Five to Watch: Movies Under 2 Hours

These days, it seems like every movie is two hours or even longer. Some go up to 3 hours and over. And I can understand that you want to watch a film, but don’t have the time or energy to watch a long movie. There are in fact a lot of movies that are under two hours and I decided to select a few. Here are five picks for movies that are under 2 hours and might not be on your radar.

The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Seventeen-year-old Nadine is a moody outsider. Only her history teacher and best friend Krista can get her approval. Nadine’s world collapses when Krista starts dating her brother Darian. The formula of “The Edge of Seventeen” is well-know, it’s a high school film, but it’s so well-executed. It’s an honest teen dramady with vile dialogue, great pace and a lot of heart.

It Follows (2014)
With a simple yet original idea, director David Robert Mitchell delivers a layered and intelligent horror film. Jay’s brand-new boyfriend gives her a curse after they had sex for the first time. From that moment on she will always be haunted by an entity, that changes shape, and wants to kill her. “It Follows” has dreamy images of Detroit’s suburbs in decay, a Carpenter-like synthesizer soundtrack, nerve-wrecking slow chases and some well-planned scare moments make for a haunting feeling that will haunt you for a long time to come.

All is Lost (2013)
Only one actor, a few lines of text and a boat as the backdrop. Does that captivate you for an hour and a half? Absolutely. Director/ screenwriter J.C. Chandor proves that he can create a blood-curdling thriller without dialogue and an ensemble cast. Robert Redford, 75 during the shooting of it, delivers one of the greatest performances of his career and an unnamed sailor who ends up in a storm and has to survive. “All is Lost” convinces as an adventure film ans as a study in minimalism.

Sing Street (2016)
Dublin in the 1980s. Colin tries to escape his forced family by starting a band. He wants to impress the mysterious girl of his dream. It’s a comic music drama, with an awesome soundtrack and the cool 80s as a backdrop.

Short Term 12 (2012)
“Short Term 12” is your typical American indie film. Twenty-something Grace and Mason work in a shelter for underprivileged youth and in the meantime try to maintain a somewhat difficult relationship with each other. If you take the well-know elements for granted, you will discover a gem of a film, full of warm hearted characters, compelling drama and an authentic-looking insight into the youth care sector.

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched for My Challenge (March 2016)

This month I saw some really good film, some that really surprised me and some I knew I was going to love. Besides “Sharknado” I didn’t really see anything terrible in March. Here are my five favorite films I watched for my challenge this month.

5. Frank
It’s unconventional and weird, yet fun and fantastic. “Frank” is not your everyday movie, but sometimes I like it. Just open up your mind and give it a try.

4. All is Lost
“All is Lost” has almost no dialogue and only one actor in the entire film. How is that interesting, right? Well, Robert Redford and director J.C. Chandor made it happen. It’s a beautiful film, that keeps your attention the entire runtime.

3. 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
Such a simple film, but so very powerful. Sometimes a movie from a foreign country you don’t know much about can totally leave you speechless.

2. This is Where I Leave You
I always love film about dysfunctional families. “This is Where I Leave You” is a good dramedy, strong cast and relatable storylines. It really surprised me.

1. Room
I was excited for “Room” and I got exactly what I was hoping for. What an amazing film, with great performances. This film really grabbed me and I loved everything about it.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Lola Rennt, Malcolm X, Furious 7

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 38: All is Lost

Director: J.C. Chandor
Genre: Drama/ Adventure/ Action
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Robert Redford

Description: After a collision with a shipping container at sea, a resourceful sailor (Robert Redford) finds himself, despite all efforts to the contrary, staring his mortality in the face.

Review: Survival films always do will with the audience. Man against nature, a serious tension is always present because there is a chance the leading characters might not survive.
In “All is Lost” there is only one person, almost no dialogue and a simple plot. The film starts with a nameless man who sees his boat has crashed into a floating container. This has left a
hole in his boat. When his communication equipment is also damaged by the water, the man has to do everything he can to survive. On paper this looks like an everyday survival film, something forgettable. But director J.C. Chandor manages to keep the audience involved and interested. And no special effects or spectacle needed. With that, the leading character is all alone. No sidekick, just him. There is hardly any dialogue. The only times you hear the man is when he is trying to let other people know where he is.
What also helps this movie is the actor. The leading character is portrayed by Robert Redford. Already in his seventies, but this doesn’t hold him back. It’s one of Redford’s best performances. He has to communicate to the audience through his fysique, not through dialogue. Very hard for an actor, but a master like Redford does this flawlessly. We know how he feels in every situation, his face says everything.
“All is Lost” is a very strong survival drama. What sounds like a simple film, is turned into a lot more then just that.

Rating: 4,5/ 5