMDB

Adam (2009)

Adam has asperger's syndrome, lost his job, and his dad just died. Fortunately, the woman who moved in nearby thinks he's sweet.

The film explores honesty and what it is like living (and dating someone) with a disorder on the autism spectrum. It's a romantic film that doesn't leave you covered in sap.

Official Site | IMDB

Babies (2010)

Documentary film maker Thomas Balmès films and juxtaposes the lives of four babies during their first year of life. The babies grow in the diverse environs of San Francisco, Tokyo, Mongolia and Namibia. With all the obvious diversity, it's a blast to see how the babies are so similar developmentally and so happy in their world.

What is really interesting though is how the babies are cared for by their moms. Two of the babies live in the poor world and the other two live in privilege. The question posed to me is "Which ones will have a healthier view of the the world, life and others?"

Official Site | IMDB

A Broken Life (2008)

This is a poorly written drama about a guy planning to kill himself and the full day leading up to it. When placed next to a film like A Single Man this one is terrible. It's just way too melodramatic and reeks of amateur film.

Official Site | IMDB

Flashbacks of a Fool (2008)

Quite a poignant film that gives selfishness and self-gratification a story. The story catches up with Joe Scot at the beginning of his fall from grace as a successful lead actor. Then the story returns to the beginnings of this actor's life and draws the parallels for the viewer.

Daniel Craig's role is minimal as most of the film takes place in Britain when his character is a teen, but Craig delivers tremendous regret on the sleeve of someone who is still only skin deep.

IMDB