By 
WHILE WE’RE YOUNG ****
Throughout his career, writer-director Noah Baumbach has been gathering memories of his childhood and adolescence, confirming his authenticity with great narrative techniques. In his new film, a filmmaker is dealing with an existential crisis where he must prove himself as an artist, a husband and a citizen. As he explores the clash of two different generations, getting a taste of each other, the film feels like a mirror of himself or maybe not. Anyhow, the film’s most important characteristic points to the insecurities of contemporary artists putting out efforts to make their projects happen. After the success of “Frances Ha”, which he co-wrote with his life-partner Greta Gerwig, Baumbach delves into an eccentric territory making the audience meditate on the facts of life in two different periods, the exhilarating enthusiasm and motivation of the young, and the conventional settlement of those not-so-young anymore. Ben Stiler is fantastic as the filmmaker confronted by his life-style when he meets a young artist (played by Adam Driver) whose energy will remind him of what’s missing. While they learn of each other, experiencing exciting moments and partnering in a new project, Baumbach precisely captures existential issues, sort of portraying personal dilemmas, but using a universal language to analyze modern habits. One of this year’s best.
WHITE GOD ****
Despite the title that doesn’t make any sense, this Hungarian gem is a remarkable production that causes impact due to its impressive coordination with trained dogs. The film follows the story of a girl living with her father, who decides to get rid of her dog. Abandoned and lost, Hagen struggles to survive until he’s taken by a gangster who drugs him into an extremely violent dog-fighter. Winner of the Un Certain Regard Prize at last year’s Cannes and selected for the latest New Directors/New Films, Kornél Mundruczó’s thriller is an amazing tale of injustice, indifference and compassion. Although he uses a dog to portrait the unwanted, the excluded, he’s actually telling a story that serves as a metaphor for everyone struggling for survival and comprehension in an era that lacks communication and tolerance. Alarming and sometimes difficult to watch, the film’s great attribute is on the dogs, that conquers our hearts and admiration for their talents and incredible performances. There should be an award for Best Canine performance.
ON DVD
New York crime tale “A Most Violent Year” is a well-done production with great performances by Oscar Isaacs and Jessica Chastain. Joaquin Phoenix is the only good thing in “The Immigrant”, while Cronenberg’s “Maps to the Stars” is a waste of time with a pervasive story on incest and greed. Tim Burton’s “Big Eyes” is his ‘easiest’ film, yet very interesting and original.
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